# US 9,004,499 B2 · Passively controlled adjustable ride height suspension > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,004,499 B2 - Document ID: US9004499B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/919,244 - Filed: 2013-06-17 - Published: 2014-12-18 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-17 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Robert E. Zeweke; Andrew R. Krenz; Richard J. Lannen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9004499B2 ## CPC - B60G 17/00: Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load {(levelling or stabilising systems for tippers B60P1/045)} - B60G 17/016: characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input {(B60G17/017 takes precedence)} - B60G 17/0165: to an external condition, e.g. rough road surface, side wind - B60G 17/0565: {Height adjusting valves} - B60G 2200/14: with lateral arms - B60G 2200/142: with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type - B60G 2200/144: with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram - B60G 2204/129: Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle - B60G 2204/62: Adjustable continuously, e.g. during driving - B60G 2500/30: Height or ground clearance - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor configured to detect the volume of the fluid held by the bladder and generate a signal indicative of the volume; and a controller configured to receive the signal indicative of the volume of the fluid held by the bladder and regulate the valve to selectively accumulate and release the fluid by the accumulator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the corner includes a control arm connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body and a damper arranged between the control arm and the vehicle body and configured to cushion forces being generated at the road wheel as the vehicle traverses the road surface, and wherein the forces generated at the road wheel displace the control arm and in turn actuate the bladder to pump the fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the accumulator is mounted to one of the vehicle body and the damper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the bladder includes a general ring shape defining a hollow middle section, wherein the damper includes a fastening member that extends through the middle section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the bladder is arranged between the damper and the vehicle body, and wherein the fastening member is secured to the vehicle body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the bladder is arranged between the damper and the control arm, and wherein the fastening member is secured to the control arm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bladder includes a first bladder and a second bladder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the first bladder is arranged between the damper and the vehicle body and the second bladder is arranged between the damper and the control arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle body includes a first pocket arranged to accept the first bladder and the control arm includes a second pocket arranged to accept the second bladder. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The suspension system according to claim 11, further comprising: a sensor configured to detect the volume of the fluid held by the bladder and generate a signal indicative of the volume; and a controller configured to receive the signal indicative of the volume of the fluid held by the bladder and regulate the valve to selectively accumulate and release the fluid by the accumulator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The suspension system according to claim 11, wherein the corner includes a control arm connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body and a damper arranged between the control arm and the vehicle body and configured to cushion forces being generated at the road wheel as the vehicle traverses the road surface, and wherein the forces generated at the road wheel displace the control arm and in turn actuate the bladder to pump the fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The suspension system according to claim 13, wherein the accumulator is mounted to one of the vehicle body and the damper. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The suspension system according to claim 13, wherein the bladder includes a general ring shape defining a hollow middle section, wherein the damper includes a fastening member that extends through the middle section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The suspension system according to claim 15, wherein the bladder is arranged between the damper and the vehicle body, and wherein the fastening member is secured to the vehicle body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The suspension system according to claim 15, wherein the bladder is arranged between the damper and the control arm, and wherein the fastening member is secured to the control arm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The suspension system according to claim 11, wherein the bladder includes a first bladder and a second bladder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The suspension system according to claim 18, wherein the first bladder is arranged between the damper and the vehicle body and the second bladder is arranged between the damper and the control arm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The suspension system according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle body includes a first pocket arranged to accept the first bladder and the control arm includes a second pocket arranged to accept the second bladder.