Vehicle driving height adjusting system

Abstract

A vehicle travel height adjustment system includes a vehicle chassis. The wheels are connected to the vehicle chassis through a suspension system. A shock absorber and spring assembly is connected to the vehicle chassis, and the shock absorber and spring assembly is connected to the suspension system by a height adjustment mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle ride height adjustment system. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors, and aspects of the description that may not otherwise constitute prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0003] From a human factors perspective, the height of the vehicle seat is very important for ingress and egress of the vehicle occupants. Larger vehicles require steps to assist ingress and egress. When the vehicle body is lowered, the seat can be transferred more easily without the steps. For lower vehicles, lifting the seat (body) will make ingress and egress transfers easier. For accessible vehicles using wheelchair ramps, the ramp angle / length is reduced when the vehicle floor is lower. The vehicle ride height adjustment system can also be used dynamically when the vehicle is in motion and higher or lower ground clearance is required. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle ride height adjustment system includes a vehicle chassis. A wheel is connected to the vehicle chassis through a suspension system. A shock absorber and spring assembly are connected to the vehicle chassis, and the shock absorber and spring assembly are connected to the suspension system through a height adjustment mechanism.

[0005] According to another aspect, the height adjustment mechanism includes a ball screw connected to the shock absorber and a nut drivingly connected to the ball screw and drivingly connected to the drive motor.

[0006] According to another aspect, the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a spur gear system.

[0007] According to another aspect, a spur gear system includes a first spur gear connected to an output shaft of a drive motor and a second spur gear fixed to a nut.

[0008] According to another aspect, the spur gear system further includes a reduction gear assembly including a third spur gear drivingly engaged with the first spur gear, a fourth spur gear rotatably fixed to the third spur gear and drivingly engaged with the second spur gear.

[0009] According to another aspect, the nut is supported within the housing by a lower bearing engaging the housing and a lower portion of the nut and an upper bearing engaging the housing and an upper portion of the nut.

[0010] According to another aspect, the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a worm gear system.

[0011] According to another aspect, the ball screw is fixed to a cylinder of the shock absorber.

[0012] According to another aspect, a suspension system includes a lower control arm connected to a chassis and a wheel, and a height adjustment mechanism is connected to the lower control arm.

[0013] According to another aspect, the wheel is mounted to the wheel hub and the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the wheel hub.

[0014] According to another aspect, a vehicle ride height adjustment system includes a vehicle chassis. A wheel is connected to the vehicle chassis via a suspension system. A shock absorber and spring assembly are connected to the vehicle chassis, and the shock absorber and spring assembly are connected to the suspension system via a height adjustment mechanism, the height adjustment mechanism including a ball screw connected to the shock absorber and a nut drivingly connected to the ball screw and drivingly connected to a drive motor.

[0015] Benefits of the present disclosure are reduced cost, reduced weight, and reduced complexity compared to existing pneumatic systems.

[0016] The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0017] 1. A vehicle ride height adjustment system, comprising:

[0018] Vehicle chassis;

[0019] wheels connected to the vehicle chassis through a suspension system; and

[0020] A shock absorber and spring assembly connected to the vehicle chassis that is connected to the suspension system through a height adjustment mechanism.

[0021] 2 . The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a ball screw connected to the shock absorber and a nut drivingly connected to the ball screw and drivingly connected to a drive motor.

[0022] 3 . The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 2 , wherein the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a spur gear system.

[0023] 4 . The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 3 , wherein the spur gear system includes a first spur gear connected to an output shaft of the drive motor and a second spur gear fixed to the nut.

[0024] 5. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 4, wherein the spur gear system further comprises a reduction gear assembly including a third spur gear drivingly engaged with the first spur gear, a fourth spur gear rotatably fixed to the third spur gear and drivingly engaged with the second spur gear.

[0025] 6. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 2, wherein the nut is supported within the housing by a lower bearing engaging the housing and a lower portion of the nut and an upper bearing engaging the housing and an upper portion of the nut.

[0026] 7. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 2, wherein the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a worm gear system.

[0027] 8 . The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 2 , wherein the ball screw is fixed to a cylinder of the shock absorber.

[0028] 9. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the suspension system includes a lower control arm connected to the chassis and the wheel, and a height adjustment mechanism is connected to the lower control arm.

