Bushing Compliance Patents (Class 280/5.516)
  • Patent number: 11351833
    Abstract: An electric suspension device, includes: an electromagnetic actuator which is arranged in parallel to a spring member provided between an unsprung member and a sprung member and produces a drive force; an information acquisition section which acquires acceleration information of the unsprung member and sprung member along the expansion-contraction axis; a damping force calculation section which calculates a target damping force; and a drive controller which performs drive control for the electromagnetic actuator using a target drive force based on the target damping force. The information acquisition section acquires a road profile signal based on the acceleration information concerning the front-wheel side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoya Toyohira
  • Patent number: 10940736
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sway bar for a suspension system of a motor vehicle. The sway bar includes a first lever arm for attachment to a left wheel suspension component and a second lever arm for attachment to a right wheel suspension component. The sway bar further includes a torsion spring device in connection between the first lever arm and the second lever arm to provide variable torsional stiffness. The torsion spring device includes a first torsion bar, a second torsion bar, and a clutch connected to the first torsion bar and the second torsion bar. The clutch is configured to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position where both of the first and second torsion bars transmit torque between the first and second lever arms to provide torsional stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Romelhardt, Xinyu Du
  • Patent number: 9139063
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a suspension device main body configured to support a wheel of a vehicle to a vehicle body of the vehicle; a varying device configured to cause an upper connecting portion stiffness and a lower connecting portion stiffness to be variable, the upper connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically upper portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body, and the lower connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically lower portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body; and a control device configured to control the varying device at a time of braking of the vehicle to perform control which causes the upper connecting portion stiffness to be relatively decreased and causes the lower connecting portion stiffness to be relatively increased, compared to at a time of non-braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshimi, Shingo Koumura
  • Patent number: 9002576
    Abstract: A control device of a motor vehicle, which control device receives, from at least one body-side sensor, a vibration actual value of at least one corresponding body-side reference point and receives, from at least one chassis-side sensor, a vibration actual value of at least one corresponding chassis-side reference point, the control device making a decision on the reference point or points for which actuating signals for the actuators of the active assembly bearings are generated, and on which vibration desired value is used, in such a manner that the respective vibration actual value follows the respective vibration desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Goeltenboth, Michael Klaus
  • Publication number: 20140375001
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a suspension device main body configured to support a wheel of a vehicle to a vehicle body of the vehicle; a varying device configured to cause an upper connecting portion stiffness and a lower connecting portion stiffness to be variable, the upper connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically upper portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body, and the lower connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically lower portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body; and a control device configured to control the varying device at a time of braking of the vehicle to perform control which causes the upper connecting portion stiffness to be relatively decreased and causes the lower connecting portion stiffness to be relatively increased, compared to at a time of non-braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshimi, Shingo Koumura
  • Patent number: 8627930
    Abstract: A bushing having a variable and controllable hardness, and a method of restricting movement comprising using such bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: S. Gregory Smith, Jeffrey Beitzel
  • Patent number: 8210547
    Abstract: A Magneto-Rheological Elastomer (MRE) spring system includes a spring, an MRE unit in cooperation with the spring, and an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be configured to produce an adjustable magnetic field, wherein when the electromagnet produces a magnetic field, the MRE unit stiffens such that the MRE spring system stiffens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip David Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 7926823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations on chassis bearings of motor vehicles, and a device for implementing the process. A process and a device are to be presented with which outstanding vibration damping and vibration isolation and noise insulation can be achieved over a wide frequency range with consideration of the driving states and roadway conditions which occur in motor vehicles. For this purpose it is proposed that the driving state of the motor vehicle and/or the roadway conditions are detected by way of sensors and that the at least one chassis bearing is modified to different characteristics to change its stiffness and/or damping depending on the detected parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Stephan Lamers, Thomas Conrad, Matthias Muller, Wolfgang Unger, Josef Wenger, Roland Hudler
  • Publication number: 20100314842
