Hydropneumatic suspension for car - with rear axle self levelling and having return spring characteristics similar to front suspension

摘要

The rear suspension is fitted with hydropneumatic legs which are controlled by a valve to connect the hydraulic section to either a pressure reservoir or to a low pressure venting line. The control valve has a valve element which is held in the neutral position by two opposing springs. The spring characteristics is selected to be similar to the front suspension characteristics. This enables the whole vehicle to be levelled, over a range of loadings, by fitting variable length suspension elements to only the rear axle.