Abstract: A tandem axle suspension assembly includes a pair of walking beams disposed substantially parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis supporting first and second axles. A link plate is pivotally attached to each of the walking beams and is pivotal about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. A first and a second link include pivotal connections between the link plate and a vehicle frame member. Vertical movement of the walking beams causes a corresponding rotation of the link plate to compensate for longitudinal displacement of the pivotal links with the first and second links and minimize longitudinal displacement of the walking beams.

Abstract: A laminated bushing is formed from a metal sheet having resilient material disposed on one side by spirally winding the metal sheet about a longitudinal axis to form a spirally shaped cavity. The resilient material is disposed within the spirally shaped cavity and the metal sheet forming the spiral shaped cavity either mechanically compresses the resilient material disposed within the cavities, or the resilient material is vulcanized once the laminated bushing is formed. The spirally wound laminated bushing includes inner and outer sleeves concentric about the longitudinal axis that are movable relative to one another in direct proportion to the material deformation properties of the resilient material.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a dock height holding device. First and second jounce bumper portions preferably each include a surface configuration that faces generally toward the oppositely facing jounce bumper portion. By moving at least one of the jounce bumper portions between first and second alignment positions, the clearance between suspension components is controlled in a manner that controls the height of a truck bed or trailer deck. In one example, each jounce bumper portion includes four projections and four spaced recesses. In the first alignment position the projections on one jounce bumper portion are received within the recesses on the oppositely facing portion during normal driving conditions. In the second alignment position, the projections of the jounce bumper portions engage each other and maintain a larger clearance between the suspension components to ensure an appropriate deck height when the vehicle is parked for loading or unloading.

Abstract: An intervehicle network provides for communicating information regarding driving conditions experienced by one vehicle to another remotely located vehicle. By receiving information regarding oncoming driving conditions, the vehicle driver may take action to anticipate the driving condition and avoid potential hazards or inconveniences. Additionally, for vehicles having onboard dynamically adjustable systems, an electronic controller may adjust the performance of the adjustable system responsive to the driving condition information received before the vehicle reaches the location of the driving condition. Another feature of a system designed according to this invention is to have onboard diagnostics where the controller monitors one or more variables to detect when one or more vehicle components are showing signs of aging or wear. Communications between vehicles in a system designed according to this invention may be directly between the vehicles or through a central information communication module.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum clearance is maintained between suspension components and a second position where a larger clearance is maintained between the suspension components. The height holding device moves into the second position to maintain a desired height of the truck or trailer bed during loading and unloading operations at a loading dock, for example. The height holding device allows for the suspension air springs to be evacuated of air pressure during loading or unloading conditions without a change in deck height.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes upper and lower control arms pivotally attached to a frame member of the vehicle. A knuckle arm pivotally attaches to the upper and lower control arms moves along a substantially vertical axis in response to wheel movement caused by an uneven road surface. An actuation link is attached to one of the control arms at one end and to a damper assembly at another end. The damper assembly is disposed substantially within the frame member along a second axis transverse to vertical movement of the wheel and is actuated along the transverse axis in response movement of the control arm along the substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A connecting component connecting two members, such as a suspension component and a vehicle component, dampens vibrations and produces springing forces. The connecting component is formed by a steel strip including a plurality of holes. A sealing strip is secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to contain fluid for damping, and springing strips are secured to the upper surface of the steel strip to provide for springing forces. The steel strip is rolled to form the connecting component, trapping the fluid between the sealing strips. As the connecting component is a linking element with several degrees of freedom, different springing and damping rates are possible at each degree of freedom.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for a vehicle including a frame. A lower control arm having first and second opposing portions is pivotally connected to the frame at the first portion. A knuckle is supported on the second portion of the lower control arm with a wheel supported on the knuckle. A strut having a lower end is connected to the knuckle and an upper end of the strut is connected to the frame at an upper connection. The upper connection generally constrains the upper end of the strut against vertical movement while permitting limited lateral movement of the upper end relative to the frame. In one embodiment, a linkage assembly including a first link is operatively connected between the lower control arm and the frame. A second link interconnects the upper end of the strut and the first link portion for moving the upper end laterally in the upper connection in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm.

Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for a vehicle including an upper connection, typically provided by an upper control arm. A knuckle includes an upper and lower portions with the upper portion supported by the upper connection. A lower assembly of the present invention includes a control arm with legs extending from a spring portion at spaced apart ends. The legs extend from its ends and converge to a lower connection for supporting the lower portion of the knuckle with the upper and lower connections defining a wheel camber and a wheel caster. Preferably, each of the legs of the control arm has a different spring rate to provide a change in wheel camber under the deflection of the control arm during wheel travel. The different spring rates of the legs permits the lower connection to twist thereby enabling the wheel caster to change slightly during the upward and downward motion of the wheel.

Abstract: A damping structure for providing damping and vibration attenuation includes an intermediate steel sheet positioned between an upper steel sheet and a lower steel sheet. The structure is incorporated as a part of a suspension component. The intermediate sheet is perforated with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of elastic strips are positioned between each of the sheets when assembled. The edges of the sheets are welded, sealing viscous fluid within the structure. Alternatively, the structure can be secured by rivets. Compression on the damping structure moves the fluid through the holes, providing a damping effect.

