Of The Pulsating Or Reciprocating Type Patents (Class 188/266.5)
  • Patent number: 11958329
    Abstract: A roll vibration damping control system includes an electronic control unit configured to: compute a sum of a product of a roll moment of inertia and a roll angular acceleration of a vehicle body, a product of a roll damping coefficient and a first-order integral of the roll angular acceleration, and a product of an equivalent roll stiffness of the vehicle and a second-order integral of the roll angular acceleration, as a controlled roll moment to be applied to the vehicle body; compute a roll moment around a center of gravity of a sprung mass as a correction roll moment, the roll moment being generated by lateral force on wheels due to roll motion; and compute a target roll moment based on a value obtained by correcting the controlled roll moment with the correction roll moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Tanzan, Etsuo Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 11931663
    Abstract: An automated damping system including a damping device arranged and disposed to provide variable resistance to a load. The variable resistance provides resistance values corresponding to a displacement position of the damping device. The system includes a damping profile generator that calculates a damping profile and a sensor is arranged and disposed to measure one or more damping affecting properties. The sensor provides the one or more damping affecting properties to the damping profile generator. The damping profile provides the variable resistance based upon the one or more damping affecting properties of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Steven Bettinger, Nicholas James Bonsell, Andrew Phillips Mudie, Andrew John Penney, James Fowler Shumway, Jr., McLane Walker Snow
  • Patent number: 11904650
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a pressure tube containing a hydraulic fluid. The shock absorber further includes a piston rod extending within the pressure tube along a longitudinal axis, and including a piston end disposed within the pressure tube. The piston rod includes a rod chamber defined within the piston rod and extending along the longitudinal axis from an upper chamber end distal to the piston end to a lower chamber end proximal to the piston end. The piston rod further includes at least one first opening disposed proximal to the lower chamber end. The shock absorber further includes a first piston assembly, an auxiliary housing, and a damper assembly including a sleeve received within the rod chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Jonas Henderickx
  • Patent number: 11629773
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes a piston, a damper tube, a suspension spring, a plunger, a jack chamber, a pump case, a pump piston, a screw shaft, and a drive unit. Both end surfaces of the pump piston in a reciprocating direction are a first end surface demarcating the pump chamber, and a second end surface demarcating the gas chamber, the second end surface having a screw hole into which the screw shaft is screwed. The pump piston includes a space portion between a bottom plate defining the first end surface and the screw hole. The screw shaft has a through-hole connecting the gas chamber with the space portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 11441633
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed in the outer tube defining a fluid space therebetween. The inner tube defines an inner volume. A piston is slidably disposed in the inner tube and divides the inner volume into a rebound working chamber and a compression working chamber. An active rebound valve is fluidly connected to the rebound working chamber and the fluid chamber, and an active compression valve is fluidly connected to the reserve chamber and the compression working chamber. An intake assembly is positioned in the fluid chamber to control the fluid flow through the active rebound valve and into the compression working chamber during a rebound stroke and to control fluid flow from the compression working chamber through the active compression valve and into the rebound working chamber during a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 11434968
    Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber has a body extending between a first end and a second end. Translation of a primary shaft within an interior cavity of the body communicates a first volume of fluid within the interior cavity to a secondary reservoir where it increases pressure in a gas cavity therein. The primary shaft has an annular member engaged thereon which contacts a bump shaft slidably located in an opening at the first end of the body. The contact of the annular member translates the bump shaft within the interior cavity to cause communication of a secondary volume of the fluid to the secondary reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Brendan Newhan
  • Patent number: 11358432
    Abstract: Provided a suspension control apparatus including a vehicle behavior detection unit (acceleration sensors), an electrorheological damper provided between a vehicle body (1) and each wheel (2), and a controller configured to execute control so that a damping force of each electrorheological damper is adjusted based on a detection result obtained by the vehicle behavior detection unit. The controller includes a target voltage value setting unit (damping force command calculation unit) configured to obtain a target voltage value to be applied to an electrode tube based on the detection result obtained by the vehicle behavior detection unit, a temperature estimation unit configured to detect or estimate temperature of ERF, and a target voltage value correction unit (output limiting unit) configured to change the target voltage value so that a piston speed (V) is adjusted based on a value obtained by the temperature estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Hirao, Nobuyuki Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 11338639
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes: a pressure tube defining a working chamber; a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube, the piston assembly dividing the working chamber into a first and second chambers; a piston rod including a first end that is attached to the piston assembly and that includes a second end that is configured to be attached to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle; an electronic valve that is positioned within the piston rod, the electronic valve including a spool moveable between first and second positions, where: when the spool of the electronic valve is in the first position, the spool allows fluid flow between the first and second chambers through the electronic valve and the piston rod; and when the spool of the electronic valve is in the second position, the spool restricts fluid flow between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Roessle
