Helical Coil Spring Patents (Class 267/221)
  • Patent number: 11958325
    Abstract: A device includes a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap, at least one bearing disposed between the caps and at least one annular seal. The seal provides a claw secured by mechanical connection to the upper support cap, a sealing lip extending obliquely from the claw in the direction of the upper bearing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Baptiste Vidil, Thomas Lepine, Christophe Houdayer
  • Patent number: 11953096
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing assembly for connection between a portion of a suspension strut and a vehicle body. The bearing assembly includes an upper spring plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening defined therethrough, accommodates the piston rod of the shock absorber. The upper surface includes a first, concave race configured to receive rolling elements, and the lower surface includes a spring seat that is adapted to receive a suspension spring. An upper bearing washer that includes a second race that faces the first concave race 26 is provided. Rolling elements are located between the first, concave race and the second race. A retainer retains the upper bearing washer to the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kleberson Sierra, Elias Ferreira Machado
  • Patent number: 11951796
    Abstract: A bushing for a wheel suspension adapted to connect a control bar to a structure of a vehicle, where the bushing comprises a first rotational center for the control bar having a first angular rotation range, where the bushing comprises a second rotational center for rotational angles outside of the first angular rotation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Viktor Karlsson
  • Patent number: 11919347
    Abstract: A coil spring includes an elongated body (10) formed by a plurality of continuous coils (21, 31), and the body (10) includes an upper section (20) and a lower section (30), wherein pitches (22) and coil angles (23) of the coils (21) in the upper section (20) are consistent to form an upright profile (24) for the upper section (20), and wherein pitches (32) and coil angles (33) of two or more coils (31) at a free end of the lower section (30) is differed from the pitches (22) and the coil angles (23) of the coils (21) in the upper section (20) to form a gradually curved profile (34) for the lower section (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: APM Engineering and Research Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Muhammad Ridhwan B Mohd Talib, Kok Wui Bon, Ming Sheng Tan, Kar Chun Wong
  • Patent number: 11919350
    Abstract: A spring guide includes: a base portion configured to support a coil spring; and an opening portion provided so as to penetrate through the base portion, the opening portion being configured such that a shock absorber is inserted into the opening portion, the opening portion is provided with: protruded portions protruding out from an inner circumferential surface of the opening portion, the protruded portions being configured to support the shock absorber; and a recessed portion recessed in the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion, a plurality of the protruded portions are arranged along a circumferential direction of the opening portion, and a gate trace of an injection mold is formed in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Kurihara
  • Patent number: 11919357
    Abstract: A suspension system for a wheel assembly of a vehicle includes a telescopic damper configured to mediate between respective sprung and unsprung portions of the wheel assembly, a rebound spring arranged to moderate wheel travel, and a force-transfer system operative to apply a force to change one or more parameters of the suspension system. The application of the force by the force-transfer system is effective in a first operating mode to change a length of the telescopic damper and in a second operating mode to regulate a wheel rate of the wheel assembly. The force-transfer system is controllable to modify a wheel-travel value at which the wheel rate of the wheel assembly changes in the second mode of suspension operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Ivan Jefferies, Damian Andrew Harty
  • Patent number: 11919585
    Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce S. Johnson, Dennis A. Bowman, Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Daniel J. Garvin, Randall K. Bill, Jeremy P. L'Heureux
  • Patent number: 11912094
    Abstract: A shock absorber adjuster assembly comprising at least one spring arranged so as, in use, to extend between a pair of spaced apart spring seats. At least one of the spring seats is adjustable and is formed by a cylindrical body, a first adjustable member and a second adjustable member. The body has a first thread formed on its outer surface and a second thread formed on its inner surface. The first adjustable member includes a first flange having a threaded inner surface which is engageable with the first thread of the body so that the first flange can be screwed along the first thread. The second adjustable member includes a second flange provided on an end of a shaft. The separation between the first and second flanges can thereby be adjusted by moving of either or both of said first and second flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: R5 MSS Limited
    Inventor: William Blankson
  • Patent number: 11865886
