Abstract: A liquid housing container includes a suppressing portion at one end portion of a first surface-portion film and one end portion of a second surface-portion film, and at another end portion of the first surface-portion film and another end portion of the second surface-portion film. The suppressing portion suppresses spreading of a gap between the one end portion of the first surface-portion film and the one end portion of the second surface-portion film, and spreading of a gap between the other end portion of the first surface-portion film and the other end portion of the second surface-portion film.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head ejecting ink, a tank reserving ink to be supplied to the print head and a joint unit being capable of connecting the print head and the tank to each other. The joint unit has a connecting portion for supplying ink to the print head and a shaft that is rotatable by a drive source so as to move in an axial direction. The connecting portion moves together with the shaft. The print head includes a head joint connectable to the connecting portion and an engaging portion engageable with one end of the shaft. The shaft is rotated to be engaged with the engaging portion so that the head joint and the connecting portion are connected to each other.

Abstract: A liquid container unit includes: a liquid container including: a plurality of liquid storage portions; and a plurality of injection ports which are provided to the respective plurality of liquid storage portions, and are configured to enable injection of liquid into the plurality of liquid storage portions; and an injection port cover which is provided to the liquid container so as to be rotatable and is configured to cover the plurality of injection ports so as to be openable and closable, the injection port cover including a plurality of stopper members configured to close the plurality of injection ports when the injection port cover is closed.

Abstract: An ink refill container 63 includes a container main body 64 including an ink storage chamber 76, an ink outlet-forming portion 66 provided on an end portion of the container main body forming an ink outlet 65 that allows the ink to flow out from the ink storage chamber, and a valve 74 provided in the ink outlet-forming portion configured to openably seal the ink outlet, in which the ink outlet-forming portion includes a positioning portion 73 on an outer side of the ink outlet-forming portion. in which the positioning portion 73 is closer to the container main body than the valve 74 is to the container main body in a central axis direction of the ink outlet, and in which the positioning portion partially abuts against an ink tank 41-45 when the valve is opened for refilling the ink to the ink tank, to thereby position the valve relative to the ink tank.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid cartridge for recycling includes a preparing step and a first step. The preparing step prepares the liquid cartridge for recycling. The liquid cartridge for recycling includes a liquid accommodating portion, a flowing path, a stopper, and a valve. The first step includes a first insertion step, a firs valve open step, a first injection step, a first valve close step, a first removal step, and a first mounting step. The first insertion step inserts an injection member into the stopper. The first injection step injects the liquid into the liquid accommodating portion through the injection member, after the first insertion step and the first valve open step. The first removal step removes the stopper from the opening while the valve is maintained in the closed position after the first valve close step. The first mounting step mounts a new stopper.

Abstract: A makeup fluid is added to an ink liquid of an inkjet printer to reduce the viscosity of the ink liquid, the makeup fluid including a fluorescent color material in a solvent. An inkjet printer apparatus employing a makeup fluid is provided with a makeup fluid tank to which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are attached, and detects the presence or absence of the makeup fluid by irradiating ultraviolet light from the light-emitting element, causing visible light to be emitted from the fluorescent color material in the makeup fluid, and detecting the visible light with the light-receiving element.

