With Separate Pump Or Adjustment For Spring Loading Patents (Class 267/218)
  • Patent number: 11014473
    Abstract: Adjustable height limiter for a vehicle seat, comprising: a main body with a slot having a first end and a second end, a piston rod element which is displaceable with respect to the main body and has a pin element which is guided in the slot, a sleeve element which is rotatable with respect to the main body and at least partially surrounds the main body, the sleeve element having a boundary which is helical with respect to the main body, the boundary being arranged between the first end and the second end when viewed in the extension direction of the slot, and the pin element being arranged between the first end and the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Johannes Fillep, Florian Schanderl
  • Patent number: 10570976
    Abstract: A reversible, two setting preload spacer includes a body extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The spacer also includes an opening formed through the body and extending along the axis from the first end to the second end. The opening is defined by an inner surface and configured to receive a portion of a shock tube of a shock absorber. The spacer also includes an engagement structure configured to engage a groove on the shock tube positioned on the inner surface. The engagement structure is positioned such that a first distance between the engagement structure and the first end is greater than a second distance between the engagement structure and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS LLC
    Inventor: Dylan Samuel Evans
  • Patent number: 10532625
    Abstract: Adjustable spring support includes a first spring plate and a second spring plate, wherein at least one of the spring plates is axially adjustable relative to the other spring plate by an actuator, wherein the actuator is supplied with pressure medium via a pump which is driven by a motor and which is connected to a supply receptacle, wherein the motor, the pump and the supply receptacle form a constructional unit, and the constructional unit provides a cylindrical surface of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Renn, Alexander Schwarz, Hendrik Marquar, Tom Schneider, Jan Rossberg
  • Patent number: 10330171
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper including: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Cox, David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 9816579
    Abstract: An adjustable gas shock has a staged softening which includes a gas piston assembly having an gas piston. A piston hollow is formed on the frame and the gas piston is glidingly installed in the piston hollow defining an upper air chamber above the piston and a lower air chamber below the piston. The air piston moves in response to vibrations. A piston shaft hollow is formed on a piston shaft formed on the air piston. The piston shaft hollow has a piston shaft plug glidingly in the piston shaft hollow. The piston shaft plug is spring biased to push air out of the piston shaft hollow. A side opening hollow is formed on the frame. The side opening hollow has a side opening plug glidingly installed in the side opening hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: J. D. Braun
  • Patent number: 9719573
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes: a communication passage configured to cause a working fluid chamber formed in a cylinder to communicate with a reservoir for reserving a working fluid therein; a damping force generating mechanism configured to apply resistance to the working fluid passing through the communication passage; a low-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change a damping force when a stroke speed is in a low-speed range during compression; a high-speed compression-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force when the stroke speed is in a high-speed range, the high-speed range representing higher speed than the low-speed range during compression; and an extension-side damping adjuster configured to change the damping force during extension. The low-speed compression-side damping adjuster, the high-speed compression-side damping adjuster, and the extension-side damping adjuster are attached to a tank side of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9630679
    Abstract: In a spring leg of a front fork, the capacity of a rebound air spring chamber is expanded and a stable rebound reaction force is ensured, and the spring leg of the front fork is provided with a sub-tank including an air chamber communicating with a rebound air spring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 9623713
    Abstract: A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles includes an upper region, a lower region, and a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The device further includes a coil spring element and a rubber spring element. The coil spring element and the rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along a center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. The device allows a spring rate to be adjusted based either on sensed conditions, or by driver input. The spring rate may be adjustable between discrete settings or continuously variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 9599184
    Abstract: A fluid damper assembly including a housing that defines a chamber. A rod extends into the chamber and is axially moveable relative to the housing. A bushing is disposed about the rod and is fixed relative to the housing for guiding the rod during the axial movement of the rod. A piston is connected to the rod and is disposed in axially sliding engagement with the housing in the chamber in a compression stroke and in a rebound stroke in response to relative movement between the rod and the housing. A cushioning device extends from the bushing and biases the piston toward the compression stroke for dampening movement of the piston during the rebound stroke of the piston. The cushioning device and the bushing are integral with one another and of a homogeneous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Beijing West Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomasz Szostek, Wojciech Battek
