Abstract: A vehicle which is intended to travel along a downward sloping cable, which is suspended between two supports having a change in elevation. Preferably, the vehicle includes a fuselage, a trolley assembly, a translation system, a seat, a counterweight system, and at least one wing. The trolley assembly is attached to the cable. This connection allows the vehicle to travel along the cable. A counterweight system is included in order to balance the weight of the rider sitting in the seat below the fuselage. This allows the vehicle to easily rotate, via rotary joint, around the cable while traveling along the line. Preferably, the rider can induce roll by either activating ailerons or by rotating one of the wings about the lateral axis in order to increase the lift on one side of the aircraft depending on whether the wings are fixed.

Abstract: A structure having at least one flexible material structured and arranged to withstand a tensile load, at least one support structure configured to support the flexible material and structured and arranged to withstand a compressive load, and at least one enclosed volume at least partially defined by the at least one flexible material, the at least one enclosed volume being configured to be maintained as a low-pressure environment

Abstract: A cradle drive system includes a cradle drive sled. The sled includes a pin configured to mechanically couple the sled to a cradle. The cradle is configured to hold a hardware load for movement along a factory rail. The sled also includes a power interface configured to provide torque to move a hardware load. The sled further includes processing circuitry configured to, in response to determining that the sled is mechanically coupled to the cradle, transfer the cradle and hardware load longitudinally along the factory rail.

Abstract: An axle of railway wheel sets and a corresponding method for the ultrasound inspection are described. A blind hole, coaxial to the axle and sized to accommodate an ultrasonic probe, is obtained in each end of the axle. Main holes are intended to accommodate the probe holder containing a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for the inspection of the axle from the inside of the hole. The main advantage is to facilitate the propagation of the ultrasounds without being subjected to the interference caused by the geometric discontinuities normally present at the ends of the axles thereby minimizing false positives in the readings of the echoes.

Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a first coupling member coupled to one end part of one of a pair of link arms, a second coupling member coupled to the one end part of the other of the pair of link arms to freely advance and retract with respect to the first coupling member, an actuator configured to advance and retract an output member, a lever rotatably coupled to the output member and configured to be rotated by advancing and retracting movements of the output member and a booster unit configured to advance and retract the second coupling member with respect to the first coupling member by boosting a force transmitted by the rotation of the lever.

Abstract: An asset management system for a machine is disclosed. The asset management system may include a sensor associated with an asset of the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of an operational status of a system associated with the asset. The asset management system may further include a user interface associated with the machine and a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to display on the user interface a graphical representation of the asset, receive via the user interface a user selection of the system from a plurality of systems associated with the asset, and display on the graphical representation of the asset a visual indicator of the system in response to the user selection. The visual indicator of the system may indicative of the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A control system for a train having at least one locomotive or control car and, optionally, at least one railroad car, operating in a track network, wherein an on-board computer determines or receives movement data and location data and generates stopping data representing an amount of force for stopping the train at a distance from a target and/or predictor data representing an estimated or predicted location or position of the train in the track network based on the movement data and the location data. A train control method is also provided.

Abstract: The present application involves a railroad track inspection system comprising a plurality of track scanning sensors, a data store, and a scan data processor. The data store is used for storing track scan data recorded by the track scanning sensors. The scan data processor is used for automatic analysis of the track scan data upon receipt thereof to detect one or more track components within the scan data from a predetermined list of component types according to one or more features identified in said scan data. The system comprises a common support structure to which the track scanning sensors, the data store and scan data processor are attached, the common support structure having a mounting for attachment of the system to a railway vehicle in use.

Abstract: A remote data backup system for a locomotive may include a communication unit on-board the locomotive configured to be communicatively coupled with an off-board server. The communication unit may be configured to transmit data to the off-board server and receive at least one of data, commands, and applications from the off-board server. The remote data backup system may also include a central processing module on-board the locomotive comprising a cab electronics system configured to receive and store on-board equipment operational data from outputs of one or more of machine gauges, indicators, sensors, and controls in an on-board memory, process and integrate the received equipment operational data, receive additional equipment operational data and one or more control command signals from the off-board server, and communicate commands based on the equipment operational data and the received control command signals.

Abstract: A solution for managing effect-generating operations is provided. Data regarding one or multiple types of effects being generated by the operations can be acquired and analyzed. When necessary, actions can be initiated to benefit affected individuals or to improve the operations, e.g., by mitigating a source of excessive effects. In an illustrative application, the effect-generating operations are train operations and the types of effects include acoustic and/or vibration effects.

