A hydraulic shock absorber (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12), including an inner cylindrical tube (16) and an outer cylindrical tube (18), which define a reservoir chamber (20) containing a damping fluid; a piston (22), slidably mounted in the inner cylindrical tube (16) to separate the internal volume of the latter into a rebound chamber (24) and a compression chamber (26); a pair of electronically controlled valves (42, 44), configured to put in fluid communication the rebound and compression chambers (24, 26) with the reservoir chamber (20); an auxiliary duct (46), designed to put in fluid communication the compression chamber (26) and the second electronically controlled valve (44), bypassing the reservoir chamber (20); and a valve assembly (48), mounted at the bottom of the inner cylindrical tube (16), and comprising at least a first and a second passageway (50, 52), configured to put in fluid communication the compression chamber (26) and the reservoir chamber (20) with the compression chamber (26) and the auxiliary duct (46), respectively.
F16F 9/32 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium Details
F16F 9/06 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid
F16F 9/46 - Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustmentSprings, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium Details such means combined with temperature correction allowing control from a distance
2.
TRI-TUBE HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER, PARTICULARLY FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION
An hydraulic shock absorber with variable damping (10) comprises an inner cylindrical tube (16) and an outer cylindrical tube (18), delimiting a reservoir chamber (20) containing oil; a piston (22), which slidably separates the inner volume of the inner cylindrical tube (16) into a rebound chamber (24) and a compression chamber (26), both containing oil; a first intermediate cylindrical tube (36), arranged around the inner cylindrical tube (16), which, together with the latter, delimits a first intermediate chamber (38) in fluid communication with the compression chamber (26) and the rebound chamber (24); an electronically controlled valve (42), adapted to provide fluid communication between the first intermediate chamber (38) and the reservoir chamber (20); and a shutter (44), slidably housed within the first intermediate chamber (38) and configured to alternately prevent the fluid connection between the first intermediate chamber (38) and the compression chamber (26) and rebound chamber (24), respectively.
F16F 9/18 - Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect involving only straight-line movement of the effective parts with a closed cylinder and a piston separating two or more working spaces therein
F16F 9/46 - Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustmentSprings, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium Details such means combined with temperature correction allowing control from a distance
F16F 9/512 - Means responsive to load action on the damper or fluid pressure in the damper
3.
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A METALLIC STRUCTURAL COMPONENT PROVIDED WITH A COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT
A method for manufacturing a metallic structural component provided with a composite reinforcement comprises the steps of providing a batch or slab (9) made of a composite material; preparing a structural element (12) made of a metallic material of a vehicle; arranging said batch or slab (9) upon a portion of said structural element (12); and applying pressure to said batch or slab (9) so that said batch or slab, in pressing against the portion of said structural element (12), deforms itself until it covers at least part of the contour of said portion of the structural element (12).
A hybrid suspension system for a two-axle vehicle comprises a pair of active suspensions (10) associated with one of the two axles of the vehicle, and a pair of semi-active suspensions (12) associated with the other of the two axles of the vehicle.
B60G 13/14 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
Vehicle provided with a suspension and an electromechanical rotary device for controlling the suspension, and method for controlling motion of a vehicle suspension
A vehicle is provided which has a vehicle body, at least one hub of a wheel, and a suspension connecting the hub to the vehicle body. The suspension has a suspension arm hinged to the vehicle body and to the hub, a spring, and an electromechanical rotary actuator operable between an active adjustment condition and a damping condition of the motion of the suspension, via a leverage.
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
B60G 13/14 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air
B60R 16/033 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries
6.
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF THE CHASSIS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR A SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER, WITH FILLING INSERTS TO IMPROVE THE VEHICLE COMFORT
A method for manufacturing a structural component of the chassis of a motor vehicle comprises the steps of providing a structural component (10) of the chassis of a motor vehicle, having at least one hollow section (12) in an assembled condition; premolding a damping insert (14) made of thermoplastic polymer, configured to at least partially fill the hollow section (12); and incorporating the damping insert (14) in the hollow section (12) of the structural component (10).
A device (9) for adjusting the bumper clearance and/or spring preload in a vehicle suspension comprises a cylindrical body (12), internally hollow; a primary flange (14), adapted to be connected to the suspended mass of the vehicle and to the upper end of a shock absorber rod (18); a secondary flange (16), adapted to form an upper abutment for the main spring of the vehicle suspension; a primary actuator (20), coaxial to the cylindrical body (12) and slidably received within the same; and a bumper (24), adapted to form, by bearing against the shock absorber cylinder of the vehicle suspension, a limit stop for the oscillation of the suspended mass of the vehicle; wherein the primary actuator assembly (20) and bumper (24) is configured to be axially penetrated by the shock absorber rod (18) and to slide with respect to the shock absorber rod (18).
