Claims:We Claim:
1. An air suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer, comprising:
a pedestal (105) provided at a left side and a right side for connecting an axle to the suspension system;
an air spring (101) mounted on the pedestal (105) provided at the left side and the right side for maintaining ride height of the trailer;
an air spring bracket (102) fixed on a top surface of the air spring (101) for connecting to a chassis of the trailer;
an upper control arm (104a) and a lower control arm (104b) provided for connecting the pedestal (105) to a hanger bracket (103) at the left side and the right side;
wherein a first end of the upper control arm (104a) and the lower control arm (104b) connected to a rear side (105b) of the pedestal (105) and a second end of the upper control arm (104a) and the lower control arm (104b) connected to the hanger bracket (103);
wherein the hanger bracket (103) provided for transferring force from a wheel to the chassis; and
a lateral shock absorber (107) connected to a rear side (105b) of the pedestal (105) for providing lateral damping.
2. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of external bump stops (108) provided as an external stopper for limiting a bump stroke and a rebound stroke of the air springs (101).
3. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front cross member (106) connecting the left hanger bracket (103) and the right hanger bracket (103) and connecting the chassis for improving lateral stability.
4. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control arm bush is provided at the connection of the upper control arm (104a) and the lower control arm (104b) with the pedestal (105) and at the connection of the upper control arm (104a) and the lower control arm (104b) with the hanger bracket (103).
5. The suspension system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control arm bush including:
an inner sleeve (201) connecting an inner width of the pedestal (105) between a first surface (105c) and a second surface (105d);
a bush (202) provided between the inner sleeve (201) and a bush housing (203); and
a washer (204) provided between the first surface (105c) and the bush housing (203) and the second surface (105d) and the bush housing (203) for restricting lateral movement of the upper control arm and lower control arm (104a, 104b) relative to the pedestal (105).
6. The suspension system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a material of the inner sleeve (201) is a metal.
7. The suspension system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a material of the bush (202) is polyurethane (PU) for providing lateral stiffness.
8. The suspension system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a material of the washer (204) is brass.
9. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a total air spring stroke in a range of 300-450 mm, including a bump stroke in a range of 300-400 mm, a rebound stroke in a range of 20-50 mm and an air spring ride height in a range of 400mm to 500mm in dynamic ride condition.
10. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air suspension system provided as trailing arm suspension and/or a leading arm suspension for a front suspension and/or a rear suspension of the weapon deployment trailer.
, Description:AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A WEAPON DEPLOYMENT TRAILER
FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an air suspension system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an air suspension for a gun deployment trailer vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] A suspension system is provided in automobiles for improving ride handling and imparting comfort. The suspension system helps in maintaining contact between tires of a vehicle and the road surface and evenly balancing weight of the vehicle. Improper and uneven road conditions generate forces on the vehicle, and the effect of these forces are dampened and absorbed by components of the suspension system.
[0003] A weapon deployment trailer is a vehicle provided for deploying weapons such as guns. The trailer includes a weapon, wherein the air suspension system of the trailer assists in deploying the weapon at the required height. The trailer is required to operate in areas with rough and unpredictable terrain and deploy the weapon at a lower height. The operation of weapon deployment in these trailers needs to be provided by a suspension system. Moreover, efficient and balanced riding of the trailer in such terrains requires an equally efficient suspension system for withstanding the forces. Further, the weapon deployment trailers require a suspension system providing stability for operating under various forces without lateral swaying or bump steer.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an air suspension system for an improved suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer. Moreover, there is a need for an improved and effective front suspension system for a gun deployment trailer.
OBJECTS
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
[0006] The main objective of the present disclosure is to provide an air suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer.
[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an air suspension system capable of being used as front suspension and/or rear suspension for the weapon deployment trailer.
[0008] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an air suspension system achieving higher air spring stroke in a weapon deployment trailer.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an air suspension system for a gun deployment trailer for improving lateral stability and preventing bump steer and lateral swaying during maneuvering.
[00010] The other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
SUMMARY
[00011] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an air suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer.
[00012] In accordance with an embodiment, the air suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer, comprises a pedestal provided at a left side and a right side for connecting an axle to the suspension system, an air spring mounted on the pedestal provided at the left side and the right side for maintaining ride height of the trailer, an air spring bracket fixed on a top surface of the air spring for connecting to a chassis of the trailer, an upper control arm and a lower control arm provided for connecting the pedestal to a hanger bracket at the left side and the right side and a lateral shock absorber connected to a rear side of the pedestal for providing lateral damping. A first end of the upper control arm and the lower control arm is connected to a rear side of the pedestal and a second end of the upper control arm and the lower control arm is connected to the hanger bracket. The hanger bracket is provided for transferring force from a wheel to the chassis.
