An air suspension system which includes a Dynamic Load Transfer (DLT) function. DLT is a process of transferring vehicle load, or varying normal loads applied to each wheel of the vehicle, using switchable volume or variable volume air spring assemblies. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, which result in changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). Each air spring assembly may have multiple volume air chambers that are switched on and off, a variable volume air chamber, or the air spring assembly may be coupled with other air springs, or air chambers, that are switched or varied.

A multi-mode air shock is disclosed herein. The air shock includes an air spring having a primary air chamber, and a damper having an insertion end to telescope within the primary air chamber and a coupler to couple with a portion of a vehicle. An adjuster housing is fixedly coupled to an end of the air spring opposite of the damper, the adjuster housing having a secondary air chamber in communication with the primary air chamber and a mounting structure to couple with a different portion of the vehicle. There is a bulkhead with a valve to open or close the fluid communication between the primary air chamber and the secondary air chamber. The air shock also includes a tertiary air chamber in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber but not in fluid communication with the primary air chamber except via the secondary air chamber.

A multi-mode air shock is disclosed herein. The air shock includes an air spring having a primary air chamber, and a damper having an insertion end to telescope within the primary air chamber and a coupler to couple with a portion of a vehicle. An adjuster housing is fixedly coupled to an end of the air spring opposite of the damper, the adjuster housing having a secondary air chamber in communication with the primary air chamber and a mounting structure to couple with a different portion of the vehicle. There is a bulkhead with a valve to open or close the fluid communication between the primary air chamber and the secondary air chamber. The air shock also includes a tertiary air chamber in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber but not in fluid communication with the primary air chamber except via the secondary air chamber.

A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.

A valve control device is configured to execute a specific valve control when a valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied. The specific valve control switches the spring constant change valves for front wheel to a blocking state and switches a spring constant change valves for rear wheel to a communication permission state. The valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied when oil pressure of hydraulic oil of rear wheel side oil hydraulic cylinders, which is detected by rear wheel side oil pressure detection means, is more than or equal to a predetermined oil pressure threshold and the traveling state determination means determines that a vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state.

A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device.

The present invention relates to an improved suspension (20), in particular for traditional two-wheel motorcycles and/or for motorcycles or vehicles with three or more wheels with at least two tilting wheels. The improved suspension (20) according to the present invention is capable of providing adequately progressive performance without simultaneous problems of excessive gradual engagement, which affect the currently known suspensions comprising gas shock absorbers. Such a result is possible by using an accumulator (70) having a variable volume operatively connected to the first accumulator (60) which is part of the traditional suspension.

A plurality of traveling wheels are supported via expandable/contractible tubular support members to a vehicle body frame. A hydraulic operation type vehicle height adjustment mechanism is provided for each one of the traveling wheels, the vehicle height adjustment mechanism being capable of switching a relative height of the traveling wheel relative to the vehicle body frame within a predetermined length range by expanding/contracting the support member by a hydraulic cylinder. There are provided a hydraulic control valve capable of controlling feeding state of work oil to each one of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a controlling section for controlling an operation of the hydraulic control valve to bring the vehicle body to a target state via vehicle height adjustment by the hydraulic cylinder in response to a change in the posture of the vehicle body and a plurality of accumulators connected oil chambers of the respective plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

An air spring system comprising at least one air spring with at least one compressed air chamber with a variable volume. The at least one air spring is connected to a compressor unit as a compressed air supply device with a compressed air storage device. A compressed air space of at least one of the air spring or the compressed air storage device is provided with an adsorptive material.

A multi-mode air shock is disclosed herein. The air shock includes an air spring having a primary air chamber, and a damper having an insertion end to telescope within the primary air chamber and a coupler to couple with a portion of a vehicle. An adjuster housing is fixedly coupled to an end of the air spring opposite of the damper, the adjuster housing having a secondary air chamber in communication with the primary air chamber and a mounting structure to couple with a different portion of the vehicle. There is a bulkhead with a valve to open or close the fluid communication between the primary air chamber and the secondary air chamber. The air shock also includes a tertiary air chamber in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber but not in fluid communication with the primary air chamber except via the secondary air chamber.