Abstract: A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, the moment bar extending rearwardly along a center longitudinal plane of the trailer toward a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; a bracket attached to a trailer frame element, wherein the bracket is above the first rearward portion and further from the center longitudinal plane of the trailer than the rearward portion; and a tension member combined with a tension mechanism so as to increase and decrease a tensile force between the bracket and the rearward portion, to thereby increase and decrease the upward force on the rearward portion whereby sway of the trailer is reduced by biasing the system back to the centerline when the vehicle and trailer are out of alignment is disclosed.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle may include: a damper part installed in a connection hole of a horn plate, and formed of an elastic material; a horn bolt part fixed to a hub part through the damper part, and configured to guide movement of the horn plate; a damper housing located between the damper part and the horn bolt part, and moved with the damper part; and a horn spring configured to support the damper housing, and having elasticity.

Abstract: A strut assembly for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a damper. The strut assembly also includes an elastic unit having at least one spring module acting in concert with the damper to suspend the vehicle body relative to the road wheel. Each spring module has a positive stiffness spring arranged in parallel with a negative stiffness spring. A vehicle that has a suspension corner employing the elastic unit and is configured to maintain contact between the road wheel and the road surface and provide isolation of vibration between the road wheel and the vehicle body is also contemplated.

Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle cable spacer coupled to an outboard arm of a suspension bracket and including: a body; a first face, directed toward the suspension bracket; a first anti-rotation tab extending inboard from the first face and engaging an edge of the suspension bracket; a second face spaced apart from the first face by a width of the body; and a second anti-rotation tab extending outboard from the second face; a cable cuff coupled to the second face of the vehicle cable spacer, an edge of the cable cuff engaging the second anti-rotation tab of the vehicle cable spacer; and a vehicle cable extending through the cable cuff such that the vehicle cable is spaced from the vehicle cable spacer.

Abstract: A pen needle hub and cover for a pen needle assembly that provides tactile and/or audible indicia of proper attachment between the hub of the pen needle and the pen is provided. Such indicia substantially prevent under- and over-torquing of the pen needle. The tactile indicia may include a user sensing a wave of a torque of peak value followed by a torque of lesser value.

Abstract: A high-strength spring steel and a spring are provided that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in mass percent, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr, and at least one of 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo and 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A straight-shaped hollow spring material is used in a blasting apparatus. The length of the spring material is set to be 1.5 m to 3.5 m, and the inner diameter of the spring material is set to be not more than 10 mm? (not including 0). In inner surface abrasive blasting for the spring material, first and second blastings are performed. In the first blasting, abrasives are ejected to an opening portion of the spring material and are suctioned from a second opening portion thereof. In the second blasting, the abrasives are ejected to the second opening portion and are suctioned from the opening portion. The ejection pressure, the suction pressure, and the like are appropriately set, so that generation of grinding amount difference between the center portion and both end portions of the inner surface of the spring material can be inhibited.

Abstract: The present application provides a high strength spring steel and a high strength spring that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in terms of percent by mass, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr and at least one element selected from 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being at least substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: Spring comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2) moveable relative to each other, the first part being provided with at least one permanent magnet (4,4?), the second part being provided with at least one tooth (5,SM of a soft magnetic material which faces the at least one permanent magnet, whereby the total area of the facing surface varies as the first part moves relative to the second part, the first and/or the second part also being provided with at least one set of electrically conductive windings (7) which are connected to an electric power supply (8) in order to create a magnetic field for influencing the force-displacement characteristic of the spring. Also disclosed is an assembly of such a spring with a conventional spring and/or a damper, as well as a vehicle provided with such a spring.

Abstract: A method of driving a nut on a bolt comprising using a motorized socket drive tool having an open drive socket located in a drive head portion, is provided. A support assembly having a spring loaded biasing portion configured for travel along a torque arrest path, where a torque arrest member is coupled with the spring loaded biasing portion in an operative position, is provided in a coupled arrangement with the motorized socket drive tool. The open drive socket is directed to pass over the nut and the torque arrest member is directed to engage the bolt such that the open drive socket may drive the target nut, while the torque arrest member holds the bolt from rotation. The open drive socket and torque arrest member are respectively released from the nut and the bolt after the nut reaches a predetermined destination on the bolt.

