Passive suspension ride height adjustment method
View Patent ↗A passive ride height adjuster mechanism includes a piston and cylinder acting on a main suspension spring at one or more locations around the chassis of a race car; with the piston-cylinder having adjustable length or travel; a hydraulic or pneumatic pressurization system mounted in the chassis is connected to the piston-cylinder; a signal from a timer or sensor on the chassis that signals the pressurization or depressurization of the piston-cylinder which affects the chassis ride height.
1. An adjustable coil spring spacer comprising:
a central locating sleeve which is positioned and structured to surround a shock absorber and locate the spacer axially with a suspension spring;
an outer cylinder housing;
an annular wall extending between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing;
a piston disposed between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing which is structured to engage the suspension spring; and
a spacing element disposed between the annular wall and the piston,
wherein the piston is slidable between:
a first position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing; and
a second position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing, wherein the second position is spaced a pre-determined distance from the first position, and
wherein the spacing element is positioned and structured to set a minimum spacing between the piston and the annular wall.
2. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 1 , wherein when disposed in the first position a portion of the piston is in engagement with a hard stop.
3. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 1 , wherein the piston is slidable between the first position and the second position by applying or removing a force to a face of the piston opposite a portion which is structured to engage the suspension spring.
4. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 3 , wherein the force is a hydraulic pressure.
5. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 3 , wherein the force is a pneumatic pressure.
6. A vehicle comprising a suspension system including the adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 1 , wherein when the piston is disposed in the first position the vehicle has a first ride height, and wherein when the piston is disposed in the second position the vehicle has a second ride height different than the first ride height.
7. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 1 , wherein the spacing element comprises an independent ring member disposed between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing.
8. The adjustable coil spring spacer of claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises a surface which faces the annular wall and wherein the spacing element comprises a portion of the piston which extends away from the surface toward the annular wall.
9. A method for passively adjusting a ride height of a vehicle using an adjustable coil spring spacer, the adjustable coil spring spacer comprising:
a central locating sleeve which is positioned and structured to surround a shock absorber and locate the spacer axially with a suspension spring;
an outer cylinder housing;
an annular wall extending between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing:
a piston disposed between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing which is structured to engage the suspension springs, and
a spacing element disposed between the annular wall and the piston;
wherein the piston is slidable between:
a first position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing; and
a second position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing, wherein the second position is spaced a pre-determined distance from the first position, and
wherein the spacing element is positioned and structured to set a minimum spacing between the piston and the annular wall;
the method comprising:
relieving a force on a portion of the piston positioned in a suspension of the vehicle upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein relieving a force on a portion of the piston comprises relieving an hydraulic pressure.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein relieving a force on a portion of the piston comprises relieving a pneumatic pressure.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined event comprises elapse of a predetermined time.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined event comprises a signal from one of: a chassis, a suspension, or an ECU of the vehicle.