Meritor Suspension Systems Company, Inc.

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC

Gerald D Anderson

Christos T Kyrtsos

David L Brademeyer

Roy Lee Hayford

Neil Williams

Thomas M Drouillard

Juergen Dreher

Michael W Mattice

Kermit G Rowe, Iii

John M Khoury

David Ian Fretwell

Wilfried T Giering

Alistair Bruce Christian Lovatt

Wilfred Giering

Alistair B Lovett

Alistair B Lovatt

A method for enhancing the physical characteristics of a localized area of a suspension component by adding material to the points of high stress without a significant increase in weight or diameter of the suspension component. The material is in the form of a sleeve added to the exterior surface of the suspension component, a core added to the interior surface of a tubular suspension component, winding filaments, or powered material.

Method for enhancing the physical characteristics of a suspension component

A self-servoing disc brake assembly is provided that includes a driven rotor member having a first inner surface with a plurality of first pockets. The driven rotor member also includes a first friction surface spaced from the first inner surface. A movable rotor member is supported on the driven rotor member and is movable relative to the driven rotor member between non-servoed and servoed positions. The rotor members are spaced a first distance in the non-servo position, and the rotor members are spaced a second distance which is greater than a first distance in the servo position. The movable rotor member includes a second inner surface with a plurality of second pockets adjacent to the first inner surface and a friction surface spaced from the second inner surface. A plurality of balls are arranged between the first and second pockets with at least one of the first and second pockets being ramped. A friction member, such as a disc brake pad, is arranged adjacent to the second friction surface and is movable between engaged and non-engaged positions. The friction member is spaced from the second friction surface in the non-engaged position and the friction member is in contact with the second friction surface in the engaged position to rotate the movable rotor member to the servoed position and produce a supplemental brake clamping force. As the brake pads are moved into engagement with the driven and movable rotor members, a shear force is created on the second friction surface. The shear force causes the movable rotor member to rotate relative to and away from the driven rotor member. As a result, for a particular brake input force a larger braking torque is achieved.

Self-servoing disc brake rotor

The braking mechanism comprises a toggle lever, a brake pad, and an incline. An incline actuates the braking mechanism by forcing an extension of the toggle lever. As the toggle lever extends, it pushes the brake pad closer to the surface to be slowed. Multiple toggle levers may be used to distribute the force across the brake pad. This configuration allows a single input from the incline to actuate both toggle levers. By adjusting the width of the incline actuating the toggle lever, the force on the brake pad may be adjusted.

Brake actuation using a toggle clamp

A brake adjuster is provided for a vehicle brake such as for heavy duty vehicle. The brake adjuster includes a brake module that produces an electrical signal for adjusting the vehicle brake. The heavy duty vehicle brake typically includes a pair of pistons each having first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. A friction element or brake pad is arranged proximate to the second portion and is movable from a desired position to a worn position as the brake pads wear during operation of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second portions are slip fit within a sleeve assembly. At least one adjustment member is arranged between the first and second portions. The adjustment member is constructed from a material which expands in response to an electrical signal, such as a magnetostrictive or a piezoelectric material. The adjustment member moves the second portion relative to the first portion and repositions the brake pads from the worn position to the desired position. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are threaded to one another and movable rotationally relative to one another to adjust the length of the piston. The first portions of the pistons include a plurality of teeth about the outer face. A gear is arranged between the pistons and coupled the teeth of the first portions together. An electric actuator has a driven member that is coupled with at least a portion of one of the pistons teeth to rotate the first and second portions relative to one another to increase the length of the piston and move the brake pad from the worn position to the desired position.

Brake adjuster

A method of varying the bend radius while forming a stabilizer bar is achieved by varying the radius of the forming tool over which the stabilizer bar is bent. The bend radius of the stabilizer bar is varied by changing the position and/or shape of the forming tool in relation to the stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is formed by bending the bar over the forming tool to create a bend of desired radius. In the disclosed embodiments, the forming tool is bent chain, a conical tool, and an eccentric shape with several distinct radii.

Method to vary bend radius while forming a stabilizer bar

A method of enhancing the bending process of a stabilizer bar by locally pre-heating the stabilizer bar immediately prior to formation. By pre-heating the stabilizer bar, the stress in the stabilizer bar is relieved at the bending areas. This allows larger bars to be formed which would otherwise be outside of machine parameters. In the disclosed embodiments, the stabilizer bar is locally heated by induction coils or resistance heating at the bend areas.

Method of enhancing the bending process of a stabilizer bar

A vehicle braking system includes a device for cooling the components of the brake assembly. The air source that is normally used to activate the brake assembly components is coupled with a plurality of flexible conduits that direct air toward one or more of the brake assembly components. A high velocity air nozzle preferably is provided at the end of each conduit. The air from the compressed air source is maintained in a compressed state through the conduits and decompresses as it exits the discharge nozzles. The decompression of the air through the nozzles results in cooling the air and the nearby brake components at which the air is directed.

Brake assembly with air cooling system

A stabilizer bar is provided having a varying cross-section along the length of the bar. In particular, the stabilizer bar includes a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area that is different than the first cross-sectional area. A first surface at least partially defines the second cross-sectional area. The first surface has a non-circular shape with primary and secondary load bearing directions bearing different maximum loads in each of the directions. The shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged so that the primary load bearing direction is generally aligned with the highest load. Similarly, the shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged in a manner to bear the highest torsional load. The stabilizer bar may be solid or hollow. Preferred shapes may include egg-shaped or elliptical shaped surfaces. Alternatively, the stabilizer bar may have a generally uniform cross-sectional area along its length with the non-circular shape described above.

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, MI, United States of America

Gerald D Anderson