Abstract: A control system for an adjustable damping force damper of a suspension apparatus of a vehicle, includes a lateral acceleration detecting unit detecting a lateral acceleration of the vehicle at a gravity point thereof, a yaw rate detecting unit detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle and a control unit controlling a damping force of the damper. The control unit calculates a first target damping force based on an output of the lateral acceleration detecting unit, calculates a second target damping force based on a lateral acceleration at an axel position which is estimated by an output of the yaw rate detecting unit, compares an absolute value of the first target damping force with that of the second target damping force and sets a target controlling value of the damping force in accordance with the first or second target damping force which has a larger absolute value.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle oscillation device with a lower part (1) and an upper part (2, 2a, 2b) positioned higher and spring-mounted in relation to the lower part (1) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and/or vehicle width direction (22) by means of a spring device (7, 7a, 7b, 8; 18), wherein the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and/or the vehicle width direction (22) constitute spring travel directions (9, 11), wherein at least one damper (3, 3a; 4, 4a) is arranged which extends with its longitudinal extension in a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and the vehicle width direction (22), is mounted on the lower part (1) pivotably about an axis (17, 24) oriented perpendicular to the plane, and is connected with a first end (5, 5a; 6, 6a; 16) to the upper part (2).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shock absorber capable of controlling damping force characteristics. The shock absorber includes a cylinder filled with an operating fluid, a piston valve disposed inside the cylinder to divide an interior of the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber, a piston rod having one end extending outside the cylinder and the other end coupled to the piston valve inside the cylinder, a hollow chamber formed inside the piston rod to communicate with the first and second chambers, a free piston disposed within the hollow chamber to move up and down and to divide the hollow chamber into upper and lower chambers, and a variable part configured to control the damping force characteristics by adjusting a vertical displacement of the free piston.

Abstract: A hood support for a vehicle having a hood moveable between open and closed positions is provided. The hood support includes a spring assembly disposable between the vehicle hood and another portion of the vehicle. The spring assembly is moveable into an extended position to accommodate movement of the hood into the open position and moveable into a compressed position to accommodate movement of the hood into the closed position. The hood support further includes a lock tube surrounding a portion of the spring assembly and moveable relative to the spring assembly. The lock tube is selectively actuatable between a locked position, wherein the lock tube secures the spring assembly in the extended position, and an unlocked position, wherein the spring assembly is permitted to be displaced into the compressed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibration in a vehicle structure via a mass of a spare wheel includes a bar. The bar has a first end elastically coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the first end is arranged for vertical movement relative to the vehicle structure. The bar also has a second end pivotably coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the second end is arranged to facilitate the vertical movement of the first end. The bar additionally includes an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel, wherein damping of vibration in the vehicle structure is provided when the spare wheel is mounted on the bar.

Abstract: A suspension control system and a suspension control method for a vehicle control the suspension based on the condition of the road surface traveled by the vehicle in addition to information pertaining to a corner obtained from a navigation device when the vehicle approaches the corner. A microprocessor controls damping forces of suspension devices on the basis of a degree of irregularity of the road surface detected immediately preceding entry of the automobile into a turn around the corner, and corner information from the navigation device.

Abstract: A series arranged air compressors system includes a first air compressor and a second air compressor pneumatically connected in series in an open, closed or partially closed state of operation. The output of the second air compressor is used as a source of compressed air for an air suspension system of a motor vehicle and/or to pressurize air inflatable articles. Flow of compressed air is selectively controlled by an electronic control circuit via at least one air flow control block, and the system may further include one or more air reservoirs.

Abstract: In an acceleration estimation device for estimating acceleration of a vehicle, a Karman filter for constant speed estimates x-direction acceleration offset and z-direction acceleration offset when a motorcycle is stopped and is traveling at a constant speed. An offset corrector corrects an x-direction acceleration and a z-direction acceleration on the basis of an x-direction acceleration offset estimated value and a z-direction acceleration offset estimated value when the motorcycle is accelerated and decelerated. A Karman filter for acceleration/deceleration estimates the pitch angle of a vehicle body on the basis of a wheel speed and the corrected x-direction acceleration and z-direction acceleration when the motorcycle is accelerated and decelerated. An acceleration corrector obtains an X-direction acceleration and a Z-direction acceleration on the basis of the estimated pitch angle and the corrected x-direction acceleration and z-direction acceleration.

Abstract: A slider 24 is supported on a holder 19 of a steering wheel 11 via a coil spring 25 so as to be movable in a direction of an axis while an air bag module 20 is supported on a slider 24 via a damper spring 26 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Since the coil spring 25 does not affect vibration of the air bag module 20 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, it is possible to set a spring constant of the coil spring 25 at a value appropriate for the operation of a horn switch 37, and to set a spring constant of the damper spring 26 at a value appropriate for the operation of the dynamic damper. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the vibration of the steering wheel 11 in the direction perpendicular to the axis with the dynamic damper without affecting the operability of the horn switch 37.

