Interposed Coil Spring Patents (Class 280/124.141)
  • Patent number: 11796022
    Abstract: A magnetic levitation buffer device includes a seat body, a first moving member, and a second moving member. The seat body has a housing space, and a first and a second buffer members disposed in opposite to each other therein. The first moving member has a first magnetic end movably disposed in the housing space. The first moving member abuts against the first buffer member. The second moving member has a second magnetic end movably disposed in the housing space. The second magnetic end and the first magnetic end are arranged in a face-to-face arrangement and magnetically repulsive to each other, whereby the second moving member contacts the second buffer member. With such configuration, the present invention applies the first buffer member and the second buffer member to absorb the vibration force, thereby reducing the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: EHOMA INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Huan Chuang
  • Patent number: 11691471
    Abstract: A five-link automobile suspension device is configured to support a lower end of a damper with a lower arm, and is capable of reducing sliding friction while ensuring a road clearance. Embodiments include a lower arm connecting a wheel support and a vehicle body, and a damper that has a lower end connected to the lower arm and is disposed to incline upward toward a vehicle-width-direction inner side in a rear view. A wall surface of the lower arm has a damper mounting portion, which supports a pivot of the damper, at a position lower than a straight line connecting a pivot on a wheel side and a pivot on a vehicle-body side of the lower arm. A bottom surface of the lower arm has a bulge formed at a position under the damper mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okuyama, Masaya Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 11633996
    Abstract: A double-wishbone type of suspension device for a vehicle comprises a forked-shaped upper arm, a forked-shaped lower arm, and a connecting rod which connects a front-side arm portion of the upper arm and a rear-side arm portion of the lower arm, wherein the connecting rod comprises an upper rod which is rotatably connected to the upper arm, a lower rod which is rotatably connected to said lower arm, and a resilient bush which connects the upper rod and the lower rod in an expandable manner in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumitaka Andou, Norio Asano, Masaya Hiramatsu, Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11633995
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle axle of a two-track vehicle, having a wheel carrier carrying a vehicle wheel, which is able to be articulated to a vehicle body via a multi-link assembly, which multi-link assembly has a trapezoidal link in the form of a four-point link with two connection points on the body side and two connection points on the wheel carrier side. The trapezoidal link connection points on the wheel carrier side are designed with a higher elastic longitudinal compliance, that is, softer, than the trapezoidal link connection points on the body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Dominik Mohrlock
  • Patent number: 11548336
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for a vehicle having a body supported on a frame includes a first suspension component having a surface and a bracket cantilevered from the surface, a second suspension component including a surface portion, and a spring element mounted to one of the bracket and the surface portion of the second suspension component. Interaction between the spring element and the another of the bracket and the surface portion of the second suspension component limits upward travel of the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery L. Vogt
  • Patent number: 11268567
    Abstract: A sealing element for a ball joint has a sealing area on the housing side and a sealing area a distance away therefrom in an axial direction of the sealing element on the stud side. Arranged between the housing-side sealing area and the stud-side sealing area is an outlet opening which extends through the sealing element to allow the passage of spent lubricant. The outlet opening extends in the axial direction of the sealing element, passing all the way through the sealing element in the axial direction. Further, the sealing element is incorporated in a ball joint which is incorporated in a two-point control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Gainsville, LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Sokolihs, Uwe Petersen, Joe Vierthaler, Marco Di Sarno, Holger Hardt
  • Patent number: 11222378
    Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a conveyance system and a compartment coupled to the conveyance system. The conveyance system autonomously drives the autonomous robotic vehicle between one or more storage locations and one or more delivery locations. The compartment receives one or more items stored at the one more storage locations. The compartment includes a temperature control module configured to maintain the compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the one or more items as the conveyance system drives between the one or more storage locations and the one or more delivery locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Nan Ransohoff
  • Patent number: 11167612