[00013] In accordance with an embodiment, a plurality of external bump stops provided as an external stopper for limiting a bump stroke and a rebound stroke of the air springs.
[00014] In accordance with an embodiment, a front cross member connecting the left hanger bracket and the right hanger bracket and connecting the chassis for improving lateral stability.
[00015] In accordance with an embodiment, a control arm bush is provided at the connection of the upper control arm and the lower control arm with the pedestal and at the connection of the upper control arm and the lower control arm with the hanger bracket. In an embodiment, the control arm bush including an inner sleeve connecting an inner width of the pedestal between a first surface and a second surface, a bush provided between the inner sleeve and a bush housing and a washer provided between the first surface and the bush housing and the second surface and the bush housing for restricting lateral movement of the upper control arm and lower control arm relative to the pedestal.
[00016] In an embodiment, a material of the inner sleeve is a metal. In an embodiment, a material of the bush is polyurethane (PU) for providing lateral stiffness. In an embodiment, a material of the washer is brass.
[00017] In accordance with an embodiment, a total air spring stroke is in a range of 300-450 mm, including a bump stroke in a range of 300-400 mm, a rebound stroke in a range of 20-50 mm and an air spring ride height in a range of 400mm to 500mm in dynamic ride condition. In an embodiment, the air suspension system provided as trailing arm suspension and/or a leading arm suspension for a front suspension and/or a rear suspension of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00019] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00020] Fig.1a illustrates a schematic of a perspective view of the air suspension system, according to an embodiment herein;
[00021] Fig. 1b illustrates a schematic of a top perspective view of the air suspension system, according to an embodiment herein; and
[00022] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic of a cross-sectional view of a control arm bush, according to an embodiment herein.

LIST OF NUMERALS
101 - Air spring
102 - Air spring bracket
103 - Hanger bracket
104a - Upper control arm
104b - Lower control arm
105 - Pedestal
105a - Front side of pedestal
105b - Rear side of pedestal
106 - Front cross member
107 - Lateral shock absorber
108 - External bump stop
201 - Inner sleeve
202 - Bush
203 - Bush housing
204 - Washer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00023] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00024] As mentioned above, there is a need for an improved suspension system for a weapon deployment trailer. Moreover, there is a need for an improved and effective front suspension system for a gun deployment trailer. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “An Air Suspension System for a Weapon Deployment Trailer”. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig.1a through Fig. 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00025] Fig.1a illustrates a schematic of a perspective view of the air suspension system. In an embodiment, the suspension system including an air spring 101, an air spring bracket 102, a hanger bracket 103, an upper control arm 104a and a lower control arm 104b, a pedestal 105 and a lateral shock absorber 107 provided at a left side and a right side.
[00026] In an embodiment, the pedestal 105 is provided at the left side and the right side of the air suspension system for connecting axle of the trailer to the air suspension system. The pedestal 105 includes a front side 105a and a rear side 105b. The pedestal 105 is provided for mounting the air springs 102, the upper control arm 104a and the lower control arm 104b and the lateral shock absorber 107.
[00027] The air spring 101 is mounted on a top surface of the pedestal 105 provided at the left side and the right side. The air spring 101 is provided for compressing and extending based on forces acting on the trailer. The air springs 102 are provided for absorbing vertical load acting on the weapon deployment trailer.
[00028] The air spring 101 maintains a ride height of the trailer, assists in lowering height of the weapon deployment trailer during deployment and maintaining minimum ground clearance during fully retracted condition.
[00029] In an embodiment, the air spring bracket 102 is mounted on a top surface of the air spring 101 at the left side and the right side. The air spring bracket 102 is provided for connecting the air suspension system to chassis of the weapon deployment trailer. The air spring bracket 102 transfers load between the air springs 102 and the chassis of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00030] In an embodiment, total air spring stroke of the air springs 102 is in a range of 300-450mm, wherein bump stroke is in a range of 300-400mm and rebound stroke is in a range of 20-50mm. The air spring ride height is in a range of 450mm +/- 50mm in dynamic ride condition. Dynamic ride condition refers to the weapon deployment trailer in a moving condition Specifically the air spring stroke is 376 mm, bump stroke of the air springs 102 is 350 mm and rebound stroke of the air springs 102 is 26mm.
