Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2001-12-25
Graham, Matthew C. (Department: 3613)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C188S266500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332622
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a suspension apparatus for a vehicle, such as an automobile.
Generally, in a suspension apparatus for an automobile, comprising a hydraulic shock absorber generating damping force, a small damping force is desired while driving in a straight line, from the viewpoint of ease in absorbing vibration and obtaining good riding quality. On the other hand, a large damping force is desired during braking, acceleration or cornering, from the viewpoint of suppressing pitching and rolling of the vehicle body and obtaining good steering stability. Therefore, there has been conventionally employed a suspension control apparatus comprising: a hydraulic shock absorber capable of controlling a damping force; an actuator for switching the damping force; a controller which controls an operation of the actuator; and various sensors which detect an acceleration of the vehicle body, etc. In this suspension control apparatus, the damping force is controlled appropriately according to a road surface condition, a vehicle running condition, etc., so as to obtain good riding quality and steering stability.
The above-mentioned suspension control apparatus requires use of various electronic devices, such as the controller and the actuator. These electronic devices are expensive, and further require costs for ensuring reliability of the devices. As a countermeasure, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Public Disclosure No.
10-213171
proposes a suspension apparatus in which hydraulic shock absorbers provided at left and right wheels of a vehicle are connected through a pipe to each other. In this apparatus, a spool provided in a piston rod in the hydraulic shock absorber is moved by utilizing a difference in hydraulic pressure in the left-handed and right-handed hydraulic shock absorbers, to thereby adjust a damping force of the hydraulic shock absorber automatically according to a vehicle running condition.
Thus, there has been an increasing demand for a suspension apparatus which is capable of adjusting a damping force of the hydraulic shock absorber mechanically and automatically according to a vehicle running condition, without using electronic devices such as a controller and an actuator. In addition, it has been required to develop a suspension apparatus which has a simple construction and which is capable of generating an appropriate damping force according to a vehicle running condition, by adjusting damping force characteristics in a wide range.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, the present invention has been made. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension apparatus which is capable of adjusting a damping force automatically according to a vehicle running condition and which has a simple construction and is capable of generating an appropriate damping force by adjusting damping force characteristics in a wide range.
According to the present invention, there is provided a pilot suspension apparatus capable of biasing a damping valve in a direction for closing the valve, due to application of a pilot pressure, the suspension apparatus comprising:
at least one pair of hydraulic shock absorbers capable of controlling a damping force, the at least one pair of hydraulic shock absorbers being provided at front and rear wheels or left and right wheels on the same side of a vehicle or being provided in a diagonally spaced relationship;
a connecting pipe for connecting the at least one pair of hydraulic shock absorbers; and
a control valve for controlling the pilot pressure, the control valve being adapted to be controlled by application of a differential pressure generated between respective cylinders of the at least one pair of shock absorbers.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4683992 (1987-08-01), Watanabe
patent: 4752062 (1988-06-01), Domenichini
patent: 4938499 (1990-07-01), Kawabata
patent: 4943084 (1990-07-01), Fukunaga et al.
patent: 5058868 (1991-10-01), Sirven
patent: 5207300 (1993-05-01), Engel et al.
patent: 5547211 (1996-08-01), Runkel
Mihara Yoshiko
Nakamura Ken'ichi
Nezu Takashi
Graham Matthew C.
Tokico Ltd.
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
LandOfFree
Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Suspension apparatus having two interconnected shock absorbers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2562211