Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1995-02-21
1997-03-11
Johnson, Brian L.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
137 45, 13762569, 267187, B60G 1701, B60G 21073, F16K 1107
Patent
active
056093527
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a vehicle suspension system and a control valve therefor.
It is known that when a vehicle such as an automobile travels around a corner, centrifical forces acting on the vehicle tend to cause body roll which if severe can cause instability. The problem is more pronounced with vehicles which have a relatively high center of gravity such as trucks or vans.
Australian Patent No. 618,732 (corresponding to WO 88/07455) discloses an antiroll suspension system for a vehicle. The system includes a pendulum operated control valve. The specification discloses several forms of control valve. The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified control valve which can be used in antiroll suspension systems of the type disclosed in the patent. Another object is to provide antiroll suspension incorporating the new form of control valve.
According to the present invention there is provided a control valve comprising a valve body, a valve element mounted for sliding movement in the valve body, a control arm, coupling means for translating rotational movement of the control arm to linear displacement of the valve element, to thereby selectively open and close valve ports in the valve body.
The invention also provides an antiroll suspension for a vehicle, said vehicle including a chassis, a pair of wheels mounted on axles, springs acting between the chassis and the axles, the suspension comprising a torsion bar mounted transversely of the vehicle for rotation about an axis, a first arm and a second arm extending from the bar, a third arm and a fourth arm pivotally connected to the first and second arms respectively, the third and fourth arms being coupled to the axis or the chassis of the vehicle wherein at least one of the arms includes an extensible strut which on operation thereof effectively alters the length of said at least one arm and control means to control extension and retraction of said at least one arm and rotation of the torsion bar generally in proportion to laterally directed centrifical forces acting on the vehicle and wherein the control means includes a control valve as defined above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle turning on a circular path;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a vehicle having the vehicle suspension of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a control system for the suspension;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a preferred form of control valve in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the control valve with the valve element omitted for clarity of illustration;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the valve element in a neutral position;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view along the line 8--8;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view along the line 9--9;
FIG. 10 shows the control valve with the pendulum rotated in an anti-clockwise direction;
FIG. 11 shows the control valve with the pendulum rotated in a clockwise direction; and
FIG. 12 is a graph showing a typical pressure variation versus angular displacement of the valve element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 2 travelling in a circular path 4 of radius R. The vehicle will be subjected to a centrifugal acceleration which is proportional to V.sup.2 /R where V is velocity of vehicle. The acceleration tends to rotate the vehicle about an axis 6 which is generally horizontal and tangential to the circular path 4, the inner side 8 of the vehicle tending to lift whereas the outer side 10 of the vehicle tending to move closer to the road 3. In accordance with the invention, the vehicle 2 has modified rear and front suspensions 15 and 17 (see FIG. 3) which tends to counteract the body roll. Thus, on cornering, the suspension tends to raise the side of the vehicle on the outside of the turn and this causes a consequential lowering
REFERENCES:
patent: 2278081 (1942-03-01), Kramer
patent: 2387249 (1945-10-01), Eddington
patent: 3533425 (1970-10-01), Hannan
patent: 3836166 (1974-09-01), Bainbridge et al.
patent: 5106120 (1992-04-01), Di Maria
English Peter C.
Johnson Brian L.
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