US 6,332,622 B1 · Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers

Abstract

The pilot suspension apparatus of the present invention is capable of biasing a damping valve in a direction for closing the valve, due to application of a pilot pressure. The suspension apparatus comprises at least one pair of hydraulic shock absorbers which are capable of controlling a damping force and which are connected by a connecting pipe. The at least one pair of hydraulic shock absorbers are provided at front and rear wheels or left and right wheels on the same side of a vehicle or are provided in a diagonally shaped relationship. A control valve is provided so as to control the pilot pressure. The control valve is adapted to be controlled by application of a differential pressure which is generated between respective cylinders of the at least one pair of shock absorbers.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A pilot suspension apparatus capable of biasing a damping valve in a direction for closing the damping valve in response to application of a pilot pressure, said pilot suspension apparatus comprising:

at least two hydraulic shock absorbers that are capable of controlling a damping force, wherein said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers are to be provided at a front wheel and a rear wheel, respectively, of a vehicle, at a left wheel and a right wheel, respectively, of a vehicle, or at diagonally spaced wheels, respectively, of a vehicle;
a connecting pipe for connecting said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers to one another;
and
a control valve for controlling the pilot pressure, wherein said control valve is adapted to be controlled by application of a differential pressure generated between respective cylinders of said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers.

1 more element

A pilot suspension apparatus comprising:

at least two hydraulic shock absorbers that are capable of controlling a damping force, wherein said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers are to be provided at a front wheel and a rear wheel, respectively, of a vehicle, at a left wheel and a right wheel, respectively, of a vehicle, or at diagonally spaced wheels, respectively, of a vehicle;
and
a connecting pipe for connecting said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers to one another;
wherein each of said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers includes
(i) a cylinder
(ii) a damping valve that is capable of being biased in a direction for closing said damping valve,
(iii) a pilot chamber for holding a pressurized fluid therein, wherein the pressurized fluid serves to bias said damping valve in the direction for closing said damping valve, and
(iv) a control valve for controlling the pressure of the pressurized fluid within said pilot chamber, wherein said control valve is adapted to be controlled by application of a differential pressure generated between said cylinder of one of said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers and said cylinder of another of said at least two hydraulic shock absorbers.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers

Life of this patent

Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22