Damper assembly for vehicle suspension system with fluid damper and multi-chamber gas spring and method of controlling pre-load, spring rate and ride height

摘要

A vehicle suspension system enables active control of pre-load, spring rate, and ride height by using a fluid damper housing defining an interior chamber containing an incompressible fluid and a hollow rod supporting a piston extending into the interior chamber. The housing is movable relative to the hollow rod such that fluid volume in the interior chamber varies. A multi-chambered manifold is operatively connected to the hollow rod and has a first gas chamber in fluid communication with a second gas chamber. A first plunger, a second plunger, and a third plunger are supported by the manifold. A first actuator is operable to move the third plunger to vary a volume of the first gas chamber between the first and third plungers. A second actuator is operable to move the second plunger to vary a volume of the second gas chamber in communication with the first gas chamber.