Antiroll Or Antisway Patents (Class 280/124.106)
  • Patent number: 11912087
    Abstract: An electric suspension apparatus includes an electric actuator mounted in a vehicle, the electric actuator being driven with a motor, a voltage determination unit determining whether an electromotive force generated by the motor is equal to or more than a predetermined voltage in a state where regenerative power is generated in the motor, and an instruction unit short-circuiting the motor in a case where the voltage determination unit determines that the electromotive force generated by the motor is equal to or more than the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohno, Kazuya Konada
  • Patent number: 11897305
    Abstract: An active roll stabilizer includes a divided torsion bar (1) having torsion bar parts (2, 3) which are arranged one behind the other along a torsion bar axis. An actuator (4) for transmitting torsional torques to the torsion bar (1) is provided. An electric motor (7) and a transmission (6) connected to the electric motor (7) are arranged in an actuator housing (5). The actuator housing (5) is connected to the one torsion bar part (2) for conjoint rotation and the transmission (6) is connected, on the output side, to the other torsion bar part (3) for conjoint rotation. A motor housing (11) of the electric motor (7) is connected, by means of only one of the two axial ends of said motor housing, to the actuator housing (5) for conjoint rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG &Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Bräutigam, Mario Arnold, Ramon Jurjanz, Simon Sagewka
  • Patent number: 11518208
    Abstract: A method of operating an adjustable roll stabilizer (1) of a motor vehicle. The adjustable roll stabilizer (1) has an actuator (2) which can be rotated through a system angle (?) relative to a rotational axis (3) in order to twist two stabilizer sections (6a, 6b), connected thereto, relative to one another. The stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) are each a radial spaced away from the rotational axis (3) and each is coupled to a wheel suspension (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). The method includes controlling the actuator with a field-orientated regulator (20) as a function of input signals which include at least a target motor torque (21), and checking the control of the actuator (2), brought about by the field-orientated regulator (20), for plausibility independently of the field-orientated regulator (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lekon, Holger Gohmert, Benjamin Hertrich
  • Patent number: 11511593
    Abstract: A method of operating an adjustable roll stabilizer (1) of a motor vehicle. The adjustable roll stabilizer (1) includes an actuator (2) which can rotate relative to a rotational axis (3) in order to twist two stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) connected thereto relative to one another about the rotational axis (3). The stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) are radially spaced away from the rotational axis (3) and each is coupled to a wheel suspension (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). The actuator (2) is controlled on the basis of a system target torque specified for the vehicle, and the specified system target torque is tested for acceptability in relation to a roll torque distribution (?) that is acceptable for the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lekon, Hubertus Eilers, Gerald Holz, Michael Beller, Thomas Hodrius, Joachim Engel
  • Patent number: 11383576
    Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of bar members and a clutch assembly with a first and second couplers, which are fixedly coupled to the bar members, a coupling sleeve and a rotary lock. The coupling sleeve matingly engages the first coupler. The coupling sleeve is movable along an axis between a first position, in which the coupling sleeve is disengaged from the second coupler to permit relative rotation between the stabilizer bar members about the axis, and a second position in which the coupling sleeve is engaged to the first and second couplers. The rotary lock has lock members that are fixedly coupled to the coupling sleeve and the second coupler. The lock members engage one another when the coupling sleeve is in the second position to inhibit relative movement about the rotational axis between the coupling sleeve and the second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Kellogg, Dale K. Benedict, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, Thomas George Kaveney, II
  • Patent number: 11305606
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar for a vehicle. The anti-roll bar includes a first bar portion for connection to a left-side wheel suspension of the vehicle and a second bar portion for connection to a right-side wheel suspension of the vehicle, and an actuator unit connecting the first bar portion and the second bar portion to each other for transferring torque between the first bar portion and the second bar portion. The actuator unit has a first selectable mode providing a first predetermined torque ratio between the first bar portion and the second bar portion, and a second selectable mode providing a second predetermined torque ratio between the first bar portion and the second bar portion. The first torque ratio and the second torque ratio are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Andrew Dawkes
  • Patent number: 11203243
    Abstract: A control system for a variable damping force damper, includes: motion state quantity sensors configured to detect motion state quantities of a vehicle; a roll damping force base value setting unit configured to set a roll damping force base value based on the motion state quantities, the roll damping force base value being used to compute a target damping force of the variable damping force damper; a roll rate computation unit configured to compute a sprung mass roll rate and an unsprung mass roll rate of the vehicle based on the motion state quantities; and a roll damping force correction unit configured to correct the roll damping force base value based on a roll rate difference that is a difference between the sprung mass roll rate and the unsprung mass roll rate and to output the corrected roll damping force base value as the target damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Goto, Ryoma Kanda
