Antiroll Or Antisway Patents (Class 280/124.106)
  • Publication number: 20150014954
    Abstract: An anti-rolling stabilizer for a motor vehicle is provided. The stabilizer includes a U-shaped torsion bar having an elongated base and two free ends. The elongated base is coupled to a vehicle frame and each of the free ends is coupled to one of a right-hand and a left-hand wheel-guiding element via a respective coupling bar. Each of the coupling bars includes an NVH vibration absorber configured to counteract vibrations of the respective coupling bar or of the respective wheel guiding element to which the coupling bar is configured to connect, wherein the NVH absorber counteracts vibrations in one or more predetermined frequency ranges without counteracting vibrations in other frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ralf SCHMIERER
  • Publication number: 20150001823
    Abstract: A product including a section stabilizer which may be inserted into a hollow section of a vehicle body and rotated into place which may add reinforcement to the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Steven C. Thieda
  • Publication number: 20150001822
    Abstract: A product comprising a drainable section stabilizer sleeve for a vehicle body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150001824
    Abstract: A stabilizer link and a manufacturing method therefor in which there is less concentration of stress, the stud releasing load is improved, and the accuracy of centering of the ring member is improved. A second subassembly is formed by inserting a ball seat of a first subassembly into a ball seat receiving portion of a housing and by arranging a ring member at an opening side of the ball seat. A stopper base portion is abutted to an opening end surface of the ball seat. An outer peripheral end portion taper surface has a taper shape in which a diameter is increased toward an opening side in an axial direction, in a stopper base portion and it is abutted to a slope portion for a stopper base of the housing. An opening side of the ball seat is pressed through the ring member by caulking inwardly a caulking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8905437
    Abstract: A cross member extends in a vehicle width direction and has opening portions at end portions in the vehicle width direction. The cross member includes a cross member main body, a closing plate, and a cylindrical spacer. The end portion of the cross member main body in the vehicle width direction includes a recessed portion on a side of the cross member main body opposite to a side on which the cross member main body is opened, the recessed portion being recessed toward the inner surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yorozu Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8905414
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, having at least one actuator which compensates for vehicle movements entirely or partially in the region of a wheel suspension which is connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the actuator can be actuated via flexible lines. The actuator is connected to a central control unit via flexible lines to be routed from the central control unit, via openings which are arranged in a stabilizer bearing, to the actuator which interacts with a stabilizer, wherein the flexible lines are arranged around the stabilizer in a helical manner, and operation of the actuator causes a change in the diameter of the helix or the helix shape of the flexible lines which are laid in a helical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jafar Khanlarov, Eric Begenau
  • Patent number: 8899601
    Abstract: An anti-rollover and driver and passenger side force prevention device for a motor vehicle including a plurality of three or four wheels including a one, pair or all of driven wheels that are driven by the motor connected to transmission. A main frame and springs supports the main frame above the wheels. A pair of rotatable hubs aligned along a longitudinally extending axis with one of the hubs disposed in a forward portion of the frame and the second hub disposed in an aft part of the frame. The vehicle includes an electronic control system and a servo-motor disposed on the main frame. An upper frame which is above the lower frame and rotates or tilt to the right or left when the vehicle makes a relatively sharp turn to the right or left. A mechanic/electronic controlled safety system to biases and locks tilting frame to zero degree rotation or tilt in case of fail of electronic controlled servo-motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Ahmad Younis Mothfar
  • Patent number: 8882116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a passive vehicle suspension system providing optimal camber gain and avoiding the “bump camber” problem. This vehicle suspension system utilizes a conventional sway bar and a kinematic system to rotate the tire(s) of a vehicle in a direction opposite the roll of the vehicle during turning or cornering, for example. The kinematic design allows for adjustability and optimization, providing optimal camber gain. Although an automotive vehicle suspension system is illustrated and described, and, specifically, a racing or everyday automotive vehicle suspension system, the concepts of the present invention are capable of much broader applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: James Franklin Cuttino, John Stewart Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8870202
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stabilizer for vehicle suspension, comprising a longitudinal polymeric body with a metal frame having two ends (3) and a central sector (2), having a hole (4) at each end (3) wherein there is housed a ball joint (7), where the frame is formed from two metal parts (1) having an open section which are arranged opposite one another on their open sides, the central sector (2) of each part (1) comprising two tabs (6) located in opposition on each side and facing the open side, and the ends (3) comprising rims (3?) such that the two opposing parts (1) rest on the tabs (6) and on the rims (3?) and are embedded in an overmolded body (5) which externally coats them and fills the inner space defined by the two opposing metal parts (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Edai Technical Unit, A.I.E.