  • Patent number: 9481425
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension comprises a cylinder element, a piston element, and a stroke adjustment structure. The cylinder element includes an internal space extending in an axial direction of the cylinder element. The piston element is provided in the internal space to define a first air chamber and a second air chamber in the cylinder element. The second air chamber is opposite to the first air chamber with respect to the piston element. The stroke adjustment structure is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension and includes an axially movable member configured to initiate a stroke adjustment of the bicycle suspension. The axially movable member is configured to be entirely disposed in the first air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 9067636
    Abstract: In a vehicle-height adjustment apparatus of a motorcycle having a hydraulic jack and a hydraulic pump attached to a hydraulic shock absorber, a structure is provided in which an oil return path of a hydraulic jack and a suction port of a hydraulic pump are not required to be opened in a sliding surface of a piston in a damper tube. In the vehicle-height adjustment apparatus of a motorcycle, an oil return path is opened in an outer flow path of the damper tube to cause the oil of a jack chamber to return to the oil chamber of the damper tube when a plunger of the hydraulic jack reaches a protruding end in the jack chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150097323
    Abstract: A pressure shock absorber includes: a spring portion used for a vehicle suspension; a hydraulic jack portion which can adjust a preload of the spring portion; and a connecting portion through which a hydraulic pressure source supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic jack portion is connected to the hydraulic jack portion, in which the connecting portion can be connected to and separated from the hydraulic pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeki AWASA
  • Publication number: 20140265080
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle having a damper and a first and second springs mounted coaxially around the damper and a preload adjuster for partially compressing at least one of the springs independently of the compression stroke. In one embodiment the preload adjuster is remotely controllable. In another embodiment the shock absorber includes an additional mechanism for preloading at least one of the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Paul COX
  • Patent number: 8807300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber having a damping fluid compensation chamber with a gas charge. In one aspect, a partition separates a first chamber portion from a second chamber portion, wherein the first portion of the chamber is at a first initial gas pressure and the second portion of the chamber is at a second initial pressure. A valve separates the first and second chamber portions and opening the valve commingles the first and second chamber portions so that the combined chamber portions are at a third pressure. In another aspect, a piston disposed through a wall is in pressure communication with the gas charge and is biased inwardly toward a pressure of the charge, whereby an indicator is movable by the piston in response to the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Publication number: 20140197586
    Abstract: A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles includes an upper region, a lower region, and a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The device further includes a coil spring element and a rubber spring element. The coil spring element and the rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along a center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. The device allows a spring rate to be adjusted based either on sensed conditions, or by driver input. The spring rate may be adjustable between discrete settings or continuously variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter WOLF-MONHEIM
  • Patent number: 8770594
    Abstract: An electric suspension device includes a cylinder, a sub-tank, a first oil passage and a second oil passage, a damping force adjusting valve, and a damping force adjusting motor. The cylinder is rotatable about a mounting axis. The first oil passage connects a first inner oil chamber and an outer oil chamber. The second oil passage connects the first inner oil chamber of the cylinder and an oil chamber of the sub-tank. The first and second oil passages are disposed outside an inner tube and an outer tube, and share a portion with each other. The first and second oil passages are entirely disposed on the same side with respect to a reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tominaga, Yuki Amano
  • Patent number: 8746661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydro-pneumatic piston accumulator (1), particularly for vehicle suspension systems, consisting of an accumulator housing (2) and a separating piston (6), which is disposed free-floating inside the accumulator housing in a displaceable manner in the direction of the movement axis (4). The separating piston separates an accumulator area (8) for a hydraulic medium from a pressure area (10) that is filled or is to be filled with a compressible medium, and is guided with an interior guide opening (30) on an elongated guide element (32), which is axially fixed within the accumulator housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hemscheidt Fahrwerktechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Runkel
  • Patent number: 8702075
