Positively controller automotive suspension system

Abstract

A positively controlled automotive suspension system provides both of driving stability and riding comfort by adjusting damping characteristics of the suspension system according to the driving condition. The suspension system is soften in response to bounding and rebounding shock for effectively absorbing road shock. On the other hand, in response to relative displacement of the vehicle body and road wheel assembly, the suspension system serves for regulating the relative distance and whereby provides sufficient driving stability. The system comprises a hollow cylinder defining a chamber, a piston thrustingly received within the chamber of the cylinder and defining therein a first and second fluid chambers, both filled with a working fluid the piston being free to move axially with the chamber, a fluid pressure source, a hydraulic circuit connecting the first and second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure source, a pressure control valve disposed within the hydraulic circuit and adapted to selectively establish and block fluid communication between the first and second fluid chamber and the fluid pressure source, means, responsive to relative displacement between a vehicle body and road wheel assembly out of a predetermined normal range, for controlling the pressure control valve so as to adjust the fluid pressure in the first and second fluid chambers in order to adjust the relative distance between the vehicle body and the road wheel assembly back to within the predetermined normal range, and means, responsive to bounding and rebounding motion of the road wheel relative to the vehicle body, for controlling the pressure control valve so as to adjust the fluid pressure in the first and second fluid chambers to assist smooth displacement of the piston within the cylinder thereby absorbing bounding and rebounding energy which would otherwise be transmitted to the vehicle body.