    Inventors: Rafael Teijeiro Castro, Jorge Varela, Joserra Mosteiro
  • Patent number: 8870191
    Abstract: An active roll control device utilizes driving torque to move a suspension arm side connection point of a stabilizer link connecting both sides of a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm along a sliding unit to actively control vehicle roll. The sliding unit may include slide rails, a load surface on an upper surface and a lower surface, and a guide surface on an inner side surface, a connector is connected to a pushrod of a drive shaft of the operating source and a lower end portion of the stabilizer link through a double ball joint, a plurality of load rollers rotatably disposed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the connector through a roller pin and contacts the load surface of the sliding rail, and guide rollers rotatably on the connector through a roller pin and contacts the guide surface of the sliding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8864154
    Abstract: An actuator having an electromechanical drive and a housing is provided. The driving torque provided by an electric motor is transmitted by gear train to two actuator outputs connected to two parts of a stabilizer. The gear train is an eccentric gear train, the drive shaft of which is driven by the electric motor. An overall eccentric driven by the drive shaft has on its circumference a drive gear having a first outer profile and a second outer profile different therefrom. In the operating state the drive gear first outer profile is connected to a first inner profile of a first one of the outputs and the drive gear second outer profile is connected to a second inner profile of the second one of the outputs, and the connection can be eliminated by changing the eccentricity of the eccentric such that both outputs can rotate freely relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Asturia Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Freund, Andreas Kissler, Tino Schmidt, Matthias Maier, Juergen Schulze
  • Patent number: 8864156
    Abstract: A vehicle has a chassis (11) with front and rear axles (12, 13) suspended from the chassis for vertical and roll movement relative to the chassis. The axles are each mounted on the chassis via an upper pivotal mounting means in the form of an upper pair of arms (12a, 13a) which is pivoted on the chassis for vertical pivoting movement relative thereto and which carry an axle support (15, 16) on which the axle (12, 13) is free to pivot in the roll mode. A second lower pair of pivoting arms (12b, 13b) also connect each axle (12, 13) to the chassis to control fore and aft movement of the axle relative to the chassis. The line of action of the forces (F1-F4) applied to the chassis (11) by the upper arms (12a, 13a) at one end of the chassis are be substantially aligned with the line of action of the forces applied to the chassis by the lower arms (12b, 13b) at the other end of the chassis to reduce and tendency for the chassis to be twisted by these forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffroy Husson, Frederic Ducroquet
  • Patent number: 8857835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear suspension system of a coupled torsion beam which comprises a torsion beam and trailing arms connected to ends of the torsion beam by welding, wherein a gap with a predetermined length is formed between the torsion beam and the trailing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mun Yong Lee, Jichan Kim
  • Patent number: 8857834
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ARS (active roll stabilization) assembly (1) for vehicles, as well as to a suspension system equipped with such ARS assembly. The assembly comprises a torsion bar (3) and an actuator (10) for adjusting a torsion angle of said torsion bar. The ARS assembly furthermore comprises an additional torsion bar (5). This additional torsion bar is arranged such that its torsion axis extends substantially parallel to the torsion axis of the first, adjustable torsion bar, or coincides therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Albertus Clemens Maria Van der Knaap, Robert Marijn Anthony Frank Verschuren, Raymond Bernardus Gerhardus Tinsel, Ronny Maria Theophilus Wouters
  • Patent number: 8833778
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, including at least one element, which entirely or partially compensates for vehicle movements, in the region of a wheel suspension connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the element is activatable via flexible lines wherein the flexible lines can be guided by a central control unit via openings arranged in the stabilizer bearing substantially below the stabilizer, as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle, to the element interacting with a stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jafar Khanlarov
  • Patent number: 8827287
    Abstract: An axle control element of a motor vehicle has a torsion spring system connected to a wheel control element via a rotary spring arm and fixedly supported on the vehicle body via a controllable actuator. The torsion spring system has a torsion spring rod nested inside a torsion spring tube. An actuator unit is spaced apart from the torsion spring system and is fixed on the vehicle body and a pivotally controllable drive lever is connected to the actuator unit. The drive lever is connected to a torsion spring tube, and an output lever is connected to a torsion spring rod and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element. Alternatively, the drive lever is connected to a torsion spring rod, and the output lever is connected to a torsion spring tube and directly or indirectly via a coupling to the wheel control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Michel
