Upper Strut Mount Detail Patents (Class 280/124.147)
  • Patent number: 11890976
    Abstract: A damping member (1) which has at least two engagement points (2), wherein the damping member (1) has an absorption means, wherein fastening elements (3) are arranged on the damping member (1), and wherein an additional absorption means (4) is provided which brings about shock absorption together with the absorption means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Protection Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Francois Buder, Michael Inden, Rene Neuling
  • Patent number: 11745799
    Abstract: A spring hanger assembly may be formed pieces shaped to increase the stiffness and strength. The spring hanger assembly may comprise separate pieces, such as an inner section and an outer section. The spring hanger assembly may be attached to a frame using fasteners or hucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, William A. Aske, Leonard D. Yoder
  • Patent number: 11472249
    Abstract: A suspension device for a vehicle, including a spring-absorber unit constituted by a shock absorber and a suspension spring that are formed as one unit, the shock absorber including a cylindrical housing, a piston disposed in the housing, and a piston rod that is connected at a basal portion thereof to the piston and that extends from the housing, the suspension spring being a coil spring through which the shock absorber passes, wherein one end portion of the suspension spring is capable of being supported by the housing of the shock absorber, and the other end portion of the suspension spring is capable of being supported by a distal portion the piston rod of the shock absorber while the suspension spring is receiving a tensile load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuya Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 11231068
    Abstract: Provided is a slide bearing capable of sustaining sliding performance over long period. A slide bearing has an upper case (2) configured to be attached to an upper support for attachment of a suspension to a vehicle body, a lower case (3) rotatably combined with the upper case (2) to form an annular space (7); and an annular center plate (4) and an annular sliding sheet (5) both placed within the annular space (7). The center plate (4) includes a bearing surface (40) slidable with the sliding sheet (5) and an annular groove (42) formed on the bearing surface (40) so as to hold lubricant. The annular groove (42) has an inner circumferential surface (43a) inclining down from the opening section toward the groove bottom section as it goes outwardly in the radial direction and an outer circumferential surface (43b) inclining down from the opening section toward the groove bottom section as it goes inwardly in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: GILES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Morishige, Keisuke Imagawa
  • Patent number: 11225288
    Abstract: A suspension having a first link member that is coupled to a front wheel and a second link member that is located on a rear side of the first link member is mounted to a suspension housing. The suspension housing has a first supporting part that supports the first link member and a second supporting part that is provided on a rear side of the first supporting part and supports the second link member. The front frame has a first fixing portion to which the first supporting part is fixed and a second fixing portion to which the second supporting part is fixed, and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are provided at positions different from each other in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Watanabe, Kuniyoshi Tashiro, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10794447
    Abstract: A bump stopper includes a cap, a stopper configured to receive a bump cushion, and a collar, wherein the cap includes a plate-shaped part having a rod hole into which a piston rod is inserted, and a cylindrical part configured to receive a cylinder, the stopper is provided to the plate-shaped part, and the collar provided to the plate-shaped part opposing the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirohito Kato, Naoki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10753389
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation to each other, and having upper and lower bearing surfaces, respectively, disposed in confronting alignment with each other. The lower bearing surface has a contour shaped to axially receive an upper end of the suspension spring. The upper bearing surface is shaped to be axially received by a support block attached to a body of the vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing includes an upper isolator made of resilient material and fixed to the upper bearing surface such that the upper isolator fits between the upper annular bearing member and support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Xavier Blanchard, Francois De Lemps, Julien Maffucci, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Patent number: 9387880
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for vehicle includes a wheel, at least one lower suspension link and one upper part, the wheel being arranged to rotate at 360°, to steer the vehicle around a pivot line, a projection of the pivot line onto a vertical projection plane including a vertical axis passing through a contact point between the wheel and ground defining a caster angle (?) with the vertical axis. The wheel assembly includes a at least one screw arranged to adjust the caster angle (?) such that the position of the upper part is moveable relative to the vehicle along a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: John Victor Gano
  • Patent number: 9194431
    Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing (1) including at least one rolling bearing (7) forming an axial thrust bearing disposed on a lower cap (6) is provided. The lower cap (6) includes a body (8) with an annular rolling bearing portion (8a) for a spring (2) and a tubular portion (8d) including a bore (8e) in which a shock absorber bump stop (4) is inserted. An axial contact surface (8h) is defined on the lower portion of the bore (8e) of the tubular portion (8d) against which the shock absorber bump stop (4) when deformed exerts a radial force (F2). The tubular portion (8d) includes a reinforcing insert (10) located at the level of this axial contact surface (8h).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOGAGET SKF
