Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Robert P Marble

Brian K Saylor

Robert G Izak

Michael McGuire

Charles C Weddle

Gary Klein

Nate Maye-bloom

Joshua R Auden

Christopher A Stirlen

Hojjat Izadi

Christopher J Mettrick

Larry G Gepfrey

Michael W Neal

Matthew Gregory Kowal

Kyle M Smith

Michael E McGuire

A method of actively controlling camber offset of a suspension for a vehicle includes, with a system controller, receiving, via a plurality of sensing devices within the vehicle and in communication with the system controller, data related to a target camber angle for the suspension of the vehicle, defining the target camber angle based on the data related to the target camber angle for the suspension of the vehicle, actuating an active camber offset mechanism of the suspension for the vehicle, and adjusting, with the active camber offset mechanism, a camber angle of the suspension to the target camber angle.

Active camber control

A suspension for a vehicle includes a knuckle, a lower control arm, an upper control arm, including an inner segment and an outer segment pivotally connected to one another, and a camber gain link interconnecting the upper control arm and the lower control arm, a pivotal position of the inner segment relative to the outer segment defining an effective length of the upper control arm and a camber angle of the knuckle, the camber gain link adapted to secure the pivotal connection of the inner segment and the outer segment and prevent pivotal movement of the inner segment and the outer segment relative to one another, thereby establishing a pivotal position of the inner segment relative to the outer segment, the effective length of the upper control arm and the camber angle of the knuckle.

Suspension camber optimization

A suspension air spring includes a spring mount assembly and a diaphragm seat spaced from the spring mount. A diaphragm includes a first end that is mounted to the spring mount assembly and a second end that is mounted to the diaphragm to create a main volume between the spring mount assembly and the diaphragm seat. The diaphragm rolls upon the diaphragm seat. An inflatable secondary bladder is disposed within the main volume.

Suspension air spring with continuously variable volume

A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a first axis and first and second road wheels, each mounted on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The vehicle also includes a stabilizer bar mounted to the vehicle body. The vehicle additionally includes respective first and second telescoping multiple-section links connecting the stabilizer bar to corresponding first and second road wheels. Each of the first and the second telescoping multiple-section links is configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, telescoping of each of the first and the second multiple-section links is locked to operatively connect the first road wheel to the second road wheel via the stabilizer bar. In the second mode, the telescoping of each of the first and the second multiple-section links is unlocked to operatively disconnect the first and second road wheels from the stabilizer bar.

Telescoping multi-section lockable link for a vehicle suspension stabilizer bar

A vehicle suspension control system includes a central suspension spring core, a first suspension spring surrounding an upper portion of the central suspension spring core, a second suspension spring surrounding a lower portion of the central suspension spring core, the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring coupled between a wheel and a fixed structure of a vehicle to inhibit movement of the wheel, a spring seat surrounding the central suspension spring core and coupled between the first and second suspension springs, the spring seat including an outer sleeve and multiple seals for retaining magnetorheological fluid between the outer sleeve and the central suspension spring core, one or more electromagnets adjacent the spring seat, and a suspension control module configured to energize the one or more electromagnets to selectively modify a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to inhibit movement of the first suspension spring or the second suspension spring.

Variable suspension spring rates using magnetorheological fluid

A stabilizer bar assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a first bar configured to be coupled to the vehicle suspension system proximate to a first wheel. A second bar is adjacent to the first bar. A coupling assembly is at an interface between the first bar and the second bar. The coupling assembly includes a magnetorheological material in contact with both the first bar and the second bar. The magnetorheological material is configured to transform from a fluid state to a viscoelastic solid state when subject to a magnetic field. A magnet is configured to apply the magnetic field to the magnetorheological material. In the viscoelastic solid state, the magnetorheological material resists relative movement between the first bar and the second bar.

Vehicle stabilizer bar

A weight balancing system for a vehicle performs a method of adjusting a weight on a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a processor of the vehicle and a scale. A wheel of the vehicle is placed on the scale, the wheel having an associated spring seat and associated spring. The scale measures a weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle and communicates the weight to the processor. The processor activates the spring seat to adjust a length of the spring, thereby adjusting the weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle.

