A shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system may include a damper tube defining an axis, a rod operably coupled to the damper tube to be movable along the axis relative to the damper tube in response to jounce and rebound events, a dust boot operably coupled to the rod and extending along peripheral sides of the rod and at least a proximal end of the damper tube relative to the rod, the dust boot being movable with the rod, a target disposed on a damper bump cap operably coupled to the proximal end of the damper tube, and a measurement assembly affixed to the dust boot. The measurement assembly may include a PCB elongated parallel to the axis to track relative movement between the target and the measurement assembly responsive to the jounce and rebound events to generate ride height information based on the relative movement.

A temperature compensating shock strut health indicator system for use with a shock strut comprises a visual indicator comprising a plurality of sectors and a pointer configured to rotate with respect to the visual indicator to point to one of the plurality of sectors. The sector to which the pointer points to is dependent on the shock strut stroke (i.e., the position of the piston with respect to the cylinder). In various embodiments, the visual indicator includes various rings that correspond to a different temperature compensated ideal stroke whereby a crew member can correspond the pointer to the appropriate ring depending on ambient temperature. In various embodiments, the pointer comprises a temperature sensitive material configured to cause the pointer to rotate with respect to the visual indicator to actively compensate for temperature.

A temperature compensating shock strut health indicator system for use with a shock strut comprises a visual indicator comprising a plurality of sectors and a pointer configured to rotate with respect to the visual indicator to point to one of the plurality of sectors. The sector to which the pointer points to is dependent on the shock strut stroke (i.e., the position of the piston with respect to the cylinder). In various embodiments, the visual indicator includes various rings that correspond to a different temperature compensated ideal stroke whereby a crew member can correspond the pointer to the appropriate ring depending on ambient temperature. In various embodiments, the pointer comprises a temperature sensitive material configured to cause the pointer to rotate with respect to the visual indicator to actively compensate for temperature.

A suspension includes: a cylinder; a piston rod including a piston provided at one end-side, and inserted in the cylinder together with the piston; an outer tube part opened at the one end-side, a position of which relative to the piston rod is fixed at the other end-side, and configured to receive therein at least a part of the cylinder; and a tubular rolling diaphragm having one end disposed at the cylinder and the other end fixed to the outer tube part, and configured to roll in conjunction with displacement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder. The rolling diaphragm becomes convex toward the other end-side of the outer tube part and is accommodated in the outer tube part, upon contraction of the suspension.

A damper bumper cap for covering the rod side end of the damper tube containing a piston rod seal and for retaining a dust cover on the damper tube. The cap includes a side wall positioned in contact with the damper tube, an end wall that extends radially inwardly over the piston rod seal, and an annular skirt that is spaced radially outward of the side wall. First and second groups of connection wall segments extend radially between the side wall and the annular skirt at different heights to define vent openings in the spaces between the connection wall segments in the first and second groups of connection wall segments. The vent openings thus provide a plurality of tortuous airflow paths through the cap at circumferentially spaced locations.

A damper bumper cap for covering the rod side end of the damper tube containing a piston rod seal and for retaining a dust cover on the damper tube. The cap includes a side wall positioned in contact with the damper tube, an end wall that extends radially inwardly over the piston rod seal, and an annular skirt that is spaced radially outward of the side wall. First and second groups of connection wall segments extend radially between the side wall and the annular skirt at different heights to define vent openings in the spaces between the connection wall segments in the first and second groups of connection wall segments. The vent openings thus provide a plurality of tortuous airflow paths through the cap at circumferentially spaced locations.

An arrangement for mounting a suspension spring of a spring strut for a motor vehicle may include a spring plate that is arranged on a damper tube of a vibration damper of the spring strut such that an end side of the suspension spring is supported on the spring plate. A protective element for protecting a piston rod of the vibration damper may also be attached to the spring plate. The spring plate may include features that help minimize or even eliminate contact between the protective element and the damper tube. For example, the spring plate may include tongues that extend from a ring-shaped main structure of the spring plate, wherein inner sides of the tongues may lie against the damper tube and outer sides of the tongues may guide the protective element.

An arrangement for mounting a suspension spring of a spring strut for a motor vehicle may include a spring plate that is arranged on a damper tube of a vibration damper of the spring strut such that an end side of the suspension spring is supported on the spring plate. A protective element for protecting a piston rod of the vibration damper may also be attached to the spring plate. The spring plate may include features that help minimize or even eliminate contact between the protective element and the damper tube. For example, the spring plate may include tongues that extend from a ring-shaped main structure of the spring plate, wherein inner sides of the tongues may lie against the damper tube and outer sides of the tongues may guide the protective element.

A support ring used as part of an air spring assembly, where the support ring provides support for a top cap against radial forces applied by a clamping ring. The support ring is made of a plastic material which is less costly than a metal support ring. The plastic material is a high creep resistance plastic material, which provides increased strength and improved creep resistance, to withstand the compressive radial forces of the clamping ring. Once the support ring is formed, the top cap, which is also made of plastic, is overmolded such that a portion of the top cap is overmolded around the support ring. The high creep resistance plastic material is oriented during the injection molding process around the entire circumference of the support ring, to provide sufficient strength to withstand the radial forces from the clamping ring.

A damping assembly comprises a connecting rod for connection to a moving part to be damped, a damper comprising a piston, a mechanical fuse coupling the connecting rod to the damper, the mechanical fuse configured such that when a force between the connecting rod and damper reaches a threshold value the connecting rod becomes uncoupled from the piston. The damping assembly further comprises a biasing member that biases the piston towards a central position such that the connecting rod may be re-coupled to the piston.