  • Patent number: 11161383
    Abstract: A process for correcting longitudinal roll from an offset load using active roll control within a vehicle is provided. The process includes, within a computerized controller using axle-based control to control a suspension system, operating programming to control pneumatic pressure supplied to each of a plurality of air spring devices within the suspension system to execute a vehicle leveling event including one of adjusting a height of the vehicle or maintaining the height of the vehicle. The process further includes operating programming to, simultaneously with the controlling the pneumatic pressure, utilize a plurality of active sway bars to provide an offset torque to the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of active sway bars is associated with one of a plurality of axles. Providing the offset torque is based upon a number of moles of air in each of the plurality of air spring devices and reducing the longitudinal roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Saylor, Larry G. Gepfrey, Adam D. Stanton, Robert G. Izak, Bo Yu
  • Patent number: 11052716
    Abstract: An axle for a vehicle, wherein the axle includes a transverse axle portion having a longitudinal end. The axle including a first axle portion connecting the transverse portion to a chassis of the vehicle and a second axle portion connecting the transverse portion to a wheel carrier for supporting a vehicle wheel. A vibration damper is arranged in a receiver in one of the axle portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Andreas Schellhaas, Jens Glorer
  • Patent number: 11052721
    Abstract: This stabilizer device is provided with first and second stabilizers and a joint device that can be switched between and ON-state and an OFF-state. The ON-state is a state in which a force inputted to one of the stabilizers can be transmitted to the other stabilizer, and the OFF-state is a state in which said transmission is disabled. The joint device has at least one engagement part that can be displaced to an engagement position and a non-engagement position. In addition, the joint device assumes the ON-state when the at least one engagement part is in the engagement position, and assumes the OFF-state when the at least one engagement part is in the non-engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 10946711
    Abstract: The twist axle assembly includes a pair of trailing arms that are spaced apart from one another in a first direction. The twist axle assembly also includes a twist beam, which has an open shaped cross-sectional shape, that extends in the first direction between a pair of opposing end portions. The open cross-sectional shape of the twist beam includes a base and a pair of side walls. The end portions of the twist beam are fixedly attached with the trailing arms. A pair of beam reinforcements are fixedly attached with the trailing arms and with the base of the twist beam. The beam reinforcements are fixedly attached with the twist beam through at least one of fasteners, adhesives, resistance spot welding, cold metal transfer welding, laser welding, and brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Armando Perez, Sreevidhya Anandavally, John B. Johnson, Shiv Pareta, Nicholas R. Samassa
  • Patent number: 10850589
    Abstract: A stabilizer includes: a stabilizer bar made of a pipe material; and a stabilizer link that couples the stabilizer bar and a suspension device. The stabilizer link includes a ball stud which includes a shaft portion inserted to and fixed in an opening end of the stabilizer bar and a ball portion formed at a leading end of the shaft portion, a housing which rotatably supports the ball portion, and a flexible dust cover which includes one end attached on the housing so as to be unmovable in a ball stud axis direction and the other end attached on at least either of the shaft portion and the stabilizer bar and which seals a space between the housing and the ball stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Ohmura, Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 10836231
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, comprising: a vertical column, an upper fork arm, a lower fork arm, a strength adjuster, a push rod, a rocking block and a shock absorber. By arranging the strength adjuster between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and by adjusting the degree of tightness between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, the present invention can automatically adjust the tensile and support strength of the strength adjuster according to different car conditions and road conditions in which the racing car runs, to guarantee the structure stability of the front suspension in the running process, and prevent the front suspension from being loosening or fracturing, thereby having good adaptability and stability to structural deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hefei University of Technology
    Inventors: Yongjia Wang, Bofu Wu, Shuhua Li, He Huang, Wuhua Jiang, Ruifeng Li, Jingting Yang, Junzhao Yu
  • Patent number: 10787185
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the position relatively to a platform of a floor of a carriage including a bogie including a chassis, a primary suspension, and a secondary suspension, the method including the steps: measuring the height of the secondary suspension; and adjusting the height of the secondary suspension, according to the height of the platform for positioning the floor at the height of the platform. This method includes a step for estimating the height of the top of the chassis, the adjustment of the height of the secondary suspension being achieved according to the estimated height of the top of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Sacheen Dausoa
