The invention relates to a link element (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a connecting rod (2) and a coupling element (3) for coupling the connecting rod (2) to a subassembly of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling element (3) comprises a housing (5) with a passage (6) through which the connecting rod (2) extends into the housing (5); characterized by a stop plate (7) for supporting forces transferred to the coupling element (3) by the connecting rod (2).

A strut mount and bearing assembly includes a strut mount having upper and lower ends, a central bore for receiving a shock absorber end and an annular upper race surface between the upper and lower ends and extending circumferentially about the bore. The upper end is fixedly connectable with a vehicle body and has a flat attachment surface disposeable against a vehicle surface of the vehicle body. A first bearing race is disposed on the mount and a spring seat having a second bearing race is movably coupled with the strut mount. The seat also has a lower end with spring engagement surface and a second bearing race is disposed on the seat spaced axially from the first bearing race. Rolling elements are disposed between the first and second bearing races to form a bearing. The various components are formed and sized to make an axially compact assembly.

A suspension assembly between a sprung element and an unsprung element includes a load-carrying spring and a negative stiffness element between the sprung element and the unsprung element. The load-carrying spring element is configured with a positive spring rate to support a static load of the sprung element. The negative stiffness element is configured with a negative spring rate and is configured to exert a force opposing the spring rate of the spring, the negative spring rate has a magnitude that cancels the positive spring rate at a zero deflection point of the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly also includes an active trimming mechanism which is configured to move a plurality of pivot points of the negative stiffness element to achieve a trimmed position of the negative stiffness element.

An active damper system for damping high-frequency vibration excitation of the vehicle body, includes a damper bearing to support a vehicle chassis component on the vehicle body, wherein the damper bearing includes a first bearing element for fastening to the vehicle body and a second bearing element for fastening to the vehicle chassis component; an active actuating element connecting the first and second bearing elements; a first acceleration sensor for measuring an acceleration of the vehicle body; a control unit connected to the acceleration sensor and receiving a vertical acceleration of the vehicle body as input variable from the acceleration sensor, wherein the control unit influences the active actuation element. The active damper system includes a second acceleration sensor arranged on the second bearing element.

A mounting bracket assembly for securing a shock absorber to a leaf spring includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a first fastener and a second fastener. The first bracket includes a first fastener receiver and a second fastener receiver. The second bracket includes a first arm, having a third fastener receiver and a fourth fastener receiver, and a second arm having at least one shock mount. The first fastener is received in the first fastener receiver and the third fastener receiver. The second fastener is received in the second fastener receiver and the fourth fastener receiver. The mounting bracket assembly is adapted to clamp the leaf spring with the leaf spring extending between the first bracket, the second bracket, the first fastener and the second fastener.

An axle-to-beam connection for an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle that includes an axle, a beam with an alignment assembly, and an axle mount assembly. The alignment assembly is integrally formed with or is rigidly attached to the beam. The axle mount assembly intimately contacts and captures the axle. The axle is rigidly secured to the axle mount assembly without line welds. The axle mount assembly is removably connected to the alignment assembly to secure the axle to the beam.

The saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Roberts four-bar linkage.

The saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Tchebycheff four-bar linkage.

A load distribution structure for a shock absorber of a vehicle includes a shock absorber mounting panel fastened to an upper end of the shock absorber of the vehicle, a quarter upper member disposed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rear side member disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and configured to support a lower end of the shock absorber mounting panel, a shock absorber member mid having a lower end connected to the rear side member, and a shock absorber member upper having a lower end connected to the shock absorber member mid and an upper end connected to the quarter upper member, wherein a closed cross section is defined in the rear side member, the shock absorber member mid, and the shock absorber member upper, which are connected to each other.

A load distribution structure for a shock absorber of a vehicle includes a shock absorber mounting panel fastened to an upper end of the shock absorber of the vehicle, a quarter upper member disposed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rear side member disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and configured to support a lower end of the shock absorber mounting panel, a shock absorber member mid having a lower end connected to the rear side member, and a shock absorber member upper having a lower end connected to the shock absorber member mid and an upper end connected to the quarter upper member, wherein a closed cross section is defined in the rear side member, the shock absorber member mid, and the shock absorber member upper, which are connected to each other.