Disclosed are a shock absorber and an automobile. The shock absorber includes a shock absorber cylinder and an air spring arranged around the shock absorber cylinder. The air spring includes a damping spring and a piston. A free end of the damping spring is supported at a free end of the piston. A support is disposed between the piston and the shock absorber cylinder. The free end of the piston is supported on the shock absorber cylinder by the support. In the shock absorber according to the invention, the piston and the shock absorber cylinder can be connected in a simple way.

Disclosed are a shock absorber and an automobile. The shock absorber includes a shock absorber cylinder and an air spring arranged around the shock absorber cylinder. The air spring includes a damping spring and a piston. A free end of the damping spring is supported at a free end of the piston. A support is disposed between the piston and the shock absorber cylinder. The free end of the piston is supported on the shock absorber cylinder by the support. In the shock absorber according to the invention, the piston and the shock absorber cylinder can be connected in a simple way.

A fluid suspension system for a land vehicle is provided with an actuator connected to a chassis and an axle of a land vehicle spaced apart from a pivotal connection of the axle. A fluid pressure circuit is in cooperation with the at least one actuator. A controller is in operable communication with the fluid pressure circuit and is programmed to receive input indicative of a travel speed of the land vehicle. The fluid pressure circuit is adjusted to limit fluid flow rate or reduce fluid pressure at a low speed travel range to permit the axle to pivot in response to variations in an underlying support surface. The fluid pressure circuit is adjusted at a higher speed travel range for selective actuation of the at least one actuator or for a higher fluid pressure actuation of the at least one actuator, in response to variations in the underlying surface.

A fluid suspension system for a land vehicle is provided with an actuator connected to a chassis and an axle of a land vehicle spaced apart from a pivotal connection of the axle. A fluid pressure circuit is in cooperation with the at least one actuator. A controller is in operable communication with the fluid pressure circuit and is programmed to receive input indicative of a travel speed of the land vehicle. The fluid pressure circuit is adjusted to limit fluid flow rate or reduce fluid pressure at a low speed travel range to permit the axle to pivot in response to variations in an underlying support surface. The fluid pressure circuit is adjusted at a higher speed travel range for selective actuation of the at least one actuator or for a higher fluid pressure actuation of the at least one actuator, in response to variations in the underlying surface.

There is provided an air spring for supporting a load, the air spring comprises a chamber for holding a pressurized gas in use, a load-bearing surface arranged to transmit a force from a load in use to the pressurized 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.

There is provided an air spring for supporting a load, the air spring comprises a chamber for holding a pressurized gas in use, a load-bearing surface arranged to transmit a force from a load in use to the pressurized 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.

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.

Disclosed are a shock absorber and an automobile. The shock absorber includes a shock absorber cylinder and an air spring arranged around the shock absorber cylinder. The air spring includes a damping spring and a piston. A free end of the damping spring is supported at a free end of the piston. A support is disposed between the piston and the shock absorber cylinder. The free end of the piston is supported on the shock absorber cylinder by the support. In the shock absorber according to the invention, the piston and the shock absorber cylinder can be connected in a simple way.

Disclosed are a shock absorber and an automobile. The shock absorber includes a shock absorber cylinder and an air spring arranged around the shock absorber cylinder. The air spring includes a damping spring and a piston. A free end of the damping spring is supported at a free end of the piston. A support is disposed between the piston and the shock absorber cylinder. The free end of the piston is supported on the shock absorber cylinder by the support. In the shock absorber according to the invention, the piston and the shock absorber cylinder can be connected in a simple way.