  • Patent number: 10759250
    Abstract: A stabilizer device includes a stabilizer extending in a width direction of a vehicle, and a bush unit. The bush unit includes a bracket formed of metal, and a rubber bush. The rubber bush is formed of a plurality of bush pieces, and is fixed to the stabilizer by an adhesion layer. The adhesion layer is constituted of an adhesion member including an adhesive applied to inner surfaces of the bush pieces. A bonding display portion formed of a part of the adhesion member is provided at a corner on an end face of the bush piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Umeno, Yukihiro Seki, Toru Itihara, Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 10696124
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coupling device for a stabilizer of a suspension. The coupling device has a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion that is supported thereon. One coupling portion has a connection location for the stabilizer and another coupling portion has a connection location for a wheel suspension. and the coupling device also has a locking device, which, in a locking position, limits a relative movement of the second coupling portion with respect to the first coupling portion in a first direction. In order to better protect a stabilizer from overload, the locking device is configured in a release position to release the relative movement when a first force acting between the connection locations exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Keuser
  • Patent number: 10661626
    Abstract: An attaching structure for a stabilizer of a utility vehicle includes: a pair of right and left independent suspension devices; the stabilizer which connects the pair of right and left independent suspension devices to each other; and a support member which is raised from a main frame and is configured to support a load from above. A through hole is defined in the support member such that the through hole penetrates the support member in a vehicle width direction, and the stabilizer passes through the through hole and is supported on the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hisamura, Yusuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10650620
    Abstract: Systems and methods to detect abnormalities within a stabilizer system for a vehicle. A method includes receiving suspension system data from one or more vehicle sensors, calculating a roll gradient from the suspension system data, determining whether the calculated roll gradient is greater than a predetermined roll gradient threshold, and setting a diagnostic notification if the calculated roll gradient is greater than the predetermined roll gradient threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Saylor, Joshua R. Auden, Robert P. Marble
  • Patent number: 10583860
    Abstract: A steering arm assembly includes a steering arm body, a first rotary connecting part and a second rotary connecting part. A first end and a second end of the steering arm body are fixedly connected with a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm, respectively. The first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part are respectively connected with the first end and the second end of the steering arm body, and the steering arm body is configured to rotate relative to the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part. The steering arm body is able to be detachably located on a mounting bracket through the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part; and the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part respectively include a first shaft housing and a second shaft housing, which are engaged with a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenghai Shan, Honggang Ding, Yafu Zhu, Zhifang Wang, Yunwang Ma, Li Li
  • Patent number: 10457108
    Abstract: A non-linear stiffness actuator for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle includes an actuator housing and an actuator shaft configured to transmit an actuator force to the road wheel. The actuator also includes a primary elastic member assembly arranged between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft and configured to exert a primary elastic member force along the actuator shaft. The actuator additionally includes a secondary elastic member assembly configured to exert a variable secondary elastic member force acting between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft. The variable secondary elastic member force is configured to selectively contribute to and subtract from the primary elastic member force to thereby facilitate the non-linear stiffness of the actuator. A vehicle having such a non-linear stiffness actuator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Suplin, Avshalom Suissa, Klaus Trangbaek
  • Patent number: 10442264
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame and left and right suspension assemblies connected to the frame. Each suspension assembly has a suspension support connected to the frame; a lower control arm having an inner end pivotally connected to the suspension support at two longitudinally spaced positions; an upper control arm having an inner end pivotally connected 5 to the suspension support at two longitudinally spaces positions; a knuckle pivotally connected to outer ends of the lower and outer control arms; and a shock absorber having an upper end pivotally connected to the suspension support and a lower end pivotally connected to one of the lower and upper control arms. A sway bar has ends connected to two of the control arms and is pivotally connected to the suspension supports. Wheels are rotationally 10 connected to the knuckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Philippe Mailhot, Pascal Jacques, Bruno Larocque, Jeremie Duford
