US 12,409,694 B2
Hydraulic fluid reservoir including a flexible housing
Carl Olofsson, Zepperen (BE); Stein Slootmaekers, Wellen (BE); and Joris VanWezemael, Leuven (BE)
Assigned to DRIV Automotive Inc., Skokie, IL (US)
Filed by DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC., Skokie, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/893,805.
Prior Publication US 2024/0066938 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. B60G 13/14 (2006.01); B60G 13/08 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 13/14 (2013.01) [B60G 13/08 (2013.01); B60G 2202/24 (2013.01); B60G 2202/416 (2013.01); B60G 2206/41 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydraulic fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a shock absorber, the hydraulic fluid reservoir comprising:
a flexible housing having a first end and second end and a flexible wall extending therebetween defining a first interior, with the first interior a variable volume of hydraulic fluid and no air;
a fluid channel beginning at the first end of the flexible housing and fluidly coupling the first interior of the flexible housing to the shock absorber, the fluid channel configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the first interior of the flexible housing to define the variable volume of hydraulic fluid; and
a pump provided along the fluid channel, the pump being configured to move the flow of hydraulic fluid into or out of the flexible housing;
wherein during operation, the flow of hydraulic fluid expands and contracts the flexible housing between a first position defining a maximum volume of the first interior and a second position defining a minimum volume of the first interior, respectively.