Abstract:
A spring including a composite structure including reinforcement fibers in a matrix. The composite structure further includes at least one Bragg cell and at least one optical fiber connected to the Bragg cell.
Abstract:
A torsion bar spring arrangement for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes an actuator arranged on a vehicle body or on a subframe and constructed to variably pre-tension the torsion bar spring arrangement, a coaxial first torsion bar spring having an output side that is connected by way of an output lever to a wheel suspension element of the wheel suspension, and a housing of the actuator supported on the vehicle body in at least one bearing location for movement in a circumferential direction and resiliently yieldingly supported on the vehicle body in the direction of torsional moments acting on the torsion bar spring by way of at least one spring element.
Abstract:
A single-wheel suspension of a non-steerable driven wheel of a two-track vehicle is provided. The suspension includes two longitudinal control arms that pivot in a vertical plane. The first control arm is supported by a vertical pendulum support and supports a wheel bearing. The second control arm is supported with one rotational degree of freedom on the vehicle and is connected to the first control arm with one rotation degree of freedom by a connecting member between the wheel bearing and the pendulum support. At least a section of the first control arm between the wheel bearing and the connecting member is located inside the wheel rim space. A gear mechanism at least partially inside the wheel rim includes two transmission stages laterally offset from one another. The rotational axes of a connection shaft connecting first and second transmission stages and the connection element between the two control arms coincide.
Abstract:
A spring system that includes at least an inner spring and an outer spring disposed around the inner spring. The inner spring exhibits a stiffness k1 and the outer spring exhibits a stiffness k2 in an uncompressed state. The inner spring exhibits a stiffness k3 and the outer spring exhibits the stiffness k2 in an intermediate compressed state, and the inner spring exhibits the stiffness k3 and the outer spring exhibits a stiffness k4 in a fully compressed state. In this manner, the spring system of the present disclosure may provide a vehicle with variable rates of compression that assist in providing a smooth ride at lower loads or jounce levels.
Abstract:
A thrust sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made bearing body 4 having an annular upper surface 2 and an annular outer peripheral surface 3; a synthetic resin-made bearing body 6 which is superposed on the bearing body 4 so as to be relatively rotatable; a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing piece 7 interposed between the annular upper surface 2 of the bearing body 4 and an annular lower surface 5 of the bearing body 6; an annular upper cover 10 having an annular engaging inner peripheral surface 9 which engages an annular engaging outer peripheral surface 8 of the bearing body 4; and an annular metal plate 15 interposed between an annular upper surface 11 of the bearing body 6 and a lower surface 14 of the annular upper cover 10.
Abstract:
A clamp of an anti-vibration spring includes a pipe body and a sheathing element fixed to an end the pipe body. Another end of the pipe body is fixed to a covering element. The sheathing element is passed through the external periphery of the pipe body. The pipe body includes a screw rod screwed at the moving element, and an end of the screw rod is protruded from an end of the covering element and fixed at a driving element. A connecting element between the sheathing element and the moving element positions the sheathing element and the moving element. Each sheathing element has a connecting portion including a transversal slot, two clamping disc, and an insert portion on the clamping disc connected to the transversal slot and fixed by a positioning element. By turning the driving element, the anti-vibration spring is compressed or released between the two clamping discs.
Abstract:
A carrier housing for receiving a drive shaft that is drivingly coupled to a drive axle is provided, where the carrier housing is also connected to a sub-frame. To provide an adjustable relationship between the carrier housing and the sub-frame, the carrier housing further comprises a cover gear that may be removably coupled to a ring gear, which is attached to the sub-frame. By removing either the cover gear or the ring gear, the carrier housing may be repositioned with respect to the sub-frame.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a motive power device for a vehicle, which is preferably retrofittable as front or rear axle. In a first embodiment, the device comprises a chassis (301) supporting at least one electric motor (318) and attached to the vehicle suspension fixtures with mounts (302, 304). Wheel hubs (377) are suspended from the chassis (301) and driven by the at least one motor (318). Further independent claims are included for a motive power device having a controller providing launch assist and/or stability control, a motive power device having at least two motors and a clutch therebetween, a vehicle provided with these various motive power devices, a method of making a vehicle, a clutch per se and an acceleration controller.
Abstract:
A shield assembly for a vehicle suspension. The shield assembly comprises a first shield portion attached to a lower arm of the suspension and a second shield portion attached to a lower spring seat of the suspension and at least partially surrounding the first shield portion. The first and second shield cooperate to deflect foreign objects proximate the suspension. A method employs the shield assembly.
Abstract:
A system and method of sensing a load on a vehicle that includes a plurality of wheel-engaging members is disclosed. The vehicle body is supported on the plurality of wheel-engaging members and receives a cargo having a cargo weight. The method includes providing a non-fluid spring having an unloaded length and a spring rate, the non-fluid springs are supported between the vehicle body and one of the wheel-engaging members and being deflected to a loaded length under the cargo weight of the cargo. The method continues with determining the loaded length of the non-fluid springs. The method also includes determining an approximate value of the cargo weight based at least partially upon the spring rate and the loaded length of the non-fluid spring.