  • Patent number: 10118457
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar device with a variable rigidity has a first arm assembly having multiple first joining units, a second arm assembly having multiple second joining units, and a variable rigidity unit mounted between the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly and having multiple abutment portions and a variable rigidity coefficient. The first and second joining units are staggered with each other annularly and abut the abutment portions. When a vehicle passes a bumpy terrain, a slight force is exerted on the variable rigidity unit and is absorbed by the variable rigidity unit, such that the vehicle can be kept from tilting and shaking up and down. When the vehicle is in cornering, a larger force is exerted on the variable rigidity unit to increase a rigidity of the variable rigidity unit, such that the variable rigidity unit can transfer torques to keep the vehicle from tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: METAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
    Inventors: Chun-Pin Yang, Chia Pin Lin, Wei Lun Hsu
  • Patent number: 10077075
    Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure includes: a suspension member including a side rail extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, the side rail including a front joint portion and a rear joint portion, the front joint portion being disposed on a front side of the rear joint portion in the vehicle front-rear direction; a securing member joined to the side rail at the front joint portion and the rear joint portion; and a stabilizer secured to the side rail by the securing member. The side rail includes a low-strength portion provided between the front joint portion and the rear joint portion and the low-strength portion has a strength lower than a strength of the front joint portion and the rear joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuneaki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9981523
    Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber system configured with more than one pressure cylinder that provides advantageous damping characteristics for different loads. There is provided a vehicle shock absorber system having a primary pressure cylinder including upper and lower primary chambers separated by a primary piston head, an auxiliary pressure cylinder including upper and lower auxiliary chambers separated by an auxiliary piston head, a first connection conduit connecting the upper primary chamber and the upper auxiliary chamber, a second connection conduit connecting the lower primary chamber and the lower auxiliary chamber, and a cylinder valve arrangement configured to regulate fluid flow to the auxiliary pressure cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: REGO VEHICLES LTD.
    Inventors: Ami Kamil, Izik Mini
  • Patent number: 9944141
    Abstract: A control arm for the rear wheel suspension of a car where the control arm includes a cup-shaped spring mount with branches projecting from the spring seat. The branches may be designed as closed channels or U-shaped channels. In the upper part of the control arm there are flanges projecting from each side thereof. The flanges include a reinforced area around the spring seat. The cup-shaped spring seat is reinforces with wedges on the inside thereof. The spring seat and branches form a stiff frame structure. Also described is a method for manufacturing the control arm by forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: RAUFOSS TECHNOLOGY AS
    Inventor: Frode Paulsen
  • Patent number: 9919574
    Abstract: A stabilizer (105) for the anti-roll stabilization of a vehicle (100). The stabilizer (105) has a first stabilizer element (110) and a second stabilizer element (115). The first stabilizer element (110) is, or can be, coupled to a first wheel suspension element (120) of the vehicle (100) and the second stabilizer element (115) is, or can be, coupled to a second wheel suspension element (125) of the vehicle (100). Furthermore, the stabilizer (105) is provided with an electric motor (135) designed to rotate the first stabilizer element (110), relative to the second stabilizer element (115) in response to a control signal, so as to decouple the first wheel suspension element (120) from the second wheel suspension element (125). In this case the control signal represents a signal determined on the basis of a field-orientated control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas FĂ¼ssl, Roman Frei, Joachim Engel, Notker Amann, Mesut Er, Ulrich Mair
  • Patent number: 9914498
    Abstract: A suspension system with a frame pivotally coupled to a control arm, an actuator pivotally coupled between the frame and the control arm, a control valve fluidly coupled to the actuator, a valve core positioned within the control valve and being slidable between a first position and a second position, and a pendulum coupled to the valve core having a neutral position and an offset position. Further, when the pendulum is in the neutral position, the valve core is in the first position and when the pendulum is in the offset position the valve core is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Don Davis
  • Patent number: 9834057
    Abstract: A suspension stabilization system may include a stabilizer bar having an end configured to connect to a suspension component of a vehicle, and a torsion shaft with an end connected to the stabilizer bar. A locking mechanism may be configured to rotationally couple and decouple at least a portion of the torsion shaft with a portion of a frame of the vehicle. Methods relate to stabilizing a vehicle suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Adam Drozdowski, Joe L Buchwitz, Bruce C Arnold
  • Patent number: 9828029