    Abstract: A suspension includes a coil spring, a shock absorber, a spring seat, and at least three strongly pressing parts. The coil spring elastically receives vertical movement of a wheel relative to a vehicle body. The shock absorber damps the vertical movement. The spring seat is provided in the shock absorber. The sprint seat supports an axial end of the coil spring. The coil spring is in direct or indirect contact with the spring seat over a predetermined distance from an end to a point of separation of the coil spring. The strongly pressing parts are provided in the spring seat. The strongly pressing parts apply contact pressures higher than contact pressure applied by other part, to the coil spring. The point of separation is disposed at a region that is between the strongly pressing parts and has the largest opening angle about an axial center of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta China, Koichi Uchikawa
  • Patent number: 11865909
    Abstract: An electric car provided with a battery compartment, said electric car comprising a car body (17), a chassis (19), a power drive system, a cab (16) and a control system, the power drive system comprising a battery compartment (8), the battery compartment (8) being fixed at a lower portion of the chassis (19), the battery compartment (8) being a rectangular cavity body wherein one end is a battery inlet/outlet (8.1) and the inner side of the other end is provided with a battery connection socket (14), the rectangular cavity body being internally provided with a battery automatic push-out/guide-in apparatus, the battery inlet/outlet (8.1) of the battery compartment (8) facing towards the front, the rear or the side of the electric car, the control system controlling the battery automatic push-out/guide-in apparatus inside the battery compartment (8) to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: QINGDAO UNITED NEW ENERGY AUTOMOBILE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tongxin Liu
  • Patent number: 11865892
    Abstract: A vehicle strut assembly includes at least a strut member, a bearing assembly, a mounting bracket and a noise isolating member. The bearing assembly encircles an upper end portion of the strut member. The mounting bracket is configured to receive the bearing assembly with mounting bracket encircling the upper end portion of the strut member and further configured to attach to a portion of a vehicle body assembly of a vehicle. The noise isolating member is installed below the mounting bracket and along a surface of the bearing assembly reducing noises transmitted from the vehicle strut assembly to the portion of the vehicle body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Ogren, Yu Zhang, Kenichi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 11858333
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a front floor panel provided on a vehicle front side and a rear floor panel provided at the rear of the front floor panel. The front floor panel is positioned higher than the rear floor panel. A first battery arrangement portion is provided long in a vehicle front-rear direction at a center portion of the front floor panel in the vehicle width direction. A second battery arrangement portion is provided outside the first battery arrangement portion in a vehicle width direction below the front floor panel. An upper portion of the first battery arrangement portion is positioned higher than an upper portion of the second battery arrangement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Takayuki Kimura, Takehiro Kamei, Hiroshi Tanaka, Haruo Ohe, Masaya Hiramatsu, Masanobu Fukushima, Takao Fukuda, Hironobu Hashiguchi, Hiroyuki Baba
  • Patent number: 11850903
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjuster includes an actuator provided to form vertical linear displacement between a leaf spring and a suspension arm, a power source connected to the actuator and configured to provide power to drive the actuator, a vehicle height sensor provided to detect a change in a height of the suspension arm relative to a vehicle body, and a controller connected to the vehicle height sensor and the power source and configured to receive a signal from the vehicle height sensor and to control the power source to drive the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hun Kim, Hee Hoon Son
  • Patent number: 11850907
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel carrier for a suspension of a motor vehicle; and a motor vehicle comprising the wheel carrier. In a preferred system, the wheel carrier comprises a first carrier segment configured to carry a wheel of the motor vehicle at a wheel center; and a second carrier segment configured to couple the first carrier segment with a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The second carrier segment comprises at least one groove, and the first carrier segment comprises for each groove a corresponding sliding pin configured to slidingly engage the respective groove such that the pin slides along the groove under vertical and/or horizontal displacements of the wheel center with respect to the second carrier segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ameya Karmarkar, Christian Ludwig, Kadir Oguzcan ger, Alessandro Salgarello, Lorenzo Falchi, Daniel Hahn, Florian Goy
  • Patent number: 11850933
