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Controlling "too much flex."

674 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by slowpoke, Jan 4, 2000

130

Discussion Starter · Jan 3, 2000

Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Since massive amounts of articulation is basically a Good Thing, it simply should not be done away with. So...how to we keep those dang tires from dropping into massive holes while the less flexy vehicles simply hang a tire in the air and cruise on by (or use the stuck vehichle for extra traction)? a small electric winch could be mounted at all four corners and engaged to pull the tire out of the hole, but that it not altogehter cost-effective, or practicle- even if it did work. Can any of you engineers who work geometric marvels think of another solution? How about some sort of hydrualic setup? Can a shock be made to PULL? Lets see what a little brainstorming can dig up!

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· #2 · Jan 3, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Here's a simple one for you: limiting straps. Kinda defeats the purpose though if you want the tire to drop as far as it will go.

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130

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 3, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

I'm looking for a way to allow full potential articulation, while allowing the driver to control droop as the need arises....

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· #4 · Jan 3, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Two words: Hydraulic Rams.

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· #5 · Jan 3, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Seen a buggy awhile back that used hydraulic rams from the landing gear of a large plane to replace the springs. It was coverted from hydraulic to air and connected to the onboard air system. Similier to air shocks but able the apply pressure in both directions. Each ram was controlled separately, they could be made to act as springs by putting a certain amount of pressure on all lines or to push or pull by varying the pressure to certain lines. If you used something similier to this, in combination with a conventional suspension you could put a valve on the air system to bleed off the air when its not needed. The ram would move up and down with no restriction until you need it, close the valve and apply air. You'd need some type of filter for the bleeder so you would'nt suck dirt in when it's open. Does this sound like it might work?

Wayne in Hawaii
PYRO II, 77CJ5

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· #6 · Jan 3, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Any sort of suspension like this would probably be very complex. Lowriders already use suspensions like this and can adjust their stance, pull wheels up into the air, hop on one axle, etc...but their suspensions have too little travel. Perhaps an air over hydraulic suspension would work..If I remember right, Geby Wagner had a suspension like this on his CJ5 that won the Four Wheeler tough truck competition 2 years ago... The other option would be to have an airbag suspension wherein one could somehow close the proportioning valve between the two sides of an axle and add air to one bag. I think the hardest thing would be getting a system to react quickly enough...if you're moving forward, even slowly, you would have to recognize that one tire was in a hole, flip some sort of switch/lever for the proper axle/side and then the system would have to react. What if one had an air suspension and they used valves to stop airflow from a given airbag...or to limit it severly. If you see a huge hole that the right rear tire's gonna drop into, close the valve so the airbag doesn't expand too much and the tire will only drop a little bit...or if you had adjustable shocks that adjusted quickly enough on a spring suspension, you could crank them way up to provide resistance to only one side of the axle and slow the travel way down...but you'd probably have to have a regular shock for normal use, and a dedicated shock for slowing and/or stopping travel.

Measure once, cut twice...or is that the other way around?

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· #7 · Jan 4, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

I think Geby's suspension was similar to this..i will have to bust out my Four Wheeler video and see...but one correction Geby had a CJ7.

absolutjeep
http://members.tripod.com/iluvjeeps

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· #8 · Jan 4, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

Here is an idea... Take the Scorpion MK1 suspension's AES concept. I don't know if you guys understand how it workd do i will try to explain as simply as possible:

It basicly has two arms the run from front to back on the vehicle on each side and they connect to the axle (or actually the swingarms that control the axles) via some linkage. What it does is forces the left rear tire to go up as the left front goes down and etc. This equalizes articlulationwhile not limiting it and eliminates body roll.

Now I know that doesn't some the problem but when you throw in the hydralic rams mentioned above you do. You would need to connect a ram to each arm that runs front to back. That would allow you to lift tires and drop them in a corresponding manner. The trick would be to have the rams just floating until you needed them because if you didn't you would have to do everything manually. I am not saying this will definatley work but it sounds feasable and if anyone tries it or has tried it, please, let us know!!

Scott C

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· #9 · Jan 4, 2000

Re: Controlling \"too much flex.\"

On some 18 wheeler tractors and some trailers they utilize a "pusher" axle. An air operated axle that is pushed to the ground to help distribute wieght on heavy permitted loads.When not in use the axle/ tires is pulled up off the ground. I never have looked at one up close , thought perhaps it might be worth checking out .I' ve seen a 1 ton welding truck setup with tandem axles using a suspension set-up like this.(not sure for what though) Might be able to modify this type of suspension for your application. good luck

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