Including Stabilizer Bar (e.g., Sway Bar) Patents (Class 280/124.152)
  • Patent number: 12194802
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle may be provided. The suspension assembly may include a strut which may operably couple a wheel of the vehicle to a body of the vehicle, a stabilizer bar, and a stabilizer bar link which may operably couple the stabilizer bar to the strut. The stabilizer bar link may include a first ball joint, a second ball joint, and a shaft which may extend therebetween. The first and second ball joints may include first and second threaded shafts, respectively, that may extend through respective first and second receiving orifices. A base of the first and second threaded shafts may include a non-rounded shaped perimeter. A perimeter of one of the first and second receiving orifices may be complementary to the non-rounded shaped perimeter to hold one of the first and second threaded shafts in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Akhilesh Ravichandran
  • Patent number: 12103623
    Abstract: A steering element with a steering control arm has an elongated metallic body that includes a thinner buckling section arranged between a distal part of the metallic body and a proximal part of the metallic body. An anti-corrosion coating is arranged on the metallic body on either side of the thinner buckling section over the distal part and the proximal part. A protective anti-corrosion element, different from the anti-corrosion coating, covers the whole of the thinner buckling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metal France
    Inventor: Franck Ygou
  • Patent number: 12054028
    Abstract: A system that a crossbar that is pivotally connected to a first structure and is pivotally connected to a second structure. The system also includes a first actuator that is located near the first structure and is connected to the crossbar. The system also includes a second actuator that is located near the second structure and is connected to the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Troy A. Carter, James J. Dowle, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Patent number: 12054211
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. A radiator is positioned above the engine. A cover with an access panel is situated between the engine and the passenger seats. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck
  • Patent number: 12012166
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chassis for an unmanned guided carrier, wherein the chassis comprises a chassis body (100), two driving wheel set modules (200) and a torsion shaft caster module (300) mounted on the chassis body (100), the torsion shaft caster module (300) comprises a torsion shaft (310) rotatably mounted on the chassis body (100) and two supports (320), one end of each of the two supports (320) is fixed to one of both ends of the torsion shaft (310) respectively, an universal wheel (330) is mounted at the other end of each of the two supports (320), an elastic member (340) is provided between said other end of each of the two supports (320) mounted with the universal wheel (330) and the chassis body (100), the elastic member (340) applies an elastic force to the universal wheel (330) to make it cling to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: HANGZHOU HIKROBOT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wentao Yu, Chao Wu, Hui Jiang
  • Patent number: 12005963
    Abstract: A vehicle shown herein is a side by side utility vehicle having a skid plate positioned beneath a frame, wherein at least a portion of an edge of the skid plate extends upward above a lowermost portion of the frame. The vehicle may further or alternatively include a brake and steering mount coupled to the frame, at least one tie down integrated into the frame, at least on deflection shield positioned between a radiator of the vehicle and a seating area of the vehicle, a floor having at least one channel, and/or a propeller shaft accessible through a console of the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Clark, Owen J. Dickinson, Aaron D. Deckard, Evan R. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 11981381
    Abstract: An actuator (1) for a rear axle steering system of a vehicle includes a thrust rod (2) which is longitudinally displaceable within a housing (3). The thrust rod (2) has a rotation lock (4) having a guide element (5) which is guided in the axial direction in a single-part or multi-part slide rail (6) arranged on the housing (3). An elastomer ring (7) is arranged between the slide rail (6) and the housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Daniel Faber, Alexander Hausmann, Simon Mersmann
  • Patent number: 11975752
    Abstract: A support roller (30, 30?) for supporting a vehicle on an underlying surface, comprising at least one bearing element which is at least indirectly connectable to at least one supporting structure of the vehicle, at least one fork connected to the bearing element, and at least one wheel (90, 90?) which is mounted in the fork so as to be rotatable about a first rolling axis (R) and can be brought into contact with the underlying surface, at least one sensing device (190 ) for sensing at least one supporting force with which the wheel (90, 90?) is supported on the underlying surface. A vehicle, in particular an industrial truck, comprising at least one support roller and a method for stabilizing a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: BLICKLE RÄDER + ROLLEN GMBH U. CO. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Hölle
