A wheel module for a vehicle includes a tire, a steering unit, a driving unit, a braking unit, and a suspension mechanism. The steering unit is configured to output a steering force for the tire. The driving unit is configured to output a driving force for the tire. The braking unit is configured to output a braking force for the tire. The suspension mechanism is supported by an upper end fulcrum and a lower end fulcrum so as to reduce vibration or impact transmitted from a road surface. An imaginary straight line extending along a vertical direction and passing through a center of the tire in a radial direction and in a width direction of the tire is defined as a tire central axis. The lower end fulcrum of the suspension mechanism is positioned away from the tire central axis when viewed from a side surface of the tire.

A wheel module for a vehicle includes a tire, a steering unit, a driving unit, a braking unit, and a suspension mechanism. The steering unit is configured to output a steering force for the tire. The driving unit is configured to output a driving force for the tire. The braking unit is configured to output a braking force for the tire. The suspension mechanism is supported by an upper end fulcrum and a lower end fulcrum so as to reduce vibration or impact transmitted from a road surface. An imaginary straight line extending along a vertical direction and passing through a center of the tire in a radial direction and in a width direction of the tire is defined as a tire central axis. The lower end fulcrum of the suspension mechanism is positioned away from the tire central axis when viewed from a side surface of the tire.

A top mount assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure may comprise: an insulator comprising an elastic body and disposed between a vehicle body and a strut; and a strut bearing comprising an upper housing comprising at least one hole through which a portion of the elastic body passes, a lower housing, and a bearing disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing. The elastic body may comprise an elastic protrusion protruding downwards from the hole. The lower housing may comprise a groove which extends along the circumferential direction such that the elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove and is positioned at the radial inner side of the bearing. The elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove to seal between the upper housing and the lower housing at the radial inner side of the bearing.

A top mount assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure may comprise: an insulator comprising an elastic body and disposed between a vehicle body and a strut; and a strut bearing comprising an upper housing comprising at least one hole through which a portion of the elastic body passes, a lower housing, and a bearing disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing. The elastic body may comprise an elastic protrusion protruding downwards from the hole. The lower housing may comprise a groove which extends along the circumferential direction such that the elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove and is positioned at the radial inner side of the bearing. The elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove to seal between the upper housing and the lower housing at the radial inner side of the bearing.

A vehicle steering system includes a steering operation mechanism configured to steer a steered wheel, and a steering operation motor configured to apply a drive force for steering the steered wheel to the steering operation mechanism. The steering operation mechanism includes an input shaft to which the drive force from the steering operation motor is input, an output shaft configured to output the drive force from the input shaft to the steered wheel, and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the input shaft and the output shaft to each other. The coupling mechanism includes a first universal joint and a second universal joint that transmit the drive force from the input shaft to the output shaft in a state in which the output shaft is angularly offset from the input shaft. The output shaft constitutes a part of a suspension.

A vehicle steering system includes a steering operation mechanism configured to steer a steered wheel, and a steering operation motor configured to apply a drive force for steering the steered wheel to the steering operation mechanism. The steering operation mechanism includes an input shaft to which the drive force from the steering operation motor is input, an output shaft configured to output the drive force from the input shaft to the steered wheel, and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the input shaft and the output shaft to each other. The coupling mechanism includes a first universal joint and a second universal joint that transmit the drive force from the input shaft to the output shaft in a state in which the output shaft is angularly offset from the input shaft. The output shaft constitutes a part of a suspension.

A suspension system includes: an electromagnetic damper 2 that is provided between a vehicle body B which is a sprung member of a vehicle and a tire T which is an unsprung member of the vehicle, and applies a damping force and a drive force in a stroke direction to the vehicle body B and the tire T by a motor; an unsprung member acceleration sensor that detects unsprung member acceleration in the stroke direction of the tire; and an ECU that controls the motor. The ECU controls the motor to generate a load F.sub.m in such a direction that increases the relative velocity of the vehicle body B with respect to the tire T and of an amount corresponding to the unsprung member acceleration.

A shock absorber according to the present invention is configured to include: a shock absorber main body in which an outer tube and a rod axially movably inserted into the outer tube are included; a suspension spring formed of a coil spring disposed on the outer periphery of the shock absorber main body; a rod-side spring seat attached to the rod and supporting one end of the suspension spring; an annular tube-side spring seat screwed to a screw portion provided on the outer periphery of the outer tube and supporting the other end of the suspension spring; a slider to be placed on the outer periphery of the outer tube with only an axial movement is permitted; a connecting portion that detachably connects the tube-side spring seat to the slider; and a rotation regulating portion that regulates a rotation of the tube-side spring seat and the slider relative to each other about the axis of the outer tube in a state where the tube-side spring seat and the slider are connected to each other.

A shock absorber according to the present invention is configured to include: a shock absorber main body in which an outer tube and a rod axially movably inserted into the outer tube are included; a suspension spring formed of a coil spring disposed on the outer periphery of the shock absorber main body; a rod-side spring seat attached to the rod and supporting one end of the suspension spring; an annular tube-side spring seat screwed to a screw portion provided on the outer periphery of the outer tube and supporting the other end of the suspension spring; a slider to be placed on the outer periphery of the outer tube with only an axial movement is permitted; a connecting portion that detachably connects the tube-side spring seat to the slider; and a rotation regulating portion that regulates a rotation of the tube-side spring seat and the slider relative to each other about the axis of the outer tube in a state where the tube-side spring seat and the slider are connected to each other.

A tandem axle suspension system includes a first leaf spring having a first eye end and a second eye end, a second leaf spring having a third eye end and a fourth eye end and an assembly for converting double eye leaf springs of a tandem axle suspension system into slipper springs. That assembly includes a keeper including a first guide track and a second guide track, a first follower adapted for receipt of the first eye end and sliding movement along the first guide track and a second follower adapted for receipt of the third eye end and sliding movement along the second guide track.