    Inventors: Cedric Brouty, Sylvain Bussit, Christophe Houdayer, Hemanth G N Kumar, Pascal Quenardelle, Jean-Marc Soudee
  • Patent number: 9085211
    Abstract: One variation includes a top mount for a strut having an inner metal portion. Another variation includes a bearing integrated with the inner metal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Bryan D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9028150
    Abstract: A thrust sliding bearing includes a synthetic resin-made bearing body having a hollow cylindrical portion, an annular collar portion, an annular protruding portion, a tubular projecting portion, an engaging projecting portion, and an annular projecting portion; an annular cover having a disk portion, a tubular portion, and an engaging projecting portion; an annular metal plate having an outer disk portion and an inner disk portion; and a thrust sliding bearing which is interposed between the bearing body and an annular lower surface of the outer disk portion of the annular metal plate and renders the annular metal plate rotatable with respect to the bearing body in a direction about an axis of the bearing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nagashima, Takashi Horiguchi, Kouichi Morishige
  • Patent number: 9004510
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a base portion and a modular portion. The base portion may be a four wheel vehicle having an operator area with seating for at least two occupants in a side-by-side arrangement. The modular portion may be coupled to the base portion resulting in a six wheel vehicle. The wheels of the modular portion may be powered by an engine of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua J. Leonard, Richard Raymond Maki, Eric Bjerkctvedt, Michael D. Schneider, Bradley Robert Morisch, Brian D. Krosschell
  • Patent number: 8960695
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a suspension thrust bearing device adapted to receive a shock absorber piston rod along a main axis (X1), the device including a single bearing forming an axial thrust bearing and including an inner race, an outer race and rolling members disposed between the inner race and the outer race, and at least one intermediate member adapted to transmit to the inner race essentially axial forces exerted on the device by a suspension spring. One of the inner race and the intermediate member extend(s) radially beyond the outer race in the direction of the main axis (X1), forming a bearing surface for fixing and centering the shock absorber piston rod relative to the device. The invention also concerns a motor vehicle McPherson strut including a shock absorber and a suspension thrust bearing device as referred to above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Christophe Houdayer, Jean-Luc Jadeau, Herve Maury, Bruno Montboeuf, Jean-Marc Soudee, Desire Vidot
  • Patent number: 8894079
    Abstract: An upper support for vehicle suspension including: an inner cylindrical member; an outer cylindrical member spaced apart peripherally outward from the inner cylindrical member; a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member while elastically connecting the two members; and a flange portion extending radially outward from the outer cylindrical member while being adapted to be overlapped and fixed onto a mounting portion of a vehicle body. A fastening seat portion is provided to the flange portion over a prescribed area and has a contact face adapted to be in contact against the mounting portion of the vehicle body. A concave/convex portion is formed on the contact face of the fastening seat portion over a prescribed area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumura, Yorikazu Nakamura, Satoshi Uchida, Yusuke Washitani
  • Publication number: 20140306417
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension tower brace assembly includes a first suspension tower attachment, a second suspension tower attachment, and a hollow body. The first suspension tower attachment has an end portion, the second suspension tower attachment has an end portion, and the hollow body has a first end portion and a second end portion. The end portion of the first suspension tower attachment and the first end portion are interconnected via one or more relief(s) and one or more protrusion(s) mating with each other. The end portion of the second suspension tower attachment and the second end portion can be interconnected similarly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald E. McCormick, Vincent Hermann-Heinrich Jones
  • Patent number: 8820759
    Abstract: An apparatus allows for the independent adjustment of caster and camber for vehicles utilizing MacPherson strut front suspensions. The apparatus has, in stacked arrangement, a fastener plate, a lower plate, and an upper plate. Camber adjustments are generally made by manipulation of the lower plate and caster adjustments are generally made by manipulation of the upper plate. The upper plate may be mounted in two different positions to allow for different camber adjustments, such as for competitive situations and non-competitive situations. The device utilizes a thrust bearing having a race in the upper face of the spring perch and an opposing race which mounts around the base of the bearing cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Croutcher
  • Patent number: 8820761
    Abstract: One variation includes a top mount, integrated housing and spring bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Bryan D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8764040
