Abstract: Wishbone-style control arm assemblies for a vehicle and methods for assembling the same are disclosed. A control arm assembly includes a first elongated segment having a first connection feature at one end of the first segment. The control arm assembly includes a second elongated segment having a second connection feature at one end of the second segment. Opposite longitudinal ends of the first and second segments may include third and fourth connection features, respectively, that are configured to interface with the vehicle. The first and second connection features are aligned to form an aperture that extends at least partially through the first and segment connection features, through which a bushing is press-fit and then swaged to form a strong connection that reduces or eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners or adhesive bonds.

Abstract: A tubular vibration-damping device including: a vibration-damping device main unit wherein a main rubber elastic body is externally fixed to an inner shaft member; an outer tube member mounted on an outer peripheral face of the main unit; a pair of stopper protrusions protruding to opposite sides of a first axis-perpendicular direction at the inner shaft member; a cushion rubber layer fixed to the stopper protrusions; a stopper concavity provided in an inner peripheral face of the outer tube member to receive the stopper protrusions being inserted, with a wall opposed to the stopper protrusions in an axial direction, the first axis-perpendicular direction, and a second axis-perpendicular direction orthogonal thereto; and stoppers for all the directions constituted by contact of the wall and the stopper protrusions to limit relative displacement between the inner shaft member and the outer tube member.

Abstract: A vibration absorber (1) with radially acting hydraulic damping has a bearing core (2). A bearing cage (4) radially surrounding the bearing core (2) and an elastomer body (18) resiliently connects the bearing core (2) and the bearing cage (4). An outer sleeve (24) radially surrounds the elastomer body (18) for connection to an absorber mass (40). At least two working chambers (28) to be filled with a damping fluid are formed in the elastomer body (18). The working chambers (28) are connected fluidically to one another by means of a dimensionally stable fluid duct (26).

Abstract: Provided is a non-adhesive type vibration reduction apparatus comprising: a support; a body; and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is coupled in a non-adhesive manner in which an adhesive is not used, thereby preventing a separation of and reducing a damage of an elastomer which result from a weakening of an adhesive force.

Abstract: A rotational and axial control spring includes a tubular casing, a shaft, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members. The casing comprises a first end, a second end, and a plurality of interior surfaces extending therebetween defining a casing interior. The first end is smaller than the second end, forming a frustum shaped tubular casing. The cross sectional shape of the casing can include three (3) or more sides. The shaft is fabricated having a series of exterior surfaces, wherein a cross sectional shape of the shaft is similar to the cross sectional shape of the casing. The elastomeric members are formed as cylindrical frustums. The shaft is inserted within the casing interior. Each elastomeric member is positioned contacting a respective shaft exterior surface and a pair of adjacent casing interior surfaces. The elastomeric members each provide a rotational spring with adjustable resistant force and dampening functions. The tapered features provide an axial retention function.

Abstract: In a traditional hitched trailer there is no way to adjust the ride height of the trailer. Provided is an angular adjusting mechanism (13) for a suspension system (10) comprising a shaft (12) and a crank arm (20), the shaft (12) having a connecting end (14) connected to the crank arm (20), said angular adjusting mechanism (13) comprising a frusto-comcal shaped surface (16) provided on the connecting end (14) and pointing outwardly from said shaft (12), said surface (16) having an array of first cavities (18) arranged circumferentially, a frusto-comcal bore (22) proximate a first extremity of said crank arm (20), said bore (22) having an array of second cavities (24), said bore (22) being operative to mate with said surface (16) of said connecting end (14), and an interlocking element (30) partly positioned in one of said second cavities (24) and partly positioned in one of said first cavities (18) so as to lock said crank arm (20) at a predetermined angular position with respect to said shaft (12).

Abstract: Vibration isolators are provided that include a shaft, a first bushing, a second bushing, a first outer annular member, a second outer annular member, a first elastomeric member, a second elastomeric member, and a shim. The first elastomeric member is adapted to provide a first stiffness for damping a first vibration, and the second elastomeric member is adapted to provide a second stiffness for damping a second vibration, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: At least one end of a longitudinally extending control link arm includes a laterally extending tubular portion that receives a bushing assembly. The tubular portion is used to pivotally secure an end of the control link arm to a vehicle structure or axle component. The bushing assembly is positioned within the tubular portion such that radial stiffness is distributed away from a center of the tubular portion. This configuration provides a high conical rate and provides auxiliary roll stiffness such that a sway bar is not required.

