A variable stiffness spring is provided that includes a dielectric diaphragm having a biaxially pre-strained film, where the dielectric diaphragm includes an out-of-plane stiffness at zero voltage, a first electrode disposed on a first side of the dielectric diaphragm and a second electrode disposed on a second side of the dielectric diaphragm, where the out-of-plain stiffness is relaxed by an applied voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Improved equipment bases and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The equipment base can include a first coated substrate including a first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, a first elastomer coating the first part, a second coated substrate positioned adjacent to the first coated substrate, the second coated substrate including a second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, and a second elastomer coating the second part. A first seam can be formed between the first and second coated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second coated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the equipment.

A vehicle load-bearing member includes an electro-active material, a lead wire for delivering an electric current to the electro-active material, and a controller in communication with a power supply for supplying electric current to the electro-active material for changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material, wherein changing dynamic characteristics of the electro-active material changes at least one of dampening and stiffness of the vehicle load-bearing member by changing the shape of the electro-active material.

Improved equipment bases and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The equipment base can include a first coated substrate including a first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, a first elastomer coating the first part, a second coated substrate positioned adjacent to the first coated substrate, the second coated substrate including a second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, and a second elastomer coating the second part. A first seam can be formed between the first and second coated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second coated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the equipment.

A damper for electric power steering disposed on each of opposite ends of a worm shaft includes a rubber unit made of a rubber material, and a damper frame disposed on each of opposite sides of the rubber unit. The rubber unit includes a concave part which is concavely formed by forming a groove on an outer circumference thereof, and a convex part which is a convex remaining part.

A variable stiffness bushing assembly includes an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member coaxially surrounding the inner tubular member, and an elastic member connecting the inner and outer tubular members. The elastic member defines a pair of first liquid chambers that are on opposite sides of an axial line of the inner tubular member and communicate with each other via a first circumferentially extending communication passage defined between one of the outer yokes and the annular large diameter portion, and a pair of second liquid chambers that are on opposite sides of the axial line and communicate with each other via a second circumferentially extending communication passage defined between another one of the outer yokes and the annular large diameter portion. The magnetic fields generated by the two coils are selectively applied to a magnetic fluid flowing through the first communication passage and the second communication passage.

Provided is a torque rod (1, 101, 202, 301) configured to be connected between a vehicle body (2) and an engine (3) to restrict a movement of the engine relative to the vehicle body. The torque rod includes a rod main body (11, 211, 307), and a bushing assembly provided at one end (14) of the rod main body. The bushing assembly includes a mounting bracket (21, 203, 303) configured to be mounted to the vehicle body or the engine via a bolt (22) passed therethrough in an axial direction, a magneto-elastic member (31, 204, 322) made of magneto-elastic material axially interposed between the one end of the rod main body and the mounting bracket, and a coil (32, 205, 323) configured to apply a magnetic flux to the magneto-elastic member.

Improved equipment bases and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The equipment base can include a first coated substrate including a first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, a first elastomer coating the first part, a second coated substrate positioned adjacent to the first coated substrate, the second coated substrate including a second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, and a second elastomer coating the second part. A first seam can be formed between the first and second coated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second coated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the equipment.

Damping stopper for a mechanism in which a housing and shaft are not only displaced axially relative to each other but but also rotated relative to each other. The damping stopper is attached to a space portion between an end surface portion on housing side and an end surface portion on shaft side which is displaced axially relative to the housing and is rotated relative to the housing and has a metal fitting on one of the end surface portions, an elastic body connected to the metal fitting, and a sliding member connected to the elastic body. The sliding member contacts the other end surface portion to contact/separate from the other end surface portion and the sliding member is slidable and rotatable relative to the other end surface portion when the shaft is rotated while the sliding member, containing resin component, contacts the other end surface portion.

An engine mount control apparatus that is an active noise vibration control apparatus according to the present disclosure is characterized by being provided with a housing that has an outer core, an inner core that is disposed inside the outer core, and an electromagnetic coil that is positioned between the outer core and the inner core and by a portion between the outer core and the inner core being filled with a magneto-rheological elastomer containing magnetic particles. The present disclosure enables the maintenance of good static load support performance.