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle suspension device capable of obtaining excellent steering stability and good riding comfort in conformity to a tire longitudinal spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruaki Iseri, Tetsuya Shirosaka
  • Patent number: 10624261
    Abstract: A system and method for independent suspension for a mower, including a frame having a front structural member and respective side structural members, a first front wheel assembly, and a second front wheel assembly. The system also includes a first suspension arm pair having a first suspension arm and a second suspension arm, each pivotably coupled at one end to the front structural member and at another end to the first wheel front assembly such that the second suspension arm is vertically offset from the first suspension arm. The system also includes a second suspension arm pair having a third suspension arm and a fourth suspension arm, each pivotably coupled at one end to the front structural member and at another end to the second front wheel assembly such that the fourth suspension arm is vertically offset from the third suspension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Krajewski
  • Patent number: 10486640
    Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a conveyance system and a compartment coupled to the conveyance system. The conveyance system autonomously drives the autonomous robotic vehicle between one or more grocery storage locations and one or more delivery locations. The compartment receives one or more grocery items stored at the one more grocery storage locations. The compartment includes a temperature control module configured to maintain the compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the one or more grocery items as the conveyance system drives between the one or more grocery storage locations and the one or more delivery locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Nan Ransohoff
  • Patent number: 10486758
    Abstract: A drop axle lift kit for a golf cart includes a base plate. Each support arm of a pair of support arms is positioned proximate a respective lateral side of the base plate. Each support plate of a pair of support plates is mounted to a respective support arm of the pair of support arms at a distal end of the respective support arm. A pair of rod end bearings is configured to rotatably support a front steering spindle of the golf cart such that the front steering spindle of the golf cart is rotatable about an axis. The pair of rod end bearings is mounted to one of the pair of support plates such that an angle defined between the axis and vertical is adjustable in order to change a canter of a wheel on the front steering spindle of the golf cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventor: Yujie Zhang
  • Patent number: 10384505
    Abstract: A ball joint bracket includes a spindle plate having an upper end and a lower end. A ball joint plate extends generally outwardly from the lower end of the spindle plate. A gusset extends between the spindle plate and the ball joint plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10343476
    Abstract: A front suspension lift kit for a golf cart includes a spindle bracket. The spindle bracket is mountable to a swing arm such that the spindle bracket is rotatable on the swing arm. A flange of a coil-over shock extends outwardly from a cylinder of the coil-over shock, and the flange of the coil-over shock is mountable to the spindle bracket such that the flange of the coil-over shock is positioned over a pair of spindle bearings on the spindle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Yujie Zhang
  • Patent number: 10179490
    Abstract: An A-arm suspension system may include a frame that defines respective left and right rear body mounting locations at about a rear end of the frame and respective left and right front body mounting locations at about a front end of the frame. Left and right side control arms are pivotally mounted to left and right sides of said frame so that at least portions of the left and right side control arms are generally aligned with the respective left and right front body mounting locations on the frame. Left and right side A-arms are pivotally mounted to the left and right sides of the frame assembly in generally spaced-apart relation to the respective left and right side control arms so that the control arms and the A-arms define respective left and right side ball joint axes. Left and right side wheel spindle assemblies are mounted to the respective left and right side control and A-arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10137748
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle including a carrier having a rotatably mounted bearing element. A spring damper strut connects to the carrier and the vehicle structure. A transverse control arm connects to the carrier at one end and at the other end to the vehicle structure. A control member connects to the carrier and the transverse control arm. The control member arranged relative to the transverse control arm such that a force application line of the control member is inclined toward a transverse control arm axis defined by a point of articulation of the transverse control arm on the structure side and a point of articulation of the transverse control arm on the carrier side wherein the force application line and the transverse control arm axis intersect between the points of articulation of the transverse control arm on the structure side and the carrier side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Thomas Gerhards, Paul Zandbergen
