GB189754A - Improvements in or relating to the suspension of automobile and other vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

189,754. Ram, G. H. E. de. Dec. 5, 1921, [Convention date]. Dash-pots. - A spring suspension for motorvehicles &c. comprises two springs of different flexibility, or a spring having two parts differing in flexibility, in combination with a brake or damping device of the liquid type which progressively suppresses that action of the weaker spring, or part thereof, so that the flexibility of the suspension decreases when the speed of the vehicle, and consequently the rapidity of the shocks, increases. In the application to a coiledspring suspension, shown in Fig. 3. a bell-crank lever 15, 16, secured to the axle 2 and pivoted to the chassis at 21, is connected by a link 17 to a disc 18 which moves in a fixed cylinder 22 against the action of springs 19, 19' separated by a piston or disc 20. The spring 19<1> is the weaker of the two, and that portion of the cylinder in which it is located constitutes the braking device. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the springs 19, 19' are arranged in parallel between a pair of members 25, 26 pivoted respectively at 27, 28 to the lever 23 and chassis. In a further modification shown in Fig. 5, springs 33, 34, of which 33 is the weaker, are enclosed in a chamber secured to the chassis and are respectively acted upon by a floating piston 32 and a piston 31 connected to the axle. Rising movement of the axle causes liquid to flow from the space between the two pistons through a port in the piston 31 and a valve-controlled by-passage at the top of the chamber. If the movement is a slow one, it will be communicated by the spring 34 to the piston 32 and spring 33, the liquid in the chamber containing the spring 33 flowing substantially freely through a port in the piston 32. If the movement is more rapid, the action of the spring 33 is suppressed since the port in the piston 32 is not sufficiently large to permit passage of liquid at the required speed. At the commencement of the movement of the piston 32, the end portions for the left-hand end and centre portion of the chamber are in communication by means of a valve-controlled by-passage at the bottom of the chamber. The piston 31 may be arranged to slide in the piston 32.