Abstract: In the piston and piston-rod guide unit for hydraulic shock absorbers the piston-rod guide (2) includes an annular piece (3) provided with a central orifice (5) for the piston rod and an elastic sealing ring (4), and the piston (1) is a body of revolution with a convex generatrix. The external surface of the piston is coated with an anti-friction piston coating (9) advantageously including polytetrafluoroethylene and having a uniform piston coating thickness. The central orifice (5) of the annular piece has an internal wall coated at least partially with a guide coating (6) having a uniform guide coating thickness equal to that of the piston coating (9) and a coating composition which is the same as that of the piston coating. These coatings (6,9) are between 20 to 60 micrometers thick and are charged with ceramic particles and a pigment in the polytetrafluoroethylene, in order to reduce friction and improve wear resistance.

Abstract: A spin suppress control device of a vehicle makes a first spin state estimation of the vehicle body and a second spin state estimation of the vehicle body in close time proximity to the first spin state estimation, and applies a braking force to one of the front left and right wheels at the outside of the turn such that a first braking force is applied according to the first spin state estimation and a second braking force is applied according to the second spin state estimation to be at least either stronger than the first braking force or with a greater advancement relative to an actual spin state of the vehicle than the first braking force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronically controllable brake actuation system for automotive vehicles, including a master brake cylinder operable by way of an actuating pedal, braking pressure generators actuatable by an electronic control unit and directly connected to the wheel brakes of the vehicle, the braking pressure generators being connectable to the master brake cylinder by way of hydraulic connections closable by valve assemblies, at least one sensor device to identify the driver's wish for deceleration, and at least one simulator chamber which interacts with the master brake cylinder.

Abstract: During ASR control of spinning drive wheels, the pressure level in the wheel brake with the highest pressure level is modulated by driving a switching valve USV which affects the pressure in all the wheel brakes of the brake circuit, whereas the pressure level in the other wheel brake or brakes is controlled by way of wheel-specific inlet and outlet valves. The intake control valve ASV is kept open through the entire ASR control period. As a result, the electrically actuated ASV can be replaced by a hydraulically actuated ASV.

Abstract: The active vibration mount disclosed herein employs a multiplicity of layers of an electro-strictive material such as an electro-strictive polyurethane film interleaved with electrodes. A majority of the layers are employed as an output transducer while at least one layer is employed as a sensor generating a force-induced voltage. Accordingly, a feedback controller responsive to that voltage can energize the output transducer thereby to reduce the vibratory force transmitted through the mount over a preselectable range of frequencies while the mount supports a static load.

Abstract: A fluid-contained engine mounting device, containing a fluid in a fluid container closed up air-tightly by an elastic top wall and an elastic bottom diaphragm which is divided by a partition wall into a first fluid chamber closed by the elastic top wall and a second fluid chamber closed by the elastic bottom diaphragm and confining a predetermined quantity of a gas in the first fluid chamber, absorbs vibrations of the engine transmitted thereto through expansion and contraction of the elastic top wall and elastic bottom diaphragm.

Abstract: A gas spring that momentarily dwells in its retracted position after the retraction force is removed. The gas spring has a casing, a first piston received within the casing, a piston rod protruding from the casing and connected to the first piston, and a second piston received within the casing. A compressible gas is received within the casing between the second piston and the other end of the casing. A hydraulic fluid is received within the casing between the first and second pistons and between the first piston and the one end of the casing. A delay valve and a check valve carried by the first piston controllably transfer hydraulic fluid between the two fluid chambers, the delay valve causing the first piston and rod to dwell in the retracted position by delaying the free transfer of fluid between chambers.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system that primarily operates as a pure brake-by-wire system, with optional hydraulic actuation. The system includes a set of four electrically actuated drum brakes. At least two of the wheel brakes include hydraulic actuators that operate to apply the wheel brakes independent of electric control. Each of the wheel brakes is normally operated in response to a control signal generated by the vehicle's brake processor. As such, a primary brake-by-wire system is provided at all four vehicle wheels. The rear brakes are proportioned to the front brakes electrically, according to design criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a pair of hanger brackets. A first intermediate bracket dependent from a vehicle, a second intermediate bracket a pair of control arms, and a torque rod. One end of each control arm is pivotally mounted on a corresponding hanger bracket. Another end of each control arm, is pivotally attached to an axle seat. The torque arm is pivotally mounted between the first and second intermediate brackets. One end of a stabilizer bar is mounted to each control arm to increase the suspensions roll stability, and resistance to lateral deflection. In one embodiment, the stabilizer bar extends through a hole formed in each control arm, and in other embodiments, flanges extend outwardly from the stabilizer bar adjacent respective control arms for mounting the stabilizer bar to the control arms.

Abstract: A bicycle brake shoe holder includes a support component for supporting a brake shoe, wherein the brake shoe has a rim-contacting surface facing laterally inward. A tire guide component having a tire guide portion extends laterally outward, wherein the tire guide portion includes a tire guide surface formed at an inclined angle relative to the rim-contacting surface. A protrusion member is disposed on the tire guide component and faces laterally inward. The protrusion member preferably is formed from a material that is softer than the material forming the wheel rim.

Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a main body and a locking tool. The main body is provided with a retaining slot, a first receiving cell, a through hole located between the retaining slot and the first receiving cell, and a recess located in the inner wall of the retaining slot such that the recess is opposite in location to the through hole. The locking tool is housed in the first receiving cell such that the lock core of the locking tool is capable of moving back and forth in the first receiving cell. The lock core is provided with a lock bolt which is fitted into a spring. The recess of the retaining slot is provided in the inner wall thereof with a first retaining portion engageable with a second retaining portion of the lock bolt.

Abstract: As part of an automatic drive slip control system, the brake pressure in the wheel brake of a wheel which is starting to slip is built up and released. A valve which brings about the release of pressure in this wheel brake is actuated at timed intervals so as to maintain a desired pressure level during a control phase.

Abstract: A torque is transmitted from a steering assistance motor to a steering shaft via a gear. The first rotation restraining element, which is radially deformed by being sandwiched between the outer circumference of the steering shaft and the inner circumference of the gear, exerts a radial force corresponding to the radial deformation on the steering shaft and the gear, to generate a torque based on friction for restraining the relative rotation between the shaft and gear. The restraining torque generated based on the deformation of the first rotation restraining element is smaller than the breaking torque of the second rotation restraining element, which is fitted to the steering shaft and the gear via clearances so as to restrain the relative rotation between the shaft and gear.

Abstract: Briefly, according to this invention there is provided a viscous fluid mount for interconnection between a vibrating body and a base. The viscous fluid mount includes a chamber, a high viscosity damping fluid contained within the chamber and a flow resistance device. Input energy from the vibrating body is dissipated by shear friction of the damping fluid moving parallel to the shear surface area of the flow resistance device.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus (10) configured to retrofit with an existing air brake valve (18) of a locomotive braking system (12) to act as an interface with an electronic braking control device (14). The air distribution apparatus (10) includes a distribution body (56) configured for connection between the relay valve (28) and pipe bracket (30) portions of the brake valve (18), a plurality of passageways (58,60,62,64,66 and 68) formed in the distribution body (56) for delivering air between the brake valve (18) and the other components of the locomotive braking system (12), and a plurality of solenoid valves (70,72 and 74) electrically coupled with the electronic control device (14) and positioned in the passageways (62,66 and 68) for controlling the air flow through the passageways for permitting electronic control of the brake valve (18) utilizing feedback from pressure sensors (76,78) for safety and decision-making purposes.

Abstract: An anti-swish mechanism for a damper is disclosed to reduce the swish noise heard during movement of a piston assembly within the damper. The damper includes a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber having a first portion and a second portion operable to store damping fluid. A piston rod is partially disposed within a pressure cylinder and a piston body is secured within the piston rod. Extending from the piston body are first and second annular axially extending lands which are concentric with the piston body. A set of axially extending, circumferentially spaced flow ports are formed in the piston body between the first and second annular axially extending lands. Adjacent to the flow ports is an anti-swish mechanism which reduces "swish" noise as the piston body moves within the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: An elastic mount having diametrically opposed pressure-receiving and equilibrium chambers communicating with each other through an orifice passage. An intermediate sleeve is made of a synthetic resin and connected to a center shaft member through an elastic body that includes an arcuate portion partly defining the pressure-receiving chamber. An integral first stopper extends into the pressure-receiving chamber, and further includes a bridging portion which partly defines the equilibrium chamber and which includes an integral second stopper extending into a void formed through the elastic body. The first and second stoppers are opposed to each other in a diametric direction from which the two chambers are opposed to each other.

Abstract: A disk brake having a caliper (1) which straddles a disk (2), a carrier (3) fixed to the vehicle, a cylinder (4) secured to the caliper and closed by a piston (5) and two friction pads (10,11). Two cylindrical and mutually parallel guide pins which slide in corresponding housings. These housings being partially formed by bores (8, 9) made in the carrier (3) for maintaining the caliper (1) with the cylinder (4). The first bore (8), over first and second contiguous sections (s1, S2) of its length, has first and second respective inside diameters (D1, D2), the second diameter (D2) of which is greater than the first diameter (D1). The smaller diameter (D1) being formed on the same side of the first housing as the opening of the bore (8) and the first housing is formed, in addition to the first bore (8), from inside (130) a ring (13) made of elastomeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling damping force characteristics of respective vehicular shock absorbers in which vehicular vertical behavior(s) at the position(s) of the vehicular body which are forward by a predetermined distance from a tread of rear left and right road wheels are determined, the positions including front left and right road wheel sides, and corresponding vertical behavior signals are derived. Control signals for front left and right and rear left and right road wheel side shock absorbers are formed on the basis of respective processed signals having frequency-dependent characteristics formed from the vehicular behavior signal(s). The damping force characteristics of front left and right road wheel side shock absorbers are controlled on the basis of the control signals formed on the basis of the processed signal based on the front left and right road wheel vehicular behavior signals.

Abstract: A brake monitoring device for railroad cars is provided with a first comparison unit which compares the electrical brake power equivalent signal with a first standard value, judges whether or not electrical brake power is generated and closes the locomotive brake deficit check circuit with an interlock relay when such electrical brake power equivalent signal is smaller than such first standard value and which opens the locomotive brake deficit check circuit when it is larger. Such brake monitoring device also includes a second comparison unit which compares the electrical brake power equivalent signal with a second standard value which judges whether or not electrical brake power is supplied to the brake power of the trailer car. Such device closes the trailer car brake deficit check circuit with such interlock relay when the electrical brake power equivalent signal is smaller than the second standard value and opens the trailer car brake deficit check circuit when it is larger.