GB1603536A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB1603536A – Vehicle self levelling suspension strut and telescopic assembly therefor
– Google Patents

GB1603536A – Vehicle self levelling suspension strut and telescopic assembly therefor
– Google Patents
Vehicle self levelling suspension strut and telescopic assembly therefor

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Publication number
GB1603536A

GB1603536A
GB16315/78A
GB1631578A
GB1603536A
GB 1603536 A
GB1603536 A
GB 1603536A
GB 16315/78 A
GB16315/78 A
GB 16315/78A
GB 1631578 A
GB1631578 A
GB 1631578A
GB 1603536 A
GB1603536 A
GB 1603536A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chamber
assembly
cylinder
sensing
shock absorber
Prior art date
1977-07-18
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB16315/78A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Tenneco Automotive Inc

Original Assignee
Monroe Auto Equipment Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1977-07-18
Filing date
1978-04-25
Publication date
1981-11-25

1978-04-25
Application filed by Monroe Auto Equipment Co
filed
Critical
Monroe Auto Equipment Co

1981-11-25
Publication of GB1603536A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1603536A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL

B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS

B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load

B60G17/015—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements

B60G17/019—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof

B60G17/01933—Velocity, e.g. relative velocity-displacement sensors

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION
( 11) 1603536 ( 21) Application No 16315/78 ( 22) Filed 25 April 1978 ( 19) ( 31) Convention Application No 816454 ( 32) Filed 18 July 1977 in ( 33) United States of America (US) ( 44) Complete Specification published 25 Nov 1981 \,\/ ( 51) INT CL 3 F 16 F 9/50 ( 52) Index at acceptance F 2 S 903 BRS ( 54) VEHICLE SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION STRUT AND TELESCOPIC ASSEMBLY THEREFOR ( 71) We, MONROE AUTO EQUIPMENT COMPANY, a Corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, of One International Drive, Monroe, Michigan 48161, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:THIS INVENTION relates to vehicle selflevelling suspension struts and a telescopic assembly therefor More especially the invention relates generally to vehicle selflevelling suspension systems as shown in the
Specification of United States Patent No.
4,017,099.
As described in the Specification of United
States of Patent No 4,017,099, it has been the practice to utilise an external height detecting controller located remote from vehicle suspension struts of vehicle self-levelling suspension systems which generally function to vary the attitude or spacing between the ground engaging axle of a vehicle and the vehicle’s chassis, with the height detecting controller sensing sustained changes in the height relationship between and axle and chassis and controlling fluid flow between a suitable source of pressurised fluid and the suspension structs Such remotely located controllers have been found to be objectionable because they necessitate separate factory installation and they require accurate positioning and adjustment in order to assure the desired overall operation of the levelling system While integrated controllers and suspension structs have been proposed in the Specifications of United States Patent Nos.
3,584,894 and 3,606,375, such devices have been found to be objectionable due to the fact that they were located externally of the suspension struts and thus were subject to the hostile environment that exists in connection with modern automotive vehicles Aforementioned United States Patent Specification No 4,017,099 discloses an arrangement by which the height controlling elements are located interiorly of the pressurising chamber 50 and the present invention relates to a refinement of the principles set forth in that Patent Specification by which the height sensing means are conveniently mounted directly upon one internal peripheral wall portion of 55 the pressurising chamber of the associated levelling strut.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a telescopically adjustable assembly, including a first mem 60 ber in part defining a chamber, a second member telescopically movable within the chamber, a source of pressurized fluid supply into the chamber for moving said members relative to one another, a control circuit 65 including position sensing means for effecting actuation of said source in response to relative displacement of the members, and a flexible member within said chamber supporting said position sensing means on an 70 interior wall portion of said chamber and orienting two spaced sensing components comprising said sensing means at predetermined locations relative to each other and to one of said members 75 Another aspect of the present invention provides an adjustable shock absorber assembly comprising a hydraulic shock absorber having a piston, cylinder and dirt shield, a piston rod attached to said piston 80 and extending axially from one end of said cylinder, a generally tubular diaphragm member defining a pressurizable chamber with said dirt shield and said cylinder, means for supplying pressurized fluid to and from 85 said chamber, and a relatively flexible member conforming to the shape of and mounted on an interior wall of said chamber operatively supporting and pre-orienting position sensing means comprising sensing elements, 90 1,603,536 that are operable in response to relative axial displacement between said dirt shield and cylinder for controlling operation of said pressurized fluid supply means.
