The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 03, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1999
David K. Platner, Shelby, MI (US);
Kurt A. Burmeister, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Ragnar Ledesma, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Steven R. Miller, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark P. Reynolds, Birmingham, MI (US);
Monte G. Williams, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Thomas Hughes, Goostrey Near Crewe, GB;
David K. Platner, Shelby, MI (US);
Kurt A. Burmeister, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Ragnar Ledesma, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Steven R. Miller, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark P. Reynolds, Birmingham, MI (US);
Monte G. Williams, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Thomas Hughes, Goostrey Near Crewe, GB;
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and device for suspending a wheel axle from a vehicle includes a unitary flexible member coupled between the vehicle and the wheel axle and to an electronic control unit. The flexible member is formed of a material that changes shape in the presence of electrical signals having a varying signal strength. The electronic control unit, upon receiving various suspension related inputs, transmits the electrical signals having the varying signal strength to the unitary flexible member to change the shape thereof in order to vary the stiffness of the flexible member and thus control the suspension of the vehicle.