  • Patent number: 11932333
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. A radiator is positioned above the engine. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck
  • Patent number: 11926050
    Abstract: A robot arm includes a long cylindrical arm body and mounting interface portions fixed at both sides of the arm body and that are used to mount the robot arm to another member. At least sections of outer surfaces of the arm body and the mounting interface portions are formed of a resin. A first part that has one of the mounting interface portions and a section of the arm body and a second part that has the other one of the mounting interface portions and a section of the arm body are joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Nakayama, Kenichirou Abe, Masahiro Morioka
  • Patent number: 11912098
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a rear suspension system of an all-terrain vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle. The rear suspension system includes a left rear suspension assembly and a right rear suspension assembly, which include: an axle support; a main control arm, having a first outer end, a first inner end, and a second inner end; a front upper control arm, having a second outer end and a third inner end; and a rear upper control arm, having a third outer end and a fourth inner end, where a connection line between the first and second inner ends is L1, a center axis of the first outer end is L2, a connection line between the third and fourth inner ends is L3, a connection line between the second and third outer ends is L4, and L1, L2, L3, and L4 are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SEGWAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhen Dong
  • Patent number: 11833878
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar link for a vehicle suspension may be positioned between an anti-roll bar and an articulating arm. The link selectively transfers movement of the arm to the anti-roll bar, depending on a locked or unlocked state. The link includes a body interfacing a slidable shaft. A physical feature selectively locks or unlocks the slidable shaft with respect to the body. The physical feature may include a locking pin, interference with a locking ball, etc. In the locked state, translation of the slidable shaft is restricted, and movement of the arm is transferred through the link to the bar. In the unlocked state, translation of the slidable shaft is permitted, and movement of the arm causes the shaft to translate with respect to the body such that at least a portion of the movement is not transferred to the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Christopher Cox Creative
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
  • Patent number: 11731726
    Abstract: A front fork for a motorcycle includes a bottom portion configured to engage an axle of a front wheel, the bottom portion having a center line at an angle relative to vertical. An angled middle portion extends from a top of the bottom portion at an angle relative to vertical that is larger than the bottom portion center line angle relative to vertical. A steering head attachment extends from a top of the angled middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TRIKE SHOP OF MINNESOTA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Lindholm
  • Patent number: 11642927
    Abstract: A chassis link for a motor vehicle having load introduction elements connected by a straight profile portion of fiber-reinforced plastic. The profile portion and load introduction elements are connected via an adhesive connection in a common connection portion in which an end portion of the load introduction element and an end portion engage another in positive engagement. On both sides of a profile portion neutral fiber plane, the adhesive connection has longitudinal adhesive layers extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile portion and parallel to one another in a vertical. In vertical direction of the profile portion the longitudinal adhesive layers have a cross-sectional area becoming larger with increasing distance from the neutral fiber plane so that a relief is brought about in regions of the adhesive connection which have a relatively large distance from the neutral fiber plane in vertical direction of the profile portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Stieglitz, Manfred Bürgmann, Ingolf Müller
  • Patent number: 11524539
    Abstract: A chassis component for a wheel suspension which has a strut arrangement with at least one strut which is in the form of a profile component with an open cross-section. The at least one strut has a profile base and two wall sections that extend away from the profile base. An articulation point is provided, at least at one end of the strut, for receiving two joint components movably connected to one another, namely, a first joint component having a spherical joint body and a second joint component that rotatably and/or pivotably holds the joint body. In the area of the at least one articulation point, the wall sections have first and second joint accommodation apertures arranged opposite one another. A cylindrical sleeve is pressed in between the first joint accommodation aperture and the second joint accommodation aperture and keeps the opposite wall sections apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Sieve, Philipp Bronswick, Jan Pabst