    Abstract: A quadricycle includes a four-wheel suspension system that is structured to maintain contact between the ground and the wheels when traversing uneven terrain, as well as to permit a rider to lean into a curve in order to facilitate steering the vehicle. The suspension assemblies are relatively wide to resist rollover accidents. Shock absorbers within the suspension assemblies are angled from vertical to provide both a vertical force component and a horizontal force component in order to permit leaning into a curve while resisting excessive leaning. The quadricycle's drivetrain is structured to increase clearance between the ground and many drivetrain components. Smaller components of the spindle and wheel hub assembly are protected by larger components of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis DeLauter
  • Patent number: 8764035
    Abstract: With a motor vehicle having a front axle and rear axle, underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a control arm on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Stefan Gloger
  • Patent number: 8733745
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ravindra P Patil, Robert T. Jane, Michael A. Ray, Robert L. Geisler, Joseph A. Schudt
  • Patent number: 8696004
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a top mount assembly, a shock absorber, a lower spring seat and a spring extending between the top mount assembly and the lower spring seat. The lower spring seat includes an annular disc and a tubular extension extending from the annular disc. The tubular wall defines a plurality of lands or steps which define bearing surfaces which are used to press the lower spring seat onto the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn R. Baker, Rand Raymo, Jason Shaw
  • Patent number: 8668213
    Abstract: A damper mounting structure is provided with a top buffer member and a bottom buffer member. The bottom buffer member has a protruding section that protrudes with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom buffer member. The damper mounting structure mates with the protruding section and is anchored to a vehicle body panel, and is provided with a collar formed at substantially the same height as the height of the protruding section. The corner of an opening formed on the vehicle body panel, which comes into contact with the top buffer member, is chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Takagi, Makoto Kihara, Masanori Hayashi, Noriaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8556281
    Abstract: A bracket is provided to mount a shock absorber to a vehicle body. The bracket is configured to couple a distal end of a piston rod of the shock absorber to a vehicle body. The bracket is molded of a plastic material and includes a body having a recess formed thereon, the recess allowing a bush assembly to be inserted therein, and a flange extending from the body. The bracket is molded integrally with a metal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Yoon Hyun Lee, Myung Hwa Hyun
  • Patent number: 8556047
    Abstract: An automobile hydraulic shock absorber includes a cylinder body, a piston, an upper support, a piston rod, a volume adjustment mechanism, first and second communicating passages, and a pressure-applying mechanism. The piston rod is attached to the upper support via a rubber cushion. The volume adjustment mechanism includes a free piston. The first and second communicating passages communicate the first oil chamber and second oil chamber with each other in the cylinder body via a diaphragm. The pressure-applying mechanism is disposed outside the cylinder body, movement thereof is restricted by the upper support, and the pressure-applying mechanism pushes the piston rod downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kondou, Masashi Maeda, Yutaka Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8534686
    Abstract: A suspension system may be provided. The suspension system may comprise a wheel support idler and a strut. A top end of the strut may be attached to a bottom of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a spring configured to absorb shock from the strut. A bottom of the spring may be attached to a top of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a first tower and a second tower. The wheel support idler may be configured to slide up and down on the second tower and the wheel support idler may not contact the first tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Patent number: 8511698
    Abstract: A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Radar Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kucinski, Mark Zmyslowski
  • Patent number: 8474846
    Abstract: The suspension bump thrust device for a motor vehicle comprises a lower supporting cover 20, an upper elastic bearing seat 18 designed to be attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle, and a rolling bearing 22 forming an axial thrust placed axially between the supporting cover and the bearing seat. The bearing comprises a lower ring, an upper ring and at least one row of rolling elements placed between the said rings. The bearing seat comprises an axial retention means 34d for the supporting cover arranged on a skirt 34c of the said seat and interacting with a complementary axial retention means 50e for the said cover. A cup 36 for reinforcing the bearing seat forms the upper ring of the rolling bearing. The reinforcing cup 36 comprises an axial portion 36a resting against the skirt of the bearing seat and a radial portion 36b radially extending the axial portion inwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jérôme Dubus, Richard Corbett, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 8448966
    Abstract: A front structure for a vehicle is provided, the structure including a single piece shock tower and an upper control arm, where the front coupling of the upper control arm is attached to the shock tower at a location directly above a corresponding surface of the shock tower such that the front coupling is exposed from above, and where the rear coupling of the upper control arm is attached to the shock tower at a location directly below a corresponding surface of the shock tower such that the rear coupling is unexposed from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya, Alexi Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 8424889