  • Patent number: 9895947
    Abstract: The invention concerns a multipiece spring link (100) for a wheel suspension of a vehicle, with: a first profiled side piece (101), forming a first side leg of the multipiece spring link (100), wherein the first profiled side piece (101) has a first bulge (105); a second profiled side piece (103), forming a second side leg of the multipiece spring link (100), wherein the second profiled side piece (103) has a second bulge (107); and wherein the first bulge (105) and the second bulge (107) are arranged one opposite the other and together form a spring receiving region (108) for the receiving of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Meyer, Oliver Mielke
  • Patent number: 9849743
    Abstract: A swing arm having a reduced number of parts in which manufacturing cost can be reduced. In a swing arm including: vehicle-body-side support portions that are supported on a vehicle body side by a first rotary shaft; wheel-side support portions that are supported on a wheel side by a second rotary shaft; and a pair of arm portions that connect the vehicle-body-side support portions and the wheel-side support portions to each other, cross members that extend in an axial direction of the first rotary shaft is arranged on the pair of arm portions so as to extend between the pair of arm portions, and the cross members have a U shape in cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the cross members, thus forming opening portions that open so as to face a direction that the pair of arm portions extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita, Hajime Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9610820
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle suspension includes an upper member, a lower member, a spring, a jounce bumper, and a striker. The lower member is configured to pivot relative to the upper member. The spring is configured to bias the lower member away from the upper member. The jounce bumper is fixedly coupled to one of the upper and lower members. The striker is fixedly coupled to the other one of the upper and lower members. The striker has a striker surface configured to contact the jounce bumper when the lower member is pivoted to compress the spring greater than a predetermined amount. The striker surface is convex toward the jounce bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Song Chen, Paul D Logan, Frederick J Zweng, Saravanan Ganeshmurthy
  • Patent number: 9193237
    Abstract: In a method of producing a chassis control arm, at least one end of a blank is provided with at least two webs which are arranged in spaced-apart relation and define a clearance there between. Each of the webs is formed with a bearing opening, with the bearing opening of one web and the bearing opening of the other web aligned in coaxial relation to provide a bearing zone. A bearing sleeve is placed into the bearing openings, and the bearing sleeve is peripherally expanded at least in one region such as to project radially into the clearance. The at least one peripheral expansion can be formed to directly abut at least one of the webs in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Roland Hudler
  • Patent number: 8967638
    Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 8641062
    Abstract: A lift axle suspension system is provided with a frame bracket member connectable to a vehicle frame, an upper control arm, and a lower control arm. Each control arm has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the frame bracket member. The suspension system also includes an axle connecting member connectable to an axle, with the second end of each control arm being pivotally connected to the axle connecting member. A compression coil spring having a first end connected to the lower control arm and a second end connected to the upper control arm serves as a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the axle connected to the axle connecting member. The compression coil spring may encircle at least a portion of and be substantially coaxial with the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 8616568
    Abstract: A structure of a vehicle subframe mounted to a vehicle, in which a wheel hub may be connected to a vehicle body through a lower arm and an upper arm disposed below and above one another, and in which the lower arm may be coupled in a traverse direction of the vehicle may include a plate-shaped body mounted to a lower portion of the vehicle body, and having the lower arm mounted thereon in the traverse direction of the vehicle, and a mounting bracket protruding from the body upwards wherein the upper arm may be pivotally coupled to an upper portion of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hwashin Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Min Kim, Dae-Sik Ko, Eui-Keun Jeong
  • Patent number: 8573619
    Abstract: In a suspension assembling structure, a suspension link has an engagement hole formed in a mounting face for a spring seat. The spring seat has a protrusion formed on the lower face of a seat body and configured to be brought into engagement with the suspension link by insertion into the engagement hole. Also, the spring seat has a flange formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion in a manner so as to radially protrude through a clearance space defined between adjacent wires of a coil spring, and configured to hold the wire of a first turn at the lower end of the coil spring, while being kept in abutted-engagement with the upper face of the first turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reo Koide, Keiichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8398091