  • Publication number: 20140239601
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a sway control system are disclosed. Various embodiments may have pivoting or sliding control arms. Said control arms are operatively coupled to a plurality of ground-engaging elements, of a vehicle, via connecting rods. A dampening and or or cushioning element employed in the assembly comprised of said control arm, said connecting rods, and said ground engaging elements to give the assembly the characteristics best suited for the particular vehicle application. Embodiments may have mechanical, spring, hydraulic, pneumatic, friction other developed dampening or cushioning elements employed as needed to achieve optimum performance for application. Some embodiments may provide for active control of the degree cushioning and or dampening available in said assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: David Monroe Campbell
  • Patent number: 8789834
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes: a plurality of wheels; a first primary airbag having a compartment with a volume; a second primary airbag having a compartment with a volume; a first secondary airbag having a compartment with a volume; a second secondary airbag having a compartment with a volume; a first gas line extending in fluid communication between the compartment of the first primary airbag and the compartment of the second secondary airbag; a second gas line extending in fluid communication between the compartment of the second primary airbag and the compartment of the first secondary airbag; and an axle assembly supported by the plurality of wheels for compressing or expanding the airbags as different loads are applied to the wheels to facilitate the transfer of gas between the airbags through the first and second gas lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Roy A. Turner
  • Patent number: 8777247
    Abstract: A wheel suspension device for a motor vehicle is provided. The wheel suspension device includes a wheel guiding device which is provided for connection to the motor vehicle and to a wheel. The wheel suspension device has a spring device, in one example, a leaf spring device, which at a first coupling point is connected to a coupling device in an articulated manner. The coupling device is connected to the wheel guiding device at a second coupling point in an articulated manner, and a coupling device axis is defined by a straight line through the first and through the second coupling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Hartmut Hoelzel
  • Patent number: 8770603
    Abstract: A divided roll stabilizer of a motor vehicle between whose two stabilizer parts (2a) an actuator (1) can be arranged for a torsion of the stabilizer parts (2a). At least one of the stabilizer parts (2a) is provided with a torsion transmitting connecting part (4a) for connection to the actuator (1), and the connecting part (4a) is magnetically coded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Wittmann, Ralf Mayer, Andrea Lottes, Norbert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8733772
    Abstract: An anti-roll apparatus for a vehicle may include lower arms installed at both sides of a sub frame through hinges respectively, a reaction force cylinder formed at a center of the sub frame, wherein piston rods may be installed at both sides thereof respectively and interact by reaction force of compressible fluid filled inside a sealed cylinder housing, and push rods connecting the respective piston rod of the reaction force cylinder and the respective lower arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Daesik Ko, Jong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8733771
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a vehicle body includes an axle and a mounting member that is coupled by a first coupling member to the axle. The mounting member is also coupled by a second coupling member to the axle. At least one of the first and second coupling members includes a mount damper that dampens loads transferred between the mounting member and the axle. The suspension system also includes a track bar that is coupled by a third coupling member to the vehicle body and that is coupled by a fourth coupling member to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: James J. Johnson, Jacek Dubiel, Alexandre Opeiko
  • Publication number: 20140131969
    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 connecter 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan F. Rowe, Andrew L. Drach, Jeffrey W. Schwyn
  • Publication number: 20140125028
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, having at least one actuator which compensates for vehicle movements entirely or partially in the region of a wheel suspension which is connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the actuator can be actuated via flexible lines. The actuator is connected to a central control unit via flexible lines to be routed from the central control unit, via openings which are arranged in a stabilizer bearing, to the actuator which interacts with a stabilizer, wherein the flexible lines are arranged around the stabilizer in a helical manner, and operation of the actuator causes a change in the diameter of the helix or the helix shape of the flexible lines which are laid in a helical manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jafar KHANLAROV, Eric BEGENAU
