A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a damper and actuator. The damper extends longitudinally along a damper axis between first and second damper ends. The actuator is separate and spaced apart from the damper. The actuator extends longitudinally along an actuator axis between first and second actuator ends. The damper and the actuator are arranged next to one another where the actuator axis is spaced from and substantially parallel to the damper axis. The damper and the actuator are positioned within a cylindrical packaging envelope that has a diameter of 300 millimeters or less. The cylindrical packaging envelope is an imaginary cylinder, which may be defined by one or more components of a vehicle's suspension system such as a coil spring or an upper suspension arm. The damper and the actuator are completely contained within the cylindrical packaging envelope.

A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

A damping component, which is suitable for vehicle applications, includes at least one body portion made of a first material, and at least one insert portion made of a second material at least partially disposed or embedded within the at least one body portion. The second material may include a non-Newtonian material.

A damper includes a pressure tube and a piston defining a rebound chamber and a compression chamber within the pressure tube. The damper further includes an adapter attached to the pressure tube. The damper includes a retainer slidably disposed within the pressure tube. The retainer and the adapter define an end chamber therebetween within the pressure tube. The damper also includes a cup movably disposed within the pressure tube between the retainer and the adapter. The damper further includes a tubular member disposed adjacent to the cup and attached to the adapter. The tubular member includes at least one through aperture. The damper includes a base valve attached to the adapter. The damper also includes a first spring disposed between the retainer and the cup and a second spring disposed between cup and the adapter.

A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

A damping control device is configured to acquire, as a preview condition amount, an unsprung condition amount at a predicted passing position where a wheel of a vehicle is predicted to pass, based on preview reference data being sets of data in which unsprung condition amounts and pieces of positional information of the wheel are linked to each other. The unsprung condition amounts indicate a displacement condition of an unsprung portion displaced in a vertical direction due to a displacement of a road surface acquired when the vehicle has traveled on the road surface. The damping control device is configured to execute, at a timing when the wheel passes through the predicted passing position, preview damping control to cause control force to agree with a target control force.

A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.

A vibration damper includes an end-stop control valve that progressively adds end-of-stroke damping force to complement the damping force provided by a main piston. The end-stop control valve may include a valve piston assembly that has a valve piston insert, a piston that is disposed radially outside the valve piston insert, and a valve disc stack-up that is supported on a hub of the valve piston insert and a valve seat of the piston. The valve piston insert and the piston may be arranged so as to be longitudinally movable relative to one another. Consequently, the preload of the valve disc stack-up increases as the valve piston assembly contacts a catch piston and begins end-of-stroke damping. Transitioning from an initial preload to a maximum preload during the end-of-stroke damping event progressively increases damping resistance and thereby improves NVH characteristics.

An end-stop control valve can progressively add end-of-stroke damping resistance to complement the damping force provided by a main piston in a damper tube. The end-stop control valve may include a piston that selectively engages with a catch piston, both of which are longitudinally movable within the damper tube. To reduce bypass around the piston, a piston band wrapped at least partially around the piston may engage with a sidewall of the catch piston just prior to engagement of the catch piston and the piston, although at least some hydraulic fluid can flow through a pathway of the piston band. A spring disc that moves with the piston may also engage with the catch piston just prior to engagement between the catch piston and the piston. The spring disc may elastically deform to contribute end-of-stroke resistance leading up to engagement of the piston and the catch piston.

Suspension systems for recreational vehicles are disclosed. The suspension systems may include at least one adjustable member coupling a sway bar to respective suspensions. The suspension systems may include a torque actuator associated with a sway bar.