Abstract: Proposed is a transmission mount for a vehicle in which the structure of an upper insert and a lower insert integrated with a single bridge among components of the transmission mount is improved to reduce the static stiffness in the right-left direction (i.e., the Y direction) of the transmission mount. The strength of the transmission mount in the front-rear direction (i.e., the X direction) and the static stiffness in the top-bottom direction (i.e., the Z direction) is reinforced so that the pitching motion and the vertical bounce behavior of the transmission may be efficiently controlled. Accordingly, booming noise caused by the rolling motion of the transmission is minimized, thereby improving NVH performance and meeting driving performance.

Abstract: A toe link support is disclosed. In a first aspect, the toe link aperture of a hub has been bored out to receive inner and outer spacers. The spacers have bolt holes through which a toe link bolt is inserted to secure a toe link to the hub. The bolt is secured by a nut. The spacers protect the hub from damage by the bolt, and vice versa, resulting from motion of the toe link. In a second aspect, the outer spacer is further configured to be inserted into the bolt hole of the toe link, further protecting the bolt from damage. A method of supporting a toe link is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibration-damping device includes a housing having a cylindrical mounting hole therein and a vibration-damping member provided in the mounting hole. The vibration-damping member includes an outer cylinder fitted into the mounting hole, an inner cylinder provided in the outer cylinder, and a rubber elastic body inserted between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The rubber elastic body is formed with a bore penetrating in an axial direction thereof and a stopper protruding from a radially-inner wall surface thereof for the bore. The housing is formed with a receiving part which faces the stopper, in a radial direction of the mounting hole, across a gap.

Abstract: An embodiment vehicle load distribution system includes a dash crossmember, a pair of front side members extending from the dash crossmember toward a front of a vehicle, and a pair of rear lower members extending from the dash crossmember toward a rear of the vehicle, wherein a front end of each rear lower member is aligned with a rear end of a corresponding front side member.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle may include: a member part including a side member part extended in a first direction and a cross member part extended in a second direction; a pair of knuckle parts spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and coupled to and supported by a wheel; and a posture maintenance part supported by the member part, having both sides connected to the pair of knuckle parts, respectively, and configured to absorb shock applied from a road surface and adjust a relative height between the pair of knuckle parts.

Abstract: An elastomeric bushing assembly includes an outer sleeve, a bar pin, an elastomeric bushing and a monolithic, one-piece bracket. The bar pin includes first and second opposing ends. The elastomeric bushing is disposed between the outer sleeve and the bar pin. The bracket includes a body defining a cavity and a flange. The flange radially extends from an end of the body and circumferentially extends substantially 360 degrees. One of the first and second ends of the bar pin is securely received in the cavity of the body.

Abstract: A bearing eye for a leaf spring for sprung support of a vehicle component on a vehicle body of a vehicle may include a through opening and a torsion spring therein, and a first catch. The bearing eye may provide pivotable mounting of the leaf spring on the vehicle body. The torsion spring is twistable relative to the bearing eye and connectable non-rotatably to the vehicle body. The first catch may project radially inwardly into the through opening, and the torsion spring has a second catch that projects radially outwardly into the through opening. The first and second catches may form a locking engagement which, depending on a degree of relative twisting between the bearing eye and the torsion spring, stops the relative twisting.

Abstract: To provide a vibration control bush that ensures improved durability of a rubber elastic body. An inner pipe film portion of the vibration control has an inclined surface whose inclination angle ? with respect to an axis O direction is set to one degree or more and less than three degrees, and the inner pipe film portion has an end portion in the axis O direction whose thickness dimension is set to a quarter or less of a dimension in an axis O perpendicular direction from an outer peripheral surface of an inner pipe to an apex of the protruding portion. This ensures reducing a rubber elastic body to deform so as to bend (close contact) between the inner pipe film portion and the outer pipe film portion when a load in a wrenching direction is input. Accordingly, a durability of the rubber elastic body can be improved.

Abstract: A bush device for an eye section of a leaf spring applied to a suspension of a vehicle is disclosed. The bush device includes a first hollow bush that is configured to be inserted into the eye section, and a plurality of second bushes that are disposed adjacent to both side surfaces of the eye section, respectively. Each of the second bushes have an aperture that is formed at a central portion thereof, and a leaf spring fixing bracket into which the second bushes are inserted.