  • Patent number: 11420666
    Abstract: A support roller (30, 30?) for supporting a vehicle on an underlying surface, comprising at least one bearing element which is at least indirectly connectable to at least one supporting structure of the vehicle, at least one fork connected to the bearing element, and at least one wheel (90, 90?) which is mounted in the fork so as to be rotatable about a first rolling axis (R) and can be brought into contact with the underlying surface, at least one sensing device (190) for sensing at least one supporting force with which the wheel (90, 90?) is supported on the underlying surface. A vehicle, in particular an industrial truck, comprising at least one support roller and a method for stabilizing a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BLICKLE RÄDER + ROLLEN GMBH U. CO. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Hölle
  • Patent number: 11390133
    Abstract: An anti-roll bar link for a vehicle suspension may be positioned between an anti-roll bar and an articulating arm. The link selectively transfers movement of the arm to the anti-roll bar, depending on a locked or unlocked state. The link includes a body interfacing a slidable shaft. A physical feature selectively locks or unlocks the slidable shaft with respect to the body. The physical feature may include a locking pin, interference with a locking ball, etc. In the locked state, translation of the slidable shaft is restricted, and movement of the arm is transferred through the link to the bar. In the unlocked state, translation of the slidable shaft is permitted, and movement of the arm causes the shaft to translate with respect to the body such that at least a portion of the movement is not transferred to the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Christopher Cox Creative
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Cox
  • Patent number: 11299004
    Abstract: A sway bar linkage assembly includes a socket joint, a shank extending from the socket joint, a bolt, and a bushing. The shank has a first bore with a first bore diameter and a second bore extending between the first bore and the socket joint. The second bore has a second bore diameter less than the first bore diameter such that a flange extends between the first bore and the second bore. The bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head and a stud extending between the shaft is included. The shaft has a first diameter and the stud has second diameter less than the first diameter such that a ledge extends between the shaft and the stud. The bushing is compressed a predefined by the bolt when the bolt extends through the bushing and the ledge of the bolt abuts against the flange of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts, LLC
    Inventors: Dustin Schrieber, Steven Douglas Schmitt, Glen C. Parker, Andrew Louis Auquier
  • Patent number: 11117436
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes suspension arms mounted to a vehicle body frame to be pivotable between a low rolling posture and a high rolling posture and an anti-roll bar unit. The anti-roll bar unit includes a main anti-roll bar and a sub anti-roll bar. The sub anti-roll bar extends at least partially parallel with the main anti-roll bar. In the low rolling posture of the suspension arms, the main anti-roll bar and the sub anti-roll bar are not in contact with each other. In the high rolling posture of the suspension bars, the main anti-roll bar and the sub anti-roll bar are in contact with each other to increase stiffness of the anti-roll bar unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Chang, John White
  • Patent number: 11014611
    Abstract: A front body of a vehicle includes left and right front side members extending forward from a left end part and a right end part of a lower end of a dash panel, an upper back beam connecting front ends of the front side members and extending in a width direction of the vehicle, left and right front center members extending forward from a central left part and a central right part of the lower end of the dash panel, a lower back beam connecting front ends of the front center members and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and first and second support members, the first support member connecting the left front side member and the left front center member and the second support member connecting the right front side member and the right front center member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byung Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 10744841
    Abstract: A hydraulic anti-sway bar disconnect system for locking and unlocking movement of an anti-sway bar of a vehicle, the system including an actuable control valve for controlling the movement of a working fluid within the system, at least one cylinder and piston assembly connected to the anti-sway bar having a working fluid connection port at both ends of the cylinder, a working fluid reservoir in fluid connection with the working fluid connection ports on the at least one cylinder via the actuable control valve whereby the actuable control valve is operable to maintain the system in a locked condition whereby working fluid in the cylinder maintains the piston substantially in position and an unlocked condition in which the actuable control valve allows the working fluid in the cylinder to exit the cylinder giving the piston free travel in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Wayne Peter Jackson