Abstract: A printing apparatus to which plural ink tanks can be attached includes a print unit performing printing using ink of plural colors, a first determination unit to determine that a remaining amount of ink in any of plural ink tanks is lower than a predetermined amount, and a second determination unit to determine that order information for the ink tank has been transmitted to a server, based on a memory provided in the ink tank that stores predetermined information. When it is determined the remaining amount of a predetermined ink tank is less than the predetermined amount and the order information for the predetermined ink tank is yet to be transmitted, order information is transmitted for the predetermined ink tank, to the server, based on detection that an ink tank is attached to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus comprises: a liquid supply unit to perform an operation to supply liquid from a main tank to a sub tank; a liquid surface detection unit configured to detect a liquid surface of the liquid stored in the sub tank; and a control unit configured to control the liquid supply unit to execute first liquid supply operation to control the liquid supply unit to supply liquid to the sub tank until the liquid surface is detected by the liquid surface detection unit and a second liquid supply operation to supply liquid to the sub tank after the liquid surface is detected by the liquid surface detection unit. The control unit controls, based on at least one of a liquid supply amount and a liquid supply time in the first liquid supply operation, the time during which the second liquid supply operation is executed.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes: a print head provided with an ejection opening surface; a tank; a supply flow path; a collection flow path; an intra-tank vacuum pump to reduce pressure inside the tank; and a control unit. The control unit performs a first operation and a second operation, the first operation causing the intra-tank vacuum pump to operate while a collection drive valve is closed, so as to pull out ink in a flow path which extends from the ejection opening to the supply flow path into the tank, the second operation causing the intra-tank vacuum pump to operate while a supply drive valve is closed, so as to pull out ink in a flow path which extends from the ejection opening to the collection flow path into the tank.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus capable of detecting ink leakage early is provided. For this purpose, an ink leakage detection pin and a wall capable of storing leaked ink are provided at a joint part which is the part connecting the print head and the ink supply unit.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method, which uses an ink jet recording apparatus including: first and second inks corresponding to aqueous inks containing a pigment; a recording head in which a first ejection orifice array for ejecting the first ink and a second ejection orifice array for ejecting the second ink are sequentially arranged from the bottom in the direction of gravity to be adjacent to each other and the first and second ejection orifice arrays are arranged to at least partially overlap each other; and a cleaning member, includes: recording; and cleaning, wherein at least one of the first and second inks contains a resin, and a content of the resin in the second ink is larger than a content of the resin in the first ink.

Abstract: A ink jet recording method, which uses an ink jet recording apparatus including: first and second inks each containing a coloring material; and a recording head having an ejection orifice surface in which a first ejection orifice array for ejecting the first ink and a second ejection orifice array for ejecting the second ink are formed, the first and second ejection orifice arrays being sequentially arranged from the bottom in the direction of gravity to be adjacent to each other and at least partially overlap each other, includes recording, wherein at least one of the first and second inks contains a resin, and a content of the resin in the second ink is smaller than a content of the resin in the first ink.

Abstract: A shift circuit operating by using a capacitor, a printing head and printing device thereof. The shift circuit includes a power signal line, a grounding signal line, a first shift signal line, a second shift signal line, a plurality of diodes, a plurality of grounding resistors, a plurality of thyristors, a cascaded resistor and a capacitor. The capacitor connects between the gate of the first thyristor and the first shift signal line. Therefore, the capacitor is charged during the off time of the period of the first clock signal, and starts to be discharged from an edge between the on time and the off time of the period of the first clock signal. During the on time of the period, the capacitor is fully discharged. Such that, the gate voltage of the first thyristor is sufficient to turn on the first thyristor and will not affect the following shift action.

Abstract: An image is formed on a can body by use of plural image formation units. A printing device (500) is provided with a moving unit (550) that moves while supporting can bodies (10). Additionally, the printing device (500) is provided with a printing unit (520) that includes plural inkjet heads (11W), (11C), (11M), (11Y), (11K) and that performs printing on the can bodies (10) supported by the moving unit (550). Further, the printing device (500) is provided with a moving mechanism (560) that causes the moving unit (550) to move by using a linear mechanism.

Abstract: A label issuance device includes a roller configured to convey a label including an RFID tag along a conveyance path, an antenna board disposed under the conveyance path and having planar surfaces that are perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the label, the antenna board including a substrate, a transmission line formed inwardly of an upper edge of the substrate that faces the conveyed label, and a ground layer formed on each of the planar surfaces of the substrate, and a reader/writer connected to the antenna board to read out and write data from and onto the RFID tag of the conveyed label.

