Lateral Control Arm (i.e., Suspension Arm) Patents (Class 280/124.134)
  • Patent number: 11845509
    Abstract: A bicycle has a frame with a rear suspension defining a suspension travel. The rear suspension includes a wheel link, a separate brake link, and a shock linkage. The wheel link is connected to the frame. The wheel link and the brake link are connected to each other via a floating pivot concentric with the rear wheel axis. The wheel link having an idler with a pivot axis below a projection line extending from the floating pivot to the main fixed pivot axis. The main fixed pivot axis is higher than the floating pivot when the rear suspension is at rest. The shock linkage is mounted to the frame via a fixed shock linkage pivot and interconnects the brake link and a shock absorber fixed on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CYCLES DEVINCI INC.
    Inventors: Michel Giroux, Christophe Riopel-Benoit
  • Patent number: 11820196
    Abstract: A suspension arm for a chassis of a vehicle, having a first shell element which has a first open cross-section and having a second shell element which is connected to the first shell element and has a second open cross-section. The second shell element is arranged at least in part in the first open cross-section, and the open cross-sections are open in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Dominik Mohrlock
  • Patent number: 11707958
    Abstract: An insulator for a vehicle suspension and a method of manufacturing the same, may include an insulator having a housing which is configured to be engaged with a vehicle body and in which a hook protrusion is formed to protrude from an upper end opening of the housing; a bush which is configured to be engaged with a piston rod of a shock absorber, wherein a vibration-proof rubber, a core, and an outer pipe are integrally mounted in the bush, and wherein the bush is press-inserted into and fixed in an inner space of the housing so that the bush becomes hooked upward to the hook protrusion; and a fixing plate press-inserted into and fixed in the inner space of the housing so that the fixing plate is in contact with a lower end portion of the bush and supports the bush from a lower side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gi Bong Jo
  • Patent number: 11679811
    Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure for reducing second-order vibration of a windshield, and improving NVH performance in a vehicle cabin. A tower bar coupling each of left and right front suspension housings with a region around a vehicle-width-direction center portion of a cowl forming a lower edge of an opening for a front windshield has a center portion extending in a vehicle width direction along the cowl. A bracket extending from the cowl toward a front of a vehicle is provided in a region including a vehicle-width-direction center portion of the front windshield in the lower edge of the opening. The center portion of the tower bar is fixed to the bracket from above, and a reinforcement member supporting the fixing region from below is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hirai, Hiroaki Ishizu, Hidekazu Shiraishi, Kyohei Hirata, Kazuki Yamauchi, Takumi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11667167
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an elongate link arm member of a support link arm. A ball joint socket is disposed on a first longitudinal and of the link arm member. The link arm member in a sheet-metal shell construction mode is formed from sheet metal and has a cavity portion. The ball joint socket is a forging or casting from metal and possesses a fastening appendage which is configured in a materially integral manner so as to be in one piece with said ball joint socket. The ball joint socket by way of the fastening appendage engages in the cavity portion of the link arm member and is joined to the link arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Meyer, Juergen Hummelt
  • Patent number: 11633997
    Abstract: Systems are provided for suspensions that deliver desirable wheel kinematics at prescribed conditions. A system includes a vehicle body structure with an engine cradle, and an associated wheel assembly. A suspension system links the wheel assembly with the engine cradle, and includes a link coupled with the engine cradle and coupled with the wheel assembly. A joint at the link includes a flange that has an opening, an edge, and at least one undercut defined in edge of the flange. The joint allows release of the wheel assembly from the engine cradle by designed tearing between the opening and the at least one undercut. The release is initiated only under loads above a select threshold at the joint, to provide select kinematics of the wheel assembly for specific operational cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sung-ling Twu, Ferdous M Z Ghazi, Fred M. Marquardt, Zohir Molhem, Leonid Peschansky, Dean Matthew Perelli
  • Patent number: 11571940
    Abstract: A chassis control arm includes a single-piece base body with several hollow chambers. The base body includes a plurality of bearing mounts. A first bearing mount is formed by one of the hollow chambers and traverses the base body to define a first bearing axis which extends in extrusion direction. A second bearing mount in a first end portion of the base body defines a second bearing axis in a direction which deviates from the extrusion direction of the hollow profile. A third bearing mount is positioned in a second end portion of the base body. The base body has a center portion which includes the first bearing mount and is arranged between the first and second end portions. The base body has a first leg extending from the first end portion to the center portion, and a second leg extending from the second end portion to the center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBIL TECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Meyer, Erik Walter, Frode Paulsen, Arne Schnieders