  • Patent number: 10619692
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston provided with a rod, and a cylinder storing the piston, and generates a braking force by a movement or relative movement of the piston. The cylinder is provided with width-side wall portions and thickness-side wall portions, and a shape in a cross section of the cylinder in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the piston is flat. The cylinder has a connection portion on an open side thereof, and the connection portion bridges the width-side wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Shigemitsu Tomita
  • Patent number: 10584758
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston provided with a rod, and a cylinder storing the piston, and generates a braking force by a movement or relative movement of the piston. The cylinder is provided with width-side wall portions and thickness-side wall portions, and a shape in a cross section of the cylinder in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the piston is flat. The cylinder has a connection portion on an open side thereof, and the connection portion bridges the width-side wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Shigemitsu Tomita
  • Patent number: 9931902
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing has a holding hole for holding a stabilizer bar and is to be mounted on a mounting surface of a vehicle-body-side component. A normal line to the mounting surface extends in a direction intersecting an up and down direction of a vehicle. The stabilizer bushing has at least one separation surface, one end portion of which is located on an inner circumferential surface opposed to the holding hole, and the other end portion of which is located on an outer surface of the stabilizer bushing at a position different from a rigid-component opposed portion opposed to the vehicle-body-side component. The at least one separation surface has a first separation surface located nearer to the rigid-component opposed portion than a plane extending through a central axis of the holding hole and parallel with the rigid-component opposed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsukamoto, Satoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9678347
    Abstract: A glasses-type mobile terminal includes a frame, a fixing body, a moving body and a joint. The frame is wearable on a user's head. The fixing body is coupled to one side of the frame. The moving body has a display unit for providing a user with visual information, and is disposed at the front based on user's eyes. The joint has one end coupled to the fixing body and the other end tiltably connected to the moving body so that the position of the moving body is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Haklim Lee, Wonseok Joo, Hanseok Chae
  • Publication number: 20150097351
    Abstract: According to a further embodiment, an automotive vehicle including a body frame having opposed side frames and a subframe having opposed side members is disclosed. The subframe includes a stabilizer bar connection assembly comprised of generally U-shaped recess formed in each of the opposed side members and a generally U-shaped bushing disposed within the recesses. The opposed side frames overlie the opposed side members adjacent the recesses and secure the bushings within their respective recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Rosepiler, Philip S.H. Moir, Christopher B. Dundon
  • Publication number: 20150091269
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle has left and right suspension arms, left and right shock absorbers operatively connected to their corresponding suspension arms, a sway bar operatively connected to the left and right suspension arms, left and right hinges pivotally connecting corresponding ends of the sway bar to their corresponding suspension arms. Each hinge includes a first hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding end of the sway bar, a second hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding suspension arm, the second hinge member being pivotally connected to the first hinge member, and a hinge lock selectively rigidly connecting the first hinge member to the second left member to prevent the first hinge member from pivoting relative to the second hinge member. A vehicle having the suspension assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Hannu Yleva
  • Patent number: 8944449
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a hydraulic system. The vehicle may include a sway bar. The sway bar may be positioned rearward of a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic system. A console having a first hydraulic input may be provided in an operator area of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Hurd, Richard D. Ripley, Anthony J. Kinsman, Matthew S. Kmecik, Brent A. Erspamer, Ryan D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8919794
    Abstract: A device suspends a steerable wheel on a vehicle via a wheel carrier that is pivotable about a steering axis and on which the wheel is rotatably mounted. The device includes an upper link including a first end and a second end. The upper link is pivotably mounted on the vehicle by the first end and supports the wheel carrier by the second end via a wheel carrier arm. A lower link includes a wheel-side end on which the wheel carrier is pivotably mounted and a vehicle-side end that is pivotably mounted on the vehicle. A stabilizer is pivotably supported in support bearings on the vehicle. The stabilizer includes a free end connected to a coupling rod that extends in a bent manner around a wheel-side region of a spring strut and another end that is mounted on the wheel carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhard Kunert