S A further aspect of the present invention provides an adjustable shock absorber assembly comprising, a hydraulic shock absorber having a piston and cylinder, a piston rod attached to the piston and extending axially from one end of the cylinder, a generally tubular diaphragm member in part defining a pressurizable chamber with said cylinder, means for supplying pressurized fluid to and from said chamber, a control circuit controlling energization of said pressurized fluid supply means, position sensing means comprising first and second control members disposed within said chamber and adapted to cooperate in effecting operation of the control circuit, and a flexible member operatively supporting said members on one interior wall of the chamber and positioning said members at preselected positions relative to one another.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides a combination of an electrical connector and a position sensing assembly in an air adjustable shock absorber assembly of the type comprising a hydraulic shock absorber and a pressurizable chamber adapted to be supplied with pressurized fluid from a suitable source thereof, said electrical connector and position sensing assembly comprising a relatively flexible support member secured to one wall of said chamber and carrying sensing means in the form of two spaced elements, one of the elements being a solid state sensing element on said support member for sensing relative positions of first and second relatively movable portions of said chamber, and a connector member disposed in fluid tight manner through an access opening in one wall of said chamber operatively to connect said sensing element to a portion of a control circuit located exteriorly of said chamber to control operation of said pressurized fluid source in response to the sensing of a particular relative positioning of said first and second portions by the sensing element.
By virtue of the fact that the aforesaid height sensing means can, in an illustrated embodiment, be prelocated relative to one another prior to installation, correct operating orientation of these elements can be ensured so that no subsequent adjustment of their relative positions thereof is necessary.
Moreover, by virtue of the fact that the sensing means may be supported within the pressurising chamber upon a support member having a portion of the associated electrical circuitry also mounted thereon, the height sensors, as well as associated electrical circuitry also carried by the support member, are protected from the hostile exterior environment Consequently, assembly time is minimised to the extreme and adjustment or positioning of the respective height sensing elements is entirely obviated.
It is to be noted that the terms “height”, 70 “distance”, “altitude”, and derivatives thereof, are used interchangeable herein, as well as throughout the automotive arts, as referring to the magnitude of spacing between a vehicle’s sprung and unsprung por 75 tions, for example, between a vehicle frame and its associated axles It is also to be noted that the term “associated electronic circuitry” used herein is intended to mean wires, conductors (either discrete wires or printed 80 circuits), as well as electronic components per se, (either solid state or otherwise) or any combination thereof.
The present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed descrip 85 tion given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an automotive vehicle having therein a levelling system embodying the present in 90 vention; Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly broken away, of one of the suspension struts incorporated in the levelling system shown in Figure 1; 95 Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a bottom elevational view of a combination support member and connector 100 assembly incorporated in the levelling system; Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the 105 structure shown in Figures 4 and 5; and Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Figure 3.