Abstract: A spring retainer is made from an iron-based material to improve the strength and abrasion resistance of the spring retainer and reduce the thickness and weight thereof. The spring retainer includes a retainer body having a tapered support hole to be supported with a valve stem and a flange-like spring seat circumferentially formed on a periphery at a first side of the retainer body to receive and support a valve spring. The retainer body and spring seat are integrally formed from resilient steel with grain flows continuously formed from the retainer body to the spring seat.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuatable disc brake has a caliper straddling a brake disc. One brake pad on an application side being actuatable by a rotary lever of a brake application device. A brake cylinder, which can be pressurized using air pressure, is attached to a flange of calliper. The brake cylinder engages into the rotary lever via a cylinder plunger and has a return spring for returning the cylinder plunger to an unstressed initial position. The return spring abuts against the base of a cover supported on the flange. The disc brake is configured such that a self-energizing device is provided having a self-energizing factor selected such that the brake automatically releases itself after braking. The flange forms an abutment for the return spring.

Abstract: In a drive assembly of the invention, a first catch tank is provided above a casing that keeps lubricating oil accumulated in a bottom thereof for immersion of part of a rotor of a motor MG3 and of part of a differential ring gear of a differential gear. The first catch tank temporarily keeps the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the differential ring gear. The lubricating oil kept in the first catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings. A second catch tank is arranged to temporarily keep the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the rotor of the motor MG3. The lubricating oil kept in the second catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary damper in which both yields and braking characteristics can be enhanced. The rotary damper of the invention includes a valve mechanism which comprises an operating chamber 7 through which fluid can pass, a valve body 8 which forwardly moves from a natural state position when the valve body 8 receives fluid pressure and which can forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7, and a first spring 9 capable of giving a resistance to the forward movement of the valve body 8. The valve mechanism can reduce a flow rate of fluid which passes through the operating chamber 7 by a flow path 14 formed between the valve body 8 and a peripheral wall 7a of the operating chamber 7. A reducing amount of fluid can be increased as a moving distance of the valve body 8 which forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7 is increased.

Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle disc brake device for preventing snow, ice, and mud from adhering to a caliper includes a body-anchoring part provided in a cylinder of a caliper, the body-anchoring part for securing a wire guide used to support a brake wire. The body-anchoring part has a first surface oriented along the longitudinal direction of the brake wire, and a second surface located on the side opposite the first surface. A wire-guide-anchoring part is secured to the second surface. The first surface is a flat, inclined surface.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a roller clutch engaged with a tensioner arm through a frictional contact. During normal operation, the roller clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the roller clutch engages and creates a frictional linkage between the tensioner arm and a fixed surface. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction and combat wind-up.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system that includes at least one pneumatic latching valve; a single device, such as a solenoid, for providing momentary pilot signals to pneumatic latching valve; a source of pressurized supply air in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; a spring brake or other pneumatic device in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; and, optionally, an indicator device for monitoring and displaying the state of the pneumatic latching valve. Upon receiving a first momentary pilot signal the pneumatic latching valve changes from closed to open and delivers pressurized air to the spring brake. Upon receiving a second momentary pilot signal, the pneumatic latching valve changes from open to closed and exhausts pressurized air from the spring brake to the external environment. The valve remains “latched” in its current state until the signaling device is energized and the next momentary pilot signal is received.

Abstract: A method of detecting the braking of a vehicle comprising a push rod (200) intended to transmit an amplified braking command to a master cylinder. A plunger (220), arranged parallel to the primary piston (200) so as to reproduce the movements of this piston, and a sensor (230) which senses the movements of the plunger (220), this sensor (230) being fastened to the booster (250), are used to detect a braking operation by detecting a movement of the plunger (220).