Abstract: Provided are a suspension bush and a suspension device that are able to achieve both steering operability and stability of a vehicle at the time of turning. A projection portion is formed on the outer circumference of an inner cylinder. A guide is formed on the inner circumference of an outer cylinder. In the guide, a slit is formed along an extending direction that includes: a component, in a parallel direction, which runs parallel with an axial line; and a component in a circumferential direction around the axial line. The projection portion is disposed in the slit, and a threaded mechanism is formed by the projection portion and the slit.

Abstract: A bushing may include an elastic compression portion configured to form a primary compression ratio due to a compressive deformation by a primary press-fitting load and be pressed by a secondary compression ratio greater than the primary compression ratio by a secondary press-fitting load greater than the primary press-fitting load, wherein the elastic compression portion is formed in an opened cross section to be a secondary surface contact larger than a primary surface contact without a bulge phenomenon by a volume dispersion in a state in which it is pressed by the primary press-fitting load to be the primary surface contact and then is pressed by the secondary press-fitting load.

Abstract: Included are an outer attachment member 12, which is coupled to one of a vibration generator 16 and a vibration receiver, an inner attachment member 11, which is coupled to the other one of the vibration generator 16 and the vibration receiver, and an elastic body 13, which is positioned on the outer side of the inner attachment member 11 to couple the outer attachment member 12 and the inner attachment member 11. The outer attachment member 12 is disposed in at least one pair on the outer side of the elastic body 13, with the inner attachment member 11 being interposed between the at least one pair of outer attachment members 12. Each of the at least one pair of outer attachment members 12 includes an attachment surface 14, which is attached to the one of the vibration generator 16 and the vibration receiver.

Abstract: A bearing element may include a bearing element substrate and a sliding layer applied to a surface of the bearing element substrate. The sliding layer may be formed of a sliding layer material. A surface roughness (Ra) of the surface of the bearing element substrate may be less than 1 ?m. The sliding layer material may include a polymeric material and iron oxide. The sliding layer may have at least three layers of the sliding layer material.

Abstract: A trunnion bracket 4 mounted through fastening members 16 on a lower surface of each of opposite ends of a cross member 10 laterally of a vehicle is integrally formed with a trunnion plate part 4b which extends and stands upward from an outer surface of the trunnion bracket 4 and is mounted on an outer surface of a web 5a of a frame 5 through fastening members 17.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching either a gooseneck trailer hitch or a fifth wheel trailer hitch to a truck bed can include a single cross-member, a gooseneck ball receiver and a plurality of mounting pads. The single cross-member can be attached to first and second truck longitudinal frame rails. The gooseneck ball receiver can be coupled to the single cross-member and aligned with a gooseneck hitch opening in the truck bed. The plurality of mounting pads can be spaced apart from the single cross-member and can be attached to the frame rails independent of the single cross-member. The plurality of mounting pads can be aligned with a corresponding plurality of access openings in the truck bed. The single cross-member can be a suspension cross-member supporting at least first and second suspension members.

Abstract: A suspension device for suspension of an axle by an intermediate portion of a single leaf spring has first restriction device which restricts, upon breakage of the leaf spring at a position behind the intermediate portion of the spring, the rear portion of the leaf spring from tilting downwardly relative to a shackle, and a second restriction device for restriction of the shackle from pivotally moving backward beyond a predetermined angle. The first restriction device is constituted by a stopper plate on the shackle for support of the rear portion of the leaf spring from below upon breakage.

Abstract: A leaf spring attachment for connecting a leaf spring to an axle or frame of a motor vehicle includes a clamp to maintain the leaf spring under tension between elastomer bodies. At least one of the elastomer bodies is connected to the leaf spring by a material joint. The clamp is split to define an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member in opposition to the upper clamp member. The upper clamp member has a U-shaped configuration to embrace a topside and opposite length sides of the leaf spring. The lower clamp member includes a plurality of retention plates in spaced-apart relationship for connection with the axle by material joint. Screw fasteners are provided to secure legs of the upper clamp member to the lower clamp member.