  • Patent number: 11339846
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus includes: a damping device; an operating section; and a determination section. The determination section uses a base damping force determined based on a change velocity and an extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and a zero occasion adjustment value to determine a target value of an extension occasion damping force. The determination section uses the base damping force, a compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine a target value of an compression occasion damping force. The determination section uses the base damping force and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine a target value of a zero occasion damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Kota Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11143265
    Abstract: An SMA-STF based viscous damper includes a first connector, a piston rod, a piston which is sheathed on the piston rod; a damping cylinder; first and second end covers which are respectively provided at two sides of the damping cylinder; a second connector which is fixedly connected to the second end cover; and first and second SMA springs which are respectively sheathed on the piston rod. The damping cylinder has first and second damping cavities between which the piston is arranged. One end of the piston rod passes through the first end cover and is connected to the first connector, and the other end passes through the second connector. The first and second SMA springs are respectively held in the first and second damping cavities in an elastic state. The first and second damping cavities are respectively filled with the STF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Li Sun, Chunwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11118648
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention provides a damping force adjustable shock absorber capable of reducing manufacturing cost. [Means for Solving] A shock absorber 1 is configured in such a manner that a main valve 32 is disposed below a piston valve 5, and a sub valve 68 for variably adjusting a set load of the main valve 32 is provided in a piston case 21 above the piston valve 5, with a first valve body 53 of the sub valve 68 slidably sealed to a case member 60 by a metal seal at only one portion. Due to the configuration, the shock absorber 1 can ease precision of components of the sub valve 68, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10801576
    Abstract: Valve arrangement for a shock absorber is described, comprising a valve housing (2) having a first (7) and a second port (8), a pilot chamber (3) being in fluid communication with the first (7) and/or second port (8), wherein a pilot pressure (Pp) is defined by a hydraulic pressure in the pilot chamber (3). The arrangement further comprises a main valve member (4) being axially movably arranged in the valve housing (2) and being arranged to interact with a main valve seat member (9) in order to restrict a main fluid flow between the first (7) and second ports (8) in response to the pilot pressure (Pp) acting on the main valve member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ohlins Racing AB
    Inventor: Arnold Hovèn
  • Patent number: 10792962
    Abstract: The invention relates to design of all-terrain vehicles. The vehicle comprises a gas line which is connected to all of the wheel tires simultaneously and is coupled to a system for inflating the tires. A suspension comprises a wheel springing system connected to the wheel tires, a pneumatic drive and a system for inflating the tires, wherein the wheel springing system is configured in the form of an gas line formed from the cavities of the pipes from which a frame is welded, or is configured outside the frame, forming a closed loop that is connected to each of the tires by means of pipes with closure members, and wherein the pneumatic drive and the system for inflating the tires are constituted by an engine exhaust system which is provided with a baffle and is coupled to the air line by means of a pipe with a closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ensenor Enterprises Limited
    Inventor: Aleksey Garagashyan
  • Patent number: 10792970
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle comprising at least one wheel suspension with at least one damper, wherein the at least one damper is such that it can adjust its damping resistance between a first damping mode and at least a second damping mode, wherein the second damping mode presents a larger damping resistance than a damping resistance of the first damping mode. The method comprises the steps: S1) identifying if the vehicle is in a first situation during driving of said vehicle which may lead to a subsequent impact force (F) on the at least one wheel suspension which is of a magnitude such that the at least one damper, when in its first damping mode, will reach a position where no further damping can be performed; and, if this is the case, S2) adjusting the damping resistance from the first damping mode to the at least second damping mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Sandberg, Tobias Brandin
  • Patent number: 10746250
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 10655702
    Abstract: A controllable vibration damper may include a cylinder tube with hydraulic fluid, a piston movable axially within the cylinder tube along an axis and that divides the cylinder tube into two working spaces, a piston rod parallel to the cylinder tube axis and connected at one end to the piston, fluid passages from one working space into another working space, a first valve subassembly on a first fluid passage for damping piston movement in a first direction, and a second valve subassembly on a second fluid passage for damping piston movement in a second direction. Each valve subassembly may include a valve disk seated on a valve seat in a closed position and spaced apart from the valve seat in an open position, as well as a pilot chamber containing an adjustable pressure that pushes the valve disk into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hamers, Ole Götz, Klaus Schmidt, Dmitrij Smeljanskij