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, 110 and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, a vehicle self-levelling suspension system 10 is shown in operative association with an automotive vehicle 12 The vehicle 12 is shown as comprising a sprung portion or chassis 14 115 and an unsprung or axle portion 16, between which main or primary suspension springs 18 are located The levelling system 10 comprises a pair of auxiliary suspension components or struts 20 and 20 ‘ which are adapted 120 to be selectively pressurised and de-pressurised, for example, from a suitable source of fluid pressure such as an electrically energised air compressor 22 The compressor 22 is supplied with electrical energy from a 125 conventional 12-volt vehicle battery 24 which is communicable with an electrical control module 26 via an electrical conductor 28 The module 26 is in turn connected to the compressor 22 via a suitable conductor 30, 130 1,603,536 and a suitable safety fuse 32 may be provided in the electrical circuit connecting the battery 24 with the compressor 22 The compressor 22 is adapted to supply pressurised air via a conduit 34 to a control valve mechanism 36 and via a conduit 38, T-fitting 40 and conduits 42 and 44 to the suspension struts 20 and 20 ‘ Briefly, in operation of a selflevelling suspension system 10, at such time as the vehicle 12 becomes loaded to a predetermined magnitude, the control module 26 will effect energisation of the compressor 22 to increase the pressure in the conduits 38, 42, 44 and the struts 20, 20 ‘ connected thereto, thereby causing extension thereof so as to raise the sprung portion 14 of the vehicle 12 to a level or other predetermined attitude At such time as the vehicle 12 is unloaded, the control module 26 will effect actuation of the control valve 36 such that the components 20, 20 ‘ will be vented to atmosphere (or elsewhere), whereby the struts 20, 20 ‘ will be compressed or contracted, resulting in the sprung portion 14 of the vehicle 12 being lowered to some predetermined attitude.
Referring now in detail to the construction and operation of the auxiliary suspension component 20, as best seen in Figure 2, the component 20 comprises, by way of example, a direct-acting hydraulic shock absorber 50 having a hydraulic cylinder or housing 52.
Extending upwardly from the cylinder 52 is a reciprocable piston rod 54 which is connected at a lower end to a reciprocable piston (not shown) that is reciprocable within the cylinder 52 to damp relative movement between the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle 12 The lower end of the cylinder 52 is provided with a lower end fitting 56 which is adapted to be secured in a conventional manner to the unsprung portion 16 of the vehicle 12, while the upper end of the piston rod 54 is provided with an upper end fitting 58 adapted to be secured in a conventional manner to the sprung portion of the vehicle 12 Mounted on and reciprocable with the piston rod 54 is an annular or tubular dirt or dust shield member 60 which extends coaxially of the piston rod 54 and is spaced radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the cylinder 52 The upper end of the dirt shield 60 is provided with a generally inverted cup-shaped end cap 62 that is secured to the piston rod 54 and closes off the upper end of the dirt shield 60.
Disposed between the lower end of the dirt shield and the cylinder 52 is a rolling flexible diaphragm member 64 which is fabricated of a suitable material, such as fabric reinforced rubber, and comprises an inner end portion 66 that is sleeved over the outer periphery of the cylinder 52 The diaphragm member 64 also comprises an outer end portion 68 that is sleeved over the lower end of the dirt shield 60, with the inner and outer portions 66, 68 being connected by a reversely folded lower portion 70, as illustrated in Figure 2 The end portions 66, 68 are secured to the cylinder 52 and dirt shield 60, respectively, by suitable 70 clamping rings 72, 74, whereby the dirt shield and diaphragm 64 define a pressurisable chamber 76 which is adapted to be selectively pressurised by fluid e g compressed air supplied from the compressor 22 A suitable 75 attachment fitting 78 is provided on the dirt shield 60 for securing the adjacent end of the conduit 42 thereto The attachment fitting 78 may be of any suitable construction but is preferably of the type shown in the Specifica 80 tion of United States Patent No 3,692,296.
Disposed internally of the chamber 72 and secured to the interior side of the dirt shield is a generally flat or planar support member 80 which is fabricated of a relatively 85 flexible or compliant polymeric material, such as a suitable polyester resin and is of shape suitable for supporting and locating components 82, 84 and 86 described below.
