Overcoming the Ride/Handling Compromise - A Cockpit Adjustable Suspension System

Automobile and truck suspension systems using steel coils, leaves, or torsion elements are tuned to one specific performance target. A suspension system may be optimized for handling performance, or it may be optimized to isolate the occupants from road disturbances, but it cannot excel at both. In practice, the performance of conventional vehicle suspensions is a compromise between ride and handling.

This paper describes a cockpit adjustable air suspension system. Ride height is readily adjusted to improve handling, or to increase ground clearance. Spring rate may be lowered to improve isolation, or increased to increase handling performance. Because of the wide range of user adjustability, the vehicle can exhibit exemplary handling, or a comfortable ride.