  • Patent number: 8905417
    Abstract: A stabilizer link and a production method therefor are provided in which a jig for attaching a forming die to a subassembly has a simple structure and which can effectively prevent leakage of a resin to the outside. In insert molding, a ring member is used. An outer peripheral side surface of a ball seat of a subassembly is abutted to an inner peripheral surface of a hole of the ring member. An outer peripheral side radial direction surface of a fixing portion of a dust cover is pressed toward the flange portion of the ball seat by a surface of the ring member, and the fixing portion is held by the surface and the flange portion. An end portion of a die body is abutted to another surface of the ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8870202
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stabilizer for vehicle suspension, comprising a longitudinal polymeric body with a metal frame having two ends (3) and a central sector (2), having a hole (4) at each end (3) wherein there is housed a ball joint (7), where the frame is formed from two metal parts (1) having an open section which are arranged opposite one another on their open sides, the central sector (2) of each part (1) comprising two tabs (6) located in opposition on each side and facing the open side, and the ends (3) comprising rims (3?) such that the two opposing parts (1) rest on the tabs (6) and on the rims (3?) and are embedded in an overmolded body (5) which externally coats them and fills the inner space defined by the two opposing metal parts (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Edai Technical Unit, A.I.E.
    Inventors: Rafael Teijeiro Castro, Jorge Varela, Joserra Mosteiro
  • Patent number: 8857834
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ARS (active roll stabilization) assembly (1) for vehicles, as well as to a suspension system equipped with such ARS assembly. The assembly comprises a torsion bar (3) and an actuator (10) for adjusting a torsion angle of said torsion bar. The ARS assembly furthermore comprises an additional torsion bar (5). This additional torsion bar is arranged such that its torsion axis extends substantially parallel to the torsion axis of the first, adjustable torsion bar, or coincides therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Albertus Clemens Maria Van der Knaap, Robert Marijn Anthony Frank Verschuren, Raymond Bernardus Gerhardus Tinsel, Ronny Maria Theophilus Wouters
  • Patent number: 8851490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilizer arrangement for a motor vehicle, composed of a first stabilizer half, a second stabilizer half, and an actuator which couples the two stabilizer halves, wherein a first connecting section of the actuator is connected to the first stabilizer half, and a second connecting section of the actuator is connected to the second stabilizer half, in a rotationally fixed fashion and so as to be nondisplaceable in the axial direction. In this context, at least one connecting element is present which connects the stabilizer halves by their end sides to the connecting sections, and wherein the at least one connecting element is embodied as a pin connection, bolt connection or screw connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Friso Berheide, Andreas Janzen
  • Patent number: 8833778
    Abstract: A stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, including at least one element, which entirely or partially compensates for vehicle movements, in the region of a wheel suspension connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the element is activatable via flexible lines wherein the flexible lines can be guided by a central control unit via openings arranged in the stabilizer bearing substantially below the stabilizer, as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle, to the element interacting with a stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jafar Khanlarov
  • Patent number: 8777245
    Abstract: A torque rod assembly includes a pair of end joint assemblies with a thin wall connecting tube disposed between them. The end joint assemblies each include an eye which is friction welded to the thin wall connecting tube. The use of the thin wall connecting tube and the friction welding process allow the friction weld to be located immediately adjacent a bore extending through the eye. The eyes and the thin wall connecting tube can be cast, extruded or formed from steel, aluminum or cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Christopher G. Rager
  • Patent number: 8746719
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Safranski, Robbi L. Peterson, Richard L. Sunsdahl, Aaron D. Deckard, Louis J. Brady
  • Patent number: 8746705
    Abstract: An active roll control system that actively controls roll by changing roll strength of a stabilizer bar by varying a connection position of a stabilizer link, which connects both ends of the stabilizer bar on a subframe with a suspension arm, on the suspension arm. The suspension arm includes a rail unit that has a top opening and includes slide rails arranged in a vehicle width direction within the rail unit, and guides a connector connected with the lower end of the stabilizer link along the slide rails. In addition, an actuator unit of the suspension arm has a driving shaft connected with the connector and provides a forward and rearward driving force to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung-Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8702113