  • Patent number: 10634207
    Abstract: A damping force control type shock absorber capable of achieving both air bleeding performance and damping force responsiveness at reduced cost. When a pilot valve (47) is closed during the extension stroke of a piston rod (6), a cylinder upper chamber (2A) is communicated with a back-pressure chamber (46) through a passage (73) including an orifice (76), a communicating passage (70), a pilot chamber (33), and a communicating passage (50). At this time, the cylinder upper chamber (2A) is not communicated with a cylinder lower chamber (2B); therefore, damping force responsiveness is ensured. Further, because there is no need to provide a check valve in the passage, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. Further, air entering the pilot chamber (33) moves upward through the communicating passage (70). Therefore, the air can be discharged into the cylinder upper chamber (2A) through the passage (73).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Yuno, Yasuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 10624766
    Abstract: A prosthetic or exoskeleton component for a prosthesis or exoskeleton includes a shock-absorbing unit. The shock-absorbing unit contains a damping device that can be controlled by way of a control device. A detection device has a sensor unit for receiving a signal. The detection device is configured to detect uneven ground depending on the acquired signal and to control the damping device in response to the detected uneven ground such that a damping property of the damping device can be adjusted on the basis of a signal of the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 10578184
    Abstract: A damper valve with an adjustable effective stiffness of a shim. The damper valve includes a piston. The piston has a fluid path formed therethrough. A shim is disposed proximate the fluid path formed through the piston. A stiffness adjustment feature is coupled to the shim, and the shim is disposed between the piston and the stiffness adjustment feature. The stiffness adjustment feature is configured to adjust the effective stiffness of the shim without affecting a preload applied to the shim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon Gilbert, William O. Brown, IV
  • Patent number: 10436276
    Abstract: A damping valve includes a valve body with a stepped opening for receiving a preloading spring which acts on a tension rod at which is arranged a valve disk which at least partially closes a flow-out orifice of a flow channel which connects two opposite valve body sides to one another, and, in addition to the preloading spring force, a damping force which counteracts a swiveling movement of the valve disk acts on the tension rod. The additional damping force is formed by a displacer on the tension rod side. The display together with a portion of the stepped opening, forms a restrictor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andre Patzenhauer, Johannes Weber, Frank Wagenknecht, Klaus Schmitz, Peter Kirschbaum
  • Patent number: 10421330
    Abstract: A device and a method of estimating damper force and damper velocity in an active suspension system. First and second pressure sensors sense pressures of a rebound chamber and a compression chamber of a damper in the active suspension system. A controller calculates damper force using the pressures and effective hydraulic pressure areas of the rebound chamber and the compression chamber and calculating damper velocity using pressure-fluid rate characteristics of first to third valve sets and the pressures of the rebound chamber and the compression chamber such that a sum of fluid rates is zero in a node connected between any one of the first to third valve sets and the rebound chamber or the compression chamber, the first to third valve sets being connected between the rebound chamber and an accumulator, between the rebound chamber and the compression chamber, or between the compression chamber and the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Jeong
  • Patent number: 10364861
    Abstract: A valve arrangement controls a flow of damping medium in a shock absorber. Pressurized damping fluid acts around a whole circumference of the slidable valve member and the impact of flow forces on the slidable valve member is minimized, which vastly decrease the disturbing axial forces and thereby achieves a more dependable valve arrangement with a reliable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Öhlins Racing AB
    Inventors: Benny Ewers, Fredrik Larsson, Simon Ivarsson
  • Patent number: 10315483
    Abstract: An oil channel that connects a right damper and a left damper includes a switching valve arranged between a right oil channel ER and a left oil channel EL. The switching valve includes a valve main body in which a first switching channel is formed for connecting the right oil channel ER and the left oil channel EL. The valve main body is rotatable to a first position where the first switching channel connects the right oil channel ER and the left oil channel EL to each other and to a second position different from the first position. According to this damping system, it is possible to adjust oil flow in the oil channel by performing a simple operation for the switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Sawai
  • Patent number: 10286975
    Abstract: A flow path control device according to one embodiment includes a first valve, a unit main body and a control valve. The unit main body has an accommodation portion, a first radial communication hole and a side recess portion. The accommodation portion is recessed from a chamber accommodating the oil to cause the first valve to close the first radial communication hole. The side recess portion is recessed from the chamber so as to be continuous to the accommodation portion and not to be continuous to the first radial communication hole. The control valve is movable in the accommodation portion of the unit main body between a position at which a groove of the control valve communicates with the side recess portion and the first radial communication hole and a position at which the groove does not communicate with them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyata, Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 10228039
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 10183540
