초록 ▼

A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air spri

A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air springs flexibly suspending the cab (22) relative to the frame (24), at least one controllable fluid damper, and preferably two spaced-apart controllable fluid dampers, such as Magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers (28, 28'), interconnected between the cab (22) and the frame (24). In one aspect, the system (20) may include at least one sensor, such as a relative position sensor (30), for providing relative vibration information between the cab (22) and the frame (24), and a controller (36) for processing the relative vibration information to determine current to be supplied to the controllable fluid damper (28) to control the degree of damping thereof. Signals from additional sensors, such as a speed sensor (32), steering angle sensor (34), brake sensor (46), throttle position sensor (48), and vertical and lateral acceleration sensors (40, 44) may be used to enhance control. Roll, pitch, lurch and ride may be simultaneously or independently controlled.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A suspension system supporting a vehicle cab relative to a vehicle frame, comprising:(a) at least one flexible member flexibly suspending the vehicle cab relative to the frame, the at least one flexible member being an air spring;(b) at least one controllable fluid damper housing a

[ We claim:] [1.] A suspension system supporting a vehicle cab relative to a vehicle frame, comprising:(a) at least one flexible member flexibly suspending the vehicle cab relative to the frame, the at least one flexible member being an air spring;(b) at least one controllable fluid damper housing a field responsive fluid interconnected between the cab and the frame; and(c) a controller that controls a damping level of said at least one controllable fluid damper to control motion of the cab relative to the frame and that adjusts an air level in the air spring to level said cab, the air level being adjusted responsive to a position sensor.