A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

A jounce bumper assembly dimensioned for securement on or along an associated end member of an associated gas spring assembly. The jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper mount dimensioned for securement to the associated end member. A jounce bumper supported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong. A biasing element is disposed peripherally about the bumper mount and positioned axially between the jounce bumper and the associated end member. The biasing element has a fully-compressed, solid height that is operative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly in axially-spaced relation to the associated end member under a full jounce load condition. Gas spring assemblies including such a jounce bumper assembly, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

A jounce bumper assembly dimensioned for securement on or along an associated end member of an associated gas spring assembly. The jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper mount dimensioned for securement to the associated end member. A jounce bumper supported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong. A biasing element is disposed peripherally about the bumper mount and positioned axially between the jounce bumper and the associated end member. The biasing element has a fully-compressed, solid height that is operative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly in axially-spaced relation to the associated end member under a full jounce load condition. Gas spring assemblies including such a jounce bumper assembly, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In response to an upward articulation of the first articulation structure towards the load bearing frame, the substantially rigid connection causes the second articulation structure to articulate down and away from the load bearing frame. In a second mode of operation, the suspension system articulates both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure towards the load bearing frame.

An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In response to an upward articulation of the first articulation structure towards the load bearing frame, the substantially rigid connection causes the second articulation structure to articulate down and away from the load bearing frame. In a second mode of operation, the suspension system articulates both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure towards the load bearing frame.

An air supply system for a vehicle includes a first system including a first compressor compressing ambient air, a heat exchanger connected to the first compressor to allow compressed air to flow therethrough, and a first condenser connected to the heat exchanger. The air supply system further includes a second system including a second compressor compressing a refrigerant, a second condenser disposed at a rear end of the second compressor, an expansion valve disposed at a rear end of the second compressor, and an evaporator disposed at a rear end of the expansion valve. The second compressor, the second condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator of the second system are sequentially connected by a refrigerant flow line, and a refrigerant pipe disposed in the evaporator of the second system and connected to the refrigerant flow line is connected to a refrigerant pipe for a first condenser.

An air supply system for a vehicle includes a first system including a first compressor compressing ambient air, a heat exchanger connected to the first compressor to allow compressed air to flow therethrough, and a first condenser connected to the heat exchanger. The air supply system further includes a second system including a second compressor compressing a refrigerant, a second condenser disposed at a rear end of the second compressor, an expansion valve disposed at a rear end of the second compressor, and an evaporator disposed at a rear end of the expansion valve. The second compressor, the second condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator of the second system are sequentially connected by a refrigerant flow line, and a refrigerant pipe disposed in the evaporator of the second system and connected to the refrigerant flow line is connected to a refrigerant pipe for a first condenser.

A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

There is provided an air spring for supporting a load, the air spring comprises a chamber for holding a pressurised gas in use, a load-bearing surface arranged to transmit a force from a load in use to the pressurised gas held in the chamber. Importantly, in order to lower the spring rate, the chamber contains a mass of adsorptive material. There is also provided a use of an adsorptive material for the purpose of lowering the spring rate of an air spring, including a gas strut and a pneumatic wheel. There is also provided a method of designing an air spring using an adsorptive material to lower the spring rate.