  • Patent number: 11548339
    Abstract: A relative guide device (1) for a steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side for the spatial guidance and maintenance of the relative spatial orientation of the steering arrangement (31) with respect to a vehicle body (40). At least one telescopic movement apparatus (2) for movably connecting the steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the vehicle body (40). A steering force transmission device (30) transmits a steering force to a wheel (R) of a vehicle having a relative guide device (1), and to a wheel suspension (50) for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominik Nees, Michael Frey
  • Patent number: 11541710
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension component, such as a lower control arm, that includes first and second stamped metal shells and several connection nodes for operably connecting the suspension component to the rest of the vehicle suspension system. The first and second stamped metal shells may be stamped from next generation steel that is lightweight and strong, and are joined together in a clam shell or box-style type design. Each of the connection nodes includes a fixed attachment end and a movable attachment end, wherein the fixed attachment end may be sandwiched between the shell connection node portions of the first and second stamped metal shells and welded thereto, whereas the movable attachment end movably or pivotably attaches the vehicle suspension component to the vehicle suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Hoschouer, Anthony J. Santamaria
  • Patent number: 11427256
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a camber adjustment assembly, comprising: first and second end plates coupled to a substantially planar center portion, wherein the first and second end plates comprise a generally triangular configuration; a chassis element coupled to a trailing arm and the camber adjustment assembly, and wherein a force may be applied to the camber adjustment assembly so as to desirably induce a positive or negative camber condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Robby Gordon, Mike Niemiec
  • Patent number: 11400781
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension component, such as a lower control arm, that includes first and second stamped metal shells, a stiffening feature, and several connection nodes for operably connecting the suspension component to the rest of the vehicle suspension system. The first and second stamped metal shells may be stamped from next generation steel that is lightweight and strong, and are joined together in a clam shell or box-style type design so that the connections nodes are sandwiched therebetween. The stiffening feature may include a depression, a depression perimeter that at least partially surrounds the depression, a depression sidewall, a depression floor, and a depression weld, wherein the depression weld joins the shell interior surfaces of the first and second stamped metal shells together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford J. Hoschouer, Anthony Santamaria
  • Patent number: 11298997
    Abstract: A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle. The multi-point link has at least one profile portion with two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the profile portion, the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the profile portion. An outer circumferential surface of the profile portion is provided with at least one stiffening element to increase the stiffness of the multi-point link, and the stiffening element is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the profile portion by material bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Ingolf Müller
  • Patent number: 11298898
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced plastic chassis may include a steering element, where the steering element comprises at least one reinforcement structure formed with continuous fibers, where the steering element comprises at least one stiffening structure formed with short and/or long fibers, where the at least one reinforcement structure is formed integrally with the at least one stiffening structure via a thermosetting matrix material, and where the steering element comprises a plurality of bearing receivers integrated in at least one of the at least one reinforcement structure and the at least one stiffening structure for receiving bearing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ignacio Lobo Casanova
  • Patent number: 11198344
    Abstract: A suspension device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure which is equipped with an upper arm which is supported by a knuckle of the vehicle wheel so as to be capable of oscillation, and also supported by a side member which extends in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to be capable of oscillation, wherein: the upper arm has a tip end section positioned at the outside end in the vehicle widthwise direction, and also has arm sections which fork from the tip end section toward the inside in the vehicle widthwise direction; and the upper arm is formed in a manner such that the cross-sectional area of one arm section is greater than the cross-sectional area of the other arm section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMI TED