    Abstract: An end link suitable for connecting a direct acting stabilizer bar to a steerable strut includes a rod having first and second grommets thereon. Bearing assemblies are provided adjacent the grommets and include portions thereof connected to for rotation with the grommets and other portions thereof independently rotatable relative to the grommets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jason K Trotter, Dennis M Mark, Troy S Field
  • Patent number: 8696003
    Abstract: A front axle support is provided with arrangement of a steering gear and a front axle stabilizer. The front axle support has receptacles for fastening the steering gear and for fastening the front axle stabilizer with screw connections. The steering gear and the front axle stabilizer are fixed on a common fitting. The common fitting is disposed with a common screw connection on the front axle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Eichelhard, Lutz Uhlenbruch
  • Patent number: 8657314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilizer link for a vehicle suspension and method for obtaining it, which allows reducing its cost, as a well as a faster and easier assembly, for which purpose it includes a longitudinal body having two ends with holes in which an articulation element is housed, and a central sector, having at each end a hole, wherein the longitudinal body is formed from two identical parts arranged such that they are facing one another and remain attached by means of a plastically deformable attachment element such that once it is deformed, it prevents the separation of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: EDAI Technical Unit, A.I.E.
    Inventor: José Ramón Mosteiro Goyoaga
  • Publication number: 20140027995
    Abstract: A stabilizer link in which weight reduction can be achieved and the circumferential position and the distance between both housings can be adjusted, and a method for manufacturing same, are provided. A solid bar made of a light weight metal or a fiber reinforced plastic is used for a support bar. An end portion of the support bar is inserted into a mold as a core, and a housing is formed at the end portion of the support bar by injection molding. In this case, the resin is mold-shrunk, whereby a boss portion of the housing covers and adheres to the whole circumference of the end portion of the support bar thereof. Therefore, the boss portion is rigidly fixed to the end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8616567
    Abstract: It is an object to effectively enhance rigidity of a subframe installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members, with a simple structure, and allow a stabilizer to be adequately installed. A subframe (3) installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members (2) together comprises a cross member (31) provided with a lateral-link support portion (14, 18) supporting an end of the lateral link (5, 6), a pair of right and left side members (33) each extending from a respective one of opposite vehicle-widthwise outer ends of the cross member (31), in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a pair of right and left reinforcing members (35) each reinforcing a coupling section between the lateral-link support portion (14, 18) of the cross member (31) or a vicinity thereof, and a respective one of the side members (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Eguchi, Masaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8613460
    Abstract: A bush- and bracket-integrated stabilizer bar includes a stabilizer bar, a rubber bush attached to an outer periphery of the stabilizer bar, and a bracket configured to mount the stabilizer bar to a bottom of a vehicle body with the rubber bush intervened. The stabilizer bar has amine-based curable epoxy paint or amine-containing cationic paint and a surface treatment layer containing a halogen donor-based surface treatment agent on the paint. The rubber bush has a surface treatment layer containing a halogen donor-based surface treatment agent on an inner surface thereof. A thermosetting epoxy adhesive layer containing an amine-based or an organic hydrazide-based curing agent and a bisphenol type epoxy resin is formed between the stabilizer bar and the rubber bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taisuke Suwa, Yutaka Natsume, Koichi Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 8596647
    Abstract: An active roll control device utilizes a driving torque to move a suspension arm side connection point of a stabilizer link that connects both sides of a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm along a sliding unit such that roll of a vehicle is actively controlled. The sliding unit includes a linear shaft that extends in a vehicle width direction in a housing on the suspension arm, a linear bushing into which the linear shaft is inserted to be slidably moved along the linear shaft in the housing, and a bushing housing that is fixed on an external circumference of the linear bushing, a double ball joint is fixed on an inner side thereof to connect the bushing housing, and the double ball joint is connected to a drive shaft of the drive source through one end of a push rod and a lower end of the stabilizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8579313