    Abstract: A pair of side members extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle in a width direction and have a plurality of coupling portions coupling with a vehicle body member of a vehicle. A pair of cross members extends in the width direction to face each other in the longitudinal direction and couple the pair of side members. A pair of coupling members is provided in the side members to couple a corresponding one of the plurality of coupling portions with the vehicle body member. A pair of support members is provided in the cross members to support correspondingly a pair of suspension arms provided in the vehicle and facing each other in the width direction. The lower parts of the support members are welded to upper walls of the coupling members and vertical walls of one of the cross members straddling the upper walls and the vertical walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignees: F-TECH INC., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kawai, Tomoyuki Yokota, Toshiya Takahashi, Kazumi Mikami
  • Patent number: 9586642
    Abstract: A rolling type vehicle includes a pair of left and right arm members supported in a swingable manner by a vehicle body on inner sides in the transverse direction for supporting a pair of left and right front wheels in a steerable manner on outer sides in the transverse direction, respectively. A shock absorber support arm of which a central portion in the transverse direction is supported in a swingable manner by the vehicle body and is connected to the pair of left and right arm members through shock absorber units on outer sides in the transverse direction, respectively. The left and right shock absorber units are disposed on outer circumference sides of turning trajectories of the pair of left and right front wheels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yotaro Mori
  • Patent number: 9586457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active rotary stabilizer and a stabilizer bar link assembly for a vehicle, which particularly may increase a degree of design freedom for a lower side of a vehicle body, improve ride comfort for a passenger, enhance durability of an actuator, and reduce the occurrence of noise caused by a backlash when the actuator is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Moo Jeon, Jun Sung Park
  • Patent number: 9527120
    Abstract: A roll forming assembly for forming a transverse strut from a tube is provided. The roll forming assembly includes a heater, such as an induction heater, for heating a tube to a predetermined annealing temperature. Next, the tube is fed to a roll former, which includes a plurality of forming wheels to shape the tube into a transverse strut. Servo motors are operably coupled to the forming wheels for adjusting the positions of the forming wheels in a radial direction during the roll forming process to give the transverse strut a variable profile along its length. After the roll forming process is completed, the transverse strut is quenched so that its base material is given a predetermined microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: John Richard Potocki
  • Patent number: 9475357
    Abstract: An IFS assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the lower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLC
    Inventor: John A Hinz
  • Patent number: 9463680
    Abstract: Sway bars are described that include at least an inner sway bar, a first outer sway bar, and a second outer sway bar. The sway bar includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion that can engage and disengage under control from a remote location. The sway bar includes a larger diameter, outer sway bar assembly that can be disengaged and a smaller diameter inner sway bar. The sway bar can include a housing to retain fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TAP Worldwide, LLC
    Inventors: Jason M. Miyamoto, Sean J. Angues, Jason L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9434230
    Abstract: A torsion bar system for a vehicle axle, in particular a rear axle, of a two-track vehicle, includes first and second rotary actuators, each of which is associated with a vehicle side, for an active suspension control. Each rotary actuator has at least one motor/gear unit with which torques can be generated and transmitted as actuating forces onto a wheel suspension element via an output lever. The motor/gear units of both rotary actuators are arranged in a common housing which is rotationally fixed to the vehicle body. The housing has at least two attachment points for bracing the vehicle body, wherein the attachment points are spaced from one another across a bearing distance, and the housing is mounted on the vehicle body in a rigid assembly via said attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joachim Schmitt, Andreas Schindler, Christian Isakiewitsch
  • Patent number: 9393851
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement in a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a rotatably supported center part oriented in the vehicle transverse direction, and at least one leg projecting from the center part in the vehicle longitudinal direction and articulated via a substantially vertically extending rod with a control arm of the wheel suspension. A joint connection is arranged between the rod and the control arm outside a vehicle longitudinal member by a transverse clearance in the vehicle transverse direction, when the vehicle is in the compressed state. The rod is articulated to the control arm such that its force vector extending through the joint connections of the rod extends through the center axis defined by the control arm bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dominik Mohrlock, Hans-JĂ¼rgen Langhoff
  • Patent number: 9321322