  • Patent number: 8696002
    Abstract: A roll center variator is described, generally including a first transverse locating device, a second transverse locating device, an adjustable spacing mechanism, and first and second simple links attached to the spacing mechanism and a vehicle axle. Each of the transverse locating devices has two ends attached to opposing sides of a vehicle frame. The spacing mechanism is attached at a first point to the first locating device and at a second point to the second locating device. The first and second locating devices are comprised of a Watt's linkage, Panhard rod, or other transverse locating device. The variator includes a screw-threaded rod engaged with the spacing mechanism, wherein rotation of the rod in one direction increases a distance between a first point and a second point of the spacing mechanism and rotation in the opposite direction decreases the distance between the same two points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Dale Batdorff
  • Patent number: 8684380
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wheel suspension system for the non-steered wheels (16) of a motor vehicle, with a twist beam axle (2) which comprises two wheel-supporting trailing arms (3, 13) pivotably mounted on a motor vehicle body (15) and a cross member (6) connecting the trailing arms (3, 13) together, and a Watt linkage (8) also connecting the trailing arms (3, 13) together, at least one articulated holder (10) being integrated in each trailing arm (3, 13) itself for articulated coupling of the Watt linkage (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zandbergen, Andreas Carlitz, Theo Kueppers
  • Patent number: 8684365
    Abstract: A stabilizer system is provided with a stabilizer bar configured to connect a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle to each other and suppress a roll of the vehicle by torsional reaction force, an actuator configured to control a relative torsional amount between a side of the left wheel and a side of the right wheel of the stabilizer bar, and a control device configured to control the actuator. The actuator can selectively operate in a permitting mode in which increase and decrease in the torsional amount is permitted or in a regulating mode in which the increase and decrease in the torsional amount is regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8684381
    Abstract: A stabilizer bar for a commercial vehicle which comprises an elongate torsion spring (5), two suspension arms (6, 7) which are securely connected to and extend away from the torsion spring (5) and, between which the torsion spring (5) extends. An actuator (12) is connected in parallel with the torsion spring (5) and is connected to the torsion spring (5) or the suspension arms (6, 7) with the intermediate connection of hinge joints (23, 25) or leaf springs (17, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Buhl, Friedhelm Langhorst, Bernhard Eilers
  • Patent number: 8672337
    Abstract: A multi-point hydraulic suspension system for a land vehicle has two or more individual hydraulic actuators. These two or more actuators are each operatively arranged between a suspended structure and a wheeled base of the land vehicle for relative positioning one another. A common supply of pressurized fluid has a given pressure and a selectively operable pump with an inlet and an outlet, for increasing the given pressure of the common supply of pressurized fluid. A fluid reservoir is in selective fluid communication with the inlet of the pump. Controllable valve means are interposed between each of the two or more actuators and the common supply of pressurized fluid for selectively bringing each of the two or more actuators into fluid communication with the common supply of pressurized fluid in response to a control unit for controlling the valve means and the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Albertus Clemens Maria van der Knaap, Arjan Pieter Teerhuis
  • Publication number: 20140049016
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, including at least one element, which entirely or partially compensates for vehicle movements, in the region of a wheel suspension connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the element is activatable via flexible lines wherein the flexible lines can be guided by a central control unit via openings arranged in the stabilizer bearing substantially below the stabilizer, as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle, to the element interacting with a stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jafar Khanlarov
  • Patent number: 8646789
    Abstract: A torsion beam type suspension device is provided in which a trailing arm part and a torsion beam part are formed as a unit by press-forming a tailored blank material in which end parts of plate materials having different thicknesses are butt-welded via a weld part. A weld part of the tailored blank material comprises a U-shaped cross section in which front and rear side wall portions are connected via a bottom wall portion, and a pair of cutouts are formed at the edge of each of the side wall portions at positions sandwiching the weld part, and therefore, when the torsion beam part is twistedly deformed, shifting the concentration of stress from the weld part to the cutout enables peeling apart of the weld end part to be prevented and the durability of the torsion beam type suspension device to be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaki Ohdo, Masafumi Mori, Takashi Okazaki, Takumi Fujita