[00031] In an embodiment, an upper control arm 104a and a lower control arm 104b are provided for connecting the pedestal 105 provided at the left side and right side to a hanger bracket 130 provided at the left side and right side. The upper control arm 104a and the lower control arm 104b are attached at the front side 105a of the pedestal 105. The upper control arm 104a and the lower control arm 104b are provided for positioning the axle of the weapon deployment trailer. The arc path travel of the axle during bump and rebound are controlled by the upper control arms 104a and the lower control arms 104b. The upper control arms 104a and the lower control arms 104b transfer driving load and braking load to the hanger brackets 103.
[00032] In an embodiment, the hanger bracket 103 is provided towards a front side of the air suspension system at the left side and the right side for transferring the braking force and driving force from wheel end to the chassis.
[00033] In an embodiment, a front cross member 106 is provided for connecting the hanger bracket 103 at the left side and the hanger bracket 103 at the right side. The front cross member 106 is provided for connecting the suspension system to the chassis of the weapon deployment trailer. The front cross member 106 improves stability of the suspension system.
[00034] In an embodiment, the lateral shock absorber 107 is connected to the rear side 105b of the pedestal 105. The lateral shock absorber 107 improves lateral stability and provides lateral damping during the left turning and right turning of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00035] Fig. 1b illustrates a schematic of a top perspective view of the air suspension system. In an embodiment, bump stops 108 are provided on the chassis (not shown in figure). The bump stops 108 are provided for limiting an extent of bump stroke and rebound stroke achieved by the air springs 101 of the air suspension system.
[00036] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic of a cross-sectional view of a control arm bush. In an embodiment, the upper control arm 104a and the lower control arm 104b are connected to the pedestal 105 and the hanger bracket 103 through control arm bush 200. In an embodiment, the control arm bush is provided for transferring load from the control arms 104a, 104b to the hanger bracket 103. The control arm bush provides cushioning during the load transfer.
[00037] In an embodiment, the control arm bush includes an inner sleeve 201, a bush 202, a bush housing 203 and washers 204. The control arm bush is provided for limiting lateral movement of the upper control arm 104a and the lower control arm 104b relative to the pedestal 105. The control arm bush is provided in an inner width of the pedestal 105. The inner sleeve 201 of the control arm bush connects the inner width of the pedestal 105 between a first surface 105c of the pedestal 105 to a second surface 105d of the pedestal 105. In an embodiment, material of the inner sleeve 201 is a metal.
[00038] The bush 202 is provided between the inner sleeve 201 and the bush housing 203. The bush 202 is provided as a cushion by supporting an amount of load. A material of the bush 202 is polyurethane (PU). The polyurethane bush 202 with the inner sleeve provides increased lateral stiffness to the control arm bush.
[00039] The washers 204 are provided between the first surface 105c and the bush housing 203 and the second surface 105d and the bush housing 203. The washers 204 restrict lateral movement of the control arms 104a, 104b relative to the pedestal 105. In an embodiment, material of the washer including brass.
[00040] The suspension system with the lateral shock absorber 107 and the control arm bush prevent bump steer of the weapon deployment trailer by imparting lateral stability and limiting lateral movement. In an embodiment, the air suspension system is a trailing arm type suspension system. In an embodiment, the weapon deployment trailer including a plurality of combination of the air suspension systems wherein the suspension system provided as a trailing arm and/or leading arm in front suspension and/or rear suspension. The suspension system in the trailing arm type including the air springs 101 towards the front and the hangar brackets 103 towards the rear. The suspension system in the trailing arm type including the hangar brackets 103 towards the front and air springs 101 towards the rear. In an embodiment, the combinations including trailing arm suspension provided in front and rear, leading arm suspension provided in front and rear, trailing arm suspension in front and leading arm suspension in rear and trailing arm suspension in rear and leading arm suspension in the front.
[00041] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the air suspension system improves lowering ability of the weapon deployment trailer for deploying the weapon.
[00042] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the air suspension system improves lateral stability of the weapon deployment trailer during maneuvering.
[00043] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the air suspension system provides improved lateral stability of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00044] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the air suspension system prevents bump steer and lateral swaying of the weapon deployment trailer.
[00045] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.