Abstract: A vehicle braking system including an auxiliary circuit for activating the vehicles brake system independent of the position of the vehicle ignition switch. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary circuit is actuated through actuation of the vehicle service brake pedal, enabling the braking system to be operable whenever the brake pedal is activated.

Abstract: A transmission unit for a hybrid vehicle includes a housing formed with a water jacket for cooling a stator of a motor. The water jacket includes a hollow annular passage having a water inlet and a water outlet. The water jacket has at least one uneven or depressed portion for avoiding an adjacent component. At the uneven portion, the cross sectional shape of the flow passage is varied gradually and smoothly so that the cross-sectional area of the flow passage remains constant. The water jacket further includes an inflow passage extending in a tangential direction to the water inlet, and an outflow passage extending in a radial direction from the water outlet.

Abstract: A first connecting member is connected to a second connecting member by an elastic body member. A fluid chamber which is formed inside the first connecting member, the second connecting member and the elastic body member is divided into a main fluid chamber 17 and a sub-fluid chamber 18 by a partition member 15. An idle orifice 20 and a damping orifice 21 communicate with both chambers. In a part of a side wall member 9 which forms the main fluid chamber 17 is formed a round hole 10 which is covered by a part of the elastic body member to form a horizontally movable membrane 11. A circular wall 44 is integrally formed with the partition member 15 to face the horizontal movable membrane 11 at predetermined intervals. Resonance of the horizontal membrane 11 generated as a result of fluctuations of internal pressure in the main fluid chamber is controlled by the circular wall 44.

Abstract: A fluid-filled elastic mount including an elastic body elastically connecting a first mounting member and a cylindrical second mounting members for fluid-tightly closing one open end of the second mounting member, a partition and a closure members superposed on each other and fixed at their peripheral portions to the other open end of the second mounting member, by calking, to provide on one side of the partition member a pressure receiving chamber partially defined by the elastic body and on the other side of the partition member an equilibrium chamber partially defined by a flexible diaphragm fixed to the closure member. These chambers are filled with a non-compressible fluid. The partition member has a cylindrical positioning shoulder, while the closure member has a cylindrical wall portion which is press-fitted onto the positioning shoulder of the partition member, so that the partition and closure member are positioned relative to each other in their diametric direction.

Abstract: A vehicle solenoid valve includes an inlet port circumscribed by a rounded cup-shaped valve seat and an outlet port. A two-piece poppet is installed within the valve and includes a non-magnetic poppet shaft connected to a frustum-shaped poppet head. The poppet head includes an integrally formed, rounded nose that is sized and shaped to engage the rounded cup-shaped valve seat. The poppet is movable between an open configuration, wherein the rounded nose is distanced from the valve seat, and a closed configuration, wherein the rounded nose engages the valve seat to block fluid communication through the valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an air spring having an elastomeric air spring flexible member with its ends attached to respective attachment components. The ends of the flexible member have respective sealing beads. An elastic peripherally extending sealing lip (41) is formed on the end portion of at least one of the ends of the flexible member and projects beyond the end face of the end portion and lies on the smallest diameter of the flexible member. The sealing lip (41) ensures a reliable sealing between this end of the flexible member and the attachment component. The sealing lip (41) faces toward the pressure space of the air spring in the assembled condition thereof.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates a disc 50 which includes radially inner and outer portions (54 55) which are separated by a gap 56. Two pad assemblies (11, 12) are located on respective sides of the disc and are interconnected by a draw bar 29 which extends through the gap and is connected to a piston cylinder assembly. Actuation of the piston cylinder assembly imparts a force to the pad assemblies through the draw bar which causes them to move either towards or away from the disc to thereby effect actuation and release of the brake assembly The draw bar is rotatable about its axis 71 and is releaseably coupled to the outboard pad assembly 12 so as to be operative to move between an engaged configuration with the pad assembly to a released configuration on rotation about the draw bar axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and cushioning the shaft of a fan motor. The apparatus is mounted within a shaft tube of the motor, which also receives the rotor shaft. The apparatus generally comprises a central portion, a peripheral portion and a connecting portion. When the apparatus mounted within the shaft tube of the motor, the outer edge of the peripheral portion fits tightly against the inner wall of the shaft. The connecting portion connects the central portion to the peripheral portion, and includes a plurality of connecting pieces projecting radially outward from the central portion to the peripheral portion, thereby providing elastic effects to the apparatus for cushioning the rotor shaft, which is loaded on the central portion. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of hooks that are adapted to engage an annular groove on the rotor shaft, thereby locking the shaft in place within the shaft tube.

Abstract: A parking brake for a rail car vehicle including an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to and controlling a bidirectional hydraulic actuator coupleable to the rail car's wheel brakes. An electric controller is connected to the pump and controls activation/deactivation of the pump with the controller including various switches. Also included is a coupler for coupling the actuator to one of a brake beam or an actuator of the parking brake.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating apparatus and a metal stopper having an excellent and lasting reliability comprises an outwardly projecting stopper rubber, and a metal stopper fixed to a first fixture so as to surround the stopper rubber. The metal stopper has a first contact surface in parallel with a compression-direction-facing surface of the stopper rubber, a second contact surface in parallel with a radial-direction-facing surface of the stopper rubber and a third contact surface in parallel with a drawing-direction-facing surface of the stopper rubber, and a fourth contact surface in parallel with a circumferential-direction-facing surface of the stopper rubber. The third contact surface inclines at an angle range of 10°-50° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the compression and drawing directions, while an inner edge of the third contact surface projects radially inward from the second contact surface by not less than 10 mm so as not to contact with the vibration-isolating base body.

