Dual volume air spring
OwnerSarika BENIWALinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual volume air spring assembly comprising a first member, a second member, a deflectable diaphragm configured to at least partially defines a primary air volume chamber, and also at least partially defines a secondary air volume chamber. The deflectable diaphragm deflects from a first position to a second position due to a change of air pressure difference created between two chambers. In another aspect, the air spring assembly is provided with a damper coaxially configured with the assembly. In another aspect, the air spring assembly includes a piston spring configured with the primary air volume chamber. Various values of desired spring rates for optimum performance—control, safety and comfort—can be achieved by changing the difference in the air pressures of the two chambers and in the spring assembly.
Claims11
An air spring assembly for a vehicle, the air spring assembly comprising:
- a first member at one end and a second member at an opposite end;
- and
- a deflectable diaphragm configured to at least partially define a primary air volume chamber and at least partially define a secondary air volume chamber, wherein the primary air volume chamber is provided with a first inlet for charging air therewithin and the secondary air volume chamber is provided with a second inlet for charging air therewithin:
- wherein the deflectable diaphragm separates the primary air volume chamber and the secondary air volume chamber such that a change of air pressure difference created between the primary air volume chamber and the secondary air volume chamber causes a deflection of the deflectable diaphragm.
An air spring system comprising:
- at least one air spring assembly;
- a plurality of vehicle sensors configured to measure a plurality of vehicle characteristics and correspondingly generate a plurality of sensor signals;
- a valve assembly configured to control air supply into and out of the at least one air spring assembly;
- and
- a control unit operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and the valve assembly, wherein the control unit is configured to:
- receive the plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of vehicle sensors;
- analyze the received sensor signals to determine desired spring characteristics including at least a spring rate for the vehicle;
- and
- generate an output signal to actuate the valve assembly to modify pressure and/or volume within at least one of the primary air volume chamber and the secondary air volume chamber to achieve the desired spring characteristics including at least a spring rate in the vehicle.
A method of adjusting spring characteristics including at least a spring rate of an air spring assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a primary air volume chamber adjacent to a secondary air volume chamber along with a deflectable diaphragm which at least partially defines the primary air volume chamber and at least partially defines the secondary air volume chamber;
- and
- changing a pressure within or volume of any or a combination of the primary air volume chamber and the secondary air volume chamber to change the spring characteristics including at least the spring rate of the air spring assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.