    Abstract: A unique, adjustable collar for a shock absorber coil-over spring is positioned on top of the coil-over spring and below the shock lock nut. The collar serves as a bearing that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the tension applied to the coil-over spring making for easier adjustments. The collar in the preferred form has eight (8) conical gears that mate with corresponding teeth in the top. The gears are turned clockwise or counterclockwise to respectively raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle. A typical one quarter inch (¼?) socket extension or similar tool can be used to turn the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Matthew C. Moorefield
  • Patent number: 8573573
    Abstract: The invention relates a spring strut arrangement for wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, which is formed from a telescoping shock absorber, a suspension spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, and a preloaded spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, the spring elements being supported by way of spring caps on the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel suspension element and a third spring cap located in between being movably guided along the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber relative to the body by way of an electrically driven positioning drive which is located within the spring elements, the positioning drive having a positioning spindle which is pivoted around the shock absorber and an adjusting nut which is connected to the movable spring cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Publication number: 20130200589
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle having a damper and a first and second springs mounted coaxially around the damper and a preload adjuster for partially compressing at least one of the springs independently of the compression stroke. In one embodiment the preload adjuster is remotely controllable. In another embodiment the shock absorber includes an additional mechanism for preloading at least one of the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Paul COX
  • Patent number: 8317171
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension including a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, and a damper adjustment unit. The stroke adjustment unit is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension, which is configured to expand and contract within the stroke. The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension, and the damper adjustment unit is configured to adjust the damping force applied by the suspension damper in accordance with the stroke adjusted by the stroke adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Inoue
  • Patent number: 8317003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, with a suspension strut which is formed from a shock absorber and a bearing spring, the bearing spring being supported by way of spring plates on the body of the motor vehicle and on the tube of the shock absorber, and a spring plate being movably guided relative to the body and able to be moved axially by means of an actuator relative to the shock absorber tube, and the suspension strut having a preloaded spring with a spring force which is opposite the bearing spring, which is supported on the body of the motor vehicle and also on the movable spring plate of the bearing spring. According to the invention, the actuator is located outside, in particular radially outside the suspension strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Patent number: 8235366
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spring system comprising a strut for arrangement between a dolly and a body of a rail vehicle with a cylinder and a piston displaceably received in the cylinder which bound a piston chamber, with the piston or the cylinder being connectable to the dolly and the other of the components being connectable to the body and with one or more spring which cushion the body with respect to the dolly, with a non-resilient hydraulic system which is in communication with the piston chamber and by means of which the amount of the hydraulic medium in the piston chamber can be varied for the purpose of adjusting the strut length, with an abutment member being provided by means of which the end position of the piston can be changed in the cylinder and with means being provided which are made such that the means actuates the abutment member when the piston chamber of the hydraulic system is pressure-less or the pressure in the piston chamber or in the hydraulic system falls below a value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventor: Gaile Anton
  • Patent number: 8215620
    Abstract: Self-pumping spring and damper unit (13) with automatically activated ride level control system for chassis of vehicles having a pump which is driven as a result of the distance between the articulation points (14, 15) which changes as a result of the spring compression and spring extension of the vehicle, wherein an elastic connecting element (35) is arranged between at least one pump part (33) and the associated articulation point (14) in such a way that it at least partially elastically compensates the distance between the pump parts (32, 33) which changes when the vehicle experiences spring compression and spring extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Krauss
  • Patent number: 8205864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strut for a wheel suspension of motor vehicles, comprising a telescoping shock absorber and a support spring which surrounds it, as well as with a vertical adjustment means with a driven driving spindle which is pivoted by way of a body-mounted bearing on the engine housing side, which interacts with a vertically adjustable lifting element which is arranged to be non-rotatable and which bears the spring plate of the support spring. According to the invention, the driving spindle, in addition to the body-mounted bearing, is supported directly or indirectly on the cylinder tube of the shock absorber to be able to pivot and move axially relative to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Audi, AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Publication number: 20120136537
