FLUID-CONTROLLED SPRING/DAMPER SYSTEM
A vehicle is provided with a vehicle frame or sub-frame structure and at least one of a body structure and engine structure or a plurality of suspension components mounted to the vehicle frame or sub-frame structure and a plurality of fluid-controlled spring/dampers supporting the least one of a body structure and engine structure or a plurality of suspension components to the vehicle frame of sub-frame structure, the plurality of fluid-controlled spring/dampers being connected to a single central pump.
1 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
a plurality of fluid-controlled bushings supporting at least two of a body structure to a frame, an engine structure to the frame, a seat structure to the frame, and a plurality of suspension components to the frame; and
a fluid source consisting of a single pump, wherein the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings are directly connected to the fluid source.
2 . The suspension system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pressure regulators, wherein each pressure regulator is operatively connected to one of the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings for controlling a pressure of fluid delivered to each of the respective fluid-controlled bushings by the single pump.
3 . The suspension system according to claim 2 , further comprising a controller for controlling each of the pressure regulators.
4 . The suspension system according to claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to receive input from at least one of a user, external sensors, and components of the vehicle.
5 . The suspension system according to claim 4 , wherein the external sensors comprise at least one of pressure sensors and height sensors.
6 . The suspension system according to claim 3 , wherein each of the fluid-controlled bushings are independently controllable.
7 . The suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is a pump that provides compressed air to each of the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings.
8 . The suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings comprise an elastic material.
9 . The suspension system according to claim 8 , wherein the elastic material is a reinforced rubber.
10 . The suspension system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings define different geometries.
11 . The suspension system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of brackets disposed between each of the fluid-controlled bushings and the frame.
12 . The suspension system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of brackets disposed between each of the fluid-controlled bushings and the at least two of the body structure, the engine structure, the seat structure, and the plurality of suspension components.
13 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
a plurality of fluid-controlled bushings supporting at least two of a body structure to a frame, an engine structure to the frame, a seat structure to the frame, and a plurality of suspension components to the frame;
a fluid source consisting of a single pump, wherein the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings are directly connected to the fluid source;
a plurality of pressure regulators, wherein each pressure regulator is operatively connected to one of the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings for controlling a pressure of fluid delivered to each of the respective fluid-controlled bushings by the single pump; and
a controller for controlling each of the pressure regulators.
14 . The suspension system according to claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to receive input from at least one of a user, external sensors, and components of the vehicle.
15 . The suspension system according to claim 14 , wherein the external sensors comprise at least one of pressure sensors and height sensors.
16 . The suspension system according to claim 13 , wherein each of the fluid-controlled bushings are independently controllable.
17 . A method of controlling a suspension system for a vehicle comprising providing pressurized fluid to a plurality of fluid-controlled bushings supporting at least two of a body structure to a frame, an engine structure to the frame, a seat structure to the frame, and a plurality of suspension components to the frame from a fluid system consisting of a single pump.
18 . The method according to claim 17 further comprising a plurality of pressure regulators, wherein each pressure regulator is operatively connected to one of the plurality of fluid-controlled bushings for controlling a pressure of fluid delivered to each of the respective fluid-controlled bushings by the single pump, and a controller for controlling each of the pressure regulators.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the controller receives input from at least one of a user, external sensors, and components of the vehicle.
20 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein each of the fluid-controlled bushings are independently controllable.