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle, including: an electromagnetic actuator configured to generate an actuator force and including a sprung-side unit supported by a sprung portion, an unsprung-side unit supported by an unsprung portion, a screw mechanism, and an electromagnetic motor; a connecting mechanism including a support spring for permitting one of the sprung-side and unsprung-side units to be floatingly supported as a floating unit by a unit-floatingly support portion that is one of the sprung and unsprung portions by which the floating unit is supported; and a controller including a sprung-vibration-damping control portion and a relative-vibration-damping control portion that is configured to execute a relative-vibration damping control for damping a vibration of the floating unit caused by the structure in which the floating unit is floatingly supported by the support spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Inoue, Takuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8181976
    Abstract: On a jackscrew used to adjust spring tension on the suspension of some vehicles, a bearing is provided to allow one or both spring cups (and hence one or both ends of the spring) to rotate freely relative to each other about the axis of the spring. This relieves undesirable forces between the vehicle body and its undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Brian A. Ross
  • Patent number: 8104781
    Abstract: The apparatus has two tilting wheels which, when attached to a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle or a scooter, allows the vehicle to tilt into a curve notwithstanding the addition of the two wheels. The apparatus includes a frame, a pair of wheel supports and a pair of wheels each rotatable about a separate wheel support. A pair of links interconnect the frame with the wheel supports. The apparatus includes a rocker pivotally connected to the frame and a pair of transverse arms each pivotal about a separate wheel support and the rocker. Each transverse arm has a coil spring for biasing the wheel support and rocker apart. When a vehicle equipped with the apparatus rounds a curve, the frame tilts in the direction of the curve with like tilting of the wheels of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Gazarek
  • Patent number: 7967306
    Abstract: A tilting, preferably three-wheeled, vehicle is disclosed that has a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to have leaning characteristics substantially similar to those offered by an in-line two-wheeled vehicle, but that does not require complex linkages and/or control systems to operate effectively. A tilting linkage is operably secured to a frame to allow a pair of spaced apart wheels to remain substantially aligned with the plane of the vehicle throughout its range of movement while still allowing the steering axes of each wheel to intersect the substantially vertical centerline of each wheel. The linkage also allows the caster angle of each wheel's pivot axis can be optimized independently of the angle of the vehicle's handlebar steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Mighell
  • Patent number: 7959171
    Abstract: A lower spring seat mounting structure in a suspension of a vehicle, including a spring mounting portion to which a lower end portion of a coil spring is mounted, the spring mounting portion being disposed on a lower link, an elastic lower spring seat including one side surface that is in contact with the spring mounting portion and the other side surface that is in contact with the lower end portion of the coil spring, and a seat mounting portion at which the lower spring seat is connected to the spring mounting portion. The seat mounting portion is arranged within a range defined between two straight lines which extend through a center of the lower spring seat and form an angle of ±45 degrees with respect to an axis of the lower link in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuomi Takahashi, Yunosuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 7883099
    Abstract: A model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a vehicle chassis, a spring for providing a supporting suspension force, one or more dampers for providing a damping suspension force, the dampers having an elongated shape, wherein the dampers are mounted on the chassis with a longitudinal axis substantially horizontal relative to the chassis and at least a first suspension member mounted to the chassis for supporting a vehicle wheel, the first suspension member being mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly at the location for supporting a vehicle wheel. A coupling mechanism for transmitting suspension forces from one or both of the spring and the one or more dampers to the first suspension member at the location for supporting a vehicle wheel is also provided, the coupling mechanism being configured to transmit suspension forces to the first suspension member, while allowing movement of the first suspension member at the point of supporting a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Brent Whitfield Byers, Jon Kenneth Lampert
  • Publication number: 20100127471
