Patent ID: 8695998
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: B60G,B62D

Abstract:
1. An axle lift assembly, comprising: a vehicle frame; a beam slidably coupled with a longitudinal extent of the vehicle frame, an arm having a first end pivotably coupled proximate the beam, a second end, and an intermediate portion there between; an axle rotatably coupled with the intermediate portion of the arm; an air spring disposed between the second end of the arm and the beam for receiving an upward force from a wheel on the axle contacting a ground surface; a support bracket extending down from the beam proximate the first end of the arm; a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the arm for raising the axle from a ground engagement position to a lifted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring; and a component for monitoring a condition indicative of a weight of a load carried by the vehicle frame, wherein the pneumatic actuator raises the axle to the lifted position when the component is indicative of the weight being less than a threshold weight.