Methods and apparatus for a suspension system
Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a space-saving suspension system. In various embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a fine suspension device, a coarse suspension device, and a mechanical assembly. In various embodiments, the fine suspension device is arranged at an angle greater than zero degrees from the z-axis. In various embodiments, the mechanical assembly is coupled to the fine suspension device and a payload, such that when a force is exerted on the mechanical assembly by the payload, an applied force is transmitted to the fine suspension device.
1. A suspension apparatus for use with a payload movable with respect to a support mount along a vertical axis, comprising:
a fine suspension device comprising a first and second end, wherein:
the first end is configured to be pivotably coupled to the support mount;
the fine suspension device operates along a fine suspension axis; and
the fine suspension axis is not parallel to the vertical axis;
a mechanical assembly comprising:
a rotatable bearing system coupled to the second end of the fine suspension device and configured to be directly coupled to the support mount;
a lever arm comprising an upper segment rotatably coupled to a lower segment, wherein:
the lower segment is affixed to the bearing system; and
the upper segment is configured to be coupled to the payload; and
a coarse suspension device arranged to operate parallel to the vertical axis and coupled between the support mount and the payload.
2. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lever arm comprises a hinge coupling the upper and lower segments.
3. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fine suspension device comprises at least one of: a gas shock, a liquid-filled damper, and a gas and liquid-filled damper.
4. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coarse suspension device comprises a pneumatic device.
5. The suspension apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising an air reservoir coupled to the pneumatic device.
6. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bearing system comprises a rotatable shaft engaging a bearing.
7. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower segment is rotatably coupled to the fine suspension device by a lever coupling the bearing system to the fine suspension device.
8. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a scissor linkage coupled between the payload and the support mount.
9. The suspension apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fine suspension device comprises a magnetorheological damper.
10. A suspension system for coupling between a support mount and a payload, comprising:
a fine suspension device comprising:
a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the support mount; and
a piston extending from a second end;
wherein the fine suspension device is arranged at an angle from a z-axis, and
wherein the angle is greater than zero degrees;
a mechanical assembly configured to be coupled to the payload, the support mount, and the second end of the fine suspension device, the mechanical assembly comprising:
a bearing system comprising:
a bearing comprising a bearing housing configured to be directly coupled to the support mount; and
a shaft, wherein the shaft is rotatable upon the bearing;
a hinged lever arm affixed to the shaft;
a lever coupling the shaft to the piston; and
wherein the mechanical assembly transfers an applied force from at least one of the support mount and the payload to the fine suspension device; and
a pneumatic device comprising a first and second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the support mount and the second end is coupled to the payload.
11. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein the fine suspension device comprises at least one of a gas damper, a liquid-filled damper, and a gas and liquid-filled damper.
12. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein the pneumatic device comprises an air spring.
13. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein the hinged lever arm comprises an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the lower segment is coupled to the shaft and the upper segment is coupled to the payload.
14. The suspension system of claim 10 , further comprising a scissor linkage coupled between the payload and the support mount.
15. The suspension system of claim 10 , further comprising an air reservoir coupled to the pneumatic device.
16. The suspension system of claim 10 , wherein the fine suspension device is movably coupled to the lever.
17. A method for damping movement, comprising:
absorbing energy along a first axis with a pneumatic device;
transferring energy along a second axis at a non-zero angle to the first axis utilizing a fine suspension device and a mechanical assembly, the mechanical assembly comprising:
a rotatable shaft coupled to a bearing;
a hinged lever arm comprising an upper segment and a lower segment, wherein the upper segment and lower segment are coupled at a hinge point, and the lower segment is fixed to the rotatable shaft; and wherein the hinged lever arm is configured to fold; and
a lever coupled to the shaft and the fine suspension device;
wherein transferring energy along the second axis comprises:
rotating the shaft by applying a torque on the shaft with the hinged lever arm and simultaneously folding the hinged lever arm at the hinge point; and
compressing the fine suspension device with the lever simultaneously as the shaft rotates, wherein the fine suspension device:
pivots about a fixed point on the support mount to form an angle of rotation; and
the fine suspension device resists compression.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising adapting a height of the pneumatic device based on a weight of the payload.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising adapting a height of the pneumatic device in response to a position sensor indicating a position of the payload.