    Abstract: A suspension device includes an actuator device provided with an extensible/contractible actuator body interposed between a sprung member and an unsprung member of a vehicle, a pump that supplies fluid to the actuator body to extend or contract the actuator body, and a controller that controls a rotation number of the pump. The controller has a road surface state index obtainment unit that obtains a road surface state index and a target rotation number determination unit that determines a target rotation number of the pump on the basis of the road surface state index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Masamura
  • Patent number: 10065474
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a road wheel, and a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner includes a suspension arm connected to the road wheel and to the vehicle body, and also includes a suspension force decoupling system disposed on an axis extending between the suspension arm and the vehicle body. The suspension force decoupling system includes an actuator having an actuator mass arranged on the axis that is configured to output an actuator force in opposite directions along the axis in response to an actuator control signal. The system also includes a compliant element connected along the axis to the actuator mass and one of the body and the suspension arm, and providing a predetermined level of mechanical compliance. A controller determines and generates the actuator force in response to a threshold acceleration of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Klaus Trangbaek
  • Patent number: 10060543
    Abstract: An adjustable damping valve device for a vibration damper, includes a main stage valve which is controlled by a pre-stage valve which is functionally connected in series with the emergency operation valve. A pressure relief valve having the constructional form of a seat valve is arranged inside the emergency operation valve and is functionally connected in parallel with the emergency operation valve. A valve body of the pressure relief valve is formed by at least one annular valve disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Manger, Stefan Schmitt, Lukas Ruhmann
  • Patent number: 10030735
    Abstract: A hydraulic damping device includes a cylinder 11, a cylinder 12, a piston 30 that partitions a space in the cylinder 11, a piston rod 20 that is connected to the piston 30, a bottom valve 40 that separates the interior of the cylinder 11 from a reservoir chamber R and has a communication passage of a liquid between the interior of the cylinder 11 and the reservoir chamber R, and a check valve mechanism 50 that is disposed in a radial direction of an area where movement of the piston 30 in the cylinder 11 is restricted or an area extended axially on an outer side of the cylinder 11, and permits a flow in one direction between the interior of the cylinder 11 and the reservoir chamber R caused by the movement of the piston 30 and restricts the flow in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gota Nakano, Takashi Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 10030737
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The rod extends within the inner volume. The primary piston is positioned within the inner volume and coupled to the rod. The primary piston defines a first contact surface. The secondary piston includes a body member having a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, and an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod. The secondary piston defines a channel extending from the inner cylindrical face to an outer periphery of the body member. The first contact surface and the channel are configured to cooperatively define a flow conduit upon engagement between the primary piston and the secondary piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 10029534
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to hydraulic actuators and active suspension systems as well as their methods of use are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Ross J. Wendell, Zackary Martin Anderson, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Vladimir Gorelik, Tyson David Sawyer, Jonathan R. Leehey, Johannes Schneider, Robert Driscoll, Patrick W. Neil, Shakeel Avadhany
  • Patent number: 10005472
    Abstract: Forces in a vehicle interface between the suspension and a body are identified. Rather than using many or all strain gauges, some more easily and rapidly installed acceleration sensors are instead used to measure local deformation. To remove or reduce the effects of rigid-body motion captured by accelerometers, an inertial measurement unit is also used. The forces are estimated from a behavior model accounting for both rigid and flexible motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY SOFTWARE NV
    Inventors: Jan Anthonis, Steven Gillijns
  • Patent number: 9982834
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a space-saving suspension system. In various embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a fine suspension device, a coarse suspension device, and a mechanical assembly. In various embodiments, the fine suspension device is arranged at an angle greater than zero degrees from the z-axis. In various embodiments, the mechanical assembly is coupled to the fine suspension device and a payload, such that when a force is exerted on the mechanical assembly by the payload, an applied force is transmitted to the fine suspension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Suspension Systems Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Woodbury, II
  • Patent number: 9982740
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder along a cylinder wall, the piston dividing the cylinder in a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber, which are filled with fluid. The shock absorber also includes cylinder and piston attachments for attachment to parts of a vehicle, the piston attachment and cylinder attachment moving towards one another in an inward movement and away from one another in an outward movement. Primary and auxiliary flow and valve arrangements allow fluid flow in between the first and second cylinder chambers to provide primary and auxiliary damping behavior of the shock absorber, respectively. The auxiliary flow and valve arrangement includes a first auxiliary flow and valve arrangement providing on outward movement a damping behavior showing a frequency dependency, and a second auxiliary flow and valve arrangement providing on inward movement a damping behavior showing a linear dependency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KONI B.V.