Abstract: A compact ink drying apparatus is capable of drying ink ejected to a resin substrate. The ink drying apparatus has a hot air dryer, a hot air supplying part, and an exhausting part. The hot air dryer has a drying furnace, a substrate conveying path formed as a spirally shaped path in the drying furnace, and substrate drying ducts blowing hot air to a surface of a resin substrate on which ink is ejected conveyed along the substrate conveying path to heat ink and exhausting water vapor generated by heating of ink. The hot air supplying part is outside the drying furnace and supplies hot air into the substrate drying ducts, and the exhausting part is outside the drying furnace and exhausts air in the drying furnace through the substrate drying ducts.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a first head including a first nozzle formed on a first surface of the first head, the first head being configured to discharge a first ink containing a metal oxide from the first nozzle, a second head including a second nozzle formed on a second surface of the second head, the second head being configured to discharge a second ink containing a coloring material from the second nozzle, a recording medium holding unit configured to hold a recording medium, and a heating device configured to heat the recording medium, wherein the first head discharges the first ink in a state where a first distance between the first surface and the recording medium holding unit is 4.0 mm or more.

Abstract: A printing device includes a first support portion, a second support portion movable in a moving direction of the second support portion toward and away from the first support portion, a movable probe movably supported by a detector, and a permission mechanism. The movable range consists of a first range and a second range. The permission mechanism is configured to permit the movable probe to move in accordance with the movement of the second support portion in the separating/approaching direction relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the first range, and is also configured to prevent the movable probe from moving irrespective of further movement of the second support portion relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the second range.

Abstract: A printer includes a head unit and a platen unit. The head unit includes a print head. The platen unit includes a platen roller, a support, and a guide roller. The platen roller is rotatably supported on the support and configured to rotate to convey recording sheet. The guide roller includes a roller part, and the roller part is configured to rotate in contact with the recording sheet as the recording sheet is conveyed.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a platen roller configured to move a media unit along a media processing path to traverse a printhead adjacent to the platen roller; an upstream drive assembly including (i) an upstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a first side of the platen roller; and (ii) an upstream movable roller adjacent to the upstream stationary roller; a downstream drive assembly including (i) a downstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a second side of the platen roller; and (ii) a downstream movable roller adjacent to the downstream stationary roller; a controller configured to control a motor to move, according to a predefined sequence, the upstream movable roller and the movable roller between respective engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A magnetic-ink reading device includes a housing and a conveyor in the housing. A medium inlet and outlet port for inserting and pulling out a medium printed using magnetic ink are in the housing. The conveyor conveys the medium along a conveying path. The magnetic-ink reading device includes a magnetizing mechanism configured to magnetize the magnetic ink of the medium on the conveying path and a magnetism detection head disposed near the magnetizing mechanism and configured to read magnetism of the magnetized magnetic ink. The magnetic-ink reading device includes a reversing mechanism provided on the medium inlet and outlet port side of the conveying path and configured to reverse front and rear surfaces of the medium on a reversing path on an inside. The reversing mechanism includes a retraction path for temporarily retracting the medium when the magnetism of the medium is read by the magnetism detection head.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus includes a print unit, a tray moving unit that moves a tray for receiving a print medium discharged in a first direction, in a second direction crossing the first direction, a lever moving unit that moves a lever that contacts to the print medium stacked on the tray and is rotatable according to an amount of stacking between a first position at which the lever is contactable to the stacked print medium and a second position at which the lever is separated from the stacked print medium. A control unit causes the tray moving unit to move the tray in the second direction in a state in which the control unit has caused the lever moving unit to move the lever to the second position.

