The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy suspension systems to mitigate against shock or blast. There is provided A land vehicle comprising: an armoured v shaped hull; at least one wheel set with a hub, and at least one suspension device comprising a shape memory material operably connecting the hull to the wheel set.

A wheel mount, particularly for the front axle of a motor vehicle, has a basic body that has at least individual ones of the following accommodations or recesses: for accommodation of a kingpin for a wheel bearing, for connection of a brake caliper, for mounting of an upper wishbone fork, for mounting of an upper semi-trailing arm, for mounting of a tie rod, for mounting of a lower spring link, for mounting of a further lower wishbone, for positioning of a sensor, particularly an rpm sensor, for attachment of a sensor, particularly an rpm sensor, wherein the wheel mount is produced as a die-cast component made in one piece with these accommodations or recesses and connecting them with one another, preferably from light metal.

A hybrid lower arm and a hybrid upper arm include an arm body made of a metal material, and an insert injection-molded integrally with the arm body so that the insert is inserted into an inside of the arm body. The arm body has a weight ratio of 50% or more and 90% or less with respect to the total weight of the hybrid lower arm or the hybrid upper arm, thus achieving the rigidity increase as well as the weight reduction in the lower arm and the upper arm of a suspension system.

A control arm and a method of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. The control arm is made of an aluminum extrusion profile with a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section, which connects the first and second end sections. The control arm includes a base, two side walls, which are angled substantially perpendicular therefrom and which are spaced apart from one another on the longitudinal side, with a height H, and flanges, which are angled substantially perpendicular from the side walls at their free end. The first end section includes a first connecting region, the second end section includes a second connecting region, and the middle section includes at least one third connecting region.

A structural component 1 is provided for a vehicle designed for driving off-road on rough terrain. The component 1, such as the lower control arm of a suspension system, is formed from aluminum, aluminum-alloy or other light-weight material and provided on its underside with a parallel arrangement of chamfered ribs 5 which extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The spacing between adjacent ribs 5 is less than or equal to 10 mm so as to prevent underlying rocks and stones 7 from impacting, and thereby abrading the inner surface 3 of the component 1. The ribs 5 are provided as sacrificial elements and will become eroded in use until they no longer provide the desired protection of the inner surface 3. The extent of abrasion of the ribs 5 can be ascertained by a visual inspection of the underlying surface of the vehicle, and, if necessary, the component 1 can be replaced.

The invention relates to a process for producing a heat-treated hub carrier provided with a wheel bearing, the process comprising the successive steps: a) provision of a hub-carrier blank which is preferably cast, b) solution annealing of the hub carrier, c) quenching of the hub carrier, preferably in water and/or air, d) at least partial machining of the hub carrier, e) insertion of the wheel bearing into a recess of the hub carrier, f) re-annealing or hot ageing of the hub carrier.

A vehicular hybrid suspension arm includes a suspension arm body made of a steel material, and an insert molding inserted into and coupled to the suspension arm body, providing a suspension arm having reduced weight and high rigidity.

A suspension linkage for a motor vehicle includes an extruded body having a first wall and a longitudinal length. An extruded feature is disposed on the first wall of the extruded body and extends along the longitudinal length. The extruded feature has a cross-sectional profile configured to control a flexural rigidity of the suspension linkage.

An assembly is provided consisting of a frame element of a motor vehicle and a connecting element used for connecting a part. The connecting element is secured to the frame element by way of a fiber winding.

The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy drivetrain systems to mitigate against shock or blast.

There is provided an armoured land vehicle comprising:an armoured v shaped hull; a powerplant located within said chassis, at least one wheel set with a hub, and, at least one drive shaft comprising a shape memory alloy, wherein said drivetrain is located between and operably connected via drive couplings to said powerplant and the hub of the at least one wheel set, to provide drive to said at least one wheel set.