Suspension system

Abstract

A suspension unit (110) for a suspension system has an accumulator (12) for holding and maintaining a fluid such as a gas under pressure. The accumulator is associated with a motion damping unit (114) that is filled with a fluid, such as an oil, in operation. The accumulator includes a floating piston (122) that separates a first chamber (120) in which is stored the pressurised gas, and a second chamber (124) for storing the other fluid under pressure. A third chamber (128) in the motion damping unit (114) is in fluid flow communication with the second chamber (124) of said accumulator through valve means (126) controlling the flow of fluid between the chambers. Relative movement between the accumulator (112) and said motion damping unit (114) causes fluid to flow from the second chamber (124) of the accumulator (112) through the valve (126) to the third chamber (128) whereby gas pressure in said first chamber (120) moves the floating piston (122) in the accumulator thereby reducing the gas pressure in said first chamber. A side chamber (152) within said motion damping unit (114) also expands and contracts with said relative retracting and extending movement of said accumulator (112) and the motion damping unit (114). At least one bleed port (156) communicates the side chamber (152) with the second chamber (124), the bleed port (156) restricting the flow of fluid between the side chamber (152) and the second chamber (124) thereby assisting control of the relative movement of the accumulator (112) and the motion damping unit (114).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of prior patent application Ser. No. 10 / 400,950, filed Mar. 27, 2003; which is a continuation-in-part of PCT AU01 / 01210 filed Sep. 27, 2001 and claims the benefit of priority therewith.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to suspension units and / or suspension systems, particularly adapted for but not exclusively for use with, vehicles or the like, including suspension units and / or suspension systems for vehicles which travel along sealed roads and suspension systems for vehicles which travel off-road such as for example, off-road racing vehicles including motorcycles, military vehicles, vehicles used in the mining industries particularly to transport ore materials and the like. The suspension system is also adapted for use in industrial applications, such as for example, industrial switch gear applications, suspension systems for seats, particularly vehicle seats, truck cab suspen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] wherein said accumulator and said motion damping means are capable of relative retracting and extending movement during which fluid is forced through said valve means at respective predetermined controlled rates so as to dampen the relative retracting and extending movement;

[0016] said relative movement being such that when said accumulator and said motion damping means relatively extend, fluid is caused to flow from said second chamber of the accumulator through the valve means to said third chamber of said motion damping means, whereby gas pressure in said first chamber moves said floating piston in said accumulator thereby reducing the gas pressure in said first chamber, and when said accumulator and said motion damping means relatively retract, fluid is caused to flow from said third chamber of said motion damping means through the valve means to said second chamber of said accumulator, thereby increasing the fluid pressure therein and moving said floating piston to increase the pressure of the gas in said first chamber;

[0019] at least one bleed port communicating said side chamber with said second chamber, the bleed port restricting the flow of fluid between the side chamber and the second chamber thereby assisting control of the relative movement of the accumulator and said motion damping means.

Problems solved by technology

One problem associated with vehicles crossing rough terrain is the amount of travel required of the suspension system.

Unless virtually unlimited travel of the suspension system is provided which is impracticable, when the suspension system reaches its limit of travel there will be contact of one component against another component which produces a jolting ride and ultimately fatigue of the components contacting each other as well as loss of traction and less control of the vehicle.

When this occurs, not only are the occupants of the vehicle jolted or the freight being carried by the vehicle subject to shock, but also the contact of the various individual suspension components against each other from time to time breaks one or more of the suspension components or the body or chassis of the vehicle.

Broken suspension components can occur in diverse areas of activities such as in off-road racing where vehicles must travel fast over rough terrain, in the mining industry where extremely heavy loads must be transported over rough terrain in harsh and corrosive environments, and in military applications where men and equipment must be transported in arduous conditions, even including parachuting vehicles, such as four wheel drives, jeeps and the like from low flying aeroplanes onto the ground where the vehicles land with a jolt, often disabling the vehicle and equipment loaded with the vehicle due to the limited compliance of the suspension systems of such vehicles.

Another problem of existing conventional suspension systems having metal springs or similar components relates to the ride height of the vehicle and the adjustability of the ride height.

In order to change the ride height it is necessary to physically interchange components which is expensive, time consuming and wasteful of materials and components.

Conventional suspensions do not usually allow such adjustments to be made quickly.

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