[0029] 10. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the wheel is mounted to a wheel hub and the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the wheel hub.

[0030] 11. A vehicle ride height adjustment system, comprising:

[0031] Vehicle chassis;

[0032] wheels connected to the vehicle chassis through a suspension system; and

[0033] A shock absorber and spring assembly connected to the vehicle chassis is connected to the suspension system through a height adjustment mechanism, which includes a ball screw connected to the shock absorber and a nut drivingly connected to the ball screw and drivingly connected to the drive motor.

[0034] 12. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a spur gear system.

[0035] 13 . The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 12 , wherein the spur gear system includes a first spur gear connected to an output shaft of the drive motor and a second spur gear fixed to the nut.

[0036] 14. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 13, wherein the spur gear system further comprises a reduction gear assembly including a third spur gear drivingly engaged with the first spur gear, a fourth spur gear rotatably fixed to the third spur gear and drivingly engaged with the second spur gear.

[0037] 15. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 12, wherein the nut is supported within the housing by a lower bearing engaging the housing and a lower portion of the nut and an upper bearing engaging the housing and an upper portion of the nut.

[0038] 16. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 12, wherein the drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a worm gear system.

[0039] 17. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 12, wherein the ball screw is fixed to a cylinder of the shock absorber.

[0040] 18. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the suspension system includes a lower control arm connected to the chassis and the wheels, and a height adjustment mechanism is connected to the lower control arm.

[0041] 19. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 11, wherein the wheel is mounted to a wheel hub and the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the wheel hub.

[0042] 20. A vehicle ride height adjustment system, comprising:

[0043] Vehicle chassis;

[0044] A wheel connected to a vehicle chassis via a suspension system including a lower control arm connected to the vehicle chassis; and

[0045] A shock absorber and spring assembly connected to the vehicle chassis that is connected to the lower control arm of the suspension system through a height adjustment mechanism.

[0046] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a vehicle ride height adjustment system in an extended position;

[0049] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a vehicle ride height adjustment system in a retracted position;

[0050] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the height adjustment mechanism in an extended position;

[0051] Figure 2Bis a cross-sectional view of the height adjustment mechanism in a retracted position;

[0052] Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a shock absorber with a height adjustment mechanism according to a second embodiment;

[0053] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a cut-away perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism shown; and

[0054] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a MacPherson strut with a height adjustment mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0055] Among the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the vehicle 10 is shown to include a chassis 12. The wheels 14 may be connected to the chassis 12 via lower control arms 16 and upper control arms 18. A shock absorber 20 and surrounding coil spring 22 are connected to the chassis 12 at the upper end.

[0057] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the shock absorber includes a piston 24 supported on a piston rod 26 and received in a cylinder 28. The piston rod 26 is connected to the chassis 12. Figure 1A and 1B As shown, the upper end 22a of the spring 22 is nested in an upper spring cup 30 connected to the chassis 12. The lower end 22b of the spring 22 is nested in a lower spring cup 32 attached to the cylinder 28. The upper end of the cylinder 28 is housed in an upper housing 34. The lower end of the cylinder 28 is connected to a ride height adjustment mechanism 36, which is connected to the lower control arm 16.

[0058] The bellows 38 is connected to the upper end of the height adjustment mechanism and to the cylinder 28 . Figure 1A The vehicle 10 is shown with the height adjustment mechanism 36 extended, and Figure 1B The vehicle 10 is shown with the height adjustment mechanism 36 retracted.

