A method for operating a rotation damper for a motor vehicle which has an electric generator with a stator and a rotor includes detecting with a direction of rotation detection module a change of a direction of rotation of the rotor relative to the stator between a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation which is opposite to the first direction of rotation; generating with the direction of rotation detection module a signal indicative of an actual direction of rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and as a function of the signal conducting an electrical current converted by the electric generator to a first electrical load having a first resistance value when the rotor rotates in the first direction of rotation, or to a second load having a second resistance value when the rotor rotates in the second direction of rotation.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an electromagnetic suspension apparatus capable of quickly reducing an influence of a mechanical frictional force generated in each part of an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic suspension apparatus includes an electromagnetic actuator that generates a driving force related to a damping operation and an expansion and contraction, an information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle state information including a stroke speed of the electromagnetic actuator, an equivalent frictional force calculation unit that calculates an equivalent frictional force of the electromagnetic actuator based on the vehicle state information, and an ECU that calculates a target driving force of the electromagnetic actuator and controls the driving force of the electromagnetic actuator using the calculated target driving force. The ECU corrects the target driving force based on the equivalent frictional force calculated by the equivalent frictional force calculation unit.

A suspension device includes: a hydraulic damper including a rod provided with a valve for generating a hydraulic pressure when the rod is displaced between a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber; an electric damper configured to electrically displace the rod by an actuator; and a communication passage that establishes communication between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber while bypassing the valve during operation of the electric damper.

A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

The invention relates to a spring arm device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising two flanges (2) arranged at a distance from each other and which are made of a first fiber composite material (4) having fibers (6) each oriented in a longitudinal direction (5) of the flanges (2). The spring arm device (1) also comprises a web (3) which connects the flanges (2) and is made of a second fiber composite material (7) having the fibers (8) oriented at positive angles to the longitudinal directions (5) of the flanges (2). The spring arm device (1) can be fastened in end regions (15) opposite to each other to vehicle parts as part of a wheel suspension. The end regions (15) comprise end segments (14) of the two flanges (2) associated with each other and each comprise an end segment (9) of the web (3) that connects the end segments (14) of the flanges (2). Respective forces applied to the spring arm device (1) in the longitudinal direction (5) by means of the end regions (15) can be transmitted by means of the flanges (2). By means of a spring force, the flanges (2) counteract deformation of the spring arm device (1) caused by forces acting in a normal direction (16) of the web (3). Forces acting on the spring arm device (1) in a transverse direction (13) are transmitted from the web (3) to the end regions (15).

A work vehicle includes: a wheel support member configured to support a pair of left and right traveling wheels; a link mechanism configured to support the wheel support member such that the wheel support member can be raised and lowered, the link mechanism being provided spanning between a vehicle body and the wheel support member; a suspension mechanism configured to elastically support the wheel support member, the suspension mechanism being provided spanning between a suspension support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and the wheel support member; and a lateral link configured to restrict leftward and rightward movement of the wheel support member, the lateral link being joined to a vehicle body-side support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and to a wheel-side support portion, which is formed on the wheel support member, wherein the link mechanism has: an upper link with an front end portion supported so as to be able to pivot up and down around an upper pivot axis by a link support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and with a rear end portion joined so as to be able to relatively pivot around an upper joint axis by the wheel support member; and a lower link with a front end portion supported so as to be able to pivot up and down around a lower pivot axis by the link support portion, and with a rear end portion joined to the wheel support member so as to be able to relatively pivot around a lower joint axis, a distance between the upper pivot axis and the upper joint axis is set shorter than a distance between the lower pivot axis and the lower joint axis, a gap width between the upper joint axis and the lower joint axis is set larger than a gap width between the upper pivot axis and the lower pivot axis, and when the vehicle body is in an unloaded state, the lower joint axis is located lower than the lower pivot axis.

A damper includes a cylinder, an annular rod guide, an annular seat, a rod, an annular oil seal, a rebound cushion, and a communication passage. The cylinder houses an action chamber. The rod guide is secured to one side opening of the cylinder. The seat is secured to the rod guide. The rod is inserted through inner peripheral sides of the rod guide and the seat. The oil seal is held to an inner periphery of the rod guide and slidably in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rod. The rebound cushion bumps against the seat. The communication passage transmits a pressure in the action chamber to the oil seal. An opening on the communication passage on the action chamber side is disposed on an outer peripheral side relative to a part of the seat against which the rebound cushion bumps.

A wheel suspension for a vehicle, comprising: at least one wheel guiding element which connects a steering knuckle to a vehicle bodywork, and a spring-based and/or vibration-based damping element functioning like a shock-absorber strut or a suspension strut or a spiral spring, wherein the spring-based and/or vibration-based damping element is connected to the steering knuckle, wherein the wheel guiding element has a through-opening in the vehicle vertical direction, and wherein the spring-based and/or vibration-based damping element is located such that it protrudes through the through-opening.

A method for protecting the suspension and frame of a vehicle is provided. The method may include providing a first working mode where the strut is at a fully expanded state, providing a second working mode where the strut is at a partially collapsed state, and providing a fail-safe working mode where the strut is at a fully collapsed state. The method may further comprise alerting the user that the strut is operating in the fail-safe working mode and servicing the strut by placing a fail-safe member into the strut.

A damper includes a cylinder, an annular rod guide, an annular seat, a rod, an annular oil seal, a rebound cushion, and a communication passage. The cylinder houses an action chamber. The rod guide is secured to one side opening of the cylinder. The seat is secured to the rod guide. The rod is inserted through inner peripheral sides of the rod guide and the seat. The oil seal is held to an inner periphery of the rod guide and slidably in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rod. The rebound cushion bumps against the seat. The communication passage transmits a pressure in the action chamber to the oil seal. An opening on the communication passage on the action chamber side is disposed on an outer peripheral side relative to a part of the seat against which the rebound cushion bumps.