    Abstract: In a sub-frame module that is used to attach a set of left and right wheels in pair to a vehicle body, a sub-frame attached to the vehicle body and left and right hub carriers, to which the left and right wheels in pair are attached, are connected by left and right link arms to be capable of swinging. A stabilizer is laid across the left and right rear link arms, and a holder that holds the stabilizer is supported by an vehicle body side member that is provided in a bush attached to the vehicle body. The holder is fixed to the vehicle body by attaching the vehicle body side member to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehisa Tomizawa, Toshi Ishida, Yoshiaki Utsugi, Kazuya Ando, Masaru Kogure, Toshiyuki Hyuga, Kensuke Ohshima, Naoto Yabuki, Hiromi Tamou
  • Patent number: 9238494
    Abstract: A transformation restricting mechanism is configured to change a resisting force between a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a caliper that are configured to be displaced relative to each other. The first connecting member includes a turn supporting portion supported by a first shock absorbing device. The second connecting member includes a turn supporting portion supported by a second shock absorbing device. The turn supporting portion is supported by the first shock absorbing device closer to a first center axis than an intermediate axis which is coincident with a turning axis of a steering shaft when the vehicle body frame is in an upright state. The turn supporting portion is supported by the second shock absorbing device closer to a second center axis than the intermediate axis when the vehicle body frame is in an upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Iizuka, Yutaka Kubo, Takahiro Watanabe, Noboru Miyamoto, Kaoru Sasaki, Hirokatsu Ogawa, Kazuhisa Takano, Shigeto Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9221316
    Abstract: Roll stabilizers as an example for chassis actuators are used for compensating or suppressing rolling movements of a vehicle about its longitudinal axis. Such rolling movements are caused, in particular, when driving around curves due to centrifugal forces. A chassis actuator device is provided, in particular, a roll stabilizer, for a vehicle with a flange connection between an actuator and a stabilization component. A holder-side positive-locking contour is arranged on a holder section of the flange connection and a flange-side positive-locking contour is arranged on a flange. The positive-locking contours together form a positive-locking connection in the circumferential direction about a torsion axis A, and the flange-side positive-locking contour is arranged on a flange-side lateral surface and/or the holder-side positive-locking contour is arranged on a holder-side lateral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Mayer, Thomas Dirnberger, Alois Friedrich, Manfred Kraus
  • Patent number: 9216763
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle is described. Generally, the vehicle includes a vehicle frame with multiple wheels rotatably connected thereto. The vehicle further includes one or more components that allow the vehicle to be leanable, yet stable. In this regard, such components may include: a fifth link suspension mechanism that couples at least one of the wheels to the vehicle frame, an offset hub motor system that is connected to at least one of the wheels, a lean adjustment system connected to at least one of the wheels, a return to neutral lean position mechanism connected to at least one of the wheels, and a differential system for a leanable vehicle. While the vehicle can seat any suitable number of occupants, in some cases, the vehicle seats one or two occupants. Other implementations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy Huntzinger
  • Patent number: 9186952
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle has left and right suspension arms, left and right shock absorbers operatively connected to their corresponding suspension arms, a sway bar operatively connected to the left and right suspension arms, left and right hinges pivotally connecting corresponding ends of the sway bar to their corresponding suspension arms. Each hinge includes a first hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding end of the sway bar, a second hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding suspension arm, the second hinge member being pivotally connected to the first hinge member, and a hinge lock selectively rigidly connecting the first hinge member to the second left member to prevent the first hinge member from pivoting relative to the second hinge member. A vehicle having the suspension assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BRP FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Hannu Yleva
  • Patent number: 9150078
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle includes a bar operatively connectable to driver-side and passenger-side suspension corner assemblies to extend therebetween and rotatably mountable to the vehicle body between the suspension corner assemblies. The suspension apparatus also includes a body load reaction component that is operatively connectable to at least one of the body and the bar. The body load reaction component is engaged to provide reaction force on the body to manage vertical displacement of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Mosher, Scott A. Kolp, Robert G. Izak
  • Patent number: 9061559
    Abstract: A rear wheel suspension device includes a knuckle configured to support a rear wheel, a trailing arm configured to link the knuckle to a vehicle body, and an actuator configured to drive the knuckle in the general width direction of the vehicle, so as to adjust the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. The knuckle is linked to the trailing arm via linking portions enabling turning of the knuckle in a direction of changing the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. A turning axis defined by the linking portions is set so as to be tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Particularly, the turning axis defined by the linking portions is set so as to be tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Yamada, Yoshimitsu Akuta