[0059] refer to Figure 2A and 2B, the height adjustment mechanism 36 includes a housing 40 having a lower attachment portion 42 for connection to the lower control arm 16. A motor 44 is attached to the housing 40 and includes a drive shaft 46 connected to a first spur gear 48. The first spur gear 48 is drivingly engaged with a second spur gear 50, which is rotatably fixed to a third spur gear 52. The second spur gear 50 and the third spur gear 52 are rotatably supported by the housing 40. The third spur gear 52 may be larger in diameter than the second spur gear 50 so as to provide a gear reduction. The third spur gear 52 is drivingly engaged with a fourth spur gear 54 fixed to a nut 56. The nut 56 is engaged with a ball screw 58 fixed to the bottom of the cylinder 28 of the shock absorber 20. The nut 56 is rotatably supported in the housing 40 by a lower bearing 60 and an upper bearing 62. The lower bearing 60 is arranged to abut against a first axially facing shoulder 64 and a radially inwardly facing shoulder 66 of the housing 40. The upper bearing 62 is disposed against the second axially facing shoulder 68 of the housing 40. The cover 70 may be threadedly engaged with the housing 40 and may be disposed against the upper surface of the upper bearing 62 to provide axial support for the upper bearing 62. The bellows 38 may be connected to the upper end of the cover 70. The motor 44 drives the nut 56, thereby driving the ball screw 58 in a vertical direction. Figure 2A An elongated height adjustment mechanism 36 and bellows 38 are shown, and Figure 2B The height adjustment mechanism 36 and bellows 38 are shown retracted. The housing 40 includes an elongated cavity for receiving the lower end of the cylinder 28 to varying degrees when the height adjustment mechanism 36 is operated to adjust the vehicle ride height.

[0060] The drive mechanism of the height adjustment mechanism 136 may alternatively include Figure 3 and Figure 4 The worm gear system 100 is shown. Specifically, the worm gear system 100 includes a worm gear 102 mounted to a drive shaft 104 of a motor 106. The worm gear 102 engages with a worm wheel 108 fixed to the nut 56.

[0061] refer to Figure 5 , the shock absorber 110 and the height adjustment mechanism 112 may be used as a MacPherson strut mounted to a wheel hub 114. The MacPherson strut uses a wishbone 116 that provides a mounting point for the hub bracket 114 or the axle of the wheel 118. The lower wishbone 116 provides lateral and longitudinal location of the wheel 118. The upper portion of the wheel hub 114 is rigidly fixed to the side bracket 120 of the height adjustment mechanism 112. The height adjustment mechanism 112 may include a spur gear system or a worm gear system as described above.

[0062] The proposed system will be able to lower or raise the vehicle body. The shock absorber (and spring) moves down / up relative to the lower control arm and the vehicle body will also move down / up to balance in the new position. When the height adjustment mechanism is applied to the four corners of the vehicle, the vehicle body will drop / raise accordingly in unison at all four corners. Thus, in the case of a MacPherson strut, the height adjustment mechanism allows the shock absorber and coil to move up or down relative to the control arm or wheel.

[0063] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because after studying the drawings, the specification and the appended claims, other modifications will become apparent. It should be understood that one or more steps in the method can be performed in different orders (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, although each embodiment is described as having certain features above, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the replacement of one or more embodiments with each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] Various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "immediately adjacent," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed," are used to describe the spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.). Unless explicitly described as "direct," when describing a relationship between a first element and a second element in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which there are no other intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, but can also be an indirect relationship in which there are one or more intermediate elements (spatially or functionally) between the first element and the second element. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C) using a non-exclusive logical "OR," and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

Claims

1. A vehicle ride height adjustment system, comprising: Vehicle chassis; wheels connected to the vehicle chassis through a suspension system; and A shock absorber and spring assembly connected to the vehicle chassis that is connected to the suspension system through a height adjustment mechanism.

2. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein: The height adjustment mechanism includes a ball screw connected to the shock absorber and a nut drivingly connected to the ball screw and drivingly connected to a drive motor.

3. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein: The drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a spur gear system.

4. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 3, wherein: The spur gear system includes a first spur gear connected to the output shaft of the drive motor and a second spur gear fixed to the nut.

5. The vehicle ride height adjustment system of claim 4, wherein the spur gear system further comprises a reduction gear assembly including a third spur gear drivingly engaged with the first spur gear, a fourth spur gear rotatably fixed to the third spur gear and drivingly engaged with the second spur gear.

6. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein: The nut is supported within the housing by a lower bearing engaging the housing and a lower portion of the nut and an upper bearing engaging the housing and an upper portion of the nut.

7. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein: The drive motor is drivingly connected to the nut via a worm gear system.

8. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein: The ball screw is fixed to a cylinder of the shock absorber.

9. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein: The suspension system includes a lower control arm connected to the chassis and the wheel, and a height adjustment mechanism is connected to the lower control arm.

10. The vehicle ride height adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein: The wheel is mounted to a wheel hub, and the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the wheel hub.

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