    Inventor: Paul de Kock
  • Patent number: 9879744
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber with a housing, and an inner pipe arranged in the housing, a piston rod, a piston, and which piston divides the interior of the inner pipe into a lower chamber and an upper chamber, a first valve arrangement which is arranged on the piston, a second valve arrangement which is arranged at the upper end of the inner pipe, and a third valve arrangement which is arranged at the lower end of the inner pipe. The shock absorber is distinguished by the fact that at least one proportional flow-control valve is arranged between a first connecting element of the lower chamber of the inner pipe and a second connection element at the upper chamber of the inner pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 9855811
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a shock absorber having a cylinder in which a fluid is sealed, a piston slidably fitted into the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending to an outside of the cylinder and a damping force generating apparatus controlling a flow of the fluid generated by a sliding motion of the piston inside the cylinder, a suspension spring, a detector detecting a stroke position of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder and a controller controlling the damping force generating apparatus so that one of an extension side damping force and a compression side damping force is increased and other of them is reduced in proportion to the stroke position detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 9822923
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a space-saving suspension system. In various embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a fine suspension device, a coarse suspension device, and a mechanical assembly. In various embodiments, the fine suspension device is arranged at an angle greater than zero degrees from the z-axis. In various embodiments, the mechanical assembly is coupled to the fine suspension device and a payload, such that when a force is exerted on the mechanical assembly by the payload, an applied force is transmitted to the fine suspension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Suspension Systems Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Woodbury, II
  • Patent number: 9821622
    Abstract: A vehicle-height adjusting system includes: vehicle-height adjusting actuators each for adjusting a vehicle height for a corresponding one of wheels; a pressure medium supplier for supplying a pressure medium from a tank to each of the vehicle-height adjusting actuators; and a vehicle height adjuster for adjusting the vehicle height for each wheel. The vehicle-height adjusting actuators include a left vehicle-height adjusting actuator and a right vehicle-height adjusting actuator. The vehicle height adjuster includes a supply amount controller configured to control the pressure medium supplier such that substantially the same amount of the pressure medium is to be supplied from the tank to the left vehicle-height adjusting actuator and the right vehicle-height adjusting actuator, when at least one of the wheels is in contact with an uneven road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Ohashi, Kohtaroh Okimura, Ryo Kanda, Shogo Tanaka, Jun Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 9821618
    Abstract: A suspension system for a traveling vehicle body is disclosed. The system includes a suspension reference position varying mechanism (18) for varying a reference position of a suspension stroke of the suspension mechanism (100), and a controller (35) configured to calculate an intermediate value from a maximal value corresponding to the maximal position of the suspension stroke and a minimal value corresponding to the minimal position of the suspension stroke, and to control the suspension reference position varying mechanism such that, when the calculated intermediate values deviates from a set target range, the intermediate value is displaced toward the target range. The controller (35) increases a control execution frequency for the suspension reference position varying mechanism (18) when the traveling speed of the vehicle body is low, and reduces the control execution frequency for the suspension reference position varying mechanism (18) when the traveling speed of the vehicle body is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Iwami, Shigeki Hayashi, Akihiro Matsuzaki, Toshimitsu Yazaki, Atsushi Hayashi, Kazuma Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9796236
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes: an expansion-side passage and a contraction-side passage that connect an expansion-side chamber with a contraction-side chamber; an expansion-side valve body configured to open or close the expansion-side passage; a contraction-side valve body configured to open or close the contraction-side passage; an expansion-side back-pressure chamber configured to bias the expansion-side valve body; a contraction-side back-pressure chamber configured to bias the contraction-side valve body; a communicating channel communicating with the expansion-side back-pressure chamber through an expansion-side resistance element, and with the contraction-side back-pressure chamber through a contraction-side resistance element; an expansion-side pressure introduction passage connecting the expansion-side chamber with the contraction-side back-pressure chamber; a contraction-side pressure introduction passage connecting the contraction-side chamber with the expansion-side back-pressure chamber; a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Inagaki, Shinichi Hagidaira, Ryousuke Kamakura
  • Patent number: 9739331
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 9695900
    Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed which has a base valve assembly for controlling a flow of a working fluid between a reservoir chamber and a working chamber of the shock absorber. The base valve makes use of at least one digital valve assembly. The digital valve assembly communicates with an intermediate chamber formed between an intermediate tube and a pressure tube of the shock absorber. The digital valve assembly controls flow of the working fluid between the intermediate chamber and the reservoir chamber, to help control a damping action provided by the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Thomas P. Mallin, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9657802
