Abstract:
A vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member, and a suspension system carried by the chassis. One or more air spring assemblies are associated with the suspension system, with each air spring assembly having an air bag, an air line and an air valve. An inflation valve bracket includes a channel and a flange depending from the channel. The channel is at least partially wrapped around the frame member. The flange has one or more openings with a corresponding air valve in each opening.
Abstract:
A vehicle suspension handling stabilisation system (201) comprising: a pair a of leaf springs (210) which are mounted or mountable on respective opposed sides of an associated vehicle (208) and which extend generally longitudinally thereof, which have respective ends pin (214) jointed or pin (214) jointable to the associated vehicle (208), and which are secured or securable substantially rigidly to opposed ends of an axle (206) extending transversely of the associated vehicle (208); and anti-roll and/or anti-pitch means (220) arranged to act between the associated vehicle (208) and at least one of the leaf springs (210) to convert, during use and roll and/or pitch of the associated vehicle (208), a pin (214) jointed end of the or each leaf spring (210) to an end thereof which is fixed with respect to the associated vehicle (208), thereby increasing the rate and hence the stiffness of the or each leaf spring (210).
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) for connecting a load to a support comprises a flexible suspension arm (110) of unitary construction and restoring means (130), the suspension arm being so constructed and arranged to define at least two spaced apart members whose relative location determines the volume of a space (120) which contains the restoring means (130), deflection of the flexible suspension arm in use causing the arm to deform to alter the relative position of the two spaced apart members, thereby altering the volume of the space and so compressing the restoring means (130). The apparatus is especially suited to suspension assemblies for vehicles.
Abstract:
A single air spring (36) positioned under one side of a vehicle (10) provides side to side loading of the vehicle (10). Main springs (30) support the vehicle (10) above a pair of coaxial wheels or coaxial wheel sets. An auxiliary inflatable air spring (36) is positioned to provide additional support to the vehicle (10) above one of the wheels. Deflection of the main springs (30) from a norm or index is indicated by movement of tie rods (60 and 64) mounted from the wheels, axle (22), or base of the main springs relative to the suspended portion of the vehicle. One tie rod is directly linked to a free end of an equalizer lever (58) whereby the equalizer lever moves in the same direction as the tie rod. The second tie rod is coupled to the remaining free end of the equalizer lever by a rotatable rod (62), whereby the appropriate end of the equalizer lever moves in the direction opposite to the tie rod. The equalizer lever (58) is suspended at its center from an actuation lever for a valve used to control inflation and deflation of the auxiliary air spring (36). The actuation lever (46) has a pivot axis fixed with respect to the suspended vehicle (10), so movement the center point of the equalizer lever (58) results in movement of the actuation lever (46). The direction of movement of the actuation lever results in valve action to inflate, deflate, or hold the pressure in the auxiliary air spring (36).
Abstract:
A spring element (23) is of lune shape with arcuate sides so that when it is bent into a bowed configuration it provides a substantially constant force to oppose movement of its ends towards one another. The element (23) is usable in a vehicle suspension with a device (22) to vary the geometry of the suspension to correct for changing vehicle loading and dynamic conditions.
Abstract:
A suspension for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a longitudinal axle arranged substantially orthogonal thereto. The vehicle suspension has a primary air-responsive spring that couples between the chassis and the axle of the vehicle. The primary spring can be a coil spring that surrounds an air helper spring. A secondary leaf spring has a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the axle. The longitudinal configuration of the secondary leaf spring can be arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to a chassis rail of the vehicle.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device on lorries with spring suspended axles arranged in the form of a bogie, which device is intended for stabilization and axle pressure equalization. The device includes, in combination, at least one power and movement generator (1a, 1b) a stabilizer arranged between the spring suspended system of the vehicle and the non-resilient system, power transmission means (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) between said systems to transmit forces between the systems, and means to connect or disconnect, as required, said at least one power and movement generator to and from the stabilizer, said at least one power and movement generator, when connected, being directly or indirectly arranged to influence the position of at least one of the rear axles, and the chassis of the vehicle, respectively.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Federung für ein Fahrzeug (1), umfassend eine Blattfeder (8) und eine Luftfeder (14) mit einem Luftbalg (11). Gemäß der Erfindung ist die Federung derart ausgelegt, dass die Blattfeder (8) und die Luftfeder (14) mechanisch in Reihe angeordnet sind und die Blattfeder (8) auf einer Seite über ein Gelenk (12) mit dem Fahrgestell (5) des Fahrzeugs (1) verbunden ist, so dass sie in vertikaler Richtung schwenkbar ist.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.