    Inventors: Daisuke Senoo, Atsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 11072375
    Abstract: A control arm includes a wheel side end, a body side end, a first connecting member extending between the wheel side end and the body side end, a second connecting member extending between the wheel side end and the body side end, and having a reduced section portion, and a fracture zone extending through the first and second connecting members in a substantially fore-aft direction of the vehicle, the reduced section portion being within the fracture zone. A thickness of the reduced section portion is tunable to establish a controlled fracturing during a small overlap rigid barrier impact event where: (i) an initial fracture of the first connecting member occurs within the fracture zone, and (ii) a secondary fracture of the second connecting member occurs within the fracture zone at the reduced section portion, to thereby provide a desired rearward trajectory of the wheel assembly during the impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Eric A Darin, Scott E Zilincik, Michael W Gaduski, Amandeep S Gill, Tusher M Phule, Sara M Goldsworthy
  • Patent number: 11046135
    Abstract: The present invention provides reinforcing braces that may be attached to the factory-supplied chassis mounts for the lower control arms of the steering knuckles of vehicles to reinforce and shield the mounts from objects below the vehicle that may be encountered when traveling through rugged terrain. The braces of the present invention are designed for the front and rear control arm mounts, each brace including a pair of parallel sturdy metal flanges that are generally perpendicularly attached to a sturdy metal lower base plate. Each flange is designed to be attached to one of the parallel flanges of the factory-supplied chassis mounts, and has a generally U-shaped opening therein for receiving mounting hardware and strengthening of the camber adjustment tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Marlin Crawler, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Czajkowski
  • Patent number: 11027586
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle suspension member securing a strength against external force in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A lower arm includes an arm body, a front bush support part, a rear bush support part, a ball joint support part, a first rib, a second rib, and a third rib. The third rib is disposed in a lateral part connecting the ball joint support part to the rear bush support part. An S-shaped rib center curve of the third rib intersects with a straight line at an intersection. |(1?S2/S1)|?0.2 is satisfied, where S1 is area of a first region defined by the rib center curve and the first straight line, and S2 is area of a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hosoi, Hajime Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10974775
    Abstract: An aerodynamic cover of a suspension device of a vehicle includes an upper horizontal portion that is located on an upper side of the arm member and extends in a horizontal direction, a lower horizontal portion that is located under the arm member and extends in the horizontal direction, an engaging portion that is provided on one of the upper and lower horizontal portions and engaged with the arm member, and a bolt receiving portion that is provided on the other horizontal portion and bolted to the arm member. The engaging portion includes an arm portion extending in the horizontal direction, and a claw portion provided on a distal side of the arm portion and engaged with the arm member. A rib provided on the arm portion extends in a direction of extension of the arm portion, and protrudes in a vertical direction with respect to the arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kitashiba, Yasuyuki Yokozawa, Takashi Tomita, Seiichiro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 10953922
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a front subframe; left and right suspension lower arms swingably supported by the front subframe; and a steering gearbox supported by the front subframe. The front subframe includes left and right longitudinal members extending in a fore-and-aft direction, a cross member extending laterally and joined to the longitudinal members, and a front lower arm support and a rear lower arm support provided on each longitudinal member to be spaced from each other in the fore-and-aft direction and swingably supporting the corresponding lower arm. The steering gearbox includes a laterally extending rack shaft and a pair of joints provided at either end of the rack shaft and joined to ends of respective tie rods. The longitudinal members extend obliquely so as to approach each other toward rear, and each front lower arm support is positioned more rearward than the steering gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakai, Kosuke Matsushita, Hiroshi Imanishi, Takehiko Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 10953577
    Abstract: A vehicular hybrid suspension arm includes a suspension arm body made of a steel material, and an insert molding inserted into and coupled to the suspension arm body, providing a suspension arm having reduced weight and high rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ILJIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Keun Lee, Hyun Woo Kim, Tae Sung Kwon, Byong Suk Yu, Se Woong Jeong, Hyuk Kwon, Ig Jin Kwon, Young In Yoon, Min Kook Park, Soon Chan Kwon, Dae Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 10899388