Abstract: A body mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The insert member is surrounded by a microcellular urethane body. The oblong shape increases the compression of the microcellular urethane body that can be used to respond to lateral forces. The lateral response rate can be stiffer than the fore and aft response rate. The isolation mount also can facilitate fine tuning thereof by selectively indenting a cup member surrounding the microcellular urethane body to adjust the vibration characteristics of the body mount.

Abstract: Interplate rubber members 15 are interposed between abutting front and rear ends of spring leaves 2A and 2B. The spring leaves 2A and 2B have paired curved portions 14A and 14B, respectively, which are symmetrically S-shaped with respect to a connected position of an axle 3 in side view. A curvature radius of continuous and mutually reverse curves of each of the curved portions 14A of the upper spring leaf 2A is greater than a curvature radius of continuous and mutually reverse curves of each of the curved portions 14B of the lower spring leaf 2B. The upper curved portions 14A have longitudinally outward bend starts longitudinally outward of longitudinally outward bend starts of the lower curved portions 14B and have longitudinally inward bend ends longitudinally inward of longitudinally inward bend ends of the lower curved portions 14B.

Abstract: A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes first and second ends that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. A resilient element is attached to at least one of the first and second ends. The resilient element includes at least one hole that receives a connecting element. The resilient element and the connecting element cooperate to attach the leaf spring to a vehicle structure. In one example, the resilient element comprises a rubber block that is bonded to the leaf spring. In another example, the resilient element comprises a longitudinally orientated bushing that is inserted through a thickness of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A pair of left and right shackles operative to support the vehicle-rear-side end portions of a pair of left and right suspension leaf springs. The left and right shackles have structures whereby the rigidity center positions of the leaf-spring-side bushings are offset to further outside areas of the vehicle than the rigidity center positions of the vehicle-body-side bushings, respectively.

Abstract: Device for damping vibrations of a vibration surface (21) of the frequency tuned resonance damping kind consisting of one or several elastic damping elements (1–4) and a vibration body (5) supported by the damping elements which together are tuned to damp the vibrations of said surface within a selected frequency range. First mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between said damping elements (1–4) and the vibration surface (21) and second mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between the damping elements and the vibration body. The form grip organs in addition have a recess with gripping surfaces (25–30, 33–35) for transferring vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and system for transmitting two levels of data in a hierarchical transmission schema. A first modulated signal is generated based on first input. A second modulation signal is generated based on a second input that has a data rate that is a fraction of the data rate of the first modulated signal. The second modulation signal has known instances where the second modulation signal has no energy. In a system where the first modulation is quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), the second modulation signal can be a secondary phase offset. A receiver in the system that has a priori knowledge about the timing relationship between the first data signal and the instances when the second data signal is present will be able to detect both data signals optimally.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes first and second bushing components that are fixed to a central pin. The pin is supported on a suspension component and includes pin ends that are mounted to an axle housing component. A washer is supported on the pin between the first and second bushings and abuts against inboard edges of the first and second bushings. An outer retaining tube surrounds the first and second bushings and the washer. The outer retaining tube includes opposing deformed end portions that directly engage outboard edges of the first and second bushings to form axial load carrying surfaces for the first and said second bushings.

Abstract: A suspension stop for a motor vehicle wheel assembly comprising a fixed member adapted to be fixed to the chassis (2) of the vehicle and a rotating member adapted to be fixed to the suspension spring (4) so as to be rotationally moved under the effect of the forces exerted by the spring. The stop includes a device for measuring the vertical forces applied to the vehicle wheel. The device includes a pulse-generating coder (11) fixed to one of the members, a sensor (12) fixed to the other member which is able to detect these pulses so as to determine the angular position of the rotating member with respect to the fixed member, and a calculation device able, from this position, to calculate the corresponding vertical force applied. A method of measuring the vertical forces applied to a wheel associated with the chassis (2) of a vehicle by such a stop is also provided.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a composite leaf spring having an arcuate segment that is located between a retaining pin and a bumper. The retaining pin includes a shank surrounded by a resilient tube. The bumper is located adjacent a rear wall of the bracket opposite the retaining pin. The bumper includes an arcuate face to engage the outer arc of the arcuate segment while the pin is at least partially surrounded by the arcuate segment. The end of the composite leaf spring is thereby securely yet resiliently retained within the front leaf spring attachment system without penetrating fasteners.