The member 80 is preferably secured to the 90 wall of the dirt shield 60 by a suitable adhesive material, for example, by a suitable contact-type adhesive As best seen in Figure 3, the length of the member 80 is preferably approaching about one-half of the circumfer 95 ence of the interior of the dirt shield 60, and the width of the member is approximately one-half of the length thereof Mounted at one end of the member 80 is a pair of light sensitive devices, 82 and 84 which preferably 100 comprise a pair of photoresistors, but which may satisfactorily consist of phototransistors or similar solid state electronic components that are adapted to produce electrical signals in response to their exposure to a light 105 source, such as is indicated at 86 The light source 86 preferably comprises a light emitting diode (L E D) and is mounted on the same surface of the support member as the devices 82, 84 but at the opposite end thereof 110 The elements 82 to 86 are arranged or oriented upon the member 80 in a manner such that when the member 80 is secured to the inner walls of the dirt shield 60 in the manner shown in Figure 3 (turned approxi 115 mately 90 ‘ from the position shown in Figure 6), these components will be properly located relative to the upper end of the cylinder 52 so that the strut 20 will operate in the same manner as is described in the Specification of 120 the aforementioned U S Patent No.
4,017,099 In particular, when the member 80 is turned 90 ‘ from the position shown in Figure 6 to the operative position shown in Figures 2 and 3, the photoresistor 82 will be 125 located above photoresistor 84 and both photoresistors 82, 84 will be on substantially the opposite side of the chamber 76 from the L E D 86 The photoresistor 82 and light source 86 operate such that when the upper 130 1,603,536 end of the cylinder 52 blocks the transmission of light from the light source 86 to the lower photoresistor 84 and permits light to be transmitted to the upper photoresistor 82, the solenoid valve 36 remains closed to the atmosphere and the compressor 22 remains deenergized At such time as the vehicle 12 becomes loaded to a predetermined magnitude, resulting in the dirt shield 60 moving downwardly relative to the shock absorber 50, the upper end of the cylinder 52 will block the transmission of light from the light source 86 to the upper photoresistor 82, as well as to the lower photoresistor 84 Under these conditions, the solenoid valve 36 will remain normally closed and the compressor 22 will be energised, whereby increased pressurisation of the suspension components 20, 20 ‘ will occur to effect raising the sprung portion 14 of the vehicle 12 When the load on the vehicle 12 is removed, the primary suspension springs 18 will cause the sprung portion 14 thereof to be raised, whereupon the upper end of the cylinder 52 will be displaced axially relative to the dirt shield 60, thereby causing light from the light source 86 to be transmitted to the both the lower and upper photoresistors 84, 82, whereupon the solenoid valve 36 will exhaust the conduit 38 to atmosphere to permit lowering of the sprung portion 14 of the vehicle 12 It will be noted that the vertical spacing between the photoresistors 82, 84 may be varied in accordance with the desired axial movement between the dirt shield 60 and the upper end of the cylinder 52, and that a suitable time delay feature, as described in the Specification of the United States Patent No.
4,017,099 may be incorporated in the electric circuitry of the levelling system to prevent premature energization of the compressor 22 or valve 36.
Referring now in detail to the manner in which the support member 80 is operatively mounted within the dirt shield 60 and in particular, to Figure 7, it will be seen that the wall of the dirt shield 60 is provided at 90 with a radially inwardly projecting boss or a shoulder 88 that is adapted to be received within a central opening in the support member 80, whereby axially to position the member 80 within the dirt shield 60 The shoulder 88 is formed with an opening 92 through which suitable electrical conductor means are provided for operatively connecting the components 82, 84 and 86 to the control module 26, as will later be described.
Disposed interiorly of the support member is a retainer plate 94 which is provided with a pair of opposed leg sections 96, 98 that engage the wall of the dirt shield 60 at positions above and below the member 80, as best seen in Figure 7 The leg sections 96, 98 may, if desired, be secured to the wall of the dirt shield 60, as by spot welding The retainer plate 94 is formed with a central opening 100 which is coaxially aligned with the opening 92 and adapted nestingly to receive the inner end portion 102 of a male connector member 104 The member 104 is 70 preferably fabricated in the form of a resilient deformable grommet from, for example, rubber or a suitable plastics material, and is formed with an annular peripheral recess 106 within which the peripheral edge about the 75 opening 92 is received in fluid-tight engagement The connector member 104 is formed with a plurality of outwardly extending bores 108 within each of which is located a terminal socket member 110 The inner end 80 of each of the socket members 110 is adapted to be connected via a conductor 112 with the electrical circuitry carried on the support member 80 (hereinafter to be described), while the outer end of each of the socket 85 members 110 is