A wheel suspension for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle, including a pivot bearing supporting the wheel, which is articulated in an upper link level via at least one link on the motor vehicle body. The pivot bearing includes a pivot bearing arm on which the link is mounted by a ball joint having a ball pin, the ball pin is aligned extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and the ball of the ball pin is received in a receptacle on the link side and the shaft of the ball pin is received in a receptacle on the pivot bearing arm side. The receptacle on the pivot bearing arm side is formed as a longitudinally slotted clamping hole.

Some embodiments are directed to a suspension assembly of a vehicle having a frame and an engine. The suspension assembly can include a trailing arm having first and second ends and configured to extend from the frame at the first end. The suspension assembly can further include a knuckle connected to the second end of the trailing arm. The suspension assembly can include an arm assembly configured to extend from the frame to support the knuckle and facilitate translational movement of the knuckle relative to the frame in at least one predetermined direction. The suspension assembly can include a damper and a connecting link configured to extend from the frame and connected to the trailing arm. The suspension assembly can include a stabilizer bar connected to the connecting link and extending rearward around the engine.

A mechanical component for a vehicle, having a measurement region with a surface, and at least one force sensor associated with the measurement region for detecting a force to which the component is exposed. The component (3) has, disposed in the measurement region, a hollow body (3b) with a cavity (4) in which the at least one force sensor (7) can be positioned.

A protective cap (1, 30) for covering some areas of a fully assembled ball joint (50). The protective cap (1, 30) can be screwed, by virtue of a multi-turn, all-round internal thread (11), onto a threaded section (53) of a ball stud (51) of the ball joint (50). Furthermore, a ball joint (50) with a ball stud (51) having a protective cap (1, 30) screwed onto a threaded section (53) of the ball stud (51). Also a two-point linkage (80) with at least one ball joint (81, 82) having a ball stud (51) with a protective cap. The linkage is in the form of a steering rod (80), a track rod, a stabilizer tie-rod, an operating link or a Panhard rod.

A ball joint (1) for a vehicle, with a housing (2) and a ball stud (3) that extends in an axial direction (A) and includes a joint ball (4) which, with its joint ball (4), is fitted into and can pivot in the housing (2) and which extends outward through an opening (8) of the housing (2). At least one sensor (6) serves to detect a tilt angle (a) between the ball stud (3) and the housing (2). The joint ball (4) has a flattened area (5) and the at least one sensor (6) is a distance sensor arranged on a wall (7) of the housing (2), opposite the flattened area (5) of the joint ball (4), for detecting a distance (d) from the flattened area (5) and, from the detected distance (d) from the flattened area (5), deriving the tilt angle (a).

Solar panel assemblies and wall sections using such assemblies are described. In one solar panel assembly, there is a mounting post and three or more triangular shaped panels. Each triangular shaped panel is a solar panel responsive to a first spectrum of light and transparent to a second spectrum of light. The solar panel assembly also includes hinges which connect the triangular shaped panels to the mounting post. The at least three triangular shaped panels can move between a flat configuration and an inverted pyramid configuration. In a further embodiment of the solar panel assembly, the triangular shaped panels form a first solar panel layer, and the assembly also includes one or more additional solar panel layers. Each of the additional solar panel layers being responsive to an associated spectrum of light.

A gimbal system is provided. The gimbal system includes a grooved, rotatable ball, including a plurality of grooves, wherein two or more of the plurality of grooves are configured to be complimentary with a plurality of teeth of a first gear, and wherein two or more of the plurality of grooves are configured to be complimentary with a plurality of teeth of a second gear. The gimbal system further includes the first gear and the second gear, wherein the first gear and the second gear are approximately perpendicular to each other.

A mechanical component for a vehicle, such as a ball stud, having a cylindrical measurement region with an outer surface. A force sensor is associated with the cylindrical measurement region for detecting at least one force to which the component is exposed. The forces detected by the nanotube sensor may include compressive and/or tensile stress forces. The force sensor includes a layer of carbon nanotubes applied to the outer surface of the cylindrical measurement region.

The disclosure concerns a control arm and a ball joint assembly that are adjustable relative to each other via a fastener or threaded element passing through an over-dimensioned aperture in the arm body and connecting the ball joint assembly in a desired position on the arm body. The control arm mounts to a vehicle in the usual manner and the position of the ball joint assembly is then adjustable as needed in order to set a desired camber.

A ball bearing including a ball head arranged at a support rod and supported in a ball head receiver, characterized in that the ball head is secured at an outer surface of the ball head in the ball head receiver by a retaining ring against sliding out of the ball head receiver. The invention also relates to a piston rod with the ball bearing.