    Abstract: An arm cover comprises a main part and a front part. These parts are configured such that when the rear suspension takes a standard vehicle-weight position, these parts are respectively inclined rearwardly and downwardly, wherein an angle of inclination of the inclined front part is smaller than that of the inclined main part. When the rear suspension takes the standard vehicle-weight position, a front edge of the front part is located at a higher level than a bottom face portion of a under cover, and when the rear suspension takes a rebound position, the front edge of the front part is located at a position which is higher than a level of the bottom face portion of the under cover and close to a rear end portion of the under cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei Nishida, Yoshiatsu Kuga, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Yosuke Fukamachi, Satoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10882553
    Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a pin that has a shaft with a spherical member extending therefrom. The kingpin includes a base that has a spherical interior surface which defines an interior area. The interior area includes an open end of the base and is bounded by a closed end of the base. The closed end of the base is opposite the open end. The spherical member is rotatingly disposed in the interior area with the shaft extending away from the open end. The closed end has a torque receiving configuration for receiving a torque applying tool thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAUBLIN SA
    Inventor: Chris Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 10864943
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a beam. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a cross-member extending in a vehicle lateral direction from the first side member to the second side member perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member. A first end of the beam is connected to one of the first side member or the second side member at a location spaced apart from the cross-member. A second end of the beam is connected to the cross-member at a location spaced apart from both the first side member and the second side member such that the beam is angularly offset from the cross-member with an angle of between 35 and 60 degrees defined between the cross-member and the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hartley, Patrick Grattan, Joseph Buratto, Perry McConnell, Michael McGory
  • Patent number: 10780755
    Abstract: It is herein described an oscillating arm for a motor-vehicle suspension having a first rod element and a second rod element. The second rod element is a half-shell rod that provides a cavity. The oscillating arm also comprises at least one insert, made of plastic or fiber-reinforced composite material, which fills the cavity of the half-shell rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Carlo Pavesio, Andrea Crosetti, Sara Di Lisio, Silvano Sandri
  • Patent number: 10759244
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a suspension arm. A bushing is connected to the suspension arm. A lever extends through the bushing. A fastener is fastened to the lever and the vehicle frame. When the lever is impacted by a rigid barrier of a small-offset rigid-barrier (SORB) frontal impact test, the lever breaks the fastener and allows the lever, the bushing, and the suspension arm to release from the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Michael White, Christopher Melgar, Peter Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier
  • Patent number: 10759243
    Abstract: A wheel suspension (1) for a motor vehicle, having a wheel carrier (3) which is mounted so that the wheel carrier (3) can pivot relative to a wheel-guiding control arm (4). The wheel-guiding control arm (4) includes a longitudinal control arm section (4a) with a forward body-side bearing (11) and a transverse control arm section (4b) with a rear body-side bearing (12). The rear body-side bearing (12) is designed as a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Clemens Hacker, Knut Heidsieck
  • Patent number: 10625550
    Abstract: A control arm and a method of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. The control arm is made of an aluminum extrusion profile with a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section, which connects the first and second end sections. The control arm includes a base, two side walls, which are angled substantially perpendicular therefrom and which are spaced apart from one another on the longitudinal side, with a height H, and flanges, which are angled substantially perpendicular from the side walls at their free end. The first end section includes a first connecting region, the second end section includes a second connecting region, and the middle section includes at least one third connecting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GmbH
    Inventors: Frode Paulsen, Dirk Voigt, Guido Boeing, Stephan Meyer
  • Patent number: 10576801
    Abstract: A transverse control arm (1) of an axle arrangement for a vehicle having two transverse control arm struts (2, 3) and at least three kinematics points (4, 5, 6). Each of the two transverse control arm struts (2, 3) has a carrier hub end (9) and a carriage end (10). At least one of the two transverse control arm struts (2, 3) has a curvature (7) in a spatial direction, and this spatial direction being along a vertical axis that extends generally perpendicular relative to the plane defined by the at least three kinematic points (4, 5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Alexander Neu, Knut Heidsieck, Peter Kontermann, Holger Lohmüller, Nils Mühl, Philipp Grevemeyer