Abstract: A stay rod includes a guide to slidably hold a functional part, the guide to be fixed to an apparatus body, a plurality of first parts each including a guide surface to form the guide, and a plurality of second parts each including a mounting surface to be mounted to the apparatus body. The plurality of first parts and the plurality of second parts are combined to have an elongated box-shaped cross section in which the guide surface of the plurality of first parts faces the mounting surface of the plurality of second parts, the plurality of first parts is arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the stay rod and is joined to the plurality of second pars at each joint formed at each end of the plurality of first parts.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply line, control circuitry, and a first switch. The power supply line supplies voltage from a first power supply unit to a load. The control circuitry controls voltage supply from the first power supply unit. The first switch is connected between a second power supply unit and the control circuitry. The control circuitry causes the first power supply unit to start the voltage supply on condition that the first switch is in a closed state and a voltage of the power supply line is not greater than a first threshold voltage, and causes the first power supply unit to start the voltage supply on condition that the voltage of the power supply line is not greater than a second threshold voltage higher than the first threshold voltage when the first switch changes from an open state to the closed state.

Abstract: A medium includes a base layer and a separation layer. First to fifth regions are defined in the medium along a first direction in this order. Portions of the base layer which are in contact with the separation layer are stickable in at least a part of the first region and the fifth region and are not stickable in the second region and the fourth region. A length, in a second direction, of a second-side end portion of the fifth region in the first direction is less than a length, in the second direction, of a first-side end portion of the third region in the first direction. A length, in the second direction, of a first-side end portion of the fifth region in the first direction is less than the length, in the second direction, of the second-side end portion of the fifth region in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate with a printed layer containing: a bent plate with a bent portion, including a first main surface, a second main surface and an end surface, and a printed layer formed on the first main surface, in which the printed layer has an average value (average OD value) of optical density (OD values) in visible light in a plane being 4 or more.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a system for the digital printing of printed publications, for the flexible production, on demand, of a single publication or small series of publications. The process of the invention is an automated process for the manufacture of at least one publication printed from at least one sheet, comprising the steps wherein: a plurality of pages (1, 4, 5, 8) of the publication is printed (A) on the sheet (10) that is moved through a series of stations wherein, subsequently, the sheet (10) is folded (C) in half perpendicular to the direction of travel; the folded sheet (10) is pivoted (D) by 90° with respect to the direction of travel, and the edges (18, 19) of the folded sheet are trimmed to obtain separate, superposed leaves (16, 17).

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer for applying a stamp onto an official document, wherein the printer comprises an access level with an inlet for inserting the document into and removing the document from the printer, a processing level including a print head, and an inter-level document transport system for moving a document receiving platen between the access level and the processing level. The access level and the processing level are at least partly arranged on top of each other. The present invention also provides an imaging system for a printer and a method for processing an official document with a printer.

Abstract: A watermark sheet made up of a substrate layer with opposing water and fiber surfaces, a pattern of at least two watermark indicia, and a set of apertures extending from the water surface toward the fiber surface of the substrate layer, is provided. The pattern of at least two watermark indicia is distributed over a continuous area of the fiber surface. The inventive watermark sheet provides watermarks of improved quality. Also provided is a watermark sleeve made up of a cylinder mold and the inventive watermark sheet wrapped around and affixed to an outer diametric surface of the cylinder mold. In addition, methods of manufacturing the watermark sheet, the watermark sleeve, a watermarked paper and a high security document are provided, as well as products resulting from these methods of manufacture.

Abstract: There is described a printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) comprising a rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) exhibiting, at least in part, a gradual transition from a first colour (C1) to a second colour (C2) distinct from the first colour (C1), wherein the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) extends over a colour-gradient area (A) of the printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) where first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed, each of the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) comprising a first, respectively second set of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*), the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) being printed in register one with the other by means of two distinct printing plates (PP1, PP2) so that the first and second sets of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed in the colour-gradient area (A) and thereby generate the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**), the first printed pattern (P1) exhibiting the fi

Abstract: A side-knock type mechanical pencil comprising a body with a side-mounted knock button coupled to the body of the mechanical pencil and adapted to slidingly engage with a lead tube with a frustoconical hub for translating the motion of the knock button actuation to linear extension of the lead.

