Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, Inc.

Maremont Corporation

Arvin Technologies, Inc.

Gabriel Ride Control Products, Inc.

Joseph Cubalchini, Jr

Dennis A Kramer

Robert P Carlstedt

James B Chamberlin

Ragnar H Ledesma

Nancy L Saxon

Monte G Williams

Doyle R Downey

Joseph J Ergun

John Rotharmel

Harold B Hutter

Robert F Bedsole

A shock absorber includes a dust tube that surrounds a shock body. The shock body is movable relative to the dust tube in response to road load inputs. A plurality of magnets is mounted to one of the dust tube and shock body, and a module is mounted to the other of the dust tube and shock body. The module interacts with the plurality of magnets to determine a position of the dust tube relative to a position of the shock body. This position information can be used to adjust suspension ride height as needed.

Shock absorber with integrated position sensor

A vehicle suspension is provided that includes a frame supporting a pair of laterally spaced apart suspension members pivotally supported on the frame and movable in a vertical direction. A pair of wheel ends is each supported respectively on one of the suspension members. A stabilizer bar is supported on the frame laterally between the suspension members. The stabilizer bar includes opposing ends each respectively proximate to one of the suspension members. A pair of resilient stabilizer bar links each respectively interconnect one of the ends and one of the suspension members and transmit torsional force to the stabilizer bar in response to movement of the suspension members in the vertical direction during roll conditions. The links have first and second deflection rates during the roll condition with the first rate being less than the second deflection rate. The links transition from the first deflection rate to the second deflection rate and from the second deflection rate to an effective zero deflection rate.

Roll bumper stabilizer bar links

A variable rate bushing passively controls the stiffness of a stabilizer bar. During normal vehicle operation, the stabilizer bar is compliant. As twist increase, the resistance increases. In one embodiment, the variable rate bushing includes at least one void which compresses as the vehicle turns. As the stabilizer bar axially twists, the void compresses and the rate of the bushing increases, reducing axial twist and increasing stiffness of the stabilizer bar. In one embodiment, the voids are teardrop shaped, arc shaped, or bone shaped. Alternatively, the bushing includes an inner layer of softer material and an outer layer of harder material to control stabilizer bar stiffness. Also, the bushing may include a molded insert made of a hard material inserted into a softer material to control the stiffness of the stabilizer bar.

Variable rate bushing for stabilizer bar

An adaptive suspension system for a motor vehicle varies suspension parameters in response to steering input. The system includes a sensor to measure changes in the power assist steering mechanism that indicate a change in vehicle direction and a shock variable suspension member changed in response to a change in vehicle direction. The sensor measures pressure changes in the power assist steering system such that the suspension system is optimized to accommodate specific vehicle maneuvering. In another embodiment, the variable suspension member is in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic circuit of the power assist steering mechanism such that pressure changes caused by steering input triggers changes in the suspension system to accommodate vehicle maneuvering.

Simplifed adaptive suspension

A clutch device for use with a vehicle suspension system to vary the stiffness of a stabilizer bar. A plurality of dampers connected to the clutch body alternate with a plurality of dampers connected to the stabilizer bar. The dampers are coated with a friction material and surrounded by a fluid. When a load is applied on the walls of clutch body, the friction material comes into contact, dampening the rotation action of the stabilizer bar. A sensor senses the parameters of the ride and generates a signal based on these parameters. The signal activates a power source controller which applies the load to the walls.

Clutched stabilizer bar

A steering system comprises a steering wheel and a feedback mechanism in communication with the steering wheel. A control unit communicates with a sensor and controls the feedback mechanism based on the signal from the sensor. The feedback mechanism may cause tactile feedback in the steering wheel. The feedback mechanism is most preferably incorporated by controlling a solenoid valve in a power steering circuit for the vehicle. By repeatedly actuating the solenoid valve, vibration can be caused in the steering wheel.

Steering wheel feedback mechanism

A pair of tension cables are positioned around cams attached to the lower control arms of a vehicle suspension. Each tension cable includes a tension damper responsive to tension in the tension cables. Each tension damper includes a cylinder containing a fluid and a piston including at least one orifice attached to a rod. The piston divides the cylinder into a first and second compartment. The rod in connected to the tension cable. When the tension cable pulls on one end of the rod, the piston is pulled towards the tension cable. The fluid creates resistance in the tension damper as the fluid moves through the orifice from one compartment to the other compartment, damping vehicle roll. Control of the tension dampers can be passive, semi-active, or active.

Vehicle suspension system using viscous tension dampers

A housing attaches a stabilizer bar to the body of a vehicle and includes pin stops which actively control the stiffness of the stabilizer bar. A spring positioned about each of the pins provide a retaining spring force on the head of the pin, preventing the pins from moving into an aperture in the housing. When a sensor detects that lateral acceleration or yaw rate exceeds a threshold value, an actuator drives pins to overcome the spring force, pushing the pins into the aperture. When the pins are actuated, a protrusion on the stabilizer bar is trapped between the pins. When the vehicle turns and the stabilizer bar axially twists, the protrusion eventually contacts one the pins, preventing further rotation and stiffening the stabilizer bar.

Active anti-roll stop for stabilizer bar

An assembly for use as part of a vehicle suspension system includes an adjustable roll rate that is automatically adjusted responsive to maneuvers of the vehicle. A stiffener element is coupled with a stabilizer bar. The stiffener element increases the roll rate responsive to the vehicle wheels being turned. In one example, the stiffener element is a metallic plate that rotates into various positions responsive to the vehicle wheel being turned. The further the wheel turns, the further the plate rotates and the greater the increase in the roll rate.

Assembly for adjusting roll rate responsive to changing steering angle

A roll control system for countering the rolling forces generated by a vehicle. The hydraulically operated roll control system is activated by the vehicular speed and steering angle equalling or exceeding predetermined threshold values.

Roll control system

A variable damping shock absorber is disclosed. The shock absorber has a two-wire electrical lead extending into the piston rod. The electrical energy provided by the lead drives a drive motor, which rotates in alternating directions depending on the setting of an internal switch that switches upon occurrence of voltage spike, which occurs when the motor has driven an internal rotatable valve as far as the valve can go within the confines of rotation permitted by the valving. The drive motor then drives an internal valve between an open and closed position, which in turn opens and increases, or closes or reduces, a path in fluid flow from one cavity to another as the piston moves within the shock absorber.

Remote controlled vehicle damper

A charging fixture for gas charging a damper includes a pair of body members adapted to be forced together under pressure. Alignment pins align the body members as they are forced together. Compressable elastomeric members define a cavity in the body members and are disposed in the body members and sized for compressing and deforming portions of an outer cylinder surface of the damper during charging. A passageway to the cavity is connected to a high pressure source of gas, and the damper is charged by gas entering from the cavity by displacement of a piston rod seal from along an intermediate cylinder head.

Gas charging fixture for hydropneumatic shock absorbers and the like

An apparatus for hydropneumatically pressurizing a shock absorber is disclosed. A gas charging device mechanically deflects a gas seal for introducing gas under pressure to the damping chambers of the shock absorber.

Method and apparatus for pressurizing hydropneumatic shock absorbers

A gas charging head which is fitted atop the piston rod of an hydraulic damper. A force is applied to the charging head driving the piston rod back within the damper cylinder. As the piston rod moves in the cylinder, a seal penetrating device associated with the head displaces the piston rod seal. An annular path is formed between the piston rod and the inner surface of the penetrating device for communicating with a pressurized cavity in the charging head supplying gas under pressure to the internal volume of the damper.

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, IL, United States of America

Joseph Cubalchini, Jr