Abstract: When a take-up pulley 102 is rotated forward by driving a motor 84 forwardly, a holding plate 106 pushes a stopper 112 into forward rotation. When a wire 110 is thereby pulled and being wound around the take-up pulley 102, a control pipe 34 and ultimately an inner pipe 28 is received in an outer pipe 16. When the inner pipe 28 is received in the outer pipe 26 and the inner pipe 28 is held by a lock plate 54, the motor 84 is driven reverse to rotate the holding plate 106 reversely, together with the take-up pulley 102, to space away from the stopper 112. In this state, until the stopper 112 comes into contact with the holding plate 106, the wire 110 can move toward its one end and ultimately the inner pipe 28 and the control pipe 34 can move upward.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber, an outer operating oil chamber within an inner tube is communicated with a piston rod side oil chamber within a cylinder, an annular oil chamber is compartmentalized between an inner periphery of an outer tube and an outer periphery of the inner tube, the annular oil chamber is communicated with the outer operating oil chamber within the inner tube via an oil hole provided in the inner tube, a cross sectional area of the annular oil chamber is formed larger than a cross sectional area of a piston rod, and the hydraulic shock absorber has a volume compensating flow path which circulates the oil in an inner operating oil chamber or the outer operating oil chamber to an oil reservoir chamber in an expansion aside stroke in which the piston rod outgoes from the inner operating oil chamber, and a check valve which prevents the oil flow from the inner operating oil chamber or the outer operating oil chamber to the oil reservoir chamber in the expansion side stroke.

Abstract: A spring assist raising assembly includes a pivot pin with a noncircular cross section which is mounted to either a pivoted panel, such as a tailgate, or a stationary member, such as a vehicle body adjacent the tailgate. A spring-loaded rotatable socket is rotatably mounted to the other of the panel or member section and is keyed to receive the pivot pin and rotate with the rotation of the tailgate by such interconnection. The socket is coupled to a spiral torsion spring, in one embodiment of the invention, such that, as the panel or tailgate is lowered, the spiral torsion spring is loaded to provide a restorative force for assisting in the raising of the panel or tailgate.

Abstract: A retractable grip assist handle assembly provides an extendable support for a passenger during ingress to or egress from the vehicle. The retractable grip assist handle assembly includes a handle, and a body portion having a first end connected to the handle and the handle and body portion are extendable relative to the vehicle. A mechanical energy storage device is connected between a second end of the body portion and the vehicle. The mechanical energy storage device provides a return force that returns the handle to a retracted position from an extended position.

Abstract: A spring strut mounting for holding an upper end of a spring strut of a motor vehicle contains a spring strut dome with an articulation point for articulatedly connecting the upper end of the spring strut. The spring strut mounting further has a lower dome carrier which can be connected to a longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, and an upper dome carrier which can be connected to an A pillar of the motor vehicle, with the upper dome carrier engaging over the articulation point.

Abstract: A vehicle spring guide assembly is shown for mounting a coil spring to a suspension component of a vehicle. The assembly can include a vehicle mounting member and a spring guide member. The vehicle mounting member includes a bumper portion and a mounting interface portion. The mounting interface portion can be configured to engage the bumper portion and fixedly mount the bumper portion to a suspension component of a vehicle. The spring guide member can include an annular portion configured to engage with one end of a coil spring and a flexible frustoconical portion configured to extend within the inside diameter of the coil spring. The flexible frustoconical portion can be detachably engaged with the mounting interface portion of the vehicle mounting member, and can be configured to guide and isolate the coil spring during assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a damping system. The system has at least two dampers for damping between sprung and unsprung masses in the compression and rebound directions. Sensors generate signals based on position and other parameters of motion representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses. The process determines the appropriate compression and rebound forces to be applied at the wheels. A regulator responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers between the masses. Compliance for the dampers is emulated with software to produce the desired compliance forces.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension system arranged on a bogie for a vehicle, particularly for a rail vehicle, and one hydropneumatic suspension unit respectively which is contained in the suspension system. For this purpose, the spring accumulator, the reservoir, the tank and the control unit are arranged in the area of the at least one spring strut, so that an essentially self-sufficient suspension unit is obtained. The suspension system may be used and connected to a levelling unit.

Abstract: An automatic tire chain for driver operated vehicles includes a chain device that is moved to the road contact surface of a tire from a position adjacent thereto by means of a spring mechanism placed under tension when the chain is held away from the road contact surface of the tire. A pair of rings, one being fixed to the wheel and the other being slideably mounted thereon are provided with indexing slots. The slideable ring has a chain affixed thereon and is moved relative to the fixed ring by an operator activated engaging mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The engaging means engages the indexing slots and moves the slideable ring relative to the fixed ring while the vehicle moves along the road at a speed less than 10 miles per hour placing the chain adjacent to the road contact surface of the tire.