    Abstract: An electronically controlled internal damper is provided. Due to a structure in which a valve unit is mounted on a spool rod along which a driven spool reciprocates and a damping unit is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the driven spool and the spool rod, it is possible to improve ride comfort by reducing a low-speed damping force of a soft mode in the driven spool and the spool rod without increasing their sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eun Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 9545832
    Abstract: A switchable locking torque strut assembly and associated method are provided. The strut assembly is interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain to provide high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events. The strut assembly includes a housing and a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing. A locking assembly is interposed between the strut and the housing for selectively locking the strut relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the ICE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Bradshaw, Steve Telando
  • Patent number: 9476477
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, a damping passage, a bypass path, a shutter, a biasing member, and a control spring secured to the cylinder by one end. Another end of the control spring is opposed to the shutter. When the piston exceeds a predetermined position with respect to the cylinder by displacing on the compression-side chamber side, the shutter is pushed by the control spring and closes the bypass path. The control spring is a conical coil spring. The other end side of the control spring has a small diameter. A guide ring, which is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of the cylinder, is mounted to the small-diameter side end of the control spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Teraoka
  • Patent number: 9447835
    Abstract: Provided are a damping force variable valve assembly with a low-speed control valve capable of controlling an ultra-low flow rate and a low flow rate when a damping force variable valve operates in a soft mode, and a damping force variable shock absorber including the damping force variable valve assembly. The damping force variable valve assembly, which is installed in a damping force variable shock absorber for adjustment of a damping force of the shock absorber, includes: a solenoid; a spool which is movable by the magnetic force of the solenoid; a spool guide which surrounds the spool; a main valve which is installed in a main passage formed in a valve body installed in the spool guide; a back pressure chamber which is provided in the rear of the main valve; a chamber forming body which forms the back pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eun Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 9422025
    Abstract: A fork assembly having an external pipe closed on top with a first plug, an internal pipe slidably housed inside the external pipe, and a cartridge disposed inside the internal pipe and closed with a closing bush. The fork also has an electrovalve disposed in intermediate position between the closing bush of the cartridge and the first plug of the external pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: VRM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Pezzi, Francesco Frontali, Claudio Caporaletti
  • Patent number: 9310810
    Abstract: An adjustable damping valve device (27), in particular for a vibration damper, comprises a first valve (47) and an emergency operation valve (61), both of which are actuated by magnetic force. The emergency operation has a valve body (61) which is preloaded in a closed position by at least one valve spring. A pressure-relief valve (85) is connected hydraulically in parallel with the emergency operation valve (61) so that the damping force is determined by the pressure-relief valve (85) when the emergency operation valve (61) is closed. The pressure-relief valve (85) is arranged in the valve body (63) of the emergency operation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Förster
  • Patent number: 9297437
    Abstract: An adjustable damping valve arrangement for a vibration damper comprises an actuator which exerts an actuating force on a multiple-part auxiliary valve body of an auxiliary valve. The auxiliary valve influences a closing force on a main stage valve via an auxiliary valve closing body which is movable axially relative to a shaft portion on the actuator side. During a lift movement, a main stage valve body of the main stage valve compresses a rear space connected to the control space via the auxiliary valve. An auxiliary valve closing spring acts upon the auxiliary valve closing body in closing direction independently from the actuator control, and the rear space has a flow-off channel having a damping valve which generates a damping force during a lift movement of the main stage valve body when the rear space is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Förster
  • Patent number: 9168808
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a damper device (1). More in particular, the present invention is related to a damper device for which the damping force can be varied using a magnetically actuated closing member (33) with which a bypass channel (15) can be closed or opened. According to the present invention, the magnetic reluctance of the magnetic loop for guiding the magnetic field (8) is configured such that a too strong of an upward bending of the magnetic force versus closing member displacement curve is prevented. This prevents the system from obtaining multiple settling points for the closing member for a given current value. Consequently, the damper device is more stable and the damping force offered by it can be controlled more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tractive Suspension B.V.
    Inventor: Eric Lindeman