Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Christoph Meier

Paul Zandbergen

Alberto Girelli Consolaro

Theo Kueppers

Ivica Papic

Marc Simon

Hubertus Von Chappuis

Mark Loeffelsender

Kerstin Krether

Peter Kurbel

Irfan Kumlali

A motor vehicle multi-link axle having wheel suspension including a lower transverse link and an upper transverse link. A leaf spring extending transversely to a direction of travel of the vehicle and below the upper transverse link. A link element connects an end of the leaf spring to the upper transverse link. The link element having a first connection, connected to the upper transverse link, and a second connection, connected to the leaf spring. The link element adjustable to vary the distance between the first connection and the second connection. The multi-link axle may also include a connecting element that connects the second connection point of the link element to a connection point of the leaf spring, with the connecting adjustable to vary the distance between the second connection point of the link element and the connection point of the connecting element to the leaf spring.

Multi-link axle for a motor vehicle

A fastening mechanism used to connect or fasten a component to a structure or frame. The mechanism includes first and second complementary fastening members. A spring element extends between the first fastening member and the component. The first fastening member including a protruding frictional connection support portion including a bearing face or surface contacting or engaging the structure or frame. The bearing face is radially spaced from a body of the first fastening member.

Fastening mechanism

A suspension member having an arm member and a ball joint section. The ball joint section having an opening receiving a press fit ball joint. The material of the ball joint section having a smaller material thickness than the material of the arm member. The ball joint section connected to the arm member.

Suspension member for a motor vehicle and method of making same

A suspension member for a motor vehicle including a control arm or transverse link having a ball joint seat for receiving a press-fit ball joint. The ball joint seat including a reinforcement section formed from the material of the suspension member in a region thereof provided for friction or press-fit contact with the ball joint. A method for producing the control arm or transverse link includes increasing the material thickness of the reinforcement section by deformation.

Suspension member for a motor vehicle and method of forming the same

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a transverse member having a securable ball joint receiving member from a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member. The transverse member is the kind used for connecting a vehicle wheel to a vehicle structure. The method comprises providing a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member, separating the integral ball joint receiving member from the transverse member, and connecting a securable ball joint receiving member to the transverse member to replace the removed integral ball joint receiving member. This method may be performed to correct the position and orientation of a ball joint as provided by the integral ball joint receiving member or to further utilize a production tool that already produces a transverse member with an integral ball joint receiving member.

Method for producing a transverse member

A system for an engine torque support is described comprising a support member connected to a vehicle structure at a first end via a bearing comprising a bearing core surrounded by a bearing bush. The bearing bush has a recess, and the bearing core includes a receiving channel for a connector, a notch extending transversely relative to the receiving channel, and a connection web formed in a plane of the notch creating a first core portion, and a second core portion of the bearing core. The second core portion is spaced apart from the first core portion by the notch, and the second core portion is displaced relative to the first core portion via resilient deformation of the connection web and/or via breaking of the connection web.

System for reducing engine roll

A multilink rear axle comprises a wheel carrier, a leaf spring, a first lower control arm, an upper control arm, and at least one member. The wheel carrier can rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle. The leaf spring can extend in a width direction of the vehicle that is transverse to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first lower control arm can extend in the width direction and is pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier at a rear half thereof. The upper control arm can extend in the width direction and can be pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier at an attachment point that is offset from the rotation axis of the supported wheel in the longitudinal direction by less than or equal to 100 mm. The at least one member can pivotably couple the leaf spring to the upper control arm.

Growing community of inventors

Kö'ln, Germany

Christoph Meier