A non-linear stiffness actuator for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle includes an actuator housing and an actuator shaft configured to transmit an actuator force to the road wheel. The actuator also includes a primary elastic member assembly arranged between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft and configured to exert a primary elastic member force along the actuator shaft. The actuator additionally includes a secondary elastic member assembly configured to exert a variable secondary elastic member force acting between the actuator housing and the actuator shaft. The variable secondary elastic member force is configured to selectively contribute to and subtract from the primary elastic member force to thereby facilitate the non-linear stiffness of the actuator. A vehicle having such a non-linear stiffness actuator is also provided.

The disclosure relates to a dampening system useful for reducing the shimmying or movement of caster on suspension systems of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The suspension system utilizes hydraulic cylinders on harvesters which are operably linked to the caster and that respond to movement of the caster and/or caster wheel during operation of the harvester in a high-speed operable mode.

The disclosure relates to a dampening system useful for reducing the shimmying or movement of caster on suspension systems of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The suspension system utilizes hydraulic cylinders on harvesters which are operably linked to the caster and that respond to movement of the caster and/or caster wheel during operation of the harvester in a high-speed operable mode.

The disclosure concerns a spring assembly with a leaf spring. The leaf spring extends in a vehicle longitudinal axis, supports a vehicle axle and is connected at least indirectly to a vehicle superstructure at a front end and at a rear end. In order to provide a wheel suspension with advantageous springing and damping behavior that is optimized with regard to weight and complexity, according to the disclosure it is provided that at least one damping region, which is at least partially fluid-filled, is integrated in the leaf spring.

A clutch disc for a disengaging torque transmission device includes a carrier plate on which a friction lining is provided for non-positive closure of the torque transmission device. At least one vibration-influencing area is formed on the carrier plate for influencing the vibration behaviour of the clutch disc, in particular for damping at least one defined clutch disc vibration, the vibration-influencing area being formed by an opening and/or by an impression on the carrier plate.

A clutch disc for a disengaging torque transmission device includes a carrier plate on which a friction lining is provided for non-positive closure of the torque transmission device. At least one vibration-influencing area is formed on the carrier plate for influencing the vibration behaviour of the clutch disc, in particular for damping at least one defined clutch disc vibration, the vibration-influencing area being formed by an opening and/or by an impression on the carrier plate.

A strut assembly for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a damper. The strut assembly also includes an elastic unit having at least one spring module acting in concert with the damper to suspend the vehicle body relative to the road wheel. Each spring module has a positive stiffness spring arranged in parallel with a negative stiffness spring. A vehicle that has a suspension corner employing the elastic unit and is configured to maintain contact between the road wheel and the road surface and provide isolation of vibration between the road wheel and the vehicle body is also contemplated.

A strut assembly for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a damper. The strut assembly also includes an elastic unit having at least one spring module acting in concert with the damper to suspend the vehicle body relative to the road wheel. Each spring module has a positive stiffness spring arranged in parallel with a negative stiffness spring. A vehicle that has a suspension corner employing the elastic unit and is configured to maintain contact between the road wheel and the road surface and provide isolation of vibration between the road wheel and the vehicle body is also contemplated.

An end damper capable of providing an impact absorbing function with a short stroke is provided. A steering system includes: a large-diameter members attached one to each axial end of a rack shaft; a rack housing having stopper portions which the corresponding large-diameter members approach and separate from, the rack housing holding the rack shaft and the large-diameter members movably in an axial direction; and end dampers each of which absorbs impact by being held between the corresponding large-diameter member and the corresponding stopper portion in the axial direction. Each end damper includes: a first elastic member that is elastically deformed by being held; and a second elastic member that is elastically deformed such that an elastic modulus of the entire end damper is greater than an elastic modulus of the first elastic member, by receiving a load resulting from the elastic deformation of the first elastic member.

A two-stage stiffness driveshaft includes a hollow cylinder having first and second ends and a hollow cylinder stiffness. An inner shaft having first and second ends and an inner shaft stiffness extends through the hollow cylinder. The inner shaft's first end and the hollow cylinder's first end are engaged via a rotational clearance fit. The inner shaft's second end is rotationally fixed to the hollow cylinder's second end to permit the inner shaft's first end to twist through a predetermined angle relative to the inner shaft's second end. The inner shaft's stiffness defines the driveshaft's first-stage stiffness, while the combined stiffness of the inner shaft and the hollow cylinder defines the driveshaft's second-stage stiffness. A damping element positioned between the inner shaft and the hollow cylinder controls variation in torque transmitted by the driveshaft and generates gradual transition between the first-stage stiffness and the second-stage stiffness.