Abstract: A laminated bushing is formed from a metal sheet having resilient material disposed on one side by spirally winding the metal sheet about a longitudinal axis to form a spirally shaped cavity. The resilient material is disposed within the spirally shaped cavity and the metal sheet forming the spiral shaped cavity either mechanically compresses the resilient material disposed within the cavities, or the resilient material is vulcanized once the laminated bushing is formed. The spirally wound laminated bushing includes inner and outer sleeves concentric about the longitudinal axis that are movable relative to one another in direct proportion to the material deformation properties of the resilient material.

Abstract: In a leaf spring suspension for a rear vehicle axle including a rigid axle body, wherein the suspension comprises leaf springs extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at opposite sides of the vehicle and the leaf springs have front and rear end supports by way of which they are mounted to the vehicle body, the rear supports for supporting the springs on the vehicle body in a longitudinally displaceable manner are stiff in a transverse direction and the front supports are resilient in a transverse direction such that, when the vehicle is subjected to side forces, a pivot pole is established for the rear axle, which is disposed behind the center of the rear axle.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a pair of ground wheels carried at opposite ends of an axle which is suspended from the frame of the baler by a pair of parallel, transversely spaced arms having first ends secured to the axle, and having second ends coupled to the frame by a self-aligning bearing assembly.

Abstract: A pivot bushing that is assembled into an eye of a leaf spring includes an anti-walkout device. The anti-walkout device comprises a retaining ring molded into the elastomeric bushing which is a part of the pivot bushing. The retaining ring is larger in diameter than the eye of the spring such that any tendency of the spring to walk off the pivot bushing is resisted by the retaining ring. The retaining ring is located at only one side of the elastomeric bushing because a leaf spring always has a tendency to wave off the pivot bushing in one direction.

Abstract: A mount with a first attachment member; a second attachment member spaced from the first attachment member; and resilient members joining the first and second attachment members, each of the resilient members having at least one void, the voids being collapsible under loading between a first open void condition where the mount has a first substantially constant stiffness, and a second collapsed condition where the voids are substantially closed, the mount having a second substantially constant stiffness when the voids are in the second collapsed condition.

Abstract: A suspension component connection assembly in the form of a leaf spring connection assembly is shown to include a leaf spring having a leaf spring eye with a grooved portion positioned intermediate its axial ends. A sleeveless bushing is installed within the leaf spring eye and includes a ribbed portion designed to fit within the grooved portion. Centering and retention consistency is achieved thereby.

Abstract: A plastic isolator pad having a top wall and opposing side walls depending from the top wall. The isolator pad is typically used for supporting an outboard end of a leaf spring. The isolator pad typically includes a plurality of webs which extend from a bottom surface of the top wall and a plurality of stiffeners which extend between the webs. Also usually provided are opposing ear-like projections which extend laterally from the top wall.

Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin retaining the shank protuberance in a position to extend the protuberance radially outward to enable the shank leaf spring engagement surface to become engageable with the leaf spring.

Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin being formed from a semi-liquid material poured into said shank axial bore or material from the protuberance that has been thermally deformed.