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, Dennis K. Wootten, Joseph Franklin
  • Publication number: 20120091678
    Abstract: A stabilizing device for axles of vehicles, such as motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, or the like, including a hollow cylinder unit, which comprises a hollow cylinder containing a fluid therein, a piston unit with a piston which is arranged in the hollow cylinder and divides the hollow cylinder into at least two chambers, wherein the piston unit can slide relative to the hollow cylinder unit in that said piston unit can be moved from an original position to a deflected position, a pre-tensioning device which tensions the piston unit in the direction of the original position, and a control or regulating device which controls or regulates the fluid flow into/out of the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Josef Büttner, Lutz Böhme
  • Patent number: 7967117
    Abstract: In a suspension spring adjusting apparatus of a hydraulic shock absorber, a mounting structure of a motor to a spring adjusting case is constituted by a three-point support structure in a plan view including a motor shaft of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Shigenobu Abe
  • Patent number: 7918437
    Abstract: Pressure vessel filled with at least one medium, where a gas mass enclosed by an envelope is pre-pressurized by a fluid, especially for volume compensation in piston-cylinder assemblies. The separating means is provided in an annular space, which is bounded by an interior wall and an exterior wall, and where at least one port for the annular space and at least one port for the enclosed gas mass are provided. The ports are aligned when the piston-cylinder assembly is inserted in the pressure vessel, which moves seals into their sealing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20100308518
    Abstract: The invention relates a spring strut arrangement for wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, which is formed from a telescoping shock absorber, a suspension spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, and a preloaded spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, the spring elements being supported by way of spring caps on the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel suspension element and a third spring cap located in between being movably guided along the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber relative to the body by way of an electrically driven positioning drive which is located within the spring elements, the positioning drive having a positioning spindle which is pivoted around the shock absorber and an adjusting nut which is connected to the movable spring cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Publication number: 20100252972
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Michael David Marquez, Everet Owen Erickson
  • Publication number: 20100181709
    Abstract: Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew LAIRD, Robert C. Fox
  • Patent number: 7751959
    Abstract: A suspension system includes four electronically controlled actuators, one at each of the four wheels. The actuators are each controlled by an electronic control unit. The left front and right front actuators are mechanically connected with each other. The left rear and the right rear actuators are also mechanically connected with each other. The only connection between the front two actuators and the rear two actuators is an electronic communication through the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Boon, Koen Reybrouck
  • Patent number: 7593797
    Abstract: A control system for a adjustable damping force damper includes a damper and a spring provided on a suspension apparatus of a vehicle, a sprung speed sensor for detecting speed of an upper member of the spring, the sprung speed is generated when the vehicle gets over steps on a road surface and a control unit for setting a gain so as to determine an damping force of the damper based on a product of the sprung speed and the gain. When an absolute value of the sprung speed exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit changes the gain in response to a positive sign or a negative sign of the sprung speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Izawa, Takafumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20090057969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strut for a wheel suspension of motor vehicles, comprising a telescoping shock absorber and a support spring which surrounds it, as well as with a vertical adjustment means with a driven driving spindle which is pivoted by way of a body-mounted bearing on the engine housing side, which interacts with a vertically adjustable lifting element which is arranged to be non-rotatable and which bears the spring plate of the support spring. According to the invention, the driving spindle, in addition to the body-mounted bearing, is supported directly or indirectly on the cylinder tube of the shock absorber to be able to pivot and move axially relative to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Wilfried MICHEL
  • Patent number: 7338037
    Abstract: A rubber bearing with a bearing body implemented as an elastomer spring, wherein the spring travel of the bearing body is limited in at least one damping direction by path delimiters. The path delimiter(s) are formed by at least two corresponding stop elements, whereby the spring travel of the elastomer bearing body in the respective direction is determined by the spacing or gap between the stop faces of the stop elements which form the path delimiter. The rubber bearing is constructed so that it can adapt to changing preloads. The path delimiter is designed so that the position of one of its stop elements can be changed, the spacing between the stop face of this stop element and that of the corresponding stop element can be changed, and the new position of the corresponding stop element can be fixed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hubert Siemer, Frank Duisen, Frank Tepe