Abstract: A dual cutter-carrier assembly that includes a rotatable carrier having a front portion, a rear portion, and a center portion, wherein the center portion defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened; a first cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the first cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a first cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the first cutter pin; a second cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the second cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a second cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the second cutter pin; a contact plate mounted within the interior cavity at the rear portion of the carrier, having a first yoke mechanically coupled to the first cutter and a second yoke mechanically coupled to the second cutter, wherein the contact plate moves in the direction of a pencil that is being sharpened when the tip of the advancing pencil touches the contact plate, wherein the first an

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: The present concepts include a zero-porosity structure having a plurality of structural elements arranged to provide a negative Poisson's ratio and, further, a new mechanism to generate negative Poisson's ratio is single material, zero-porosity structure.

Abstract: An omni-directional rotational drive mechanism and a moving body in which production and maintenance can be facilitated, while the size can be reduced, by making the number of components smaller. A rotating body provided for a wheel member rotatable about a ring-shaped shaft having a rotating shaft of the wheel member as its center. The rotating body is configured to rotate integrally with the wheel member about the rotating shaft. A pair of worms rotatable about the same shaft as the rotating shaft of the wheel member. A pair of worm wheels are provided for the wheel member so as to be rotatable by meshing with different worms, and capable of transmitting each of rotations to the rotating body. The rotating body is configured so as to rotate or stop with respect to the wheel member in accordance with the rotational direction and the rotational speed of the respective worms.

Abstract: A two-piece rim and tire assembly. The tire is held to the rim by fasteners extending through flanges integral with the tire main body and then into the rim. Further, the outer edges of the rim clinchably mount the tire main body thereto. A flexible overhanging portion extends outwardly of the tire main body minimizing dirt and mud accumulation on the tire and rim. A bearing is held within the rim by a ring.

Abstract: A tire tread composition includes a quantity of an elastomer including guayule natural rubber, and a quantity of a hydrocarbon resin substantially evenly distributed throughout the elastomer. The elastomer of the tire tread composition may consist entirely of guayule natural rubber. The hydrocarbon resin may be selected to have a predetermined miscibility in the guayule natural rubber. The predetermined miscibility is measured by a deviation of actual Tg from predicted Tg for either the tire tread composition or an elastomer-resin mixture consistent with the elastomer and resin used in the tire tread composition. In particular, the predetermined miscibility in the guayule natural rubber is less than about six percent (6%) deviation in the actual Tg from the predicted Tg at a 20 phr loading.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve running performance in rocky areas. Provided is a pneumatic tire in which is formed a shoulder block in which first shoulder blocks and second shoulder blocks are alternately aligned. Each first shoulder block has a first edge that is on the outer side in a tire axial direction of a tread surface of the first shoulder block. Each second shoulder block has a second edge that is positioned on the outer side in the tire axial direction of a tread surface of the second shoulder block and more toward the inner side in the tire axial direction than the first edge.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna, an analog front end, a processing circuit, and memory. The analog front end includes a power circuit, a tuning circuit, a transmitter, and a receiver. The power circuit is operably coupled to convert a radio frequency (RF) signal into a power supply voltage. The tuning circuit, when enabled, adjusts an RF characteristic of the analog front end to tune power harvesting from the RF signal. The transmitter is operably coupled to transmit a response signal to the RFID reader via the antenna. The receiver is operably coupled to receive a command signal from the RFID reader, wherein the command signal is contained within a portion of the RF signal. The processing circuit is operable to interpret the command signal and generate the response signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve assembly system including channel valve assemblies. More particularly, the invention relates to a valve assembly system including channel valve assemblies and connecting modules and the tire pressure management system made therewith.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel monitoring device includes a tire pressure monitoring unit, a tire pressure sensor unit disposed at a wheel of the vehicle and a brake pad wear sensor unit disposed at a wheel of the vehicle. The brake pad wear sensor unit includes a brake pad wear sensor and a wireless transmitter configured to receive the signal emitted from the brake pad wear sensor and wirelessly transmit it to the tire pressure monitoring unit. An energy harvesting device is configured to convert energy derived from an external source into electrical power, and to provide the electrical power to the brake pad wear sensor unit and the transmitter. The brake pad wear sensor unit and the tire pressure sensor unit are monitored by the tire pressure monitoring unit.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.

