Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Joe L Buchwitz

James Adam Drozdowski

John Wesley Stanley

Djamal Eddine Midoun

Jamil M Alwan

David Burgess

Jonatan Leff Yaffe

Nathan Shaeff

Geoffrey Lawrence Gordon

Vijay Bokil

Tim D Smith

David R Huelke

Henry W Hausler

Bradley George Hochrein

Timothy Panagis

Steve Scott Allen

Charles Krysztof

John Joseph Uicker

Bruce C Arnold

Steven C Hopson

Hermann J Salenbauch

Steven Mayes

John Spencer Rezkalla

Christopher Sells

Robert Borries

Sean Christopher Remisoski

Mark Riches

A component for a vehicle suspension system that includes a circular first housing that defines a first aperture. A first intermediate portion is coupled to a first end portion of the first housing and has a length that is less than a diameter of the first aperture. A circular second housing is coupled to the first intermediate portion and defines a second aperture. A second intermediate portion is coupled to a second end portion of the first housing. A bracket is coupled to the second intermediate portion, the bracket has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined on the first surface. The plurality of apertures extend from the first surface to the second surface.

Component for a vehicle suspension system

A pivotable vehicle trailer hitch assembly may include a tube frame operably coupled to a chassis of a vehicle and extending transversely across a rear portion of the vehicle, a hitch receiver operably coupled to the tube frame to support a ball mount, and a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the tube frame. The pivot assembly may be operably coupled to the hitch receiver and the tube frame to pivot the hitch receiver and ball mount about the pivot axis from an extended position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially perpendicular to tube frame, and a retracted position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially parallel to the tube frame. The pivot assembly comprises an electrically operated linear actuator operable to transfer the hitch receiver and the ball mount between the extended position and the retracted position.

Pivoting vehicle trailer hitch

Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example apparatus includes a cam pivotably coupled to a rear axle. The example apparatus also includes a first tie rod having a first end pivotably coupled to the cam and a second end pivotably coupled to a steering knuckle. The example apparatus also includes a second tie rod having a first end pivotably coupled to the cam outboard relative to the first end of the first tie rod and a second end coupled to a steering actuator.

Wheel steering apparatus to generate positive ackermann

Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example wheel steering apparatus includes a steering actuator to couple to a rear axle, a tie rod, and a transfer link to couple the steering actuator and the tie rod. The steering actuator is positioned on a first side of a first longitudinal axis of the rear axle and the tie rod positioned on a second side of the first longitudinal axis of the rear axle opposite the first side.

Wheel steering apparatus to generate positive rear Ackermann

A disclosed hitch receiver assembly includes receiver having a worm gear and a slide bushing, a worm shaft engaged to the worm gear for laterally moving the receiver, a slide bar extending through the slide bushing and fixed at each end to a static structure, a hitch received within the receiver and a receiver pin coupling the hitch to the receiver and the static structure.

Laterally articulating receiver system

A steering system includes a mounting bracket, a drag link elongated from a first end rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket to a second end, a steering arm rotatably coupled to the second end, and a telescoping shaft rotatably coupled to the drag link. The drag link includes a housing and a rack slidable in the housing. The telescoping shaft is operably coupled to the drag link to slide the rack relative to the housing when the telescoping shaft rotates.

Steering system with drag link

Steerable knuckle apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes a steerable knuckle for a vehicle. The knuckle has a first portion to be movably coupled to a yoke of the vehicle and a second portion removably coupled to the first portion. The second portion receives a wheel hub of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a first aperture disposed on the first portion to receive a first joint for movably coupling the knuckle to the yoke.

Steerable knuckle apparatus and related methods

Example apparatus are disclosed for a wheel-speed tone ring apparatus. An example apparatus includes an axle of a vehicle, and a tone ring coupled to the axle, the tone ring having teeth distributed about a peripheral edge of the tone ring, each tooth having a ramp-shaped surface to be sensed by a wheel speed sensor as the tone ring rotates with the axle.

Wheel-speed tone ring apparatus

Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example vehicle suspension includes a yoke to couple a knuckle to an axle of the vehicle suspension. The yoke includes a post to receive the axle and a lobe projecting from the post.

Integrated steering yoke and spring seat for suspension systems

A suspension stabilization system may include a stabilizer bar having an end configured to connect to a suspension component of a vehicle, and a torsion shaft with an end connected to the stabilizer bar. A locking mechanism may be configured to rotationally couple and decouple at least a portion of the torsion shaft with a portion of a frame of the vehicle. Methods relate to stabilizing a vehicle suspension.

Suspension stabilization system and related methods

A 5-link independent suspension system for a motor vehicle may include a steering knuckle and a trailing link extending along a single axis. The trailing link may be connected to the steering knuckle and be configured to attach to a frame rail of the vehicle. The suspension system may further include an integral link connected to the steering knuckle and configured to attach to the trailing link.

Integral 5-link independent suspension systems

A body on frame vehicle includes a SORB impact load management system including front blocker structures for limiting transfer of the SORB impact loads from being transferred to the passenger compartment area. A SORB impact load transfer apparatus in the form of a cable extends between the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame. In a second embodiment of the impact load transfer apparatus, the ends of the cables are coupled to the front sides of the front blocker structures and the cable is routed through the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame.

Vehicle frame component

A body on frame vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a small offset impact load management system including upper and lower rear blocker structures and a reinforcement blocker structure for managing impact loads applied to the wheel and tire of the vehicle from being directed further toward the body. The reinforcement blocker structure includes a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending angularly outwardly and located rearward and distal the wheel and tire and proximal a longitudinal cross frame member for transferring the small offset impact loads transferred by the wheel and tire in a cross vehicle direction.

A wheeled vehicle includes a solid vehicle frame and a solid front axle including wheels movable to change the direction of the vehicle, a steering assembly including a steering wheel, a steering shaft coupled with the steering wheel, and a rotary output member having an end selectively movable in response to an input to the steering wheel, the solid front axle vehicle includes an electric power assist steering (EPAS) system for selectively steering the vehicle separately from any input to the steering wheel. The EPAS system includes a motor having a rotary output coupled to a steering gear and a steering rack having a longitudinal extent defining an axis having an end coupled a tie rod of the steering assembly. The longitudinal axis of the EPAS assembly is aligned with or transverse to the forward vehicle direction so its output is coupled to the output of the steering wheel and can be actuated independently.

Power assisted steering assembly

A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a carrier coupled to a portion of the vehicle, and a wheel bearing element mounted on the carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis, wherein a first portion of the carrier is rotatably coupled to the portion of the vehicle by a single link.

Growing community of inventors

Huntington Woods, MI, United States of America

Joe L Buchwitz