Variable rate torsion control system for vehicle suspension
OwnerMilford M. Minnettinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a stabilizing apparatus for a motor vehicle using a torsion bar for conveying torsional forces from one location on a motor vehicle to another location on a motor vehicle. A torsion arm with variable flex resistance along its length conveys forces from a wheel suspension component to the torsion bar. An engagement assembly is provided between the wheel suspension component and the torsion arm for selectively varying the engagement location of the suspension component along the length of the torsion arm as the vehicle moves. In this manner, the amount of leverage applied to the torsion bar can be varied, thereby changing suspension characteristics of the vehicle.
Claims30
A stabilizing apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- torsion conveying means for conveying torsional forces from one location on a motor vehicle to another location on a motor vehicle;
- transfer means for conveying forces from a wheel suspension component to the torsion conveying means, the transfer means includes at least one elongated torsion arm having a central axis;
- and
- varying means including an actuator, the varying means connecting the wheel suspension component to the transfer means at an engagement location that is selectively variable relative to the torsion conveying means to thereby permit selective regulation of leverage force from the suspension component to the torsion conveying means, the actuator being oriented so that a resulting force applied by the actuator at the engagement location is parallel to the central axis of the torsion arm.
A motor vehicle, comprising:
- a suspension system having suspension arms for supporting wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle;
- a torsion bar assembly including a bar having torsion arms on opposite ends thereof the torsion arms each having parallel central axes and each torsion arm being connected to an opposing suspension arms at a respective engagement location;
- means for transmitting a control signal corresponding to a driving condition;
- and
- means, responsive to the control signal, for adjusting a distance between each respective engagement location and the torsion bar to selectively change a leverage force acting on the torsion bar during movement of the vehicle, the adjusting means including an actuator being oriented so that a resulting force applied by the actuator at the engagement locations is parallel to the central axes of the torsion arms.
A stabilizing apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- torsion conveying means for conveying torsional forces from one location on a motor vehicle to another location on a motor vehicle;
- transfer means for conveying forces from a wheel suspension component to the torsion conveying means;
- and
- varying means, connecting the wheel suspension component to the transfer means and including a connector movably located on the transfer means, spring means for moving the connector in a direction towards the torsion conveying means, and adjusting means for selectively moving the connector away from the torsion conveying means against the force of the spring means, the varying means being adjustable for selectively regulating an amount of leverage force applied to the torsion conveying means as the motor vehicle moves.
A method for varying the suspension characteristics of a motor vehicle having a torsion bar and an arm, the arm having a central axis and connecting the torsion bar to an engagement location on the motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a fixed predetermined first distance between the torsion bar and the engagement location in order to achieve a first suspension characteristic;
- varying, in the direction of the central axis of the arm, the position of the engagement location relative to the torsion bar by applying a purely linear force at the engagement location parallel to the axis of the arm, while the motor vehicle is moving, to increase the distance between the torsion bar and the engagement location;
- and
- maintaining a fixed predetermined second distance between the torsion bar and the engagement location in order to achieve a second suspension characteristic, different from the first suspension characteristic.
A stabilizing apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a torsion bar for conveying torsional forces from one location on a motor vehicle to another location on a motor vehicle;
- an extensible torsion arm having a central axis and being connected to an end of the torsion bar, the torsion arm including a shaft having a smooth serration-free outer surface which is movable within a tubular member having a complementary smooth inner surface, the shaft being constructed to bend in use;
- a strut having a first end connected to a wheel suspension component and a second end connected to the shaft for selective movement relative to the torsion bar in the direction of the axis of the torsion arm;
- and
- means, operatively connected to the strut for varying the distance between the strut and torsion bar so that as the distance between the strut and the torsion bar increases, the torsion arm is capable of applying increased leverage force to the torsion bar and the shaft flexes to comply with road bumps encountered by the motor vehicle.
A stabilizing apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a torsion bar;
- an torsion arm having a central axis, a first end region connected to an end of the torsion bar, and an opposing distal end region, the torsion arm having a first width in the first end region and a corresponding second width less than the first width in the distal end region;
- a strut having a first end connected to a wheel suspension component and second end connected to the torsion arm for selective movement along the torsion arm between the first end region and the distal end region;
- means, operatively connected to the strut for moving the second end of the strut between the first end region and the second end region of the torsion arm to thereby selectively vary leverage force applied to the torsion bar and to also vary an amount of force necessary to bend the torsion arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.