GB764594A - Improvements relating to suspension systems - Google Patents

Abstract

764,594. Road-vehicle spring-suspensions; springs. GRIMAUD, A. Jan. 28, 1954, No. 2639/54. Classes 108(2) and 108(3). A resilient suspension for two relatively movable parts M and T comprises elastic members A and B, controlled by respective shock absorbers H and K, the damping of one shock absorber H being effective only when the parts M and T move towards one another, the damping of the other shock absorber K being effective only when the parts M and T move away from another. As shown, the invention is applied to a vehicle suspension, the wheel axle R of which is rigid with the part T. The latter is pivotally mounted on the part M at T<SP>1</SP>. The springs and shock absorbers are mounted between the part M and a beam pivotally mounted on the part T at O<SP>1</SP>. In a modification, Fig. 10 (not shown) the springs A and B do not carry any of the load acting between the parts M and T. This is carried by a further main suspension spring and the springs A and B are deflected under relative movement between the parts M and T by a rack and pinion mechanism. A cam mechanism is employed to cancel the effect of the shock absorbers when the parts M and T are in their normal static load position. In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the parts M and T. the springs A and B, and the shock absorbers H and K are all mounted co-axially. The damping of the shock absorber H is controlled by a valve V, the operating lever D of which, bears upon a cam X. The latter is movable to move the arm D by the rotation of an arm X<SP>1</SP> deflected bv the rotation of a shaft E. The latter rotation is brought about by axial movement of a cam I rigid with the part T. In a similar way a cam U acting through a shaft F and cam Y, causes variation in the opening of a valve W controlling the damping of the shock absorber K. The shafts E and F are extendable during operation of the device. In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the suspension is contained in a single casing P. The shock absorber K comprises a piston K<SP>1</SP> connected to the part M, and the shock absorber H comprises a floating piston H<SP>1</SP> disposed between the two springs A and B, in conjunction with a one-way valve H<SP>2</SP>. A one-way valve K<SP>2</SP> is carried by the piston K<SP>1</SP>. The piston H<SP>1</SP> carries a piston valve member H<SP>4</SP> which operates in conjunction with ports H<SP>3</SP> to control flow between the chambers on either side of the piston H<SP>1</SP>. The chamber below the piston H<SP>1</SP> is connected through the valve H<SP>2</SP> and a passage P<SP>1</SP> to the cylinder chamber above the piston K<SP>1</SP>. In a modified construction, Fig. 6 (not shown) the piston H<SP>1</SP> has a rod which extends outwardly through a gland in the casing P to be connected to the part T instead of the casing P being so connected, as in Fig. 7. The pistons K<SP>1</SP> and K<SP>1</SP> then function themselves as piston valves in controlling the respective outlets of the passage P<SP>1</SP>. In a further modification, Fig. 8 (not shown) the construction of Fig. 7 is modified in such way as to employ having a rotary (instead of a reciprocating) relative movement.