Abstract: A pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning a backrest of a vehicle rear seat is provided. The backrest is situated in an upright seating position and configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis that extends in a vehicle transverse direction, in the direction of a folded position which in relation to the seating position is disposed to be repositioned toward the front. In order for a pre-tensioning device which can be produced in a more cost-effective and light-weight manner and can be attached in a more durable manner to be provided, the pre-tensioning device has at least one leaf spring which is configured to be supported at least indirectly on a vehicle body, and is supported at least indirectly on the rear side of the backrest that faces away from a passenger cabin.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle with a composite spring may include: a first longitudinally mounted spring 10 and a second longitudinally mounted spring 20 generating vertical stiffness of a vehicle; and a transversely mounted spring 30 generating roll stiffness and connected to the first and second longitudinally mounted springs. In particular, the transversely mounted spring 30 is connected to a vehicle body 1 by a support member 40. Stiffness of the vehicle may be further strengthened during a longitudinal behavior and a rolling behavior of the vehicle, and thus, running stability may be significantly enhanced.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a first chassis rail and a second chassis rail, each extending longitudinally in an axial direction of the vehicle. Also included is a first leaf spring element extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle, the first leaf spring element operatively coupled proximate ends thereof to the first chassis rail and at an intermediate location to an axle assembly of the vehicle. Further included is a second leaf spring element extending longitudinally in the axial direction of the vehicle, the second leaf spring element operatively coupled proximate ends thereof to the second chassis rail and at an intermediate location to the axle assembly of the vehicle. Yet further included is at least one leaf spring extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the at least one leaf spring having a spring rate that is actively variable.

Abstract: A damping air spring and shock absorber combination for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a damping air spring and a shock absorber both operatively attached to the axle/suspension system. The damping air spring primarily provides damping to the axle/suspension system over a first range of frequencies. The shock absorber primarily provides damping to the axle/suspension system over a second range of frequencies. The first range of frequencies is from about 0.0 Hz to about 6.0 Hz and the second range of frequencies is from about 0.0 Hz to about 13.0 Hz.

Abstract: An internally ventilated brake disc includes at least two friction rings, which are held apart from each other by ribs, and air blades, which are fastened to the brake disc and which extend essentially from the inner circumference of a friction ring in the radial direction by a defined amount in the direction of the axis of rotation of the brake disc. The air blades function to deliver a cooling air flow through the space between the friction rings when the brake disc is rotating. The air blades are formed by one or more sheet metal part(s) that is or are connected to at least some of the ribs. This connection can be by material bonding or can be shape locking or force locking. The air blades are machined out of a sheet metal ring and, thus, form an integral sheet metal part, wherein the sheet metal ring is provided with a plurality of clamps or clips for a shape-locking connection to the ribs and is not formed so as to be closed.

Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, an end, and a limb extending between the axle seat portion and the end. The limb includes a first taper wherein the limb decreases in width as the limb extends toward the end, a second taper wherein the limb decreases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end, wherein along the limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is further from the axle seat portion than the first taper and wherein the limb increases in width as the limb extends toward the end. Also disclosed are combinations of bushings and energy storing suspension components having an end configured to include an eye.

Abstract: A method and associated device for enrichment of Neél-magnetic particles from a dispersion of Brown-magnetic particles and Neél-magnetic particles. The device and method use ferromagnetic separation particles having a mean diameter of 100 to 250 ?m located in a alternating magnetic field. The ferromagnetic separation particles have a magnetically and chemically inert coating.