  • Patent number: 10570951
    Abstract: A method of producing a chassis module (1) with a structural component (3) having a through-going aperture (5) into which a ball joint housing (7) is inserted. An outer periphery of the ball joint housing (7) is connected all round to an edge section (9) of the aperture (5) by a first material-cohesive joining (11) without a filler. In order to stabilize the ball joint housing (7) in the aperture (5), the ball joint housing (7) is additionally connected all round to an inner wall section (13) of the aperture (5) at a location spaced away from the edge section (9), by a second material-cohesive joining (15) without a filler. The chassis module (1) is produced by the method, and the chassis module is in the form of a flanged connector (1) or a multi-point link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Eulerich, Andreas Welzel, Guido Kohlbrecher
  • Patent number: 10549632
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis entirely forward of a front edge of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunne, Jr., Jon C. Charland, Jared Trauernicht, Hayden Barr, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 10543726
    Abstract: A lower control arm includes a body including a body portion and an arm elongated from the body portion, and a sleeve having a tubular shape. The arm includes an end spaced from the body portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The sleeve is fixed to the end. The sleeve includes a slit extending lengthwise that is disposed closer to one of the top surface and the bottom surface than to a middle of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marwan El-Bkaily, Michael Chang, Tushar Kamble, Peter J. Jargowsky, David Lee
  • Patent number: 10457105
    Abstract: An automobile undercarriage component has at least three elongated arms, each including a web and a rib having an inner wall surface. One of the three elongated arms is a first arm having a first one of the ribs and at least one of the three elongated arms is a second arm having a second one of the ribs. For each of the second ones of the ribs, the leading end of the respective second one of the ribs has a width in the direction parallel to the plane of the web and transverse to the direction of elongation of the arm which is narrower than the width of a leading end of the first one of the ribs, as an inner wall surface is disposed closer to an opposing outer wall surface in the respective second one of the ribs as compared to the first one of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Watanabe, Keita Okada, Hiroaki Hosoi
  • Patent number: 10427482
    Abstract: A link arm for connecting a first unsuspended mass to a second suspended mass, and its manufacturing method are provided. In some embodiment the arm applies in particular to a suspension system for a motor vehicle, wherein the arm is able to equip a wheel suspension by having triangular housings to receive a stub axle of the wheel and two connecting links to the chassis of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the arm comprises housings to receive a first linkage joint to the first mass, and at least a second linkage joint to the second mass, and comprises: a stiffening portion which comprises a first thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix composite material reinforced with fibers and which comprises a peripheral rim of the arm, and an anti-buckling portion interposed in the stiffening portion and extending from the rim over substantially the entire arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Camille Compigne, Jean-Pierre Ciolczyk, Bertrand Florentz
  • Patent number: 10369857
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of actuators of a vehicle, where each actuator is to be length adjustable, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuators, where the controller to vary a height of at least one of the actuators to adjust a tilt of the vehicle to facilitate loading or removal of an object relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10267091
    Abstract: A drilling assembly for use in drilling a wellbore is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a steering unit that includes a tilt device in a disintegrating device and an electro-mechanical actuation device having a force application member that applies axial force on the disintegrating device to tilt the disintegrating device about the tilt device along a selected direction. In one embodiment, the actuation device translates a rotary motion into an axial movement of the force application member to apply the axial force on the disintegrating device to tilt the disintegrating device about the tilt device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Peter, Volker Peters
  • Patent number: 10202012
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a suspension link having excellent reliability in strength or the like of a coupling portion of the suspension link while being inexpensive. [Solution] The present invention relates to a production method for a suspension link (100) having a tire coupling portion (11) that rotatably couples a tire to a suspension and a suspension coupling portion (12) that is coupled to a sub-frame member constituting the suspension, the method including: a bending process in which a plate is bent, a bent portion of the bent plate is formed into a hollow shape, and the hollow shape is used as one of the tire coupling portion and the suspension coupling portion; and an edge bending process in which an outer peripheral edge portion of the plate is bent prior to the bending process. The outer peripheral edge portion of the plate is bent by the edge bending process, the outer peripheral edge portion of the plate including an area from an arm (15) to a bent portion (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: YOROZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Narita, Koji Matsuda, Tomo Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 10166833
