Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC

Meritor Heavy Technology, LLC

Rajesh J Somnay

Steven Ray Miller

Nancy L Saxon

James Eckelberry

John K Ma

Frank A Maly, Jr

Silvio Masaaki Yamada

Steven John Engelgau

Joseph Allen Wilbanks, Ii

Shelley Lynn Bess

Christopher Matthew Radjewski

Ian Christopher Hoare

Joseph Melekian

David K Platner

Joe Melekian

Tomaz Dopico Varela

Arnett Ryan Weber

Steven George Saieg

Holly Ann Giangrande

Benjamin R Reineck

Xinyu Wen

Norman Austin

John E Mutzner

Brian J Knouff

A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes first and second ends that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. A resilient element is attached to at least one of the first and second ends. The resilient element includes at least one hole that receives a connecting element. The resilient element and the connecting element cooperate to attach the leaf spring to a vehicle structure. In one example, the resilient element comprises a rubber block that is bonded to the leaf spring. In another example, the resilient element comprises a longitudinally orientated bushing that is inserted through a thickness of the leaf spring.

Composite spring with resilient attachment interface

A spring assembly includes a spring seat clamped to a leaf spring at a center portion. The spring seat includes a cutout for distributing clamping stresses in a substantially uniform manner across the leaf spring. The cutout provides a relief for a central portion of the leaf spring to uniformly distribute clamping pressures across the leaf spring. Uniformly distributing stresses across the width of the spring increases leaf spring fatigue life.

Method for relieving spring seat mounting stresses

A vehicle information system has a first load sensor for generating a first load signal based on a first vehicle load. A first position sensor generates a first position signal based on a position of a vehicle axle. A second position sensor generates a second position signal based on a position of a vehicle kingpin. A memory unit stores vehicle optimization data. An evaluation unit is in communication with the first load sensor, the first position sensor, the second position sensor and the memory unit. A general user interface for receiving input is also in communication with the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit makes an evaluation of the first load signal, the first position sensor, the second position signal, and any input and generates a vehicle optimization instruction relating to a distance between the axle and the kingpin.

Intelligent load distribution system

A door actuation system conducts or assists movement of sliding vehicle doors by connecting the door to a bi-directional motor via one or more helical cables that engage with gearing on the bi-directional motor. Rotation of the motor in either direction pushes or pulls the helical cables, causing the door to move toward the open or closed position. The motor can be stopped when the door reaches selected positions other than the open or closed position, holding the door in a partially open position.

Door actuation system with helical cable

A drive system drives a pulley along a curved track to open and close a sliding vehicle door. The pulley is pivotally mounted to the sliding door to permit the pulley to pivot when the pulley traverses the curved portion of the track. An electric motor drives the pulley through a drive belt. In operation, as the pulley pivots when it traverses the curved portion of the track, the drive belt twists. Torque transfer between the pulleys and the motor is maintained during twisting of the drive belt which thereby permits an uncomplicated yet effective system for driving the sliding door along the curved portion of track. Another drive system transmits torque through a drive shaft arrangement which rotates as the drive system traverses the curved portion of track.

Belt drive system for sliding vehicle door

A common drive system drives multiple systems within a sliding vehicle closure member with a single drive motor. A controller selectively connects the drive motor to either a door drive assembly, a window drive assembly, or a lock module drive assembly through a selector assembly in response to actuation of a particular input. The selector assembly includes a transmission which shifts the drive motor between multiple gear trains to drive the particular drive assembly.

Single drive system for driving components of sliding vehicle closure member

A vehicle includes an automated drive device for powered sliding movement of the door into open or closed positions. The drive device includes a belt that cooperates with a track. A biasing member urges the belt into engagement with a corresponding portion of the track to ensure adequate engagement to achieve the desired movement of the door responsive to rotary movement of the belt. In one example, the belt and track include teeth that cooperate such that rotary movement of the belt results in linear movement of the door relative to the vehicle body.

Power sliding vehicle door

A trailer slider pin control system is provided including a vehicle body and a rail supported along the body. The rails are moveable between a plurality of positions defined by a plurality of holes in the rail. A pin assembly is supported on the vehicle body and includes a pin moveable between unlocked and locked positions. The pin is disposed in the hole locking the rail to the vehicle body in the locked position. Conversely, the rail is free to move along the vehicle body in the unlock position. A sensor senses a location of a portion of the pin assembly, which corresponds to the unlock position. A vehicle speed control device, such as an engine, transmission, or braking system, is actuatable to limit the speed of the vehicle. A controller is connected to the sensor and the vehicle speed control device to actuate the vehicle speed control device to limit the speed of the vehicle in response to the sensors sensing the unlocked position. The controller may actuate an alarm to alert the vehicle operator that the pins are unlocked.

Trailer slider pin control system

A vehicle door lock system comprises a sliding vehicle door, having a door path of travel generally translational to a vehicle frame. A drive unit moves the vehicle door along a door path. A drive component communicates the movement from the drive unit to the vehicle door by moving along a drive component path of travel. A latch is selectively actuated to arrest movement of the drive component and the vehicle door by blocking the drive component path of travel.

Integral latch and drive system for a powered sliding door

A trailer suspension slider is provided that includes a suspension bogey. A trailer is supported on the suspension bogey and is longitudinally movable between a plurality of position relative to the suspension bogey. The trailer includes a stop bar to prevent the bogey from sliding out from underneath the trailer during braking if the pins are disengaged. A locking pin mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the locking mechanism couples the suspension bogey and the trailer in one of the plurality of positions and an unlocked position in which the trailer can move relative to the suspension bogey. The suspension bogey may collide violently with the stop bar when braking from a relatively low speed when the pins are unlocked. To this end, an energy absorption device is supported on either the trailer or the suspension bogey. The energy absorption device collapses in response to the stop bar engaging either the energy absorption device or the suspension bogey. Alternatively, an expandable cable may be used between the trailer and suspension bogey to slow the trailer as the stop bar approaches the suspension bogey.

Trailer suspension slider energy absorbing device

A system for connecting a slider to a trailer frame includes a rotatable locking member having a plurality of teeth that engage with a plurality of openings in the trailer from. The locking member is biased by a rotary biasing in a locked position.

Method for securing slider to trailer

A mechanism is disclosed for controlling the vertical position of the transport trailer floor of a heavy trailer bearing vehicle having a pivoting air spring suspension system such that the transport trailer floor maintains a fixed position level to an adjacent dock platform when parked for loading or unloading. The mechanism comprises various embodiments of a locking system that disables the pivotal movement of selected pivoting suspension elements in any one of a plurality of possible fixed positions such that the transport trailer floor, when parked, resists downwardly imposed forces and maintains a fixed elevation equal to the elevation of an adjacent loading dock platform.

Mechanism for fixing the height of the trailer floor at a plurality of levels by fixing the angular position of a pivoting suspension component

A number of improved ways of connecting a slider to a trailer frame are disclosed. In one general type of solution, a wedge-shaped locking surface is formed on both the slider and the trailer. The wedged surfaces provide a very secure connection. In another general way of describing the embodiments, several of the embodiments have a plurality of locking surfaces which again provide a more secure connection.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Rajesh J Somnay