  • Patent number: 7137624
    Abstract: A fluid-elastomeric damper assembly operable for damping relative motion between a first structure and a second structure including a housing structure grounded to the first structure and a plurality of elastomer seals coupled to the housing structure, the housing structure and the plurality of elastomer seals defining a fluid-elastomeric chamber operable for containing a fluid. The fluid-elastomeric damper assembly also including one or more piston structures disposed within the housing structure and the fluid-elastomeric chamber, the one or more piston structures grounded to the first structure and driven by the second structure, and the one or more piston structures each including a first substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled chamber in communication via an orifice, the first substantially fluid-filled chamber and the second substantially fluid-filled chamber also in communication with the fluid-elastomeric chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Russell, Peter Jones, Eric Seitter
  • Publication number: 20040256778
    Abstract: A suspension system includes at least one shock absorber and corresponding preload cylinder. An adjuster mechanism is within reach of a vehicle operator for easily changing the suspension stiffness. Changes to the position of the adjuster mechanism will correspondingly adjust the position of the preload cylinder. A display is connected to the adjuster mechanism so that a vehicle operator may adjust the system to the desired setting. The display corresponds to the payload weight on the vehicle. The vehicle operator may change the position of the adjuster mechanism until the desired setting is shown on the display. The system may be used on either front or rear shock absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Verriet
  • Patent number: 6786509
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum clearance is maintained between suspension components and a second position where a larger clearance is maintained between the suspension components. The height holding device moves into the second position to maintain a desired height of the truck or trailer bed during loading and unloading operations at a loading dock, for example. The height holding device allows for the suspension air springs to be evacuated of air pressure during loading or unloading conditions without a change in deck height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Lang, Steven R. Miller, James Eckelberry, Richard M. Clisch
  • Patent number: 6715777
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for land vehicles that is provided with a spring resting against at least one seat, with a dashpot, and with an attachment for a stabilizing rod, whereby one seat can be adjusted axially parallel to the spring. The object of the invention is to allow the stabilizing rod's attachment to be situated in the vicinity of the seat. An attachment (10 or 20) for the stabilizing rod is accordingly directly mounted on or indirectly attached to the spring seat (8). The attachment can also be mounted on or attached to the mechanism that adjusts it, at a variable distance from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Krupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sasse
  • Patent number: 6698729
    Abstract: A gas spring for moving a load relative to a body includes a cylinder member having an axis, an inner surface forming a chamber, a rod end and a closed end, a piston rod seal/guide received in the rod end of the cylinder member, and a piston rod received in the seal/guide for movement into and out of the cylinder member. A floating piston is received in the cylinder member for movement along the axis and in sealed engagement with the inner wall to define in the chamber a gas section between the floating piston and the rod end and a closed end section between the floating piston and the closed end. A mass of gas under a pressure above atmospheric pressure is contained in the gas section. A powered drive is provided for moving the floating piston axially of the cylinder member to vary the volume of the gas section of the chamber. A sensing device senses a characteristic of the gas spring that is indicative of the force applied to the rod by the gas in the gas section and produces a signal indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Popjoy
  • Publication number: 20040036206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring carrier for the chassis of a motor vehicle. Said carrier is used to support a coil spring (1) which is braced between two spring plates (2, 3). At least one of said spring plates (2) can be axially adjusted by means of a drive unit comprising a gearbox and an electric motor. Preferably, at least one part of the piston rod (6) and/or the shock-absorber tube (5) of a shock-absorber or a suspension strut is arranged inside the coil spring (1). The aim of the invention is to develop one such spring carrier in such a way that the distance between the upper spring end and the vehicle body can be kept small in a cost-effective manner. To this end, the electric motor is embodied in the form of a ring motor having an external stator (15) and an internal rotor (16) which comprises a displacement nut on its inner side, said displacement nut axially displacing a spring plate carrier (21) connected to the spring plate (2) and externally embodied as a threaded spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Friedrich Loser, Siegfried Ellmann
  • Patent number: 6676119