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a front floor panel and a rear floor panel provided at the rear of the front floor panel. The front floor panel is positioned higher than the rear floor panel. A front battery that supplies electric power to the traction motor is arranged below the front floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Takayuki Kimura, Takehiro Kamei, Hiroshi Tanaka, Haruo Ohe, Masaya Hiramatsu, Masanobu Fukushima, Takao Fukuda, Hironobu Hashiguchi, Hiroyuki Baba
  • Patent number: 11834051
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for driver detection are described. One example method includes monitoring data provided by an accelerometer associated with a client device. It is determined whether the data indicates a particular event associated with a vehicle. In response to determining that the data indicates the particular event associated with the vehicle, one or more micro-activities associated with the vehicle are determined based on data from at least one of the accelerometer and one or more other sensors associated with the client device. Results from each of the one or more micro-activities are provided to a trained model associated with the client device. In response to providing the results to the trained model, one or more vehicular events in a time sequence are identified based on the one or more micro-activities associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yurong Xu, Joseph Munaretto, Jun Yang, Juan Chen
  • Patent number: 11828309
    Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a set of gates between a front channel and a back channel. The set of gates includes a bypass opening set. The head unit device further includes a cupped piston housed at least partially radially within the chamber. The set of gates is configured to control flow of the STF between the front channel and the back channel to control rotational movement of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Moshun, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Michael Lang, David Schuda, Jason K. Resch, John Edward Buchalo, Gary W. Grube
  • Patent number: 11828308
    Abstract: A head unit system for controlling an object includes a head unit device that include shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber configured to contain the STF. The chamber further includes a set of gates between a front channel and a back channel. The set of gates includes a bypass opening set. The head unit device further includes a cupped piston housed at least partially radially within the chamber. The set of gates is configured to control flow of the STF between the front channel and the back channel to control movement of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Moshun, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Michael Lang, David Schuda, Jason K. Resch, John Edward Buchalo, Gary W. Grube
  • Patent number: 11820186
    Abstract: A damper system for changing a ground clearance of a vehicle, including a main damper having a main damper chamber and a main damper piston movably arranged in a main damper tube and a spring assembly. The spring assembly includes a spring, a lower spring seat, and an upper spring seat. The spring is arranged between the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat, wherein one of the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat includes a cylinder and a piston, and the other one of the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat is coupled to the main damper and movable with the spring. The piston of the spring assembly is steplessly adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a predefined minimum ground clearance and the second position corresponds to a predefined maximum ground clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Liam Gerlin, Nrupathunga Ashok
  • Patent number: 11808323
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes a pressure tube defining a first chamber and a piston movable within the first chamber. The damper assembly includes a reserve tube defining a second chamber. The damper assembly includes a cylinder end attached to the pressure tube, the cylinder end defining a passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The damper assembly includes an orifice disc attached to the cylinder end and defining an opening in fluid communication with the passage. The damper assembly includes a check disc attached to the cylinder end, the check disc movable from a first position spaced from orifice disc to a second position abutting the orifice disc. Movement of the piston within the first chamber causes fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber via the passage of the cylinder end. The check disc and the orifice disc limit a rate of such fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Franky Montagna
  • Patent number: 11801723
    Abstract: A strut mount includes: an inner member coupled to a suspension; an outer bracket having an outer cylinder portion housing the inner member, and a flange portion protruding radially outward from the outer cylinder portion and coupled to a vehicle body; an elastic member interposed between the inner member and the outer cylinder portion; and a seal member interposed between the flange portion and the vehicle body. The seal member includes an annular portion located between the flange portion and the vehicle body, and a first downward extending portion extending downward from an outer peripheral portion of the annular portion toward the opposite side from the vehicle body. The flange portion includes a placement surface portion which faces toward the vehicle body and on which the annular portion is placed, and a first sidewall portion extending from an outer peripheral portion of the placement surface portion to the opposite side from the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD., SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuya Watanabe, Naoki Miyamoto, Hiroo Kawano