    Abstract: An active roll control device varies a position of a stabilizer link connecting a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm such that torsion rigidity of the stabilizer bar is varied to actively control the roll. A penetrating slot is formed in the suspension arm and may include a sliding unit that includes a rail plate disposed in a housing disposed at a lower side of the penetrating slot along a vehicle width direction and connects a connector that is movably disposed on the rail plate with a lower end of the stabilizer link to guide the stabilizer link along a width direction of the vehicle, and a drive unit having a lead screw as a rotation shaft through a three joint mounting portion that engages a screw connector connected to a hinge portion of the stabilizer link to transfer a driving torque to the stabilizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8579312
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a stabilizer link is provided having one end pivotally fitted to an end of a stabilizer and the other end coupled to a wheel support member by a coupling device. A positional relationship of pivot points of the one end and the other end of the stabilizer link relative to the kingpin axis is set such that when the stabilizer link is displaced relative to the wheel support member in accordance with rolling of a vehicle at the time of turning, the wheel support member is pivotally displaced about the kingpin axis in the direction where a steered angle of the steered wheel is increased, and when a magnitude of roll angle of the vehicle is large, the coupling device increases a ratio of a pivotal displacement amount of the wheel support member relative to the roll angle of the vehicle as compared with a situation where a magnitude of roll angle of the vehicle is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Koumura
  • Patent number: 8505938
    Abstract: A sway bar assembly includes a sway bar, a biasing member, and a winder assembly. The sway bar includes a central portion, a left end portion, and a right end portion. The central portion is configured for pivotal coupling to a frame of a vehicle. The left end portion is configured for coupling with a left support arm. The right end portion is configured for coupling with a right support arm. The biasing member is configured to be fixed to a frame of a vehicle. The winder assembly is coupled with the biasing member and configured to facilitate selective movement of the biasing member with respect to the sway bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8505940
    Abstract: A bushing attachment assembly for a vehicle stabilizer bar is provided. The mounting structure includes a bushing, a bracket assembly, and a bracket mount, which may be configured to couple the bracket assembly and bushing to a vehicle frame. The bracket assembly may include an outer pre-compression component and an inner retention component. The bushing may be disposed within a cavity formed between the outer pre-compression component and the inner retention component. The bushing may also define a central bore configured to receive a vehicle stabilizer bar. Each of the respective outer pre-compression and inner retention components may include planar tabs or other similar retention features configured to engage one another to form a compression assembly, which applies and maintains a compressive load upon the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward C. Hufnagle, Jose Adrian Paez Morales, Jason T. Kline, Peter Massos, Christopher P. Scolaro
  • Publication number: 20130147148
    Abstract: The inner peripheral side radial direction surface of the fixing portion of the dust cover is abutted to the outer peripheral side radial direction surface of the flange portion of the ball seat, and the end portion of the fixing portion is abutted to the side surface of the outer peripheral side of the ball seat. The outer peripheral side radial direction surface of the fixing portion is pressed toward the flange portion by the radial direction surface pressing portion of the die member, and the fixing portion of the dust cover is held by the radial direction surface pressing portion of the die member and the flange portion. The pressing by the radial direction surface pressing portion is appropriately performed to withstand an injection molding pressure of the resin injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8393627
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary frame (1) for multi-link rear axles of motor vehicles, comprising two lateral auxiliary frame parts (B) which are embodied at least approximately in a V-shaped manner in such an arrangement that the vertexes (6, 7) thereof face each other and are joined to each other via a central auxiliary frame part (C) that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The lateral auxiliary frame parts and the central auxiliary frame part are configured as hollow profiled members while the lateral auxiliary frame parts are provided with at least three of the following receptacles or recesses: the top transverse link; the bottom transverse link; the stabilizer; the longitudinal links; the fixture of the auxiliary frame to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Heiko Kauert