Abstract: According to a method for operating an actuating unit for motor vehicle brakes, an electromagnet that actuates a sealing seat of its control valve is controlled by a minimum current during a pressure-maintaining phase which is carried out independently of the vehicle operator's will, in order to avoid damaging of the coil of the electromagnet. To this end, a current controlling the electromagnet is slowly reduced until a previously fixed pressure decrease compared to the original value occurs. A previously fixed value is added to this current value, and the electromagnet is actuated by a current value corresponding to the result of the addition.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique portable, self-contained, fluid system. The portable, self-contained, fluid changing system may be used as a fluid changing device for changing a fluid such as oil or another suitable fluid in a container of a boat, recreational vehicle (RV), automobile or other suitable military, agricultural or industrial device. Alternatively, portable, self-contained, fluid system may also be used for providing fluid such as water or other suitable fluid for cleaning or showering. Moreover, the portable, self-contained, fluid system may also have a reversible electric pump that may be adapted or switched for pumping in either direction once the pump is affixed on the reservoir so the system may be sold and marketed for use in a fluid changing type of device or in a water providing or cleaning type of device consistent with that described above.

Abstract: A vibration damper, comprising a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod is guided with freedom of axial movement, where, inside a working space in the cylinder, a stop spring in the form of a circular ring is located, which, after the piston rod has reached a defined stroke position, is compressed between a stop surface on the piston rod side and an end surface forming an axial boundary of the working space, and where the stop spring also forms a boundary of a radially inner space, which is connected to the working space outside the stop spring by means of at least one radial channel. The stop surface on the piston rod side and/or the axially limiting end surface is formed by a rigid body and is provided with at least one radial channel, which extends from the radially inner space to the radially outer working space, “inner” and “outer” being defined with respect to the stop spring.

Abstract: An oil module for an internal combustion engine, comprising a carrier element that can be flanged onto an engine block of the internal combustion engine and carries at least one oil filter and an oil cooler. The oil module is provided with channels for guiding oil and water, one of the channels being an oil cooler bypass channel connecting an oil inlet of the oil cooler to an oil outlet of the oil cooler. At least a main part of the oil cooler bypass channel extends through an oil cooler base plate occluding the oil cooler on the carrier element side, or through an intermediate plate arranged between the oil cooler and the carrier element in a sealing manner.

Abstract: The present application discloses a cable connector for use in attaching an input cable to an actuator in a vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt transmission for a vehicle which can generate a cancellation hydraulic pressure for cancellation with a simple construction, as well as urge a movable sheave in the direction for producing a belt pressing force even at the time a vehicle is towed. A member to form a first hydraulic chamber P1 where a pressing force acting on the movable sheave is generated and a circular member forming a part of a second hydraulic chamber P2 where a hydraulic pressure is generated to cancel a centrifugal hydraulic pressure generated in the first hydraulic chamber P1 are provided, wherein the circular member is formed of an elastic member urging the movable sheave in the direction for generating the belt pressing force at a position of the movable sheave in a predetermined gear ratio.

Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device includes a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a main rubber elastic body, a flexible film, a partition member, a valve, a coil, a control-signals-generating circuit and a power amplifier circuit. The valve enables to switch the second orifice passage between an open state and a closed state. The second orifice passage communicates the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber with each other. The switch of the valve is performed by an electromagnetic force occurring by an electrical connection of the coil. Furthermore the control-signals-generating circuit is formed and disposed separately from the coil. The control-signals-generating circuit produces state switching control signals of the valve.

Abstract: A hydromount assembly includes a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber that communicate with one another through an inertia track. The inertia track is interposed between the first and second fluid chambers, and is used as a fluid actuating plunger to move relative to at least one of the first and second chambers in response to vibration to pump fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, and vice versa, through the inertia track. An opening extends through the first and second fluid chambers and the inertia track and receives a shaft therein. The inertia track is secured to the shaft so that axial movement of the shaft results in axial movement of the inertia track. Elastomeric portions of the hydromount may be differently tuned from one another. The center mount hydromount may be selectively assembled with a body mount, or the body mount integrated into the hydromount whereby the center mount arrangement increases the functionality of the damper.