  • Patent number: 11750147
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FCX Solar LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
  • Patent number: 11718134
    Abstract: A vehicle includes wheels, suspension links, a torsion bar, and electronically controlled dampers. The suspension links support the wheels. The torsion bar generates a force to resist a tilting of the vehicle in the body roll direction. The electronic control dampers connect the torsion bar to the suspension links. At least a portion of each suspension links is located in front of the corresponding electronically controlled damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 11679702
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat with a structure enabling a rockable moving piece to be disposed in a seat face in a well-fitting manner. A vehicle seat in which a rocking means having a drive mechanism and a moving piece for conveying rocking movement of the drive mechanism to a seated person is disposed in a through hole obtained by hollowing out a portion of a seat face of a seat cushion, wherein: a recess which is recessed in the thickness direction so as to surround the through hole is disposed in the seat face of the seat cushion; and the moving piece is shaped so that the bottom surface side follows the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Miyawaki, Naoto Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 11673446
    Abstract: A pneumatically operable adjusting device (1) is provided for acting on a spring device (5) of a spring damper device (3) having a tubular body (2), with a tubular piece-shaped housing (4) which is designed to surround the tubular body (2) and has a passage (6) passing through a peripheral wall of the housing (4), and the adjusting device (1) has an adjusting nut (9) with an internal thread (10) which is attached to an external thread (11) of a tubular body (2), 37) of the spring damper device (3) can be brought into screw engagement, the housing (4) being designed for releasable abutment against the adjusting nut (9) and having an inner recess (7) for forming a pressure chamber (8) which is in fluid connection with the passage (6) and the inner recess (7) forming a pressure wall (24), the fluid admission of which causes a force acting on the housing (4) in the axial longitudinal direction and the housing (4) has an abutment surface (54) designed for spring force admission by the spring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: KTM AG
    Inventor: Eduard Friedl
  • Patent number: 11673443
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric heavy-duty vehicle. In one example, a system for the vehicle may include a wheel hub assembly coupled to a frame of the vehicle via a first wishbone arm and a second wishbone arm, and an air spring coupled at opposite ends to a first link and a second link, each of the first link and the second link being pivotably coupled to the frame of the vehicle, the second link further being pivotably coupled to the first wishbone arm. The air spring may be positioned above the wheel hub assembly with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Guillaume Desourdy, Jason Soares
  • Patent number: 11668364
    Abstract: A gas cup for a damper assembly comprises a body including an upper surface, a lower surface, an exterior surface and an interior surface. The body defines an aperture extending through the upper surface and the lower surface. A decoupler is located in the aperture and secured to the body. A bridging member is located between the decoupler and the body and coupled to the decoupler and the body. The decoupler and the bridging member is made from materials having different elasticity to allow the decoupler to move in the aperture in response to a volumetric change in the damper assembly and to provide variable tuning of the damper assembly. A damper assembly including the gas cup is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shigekata Yoshida, II, Eric Schumann, Timothy Schlangen, Michael Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11660921
    Abstract: An independent suspension system includes a wheel knuckle engaged with a wheel and configured to be rotated in response to a steering input; a motor assembly disposed at one end of the wheel knuckle and configured to rotate the wheel knuckle; an upper arm engaged with the motor assembly; a lower arm having a first end engaged with a vehicle body and a second end engaged with the wheel knuckle; a connection arm configured to be engaged with the upper arm; a rotation pin disposed at a connection portion between the upper arm and the connection arm to enable integral rotation of the upper arm and the connection arm; and a shock absorber disposed between the connection arm and the lower arm and engaged with the connection arm so as to be perpendicular to the connection arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ha Kyung Moon, Gab Bae Jeon
  • Patent number: 11649872