Abstract: A hitch plate assembly for a truck. The hitch plate includes a lower frame spanning beneath a pair of frame rails of the truck. The lower frame is fabricated from a front plate and end plates at oppositely disposed ends of the front plate. The end plates extend upwardly for attachment directly to the frame rails. An upper frame is mounted over the lower frame and between the frame rails. The upper frame is comprised of a front plate, two side plates, an upper plate and two pairs of spaced apart pivot plates with through holes therein secured to the upper plate, wherein a dump body hinge is received into the space between each pair of pivot plates and each hinge is secured in position by a pin, the dump body being rotatable about each pin.

Abstract: A trailer control device for mounting on a trailer, wherein the trailer control device includes a receiver unit configured to receive a signal from an external transmitter unit, a comparator connected to the receiver unit and configured to compare the received signal with a pre-defined signal stored in the comparator, and a transmitter unit connected to the comparator and configured to send a response signal to an external receiver unit for locating and/or identifying the trailer control device if the received signal matches the pre-defined signal.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for the rear axle of a vehicle includes a wheel carrier for fastening a rear wheel. A link system, which includes at least two links for fastening to a body of the vehicle, is fastened to the wheel carrier. One of the at least two links is a combination link with a basic body and two link portions for fastening at two positions of the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, a trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the first mounting bracket, and a second end, an axle member coupled to the second end of the trailing arm, the axle member configured to support a tire, an actuator operably coupled to the trailing arm and operable between a first state configured to lift the tire away from a ground surface and a second state configured for the tire to contact the ground surface, and an actuator arrangement configured to move from a first position where the actuator arrangement couples the actuator to the trailing arm when the actuator is in the first state, and a second position where the actuator arrangement uncouples the actuator from the trailing arm when the actuator is in the second state.

Abstract: A fragile portion is provided at a portion of a suspension arm which is positioned near a vehicle-body attachment portion. The fragile portion is configured such that when a load which is greater than a specified magnitude is inputted to a front wheel from a vehicle forward side, the suspension arm is bent at the fragile portion, whereby the front wheel is rotated rearwardly around the fragile portion.

Abstract: An independent front axle suspension preferably includes a front drive axle, an upper suspension frame, a lower suspension frame, a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a pair of pivot plates. A front pivot plate is attached to a front and middle of the front drive axle and a rear pivot plate is attached to a rear and middle of the front drive axle. A rear of the upper suspension frame is pivotally engaged with a rear of the lower suspension frame. A front and rear of the front drive axle is pivotally retained in the lower suspension frame with the pair of pivot plates. One end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing sides of the upper suspension frame. An opposing end of the pair of hydraulic cylinders are preferably spherically retained on opposing ends of the front drive axle.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a suspension assembly, an axle, and a damping means. The suspension assembly is operatively connected to the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle is operatively connected to the suspension assembly. The damping means is operatively connected to and extends between the suspension assembly and the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle/suspension system has a motion ratio of between about 1.4 to about 1.7. A method for optimizing damping of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes the steps of: calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to load on a damping air spring; calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to air flow velocity through at least one opening of the air spring; calculating an optimized motion ratio by determining an intersection of the curves; altering the geometry of the axle/suspension system to provide the axle/suspension system with the optimized motion ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described where one or more pre-stressed spring elements are disposed between two structures to mitigate or cancel the effect of static loads applied to a component connecting the structures. The apparatus and methods may be used, for example, to reduce the adverse impact of static loads on the performance of top-mounts in a suspension system of a vehicle.