Abstract: A non-helical, multiple compound element, true torsion system includes a working element to be connected to a load, an adjustable control element and a drive for driving the control element. At least one S-shaped compound torsion element has ends each being connected to a respective one of the working and control elements.

Abstract: A suspension attachment apparatus (46) suitable for use in a motor vehicle having a tension strut (42) interposed and connecting a chassis (10) to a wheel support member (26) is described. The apparatus (46) ensures proper orientation of the suspension member (42) during the assembly process. Additionally, the apparatus provides vibration isolation while limiting rotation of the suspension member (42) relative to the chassis (10) within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A constant force mechanism includes a base (410), a load arm (414) pivotally connected to the base at one end, a spring arm (412) pivotally connected to the base at one end with a torsion spring (416), and a pinch roller (420) for rotationally and translationally connecting the load arm to the spring arm, wherein a load is applied to the load arm end (424) opposite the end connected to the base.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle in which one of the wheel suspension links forms a wheel suspension strut and has a shock absorber which is elastically supported by means of its piston rod in an upper guiding joint which is fixed to the body. The upper guiding joint is prestressed to generate a countermoment counteracting bending moments in a transverse plane of the vehicle about the hinge point.

Abstract: There is provided a device for the mechanical transmission of forces between a first input element and a second output element, characterised in that it comprises an input member (12) connected to the first element, an output member (14) connected to the second element and a force transmission block (16) which is interposed between these two block members (12, 14) and is capable of experiencing elastic deformation under the action of the compressive forces exerted on it by the two members when these are displaced relative to one another in the main force transmission direction (X--X), and in that it comprises a controlled means (24) for varying the rigidity of the force transmission block (16) in the main direction (X--X) by exerting a control force (FC) on it.

Abstract: A bush assembly includes an inner cylindrical member for supporting an elongated member, a rigid sleeve slideably fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member via a slipping member, and an outer cylindrical member fixed to the outer surface of the rigid sleeve via an elastic member. The rigid sleeve has a greater diameter portion at one end thereof so that an annular space is formed between the greater diameter portion and one end of the inner cylindrical member. The bush assembly further includes a sealing member which is disposed in the annular space for preventing muddy water or the like from getting into the interfaces between the slipping member and the inner cylindrical member and between the slipping member and the rigid sleeve. The sealing member includes an outer portion fixed to the rigid sleeve, an inner portion being brought into contact with the inner cylindrical member, and an intermediate portion arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A novel rope tension damper device is adapted to be installed, for example, on the deck of a ship at a location between the winch that controls the effective length of the rope and the fairlead that guides the rope so that it does not snag or tangle as it is wound and unwound from the winch. The device comprises a co-planar pair of sheaves respectively mounted at opposite ends of a rotatable arm.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for use in a suspension of an automotive vehicle. The bushing assembly is comprised of inner and outer cylinder members which are coaxial and spaced from each other. An elastic member and a rigid sleeve member are disposed between the inner and outer cylinder members. A sliding member is disposed between the inner cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member in order to reduce torsion spring effect of the elastic member. The sliding member is prevented from its axial displacement upon contacting with a radially outwardly extending retainer section formed in the inner cylinder member. Additionally, a generally cap-shaped seal rubber is provided to accomplish seal between the end section of the rigid sleeve member and the end section of the inner cylinder member.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle which maintains the chassis at a constant height above the axle under varying conditions of load. Torsion spring means are employed in conjunction with a support beam that is secured to the chassis. One primary torsion spring has its external shell connected to the axle housing of the vehicle while the remaining torsion spring means has a radially disposed plate means in alignment with a radially disposed plate means extending from the shell of the one primary torsion spring. An inflatable bladder positioned between the plates is controlled by control means which maintains the chassis at such constant height by pressurizing the bladder to a pressure to maintain such height under variable conditions of load.