Abstract: A control system for remotely configuring a locomotive includes a plurality of operational control devices located on-board the locomotive, the plurality of operational control devices being configured to implement a change to a designated configuration of the locomotive. A controller located on-board the locomotive is configured to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive upon receipt of a configuration command signal. An off-board remote user interface located remotely from the locomotive is configured to receive a single input from a user commanding a change in configuration of the locomotive, the single input being implemented by activation of a single input device on the remote user interface, and selectively send a configuration command signal to the on-board controller to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive.

Abstract: A hand truck is provided, comprising a frame, a pair of back wheels secured to a first edge of the frame, a nose plate hingedly secured to the first edge of the frame, a telescopic handle hingedly secured to a second edge of the frame opposite the first edge, and a motorized wheel assembly separately connected to the second edge of the frame and to the handle. The hand truck has three configurations: a hand truck configuration whereby the nose plate is in a horizontal position, the frame is in a vertical position, and the handle is extended vertically; a storage configuration whereby the nose plate is in a vertical position, the frame is in a vertical position, and the handle is retracted; and a scooter configuration whereby the nose plate is in a horizontal position, the frame is in a horizontal position, and the handle is extended.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to powered pusher devices configured to push wheeled objects from one location to another. Further embodiments relate to wheeled objects such as carts for transporting items from one location to another. Other embodiments relate to platform powered pushers that can be coupled to a family of various wheeled objects.

Abstract: A smart dolly includes a running mechanism and a body, the running mechanism comprises an equipment box and a rear axle housing, the equipment box is disposed on the rear axle housing, a battery, electric motor and control computer are provided in the equipment box, the battery and the electric motor are both electrically connected to the control computer, the equipment box has a charging plug thereon, the charging plug is electrically connected to the battery, the rear axle housing is provided with a differential clutch and an axle therein, the differential clutch and the axle form a transmission, the differential clutch is driven by the electric motor, the electric motor is provided with an electromagnetic braking device and a heat dissipation fan, and the external ends of the axle are connected to wheels; the body comprises an upper, middle and lower support rods.

Abstract: Various implementations relate to an operator monitoring system (OMS). Certain implementations include an OMS coupled to a rotatable portion of a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle. For example, the OMS may include an imaging unit, such as a camera, that is coupled to a central hub portion of the steering wheel assembly. The imaging unit has a field of view directed toward one or more occupants in the vehicle and is configured to capture an image signal corresponding to an imaging area in the field of view. The imaging area can be configured to encapsulate an expected position of one or more vehicle occupants. The OMS also includes one or more processing units in electrical communication with the imaging unit that receives and processes the image signal from the imaging unit to determine an occupant state and, in some implementations, provide feedback based on the determined occupant state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turning device for a steered wheel of a rolling machine, the device including: a yoke (20), an assembly (10) for mounting the steered wheel, including an end piece (11) intended to be attached to the steered wheel, and an intermediate connecting member (300), relatively to which the end piece (11) is mounted so as to rotate around a first axis (13) of rotation of the steered wheel, a support (12) pivotally mounted around a second axis (23) of rotation relatively to the yoke (20) according to a turning angle (ANG) of the wheel, the second axis (23) of rotation being distinct and not parallel to the first axis (13) of rotation of the steered wheel, a turning angle sensor (30), one from among the support (12) and the yoke (20) being attached to the intermediate connecting member (300) and the other one from among the support (12) and the yoke (20) being intended to be attached to a fixed portion (C, E) of the rolling machine.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes a column shaft rotatable about an axis and configured to couple to a steering wheel rim and a hub support configured to be non-rotatably coupled to a support structure of the vehicle. A stationary hub is coupled to the hub support, the steering wheel rim being rotatable relative to the stationary hub.

