Air-bag suspension system
View Patent ↗An air-bag suspension system for a motorcycle having a motorcycle main frame, fender struts extending outwardly from the main frame, and a swing arm pivotally mounted to the main frame about a pivot axis. The air-bag suspension system includes shock absorber assemblies each having an air-bag. The air in the air-bags is generated by an on-board compressor and released through a solenoid valve. The air-bag suspension system replaces the standard coil spring hydraulic suspension commonly found on motorcycles and provides a greater range of adjustment, remotely controlled, while the motorcycle is in use. The air-bag suspension system accommodates heavier loads than the stock suspension systems when the air-bags are fully inflated; and when deflated completely, provide an aesthetically pleasing stance. The range of wheel travel provided allows the rider to adjust the suspension to provide the smoothest ride coupled with an increased load capacity or adverse road conditions.
1. An air-bag suspension system for a motorcycle comprising:
a. a main frame;
b. a pair of fender struts mounted to the main frame in a parallel fashion;
c. a swing arm pivotally mounted to the motorcycle main frame about a pivot axis, the swing arm including a pair of arms, each arm of the pair of arms including a mounting bracket;
d. an on-board compressor;
e. a solenoid valve;
f. a pair of shock absorber assemblies, each of the shock absorber assemblies of the pair of shock absorber assemblies having an internal air-bag, an upper end mounted to one of the pair of fender struts by a fender strut mount, and a lower end pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket of one of the arms of the pair of arms of the swing arm;
g. an air distribution system including a plurality of air hoses and Y-connectors, the air distribution system interconnecting the internal air-bag of each of the shock absorber assemblies of the pair of shock absorber assemblies;
h. the air distribution system equally distributing air between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies; and,
i. the on-board compressor of the air distribution system wired to be electrically activated by a switch and the solenoid valve wired to be electrically activated by the switch and the switch being a three position switch with a first position electrically activating the on-board compressor and a second position electrically activating the solenoid valve.
2. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the air distribution system further includes a check valve.
3. The air-bag suspension system of claim 2 , wherein air generated in the on-board compressor flows to the check valve and continues through air hoses to a Y-connector for equal distribution between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies such that the frame is raised relative to the swing arm.
4. The air-bag suspension system of claim 3 , wherein air equally distributed between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies may be selectively released by the solenoid valve such that the frame is lowered relative to the swing arm.
5. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the air distribution system further includes an air pressure gauge for monitoring pressure equally distributed between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies.
6. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the on-board compressor is an electrically driven on-board compressor.
7. The air-bag suspension system of claim 6 , wherein the on-board compressor of the air distribution system is wired to be electrically activated by a switch.
8. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid valve is wired to be electrically activated by a switch.
9. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein a third position of the switch activates neither the on-board compressor nor the solenoid valve.
10. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein a third position separates the first position and the second position.
11. The air-bag suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the switch has a fused electrical connection to a battery.
12. An air-bag suspension system for a motorcycle having a main frame, a pair of fender struts mounted to the main frame in a parallel fashion, and a swing arm pivotally mounted to the motorcycle main frame about a pivot axis, the swing arm including a pair of arms, each arm of the pair of arms including a mounting bracket, the air-bag suspension comprising:
a. an on-board compressor;
b. a solenoid valve;
c. a pair of shock absorber assemblies, each of the shock absorber assemblies of the pair of shock absorber assemblies having an internal air-bag, an upper end mounted to one of the fender struts of the pair of fender struts by a fender strut mount, and a lower end pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket of one of the arms of the pair of arms of the swing arm;
d. an air distribution system including a plurality of air hoses and Y-connectors, the air distribution system interconnecting the internal air-bag of each of the shock absorber assemblies of the pair of shock absorber assemblies to the solenoid valve and to the on-board compressor;
e. the air distribution system equally distributing air between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies; and,
f. the on-board compressor of the air distribution system wired to be electrically activated by a switch and the solenoid valve wired to be electrically activated by the switch and the switch being a three position switch with a first position electrically activating the on-board compressor and a second position electrically activating the solenoid valve.
13. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein the air distribution system further includes a check valve.
14. The air-bag suspension system of claim 13 , wherein air generated in the on-board compressor flows to the check valve and continues through air hoses to a Y-connector for equal distribution between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies such that the frame is raised relative to the swing arm.
15. The air-bag suspension system of claim 14 , wherein air equally distributed between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies may be selectively released by the solenoid valve such that the frame is lowered relative to the swing arm.
16. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein the air distribution system further includes an air pressure gauge for monitoring pressure equally distributed between the internal air-bags of the pair of shock absorber assemblies.
17. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein the on-board compressor is an electrically driven on-board compressor.
18. The air-bag suspension system of claim 17 , wherein the on-board compressor of the air distribution system is wired to be electrically activated by a switch.
19. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein the solenoid valve is wired to be electrically activated by a switch.
20. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein a third position of the switch activates neither the on-board compressor nor the solenoid valve.
21. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein a third position separates the first position and the second position.
22. The air-bag suspension system of claim 12 , wherein the switch has a fused electrical connection to a battery.