Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Suresh Nagesh

Del C Schroeder

David G Speth

John G Argeropoulos

William W Doolittle, Iii

Jeremy A Panasiewicz

Stephen D Logan

Lawrence J Oswald

David J Hunter

David W Gostovich

Craig A Patterson

The present invention includes a flexible, resilient composite spring pivotally connected to the vehicle wheel assembly by standard means such as a ball joint and knuckle. The composite spring is formed having a sinusoidal profile with rectangular cross-section preferably spanning transversely between parallel vehicle wheel assemblies. The composite spring is pivotally connected to the parallel vehicle frames by opposing perpendicular brackets welded to an upper and lower portion of the vehicle frame. A rubber bushing is preferably provided within each bracket and is in contact with opposing sides of the composite spring, allowing the spring to pivot between the vehicle frame. The composite spring is preferably formed with carbon and glass fibers. The sinusoidal composite spring blank is preferably molded with a neutral axis extending along the length of the spring at a midpoint of the sinusoidal profile.

Composite spring design that also performs the lower control arm function for a conventional or active suspension system

A two piece fiber reinforced composite wheel includes a molded inner rim portion defining an outboard engagement surface and a molded outer rim portion defining an inboard engagement surface. The inner and outer rim portions are conformed so as to interlock together and are adhesively bonded. The inner and outer rim portions engage forming a plurality of spoke sections having substantially box shaped cross sections. The spoke sections are further connected with fasteners.

Full off-set two-piece fiber reinforced composite wheel using spoke or web area box sections

A lightweight automobile body structure is provided and includes a base assembly including an upper sheet and a lower sheet. The upper sheet has first and second series of upper reliefs formed therein and the lower sheet has first and second series of lower reliefs formed therein. The upper and lower sheets stacked adjacent one another, whereby the first series of upper reliefs are in flush contact with the first series of lower reliefs and the second series of upper reliefs are offset from the second series of lower reliefs for defining a space therebetween. First and second side panels are fixedly attached to the base assembly and extend therefrom for defining respective sides. A roof panel is fixedly attached between the first and second side panels for defining a roof.

Lightweight automobile body structure

Uni-directional fibers are wrapped in tension around vehicle body panels to place the body panels in compression. A compressive load on the inner body panels, coupled with the actual load on the uni-directional fibers in tension contribute to a vehicle structural body that has increased stiffness.

Vehicle body structure

Growing community of inventors

West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

Suresh Nagesh