Abstract: A damping structure for providing damping and vibration attenuation includes an intermediate steel sheet positioned between an upper steel sheet and a lower steel sheet. The structure is incorporated as a part of a suspension component. The intermediate sheet is perforated with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of elastic strips are positioned between each of the sheets when assembled. The edges of the sheets are welded, sealing viscous fluid within the structure. Alternatively, the structure can be secured by rivets. Compression on the damping structure moves the fluid through the holes, providing a damping effect.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed for incorporating suspension components into vehicle frame structures. Most preferably, the resulting structure is a modular combination of a frame and a suspension. Most preferably, the frame component extends along the lateral width of the vehicle and between the two wheels for the vehicle. The suspension components mounted within the frame may be mechanical springs or fluid springs. Moreover, various types of controls can be incorporated into this structure.

Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for a vehicle including an upper connection, typically provided by an upper control arm. A knuckle includes an upper and lower portions with the upper portion supported by the upper connection. A lower assembly of the present invention includes a control arm with legs extending from a spring portion at spaced apart ends. The legs extend from its ends and converge to a lower connection for supporting the lower portion of the knuckle with the upper and lower connections defining a wheel camber and a wheel caster. Preferably, each of the legs of the control arm has a different spring rate to provide a change in wheel camber under the deflection of the control arm during wheel travel. The different spring rates of the legs permits the lower connection to twist thereby enabling the wheel caster to change slightly during the upward and downward motion of the wheel.

Abstract: An intervehicle network provides for communicating information regarding driving conditions experienced by one vehicle to another remotely located vehicle. By receiving information regarding oncoming driving conditions, the vehicle driver may take action to anticipate the driving condition and avoid potential hazards or inconveniences. Additionally, for vehicles having onboard dynamically adjustable systems, an electronic controller may adjust the performance of the adjustable system responsive to the driving condition information received before the vehicle reaches the location of the driving condition. Another feature of a system designed according to this invention is to have onboard diagnostics where the controller monitors one or more variables to detect when one or more vehicle components are showing signs of aging or wear. Communications between vehicles in a system designed according to this invention may be directly between the vehicles or through a central information communication module.

Abstract: A laminated bushing is formed from a metal sheet having resilient material disposed on one side by spirally winding the metal sheet about a longitudinal axis to form a spirally shaped cavity. The resilient material is disposed within the spirally shaped cavity and the metal sheet forming the spiral shaped cavity either mechanically compresses the resilient material disposed within the cavities, or the resilient material is vulcanized once the laminated bushing is formed. The spirally wound laminated bushing includes inner and outer sleeves concentric about the longitudinal axis that are movable relative to one another in direct proportion to the material deformation properties of the resilient material.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for a vehicle including a frame. A lower control arm having first and second opposing portions is pivotally connected to the frame at the first portion. A knuckle is supported on the second portion of the lower control arm with a wheel supported on the knuckle. A strut having a lower end is connected to the knuckle and an upper end of the strut is connected to the frame at an upper connection. The upper connection generally constrains the upper end of the strut against vertical movement while permitting limited lateral movement of the upper end relative to the frame. In one embodiment, a linkage assembly including a first linkage portion is interconnected between the lower control arm and the frame. A second linkage portion interconnects the upper end of the strut and the first linkage portion for moving the upper end laterally in the upper connection in response to vertical movement of the lower control arm.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes upper and lower control arms pivotally attached to a frame member of the vehicle. A knuckle arm pivotally attaches to the upper and lower control arms moves along a substantially vertical axis in response to wheel movement caused by an uneven road surface. An actuation link is attached to one of the control arms at one end and to a damper assembly at another end. The damper assembly is disposed substantially within the frame member along a second axis transverse to vertical movement of the wheel and is actuated along the transverse axis in response movement of the control arm along the substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for selling vehicles includes an adjustable suspension module on a test drive vehicle. The suspension module preferably is adjusted so that it performs as each of a plurality of available suspension options for the vehicle. The customer is presented with the various options. The suspension module is adjusted to perform as each of the suspension options in which the customer is interested. Once the customer makes the selection, the dealer or seller is able to place an order for the vehicle containing the suspension option chosen by the customer.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes a wheel assembly attached to the frame of a motor vehicle for movement in response to uneven roadway surfaces. A first inductive coil attached to the frame is mounted along an axis, and a second inductive coil is mounted co-axially with the first inductive coil and for movement with the wheel assembly. The inductive coils are movable relative to one another along the axis. An electromagnetic force generated by the inductive coils provides spring and dampening forces for the motor vehicle. Further, variation in the inductance between the coils is measurement to determine the relative position between the coils in order to monitor motor vehicle ride height.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum clearance is maintained between suspension components and a second position where a larger clearance is maintained between the suspension components. The height holding device moves into the second position to maintain a desired height of the truck or trailer bed during loading and unloading operations at a loading dock, for example. The height holding device allows for the suspension air springs to be evacuated of air pressure during loading or unloading conditions without a change in deck height.