B60G 7/04 - Buffer means for limiting movement of arms
B60G 15/06 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of combined spring and vibration- damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
B60G 17/027 - Mechanical springs regulated by fluid means
B60G 17/0165 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input to an external condition, e.g. rough road surface, side wind
B60G 1/00 - Suspensions with rigid connection between axle and frame
8.
SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE SUSPENSION, COMPRISING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE VERTICAL POSITION OF THE SPRING AND A RELATIVE BLOCKING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE VERTICAL POSITION OF THE SPRING
A shock absorber and spring assembly for a vehicle suspension comprises a shock absorber (10) provided with a spring plate (18) and a spring (12), the bottom of which rests on the latter, the shock absorber assembly also comprising an electromechanical adjustment device for varying in a continuous and controlled manner the vertical position of the lower end of the spring (12), which adjustment device includes a screw and nut screw motion conversion mechanism (24, 26) and a mechanism for blocking the rotation of the screw (24), which blocking mechanism includes a primary disc (50) connected to the screw (24) for conjoint rotation therewith and an auxiliary disc (52) non-rotatably fixed with respect to the screw (24), which discs have respective profiles (50', 52') which engage with one another such that, when mutually engaged, the rotation of the screw (24) is prevented.
B60G 15/06 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of combined spring and vibration- damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
A hydraulic shock absorber (10), in particular for vehicle suspension, comprises a cylindrical tube (14), a rod (18), a primary piston (20), and a hydraulic stop (30), which comprises a cup-shaped body (32) and an auxiliary piston (34) that includes a cylindrical body (50) made of a plastic material, a sealing ring (54) also made of a plastic material, and an annular body (60) made of a metallic material, adapted to form a support surface or axial abutment to the cylindrical body (50).
A device (9) for the adjustment of the attitude of a motor vehicle comprises a cylindrical body (10), which includes a first flange (12) adapted to form an upper abutment of a main spring of an automotive suspension, said cylindrical body (10) defining a chamber (14b) wherein two linear actuators (24, 30) are slidable, a first actuator of which is connected to a buffer (22), adapted to form a limit stop for the oscillation of the sprung mass of the vehicle, and a second actuator (30) is configured to be connected to the sprung mass of the motor vehicle.
B60G 7/04 - Buffer means for limiting movement of arms
B60G 15/06 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of combined spring and vibration- damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
F16F 9/58 - Stroke limiting stops, e.g. arranged on the piston rod outside the cylinder
B60G 17/027 - Mechanical springs regulated by fluid means
11.
Hydraulic shock-absorber with hydraulic stop member and adjustment device
A shock-absorber has an outer cylindrical tube, an inner cylindrical tube, a rod, a main piston and a hydraulic stop member received in a compression chamber and operating during an end section of the compression stroke of the shock-absorber to cause an increase in the hydraulic damping force. The hydraulic stop member has a cup-shaped body mounted in the compression chamber and a first auxiliary piston which is mounted on a cylindrical body rigidly connected to the main piston and is configured to sealingly slide in the cup-shaped body during an end section of the compression stroke, encompassing a working chamber with the cup-shaped body. A sliding member is slidably received inside the cylindrical body for opening or closing at least one first passage of the cylindrical body through which oil flows from the working chamber of the cup-shaped body to the compression chamber of the shock-absorber.
A method for manufacturing a suspension arm (9) for an automotive suspension comprises the steps of preparing composite pre-pregs; by means of compression molding in a closed mold press, shaping said composite pre-pregs so as to obtain two respective half-shells (10); assembling said two half-shells (10), so that said half-shells form a core (12) within which a cavity (14) is defined; preparing additional composite charges and positioning them inside the mold; by means of compression molding in a closed mold press, shaping said charges whereby each half-shell (10) is entirely covered with them, whereby said half-shell creates an external body (16) that entirely encloses the core (12).
B29C 70/86 - Incorporating in coherent impregnated reinforcing layers
B29C 70/84 - Moulding material on preformed parts to be joined
B29C 70/46 - Shaping or impregnating by compression for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
B29C 70/34 - Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or coreShaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core and shaping or impregnating by compression
B29D 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
B29C 37/00 - Component parts, details, accessories or auxiliary operations, not covered by group or
13.
Compensation of the thermal effect in a vehicle suspension system
A method for controlling the damping characteristic of a shock absorber of a vehicle, particularly for compensating the variation of the operating temperature of the shock absorber, in an active or semi-active suspension system. The compensation of the variation of the operating temperature of the shock absorber takes place by: estimating a mechanical power dissipated in heat by the shock absorber; estimating a thermal power exchanged by the shock absorber with the environment; evaluating the current operating temperature of the shock absorber as a function of the dissipated mechanical power and of the thermal power exchanged with the environment; and controlling the driving current of the control valve of the shock absorber according to a shock absorber reference model indicating a relationship between the damping force of the shock absorber, the operating temperature of the shock absorber and the driving current of the control valve.
