Air spring and pedestal
AssigneeMeritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
InventorPaul J. Griffiths
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension system includes a longitudinal member, an air spring, a damper and an axle assembly. The air spring is not directly attached to the chassis but is mounted to contact a locating plate attached to the chassis. The locating plate includes a lip such that the locating plate is of a frustum configuration that laterally locates and self aligns the air spring upon pivotal movement and re-alignment of the air spring with the chassis. Preferably, the suspension system includes a protective skirt which aids in bringing the air cell into a correct position with the locating plate. In addition the axle assembly extends away from the chassis at a speed restricted by the damper such that the anti-vacuum system can equalize the pressure within the air cell.
Claims25
An air suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a longitudinal member extending generally lengthways of a vehicle and mountable to the vehicle for pivotal movement about an axis generally transverse of the vehicle;
- a locating plate attachable to the vehicle;
- and
- an air spring disposed between said longitudinal member and said locating plate, pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis toward the vehicle moving said air spring into contact with said locating plate and unloaded pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis away from the vehicle moving said air spring out of contact with said locating plate.
An air suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a longitudinal member extending generally lengthways of a vehicle and mountable to the vehicle for pivotal movement about an axis generally transverse of the vehicle;
- an axle assembly mounted to said longitudinal member;
- a damper disposed between said longitudinal member and the vehicle, said damper providing a dampening force for said axle assembly;
- a locating plate attachable to the vehicle;
- and
- an air spring having an air cell and a piston, said air spring attached to said longitudinal member and disposed between said longitudinal member and said locating plate, pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis toward the vehicle moving said air spring into contact with said locating plate and unloaded pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis away from the vehicle moving said air spring out of contact with said locating plate.
An air suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a longitudinal member extending generally lengthways of a vehicle and mountable to the vehicle for pivotal movement about an axis generally transverse of the vehicle;
- an axle assembly mounted to said longitudinal member;
- a damper disposed between said longitudinal member and the vehicle, said damper providing a dampening force for said axle assembly;
- a locating plate attachable to the vehicle, said locating plate having a frustum conical configuration;
- a protective skirt attached to said locating plate;
- and
- an air spring disposed between said longitudinal member and said locating plate, said air spring having an air cell and a piston having a gas feed, a bottom of said piston attached to said longitudinal member and a top of said piston attached to said air cell, said gas feed extending along said longitudinal member and entering said bottom of said piston wherein pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis toward said vehicle moves said air spring into contact with said locating plate, said locating plate laterally locating said air cell with said locating plate and wherein unloaded pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis away from the vehicle moves said air cell out of contact with said locating plate.
An air suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a longitudinal member mounted for pivotal movement about an axis;
- an air spring having a lower portion supported by said longitudinal member and an upper portion defining a first engagement surface;
- and
- a locating plate held fixed relative to a vehicle structure, said locating plate including a center portion defining a second engagement surface wherein pivotal movement of said longitudinal member about said axis moves said air spring between an engaged position where said first engagement surface engages at least a portion of said second engagement surface and a disengaged position where said first engagement surface is separated from said second engagement surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.