US 4,364,582 A · Vehicle body suspension system

Abstract

A vehicle body suspension system comprising a piston-cylinder assembly provided between a vehicle wheel and a vehicle body. The piston, which is disposed within the cylinder connected to the wheel, and the piston rod coupled to the piston, are each formed with an oil channel extending axially therethrough. The end of the piston rod which is remote from the piston is connected to the vehicle body by means of an annular elastic member arranged around such end of the piston rod. An oil chamber having a variable volume is provided, and has part of its peripheral wall formed by part of the elastic member. A first damper arrangement is provided between the oil chamber and the oil channel for action during contraction of the system, and a second damper arrangement is provided in the piston for action during elongation of the system. An auxiliary vehicle body suspension spring is provided between the cylinder and the piston rod. A vehicle body height adjusting piston may be provided between the piston rod and the elastic member, and secured to the end of the piston rod remote from the main piston. The first damper arrangement is provided with an automatic damping adjustment arrangement.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A suspension system for supporting the body of a vehicle, comprising:

a cylinder connected to a wheel of said vehicle;
a piston slidably disposed within said cylinder;
a piston rod coupled to said piston;
said piston and said piston rod having an oil channel extending axially therethrough;
coupling means including an annular elastic member arranged concentrically around an end of said piston rod remote from said piston, said coupling means connecting said piston rod to the body of said vehicle through said elastic member;
an oil chamber having a peripheral wall defined in part by part of the peripheral surfaces of said elastic member, said oil chamber having a volume which varies in accordance with deformation of said elastic member;
first damper means provided between said oil channel and said oil chamber for restraining movement of said piston in the direction of said wheel when said piston is moved in said direction relative to said cylinder;
and
second damper means provided on said piston for restraining movement of said piston in the direction of said vehicle body when said piston is moved in the direction of said vehicle body.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle body suspension system

Life of this patent

Vehicle body suspension system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14