cooperable with one of a plurality of terminal elements 119 (later to be described) that are carried on a female connector member 114 The member 114 is also preferably fabricated of a suitable resil 90 ient deformable material, such as rubber or a suitable plastics material, and is formed with a cavity 116 at one end thereof which is complementary is shape with the outer end of the connector member 104 and is adapted 95 to have the outer end of the member 104 nestingly received therein in the manner best seen in Figure 7 The connector member 114 is also formed with a plurality of outwardly projecting bores 118 which are intended to be 100 aligned with bores 108 upon assembly of the members 104, 114 Disposed within each of the bores 118 is one of the aforementioned terminal elements 119 that is adapted to be connected in a suitable manner to a conduc 105 tor 120 which is in turn communicable with the control module 26 Each of the elements 119 has an inwardly projecting portion 124 adapted to be telescopically or nestingly received within a suitable blind bore 126 in 110 the associated terminal socket 110 in the manner shown in Figure 7 upon assembly of the member 114 onto the member 104, thereby completing electrical communication between the conductors 112 and 120 It 115 is to be noted that the number of conductors 112, 120 and engageable sockets 110 and elements 119 may vary depending upon the electric circuitry associated with the subject levelling system In the illustrated embodi 120 ment, four such sets of engageable sockets are utilized, with the result that four conductors 112 are shown as being connected to a corresponding number of terminals 128, 130, 132 and 134 on the support member 80, as 125 best seen in Figure 6 It should be noted that if desired, direct connections can be made between the socket elements and the height sensors.
The connector member 104, 114 are in 130 1,603,536 tended to function in providing for electrical communication between the interior and exterior of the chamber 76 in a fluid-tight manner and consequently, the design of the components 104, 106 is such as to ensure against fluid leakage and thus, possible depressurisation of the chamber 76 Toward this end, one of the important features of the retainer plate 94 is to apply a pre-load force to the connector member 104 to ensure that the same is maintained in fluid-tight engagement with the wall of the dirt shield 60 circumjacent the opening 92.
As previously mentioned, one of the purposes of the support member 80 other than operatively supporting and positioning the photoresistors 82, 84 and light source 86 is to carry a portion of the electronic circuitry associated with these components Such circuitry may be either in the form of discrete electrical conductors, or, alternatively, be in the form of what is known in the art as a printed circuit which may be provided directly on the support member 80 In addition, other circuit elements (components) may be located on the member 80, for example solid state electronic components The circuitry is representatively designated by the numeral 136 in Figure 6 and is a schematic representation of such circuitry generic to both printed circuits and electric circuitry consisting of separate electrical conductors and/or a combination of each.
It is also to be noted that while the support member 80 is shown as being fabricated of a thin sheet of a plastics material, such as Mylar (Registered Trade Mark), and be separated from the associated connector member 104, the members 104, 80 could be fabricated integrally of one another Also, the retainer plate 94 could be eliminated provided the members 80 and/or 104 were properly designed so as to ensure against the fluid leakage around the periphery of the opening 92.
It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been described a levelling system wherein the height controlling elements thereof are located interiorly of the levelling struts so as to be entirely protected from the environment More importantly, an arrangement is provided by which the height controlling elements may be conveniently supported within the associated levelling chamber (dirt shield 60) and be pre-arranged at the time of assembly so as to require no subsequent adjustment of their respective operative locations Accordingly, extremely uniform and reliable production will be achieved and quality control will be maintained to the extreme Of course, another related feature resides in the fact that the support member, as well as the electronic components mounted thereon, may be assembled into the associated levelling strut with extreme ease so as to not require any significant additional assembly time over that which is required for a conventional levelling strut per se Finally, because of the extreme simplicity of the design, the present construction may enjoy a long and effective operational life and may be manufactured at significant economies as compared to the various prior art height adjuster mechanisms referred to above.

