Patent GB-379291-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to steadying devices for vehicles
IPC: B60G17/015
Filed: 1931-05-20
Abstract: 379,291. Preventing lateral canting. AKTIEBOLAGET SUPERIOR and WESTERBERG, C. A. A., 10, Kungstradgardsgatan, Stockholm. May 20, 1931, No. 14891. Convention date, May 22, 1930. [Classes 103 (vi), 108 (ii), and 108 (iii).] Hydraulic apparatus for counteracting lateral canting in which a valve operated by centrifugal force to cause fluid to flow from a container to the underside of a piston connected to the vehicle through lever mechanism includes a pump device for supplying the container. In one form, two pistons 5, 5<1> provided with non-return valves 10 oscillate in cylinders 9, 91 in a casing 6 mounted on the axle and are connected on opposite sides of the pivot of a lever 7 connected to the car frame 2 through a link 8. A valve sleeve 44 and a rotatable and axially displaceable valve spindle 36'are situated in the wall between the cylinders and are arranged so that in the event of a wheel of the car entering a road depression, the inertia of an eccentrically weighted lever 26 acts to rotate the valve spindle on which it is mounted and causes communication to be made through ports 13, 45<1> from under the right-hand piston to a chamber 15 in which is contained oil at approximately atmospheric pressure. Simultaneously, pressure fluid from a container 31 is admitted under the other piston through ports 30, 45 and raises the vehicle body relative to the axle to maintain it at its original level. In the case of a wheel being raised, the action is reversed. Pressure liquid is pumped through spring-loaded valves 19, 20 into the container 31 during small oscillations of the pistons and the container is provided with a safety-valve 32. The valve spindle 36 is maintained in its normal position by a spring 43, a spring-pressed pin 40 and an adjustable spring-pressed displaceable plate 47 guided in the valve sleeve and provided with recesses 49 which engage a pin 50 in the valve spindle. When the vehicle changes direction, the valve spindle is displaced axially by centrifugal force and one of two recesses 38, 39, in the spindle allows pressure fluid to enter one of the cylinders to raise the car frame on the outside and lower it on the inside of the turn. In a modification a single cylinder only is employed. In a further modification the valve spindle is arranged at right-angles to the car axle and is controlled by two weights disposed on axes at right-angles to one another which cause rotation of the valve spindle when jolting and change of direction occurs. The weight controlling vertical movement may be rigidly attached to the spindle and connected by springs to the weight which is pivoted to the spindle, and controls lurching of the vehicle on curves. The two weights may be replaced by a single weight which has an initial position intermediate to that of the two weights. In another modification, the cylinders may be arranged horizontally end to end and may be operated by a single piston. The indentations 38, 39 and triangular channels 67, Figs. 24 and 25, in the valve spindle may be arranged so that the quantity of fluid supply is small for small valve movements but increases quickly with increased movement and in this case recesses 60, Fig. 22, communicating with the port 13 through channels 61 and indentations 62 communicating with slots 58 connected through channels 59 with the central portion 37 of the valve spindle are arranged for balancing the valve. The channels 61 may also be connected to a channel 64 in the valve sleeve 44. The valve spindle may be arranged vertically and the weighted lever may be provided with a buffer spring.