    Abstract: The apparatus has two tilting wheels which, when attached to a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle or a scooter, allows the vehicle to tilt into a curve notwithstanding the addition of the two wheels. The apparatus includes a frame, a pair of wheel supports and a pair of wheels each rotatable about a separate wheel support. A pair of links interconnect the frame with the wheel supports. The apparatus includes a rocker pivotally connected to the frame and a pair of transverse arms each pivotal about a separate wheel support and the rocker. Each transverse arm has a coil spring for biasing the wheel support and rocker apart. When a vehicle equipped with the apparatus rounds a curve, the frame tilts in the direction of the curve with like tilting of the wheels of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Gazarek
  • Patent number: 7690661
    Abstract: A suspension structure is configured to ensure a large stroke of a shock absorber in a suspension device without moving an upper end supporting position of a damper upward relative to a conventional mounting position. The suspension structure includes a rear suspension for suspending left and right rear wheels. The rear suspension includes left and right lower arms for supporting the left and right rear wheels by way of knuckles, and left and right rear shock absorbers interposed between the respective lower arms and a sub-frame of a vehicle body frame. A lower end connecting portion of the rear shock absorber is cantilevered to a front side of the lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tsuruta, Takashi Shichinohe, Masahiro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090256321
    Abstract: [Problem] To control a camber angle to an adequate value by the use of a lateral force acting on a wheel, without causing a displacement of a tire ground contact point. [Means for solution] A suspension device includes a link mechanism replaceable by a first virtual link 11 which, when a lateral force acts at a tire ground contact point, inclines a wheel in a camber angle direction with respect to a vehicle body so as to increase the lateral force, and a second virtual link 12 which is connected virtually and rotatably between the first virtual link 11 and the vehicle body 1 and which is arranged to allow the wheel 2 to move in the up-and-down direction with respect to the vehicle body 1 in accordance with a load variation of the wheel in the up-and-down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Takuma Suzuki, Tadashi Tamasho, Yutaka Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 7562888
    Abstract: A vehicular suspension system is provided in which the lower end of a coil spring (16) is positioned lower than a support part (30) where a suspension arm (14) is supported on a vehicle body, the lower end of the coil spring (16) is positioned on the laterally inner side of the vehicle body relative to the upper end of the coil spring (16), and when a wheel (W) rebounds and the coil spring (16) is elongated, the lower end of the coil spring (16) can therefore move along its axis. As a result, the coil spring (16) can be prevented from bending at a time of rebound, the spring constant thus increases, and the lower end of the coil spring (16) is pressed strongly against a spring seat (51) and thus prevented from lifting, thereby preventing any degradation in the turning performance. This can prevent the lower end of the coil spring of the vehicular suspension system from lifting from the spring seat when the coil spring is elongated, thus preventing any degradation in the turning performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Orimoto, Norikazu Kurosu
  • Patent number: 7425005
    Abstract: A low profile chassis and suspension system for a road vehicle. The chassis supports a payload section or cargo compartment, such as for a delivery truck, ambulance, or shuttle bus. The chassis includes a largely planar frame having a top surface which is located beneath the rotational axes of the rear wheels. The wheel suspension system is particularly compact and close to the road surface. In some embodiments each wheel is suspended from the vehicle by a pair of pivotal support arms. Preferably, one arm is located above the other arm, and both arms pivot along pivot axes that are generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the supported wheel. A spring urges one of the arms apart from the frame. In other embodiments, the spring is placed beneath the rotational axis of the wheel. In some embodiments both of the pivoting support arms are located beneath the rotational axis of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Aloha, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Dallas Smith, Judson Smith
  • Patent number: 7249776
    Abstract: A suspension and method applies the unsprung weight of the wheels and axles to reduce the motion of the sprung weight of chassis. The suspension has a load bolster supporting the sprung weight at a ride height and a rebound member between the wheel axle support and the chassis. The rebound member is to exert increasing force with motion of the sprung weight away from the axle but the member reduces its force on the load bolster during jounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Peter E Bryant
  • Publication number: 20070075517
    Abstract: A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicants: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC., DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Suhre, Andrew Massignan, Andrew Roth
  • Patent number: 7185903