Claims (1)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS –
1 A telescopically adjustable assembly, including a first member in part defining a chamber, a second member telescopically 80 movable within the chamber, a source of pressurized fluid supply into the chamber for moving said members relative to one another, a control circuit including position sensing means for effecting actuation of said 85 source in response to relative displacement of the members, and a flexible member within said chamber supporting said position sensing means on an interior wall portion of said chamber and orienting two spaced sensing 90 components comprising said sensing means at predetermined locations relative to each other and to one of said members.
2 An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically adjustable assem 95 bly comprises an air adjustable shock absorber unit.
3 An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said air adjustable shock absorber unit comprises a piston and cylinder assem 100 bly, a piston rod extending axially from one end of said cylinder, a generally tubular dirt shield mounted on said piston rod and extending coaxially thereof and spaced radially outwardly from said cylinder, and a 105 rolling diaphragm member secured to said cylinder and said dirt shield and defining said chamber therewith.
4 An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said flexible member within said 110 chamber is compliantly secured to the interior of said dirt shield.
An adjustable shock absorber assembly comprising a hydraulic shock absorber having a piston, cylinder and dirt shield, a 115 piston rod attached to said piston and extending axially from one end of said cylinder, a generally tubular diaphragm member defining a pressurizable chamber with said dirt shield and said cylinder, means for supplying 120 pressurized fluid to and from said chamber, and a relatively flexible member conforming to the shape of and mounted on an interior wall of said chamber operatively supporting and pre-orienting position sensing means 125 comprising sensing elements, that are operable in response to relative axial displacement between said dirt shield and cylinder for controlling operation of said pressurized fluid supply means 130 1,603,536 6 An assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said position sensing means comprises a light source located at one position on said member and a pair of light sensing elements located at another portion of said member and so oriented such that said cylinder is movable between said light source and said elements to act as a shutter controlling the light transmitted therebetween.
7 An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said position sensing elements comprise solid state electronic elements.
8 An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said flexible support member is secured to a peripheral wall of the chamber.
9 An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein said flexible member is secured to the wall of the chamber by adhesive means disposed interjacent the member and the wall.
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes electrical circuit means extending through an opening in a wall of the chamber from the sensing means and connectable to an electrical conductor located exteriorly of the assembly.
11 An adjustable shock absorber assembly comprising, a hydraulic shock absorber having a piston and cylinder, a piston rod attached to the piston and extending axially from one end of the cylinder, a generally tubular diaphragm member in part defining a pressurizable chamber with said cylinder, means for supplying pressurized fluid to and from said chamber, a control circuit controlling energization of said pressurized fluid supply means, position sensing means comprising first and second control members disposed within said chamber and adapted to cooperate in effecting operation of the control circuit, and a flexible member operatively supporting said members on one interior wall of the chamber and positioning said members at preselected positions relative to one another.
12 A combination electrical connector and position sensing assembly in an air adjustable shock absorber of the type comprising a hydraulic shock absorber and a pressurizable chamber adapted to be supplied with pressurized fluid from a suitable source thereof, said electrical connector and position sensing assembly comprising a relatively flexible support member secured to one wall of said chamber and carrying sensing means in the form of two spaced elements, one of the elements being a solid state sensing element on said support member for sensing relative positions of first and second relatively movable portions of said chamber, and a connector member disposed in fluid tight manner through an access opening in one wall of said chamber operatively to connect said sensing element to a portion of a control circuit located exteriorly of said chamber to control operation of said pressurized fluid source in response to the sensing of a particular relative positioning of said first and second portions by the sensing element.
13 An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein a light source and a light responsive element are mounted on said flexible member.
14 An assembly as claimed in claim 12 or 13 which includes a pair of spaced apart light sensitive elements secured to said member.
An assembly as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein said member is secured to said wall of the chamber by adhesive means disposed interjacent said member and said wall.
16 An assembly as claimed in any one of 85 claims 12 to 15, wherein the air adjustable shock absorber unit comprises a piston and cylinder assembly, a piston rod extending axially from one end of said cylinder, a generally tubular dirt shield mounted on said 90 piston rod and extending coaxially thereof and spaced radially outwardly from said cylinder, and a rolling diaphragm member secured to said cylinder and said dirt shield and defining said chamber therewith 95 17 An assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the said support member comprises a flexible compliant member secured to the interior of said dirt shield and wherein said position sensing elements comprise a light 100 source located at one position on said member and a pair of light sensing elements located at another portion of said member and oriented such that said cylinder is movable between said light source and said 105 elements so as to act as a shutter controlling the light transmitted therebetween.
18 A telescopically adjustable assembly constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to 110 and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
19 A vehicle self-levelling suspension system including an assembly as claimed in any preceding claim 115 J A KEMP & CO, Chartered Patent Agents, 14 South Square, Gray’s Inn, London WC 1 5 EU.
Printed for Her Majesty’s Stationery Office by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd -1981 Published at The Patent Office, Southampton Buildings, London, WC 2 A l AY, from which copies may be obtained.

