Chrysler Corporation

Phillip D Cruise

Thomas S Moore

Delbert D DeRees

James C Rich

An automobile includes a plastic body and a steel frame bonded to the plastic body. The front suspension system of the automobile includes a 'v'-shaped control arm coupled to a front wheel. An arm shaft extends between the 'v' of the control arm and is engaged with a rubber cartridge press-fit into a cartridge housing that is affixed to the frame. Thereby, motion of the control arm is attenuated. A horizontally-mounted transversely-oriented shock absorber further interconnects the control arm and frame. This shock absorber orientation avoids transferring suspension system loads to the plastic body.

Front suspension system with substantially horizontal shock absorber

An automobile includes a plastic body and a steel frame bonded to the plastic body. The rear suspension system of the automobile includes a suspension arm coupled to a rear wheel. An arm shaft extends transversely inwardly from the arm and is embedded in a rubber cartridge press-fit into the frame, to thereby attenuate motion of the suspension arm. A horizontally-mounted longitudinally-oriented shock absorber further interconnects the suspension arm and frame. This shock absorber orientation avoids transferring suspension system loads to the plastic body.

Horizontally-mounted rear shock absorber for lightweight motor vehicle

An automobile includes a plastic body and a steel frame bonded to the plastic body. The front suspension system of the automobile includes a 'v'-shaped control arm coupled to a front wheel. An arm shaft extends between the 'v' of the control arm and is engaged with a rubber cartridge press-fit into a cartridge housing that is affixed to the frame. Thereby, motion of the control arm is attenuated. Alternatively, the arm shaft extends rearwardly away from the control arm. A horizontally-mounted transversely-oriented shock absorber further interconnects the control arm and frame. This shock absorber orientation avoids transferring suspension system loads to the plastic body.

Rubber torsion front suspension spring for lightweight motor vehicle

An automotive vehicle body has a side opening that is opened and closed by a sliding door. The door is operated with a power drive mechanism that is pivotally mounted thereon and extends through the side opening. The power drive mechanism includes a reversible electric motor driven friction drive wheel and is spring biased to forcibly engage this wheel with a drive/guide track that is located beneath the vehicle floor and attached to the vehicle body. The friction drive wheel rides on the drive/guide track to open and close the door and also helps guide and stabilize its sliding movement. The spring load on the friction drive wheel is limited so as to provide sliding door operation with the motor under normal conditions and allow slippage at the friction drive wheel to cease door movement when the door encounters a physical object in the door opening.

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Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Phillip D Cruise