B60G 17/016 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input
A VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH A SUSPENSION AND AN ELECTROMECHANICAL ROTARY DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SUCH SUSPENSION, AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE MOTION OF A VEHICLE SUSPENSION
A vehicle comprises a vehicle body (9), at least one hub (10) of a wheel (11), and a suspension (12), which connects the hub (10) to the vehicle body (9), and comprises in turn a suspension arm (14), hinged to the vehicle body (9) and to the hub (10), an elastic means (16), and an electromechanical rotary actuator (18), which is operable between an active adjustment condition and a condition of damping the motion of the suspension (12), by means of a leverage (24).
B60G 13/14 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
15.
Variable-damping hydraulic shock-absorber for a vehicle suspension
A shock-absorber has a cylindrical body having an inner and an outer cylindrical tubes enclosing a reservoir chamber containing oil, and a rod. A piston divides the internal volume of the inner cylindrical tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The cylindrical body has an intermediate cylindrical tube enclosing with the inner cylindrical tube an intermediate chamber. A first electronically-controlled valve is arranged inside the inner cylindrical tube, so as to be drivingly connected to the rod, and hydraulically connected to the rebound chamber and to the compression chamber to adjust, during rebound phase, flow of the damping fluid from the rebound chamber to the compression chamber. A second electronically-controlled valve is arranged outside the cylindrical body and is hydraulically connected to the reservoir chamber and to the intermediate chamber to adjust, during compression phase, flow of the damping fluid from the compression chamber to the reservoir chamber via the intermediate chamber.
F16F 9/18 - Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect involving only straight-line movement of the effective parts with a closed cylinder and a piston separating two or more working spaces therein
F16F 9/516 - Special means providing automatic damping adjustment resulting in the damping effects during contraction being different from the damping effects during extension
B60G 13/08 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers dissipating energy, e.g. frictionally of fluid type hydraulic
F16F 9/34 - Special valve constructionsShape or construction of throttling passages
F16F 9/46 - Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustmentSprings, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium Details such means combined with temperature correction allowing control from a distance
16.
Recognition of degraded performance in a vehicle suspension system
A method for estimating damping characteristics of shock absorbers in an active or semi-active suspension involves providing a reference model of a nominal relation between a road severity index related to vertical acceleration values, and the mean driving current of the control valves of the shock absorbers, acquiring respective relative acceleration or speed data of at least the front wheels of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body, determining a value of the road severity index starting from relative acceleration or speed data of the front wheels of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body, acquiring values representative of the mean driving current of the control valve of each shock absorber, comparing acquired value of the mean driving current with an expected value of the nominal mean driving current determined as a function of the road severity index according to the reference model, and determining a degradation condition if the acquired value does not correspond to the expected value.
B60G 17/0165 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input to an external condition, e.g. rough road surface, side wind
B60G 17/018 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
B60G 17/0185 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method for failure detection
B60G 17/019 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof
A rotary damper includes a rotating input member rotating about a rotation axis; a first cylinder and a second cylinder coaxially arranged on opposite sides of the rotation axis; a first and a second pistons slidable inside the first and second cylinders and defining a first and a second working chambers containing incompressible working fluids, respectively; motion conversion mechanisms converting the rotary motion of the rotating input member about the rotation axis into reciprocating motion of the first and second pistons; a third cylinder; a fourth cylinder; and a third and fourth pistons, slidable inside the third and fourth cylinders, respectively and separating the inner volume of the respective cylinder into a respective main chamber in fluid communication with the first working chamber and auxiliary chambers; and the second working chamber and auxiliary chambers respectively.
F16F 9/06 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid
F16F 9/34 - Special valve constructionsShape or construction of throttling passages
F16F 9/58 - Stroke limiting stops, e.g. arranged on the piston rod outside the cylinder
F16F 13/00 - Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs
B60G 13/08 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers dissipating energy, e.g. frictionally of fluid type hydraulic
B60G 13/14 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of vibration-dampers having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air
B60G 15/06 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of combined spring and vibration- damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
F16H 21/54 - Gearings comprising primarily only links or levers, with or without slides with movements in three dimensions for conveying or interconverting oscillating or reciprocating motions
18.
Damper and spring unit for a vehicle suspension provided with an electro-mechanical adjustment device for adjusting the vertical position of the spring
A damper and spring unit includes a damper having a cylinder and a rod extending along a first axis (z), a spring plate arranged around the cylinder and slidable with respect to the cylinder along the first axis (z), a spring resting at its bottom on the spring plate, and an electro-mechanical adjustment device interposed between the cylinder and the spring plate for adjusting in a continuous and controlled manner the vertical position of the bottom end of the spring and the height of the vehicle from the ground. The adjustment device includes an electric motor generating a rotary motion and a motion conversion mechanism having one screw extending along a second axis (z′) parallel to the first axis (z), but spaced therefrom, and driven into rotation by the electric motor about the second axis (z′), and a nut meshing with the screw and drivingly connected for translation with the spring plate.
B60G 17/015 - Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
B60G 15/06 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or type of combined spring and vibration- damper, e.g. telescopic type having mechanical spring and fluid damper
patents