Abstract: In a leaf spring arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, a leaf spring includes multiple layers made of a glass fiber composite plastic, a reinforcement made of a carbon composite plastic and being disposed between an upper and a lower one of the layers, and a core made of a different material than the reinforcement and being disposed between the upper and lower layers, wherein the reinforcement is arranged along a longitudinal a side of the core. The leaf spring is coupled at its center region to an axle of the motor vehicle by a center connection and to the vehicle body by bodywork connections, wherein the leaf spring is tilted by an angle relative to the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes first and second ends that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. A resilient element is attached to at least one of the first and second ends. The resilient element includes at least one hole that receives a connecting element. The resilient element and the connecting element cooperate to attach the leaf spring to a vehicle structure. In one example, the resilient element comprises a rubber block that is bonded to the leaf spring. In another example, the resilient element comprises a longitudinally orientated bushing that is inserted through a thickness of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly for a vehicle having a frame and an axle. The leaf spring assembly includes a first leaf spring and a trailing arm having first and second ends. The first end of the trailing arm adapted to be coupled to the frame to form a trailing arm attachment point. The first leaf spring is disposed beneath the trailing arm and includes a width defining a lateral direction and first and second ends defining a longitudinal direction. The first end of the first leaf spring being concentrically wound with the first end of the trailing arm and adapted to be attached to the frame.

Abstract: Leaf springs have improved durability in spite of using inexpensive spring steel such as SUP9 and SUP11 as materials. While a spring main body, made of the spring steel in which Brinell hardness is under 555 HBW and not less than 388 HBW (corresponding to a diameter of under 2.70 mm of hardness and not less than 3.10mm of hardness on a Brinell ball mark), is maintained at 150 to 400° C., the load is applied in the direction in which the spring main body is to be used, and the first shotpeening is performed at the plane where the tensile stress acts.

Abstract: In order to provide a suspension which is inexpensive and light in weight and which can attain substantially improved vehicle-riding comfort without lowering drivability, an axle is hanged from a chassis side (side rails) by resilient supports (leaf and air springs) with different spring characteristics arranged forwards and rearwards of the axle. The axle 1 is allowed to make rolling motion due to difference in spring characteristic between the forward and rearward resilient supports.

Abstract: A spring movement limiting device that limits lateral shift of a spring in a vehicle suspension along a vehicle axle direction includes a first element and a second element. The first element is coupled to the axle and to the spring. The second element is separate from and engageable with the first element. The second element is fixed at a predetermined position relative to the vehicle axle. Engagement between the first element and the second element limits the first element and spring from movement in the vehicle axle direction.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as leaf spring (50) is provided having at least one plate (3) having an irradiation exposed region (R) therein that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending between opposite ends of plate (3) and operative to provide a metallurgical discontinuity extending therealong between opposite ends thereof that is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel to axis ("L/A").

Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a leaf spring (50) is provided comprising at least one composite leaf or plate (2) having a second layer (12) sandwiched within a first layer (10) in such a manner as to provide at least one discontinuity therein effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending between opposite ends of plate (2).

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22) in parallel with main suspension springs (34). Forward and rear ends (38b, 38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs are pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly, and pivotal movement of the forward ends (38b) is inhibited or prevented by engagement of actuator assemblies (56 or 100 or 170) to engage the auxiliary leaf springs. A control system automatically engages the actuator assemblies in response to load added to the vehicle and/ot vehicle steering movement and/or rapid vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22) in parallel with main suspension springs (34). Forward and rear ends (38b, 38a) of the auxiliary leaf springs are pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly, and pivotal movement of the forward ends (38b) is inhibited or prevented by engagement of actuator assemblies (56 or 100 or 170) to engage the auxiliary leaf springs. A control system automatically engages the actuator assemblies in response to load added to the vheicle and/or vehicle steering movement and/or rapid vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle frame wherein there are two elongated mutually crossing cantilever arms on each side of the frame, two of the arms being pivoted to the frame near its front and carrying drive wheels at their rear ends, and two other arms being pivoted to the frame near its rear and carrying steered wheels at their front ends, and the arms being spring urged with respect to the frame at points which are located near the opposite end of the frame from the end where the wheels they carry are located, and the suspension having appropriate guides, stop members, and stabilizers for controlling the motions of the arms.