Automatic corner weight adjustment of vehicle with automated spring seats

A vehicle, variable spring system and method of operating a corner actuator coupled to wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes the corner actuator and the variable spring system. The variable spring system includes a control chamber coupled to the corner actuator, a first spring, a second spring, and a valve. An applied resistance for the corner actuator is selected by selecting an amount of fluid coupling between the control chamber and each of the first spring and the second spring. A force is absorbed at the wheel using the applied resistance.

Variable adaptive hydro-mechanical spring

A method of controlling relative roll torque in vehicles having a front active sway bar and a rear active sway bar is provided. The front active sway bar varies roll torque of a front axle and the rear active sway bar varies roll torque of a rear axle. The method includes monitoring dynamic driving conditions during operation of the vehicle and biasing tire lateral load transfer distribution (TLLTD) relative to the front axle based on the monitored dynamic driving conditions. Positive bias of the TLLTD increases the portion of a total roll torque carried by the front active sway bar. Biasing TLLTD occurs during one or more dynamic bias events triggered as monitored dynamic driving conditions exceed one or more calibrated thresholds.

Variable tire lateral load transfer distribution

Systems and methods to detect abnormalities within a stabilizer system for a vehicle. A method includes receiving suspension system data from one or more vehicle sensors, calculating a roll gradient from the suspension system data, determining whether the calculated roll gradient is greater than a predetermined roll gradient threshold, and setting a diagnostic notification if the calculated roll gradient is greater than the predetermined roll gradient threshold.

Systems and methods to determine abnormalities in a vehicle stabilizer system

A shock absorber includes a first tube defining a first chamber and a piston head movably disposed within the first chamber. A hollow piston rod extends from the piston head. The hollow piston rod defines a rod chamber, and a tuned vibration absorber is disposed within the rod chamber of the hollow piston rod.

Damper with tuned vibration absorber

A vibration damper includes a housing and a piston rod construct and arranged to reciprocate along an axis and with respect to the housing. The housing defines first and second ports. A chamber is defined by the housing and the piston rod and is in fluid communication between the first and second ports. A translating isolator of the damper is located in the chamber and is in sealing contact with the piston rod and the housing. The isolator translates in a first direction toward the first port when the piston rod moves in the first direction and translates in an opposite second direction toward the second port when the piston rod moves in the second direction.

Vibration damper

A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a structure and a wheel maintaining contact with a road surface. A suspension supports the structure and includes one or more suspension corner assemblies connecting the wheel to the structure and configured to maintain contact between the wheel and the road surface. A secondary actuation system cooperates with the suspension system and is operable to selectively change at least one vehicle operating property. The secondary actuation system includes at least one actuator device operatively connected to the structure at a first end and the one or more suspension corner assemblies at a second end to selectively change at least one vehicle operating property and a spring assembly in fluid communication with the at least one actuator device selectively actuated to adjust an amount of fluid in the at least one actuator device to selectively change the at least one vehicle operating property.

Vehicle suspension system

A damper assembly includes a housing. A method of forming a damper assembly includes extruding the housing formed of aluminum. The housing defines a first chamber and a first passage spaced from each other, with a first inlet fluidly connecting the first chamber and the first passage. A piston is disposed in the first chamber and is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A first restrictor valve is disposed in the first passage. The first restrictor valve is configured to restrict a flow of liquid into the first passage from the first chamber and the first inlet as the piston moves in one of the first and second directions which causes the liquid in the first chamber to increase a pressure applied to a first side of the piston to dampen movement of the piston.

Damper assembly and a method of forming the damper assembly

A damper assembly includes a housing that defines an interior chamber. A rod is supported by the housing, and is at least partially disposed within the interior chamber. A piston assembly is attached to the rod within the interior chamber. The piston assembly separates the interior chamber into at least a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate defining at least one orifice, which interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The piston assembly includes at least one valve disc that is disposed adjacent a first face of the annular plate. An SMA device is disposed in contact with the valve disc. The SMA device is changeable between a first state and a second state, at a transition temperature, to control a bending stiffness of the valve disc to adjust a damping rate.

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White Lake, MI, United States of America

Robert P Marble