A bearing device for mounting an axle guide for commercial vehicles includes a first connector which has an axial direction of extension, and a first axial centre in the axial direction of extension, a damping unit, having an outwardly peripheral retaining surface, and a second connector being fixed to the retaining surface, wherein the second connector extends along the axial direction of extension, wherein the second connector has a boundary surface on which an axle guide can be fixed, wherein the boundary surface has a second axial centre in the axial direction of extension, and wherein the first and the second axial centre are offset from each other along a vector of the axial direction of extension.

A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.

A vehicle height control system and method of increasing a vehicle height of a vehicle having a vehicle body and at least one axle assembly. The vehicle height control system includes a pressurized fluid supply system configured to supply a pressurized fluid, and a plurality of air springs provided to elastically support at least one section of the vehicle body of the vehicle above at least one axle assembly of the vehicle and configured to adjust the vehicle height of such sections of the vehicle body relative to a ground surface in response to the supply and discharge of the pressurized fluid. A control assembly of the vehicle height control system has a piston unit fluidically interconnected with the pressurized fluid supply system via a first control valve and is operable to adjust the vehicle height by adjusting a second control valve interposed between the pressurized fluid supply system and the air springs. A controller is configured to receive user input indicative of a Vehicle height adjustment operation desired by a user and to adjust the vehicle height by controlling the control assembly based on the user input.

A motor vehicle has a steering axle, a drive axle and a lift axle having an actuator for lifting and lowering the same. The wheels of the drive axle can be electrically driven, at least in a supporting manner, via an electric machine operable as an electric motor and as a generator, and the wheels can be driven in a generating manner in a recuperation operation. The electric machine is connected to an accumulator and to a control and/or regulation device to control the operation of the lift axle. The device is connected to sensors for wheel slip detection at the drive axle. The device is configured such that, during a recuperation operation, it can send a command to the actuator to lift the lift axle and thereby unload the wheels thereof, if there is wheel slip at least at one wheel of the drive axle.

Methods and systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle are described. In one example, a method is disclosed wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

A suspension system for a rear axle of a vehicle provided with a frame equipped with at least two side members, the suspension system connecting the axle to said side members and comprising a left side and a right side, each comprising an axle-holder assembly, a bellows, a leaf spring, first and second bars, and a torsion bar interposed between said left and right sides. The aforementioned elements of the suspension system being arranged to provide a functional layout having reduced costs and overall dimensions.

A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a suspension slider assembly including first and second laterally spaced longitudinal frame members configured to be slidably coupled to a first vehicle frame member, first and second gusset members fixed to the first and second longitudinal frame members and each including a relief, a first lateral frame member extending between the first and second longitudinal frame members, the first lateral frame member having ends received within the reliefs, an axle member configured to support a pair of wheel assemblies, and a suspension assembly configured to support the suspension slider assembly from the axle member, the suspension assembly including a spring member positioned between the suspension slider assembly and the axle member.

A high-pressure gas spring for vehicle suspension systems includes an integral gas damping system and an integral counter spring to reduce spring residual force at suspension rebound. The gas spring includes an inverted piston feature that reduces the overall length of the device. Additionally, there are other innovative features incorporated in the gas spring to improve performance, reduce cost and minimise weight.

A leaf spring suspension is provided with an air spring to absorb a percentage of the load.

Gas spring end members include an end member wall with a longitudinal axis. End member wall includes an end wall portion and an outer wall portion. Outer wall portion extends peripherally about axis and is dimensioned to receivingly engage a flexible spring member. Rib wall portions are spaced around axis with each of rib wall portions projecting axially from end wall portion toward a rib end surface portion. Rib wall portions also include a rib edge surface portion spaced inward from an inner side surface portion of outer peripheral wall portion such that a gap is formed therebetween. Gas spring assemblies including one or more of such end members, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.