    Abstract: The invention is a suspension spring apparatus for a vehicle wherein the suspension spring maintains a linear alignment irrespective of the position of the articulating strut, where the articulating strut is selected from the group consisting of: control arms, axle arms, solid axles, adjustable spring tensioning devices, and longitudinal struts. The apparatus is comprised of a compression spring mounted between a pivoting lower seat and a pivoting upper seat, where the pivoting lower seat is coupled to the articulating strut and the pivoting upper seat is coupled to a support element. The support element is static, and serves to support the suspension system, and to distribute the forces generated by the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jason L. Dove
  • Publication number: 20060220338
    Abstract: A vehicular suspension system is provided in which the lower end of a coil spring (16) is positioned lower than a support part (30) where a suspension arm (14) is supported on a vehicle body, the lower end of the coil spring (16) is positioned on the laterally inner side of the vehicle body relative to the upper end of the coil spring (16), and when a wheel (W) rebounds and the coil spring (16) is elongated, the lower end of the coil spring (16) can therefore move along its axis. As a result, the coil spring (16) can be prevented from bending at a time of rebound, the spring constant thus increases, and the lower end of the coil spring (16) is pressed strongly against a spring seat (51) and thus prevented from lifting, thereby preventing any degradation in the turning performance. This can prevent the lower end of the coil spring of the vehicular suspension system from lifting from the spring seat when the coil spring is elongated, thus preventing any degradation in the turning performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Orimoto, Norikazu Kurosu
  • Publication number: 20060113743
    Abstract: A suspension and method applies the unsprung weight of the wheels and axles to reduce the motion of the sprung weight of chassis. The suspension has a load bolster supporting the sprung weight at a ride height and a rebound member between the wheel axle support and the chassis. The rebound member is to exert increasing force with motion of the sprung weight away from the axle but the member reduces its force on the load bolster during jounce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Bryant
  • Patent number: 7032913
    Abstract: A suspension and method applies the unsprung weight of the wheels and axles to reduce the motion of the sprung weight of chassis. The suspension has a load bolster supporting the sprung weight at a ride height and a rebound member between the wheel axle support and the chassis. The rebound member is to exert increasing force with motion of the sprung weight away from the axle but the member reduces its force on the load bolster during jounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Peter E Bryant
  • Publication number: 20050258614
    Abstract: The invention is a suspension spring apparatus for a vehicle wherein the suspension spring maintains a linear alignment irrespective of the position of the articulating strut, where the articulating strut is selected from the group consisting of: control arms, axle arms, solid axles, adjustable spring tensioning devices, and longitudinal struts. The apparatus is comprised of a compression spring mounted between a pivoting lower seat and a pivoting upper seat, where the pivoting lower seat is coupled to the articulating strut and the pivoting upper seat is coupled to a support element. The support element is static, and serves to support the suspension system, and to distribute the forces generated by the suspension system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Jason Dove
  • Publication number: 20050146111
    Abstract: In a high-mounted double wishbone suspension device, an arm portion extending upward from a knuckle main body portion, through which an axle runs, is provided with a tie rod connection portion. A tie rod for turning a wheel is connected to the tie rod connection portion. The distance between the axle and the tie rod connection portion is increased to effectively suppress knuckle lateral vibration centered on the axle by the tie rod. Therefore, it is possible to reduce road noise without increasing the number of components or the weight. In particular, since the tie rod is connected to a joint provided on a lower face of the tie rod connection portion, it is possible to minimize vertical positional change of the tie rod, while suppressing lateral vibration of the knuckle by raising the position of the tie rod connection portion, whereby the arrangement can be easily applied to a conventional vehicle merely by replacing the knuckle alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Hirokazu Hirata, Yutaka Hozumi, Akihiro Maejima
  • Publication number: 20050140110
    Abstract: A knuckle is minimized in size to be located in an internal space of a rear wheel. An upper arm is disposed lower than a conventional double wishbone type and one end of the upper arm is secured to the knuckle. A shock absorber couples at a lower end thereof to the knuckle by passing through a space between a lower arm and assist arm. This configuration thus constructed greatly increases the space of the trunk room, reduces noise by minimizing the transmission of road impact and vibration, and improves ride comfort as well as braking stability and turn stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Un-Koo Lee, Sang-Ho Lee, Hyung-Bae Jang, Young-Wook Park
  • Patent number: 6764085