  • Publication number: 20150115559
    Abstract: A torsion beam for an anti-roll bar of a motor vehicle is provided having a main body which is produced from a carbon fiber material, and at least one non-metallic bearing layer which is applied on the main body in order to form one sliding bearing side of an anti-roll bar bearing. As a result of the protection of the main body provided by the bearing layer against abrasive wear in the anti-roll bar bearing, the main body can be produced from the carbon fiber material, with the result that a lightweight and durable anti-roll bar for driving stability of a motor vehicle is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Begenau, Boris SCHMIDT, Gustav RAPP
  • Publication number: 20150115560
    Abstract: A fiber composite component, in particular a torsion-bar stabilizer for a motor vehicle, having an elongate main body which has a plurality of tubular layers which are each formed from fibrous threads and casting resin, wherein the tubular layers are arranged in one another in the radial direction of the main body, and wherein the fibrous threads f the different layers are each oriented at different angles relative to a longitudinal direction of the main body, wherein the fibrous threads are braided together in order to form the different layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Begenau, Boris Schmidt, Gustav Rapp
  • Patent number: 9016703
    Abstract: A suspension system for a heavy duty truck or trailer is disclosed as having a frame and including a first swing arm having a first elongated portion and a first mounting member having a central axis and coupled to the first elongated portion. The suspension assembly also includes a second swing arm including a second elongated portion and a second mounting member having a central axis and coupled to the second elongated portion. The second mounting member is coaxially aligned with the first mounting member to define an axis of rotation for the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The suspension assembly finally includes a connector coupled to at least one of the first mounting member and the second mounting member and a sway bar having a central axis, wherein the sway bar is coupled to the first swing arm and the second swing arm and positioned such that the central axis of the sway bar is coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation for the first swing arm and the second swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan F. Rowe, Andrew L. Drach, Jeffrey W. Schwyn
  • Patent number: 9010782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for improving the roll characteristics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes an axle, a sprung mass, a first control arm, a second control arm, a third control arm, a first pivotable joint, a second pivotable joint, a third pivotable joint, and a fourth pivotable joint. The torsional stiffness of the first control arm, the second control arm, the first pivotable joint, the second pivotable joint, the third pivotable joint, and the fourth pivotable joint are substantially equal to or greater than the torsional stiffness of the axle, whereby the axle bends and twists during a sprung mass roll event in order to limit an amount of roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Group North America, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Kiselis, Michael Alwyn Brown
  • Patent number: 8985594
    Abstract: A spring constant of each of four suspension springs and a shared load on each of four wheels are adjusted so that a sprung resonance frequency corresponding to two front wheels and a sprung resonance frequency corresponding to two rear wheels are mutually different. From among the four shock absorbers, only two shock absorbers provided corresponding to two wheels of lowered sprung resonance frequency, from among the two front wheels and the two rear wheels have respectively damping coefficient modification mechanisms that modify a damping coefficient serving as a reference of the magnitude of the damping force generated by the two shock absorbers. The behavior of the entire vehicle body can be effectively curbed by controlling the damping force exerted on the comparatively large movement of sprung sections corresponding to the two wheels. Thus a vehicle having both enhanced steering stability and enhanced ride quality can be configured comparatively inexpensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yabumoto
  • Patent number: 8967629
    Abstract: A first communication passage is coupled to a left wheel cylinder pressure chamber at an upper vehicle side and a right wheel cylinder pressure chamber at a lower vehicle side to be communicated with each other, and a second communication passage is coupled to a left wheel cylinder pressure chamber at the lower vehicle side and a right wheel cylinder pressure chamber at the upper vehicle side to be communicated with each other. Between the first and second communication passages is a valve mechanism so that the first and second communication passages are normally communicated with each other, and fluid flow from one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage to the other is blocked, when a pressure difference, caused when fluid moves from one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage to the other, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morito Oshita, Fumio Kojima, Katsuhiko Takasu
  • Patent number: 8944449
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a hydraulic system. The vehicle may include a sway bar. The sway bar may be positioned rearward of a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic system. A console having a first hydraulic input may be provided in an operator area of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Hurd, Richard D. Ripley, Anthony J. Kinsman, Matthew S. Kmecik, Brent A. Erspamer, Ryan D. Carlson