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system may include a damper tube having an axis defining an axial direction extending between a first end and a second end, a bumper cap, and a dust gaiter operably coupled to the bumper cap. The bumper cap may have a cover portion and a retention portion. The cover portion may be operably coupled to the second end of the damper tube, and the retention portion may extend along a lateral periphery of the damper tube to an opposite end of the bumper cap relative to the cover portion. The retention portion may include a continuous ring at a distal end of the bumper cap relative to the cover portion to define a limit for movement of the dust gaiter along the bumper cap in the axial direction. The continuous ring may be retained by a plurality of fixed fingers that extend from the cover portion to the continuous ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Barton
  • Patent number: 11565763
    Abstract: A vibration isolator can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance, such as in connection with a bicycle saddle. The bicycle saddle can be operatively connected to a bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be operatively positioned with respect to the bicycle saddle. The vibration isolator being configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator including a plurality of spring members arranged in a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Gilmore, Christian Arthur Trager, Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Michael Paul Rowe
  • Patent number: 11511592
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber unit operably coupled between a vehicle body and a wheel carrier. The shock absorber unit includes a first damper unit having a first cylinder chamber, a second damper unit having a second cylinder chamber, a first piston connected to a first piston rod, a second piston connected to a second piston rod, and an adjusting unit. The first and second cylinder chambers may each be filled with a fluid. The first and second cylinder chambers may be formed in a common cylinder unit and sealed off from one another. The first and second piston rods may be arranged axially displaceable in the first and second cylinder chambers, respectively. The first piston rod is operably coupled to the vehicle body and the second piston rod is operably coupled to the wheel carrier. Damping actions of the first and second damper units are changed independently of one another by the adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mina Kaldas
  • Patent number: 11491857
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting a gas-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 11440365
    Abstract: The presently disclosed strut mount (10) attaches the tip end of a strut rod (S) to a vehicle body side panel (P), where the strut mount (10) includes a cylindrical body (11) attached to the strut rod (S), and a cylindrical main body rubber (12) that is fixed to the cylindrical body (11) and is in contact with the vehicle body side panel (P); the main body rubber (12) is provided with a projection (15) extending in the axial direction of the strut rod (S), which is separated from a main body (13) of the main body rubber (12) by a concave portion (12a) and is connected to the main body (13) by a connecting portion (14) that serves as the bottom of the concave portion (12a); and the minimum thickness (a) of the connecting portion (14) is smaller than the radial thickness (b) of the projection (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Prospira Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Hosoda
  • Patent number: 11097778
    Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes a pair of laterally spaced apart rear side members extending along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, and cross members extending between the pair of rear side members. Each of the rear side members includes a curve portion curved to be more inward at a rearer portion, and longitudinally-extending front and rear portions respectively disposed in front and at rear of the curve portion. A center cross member connects the front portions of the pair of rear side members. A first rear cross member connects boundary portions of the pair of rear side members. Each of the boundary portions is located between the curve portion and the rear portion of each of the rear side members. An intermediate cross member connects the curve portions of the pair of rear side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 10737545
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension connects a vehicle body to a plurality of wheels and allows relative motion between the vehicle body and the wheels. The suspension system includes a plurality of telescoping multi-stage hydraulic cylinder assemblies arranged to selectively lift the vehicle body relative to the wheels when extended and to lower the vehicle body relative to the wheels when contracted. A control valve is used to adjust a volume of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to change a height of the vehicle. External spring packs are in fluid connection with the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to maintain spring forces on the suspension system over a range of telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies. Fluid damping valves are provided for damping telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies by restricting fluid flow between the hydraulic cylinder assemblies and the spring packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: PAL Suspension LLC
    Inventor: Michael Walter Dillenbeck