  • Publication number: 20140035248
    Abstract: Suspension systems, leaf springs and methods of providing a leaf spring in a suspension system are disclosed. The suspension systems, leaf springs and methods of providing a leaf spring in a suspension system allow use of a lighter weight leaf spring while providing customized roll stiffness and vertical spring rate that are complemented by a bumper that engages the leaf spring assembly when compressed to at least a preselected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Damon E. Dilworth, Andrew X. Rarey, Sammy C. Lumetta, Ashley T. Dudding
  • Publication number: 20140035249
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stabilizer for vehicle suspension, comprising a longitudinal polymeric body with a metal frame having two ends (3) and a central sector (2), having a hole (4) at each end (3) wherein there is housed a ball joint (7), where the frame is formed from two metal parts (1) having an open section which are arranged opposite one another on their open sides, the central sector (2) of each part (1) comprising two tabs (6) located in opposition on each side and facing the open side, and the ends (3) comprising rims (3?) such that the two opposing parts (1) rest on the tabs (6) and on the rims (3?) and are embedded in an overmolded body (5) which externally coats them and fills the inner space defined by the two opposing metal parts (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: EDAI TECHNICAL UNIT, A.I.E.
    Inventors: Rafael Teijeiro Castro, Jorge Varela, Joserra Mosteiro
  • Patent number: 8641053
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for use in an active suspension includes a drive assembly having a first portion and a second portion configured to translate relative to each other. The first portion is coupled to a sprung mass and the second portion is coupled to an unsprung mass. The actuator assembly includes an air spring assembly disposed about the drive assembly having a first portion disposed in proximity to the sprung mass and a second portion disposed in proximity to the unsprung mass, the air spring assembly defining an air volume pressurized at an air pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The actuator assembly includes a cooling assembly having a set of drive assembly channels disposed within the air volume and in thermal communication with the drive assembly and a pump disposed in fluid communication with the set of drive assembly channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Pare, Lawrence D. Knox
  • Patent number: 8613452
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator, especially for an anti-roll bar of a motor vehicle, that has two actuator elements, which can be rotated relative to each other about a common rotational axis, for which purpose an electric motor and a gearbox coupled therewith are provided. The electric motor is arranged in an actuator element for transmitting a torque, and an output shaft of the gearbox is coupled to the other actuator element. A mechanical overload coupling is provided in the torque-transmitting load path from the electric motor to the gearbox output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Grau, Thorsten Meyerhoefer, Ralf Mayer
  • Patent number: 8608186
    Abstract: An active roll control system that may be adapted to actively control roll stiffness of a vehicle by adjusting a mounting position of a stabilizer link connecting a suspension arm with a stabilizer bar of the vehicle on the suspension arm according to a driving condition of vehicle may include a driving unit which including a housing connected with a side of the suspension arm, a rail plate disposed within the housing, and a connector movable along the rail plate, and a stabilizer link of which one end may be connected with an end of the stabilizer bar and the other end may be connected with the connector through a first joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8608234
    Abstract: A suspension device for a springy suspension of a mass body relative to an understructure, for instance suspension of a driver cabin of a truck relative to a vehicle chassis. The suspension device comprises a spring-/damping configuration, located between the mass body and the understructure, for the damping shock and/or vibration and comprising a Watt linkage configuration with two parallel positioned Watt linkages. A length of at least one of the linkage arms, of the Watt linkage, is adjustable by an actuator. The suspension device is low-maintenance, free of play, and is suitable for determining of the levels of freedom of motion, for instance of a driver cabin, as well as for damping or eliminating unwanted movement of the driver cabin. At the same time, roll motions of the driver cabin, with respect to the understructure or the chassis, can be actively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Felix Haeusler, Andreas G{hacek over (a)}rtner, Friedhelm Langhorst, Matthias Quaing
  • Patent number: 8596647