Abstract: A shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle may comprise an outer tube and an inner tube that can be telescoped relative to the outer tube. The inner tube may be guided fixedly in the outer tube so as to rotate with the outer tube in order to transmit torque. An inner end of the inner tube may be received in the outer tube. The shaft may further include a pull-out protection mechanism for impeding the inner tube from being pulled out of the outer tube. The pull-out protection mechanism may be disposed at the inner end of the inner tube and may include at least one sprung blocking element for impeding the pulling of the inner tube out of the outer tube in a positively locking manner.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: a fixing bracket fixed by being suspended to a vehicle body and having fixed side portions on both sides in a width direction of the vehicle body; and an outer column formed of aluminum by die-casting and sandwiched between the fixed side portions, wherein protrusion portions protruding toward both sides in the width direction are integrally formed on a rear end of the outer column.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a mounting support with at least one open elongated hole and at least one sliding capsule arranged in the open elongated hole. The sliding capsule may be secured on a chassis of a motor vehicle and may retain the mounting support. The mounting support in a crash event can move relative to the sliding capsule secured on the chassis of the motor vehicle. The sliding capsule may include a cylindrical section that extends through the open elongated hole. The mounting support may be retained on the sliding capsule by a retaining ring pressed onto the cylindrical section.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a safe electric power steering apparatus with a good steering feeling that includes a function for getting out from restraint of a lateral flow or a one-sided flow, and enables acquisition of a better effect that a driver's load is reduced in the lateral flow or the one-sided flow.

Abstract: A steering power system for an electric vehicle and a method for controlling same are provided. The steering power system includes: a steering motor; a steering motor controller, configured to control the steering motor; a high voltage power battery, configured to output a first voltage; a low voltage storage battery, configured to output a second voltage; a buck DC-DC converter, configured to convert the first voltage into the second voltage for being supplied to the low voltage storage battery when a high voltage system works; and a boost DC-DC converter, configured to convert the second voltage into the first voltage. When the high voltage system has an abnormal power failure, the boost DC-DC converter converts the second voltage outputted from the low voltage storage battery into the first voltage for being supplied to the steering motor controller.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus is provided which allows mitigation of an adverse effect of a technique for fixing a regulation member to a vehicle body on a phenomenon resulting from execution of steering operation control on steered wheels. An axial-force acquisition processing circuit calculates a rack axial force based on currents iu, iv, and iw flowing through a steering operation motor. A correction processing circuit corrects a target steered angle based on the rack axial force to obtain a target steered angle. A steered angle control processing circuit calculates a torque command value as the amount of operation for adjusting a steered angle to the target steered angle through feedback control. An operation signal generation processing circuit controllably adjusts a torque of a steering operation motor to the torque command value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steering motor, comprising a spring damping valve, and an oil distributor which is fitted with the spring damping valve to form a cavity in which a buffering assembly is provided. A cylinder assembly is provided on a lower side of the oil distributor, and comprises a cylinder, an elastic oil bag provided in the cylinder, and a piston which is provided in the cylinder and fixedly connected to the elastic oil bag, the piston being capable of sliding axially along the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A method for managing a power steering system including at least one steering wheel and at least one assist motor, the method including a step of driver torque control, which involves evaluating a driver torque difference that corresponds to the difference between a predefined driver torque setpoint and the actual driver torque actually exerted by the driver on the steering wheel, then determining an engine torque setpoint for torque applied to the assist motor in order to reduce the driver torque difference, the driver torque setpoint being generated during a trajectory control step, which involves evaluating a trajectory difference, for example a position difference, which corresponds to the difference between a trajectory setpoint, of the position setpoint type, which depends on a reference trajectory, and the actual trajectory of the vehicle, given by the measured position of the power steering, then determining, from the trajectory difference, a driver torque setpoint intended to reduce the trajectory di

Abstract: Side loads on an Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) can prevent the ESCL from releasing upon command. An Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) system is used to reduce or eliminate any side load on the ESCL to mitigate this problem. The EPAS system is activated in response to driver authentication before the driver requests a transition to a ready-to-drive state. The ready-to-drive state is entered only if the ESCL is unlocked. If a predetermined time elapses between driver authentication and the request to enter ready-to-drive state, the EPAS is deactivated and the ESCL is commanded to re-lock.

Abstract: A lane changing apparatus of an autonomous vehicle includes a lane recognizer, a vehicle information collector, control information, calculator, a controller and a steering apparatus. The lane recognizer is configured to recognize a lane of a road on which the vehicle is driving and extract road information from the recognized lane. The vehicle information collector is configured to collect vehicle information by a variety of sensors installed in the vehicle. The control information calculator is configured to calculate control information for changing the lane by using the vehicle information and the road information. The controller is configured to control a yaw rate of the vehicle based on the control information upon changing the lane. The steering apparatus is configured to change a moving direction of the vehicle according to a control of the controller.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle floor portion structure having: a floor panel; a tunnel portion that projects-out toward a vehicle upper side at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of the floor panel; a cross member that is bridged, along a vehicle transverse direction, between the tunnel portion and a rocker that is at a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the floor panel; a bracket that is disposed so as to be apart from the cross member in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and whose bottom portion is fixed to the floor panel, and whose side portion is fixed to a side wall portion of the tunnel portion or the rocker, and a seat is fixed to the bracket; and a reinforcement that is provided at an upper portion of the tunnel portion or the rocker, and to which an upper portion of the bracket is joined.

