A clamping plate is dimensioned to secure a flexible spring member to an end member for forming a gas spring assembly. The clamping plate includes a clamping plate wall with an axis and opposing surface portions oriented transverse to the axis. An opening extends into the clamping plate wall from along each of the opposing surface portions. An elongated damping passage extends in a spiral configuration through the clamping plate wall in fluid communication with the openings. A gas spring assembly includes a flexible spring member that defines a spring chamber, and an end member with an end member wall that defines an end member chamber. The clamping plate is secured to the end member and retains the flexible spring member thereon. The elongated damping passage is in fluid communication between the spring chamber and the end member chamber. Gas transfer between the spring chamber and the end member chamber generates pressurized gas damping during use of the gas spring assembly. Suspension systems and methods are also included.

A compressor system for generating compressed air for a compressed air supply system in a vehicle. The compressor system includes a brushed direct current electric motor (BDC electric motor); a compressor configured to be driven by the BDC electric motor; and a control unit for controlling the BDC electric motor and allocated to the BDC electric motor so as to delimit an operating current of the electric motor. A free-running current path is allocated to the control unit, the free-running current path being configured to delimit the operating current of the electric motor in a variable manner. A switch controller is allocated to the control unit, the switch controller being configured to specify a switched-on time period (t_ON) and/or a switched-off time period (t_OFF) for the electric motor in a variable manner.

An air spring for a motor vehicle having a rolling bellows filled with gas under pressure, one end of the rolling bellows is connected to a load receiver and the other end is fastened to a roll-off piston. The load receiver and the roll-off piston are moveable relative to one another depending on a force impinging on the load receiver toward the roll-off piston. A sensor device is arranged inside the rolling bellows by which a distance between the load receiver and the roll-off piston is detected. A pressure piece extending in direction of the roll-off piston is arranged at the load receiver and a sensor body is movably drivable along a sensor track of the sensor device by an end region of the pressure piece facing the roll-off piston. The sensor device generates an electric signal corresponding to the position of the sensor body on the sensor track.

A motion control system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.

A spring-damper assembly for a suspension corner employed in a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a fluid spring configured to suspend the vehicle body relative to the road wheel. The spring-damper assembly also includes a damper configured to attenuate compression and rebound oscillations of the fluid spring. The spring-damper assembly additionally includes a spring-seat housing configured to retain the fluid spring and establish a position of the fluid spring relative to the damper. The spring-seat housing includes an inner surface defining a contour configured to guide the fluid spring upon compression thereof around the damper and define a non-linear stiffness of the fluid spring. A vehicle having such a spring-damper assembly is also provided.

An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

An air suspension assembly includes a top and a piston. A bellows connects the top and the piston defining a first chamber. The piston includes an upper portion defining a bore in communication with the first chamber. A body extends outwardly from the upper portion to a proximal end defining a second chamber. A decoupler is disposed in the bore in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The decoupler includes a partition member extending across the decoupler isolating the first chamber from the second chamber for changing pressure in response to a pressure applied to the air suspension assembly. The decoupler includes a cap portion disposed in the bore, defining a hole, and an extension portion extending outwardly from the cap portion to a distal end defining a third chamber in communication with the hole, the first chamber, and the second chamber to receive the partition member.

An air spring includes a cover, a base element and a flexible bellows clamped in a pressure-tight fashion between the cover and base element. A level-measuring device, integrated at least partially into the bellows, detects the height of the air spring. The level-measuring device has at least the following: a) at least one angle sensor which is integrated into the bellows, is connected at least in a rotationally fixed fashion to the cover or the base element and has an element which can rotate with respect to a base, b) a mechanical coupling, which is connected, at one end, to the rotatable element of the angle sensor and at the other end, to the cover or to the piston, such that when the height of the air spring changes an angle of at least one element of the mechanical coupling is changed and the angle sensor generates an angle signal which is dependent on the change in angle of the element, c) an evaluation device which assigns the angle signal originating from the angle sensor to a height level of the air spring.

End member assemblies include a first end member and a second end member. The first end member includes a first end member wall with a first side wall portion and a first flange wall portion. The first flange wall portion includes a plurality of attachment passages extending therethrough. The second end member includes a second end member wall with a second side wall portion and a second flange wall portion. The second end member includes attachment studs disposed along the second flange wall portion. The first and second end members are positioned axially coextensive with one another with the attachment studs extending through corresponding attachment passages. A stud head is unitarily formed along the attachment studs with the stud head abuttingly engaging the first flange wall portion thereby retaining the first and second end members in an assembled condition.

Suspension systems include a gas spring and gas damper assembly that is adapted for operation in first and second conditions. In the first condition, the assembly provides spring and damping functionality across a first range of travel. In the second condition, the assembly provides actuator functionality with a second range of travel that is substantially less than the first range of travel. A pressurized gas system is in fluid communication with the assembly. A control system is in communication with the assembly and the pressurized gas system. The control system is operative to actuate one or more control devices to transfer pressurized gas and thereby transition the assembly from between the first and second conditions. Methods of operating such as suspension system are also included.