  • Patent number: 10399402
    Abstract: A strut assembly including a reservoir tube that extends about and along a center axis and has an interior surface and defines a chamber. A bearing sleeve is disposed in the chamber of the reservoir tube and extends about and along the center axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The bearing sleeve presents an inner surface and an outer surface. A damper body tube is disposed in the bearing sleeve and is moveable relative to the bearing sleeve. A piston assembly is disposed in the damper body tube. The outer surface of the bearing sleeve has a tubular portion and a protrusion portion that extends radially outwardly relative to the tubular portion and annularly and providing an interference fit between the outer surface of the bearing sleeve and the interior surface of the reservoir tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Benoit Prevot
  • Patent number: 10343473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring link for a motor vehicle, wherein the spring link is produced as an elongated, deformed hollow profile of open cross section made of a steel material and has respective attachment points at its ends, said spring link being characterized in that the spring link, in the installed position, is arranged with its opening of the hollow profile pointing upward, wherein a spring seat plate for receiving a helical compression spring is coupled to the spring link on and/or partially in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Mielke, Detlev Peitz, Hauke Mehner, Tobias Ebbing
  • Patent number: 10300755
    Abstract: A suspension device for a non-steered driving wheel including a wheel carrier having an in-wheel motor incorporated therein for driving the driving wheel, and a suspension arm pivotally supported on a vehicle body and connected to the wheel carrier by a connecting structure. The connecting structure includes a plate member fixed to the wheel carrier by fastening and a pair of elastic bushing devices attached to the plate member. The suspension arm has an open cross sectional portions for receiving portions of the plate member and the elastic bushing devices, and the elastic bushing devices are fixed to the open cross sectional portions at both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kato, Satoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 10118455
    Abstract: A passive ride height adjuster mechanism includes a piston and cylinder acting on a main suspension spring at one or more locations around the chassis of a race car; with the piston-cylinder having adjustable length or travel; a hydraulic or pneumatic pressurization system mounted in the chassis is connected to the piston-cylinder; a signal from a timer or sensor on the chassis that signals the pressurization or depressurization of the piston-cylinder which affects the chassis ride height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Adam Thomas Lambert
  • Patent number: 10093142
    Abstract: A vehicle, particularly motor vehicle, having a plurality of wheels that form unsprung structural component parts rotatable around wheel axles and a vehicle body forming a sprung structural component part. An energy generation device is arranged in the vehicle body by which a movement of the vehicle body or of parts of the vehicle body can be converted into electrical energy supplied to a storage battery. The energy generation device is an energy absorption converter and has a cylindrical coil winding which surrounds an interior space in which an axially magnetized permanent magnet is arranged such that it can be driven so as to be coaxially movable by the movement of the vehicle body or of a part of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: iOLS GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Salzmann, Knud Ball
  • Patent number: 10023019
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9950583
    Abstract: A lower spring seat 31 is mounted on a cylinder including a damper device to support a wheel-side end portion of a coil spring 30 disposed between a vehicle body and a wheel. The lower spring seat 31 includes: a mounting portion on which the wheel-side end portion of the coil spring 30 rests; and an enlarged diameter portion disposed on a side of the mounting portion opposite to the cylinder 10 and disposed between the coil spring 30 and the wheel. The mounting portion and the enlarged diameter portion are each made of a resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kaneko, Io Nagata
  • Patent number: 9925843
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9873302
    Abstract: A shock absorber provided with a suspension spring, the shock absorber includes a tube whose lower end portion is joined to a vehicle axle side portion provided with a tire, and a lower spring bearing that is provided on an outer circumference of the tube and supports a lower end of the suspension spring. An increased diameter part is provided on the outer circumference of the tube above the lower spring bearing, the increased diameter part having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9869360