    Abstract: An active roll control device utilizes a driving torque to move a suspension arm side connection point of a stabilizer link that connects both sides of a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm along a sliding unit such that roll of a vehicle is actively controlled. The sliding unit includes a linear shaft that extends in a vehicle width direction in a housing on the suspension arm, a linear bushing into which the linear shaft is inserted to be slidably moved along the linear shaft in the housing, and a bushing housing that is fixed on an external circumference of the linear bushing, a double ball joint is fixed on an inner side thereof to connect the bushing housing, and the double ball joint is connected to a drive shaft of the drive source through one end of a push rod and a lower end of the stabilizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130313800
    Abstract: An anti-roll apparatus for a vehicle may include lower arms installed at both sides of a sub frame through hinges respectively, a reaction force provider formed at a center of the sub frame, wherein piston rods may be installed at both sides thereof respectively and interact by reaction force of compressible fluid filled inside a sealed cylinder housing, and push rods connecting the respective piston rod of the reaction force provider and the respective lower arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Daesik Ko, Jong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8585067
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a twist beam axle for a vehicle. The twist beam axle includes a twist beam and a reinforcement member. The twist beam has a longitudinal axis and has a generally concave cross-sectional shape. The reinforcement member extends longitudinally and is connected to the twist beam to form a longitudinally extending tubular form therewith. The twist beam has first and second side walls. At least one of the side walls extends outside of the tubular form. The tubular form has cross-sectional dimensions that are selected based on the vehicle on which the twist beam axle is to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Zhang, James R. Byrne, II, Alexander Zak, Seetarama S. Kotagiri, Nikhil Madan Yardi
  • Patent number: 8579313
    Abstract: An active roll control device varies a position of a stabilizer link connecting a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm such that torsion rigidity of the stabilizer bar is varied to actively control the roll. A penetrating slot is formed in the suspension arm and may include a sliding unit that includes a rail plate disposed in a housing disposed at a lower side of the penetrating slot along a vehicle width direction and connects a connector that is movably disposed on the rail plate with a lower end of the stabilizer link to guide the stabilizer link along a width direction of the vehicle, and a drive unit having a lead screw as a rotation shaft through a three joint mounting portion that engages a screw connector connected to a hinge portion of the stabilizer link to transfer a driving torque to the stabilizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8583353
    Abstract: A traveling apparatus performs an inverted pendulum control to maintain an inverted state of a vehicle body and travels with a passenger thereon. The traveling apparatus includes a drive portion that drives the vehicle body; a riding detection portion that detects a start of riding on the vehicle body by the passenger; a command generation portion that generates a torque command value to perform the inverted pendulum control and a position control to move the vehicle body to a position that facilitates the riding, when the start of riding is detected by the riding detection portion; and a control portion that controls the drive portion based on the torque command value generated by the command generation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8573616
    Abstract: A suspension system with inclination stabilization, in particular for use on heavy work vehicles, such as a dumper, where the front pair of wheels is mounted on a transverse rigid axle, has an axle (5) firmly connected with a Y-shaped frame (1) extending in the longitudinal direction along the central line (M) of the vehicle. The frame is suspended from the chassis of the vehicle, partly from a spherical bearing (4) disposed in the central line of the vehicle, partly via two spring units (2, 3) arranged symmetrically around the central line and a rod connection (7). The frame is additionally equipped with one or more laterally directed stabilization arms (6) which are confined by the chassis. This provides a suspension system which contains a very small number of components, which is stable, sturdy and resistant to wear, and which contains both springing, level adjustment and inclination stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hydema Produktion A/S
    Inventor: Thorkil K Iversen
  • Publication number: 20130270786
    Abstract: Split roll stabilizer of a motor vehicle, between the two stabilizer parts (2a) of which an actuator (1) for a torsion of the stabilizer parts (2a) can be effectively disposed, a sensor (11) for determining the torsional moment acting in the stabilizer parts (2a) being provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG &Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Mayer, Manfred Kraus, Bernd Wittmann
  • Patent number: 8544863