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension strut for a motor vehicle includes a damping element enveloped by a spring, a first ring cylinder axially slidable relative to the damping cylinder, a second ring cylinder disposed between the damping cylinder and the first ring cylinder, a working chamber defined by at least the first and second ring cylinders, and an adjusting element configured to adjust the relative position between the damping element and one of the first and the second ring cylinders. The second ring cylinder is axially slidable relative to the damping cylinder. The second end of the spring is disposed on one of the ring cylinders. The two ring cylinders are axially displaced relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietmar Becker, Thomas Garbe
  • Publication number: 20030034600
    Abstract: A telescopic leg bearing has an inner connector part and an outer connector part arranged on both sides of the inner connector part, which parts are configured for connecting the telescopic leg head and provide for fastening to a chassis of a vehicle. To provide a structure-borne sound insulation between the connector parts, at least two resilient supporting hoses are arranged on both sides of the inner connector part and at least one throttling port is provided that connects the inside volumes of the supporting hoses to one another in a communicating fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Franz Josef Wolf
  • Publication number: 20020171187
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension strut for a motor vehicle includes a damping element enveloped by a spring, a first ring cylinder axially slidable relative to the damping cylinder, a second ring cylinder disposed between the damping cylinder and the first ring cylinder, a working chamber defined by at least the first and second ring cylinders, and an adjusting element configured to adjust the relative position between the damping element and one of the first and the second ring cylinders. The second ring cylinder is axially slidable relative to the damping cylinder. The second end of the spring is disposed on one of the ring cylinders. The two ring cylinders are axially displaced relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietmar Becker, Thomas Garbe
  • Publication number: 20020089107
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston rod projecting from an upper portion of the cylinder, and an electric motor for adjusting a vehicle height and/or controlling a damping force. The rotational motion of the motor is converted into a linear motion of the piston rod and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: You-Seok Koh
  • Patent number: 6412759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system which includes an air spring (2) which, in turn, encloses an air volume (16). The system also includes a controllable shock absorber (4) connected in parallel to the air volume. Furthermore, the system includes an ancillary volume (22) with which the air volume (16) of the air spring (2) is connected via a controllable throttle (20). The stiffness and the total damping of the system can be pregiven via a control of the throttle (20) and of the controllable shock absorber (4) independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Krauss
  • Patent number: 6364295
    Abstract: A power unit bearing, in particular for motor vehicles, is characterized by mechanically integrally joining a conventional bearing, in particular a hydraulic bearing, to a connectable or disengageable hydraulic switching module for the purpose of matching the power unit characteristics to changing operational conditions of this power unit. The switching module is inserted between a chassis-side base plate of the conventional bearing body and a chassis-side adapter of the power unit bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: WOCO Franz-Josef Wolf & Co.
    Inventors: Franz Josef Wolf, Waldemar Herrmann, Marc Ritzenthaler, Anton Wolf
  • Patent number: 6361027
    Abstract: An air lift shock absorber for an automotive suspension system includes a damping piston slidable within a housing, a piston rod extending from the housing to a top mount assembly including a rigid top mount housing and a force absorbing member within the housing for transferring damping forces from the piston to the top mount housing. A jounce bumper absorbs impact forces from the housing. An air lift mechanism includes an inflatable sleeve and a pressure retainer connecting the inflatable sleeve with a flexible force receiving member that is bonded to the pressure retainer and to the top mount housing. The flexible force receiving member allows the pressure retainer to flex relative to the top mount during normal operation of the suspension system and also provides a force transmitting path for transferring forces from the air lift mechanism and the jounce bumper to the top mount housing independent of the resilient force absorbing member within the top mount housing that transfers damping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Saiman Lun
  • Patent number: 6227527
    Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system forming a McPherson strut has a pneumatic suspension pot with an integrated strut bearing, pneumatic suspension bellows made of an elastomer material, a pneumatic suspension piston, an outer guide and a damping device. The essential features of the system are: the pneumatic suspension bellows have an inclined loop whose effective diameter defined by the top and bottom extremes of the loop is substantially perpendicular to the force application line. The outer surface of the pneumatic suspension piston has cylindrical and conical parts which form a rolling contour which is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to the damping axis and which is adapted to the effective diameter of the inclined loop of the pneumatic suspension bellows in that the effective diameter is substantially parallel to the preferably rounded edges of the rolling contour. The outer guide completely surrounds the inclined loop of the pneumatic suspension bellows during both rebound and spring deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Berg