    Abstract: A Magneto-Rheological Elastomer (MRE) spring system includes a spring, an MRE unit in cooperation with the spring, and an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be configured to produce an adjustable magnetic field, wherein when the electromagnet produces a magnetic field, the MRE unit stiffens such that the MRE spring system stiffens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip David Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 7810819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations on chassis bearings of motor vehicles, and a device for implementing the process. A process and a device are to be presented with which outstanding vibration damping and vibration isolation and noise insulation can be achieved over a wide frequency range with consideration of the driving states and roadway conditions which occur in motor vehicles. For this purpose it is proposed that the driving state of the motor vehicle and/or the roadway conditions are detected by way of sensors and that the at least one chassis bearing is modified to different characteristics to change its stiffness and/or damping depending on the detected parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Stephan Lamers, Thomas Conrad, Matthias Muller, Wolfgang Unger, Josef Wenger, Roland Hudler
  • Patent number: 7246807
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for use in a automotive suspension system, adapted to be disposed at a linking portion between a body of the vehicle and a suspension member that connects and supports a wheel on the body is disclosed. The vibration damping device comprises a load sensing unit adapted to sense a signal corresponding to a load exerted between the body and the suspension member. A suspension system equipped with the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Katagiri, Shiro Nakajima, Yasuhiro Kubota
  • Publication number: 20070102890
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for use in a automotive suspension system, adapted to be disposed at a linking portion between a body of the vehicle and a suspension member that connects and supports a wheel on the body is disclosed. The vibration damping device comprises a load sensing unit adapted to sense a signal corresponding to a load exerted between the body and the suspension member. A suspension system equipped with the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicants: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira KATAGIRI, Shiro NAKAJIMA, Yasuhiro KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 7178818
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for use in a automotive suspension system, adapted to be disposed at a linking portion between a body of the vehicle and a suspension member that connects and supports a wheel on the body is disclosed. The vibration damping device comprises a load sensing unit adapted to sense a signal corresponding to a load exerted between the body and the suspension member. A suspension system equipped with the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Katagiri, Shiro Nakajima, Yasuhiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 7137634
    Abstract: An active control type mounting bushing device adapted to properly change the hardness of the mounting bushing according to a driving state, thereby obtaining a proper hardness of the mounting bushing for obtaining a comfortable ride during normal driving conditions, and reducing the inclination of the vehicle during the steering, and contributing to an excellent vehicle ride and steering at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Young-Min Oh
  • Publication number: 20060220330
    Abstract: A bushing assembly adapted for application in vehicle suspension systems includes an embedded position sensor and an embedded speed sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Carlos Urquidi, Hector Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20060169518
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations on chassis bearings of motor vehicles, and a device for implementing the process. A process and a device are to be presented with which outstanding vibration damping and vibration isolation and noise insulation can be achieved over a wide frequency range with consideration of the driving states and roadway conditions which occur in motor vehicles. For this purpose it is proposed that the driving state of the motor vehicle and/or the roadway conditions are detected by way of sensors and that the at least one chassis bearing is modified to different characteristics to change its stiffness and/or damping depending on the detected parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Conrad Thomas, Wolfgang Unger, Josef Wenger, Roland Hudler, Stephan Lamers
  • Publication number: 20050082771
    Abstract: An active control type mounting bushing device adapted to properly change the hardness of the mounting bushing according to a driving state, thereby obtaining a proper hardness of the mounting bushing for obtaining a comfortable ride during normal driving conditions, and reducing the inclination of the vehicle during the steering, and contributing to an excellent vehicle ride and steering at all times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventor: Young-Min Oh
  • Patent number: 6688612
    Abstract: A vehicle air suspension system includes a control unit 32 which is arranged to produce a running measure of the level of cross articulation of the two axles 18, 20 and, if it exceeds a certain level indicating that the vehicle is on rough terrain, to open respective interconnections 34, 36 between the suspension units 24 on opposite ends of each axle so as to reduce the resistance to that articulation. The interconnections are arranged to close when the vehicle speed increases so as to provide roll control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Land Rover Group Limited
    Inventors: William Burdock, Stephen Williams
  • Patent number: 6386553
    Abstract: An arrangement for the suspension of a wheel of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The wheel is connected to a propulsion device for driving the vehicle and a braking device for braking each individual wheel. The invention has sensors for detecting at least the angular steering displacement of the vehicle required by the vehicle driver, two steering link arms fitted between said body and attachment points in the wheel, positioned on both sides of an imaginary vertical line running through the center of the wheel, and a control unit for processing signals from the sensors and for actuating the steering link arms for adjustment of the wheel in response to the signals and the current operating state of the vehicle. Through the invention, an improved, integrated wheel suspension unit for automotive vehicles is provided, particularly allowing dynamic wheel alignment adjustment and adjustment of the angular steering displacement of each individual wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB
    Inventor: Sigvard Zetterström