Abstract: An active suspension system for supporting a mass, such as a seat on a base of a vehicle includes a hydraulic actuator coupled between the seat and the base, an pneumatic off-load device between the seat and the base, and a control system which actively controls the hydraulic actuator and which controls the off-load member. The control system actively controls the hydraulic actuator as a function of a seat position error signal. The control system also controls the off-load member as a function of a signal used in the active control of the actuator. A compressor and a vent are coupled to the pneumatic device for controlling pressurization thereof. The control system comprises an electronic control unit which repeatedly executes a control algorithm at a predetermined rate, and which controls the operational status of the compressor and the vent as a function of the position error signal and the predetermined rate.

Abstract: A vehicle stability apparatus and method with an on-off-switch, to prevent the driving road wheel from applying excessive braking force when the traction control apparatus is off. When a selectable switch is selected off, a control unit does not exert the traction control to decrease the engine output power to restrain the driving wheels slip even if driving wheel slip is generating. Then the control unit exerts the yaw moment control apparatus for optimizing vehicle stability to control wheel braking force of respective road wheels, and the control unit compulsory exerts the traction control during generating wheel slip irrespective of the switch.

Abstract: A pull type agricultural implement, such as a round baler, having a main frame, a pair of ground engaging wheels rotatably attached to the main frame for supporting the implement, a hitch assembly for attaching the main frame to a vehicle for towing the implement, and a locking mechanism operatively associated with the main frame for locking at least one of the wheels. The locking mechanism comprises a lock member moveable between a hold position in which the lock member precludes the rotation of the at least one of the wheels and a release position in which the lock member permits rotation of the at least one of the wheels. The locking mechanism further comprises a spring assembly for providing a force for holding the lock member in the hold position, and a camming arrangement for engaging the frame to provide a force to overcome the holding force to urge the lock member out of the hold position to the release position.

Abstract: An anti-vibration support comprising two rigid frames joined to one another by an elastomer body which is applied against a rigid partition to define a hydraulic working chamber linked to a compensating chamber by a throttled passage. The liquid contained in the working chamber is in contact with a piston controlled by an electromagnetic actuator with a proportional electromagnet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a Vehicle Suspension System for a vehicle. The present invention comprises a left spring coupled to the chassis of a vehicle. The leaf spring couples to a rigid arm, which in turn couples to a pivotal axis that is located at a position offset from the neutral axis of the leaf spring. The position of the pivotal axis with respect to the neutral axis of the leaf spring varies the rate of leaf spring so as to soften or stiffen the suspension system.

Abstract: Disk brake comprising a brake anchor plate (10) which is fastenable to a vehicle, a floating frame (12) which engages over a brake disk (14) of the brake and is guided on the brake anchor plate (10), at least one first brake shoe (22) which in the installed state of the brake is supported against the floating frame (12) at the side of the brake disk (14) directed towards the outside of the vehicle, at least one second brake shoe (20) which in the installed state of the brake is supported counter to braking forces against the brake anchor plate (10) at the side of the brake disk (14) directed towards the inside of the vehicle, at least one operating piston (24) which is disposed on the floating frame (12), wherein the brake shoes (20, 22) are removable substantially radially in relation to the axis of the brake, and wherein the first brake shoe (22) at its rear side (66) has a detent device (68) and the floating frame (12) has a detent device (72) complementary thereto, and that the brake shoe (22) is fastened

Abstract: A hydraulic damping two-chamber engine mount includes a working chamber and a compensating chamber filled with a hydraulic fluid. The chambers are separated by an intermediate plate in which an overflow passage, at least one switchable bypass passage and an isolating diaphragm are disposed. The isolating diaphragm is rotatable through the use of an actuator into a first rotatable position closing the bypass passage and a second rotatable position opening the bypass passage.

Abstract: A wheeled conveyance, such as a shopping cart, a luggage cart, a utility cart, a wheel chair, a gurney, or a tricycle has a metal chassis and wheels, which support the metal chassis above a supporting surface, such as a floor surface, and which may isolate the metal chassis electrically from the supporting surface. The metal chassis is grounded to the supporting surface by an elongate, flexible member, which is made from a non-metallic, static-dissipative material, such as a polyvinyl chloride, and which is arranged to drag along the supporting surface when the wheeled conveyance is moved along the supporting surface. Each wheel has an axle, on which such wheel is rotatable, and the elongate member can be mechanically and electrically connected to the axle of one of the wheels.

Abstract: A ball clamp trailer coupler for engaging a standard vehicle hitch ball includes a coupler housing wherein a forward coupler socket is defined, and a ball clamp which is movably situated within the coupler housing rearwardly of the coupler socket. The clamp has a clamping face which faces the coupler socket, and the clamping face slopes downwardly as it extends forwardly to conclude at a frontwardly-protruding lower clamping face edge. The clamp also includes a ramp face which slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the lower clamping face edge. When the coupler is lowered onto a hitch ball with the coupler located too far forwardly, i.e., so that the hitch ball is situated beneath the clamp, the hitch ball will contact the ramp face to push the clamp rearwardly out of the coupler socket rather than into the coupler socket (as will occur where the ramp face is not present).

Abstract: A shock absorber cartridge for use in a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber cartridge includes a cartridge containment member having an inner cavity, an opening, and a lip about the opening. The shock absorber cartridge also includes an inner shock assembly disposed substantially in the inner cavity of the cartridge containment member. The inner shock assembly includes an inner shock cylinder. The lip of the cartridge containment member engages-the outer surface of the inner shock assembly, preferably at the outer surface of the inner shock cylinder.