A joint (10) with first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) are movably connected to one another. The first joint component (12, 26) has a spherical joint body (14, 28) and the second joint component (19) rotatably and pivotably holds the joint body (14, 28). A sensor device, for determining the position of the first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) relative to one another, is arranged on the joint (10). The sensor device has at least one sensor element (21, 31) which can be integrated in a housing (18) that is produced by an assembly overmolding process. The joint housing (18) forms the second joint component (19) in which the joint body (14, 28) is directly supported.

A sub-frame arranged to be mounted on a chassis of a car and to have the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon is arranged to receive an electric drivetrain arranged to drive the car. The sub-frame includes a cage including bars arranged to form an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter and a plurality of struts extending between the upper and lower perimeters; a pair of rear wheel suspension mounts, each rear wheel suspension mount being arranged to have one of the rear wheels of the car mounted thereon; and a plurality of brackets located on the cage and arranged to facilitate connection of the sub-frame to the chassis of the car and/or to the electric drivetrain. A frame and vehicle including such a sub-frame and a method of installing such a sub-frame are also disclosed.

A ball joint (10) capable of stabilizing sliding torque while suppressing cost increase is provided. The ball joint (10) includes a first lubricant (G1) interposed between a ball part (40) of a ball stud (14) and a bearing sheet (13). The ball joint (10) includes a second lubricant (G2) having a higher friction coefficient than the first lubricant (G1) and enclosed inside a dust cover (15).

A chassis component for a wheel suspension which has a strut arrangement with at least one strut which is in the form of a profile component with an open cross-section. The at least one strut has a profile base and two wall sections that extend away from the profile base. An articulation point is provided, at least at one end of the strut, for receiving two joint components movably connected to one another, namely, a first joint component having a spherical joint body and a second joint component that rotatably and/or pivotably holds the joint body. In the area of the at least one articulation point, the wall sections have first and second joint accommodation apertures arranged opposite one another. A cylindrical sleeve is pressed in between the first joint accommodation aperture and the second joint accommodation aperture and keeps the opposite wall sections apart from one another.

A suspension assembly for a vehicle includes a lower alignment arm, an upper alignment arm, and a linear force element. The lower alignment arm includes a first portion, second portion, a third portion, and a linear force element mount. The linear force element mount includes a bearing for pivotably coupling the linear force element to the lower alignment arm.

A torsion axle arrangement is provided wherein the spindle is mounted to the suspension link by insertion into a split socket at one end of the suspension link, which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suspension link. That connection is maintained by a bolt passing through the suspension link, engaging a mating groove in the spindle, and then clamping the ends of the split socket together. The bolt is anchored to the suspension link by a threaded connection external to the suspension link. A chamfer or surface recess is formed in the surface of the suspension link for immediate source identification.

A locator (150) for positioning a male element (144) relative to a female element (142) in a joint (132), the male element (144) having a smaller footprint than the female element (142) and the locator (150) comprising an aperture (156) for receiving the male element (144), the aperture (156) having a smaller footprint than the female element (142) and locating means (164) for positioning the locator (150) relative to the female element (142) of the joint (132) such that the aperture (156) of the locator (150) selectively exposes only a part of the female element (142) to ensure location of the male element (144) within the female element (142) in a desired position. The locator (150) further comprises attachment means for attaching the locator (150) to the joint (132), wherein the attachment means is configured to detach on application of a threshold force. The invention therefore provides a simple means of reliably positioning a male element (144) in a desired position relative to a female element (142) in a joint during an initial installation stage without the need to visualise the joint (132). The invention is particularly applicable to a joint (132) in a vehicle suspension system between a frame (132) and a bolt (145) that supports a control arm (16).

An apparatus for coupling a trailing arm may include a carrier having defining an open space on one side thereof, a trailing arm, one end of which includes an extension inclined at a predetermined angle and inserted into the space, and an assist arm, an end of which is inserted into the space and positioned on one side of the extension, in which the extension and the end of the assist arm inserted into the space may be integrally coupled to the carrier.

A suspension and steering mechanism for a vehicle including at least one suspension arm, a steering arm, and a steering actuator. The suspension arm includes a wheel mounting end and a base end rotatably coupled with a reference frame via a base axis. The steering arm is coupled with the suspension arm at a rotation point of the steering arm. An actuated end of the steering arm extends toward a first direction from the rotation point. The steering actuator includes an actuating end and a fixed end, and is rotatably coupled at the fixed end with the suspension arm and rotatably coupled at the actuating end with the actuated end of the steering arm. A horizontal location of the fixed end is within at least one of a horizontal cross-section of the suspension arm and a triangle defined by the rotation point and the largest width of the base axis.

A chassis component for a wheel suspension, having a strut arrangement with at least one strut which has a profile with an open cross-section. The at least one strut has a profile base and two wall sections which extend away from the base. An end of the strut has an articulation point that receives a first joint component having a spherical joint body and a second joint component which holds the joint body so as to rotate and/or pivot. A first joint accommodation aperture and a second joint accommodation aperture are arranged, in the area of the articulation point, opposite one another. The joint body is positioned via a circular-segment-shaped fastening element arranged on the joint body between the joint accommodation apertures. The joint accommodation apertures and the joint body positioned between them are integrated in a joint housing produced by overmolding, which forms the second joint component.