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 for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes a central portion to be supported by an axle and at least one free end that extends from the central portion in a longitudinal direction. The free end is coupled to a vehicle structure via a slider bracket. A contact element is mounted to the slider bracket to contact an upper surface of the free end to accommodate vertical forces. The free end is slidably movable relative to the contact element along a longitudinal axis and is pivotable relative to the contact element about a lateral axis.

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 for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes at least one spring end with a curved recess. A bushing assembly is attached to the curved recess. The bushing assembly includes a mounting component and a bushing that is attached to the mounting component such that the leaf spring can be pivotally attached to a vehicle frame. The mounting component is formed around an outer periphery of the curved recess to secure the mounting component to the leaf spring such that the bushing is received within the curved recess.

Abstract: A shock absorber damper assembly is provided that includes a working cylinder filled with fluid. A piston and rod are disposed in the working cylinder and move along an axis to provide dampening during a compression stroke. For a twin tube arrangement, a reservoir surrounds the working cylinder and may include a gas cell to accommodate the volume of the rod. A recoil valve controls flow of the fluid from the working cylinder to the reservoir during a recoil stroke. The recoil valve has an opening force controlling damping during the recoil stroke. A fluid passageway, which may be located in the reservoir, connects the working cylinder and the recoil valve. A check valve is disposed in the fluid passageway and opens to receive the fluid during the compression stroke. The check valve closes during the recoil stroke to retain the fluid against the recoil valve at a pressure and adjust the opening force of the recoil valve.

Abstract: A variable spring member includes a containment housing defining an inner chamber with alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium. Adjacent each layer of electro-reactive medium is a coil assembly controlled by a controller. A sealed plate disposed between alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium disperses a load exerted on the variable spring member assembly and prevents intermixing of compressible medium with the electro-reactive medium. Actuation of the coil assembly changes physical characteristics and compressibility of the layer of electro-reactive medium to vary spring rate and stiffness.

Abstract: A variable spring member includes a containment housing defining an inner chamber with alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium. Adjacent each layer of electro-reactive medium is a coil assembly controlled by a controller. A sealed plate disposed between alternating layers of compressible medium and electro-reactive medium disperses a load exerted on the variable spring member assembly and prevents intermixing of compressible medium with the electro-reactive medium. Actuation of the coil assembly changes physical characteristics and compressibility of the layer of electro-reactive medium to vary spring rate and stiffness.

Abstract: A shock absorber damper assembly is provided that includes a working cylinder filled with fluid. A piston and rod are disposed in the working cylinder and move along an axis to provide dampening during a compression stroke. For a twin tube arrangement, a reservoir surrounds the working cylinder and may include a gas cell to accommodate the volume of the rod. A recoil valve controls flow of the fluid from the working cylinder to the reservoir during a recoil stroke. The recoil valve has an opening force controlling damping during the recoil stroke. A fluid passageway, which may be located in the reservoir, connects the working cylinder and the recoil valve. A check valve is disposed in the fluid passageway and opens to receive the fluid during the compression stroke. The check valve closes during the recoil stroke to retain the fluid against the recoil valve at a pressure and adjust the opening force of the recoil valve.

Abstract: A coil spring over shock absorber assembly includes a dampening mechanism for varying a dampening rate. The coil spring mounted to the outside of the shock absorber includes an adjustable support to change spring preload in order to adjust for vehicle load and maintain vehicle ride height. A load sensor is positioned on one of the coil spring supports and communicates changes in the coil spring preload to a controller. The controller in turn adjusts a dampening mechanism disposed within the shock absorber to optimize the dampening rate of the shock absorber relative to the coil spring preload.

Abstract: A module consisting of a shock absorber and an air spring is provided with a control for avoiding an undesirably high temperature within the air spring. In particular, a temperature responsive valve is mounted on the air spring, and is operative when the temperature of the air spring reaches a predetermined level. At that point, the temperature responsive valve opens, allowing flow of air outwardly of the air spring. A source of cooler air is also associated with the air spring. In particular, a leveling valve opens to deliver air into the air spring, when the air volume within the air spring decreases due to opening of the temperature responsive valve. Thus, a cooler air is delivered into the air spring. The control thus automatically maintains an acceptable temperature in the air spring, even when the shock absorber reaches very high temperatures.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber is provided that includes a body defining a cavity. A member such as a piston is disposed in the body and at least partially separates the cavity in two first and second fluid chambers. A port extends through the piston and fluidly connects the first and second chambers during damping. A deflection disc, typically several, are arranged adjacent to the piston and one of the chambers to at least partially obstruct the port. A flange member such as a washer is arranged in proximity to the deflection disc with the deflection disc arranged between the washer and the piston. The deflection disc bends about the washer, which acts as a fulcrum, to unobstruct the port. The washer has a first portion with a first radial width defining a first rate of damping and a second portion with a second radial width different than the first radial width defining a second rate of damping different than the first rate of damping.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a housing having an inner wall defining a working fluid chamber and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the inner wall defining a fluid reservoir. Either a compression head or an inner cylinder head may be arranged at an end of the housing. The head extends radially from a first portion interior of the inner wall to a second portion exterior of the inner wall with the head separating the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. The head includes a passageway extending between the first and second portions fluidly interconnecting the working fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. A valve is disposed about the inner wall and is arranged in the fluid reservoir. The valve has an annular sealing portion adjacent to the second portion for obstructing fluid flow through the passageway in a closed position and spaced from the second portion in an open position. A toroidal solenoid has a central opening with the inner wall disposed within the central opening.