Abstract: A vehicle body anti-collision structure, which is mounted within a vehicle body covering and used for buffering an impact force applied to a vehicle body, the structure having two buffering frames capable of buffering the applied impact force and a connecting frame, wherein the connecting frame is disposed at the bottom end of the vehicle body and fixed to a chassis of the vehicle body, and the two buffering frames are respectively disposed at the front end and rear end of the vehicle body and are fixed to both ends of the connecting frame. The above-mentioned vehicle body anti-collision structure is of an overall structure, such that when the buffering frames at the front and rear of the vehicle body are impacted, the impact force will be dispersed to the whole vehicle body anti-collision structure and the chassis, instead of being completely withstood by themselves, so that a greater impact force can be withstood, improving the safety of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A rear floor arrangement structure for a vehicle is provided. The rear floor arrangement structure includes a bottom part and a cross part that extends in a width direction of a vehicle body from one side of the bottom part. Additionally, a collision dispersion member is disposed at the bottom part and the cross part and the collision dispersion member extends along a collision direction of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a frame impact absorbing part extending from the side of a left front side frame in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The frame impact absorbing part includes first and second frame bending members that form a frame tubular body, upper and lower frame flanges projecting outward from the frame tubular body, upper and lower first fragile portions that divide the frame flanges in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a plurality of frame rigid portions formed at a rear end of the frame tubular body on the rear side of the vehicle body with respect to the first fragile portions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a seat, an upper member, a lower member, and a high voltage equipment. The engine is provided at a rear in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The seat is provided in front of the engine in the front-rear direction. The upper member is provided between the seat and the engine in the front-rear direction and extends in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The lower member extends in the vehicle width direction and is provided between the seat and the engine below the upper member in a vehicle height direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. The high voltage equipment is provided between the seat and the engine and in a space surrounded by the upper member and the lower member.

Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure that includes: a floor panel; a dash panel partitioning an engine compartment from a vehicle cabin; a front side member that extends in a vehicle body front-rear direction on a vehicle body front side of the dash panel, and that is disposed along a lower face of the floor panel on a vehicle body rear side of the dash panel; a rocker extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction; a torque box that extends in the vehicle width direction, that is joined to the lower face of the floor panel between the front side member and the rocker in bottom face view, and that forms a closed cross-section profile together with the floor panel; and a bulkhead running along the vehicle body front-rear direction inside the torque box and sectioning the inside of the torque box in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes a side sill joined to a rear frame via an outrigger, a sub-frame mounted on the rear frame from below, and a fuel tank mounted on the sub-frame. The sub-frame is provided with a load transmitting member that opposes the outrigger. An impact load applied to the sub-frame is transmitted to the outrigger via the load transmitting member. The transmitted impact load is distributed to the two components, the rear frame (specifically, front frame section) and the side sill via the outrigger.

Abstract: A subframe for a rear axle of a two-track motor vehicle includes a deformation element which, as viewed in a vehicle longitudinal direction, is provided at a forward end of the subframe between the subframe and a functional unit of the motor vehicle such that in the event of a rear-end crash a forward shift of the subframe causes the deformation element to come into contact with the functional unit and to undergo deformation to thereby dissipate crash energy.

Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes a front side frame coupled to a floor frame, and an outrigger extending outward in the vehicle-width direction from the front side frame to a side sill. A reinforcing member extends obliquely rearward in the vehicle-width direction from the side sill to the front side frame. The reinforcing member has a curved portion curved upward in the middle thereof and is formed substantially in a V shape.

Abstract: A crush can to an automotive vehicle has a twelve-cornered cross section comprising sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. A geometry of the cross section varies between a front section and a rear section of the crush can. The geometry of the cross section is optimized using a plurality of control parameters including a lateral width, a vertical width, a taper ratio, a front scaling factor, and a rear scaling factor.