    Abstract: A damping and stiffness system for a vehicle suspension system including at least two forward and two rearward wheel assemblies each associated with vehicle resilient support means (27-30) between a vehicle body and the wheel assemblies. The damping and stiffness system including: a wheel ram (11-14) with at least a compression chamber (45-48) between each wheel assembly and the vehicle body and a load distribution unit (76). The load distribution unit (76) includes two pairs of chambers (77-80), each chamber (77-80) being divided into front (89, 90) and back (91, 92) system chambers (which vary in volume proportionally and in opposite senses therein with piston motion) and the remaining pitch chambers (93-96) by interconnected pistons (81-84) supported therein. The compression chamber (45-48) of each wheel ram (11-14) is in fluid communication with a respective system chamber (89-92) wherein the vehicle is primarily supported by the vehicle resilient support means (27-30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kinetic Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Revill, Raymond Andrew Munday
  • Patent number: 8544864
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly that includes a first control arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first control arm is adapted to be pivotally coupled to a first frame member of a vehicle, and wherein the second end of the first control arm is adapted to be pivotally coupled to an axle of the vehicle. The vehicle suspension assembly also includes a second control arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second control arm is adapted to be pivotally coupled to a second frame member of the vehicle, wherein the second end of the second control arm is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the axle of the vehicle. The vehicle suspension assembly also includes a rigid first torsional member coupled to the first control arm along a length of the first control arm, and coupled to the second control arm along a length of the second control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Molitor
  • Patent number: 8540257
    Abstract: A steering stabilizer includes a device connecting a fixed part of a vehicle to a steering mechanism of the vehicle, a control mechanism, and a centering mechanism. The control mechanism, which normally maintains an equilibrium configuration, includes a first member connected to a cylinder portion of a gas spring and a second member secured to a rod portion of the gas spring. A centering mechanism maintains alignment of the gas spring with the device. When the stabilizer is extended from the equilibrium configuration, the gas spring is activated to responsively and automatically return the stabilizer to the equilibrium configuration; and when the device is compressed from the equilibrium configuration, the gas spring is activated to responsively and automatically return the stabilizer to the equilibrium configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: David Merchant, Tyler Swartz
  • Patent number: 8534678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, which has a tie rod (1) formed from two rod parts (2, 3). In order to achieve speed-dependent adaptation of the compliance of the tie rod, the proposal is that the first rod part (2) have a compensating space (4) filled with a compensating medium, in which the other, second rod part (3) is arranged by means of the engagement end (7) thereof, the compensating space (4) being connected to a, preferably pressurized, medium reservoir (18) via a switching element (17) arranged at a connecting element (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ralf Hintzen
  • Patent number: 8534433
    Abstract: An elastic connection element with variable rigidity for coupling together components that are spaced from each other. The connection element is a tubular component with coupling points which fix the components to the element. The rigidity of the element, in the state of maximum rigidity, is determined substantially by the coupling points. These are formed by a receiving eyelet and an elastomeric bush bearing press-fit therein. The region located between the coupling points forms a piston/cylinder unit, the interior of which comprises at least two chambers that are separated by the piston and which receive a hydraulic or a pneumatic medium. The chambers are interconnected with one another by a connection line containing a controllable valve. By at least partially opening the valve, the rigidity of the connection element can be reduced in relation to the state of maximum rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Kramer
  • Patent number: 8517404
    Abstract: To provide a toe correct bush having excellent durability and a novel structure, the toe correct bush effectively achieving improvement in running stability during steering with a toe correction function and improvement in straight line performance with an intermediate restraining plate. A first intermediate restraining member is provided between opposing surfaces of an inner inclined portion and an outer inclined portion and is fixed to a compression rubber, the first intermediate restraining member spreading and being isolated from the opposing surfaces of the inner inclined portion and the outer inclined portion. A second intermediate restraining member is provided independent from the first intermediate restraining member between opposing surfaces of an inner flange and an outer flange and is fixed to a connecting rubber, the second intermediate restraining member spreading and being isolated from the opposing surfaces of the inner flange and the outer flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Yamada, Yorikazu Nakamura