    Abstract: In a vehicle-body stiffening device, a wind-receiving plate that receives traveling wind is fixed to a main bar portion of a lower bar that connects brackets formed at left and right lower sections of a suspension cross member to each other and supporting suspension lower arms. The wind-receiving plate receiving a traveling-wind pressure biases the main bar portion so as to generate bending stress. Due to this bending stress, a preload is generated between the left and right brackets. Since the preload is generated by the traveling-wind pressure, the preload is 0 (kg/mm) when the vehicle speed is 0 (km/h), but increases as the vehicle speed increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Fujinuki
  • Patent number: 8371588
    Abstract: An actuator, which can be actuated along a longitudinal axis, in particular for a spring carrier, includes a stationary part, a first rotor, which can be driven so as to perform a rotary motion, a rotatable second rotor, which is supported against the stationary part in the axial direction in an axial rest position, a coupling device, by which the second rotor is coupled to the first rotor, and an output element, which is connected to the second rotor and can be moved axially by means of a rotary motion of the second rotor. The coupling device interacts with the first rotor and the second rotor in such a way that, starting from the rest position, an axial movement of the second rotor can be produced by means of a first rotary motion of the first rotor in order to release the second rotor from the stationary part and thereby bring it into a working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Kohlhauser, Hansjoerg Poehler
  • Patent number: 8356826
    Abstract: A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Radar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kucinski, Mark S. Zmyslowski
  • Patent number: 8317210
    Abstract: A suspension height adjustment apparatus includes first and second plates which may cooperatively engage to define a plurality of thickness dimensions, which correspond to suspension height adjustment dimensions. The first and second plates of the suspension height adjustment apparatus may be coupled between an upper strut assembly and a vehicle frame through a plurality of connection adapters which engage to the upper strut studs of the strut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Stempf Automotive Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ryshavy, James R. Ryshavy
  • Patent number: 8308176
    Abstract: A suspension stop for a motor vehicle has an upper cup, a lower cup and roller bodies arranged between the cups to permit the relative rotation thereof. The cups are designed to have at least one annular space between them. The stop further has a seal element arranged in the annular space with a sliding contact with each cup. The seal element is arranged to be mobile with relation to at least one cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SNR Roulements
    Inventors: Herve Lenon, Gerard Mermoud, Ludovic Saunier
  • Patent number: 8302980
    Abstract: An eccentric steering axis strut top mount providing a reduced spindle length. An axes eccentricity is provided by laterally shifting the steering axis with respect to the strut rod axis in a direction toward a vertical ray passing through the wheel center. The axes eccentricity results in an upper point of the kingpin axis being laterally shifted toward the vertical ray with the consequence of the spindle length being shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher P. Scolaro, Jacek Marchel
  • Patent number: 8297633
    Abstract: A support bearing for a vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a rubber bearing that encloses one end of a strut element and introduces the lateral and longitudinal forces of the strut into a vehicle body. A ball bearing allows rotational movements between a spring element and the car body. For this purpose, the ball bearing of the support bearing is supported on the car body with a ball bearing race that features a first ball track. A second ball track of the ball bearing is arranged on a rubber bearing housing together with one end of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Juergen Siebeneick
  • Patent number: 8256783
    Abstract: A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Radar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kucinski, Mark S. Zmyslowski
  • 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: 8109492
    Abstract: A strut top mount utilizing a mount dome including lightweight polymeric material for the primary structural member as a replacement for the steel material that is traditionally used. The utilization of the polymeric material is possible because the factors associated with strut top mount stresses are successfully managed by a strategic geometric arrangement of the components thereof and the body structure to which it interfaces, as for example by the mount dome being configured to seat in abutting relation to a support shell of the strut tower, wherein the polymeric material is placed under compression. A load bypass is provided in the event of a maximum jounce event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Winocur
  • Patent number: 8079608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle, having a lower link for the fastening of a wheel which is coupled to a chassis underframe and is supported on the body via a spring. The chassis underframe is mounted on the body via elastic bearings and has an annular mounting on which the spring plate of the spring is supported before the wheel suspension system is installed. In the fitted state, the spring plate is pressed out of the mounting by the body and is therefore decoupled from the chassis underframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Weshendorff
  • Patent number: 8066435
    Abstract: A thrust sliding bearing (1) includes an upper casing (3) which is made of polyacetal resin and has an annular lower surface (2); a lower casing (5) which is made of a reinforced synthetic resin including, in addition to polyacetal resin, reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers contained in this polyacetal resin, is superposed on the upper casing (3) so as to be rotatable about an axis O of the upper casing (3) in an R direction, and has an annular upper surface (4) opposed to the annular lower surface (2) of the upper casing (3); an annular thrust sliding bearing piece (6) which is made of polyacetal resin and is interposed between the annular lower surface (2) and the annular upper surface (4); and a tubular radial sliding bearing piece (7) made of polyacetal resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Miyata, Ryohei Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20110221158