Abstract: A vehicle floor lower structure comprises a floor panel that configures a floor of a vehicle; a fuel tank that is disposed at a vehicle body lower side of the floor panel; an exhaust pipe that extends from an engine toward a vehicle body rear side, and that passes at a vehicle width direction outer side of the fuel tank; and a left and right pair of under reinforcements that are joined to a lower face of the floor panel and that respectively extend along a vehicle body front-rear direction at vehicle width direction outer sides of the fuel tank and the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle body component such that problems relating to conventionally proposed technology can be solved, thereby preventing increases in the number of components or manufacturing steps for reinforcement, for example. A bumper reinforce (10) includes a first component (11) and a second component (21) that are formed from channel steel with approximately U-shaped lateral cross section, and is configured by connecting the ends of the components (11, 21). Connecting portions (13, 23) of the first component (11) and the second component (21) respectively have slits (31, 41) along a direction in which the components (11, 21) are arranged. The components (11, 21) are connected with the components (11, 21) overlapping each other in a staggered manner on both upper and lower sides across the slits (31, 41).

Abstract: A hollow tubular shape is extruded from aluminum and used as a basic building block for one or more different truck accessories, such as a side step, grill guard and headache rack. The outside of the hollow tubular shape provides flat surfaces and angled edges over most of its periphery, including a major wall and several side walls. An attachment wall opposite the major wall includes attachment slides that enable the extrusion to be attached in numerous configurations, including to attachment brackets. The interior of the extruded hollow tubular shape includes openings to receive end caps.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel, high-forming multi-layer aluminum alloy packages that include a core layer and one or more cladding layers. The alloy packages have excellent bake-hardening properties and are highly recyclable. The packages also display exceptional bendability and elongation properties. Also provided herein are novel aluminum alloy compositions for use as cladding layers. The compositions contain up to 0.6 wt. % Fe and one or more of Mn, Ni, Ti, Co, Nb, Cr, V, Zr, Hf and Ta.

Abstract: A longitudinal member arrangement of a body of a motor vehicle is designed such that, in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, the longitudinal member arrangement progressively fails, absorbing collision energy, with a first longitudinal member element which is formed from a fiber composite, and with a second longitudinal member element which is formed from a fiber composite and is arranged behind the first longitudinal member element. The first longitudinal member element and the second longitudinal member element are connected to each other by a connecting element. The longitudinal member arrangement is designed such that, in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, the second longitudinal member element begins to fail after the first longitudinal member element has failed.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.

Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.

Abstract: A running device includes: a rubber crawler of an endless shape; a guide protrusion disposed in center, with respect to a width direction, of an inner circumferential surface of the rubber crawler; a driving protrusion disposed on each of opposite sides, with respect to the width direction, of the inner circumferential surface of the rubber crawler; and a track roller disposed over the guide protrusion, and configured to roll on the inner circumferential surface of the rubber crawler and to be in surface-contact with a side surface of the guide protrusion and a side surface of the driving protrusion. The track roller has side surfaces disposed on end portions with respect to the width direction, surface-contactable with the side surface of the guide protrusion and the side surface of the driving protrusion, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a walking robot. A first end effector connected to a first end of a robotic arm is moved relative to a surface of a structure and away from a second end effector connected to a second end of the robotic arm. The first end effector is secured relative to the surface of the structure after moving the first end effector relative to the surface. The second end effector connected to the second end of the robotic arm is moved relative to the surface of the structure and toward the first end effector.

Abstract: A walking mud handling system may include a walking mud tank and a plurality of hydraulic walkers coupled to the walking mud tank. Each hydraulic walker may include a walking foot, a hydraulic lift, and a sliding actuator. The hydraulic lift may include a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the walking foot such that extension of the hydraulic cylinder extends the walking foot into contact with the ground. The sliding actuator may include one or more hydraulic cylinders coupled to the walking foot such that extension of the sliding actuator moves the walking foot laterally relative to the hydraulic lift.

Abstract: With an apparatus for changing the length of the loading surface of vehicles, particularly trailers and semi-trailers, wherein a vehicle can be equipped with a central support configured as a tube or trough and an inner support that can be pushed into and pulled out of the former, the known disadvantages are supposed to be avoided, particularly a solution is supposed to be made available for the fact that the trailing chassis does not have to have any comprehensive preparation for later extensibility. This is achieved in that attachment elements for a ring beam are provided on the vehicle, wherein the inner support is provided with a ring beam that is open on the top side or a ring beam that is closed all around and has an upper brace.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle suspension assembly comprises a body configured to couple to a bicycle frame; a saddle support mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; a suspension spring that biases the saddle support mechanism in a first direction with respect to the body; and a damping apparatus configured to damp motion of the saddle support mechanism with respect to the body, the damping apparatus configured to reduce a level of damping responsive to a terrain-induced force.