초록 ▼

A suspension control system for controlling a liftable axle of a vehicle between a retracted, non-load bearing position and an extended, load bearing position includes a valve mechanism which responds to the pressure level in the air bags of the air suspension system of the non-liftable rear axle of

A suspension control system for controlling a liftable axle of a vehicle between a retracted, non-load bearing position and an extended, load bearing position includes a valve mechanism which responds to the pressure level in the air bags of the air suspension system of the non-liftable rear axle of the vehicle. The system includes a leveling valve which increases pressure in the air bags to maintain a constant vehicle height. Accordingly, the pressure level in the air bags in directly proportional to vehicle loading. The valve means responds to this pressure level to communicate pressure to the actuator means controlling the liftable axle when the pressure level in the air bags on the non-liftable rear axle attains a predetermined level. The liftable axle responds to this increase in pressure to extend into load bearing engagement with the road.

대표청구항 ▼

Suspension control system for a vehicle having a suspension system including support means using fluid pressure to support said vehicle and a liftable axle carrying wheels, said liftable axle being movable between a ground engaging position in which said wheels carried by the liftable axle engage th

Suspension control system for a vehicle having a suspension system including support means using fluid pressure to support said vehicle and a liftable axle carrying wheels, said liftable axle being movable between a ground engaging position in which said wheels carried by the liftable axle engage the ground to assist in supporting the vehicle and a retracted position in which the wheels carried by the liftable axle are retracted from the ground, said suspension control system including valve means responsive to the pressure level in said suspension system to cause said liftable axle to move to the ground engaging position when the pressure level in the suspension system exceeds a predetermined level and to cause said liftable axle to move to the retracted position when the pressure level in the suspension system drops below a predecided level, said liftable axle including fluid pressure responsive means for causing said liftable axle to move between said positions, said valve means including communication controlling means for controlling communication between a source of fluid pressure and the fluid pressure responsive means, said valve means including pressure responsive means responsive to the pressure level in said support means, said pressure responsive means controlling said communication controlling means to communicate said fluid pressure responsive means to said fluid pressure source when the pressure level in the support means attains said predetermined level and to terminate communication between said fluid pressure responsive means and said fluid pressure source when the pressure level in the support means drops to said predecided pressure level.