A leaf spring holder for connecting a leaf spring to an axle via a first fixing device and a second fixing device. Due to co-operation of the first fixing device with the second fixing device, a first mounting is spaced away from a second mounting to provide space for mounting the leaf spring between the first fixing device and the second fixing device. Co-operation of the first fixing device with the second fixing device enables deformation of a leaf spring section of the leaf spring between the first mounting and the second mounting. In order to increase the rigidity as a function of the spring deflection and/or to produce a rising-rate suspension, the leaf spring holder includes a stop surface for limiting deformation of the leaf spring section.

A clamping system for mating an I-Beam frame to an undercarriage is disclosed. The clamping system utilizes clamping brackets to secure the undercarriage to the trailer frame. The undercarriage has adapter sides oriented perpendicular to the undercarriage adapter bottom. The clamping brackets have two portions oriented perpendicular to each other. Holes are located in the clamping brackets to receive bolts or screws. The trailer frame is aligned onto the undercarriage and positioned such that proper tongue weight is applied. The clamping brackets are rigidly installed on the clamping bracket sides. Clamping screws are installed into the clamping brackets and torqued to a value such that a compressive force is applied between the bottom of the I-Beam and the undercarriage adapter bottom. The compressive force applied prevents unwanted relative motion between the I-Beam frame and the undercarriage during use.

An air spring is configured for use in connection with a motor vehicle. The air spring includes a first end cap. The first end cap is configured to attach to a first vehicle component. The air spring also includes a piston member. The piston member is configured to attach to a second vehicle component. The piston member is movable toward and away from the first end cap in an axial direction during use. The air spring also includes an air sleeve that is coupled to the first end cap at a first end by use of a first crimp ring and to the piston member at a second end by use of a second crimp ring to form a chamber configured to receive pressurized air. The air spring further includes a transition collar that is configured to placed radially outward from either the first or second crimp ring. The transition collar includes a sloped or tapered exterior surface that allows a portion of the air sleeve to engage and roller over the exterior surface of the transition collar to reduce wear to the air sleeve.

Improvements to a sliding sub-frame for heavy-duty vehicle suspensions include torque boxes, an air slider-pin system, and a heavy-duty shear-off nut. In the prior art, all four sliding pins are linked together with bars so if one sliding pin is stuck they are all stuck. Here, each sliding pin has a dedicated air assist bladder and is independent and can release on its own. That way, if one sliding pin is stuck, it is a much easier job to get it unstuck by moving the vehicle. The torque box relates to stress-relief measures of shear strains at critical fastened (eg., bolted) connections. The shear-off nut has a break-neck flanked between a hex head and collet nut. The clearance between the outside sidewall of the collet nut very nearly fully spans the space between the flats of a hex socket for the hex head, thereby providing light on-axis support.

A suspension limiter includes a diaphragm element configured to be placed in operable communication with a suspension such that a rate of increase in load per unit travel of compression of the suspension is reduced near a full travel of the suspension than would exist for the suspension if the diaphragm element were not present, the diaphragm element arranged to deform only elastically through the full travel of the suspension. Suspension arrangements and methods of loading suspension arrangements are also described.

A leaf spring assembly resiliently supporting a wheel carrier on a vehicle body of a motor vehicle. The leaf spring assembly including first and second spring leaves and a clamp having a clamping part exerting a clamping force whereby the first and second spring leaves are held together by the clamp. A bridging part arranged between the first spring leaf and the clamping part transmits at least part of the clamping force from the clamping part to the first spring leaf bridging the second spring leaf and reducing the clamping force exerted thereon.

A method of regulating the operation of a vehicle axle system, the vehicle axle system including at least one adjustable axle having at least one axle cylinder and a steering assembly including at least one steering cylinder connected thereto, an axle management system including a microcontroller having a microprocessor, a memory, and a sensor. The method includes receiving, by the axle management system, at least one desired axle position and at least one measured axle position, from at least one sensor. The method also includes determining, if the measured axle position is within a predetermined tolerance threshold of the desired axle position and regulating the position of the at least one adjustable axle.

Technology is provided for a pneumatic anti-roll system for use on a vehicle suspension. The pneumatic anti-roll system includes left and right side air springs connectable between a chassis of the vehicle and an axle of the vehicle suspension. Left and right side height control valves are mounted to the chassis and left and right side linkages connect between the left and right side height control valves and corresponding left and right end portions of the axle. Left and right side control air lines connect between the left and right side height control valves and corresponding left and right side air springs, respectively.

A computer system comprising a processor device configured estimate a current ride height of a first axle of a vehicle is provided. The processor device is configured to obtain a variation in rotational speed of a first drive shaft. The first drive shaft is driven by a second drive shaft rotating a mechanical joint connected to both the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. The processor device is configured to estimate the current ride height of the first axle based on the variation in rotational speed of the first drive shaft, an obtained initial ride height of the first axle, and an obtained condition signal. The condition signal indicates a second angle of the second drive shaft, or indicates a ride height of a second axle.

A method and apparatus for a pneumatically sprung caster mechanism to provide a pneumatically controlled ride height for a platform attached to the caster. The caster is mounted to a first end of a pivoting axle, while a piston is mounted to the opposite end of the pivoting axle. The length of the piston is pneumatically controlled to rotate the pivoting axle to either increase, or decrease, the distance between the caster and the platform. Suspension is provided through interaction of the piston with an air reservoir, whereby minute variations in the length of the piston are absorbed by the elasticity of the walls of the air reservoir. A free-flow of air is facilitated such that air forced out of the piston during contraction may be collected by the air reservoir and air required by the piston during expansion may be provided by the air reservoir.