    Abstract: A spring guide for maintaining the alignment of a vehicle's suspension coil spring and for reducing the tendency for such springs to buckle. The spring guide is a smooth tube which fits into and slides in an elastomeric bushing mounted to the top bearing plate of a coil spring assembly. The lower end of the spring guide is threaded into the pivoting support for the lower end of the spring. The guide ensures that the ends of the spring are aligned with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Oshkosh Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Brian K. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6761372
    Abstract: A suspension and method applies the unsprung weight of the wheels and axles to reduce the motion of the sprung weight of chassis. The suspension has a load bolster supporting the sprung weight at a ride height and a rebound member between the sheel axle support and the chassis. The rebound member is to exert increasing force with motion of the sprung weight away from the axle but the member reduces its force on the load bolster during jounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Peter E Bryant
  • Patent number: 6726229
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a motor vehicle includes upper and lower control arms pivotally attached to a frame member of the vehicle. A knuckle arm pivotally attaches to the upper and lower control arms moves along a substantially vertical axis in response to wheel movement caused by an uneven road surface. An actuation link is attached to one of the control arms at one end and to a damper assembly at another end. The damper assembly is disposed substantially within the frame member along a second axis transverse to vertical movement of the wheel and is actuated along the transverse axis in response movement of the control arm along the substantially vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Smith, Daniel E. Whitney, Robert P. Carlstedt, Eric Stephen Geib, Steven M. Foster, Richard M. Clisch, Shan Shih, Juan Jose Marcos Munoz
  • Patent number: 6722640
    Abstract: A U-type bellows air spring is supported on one side relative to the vehicle frame and on the other side relative to the axle or a longitudinal control arm guiding the latter. The lower end of the U-type bellows is fastened on the longitudinal control arm side in a pressure-tight manner to a flange of a supporting element, and a vibration absorber protrudes through the supporting element. A piston cylinder of the vibration absorber is connected to the longitudinal control arm via a joint, and a piston rod on the longitudinal axis of the air spring is supported relative to the vehicle frame. To keep the amount of sealing for the air spring small even if it is not used very much, the supporting element for the lower end of the U-type bellows is arranged rigidly with respect to the piston cylinder of the vibration absorber. A preferably cylindrical circumferential surface for the U-type bellows to roll along during the compression and rebound action extends from the flange toward the longitudinal control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Georg Memmel, Wolfgang Kolb, Roland Berghaus, Burchard Michels, Bernd Rhein
  • Patent number: 6702307
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system for motor vehicles has a horizontally positioned spring-and-damper unit which, by way of levers and links, interacts with wheel carriers of opposite wheels. In order to design the wheel suspension system in a favorable manner with respect to space requirements while ensuring proper functioning of its components, a horizontally positioned spring-and-damper unit and a lever, which can be swivelled about an axis which is upright or relatively slightly inclined, are provided for each side of the wheel. The lever is applied by way of a first lever section to the spring-and-damper unit and is connected, by way of a second lever section as well as a first link to one of the wheel carriers. The lever is connected to a stabilizer by way of a third lever section as well as a second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Becker, Swen Zschocke, Brian Giessel, Michael Laub
  • Patent number: 6536789
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension attachment assembly 10 including a spring 17, a pair of spring seats 16, 18 which are coupled to the spring 17, a bushing 25 which is coupled to seat 16, and an attachment member 24 which is received by the seat 16 and the bushing 25 and which is substantially concentric to the seat 16 and to the bushing 25, thereby reducing the overall packaging requirements of a vehicle suspension 12 incorporating the assembly 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Svensson, Joseph Lee Buchwitz, Jeffrey Lipa
  • Patent number: 6464239
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a vehicle having a rear axle centrally fixed to the vehicle body and a pair knuckles connected one to each end of the rear axle for mounting rear wheel in a wheel housing formed on left and right sides of the vehicle body, wherein the rear suspension includes upper and lower arms, one end of each respectively connected to upper and lower portions of the knuckles, a suspension mounting bracket fixed to a sidewall of the wheel housing and connected to one end of the upper arm, and a shock absorber inserted into the suspension mounting bracket at its upper portion and connected to the lower arm at its lower portion for absorbing bouncing impacts of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong-Yup Kim