    Abstract: A multi-piece nut for use with a shock is provided. The multi-piece nut includes a first nut member and a second nut member removably coupled to the first nut member. The first nut member and second nut member include threads on an inner surface that correspond to each other when coupled together. The multi-piece nut may also include an aperture formed when the first nut member and second nut member are coupled together. The first and second nut members are coupled around a shock absorber, and the shock absorber extends through the aperture and engages the threads. The nut can then be rotated to adjust the spring of the shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Justin Smith
  • Patent number: 9821621
    Abstract: An adjustable length spring divider on a coil over shock absorber for a vehicle such as a car, truck or motorcycle. The effective length of the spring divider can be changed with the flip of a switch. The switch activates a piston on the spring divider alternating the piston between a collapse position and an extended position. When in the extended position, the spring divider is effectively longer therefore reducing the force and distance required to compress the springs to a point where the piston contacts the secondary stop on the shock body and reduces the number of springs being used by the shock absorber. The reduction in the number of active springs causes a switch from a lower, primary, spring rate to a higher, secondary, spring rate, where the spring rate can be defined as the amount of weight required to compress the shock absorber one inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Neal Mason
  • Patent number: 9713945
    Abstract: Single adjustable air suspension shocks with built-in damper device and coil assist, apparatus, system and method for motor vehicles, such as automobiles, vans, trucks, off the road vehicles, and the like. Air suspension systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for allowing motor vehicle drivers to increase and decrease compressed air supplies in air suspension devices. Deflating interior air springs/airbags (bladders) inside the devices allows for springs and pistons on shock absorbers in the devices to expand outward separating lower front and rear frame portions which effectively lowers the motor vehicle to the ground surface and for the driver to have a firmer ride. Inflating the air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for the springs and the pistons on the shock absorbers in the devices to retract into the devices so that the devices have a more shock absorbing effect giving the driver and passenger(s) a smoother ride, which also raises the motor vehicles above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Arnott T&P Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Adam M. Arnott, Matt Edward Kirar
  • Patent number: 9707817
    Abstract: Adjustable air suspension shocks with rotatable damper assemblies, apparatus, systems and method for motor vehicles, such as automobiles, vans, trucks, off the road vehicles, motorcycles, the like. Deflating interior air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for pistons on shock absorbers to expand outward separating lower front and rear frame portions which effectively lowers the motor vehicle to the ground surface and for the driver to have a firmer ride. Inflating the airbags (bladders) allows for the pistons on the shock absorbers in the devices to retract so that devices have a more shock absorbing effect giving the driver and passenger(s) a smoother ride, which also raises the motor vehicles above the ground surface. A sleeve attached to the air shock allows for a damper assembly to rotate relative to the air shock so that it can be installed within mounting brackets where the axial mounting openings need not be perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Arnott T&P Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Adam M. Arnott, Matt Edward Kirar
  • Patent number: 9708028
    Abstract: Single adjustable air suspension shocks with built-in damper device and coil assist, apparatus, system and method for motorcycles. Air suspension systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for allowing motorcycle drivers to increase and decrease compressed air supplies in air suspension devices. Deflating interior air springs/airbags (bladders) inside the devices allows for springs and pistons on shock absorbers in the devices to expand outward separating lower front and rear frame portions which effectively lowers the motorcycle to the ground surface and for the driver to have a firmer ride. Inflating the air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for the springs and the pistons on the shock absorbers in the devices to retract into the devices so that the devices have a more shock absorbing effect giving the rider a smoother ride, which also raises the motorcycles above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Arnott T&P Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Michael Arnott, Matt Edward Kirar
  • Patent number: 9688305
    Abstract: Motorcycles are provided which include a frame, two front steering wheels, a steering pipe rotatably connected to the frame and rigidly connected to two supporting assemblies, one for each front steering wheel and a steering group consisting of two pairs of transversal arms—upper front, lower front, upper rear and lower rear—arranged inverted at the opposite sides of a central steering pipe and laterally connected through two lateral posts. On each of the supporting assemblies the fixed portions of two telescopic elements may be constrained. Each pair of telescopic elements may be cantilever-mounted with respect to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bartolozzi, Luca Bernardi, Marco Profeti, Walter Rosellini