    Abstract: An actively adjustable wheel suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle, wherein each wheel is articulated on the body side of the motor vehicle via a plurality of wheel control elements, includes for each wheel on the axle a rotary actuator which is supported on the body side and includes a torsion bar. The two rotary actuators can be activated for active adjustment via a control unit, with the rotary actuators and the torsion bars of the rotary actuators being oriented in motor vehicle longitudinal direction. The rotary actuators include each at least one strut, which is oriented in motor vehicle transverse direction, for torque support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Matthias Groen, Joachim Schmitt, Peter Leibl
  • Patent number: 10160275
    Abstract: A suspension member having an arm member and a ball joint section. The ball joint section having an opening receiving a press fit ball joint. The material of the ball joint section having a smaller material thickness than the material of the arm member. The ball joint section connected to the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Meier, Ivica Papic, Theo Kueppers
  • Patent number: 10150344
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a control arm in a vehicle comprising a first attachment bracket, a first fastening means, a first bushing, and a control arm. The first bushing is arranged in an opening of the control arm and the first fastening means is passing through both the first attachment portion and the first bushing. The first attachment bracket comprises a slit arranged transversal to the travel direction of the vehicle and the slit is arranged in a front surface of the first attachment bracket, wherein the first attachment bracket is adapted to release the first fastening means of said control arm when a certain force is exceeded during an offset or small offset impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Larsson, Martin Svensson, Roger Karlsson
  • Patent number: 10081044
    Abstract: A method for producing a chassis link includes shaping a single-shell main body from a sheet metal blank and deforming the sheet metal blank by deep drawing, which includes pre-drawing during which an indentation is produced on the main body and in which the indentation is trimmed and a bush is attached to a projection on the main body once the indentation has been trimmed. The sheet metal blank is pre-drawn such that the indentation is given a radius that matches the bush to be attached such that there is no further need for a further forming operation on the indentation once the indentation has been trimmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Haselhorst, Viktor Friesen, Denis Geßner, Carsten Dejok
  • Patent number: 9937764
    Abstract: A press-formed product includes a main body part having a first end part and a second end part respectively on both ends, and a protruded part that protrudes outward of bending from a bent part of the main body part. On a surface of the top plate part of the main body part, a groove part is provided in a domain on the first end part side from a root of the protruded part. A first vertical wall part extending from the first end part of the main body part to the protruded part has a corner part connecting the main body part and the protruded part. An angle that is formed by a part which is on the main body part side from the corner part and a part which is on the protruded part side from the corner part is an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9889715
    Abstract: A suspension member for a motor vehicle including a control arm or transverse link having a ball joint seat for receiving a press-fit ball joint. The ball joint seat including a reinforcement section formed from the material of the suspension member in a region thereof provided for friction or press-fit contact with the ball joint. A method for producing the control arm or transverse link includes increasing the material thickness of the reinforcement section by deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Meier, Peter Kurbel
  • Patent number: 9889885
    Abstract: A suspension member is provided with a torque rod mounting portion, vehicle body mounting portions, gearbox mounting portions and bead portions. The torque rod mounting portion is provided at a vehicle width direction central portion of a suspension member main body. The vehicle body mounting portions are provided at vehicle width direction outer side end portions of the suspension member main body. The gearbox mounting portions are provided at the vehicle width direction outer sides of the suspension member main body relative to the torque rod mounting portion, and at the vehicle width direction inner sides relative to the vehicle body mounting portions. The bead portions are provided at the vehicle width direction outer sides of the suspension member main body relative to the gearbox mounting portions, and at the vehicle width direction inner sides relative to the vehicle body mounting portions, and extend in the vehicle body front-and-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo Kondo