GB16315/78A
1977-07-18
1978-04-25
Vehicle self levelling suspension strut and telescopic assembly therefor

Expired

GB1603536A
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

US05/816,454

US4141572A
(en)

1977-07-18
1977-07-18
Vehicle leveling strut

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1603536A
true

GB1603536A
(en)

1981-11-25

Family
ID=25220670
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB16315/78A
Expired

GB1603536A
(en)

1977-07-18
1978-04-25
Vehicle self levelling suspension strut and telescopic assembly therefor

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US
(1)

US4141572A
(en)

JP
(1)

JPS5422618A
(en)

AU
(1)

AU513982B2
(en)

BR
(1)

BR7803473A
(en)

CA
(1)

CA1101450A
(en)

DE
(1)

DE2817585C2
(en)

ES
(1)

ES469979A1
(en)

FR
(1)

FR2398225A1
(en)

GB
(1)

GB1603536A
(en)

IT
(1)

IT1094147B
(en)

NL
(1)

NL172583C
(en)

SE
(1)

SE7806187L
(en)

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SENSING DEVICE FOR SUSPENSION CYLINDERS OF A LEVEL REGULATION

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Frank S Morgan
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1977-07-18
US
US05/816,454
patent/US4141572A/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1978

1978-04-14
IT
IT22331/78A
patent/IT1094147B/en
active

1978-04-21
DE
DE2817585A
patent/DE2817585C2/en
not_active
Expired

1978-04-25
GB
GB16315/78A
patent/GB1603536A/en
not_active
Expired

1978-04-26
NL
NLAANVRAGE7804463,A
patent/NL172583C/en
not_active
IP Right Cessation

1978-05-03
CA
CA302,490A
patent/CA1101450A/en
not_active
Expired

1978-05-03
AU
AU35685/78A
patent/AU513982B2/en
not_active
Expired

1978-05-09
JP
JP5490778A
patent/JPS5422618A/en
active
Granted

1978-05-10
FR
FR7813870A
patent/FR2398225A1/en
active
Granted

1978-05-18
ES
ES469979A
patent/ES469979A1/en
not_active
Expired

1978-05-30
SE
SE787806187A
patent/SE7806187L/en
unknown

1978-05-31
BR
BR7803473A
patent/BR7803473A/en
unknown

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

AU513982B2
(en)

1981-01-15

NL172583C
(en)

1983-09-16

FR2398225B1
(en)

1984-09-28

FR2398225A1
(en)

1979-02-16

SE7806187L
(en)

1979-01-19

CA1101450A
(en)

1981-05-19

JPS5422618A
(en)

1979-02-20

AU3568578A
(en)

1980-03-20

DE2817585C2
(en)

1986-02-06

NL7804463A
(en)

1979-01-22

JPS612522B2
(en)

1986-01-25

NL172583B
(en)

1983-04-18

US4141572A
(en)

1979-02-27

BR7803473A
(en)

1979-03-27

IT1094147B
(en)

1985-07-26

IT7822331D0
(en)

1978-04-14

DE2817585A1
(en)

1979-02-01

ES469979A1
(en)

1979-09-16

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