Driv Automotive Inc.

Tom Daniels

Peter Boon

Jan Vochten

Kenny Berwaerts

Gunter Vandenborne

Stefan Peerenbooms

Paolo Diomedi

Peter Maex

A suspension system including hydraulic circuits that extend between dampers located at opposite corners of the vehicle and at least one load distribution unit that is connected in fluid communication with at least two hydraulic circuits. The load distribution unit includes a manifold block with a cylinder bore, a pair of pressure tubes, a piston rod assembly, and a pair of reserve tubes. The pressure tubes are partially received in the cylinder bore to define a pair of opposed cylinders. The piston rod assembly includes a piston rod and a pair of opposed pistons that are slidingly received within the opposed cylinders. The reserve tubes are at least partially received in the cylinder bore and are arranged annularly about the pressure tubes to define a first pair of reservoir chambers between the pressure tubes and the reserve tubes.

Dual tube load distribution unit for vehicle suspension system

An accumulator for a vehicle suspension damper, which includes an outer shell with an open end that connects to an accumulator port on the damper and a distal end, opposite the open end, which includes an end wall that extends radially inward to a gas charging port. A bellows assembly, which includes an annular bellows wall extending between proximal and distal plates, is positioned inside the outer shell to define a pressurized gas chamber inside the accumulator that is arranged in fluid communication with the gas charging port. The gas charging port includes a stem that extends inwardly from the end wall of the outer shell and the distal plate of the bellows assembly has an inner diameter that is received on the stem. The inner diameter of the distal plate is coupled to the stem of the gas charging port by a fixation component.

Bellows accumulator fixation apparatus for suspension dampers

A suspension system including hydraulic circuits that extend between dampers located at opposite corners of the vehicle and at least one load distribution unit that is connected in fluid communication with at least two hydraulic circuits. The load distribution unit includes a manifold block with a cylinder bore, a pair of pressure tubes, a piston rod assembly, and an integral rod guide and pressure tube coupler. The pressure tubes are partially received in the cylinder bore to define a pair of opposed cylinders and mate with the integral rod guide and pressure tube coupler. The piston rod assembly includes a piston rod and a pair of opposed pistons that are slidingly received within the opposed cylinders. In addition to retaining the pressure tubes, the integral rod guide and pressure tube coupler supports and permits the piston rod to slide longitudinally relative to the manifold block.

Modular load distribution unit and assembly method

A method of assembling an accumulator for a suspension damper where the method includes the steps of forming an outer shell of an accumulator, assembling a bellows assembly by connecting distal and proximal plates to opposite ends of an annular bellows wall, and inserting the bellows assembly into the outer shell. The outer shell is formed such that it includes a distal end with an end wall and an open end opposite the distal end. The bellows assembly is inserted into the open end of the outer shell with the distal plate facing the end wall of the outer shell. The method proceeds with coupling the distal plate of the bellows assembly to a stem of a gas charging port on the end wall of the outer shell at a fixed axial position using a fixation component that engages the stem of the gas charging port.

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Testelt, Belgium

Tom Daniels