  • Patent number: 9878614
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis forward of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels. In various instances the prime mover is mounted to the chassis such that it has a longitudinal orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Additionally, in various instances wherein the torque transfer device is a transmission, the transmission is mounted such that it has a longitudinal orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunne, Jr., Jon C. Charland, Jared Trauernicht, Hayden Barr, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 9731573
    Abstract: A suspension arm has an elongated shape. The suspension arm is shaped such that a line defining an outer shape of the suspension arm does not coincide with a line of force transmission, but a line extending through a shearing center point of each of a plurality of cross sections of the suspension arm coincides with the line of force transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tokukatsu Suzuki, Daisuke Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9726250
    Abstract: A self-tightening and wear-compensating suspension mounting system is described herein. The suspension mounting system may include a housing, a hemispherical race, a hemispherical ball, an elastomeric first bushing, two opposing couplings, and a shock absorber. The housing includes two opposing cavities. The hemispherical race is mounted within a first cavity of the two opposing cavities. The hemispherical ball is slidably mounted at least partially within the hemispherical race. The elastomeric first bushing is positioned at least partially within a second cavity of the two opposing cavities. The two opposing couplings are positioned hold the hemispherical race, the hemispherical ball, and the elastomeric first bushing between the two couplings. The shock absorber shaft extends through the two opposing cavities, the hemispherical race, the hemispherical ball, and the elastomeric first bushing. The hemispherical ball pivots within the hemispherical race responsive to movement of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Fairwind Distribution, LLC
    Inventor: Steven David Lee
  • Patent number: 9616725
    Abstract: A suspension arm member includes a connecting portion configured to connect plural members of a suspension, and a support bar extending and provided with the connecting portion at each end. The support bar is made of a resin material and includes plural lightening hole portions each formed in a shape of a recessed portion. The lightening hole portions include plural front upper lightening hole portions (11) formed in a front upper portion of the support bar, plural front lower lightening hole portions formed in a front lower portion of the support bar, plural rear upper lightening hole portions formed in a rear upper portion of the support bar, and plural rear lower lightening hole portions formed in a rear lower portion of the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9610818
    Abstract: A ring link assembly is configured to securely link a first component to a second component. The assembly may include a first housing defining a first passage having a first center, and a second housing defining a second passage having a second center. The first and second centers may reside in a common plane. A connecting beam connects the first housing to the second housing. The connecting beam may be canted with respect to the common plane. One or both of the first and second housings may connect to the connecting beam through an arcuate transition joint. A cant of the connecting beam and/or a curvature of the arcuate transition joint may be configured to reduce mechanical interference between the assembly and one or both of the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Dennis M. Mark, Jason K. Trotter, Troy S. Field
  • Patent number: 9555682
    Abstract: A wheel support for arrangement on a motor vehicle axle is disclosed on a multi-link axle having a flange for receiving a wheel hub and at least two receptacles for rotatable coupling to links, the wheel support being coupled to a trailing link by means of thermal joining, which wheel support is distinguished by the fact that the wheel support is configured as a welded component and has a main body region which has at least two sheet metal components which are coupled to one another by way of thermal joining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Detlev Peitz
  • Patent number: 9446645
    Abstract: A control arm base (30) for connecting a control arm (10), particularly a divided control arm, for a wheel (20) to a vehicle, which control arm (10) includes at least two partial control arms (11a, 11b) which can be connected on the one hand to a vehicle-side joint (32a, 32b) and on the other to a wheel-side joint (13, 13a, 13b, 13c). In order to realize a targeted influencing of the longitudinal and transverse rigidity of the control arm with simple conventional joints, the control arm base (30) includes at least two vehicle-connecting joints (31a; 31b) for articulated connection of the control arm base (30) to the vehicle, and at least two partial control arm connecting joints (32a, 32b) for the vehicle-side articulated connection of each of the partial control arms (11a, 11b) to the control arm base (30). The invention further relates to a wheel suspension that includes such a control arm base (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Vogler, Raphael Fischer, Nicole Denzler