An axle assembly includes an axle housing having first and second arm portions that extend in opposite directions from a center portion, and an axle interface bracket that is fixedly mounted to the first arm portion. The axle interface bracket includes a base, holes extend from a bottom surface of the base, and channel walls that extend from the base and are disposed opposite the bottom surface.

A suspension strut bearing includes a top mount. The top mount is coupled to a guidance ring, wherein relative rotation or oscillation between the guidance ring and the top mount is enabled via rolling elements between an upper raceway and a lower raceway. The top mount has a top mount plate with an internal seal and an external seal. Both seals are overmolded to the top mounted plate and inhibit debris or the like from interfering with the operation of the rolling elements in the raceways. By overmolding the seals, a separate cap is no longer needed to be part of the suspension strut bearing. Further, the upper raceway can be integrated into the top mount plate itself. For example, the top mount plate can be shaped or formed to take the shape of the upper raceway, rather than having a separate element attached to the top mount plate.

A valve block for an active suspension damping system of a vehicle includes a valve housing delimiting an interior space for connecting to a shock absorber of a wheel suspension system, and a valve piston movably guided in the interior space. The valve piston divides the interior space into a connecting space and a control space. A connecting duct communicates with the connecting space for hydraulically connecting to a damper volume of the shock absorber. At least one connector duct communicates with is the connecting space for connection of a hydraulic line. A control duct communicates with the control space for applying a control pressure in the control space. The valve piston has a plug for closing the connecting duct in a closed position of the valve piston in the interior space and for opening the connecting duct in an open position of the valve piston in the interior space.

A multi-plate spring suspension of composite material for a vehicle includes: a first bracket unit mounted to a rubber spring; a second bracket unit mounted to a trunnion base; and a plurality of composite springs manufactured by impregnating reinforcing fibers with resin, coupled to the first bracket unit and the second bracket unit at opposite ends thereof, respectively, and being vertically spaced apart from each other.

A spring seat body for connection to a rigid axle of a motor vehicle, including an upper spring seat surface, a lower seat surface, lateral edge surfaces which lie between the spring seat surface and the lower seat surface, and holding means for holding tensioning means for fastening at least one spring to the spring seat body. The lateral edge surfaces include a first edge surface and a second edge surface which face away from one another and, in the mounted state of the spring seat body on the rigid axle, run transversely with respect to the rigid axle, the first edge surface, in the mounted state of the spring seat body on the rigid axle, lying closer to an end of the rigid axle which bears a vehicle wheel than the second edge surface, and the first edge surface having an edge course which, in the mounted state of the spring seat body on the rigid axle, lies in overlap with the rigid axle. In order for the spring seat body to offer improved robustness, in particular increased fatigue strength in its connection to a generic rigid axle and thereby enable a reduction in the overall weight of the rigid axle, the invention provides that said edge course, viewed from above, is at least partially formed as an outwardly projecting, preferably convex edge course, the apex or vertex lies in a region of the first edge surface which runs along a central length range of the upper spring seat surface running transversely to the rigid axle, said central length range being less than one third, preferably less than one quarter, particularly preferably less than one fifth of the length of the upper spring seat surface. In particular, the invention relates to a rigid axle for a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, with such a spring seat body.

A spring suspension includes a support assembly, two shock absorbing columns, two shock absorbing springs, two suspension rocker arms, two connectors and two connecting rods. The two shock absorbing columns are arranged on the support assembly symmetrically. The two suspension rocker arms are arranged on two ends of the support assembly in an opposing manner. Each shock absorbing spring sleeves the corresponding shock absorbing column which is also movably connected to the corresponding connector. Each of the connectors and the corresponding connecting rod are coaxially arranged on a cart body, and an articulation point between the connector and the connecting rod is located between the two shock absorbing columns. Each of the connecting rods is movably connected to the corresponding suspension rocker arm. The spring suspension of the utility model has a simple structure and is capable of improving the off-road performance of a golf cart.

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.

An axle assembly includes an axle housing having first and second arm portions that extend in opposite directions from a center portion, and an axle interface bracket that is fixedly mounted to the first arm portion. The axle interface bracket includes a base, holes extend from a bottom surface of the base, and channel walls that extend from the base and are disposed opposite the bottom surface.

An air bag based lifting apparatus can include a platform, a stabilizing mechanism for retaining the platform in a horizontal orientation, an air bag column connected with the platform and configured to retain a vertical rod passing through or adjacent the air bag column, and a rod lock connected with the platform and operable to secure the platform in a vertical position when locked. First and second valves can connect the air bag column and rod lock with a pressure source, and can be actuated in order to lift, lower, or support the platform. In the event of depressurization, the rod lock can lock to the vertical rod and support the platform.

Hydraulic port protection plugs for insertion into hydraulic ports in a shock absorber to prevent contaminants from entering the shock absorber and residual oil from draining out through the hydraulic ports during storage, shipping, and handling of the shock absorber. The hydraulic port protection plugs comprise a tubular body and a pierceable seal that is configured to receive an inboard portion of a hydraulic fitting. The pierceable seal is designed so that the inboard portion of the hydraulic fitting may be inserted through the pierceable seal of the hydraulic port protection plug and into the hydraulic port in the shock absorber such that the hydraulic port protection plug does not have to be removed and seals the hydraulic fitting within the hydraulic port in the shock absorber in an installed position.