Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, Inc.

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited

Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC

Monte G Williams

Ragnar H Ledesma

Dennis A Kramer

Robert P Carlstedt

James B Chamberlin

Nancy L Saxon

Joseph Cubalchini, Jr

Doyle R Downey

David K Platner

Steven Ray Miller

Mark P Reynolds

Kurt A Burmeister

Thomas Hughes

Steven George Saieg

Joseph A Fader

Thomas R King

Marlon V Bottene

Steven J Doyle, Jr

George N Lasic

A method and device for suspending a wheel axle from a vehicle includes a unitary flexible member coupled between the vehicle and the wheel axle and to an electronic control unit. The flexible member is formed of a material that changes shape in the presence of electrical signals having a varying signal strength. The electronic control unit, upon receiving various suspension related inputs, transmits the electrical signals having the varying signal strength to the unitary flexible member to change the shape thereof in order to vary the stiffness of the flexible member and thus control the suspension of the vehicle.

Method and device for actively suspending a wheel from a vehicle

The invention comprises a vehicle strut assembly. A strut has a first seat mounted to the strut and a second seat mounted to a vehicle body. A spring is mounted between the first seat and the second seat and is disposed around the strut. The spring has a compressed state and an uncompressed state. In the compressed state, the spring has a middle portion that defines a spring centerline. In the uncompressed state, the spring has ends portions extending towards opposite sides of the spring centerline.

Coil spring with lateral bias

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 method and system for providing variable load control and isolation in a vehicle suspension includes a variably flexible suspension element coupled between the frame of the vehicle and the wheel. The variably flexible suspension element comprises an electrically responsive material disposed therein that varies stiffness in response to electrical control signals applied thereto. The electrical control signals are generated by an electronic control unit and are representative of road conditions traveled by the vehicle as sensed by at least one sensor.

Method and system for providing variable load control and isolation in a vehicle suspension

A method and system for predicting the condition of a road to be travelled by a vehicle includes a measurement device, such as a laser or machine vision system, disposed at a front of the vehicle for measuring a vertical elevation of a portion of the road at a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle. A control unit, in communication with the measurement device, has control logic for predicting the condition of the road to be travelled by the vehicle based on the measured vertical elevation and controlling an aspect of the vehicle, such as the vehicle's suspension system, based on the predicted road condition.

Method and system for predicting road profile

A method and system for floating an upper vehicle part from a lower vehicle frame includes a primary floating device, coupled to either the upper vehicle part or the lower vehicle frame, floats the upper vehicle part freely separate from the lower vehicle frame. A plurality of sensors sense appropriate road inputs. An electronic control unit, coupled to the primary floating device and the plurality of sensors, receives the road inputs and generates control signals for controlling the primary floating device in order to minimize movement of the upper vehicle part with respect to the lower vehicle frame.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Monte G Williams