A leaf spring suspension is provided with an air spring to absorb a percentage of the load.

A leaf spring suspension is provided with an air spring to absorb a percentage of the load.

A void bushing for a vehicle suspension is configured to have protrusion parts formed to protrude outwards on a bulge part of an inner pipe. The protrusion parts are located to be disposed in oblique line directions between void portions of an elastic body that is filled between the inner pipe and an outer pipe. In the void bushing, ride comfort characteristics and durability characteristics of a vehicle may be maintained, as they are, under favorable conditions by the void portions. Further the handling response characteristics of the vehicle may be advantageously improved by promoting a rigidity increase through the protrusion parts.

A replacement steering and suspension support cross member is configured to replace the original cross member in an automobile that, as originally designed, could only receive small block motors into its engine bay, so that a big block motor can be installed in the engine bay. The cross member has first and second end portions that are joined, longitudinally, by a central portion. The central portion is recessed from the front and top of the end portions. The assembly further includes upper and lower control arms at each end as well as shock supports. The cross member is configured to reside at a transverse position that is behind the position of the original cross member, while the spindle mounts and shock absorber mounts are offset forward to be on the original axle axis.

A replacement steering and suspension support cross member is configured to replace the original cross member in an automobile that, as originally designed, could only receive small block motors into its engine bay, so that a big block motor can be installed in the engine bay. The cross member has first and second end portions that are joined, longitudinally, by a central portion. The central portion is recessed from the front and top of the end portions. The assembly further includes upper and lower control arms at each end as well as shock supports. The cross member is configured to reside at a transverse position that is behind the position of the original cross member, while the spindle mounts and shock absorber mounts are offset forward to be on the original axle axis.

An electric vehicle includes an electric-vehicle battery tray including a frame member elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The electric vehicle includes a rocker rail elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The electric vehicle includes a subframe. The electric vehicle includes a bracket connecting the battery tray, the rocker rail, and the subframe.

Suspension systems are provided where the lower control arm is allowed to separate from the engine cradle at prescribed conditions to deliver the proper wheel kinematics for select cases while maintaining structural integrity for all other load cases. A system includes a vehicle body structure, a wheel assembly, and a suspension system linking the wheel assembly to the engine cradle. The suspension system includes a link coupled with the engine cradle through a first joint and coupled with the wheel assembly through a second joint. The first joint is configured to release the link from the engine cradle under loads above a threshold force and above a threshold angle of the threshold force at the second joint, to provide the desired kinematics.

Suspension systems are provided where the lower control arm is allowed to separate from the engine cradle at prescribed conditions to deliver the proper wheel kinematics for select cases while maintaining structural integrity for all other load cases. A system includes a vehicle body structure, a wheel assembly, and a suspension system linking the wheel assembly to the engine cradle. The suspension system includes a link coupled with the engine cradle through a first joint and coupled with the wheel assembly through a second joint. The first joint is configured to release the link from the engine cradle under loads above a threshold force and above a threshold angle of the threshold force at the second joint, to provide the desired kinematics.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a mechanical joint with five degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the mechanical joint includes first and second triangular linkages The first triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a first body to pivot relative to the first body and a vertex end that includes a first rotational member. The second triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a second body to pivot relative to the second body and a vertex end that includes a second rotational member. The first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a all joint. With this joint, the second body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom and restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the first body. Such a configuration allows vertical movement and/or reduces stress on the joint.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a mechanical joint with five degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the mechanical joint includes first and second triangular linkages The first triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a first body to pivot relative to the first body and a vertex end that includes a first rotational member. The second triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a second body to pivot relative to the second body and a vertex end that includes a second rotational member. The first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a all joint. With this joint, the second body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom and restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the first body. Such a configuration allows vertical movement and/or reduces stress on the joint.