Abstract: A rubber shear spring add-on assembly for the leaf spring of an automotive vehicle, the rubber shear spring add-on assembly being connected between the rear end of the leaf spring and the frame, the rubber shear spring add-on assembly including a spring carrier assembly mounting the rear end of the leaf spring, a hanger assembly mounted on the frame member and a rubber shear spring mounted between the hanger assembly and the spring carrier assembly which is mounted on the rear end of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A flexible joint for a vehicle frame having at least two (2) frame members. The flexible joint comprises a resilient, flexible member defining a longitudinal axis. Attached to the flexible member is a pair of adaptor members. The adaptor members are attachable to respective ones of the frame members such that the flexible member extends between and interconnects the frame members in a manner wherein the resilient bending of the flexible member along its longitudinal axis facilitates the pivotal movement of one of the frame members relative to the other of the frame members. The flexible member is further adapted to resist torsional movement along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a frame, a wheel support member, a leaf spring secured to the wheel support member, a first connector for first pivotally connecting one end of the leaf spring to the frame, a torsion spring having a central shaft, an outer housing and an elastomer disposed between the central shaft and the housing, and a lever for pivotally interconnecting the central shaft with the other end of the leaf spring. The torsion spring is located between the leaf spring and the frame so that compression of the leaf spring causes the lever to be displaced rotationally toward the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A roller bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) designed to enable a low tolerance, frictional fit within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support member (5, 9) includes a bushing member (29a, 216) having an outer surface (102) machined to provide various axially spaced, annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250). Between or directly adjacent respective ones of the annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250) are defined a plurality of axially spaced and radially extending ribs (113-122 and 232-240). The axial outermost ribs (113, 122 and 240) are preferably elongated relative to the remaining ribs (114-121 and 232-239) and have annularly chamfered portions (124, 125 and 252). The ribs (113-122 and 232-240) are adapted to shear upon mounting of the bushing member (29a, 216) within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support. By providing the shearable ribs (113-122 and 232-240), the bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) can be effectively mounted within a greater range of varying sized support members.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis on the adjacent end of an axle includes first and second frame brackets, a single-leaf leaf spring, a leaf spring attachment member and a wear plate. The first and second frame brackets are mounted to the frame member on the outer sides thereof. The front end of the single-leaf leaf spring is pivotally connected to the frame member at the first frame bracket and the rear end thereof is connected to the frame member at the second frame bracket. The leaf spring attachment member mounts to the rear end of the leaf spring and connects the leaf spring with the second frame bracket. The leaf spring attachment member includes an arcuate upper surface and a bottom surface. A rebound bolt connects the rear end of the leaf spring and the leaf spring attachment member with the second frame bracket and restricts the movement of the leaf spring to a controlled range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antivibration device between a motor unit 2 and a handle unit 9 of a portable handheld motor-driven chain saw 1. The antivibration device includes a sleeve-shaped elastic base body 6 having one of its ends 36 in a receptacle 20 of the motor unit 2 and the other end 46 in a receptacle 90 of the handle unit 9. The ends (36, 46) of the base body are fixed in the receptacles (20, 90) by axially engaging plugs (31, 41) in the end sections (30, 40). The guiding characteristics of the motor-driven chain saw are not affected by base bodies which become damaged or soft. This is so because at least one of the stops 31 has a coupling member 50 which bridges an axial spacing (z) between the plugs (31, 41) and projects into the other plug 41 and is latched so that it cannot be axially separated therefrom. A mechanical connection remains between the handle unit and the motor unit when the base body tears off.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension friction control assembly includes vehicle suspension having at least two elements which are slidable with respect to each other in the fore-and-aft direction thereof. The assembly also includes a friction control device comprising a resiliently deformable member which is located between the suspension elements and means for limiting deformation of the deformable member to a predetermined degree in the fore-and-aft direction of the suspension elements. The suspension elements are slidable with respect to each other against friction when the deformable member has been deformed to the predetermined limited degree.

Abstract: An anti-friction pad for a bushed pivot connection of a main leaf spring and a secondary leaf spring of a spring mounted air spring suspension of a vehicle. The pivot connection includes a bushing, a main leaf spring having an eye receiving the bushing and a secondary leaf spring having an eye receiving the eye of the main leaf spring and the inside surfaces of bushing hanger bracket. The anti-friction pad has an elongated main body portion positioned between and in contact with the main leaf spring and the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad also has side walls which engage the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad has a center post which seats in a socket of the secondary leaf spring. The main body portion of the pad has an outer convex surface which mates with a concave face of the main leaf spring. The anti-friction pad is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension of simple design which provides selectable axle heights with reference to the vehicle chassis with minimal component change. The simple but rugged design provides maximum transverse stability by spring form and bushing design and by reducing shock absorber stroke length extends shock absorber life.

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle having tandem axles includes a composite leaf spring connected between the axles. The leaf spring is constrained to bend about a transverse axis by a fixed elastic support having a concave, arcuate bottom surface whose center coincides with the transverse axis. The elastic support engages the top surface of the leaf spring at two points on opposite sides of the transverse axis, and is opposed by a central elastic element. The ends of the leaf spring are connected to the tandem axles by ball joints having elastic pads.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel suspension has a composite leaf spring arranged transversely supporting a wheel support. A pivot retainer and tuneable rubber bushing arrangement supports the spring on the vehicle frame so that the spring is positively retained thereon while elastically supported with a tuneable fore/aft, vertical and lateral compliance and while also being pivotal about an axis intersecting at right angles with the neutral shear plane of the spring.