A load sensor disposed between an air suspension assembly of a vehicle and a vehicle suspension, wherein the load sensor generates a load signal which varies based on an amount of force transferred from said vehicle frame to said vehicle suspension, wherein the load signal can be received by a load calculator to allow calculation of the load exerted from said vehicle frame to the vehicle suspension.

A “Rolling Lobe” style of air spring with an extendable piston increases the overall travel of the air spring without increasing the compressed height of the spring.

A leaf spring device includes a main leaf made of a steel plate including an elastic section configured to generate elastic force when bent; and an eye section formed in an end portion of the elastic section, the elastic section and the eye section being tempered. There is also provided a method for manufacturing the leaf spring device. The eye section is formed by rolling the end of the elastic section into a circular form. The eye section is tempered at a higher temperature than the elastic section.

A method for determining an axle load and a suspension system are configured for a vehicle having at least one leaf spring connected at its ends in spring holders of a vehicle body and connected in its central region to a chassis of the vehicle. The following steps are performed: measuring a measurement distance of the vehicle body relative to the chassis; determining whether there is currently a loading or unloading process of the vehicle, determining a relevant hysteresis curve of a pre-stored hysteresis field depending on the determination of a loading or unloading process, and determining a current axle load projection value from the measurement distance and the relevant hysteresis curve. A loading process criterion and an unloading process criterion may be considered. The determined axle load projection value thus serves as a projected or estimated axle load. Furthermore, the hysteresis field can be updated.

A suspension system allows travel of a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass. A primary stage has a primary leaf attached between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. An auxiliary stage has an auxiliary leaf operatively attached to either the primary stage or unsprung mass. A variable engagement bracket includes a mount point, attached to the sprung mass and defining an axis, and an offset arm extending from the mount point and rotatable about the axis. The offset arm contacts the auxiliary stage at a first point at a first travel of the suspension system and at a second point at a second travel. The first point provides or defines a maximum contact span and the second provides a minimum contact span, smaller than the maximum contact span, for the auxiliary stage.

Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.

A method and apparatus for lowering the height of a wheeled vehicle for cargo height constraints during transportation. The rear leaf spring shackle on each side of the vehicle is connected to a sliding frame mount. In the transport configuration, fasteners are removed from the sliding frame mount, and the mount slides forward, rotating the rear leaf spring shackle from a near vertical to a near horizontal position, effectively lowering the height of the vehicle. To return the vehicle to the ride configuration, a screw jack member is attached to the sliding frame mount and a rear attachment point on the vehicle, pulling the sliding frame mount back, aligning attachment points of the mount with the frame member in the original position. The fasteners are reinstalled to lock the sliding frame mount into the ride configuration.

A pivotable wheel mount assembly may include a mounting bracket and a swing arm coupled to the mounting bracket. The swing arm may be movably coupled to the mounting bracket or the trailer and to a wheel and/or suspension so as to enable the wheel to be rotated from a downward or operational position to a horizontal or stowed position. The assembly may include an actuator support bracket coupled to the mounting bracket and an actuator that provides mechanical assistance moving the wheels between positions. One or more locking mechanisms may be provided to secure the assembly in either the operational position, the stowed position, or both.

A vehicle including a vehicle cable spacer coupled to an outboard arm of a suspension bracket and including: a body; a first face, directed toward the suspension bracket; a first anti-rotation tab extending inboard from the first face and engaging an edge of the suspension bracket; a second face spaced apart from the first face by a width of the body; and a second anti-rotation tab extending outboard from the second face; a cable cuff coupled to the second face of the vehicle cable spacer, an edge of the cable cuff engaging the second anti-rotation tab of the vehicle cable spacer; and a vehicle cable extending through the cable cuff such that the vehicle cable is spaced from the vehicle cable spacer.

In a particular embodiment, a vehicle load measurement system is described that includes a chassis configured to support a body of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle load measurement system also includes a suspension system and a plurality of angle sensors attached to the suspension system. Each angle sensor is configured to measure an angle with respect to height. In this embodiment, the plurality of angle sensors include a first sensor attached to the first side of the suspension system configured to measure a first angle and a second sensor attached to the second side of the suspension system configured to measure a second angle. According to this embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are combined to obtain a combined value representative of axle load.