US 9,004,499 B2 · Passively controlled adjustable ride height suspension

Abstract

A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the accumulator. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body;
a road wheel configured to maintain contact with a road surface;
a vehicle suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body and configured to maintain contact between the road wheel and the road surface;
a bladder arranged at the suspension corner, characterized by a variable height, and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold at least a volume of the fluid;
an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to selectively accumulate the fluid pumped by the bladder and release the fluid to the bladder;
and
a valve in fluid communication with the accumulator and configured to selectively retain the accumulated fluid in and release the accumulated fluid from the accumulator;
wherein the height of the bladder varies in response to the amount of the fluid being held by the bladder, thereby setting a height of the vehicle body relative to the road surface at the suspension corner.

5 more elements

A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel, the suspension system comprising:

a vehicle suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body and configured to maintain contact between the road wheel and a road surface;
a bladder arranged at the suspension corner, characterized by a variable height, and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and hold at least a volume of the fluid;
an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to selectively accumulate the fluid pumped by the bladder and release the fluid to the bladder;
and
a valve in fluid communication with the accumulator and configured to selectively retain the accumulated fluid in and release the accumulated fluid from the accumulator;
wherein the height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder, thereby setting a height of the vehicle body relative to the road surface at the suspension corner.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Passively controlled adjustable ride height suspension

Life of this patent

Passively controlled adjustable ride height suspension

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20