A tire inflation control system for a vehicle includes: a manifold defining: a channel configured to be connected to a fluid source, and a discharge port configured to be connected to one or more tires of a vehicle; an actuator configured to selectively control fluid communication between the channel and the discharge port; a pressure sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure in the discharge port; and an electronics module in communication with the pressure sensor and configured to command the actuator to selectively control fluid communication between the channel and the discharge port and based on the fluid pressure in the discharge port, and to thereby control inflation of the one or more tires connected to the discharge port.

A method of producing a control arm for a motor vehicle, in particular a multi-point control arm, preferably a transverse control arm, which is substantially formed by a fiber-plastic composite structure. The method includes the steps: creating of a preform structure with load-adapted fiber orientation, introducing the preform structure into a forming tool, consolidating the preform structure in the tool by application of pressure and/or temperature, and removing and further processing of the control arm.

A damper rod bushing operatively connects an end member of a gas spring and a damper rod of a damper to at least partially form a gas spring and damper assembly. The damper rod bushing is constructed for exposure to gas pressure within a spring chamber of a gas spring and damper assembly such that pre-load forces due to gas pressure within said spring chamber act on said damper rod bushing. The damper rod bushing can include an outer support element, an inner support element and an elastomeric connector element operatively connected between the outer and inner support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. A gas spring and damper assembly including such a damper rod bushing, as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.

A ball screw spline actuator includes a shaft, a ball nut, and a ball spline. The shaft includes a helical groove and a spline groove intersecting the helical groove forming intersections having a least one ridge including a first surface finish formed by a first manufacturing operation. The ridge is subsequently reformed through a second manufacturing operation to include a second surface finish to reduce stress concentrations in the ridge from cyclical loading from at least one of the ball nut or the ball spline. In one example, the second manufacturing operation reforms the ridge to include a surface finished edge.

A torsion beam suspension capable of preventing an abrupt rigidity change in a connection part between a trailing arm and a torsion beam is provided.

The present invention is characterized in that in a torsion beam suspension 100 in which to right and left trailing arms 50 extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body and swinging vertically, a torsion beam 16 extending in a right and left direction of the vehicle body is joined, two or more types of rigidity adjustment portions 15, 18, 24 and 25 which adjust a rigidity from the trailing arms to the torsion beam are disposed with positions of the rigidity adjustment portions displaced from each other.

A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

An isolation portion for a suspension member may include a substantially monolithic material configured to couple to a connected end of each of a first link and second link of the suspension member. The substantially monolithic material may be configured to dampen a vibration between the first link and the second link.

Road vehicle suspension member for converting vibrations and/or mechanical stresses into electricity and a method for producing such a suspension member, the suspension member comprising at least one suspension element or at least one interface element, configured to participate in the fixing of at least one suspension element of the vehicle, and at least one continuous two-dimensional sheet, incorporated in or covering a surface of the suspension element or of the interface element, wherein the at least one two-dimensional sheet comprises at least one piezoelectric layer, comprising piezoelectric fibres collectively orientated in a common direction in such a way as to convert at least some of the vibrations and/or mechanical stresses undergone by the suspension element during operation of the vehicle into electricity, and an electrically conductive collector layer, covering the piezoelectric layer in such a way as to collect the electricity produced by the piezoelectric fibres.

An air ride suspension assembly or kit is provided for converting a leaf spring suspension arrangement on a motor vehicle having a solid rear axle to one supported by an air ride suspension assembly is disclosed in order to leverage the benefits of such air ride suspension systems to the conversion suspension assembly is disclosed. A leaf spring is removed and replaced with an upper support arm which is secured to the pre-existing leaf spring attachment sites on the chassis. A mount is then attached to the rear solid axle to which multiple connections are made from the upper support arm including an air bladder. The air ride conversion system can be supplied as a kit for installation by owners of vehicles where they routinely move heavy loads directly with the vehicle or by towing.

A gas spring assembly includes an end member, a piston assembly and a flexible sleeve secured therebetween. An end closure secures an end of the flexible sleeve to the piston assembly. A connector fitting connects the end closure to a support post of the piston assembly. The connector fitting includes a fitting passage and a first annular groove. A jounce bumper assembly is supported on the connector fitting. The jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper body and a bumper mount. The bumper mount includes securement pin having a second annular groove. A retaining member is received within the first and second annular grooves such that the jounce bumper assembly can freely rotate relative to the connector fitting while substantially restricting axial displacement of the jounce bumper assembly relative to the piston assembly during such rotation.