Abstract: A thermoplastic spring and a method for manufacturing the thermoplastic spring are provided to reduce the effect of creep during use of the spring. The spring is molded and deformed to final dimensions by pre-inducing creep in the molded body.

Abstract: A braking system in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The braking system includes a master cylinder having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a piston disposed therein and translatable from a proximal end to a distal end in response to brake pedal displacement. A brake fluid reservoir supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder. A first fluid circuit connects the first outlet of the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir. A second fluid circuit connects the second outlet of the master cylinder to wheel brakes and supplies hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes in response to brake pedal displacement. The first outlet of the master cylinder is disposed between the second outlet and the proximal end of the master cylinder such that initial brake pedal displacement transfers brake fluid from the master cylinder to the fluid reservoir to inhibit hydraulic braking during regenerative braking.

Abstract: Shock absorber including a suction passage allowing flow only from a reservoir towards a pressure side chamber, a rectifying passage allowing flow only from the pressure side chamber towards an expansion side chamber, and a damping force variable valve allowing flow only from the expansion side chamber towards the reservoir. A large pressure-side pressure chamber communicating with the pressure side chamber, and an outer peripheral expansion-side pressure chamber communicating with the expansion side chamber sandwich a free piston slidably moving within a bottom housing forming a pressure chamber. Because a pressure-side pressure-receiving area of the free piston is larger than an expansion-side pressure-receiving area in a contraction operation in which a piston moves downward, the free piston can move downward even in a uniflow-type shock absorber in which pressure in the expansion side and pressure side chambers become equal whereby damping force can be reduced during an input of high-frequency vibration.

Abstract: A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.

Abstract: An assembly for enabling continuous seat post function during extreme conditions is described and includes: a first valve at least partially, slidably disposed within a stationary piston and for controlling a first fluid pathway there through, wherein the first fluid pathway runs from a first portion and to a second portion of the oil chamber, wherein the stationary piston separates the oil chamber into the first portion and the second portion; and a second valve at least partially disposed within the stationary piston and disposed in series with the first valve and having a second fluid pathway disposed through the first valve and the second valve, being in parallel with the first fluid pathway, running from the first portion to the second portion of the oil chamber, and providing a bypass for oil to flow from the first portion to the second portion when the first fluid pathway is closed.

Abstract: A pressure structure which is arranged between a first pressed body and a second pressed body facing the first pressed body and applies a pressure to the first pressed body and the second pressed body includes: a first spring member including a center portion which is in contact with the first pressed body, two end portions, each of which is in contact with the second pressed body, and two arm portions which extend from the center portion toward the different end portions; and a second spring member including a center portion which is in contact with the second pressed body, two end portions, each of which is in contact with the first pressed body, and two arm portions which extend from the center portion toward the different end portions.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device (10) including: a first section (20) having a first section support assembly (25) for supporting vibratory equipment (140); a second section 30 having a second section support assembly (35) for allowing the vibration dampening device (10) to be supported by a support apparatus (100); and one or more fluid fillable absorbers (40) located between the first and second sections (20,30), wherein the one or more fluid fillable absorbers (40) are configured to absorb at least a portion of a vibratory force transferred from operation of the vibratory equipment (140).

Abstract: A fan damping device for adjusting magnetic resistance includes: a support frame, a fan wheel, a ring-shaped magnetic core, a magnetic control unit, and a control unit. The fan blades of the fan wheel can provide air resistance, and the magnetic control unit and the control unit provide adjustable magnetic resistance. By such arrangements, resistance can be increased without increasing the size and weight of the present invention. Besides, the resistance is adjustable as desired to improve convenience of use.

Abstract: A method for operating a braking system, having a front and rear axle, the braking system including: a brake booster having a brake input element, coupled to an actuating travel sensor for providing a signal of a braking input; a brake master cylinder coupled to the brake booster coupled to a brake medium reservoir; fluid lines, in fluidic communication with the brake master cylinder and the brake medium reservoir, and with braking devices of the wheels via a system of valves, each of the wheels being coupled to a generator generating a braking torque, the method including: generating a hydraulic free travel with the valves and controlling valves with a control unit, a hydraulic pressure build-up for decelerating a wheel speed being prevented by generating free travel during actuation of the brake input element; and generating a regenerative braking torque for decelerating the wheel speed, based on the braking input.

Abstract: Energy-recuperating vibration damper having a cylinder in which a displacer executes a limited operating movement in a working chamber so that a pressurized fluid is supplied to a fluid motor which drives a generator. A compensation chamber compensates for a change in volume of the pressurized fluid. A pressure accumulator is provided in addition to the compensation chamber, which pressure accumulator communicates with and is parallel-connected to the fluid motor.

Abstract: A first mounting metal fitting is connected to an engine while a second mounting metal fitting is mounted on a vehicle body. A vibration isolating elastic body provides a connection between the first and second mounting metal fittings. Middle portions of opposed upwardly extending wall sections are formed in a concave curve surface, and expanded recess portions are provided between the opposed upwardly extending wall sections. A projecting section provided on the first mounting metal fitting is accommodated in the expanded recess portions. The projecting section overlaps with the expanded recess portions in the X direction so as to regulate the movement in the X direction of the first mounting metal fitting. The X direction elastic leg for regulating the movement in the X direction is not provided, so that the molding can be performed by demolding a molded object in the X direction.

Abstract: An arrangement of motor vehicle units includes a vacuum pump, a power brake unit, a pump which pumps a hydraulic fluid with a control pressure, and a control valve. The vacuum pump comprises a pump rotor, a coupling element, a control connection, a coupling arrangement switchable by the control connection to lock/unlock the coupling element with the pump rotor, and a suction connection. The power brake unit comprises a negative pressure chamber connected with the suction connection. The control valve, when unlocked, switches the control pressure of the hydraulic fluid through to the control connection to unlock. The control valve comprises an actuator acted on by a pressure of the negative pressure chamber which switches the control pressure through to the control connection if the pressure in the negative pressure chamber is greater than a threshold pressure so that the switchable control valve is switched into its unlocked state.

Abstract: A bicycle rim brake is basically provided with a first brake arm and a hydraulic actuation device. The first brake arm includes a first coupling portion configured to pivot about a first pivot axis, a first actuated portion and a first mounting portion. The first mounting portion is configured to mount a first friction member and extends from the first coupling portion. The hydraulic actuation device is operatively coupled to the first actuated portion of the first brake arm. The hydraulic actuation device includes a cylinder housing defining a hydraulic chamber, a first piston movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber of the cylinder housing, and a first sealing member provided on the cylinder housing so as to at least partially support the first piston in the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A braking system in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The braking system includes a master cylinder having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a piston disposed therein and translatable from a proximal end to a distal end in response to brake pedal displacement. A brake fluid reservoir supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder. A first fluid circuit connects the first outlet of the master cylinder to the brake fluid reservoir. A second fluid circuit connects the second outlet of the master cylinder to wheel brakes and supplies hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes in response to brake pedal displacement. The first outlet of the master cylinder is disposed between the second outlet and the proximal end of the master cylinder such that initial brake pedal displacement transfers brake fluid from the master cylinder to the fluid reservoir to inhibit hydraulic braking during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A rotor protection shield for a disc brake system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a flat, radially-extending central wall and a sidewall. The sidewall is integrally formed with and extends radially outwardly from an outer periphery of the central wall. The sidewall is angled axially outboardly relative to a planar surface of the central wall at an angle that is between about forty-five degrees and about seventy-five degrees. The central wall and the sidewall are smooth, and the shield is mounted to a torque plate proximate an inboard surface of the disc brake rotor to protect the rotor from road spray and contaminants.