Computer optimized adaptive suspension system having combined shock absorber/air spring unit

A suspension unit for connecting a sprung portion of a vehicle with an unsprung portion, said suspension unit comprising:

• a hydraulic shock absorber comprising a piston within a cylinder;
• an air sprung connected in series with said shock absorber so that they compress and rebound along the same axis;
• an airtight housing surrounding said shock absorber and having a vent which communicates with the interior of said air spring;
• air pressure regulator means mounted within said airtight housing and connectable to a source of pressurized air for adjusting the air pressure within said air spring;
• hydraulic fluid regulator means mounted within said airtight housing for adjusting the compression and rebound damping forces of said shock absorber;
• and
• hydraulic sensor means for generating signals representative of the position of said piston within said cylinder.

A shock absorber comprising:

• a cylinder;
• a piston rod;
• a piston mounted on one end of said piston rod, said piston being reciprocable within said cylinder and defining compression and rebound chambers on opposite sides of said piston;
• and
• valve means for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between said chambers including valving in said piston for controlling hydraulic fluid flow back and forth between said chambers, a first conduit connected to said compression chamber, a second conduit connected to said rebound chamber, and a solenoid valve connecting said first and second conduits;
• said solenoid valve normally being closed and being adapted to permit hydraulic flow to flow from said compression chamber to said rebound chamber through said conduits when a predetermined hydraulic fluid threshold blow-off pressure is generated in said compression chamber.

A suspension unit for connecting a sprung portion of a vehicle with an unsprung portion, said suspension unit comprising:

• spring means;
• shock absorber means comprising a first cylinder, a quantity of hydraulic fluid within said first cylinder, and a first piston dividing said first cylinder into upper and lower chambers;
• means operatively connecting said spring means and said shock absorber means;
• compression pressure regulator means coupled to said upper chamber for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said upper chamber during upward movement of said first piston in response to predetermined first signals applied thereto;
• and
• rebound pressure regulator means coupled to said lower chamber for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said lower chamber during downward movement of said first piston in response to predetermined second signals applied thereto;
• wherein
• each said compression and rebound pressure regulator means comprises a solenoid actuated valve that opens in response to a predetermined threshold blow-off pressure determined by signals applied to each said solenoid.

A suspension unit for connecting a sprung portion of a vehicle with an unsprung portion, said suspension unit comprising:

• spring means;
• shock absorber means comprising a first cylinder, a quantity of hydraulic fluid within said first cylinder, and a first piston dividing said first cylinder into upper and lower chambers;
• compression pressure regulator means coupled to said upper chamber for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said upper chamber during upward movement of said first piston in response to predetermined first signals applied thereto;
• rebound pressure regulator means coupled to said lower chamber for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said lower chamber during downward movement of said first piston in response to predetermined second signals applied thereto;
• and
• compression amplifying valve means subdividing said upper chamber of said first cylinder into first and second portions for generating a hydraulic fluid pressure in said second chamber portion which is a function of the hydraulic fluid pressure generated in said first chamber portion by said compression pressure regulator means, said amplifying valve also providing a predetermined threshold blow-off pressure.