    Abstract: A suspension strut support bearing with a spring retainer on a housing part made from plastic and a cup-shaped retainer for a limit bumper is provided. The cup-shaped retainer fits at least partially into the housing part in the axial direction and is held on the housing part guided in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Andreas Wöllner
  • Patent number: 7997395
    Abstract: A strut suspension includes a shock absorber, and a bearing portion that connects the shock absorber to a vehicle body such that the shock absorber can rotate. The bearing portion includes an inner race and an outer race. The thickness of the inner race increases toward the outside of the vehicle body in a vehicle-width direction. The thickness of the outer race decreases toward the outside of the vehicle body in the vehicle-width direction. As a result, a rotational axis of the bearing portion tilts outward in the vehicle-width direction, with respect to an absorber-axis of the shock absorber. Also, the rotational axis tilts inward in the vehicle-width direction with respect to a kingpin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ohkita, Masato Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 7997599
    Abstract: A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Radar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Zmyslowski, Robert D. Kucinski
  • Patent number: 7976039
    Abstract: An upper support apparatus for use in a suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes an upper support plate defining at least one aperture, the upper support plate coupled to a body of the vehicle. The upper support apparatus further includes a resilient member coupled to an underside of the upper support plate, wherein at least one portion of the resilient member is adapted to protrude through the at least one aperture and wherein the at least one portion of the resilient member prevents direct contact between the upper support plate and the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay M. Hirve, Mikhal el Arculli
  • Patent number: 7938418
    Abstract: An upper mount assembly for an air-over vehicle suspension system includes an annular elastomeric isolator molded between two tubular bushing sleeves and press-fit into a through bore defined in an end cap. The inner bushing sleeve is adapted to receive the free end of the system's damper rod while an axial projection of the end cap is supported for relative rotation within a complementary through bore of a top plate. An axially-projecting lower surface on the elastomeric isolator defines a low-profile jounce bumper adapted to resiliently engage an upper end of the damper's cylinder body, thereby obviating the need for a separate jounce bumper while further accommodating relatively-low vehicle ride heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Air Lift Company
    Inventors: Joshua D. Coombs, Kelly Parker, Brian Wezensky, Alfred N Seger, Michael Larmann
  • Publication number: 20110042914
    Abstract: An upper support apparatus for use in a suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes an upper support plate defining at least one aperture, the upper support plate coupled to a body of the vehicle. The upper support apparatus further includes a resilient member coupled to an underside of the upper support plate, wherein at least one portion of the resilient member is adapted to protrude through the at least one aperture and wherein the at least one portion of the resilient member prevents direct contact between the upper support plate and the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ajay M. Hirve, Mikhal el Arculli
  • Patent number: 7891472
    Abstract: A protruding portion is formed integrally on an outer ring in such a manner as to protrude from an outer raceway surface toward an inner raceway surface. A sliding portion is formed on an inner ring as a separate element from the inner raceway surface in such a manner as to protrude from the inner raceway surface toward the outer raceway surface. Due to the sliding portion being brought into contact with the protruding portion during a relative rotation of the inner ring and the outer ring, the sliding portion is formed by applying an elastic material such as rubber to the inner raceway surface by heating or bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yano
  • Patent number: 7850183
    Abstract: A suspension height modification apparatus includes a first portion that is securable to a vehicular biasing suspension device and a second portion that is securable to a vehicular frame. The apparatus includes an axis along which a suspension height may be determined between the vehicular frame and the vehicular wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a movable portion which may be actuated along such axis to adjust suspension height, and a spacer device connectable between an upper ball joint stud and a steering knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Stempf Automotive Industries. Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ryshavy, James R. Ryshavy, William E. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 7832747
    Abstract: A pressure chamber of a gas spring damping unit is arranged within the cross section of a longitudinal beam in a motor vehicle body. For this purpose, a tubular connecting piece that is closed by a cover is welded into the longitudinal beam. A piston of the gas spring damping unit is arranged in longitudinally displaceable manner in the connecting piece. The space occupied by the gas spring damping unit is thereby kept particularly small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jürgen Siebeneick
  • Patent number: 7793954
    Abstract: A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Radar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kucinski, Mark S. Zmyslowski