Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Robert Christian Lawson

Norman Szalony

Richard Michael Krzesicki

Douglas James Bradley

Frederick Mark Deadrick

A lightweight limited slip differential for a tubular or independent axle assembly. The differential biases the torque applied to the wheels through clutch rings engaged on the pinions. The pinions include a mating surface that engage a similar profile on the clutch rings. The clutch rings may be frictionally restrained or coupled together so that the pinion movement is restrained to bias the torque between the wheels.

Limited slip differential

Differential with bolt fastener assembly

A rear wheel suspension system replaces the lower control arms, upper control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar assembly in the prior art with a simple composite member. By carefully designing the shape of the beam, the material system and the pivot locations, the ride and roll rates and camber and toe characteristics of the original prior art suspension system can be preserved.

Integrated rear wheel suspension system

A rear wheel suspension system replaces the lower control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar assembly in the prior art with a simple composite beam. By carefully designing the shape of the beam, the material system and the pivot locations, the ride and roll rates and camber and toe characteristics of the original prior art suspension system can be preserved.

Wheel suspension system having an integrated link, spring, and anti-roll bar

The present invention provides for a fiber reinforced suspension member having an integral pivot opening. The suspension member includes a first portion, a second portion and a central portion disposed in between the first portion and the second portion. The suspension member in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is formed of fibers that extend longitudinally from the first portion to the central portion and curve around the central portion such that an opening is defined in the central portion. The fibers forming the suspension member typically comprise an upper fiber layer and a lower fiber layer. The upper fiber layer and the lower fiber layer interface in the first portion and the second portion and are separated in the central portion. The upper layer fiber and the lower layer fiber are reinforced around the opening by stitching reinforcing fibers through the thickness of the suspension member.

Fiber reinforced suspension member

A method of increasing lateral stiffness in fiberglass composite leaf springs used in suspension systems. The increase in lateral stiffness is accomplished by introducing two carbon fiber inserts to the longitudinal side regions of a fiberglass composite spring. The amount of volume of carbon fiber inserts is preferably between 10-20% by volume of the total volume of the spring and is a function of the strain characteristics required within the suspension system. The composite leaf spring secures the weight advantages of fiberglass springs as compared with traditional steel leaf springs and improves lateral stiffness that promotes improved handling as well as increased efficiency in the packaging of suspension and fuel storage systems. These new composite springs can be molded from layering preprag tape containing fiberglass, carbon fiber and resin, or from a 3D weaving process.

Composite leaf spring with improved lateral stiffness

An accordion spring that replaces traditional coil springs in suspension systems. The accordion springs are made of a fiberglass composite and can be designed to have a linear or progressive spring rate upon compression. To achieve a linear spring rate, the shape of the accordion spring is symmetrical with both the top and bottom surfaces of each of the plurality of central regions of the spring are flat, wherein contact between the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent central regions will not occur until the accordion spring has bottomed out. A series of complementary bent regions are introduced to the spoked regions of the accordion spring that varies the spring rate of the spring as the spring is compressed. The accordion spring can be manufactured using a three-dimensional weaving process and offer improvements in weight reduction, mass reduction, packaging space reduction compared to traditional steel coil springs.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Robert Christian Lawson