IP Library Granted Patent US 9,802,456
Granted Patent B2
US 9,802,456 · App. 14/303,943 · Granted Oct 31, 2017

Damper with integrated electronics

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,802,456
App. No.
14/303,943
Granted
Oct 31, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber. The bumper cap assembly includes a printed circuit board assembly and a bumper cap. The printed circuit board assembly includes power drive electronics and is electrically coupled to the shock absorber. The bumper cap defined a gap, wherein the printed circuit board assembly is housed within the gap.

Claims (29)

1. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator; and

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap, wherein the bumper cap includes:

an outer shoulder that extends along an interior surface of the cylindrical body and abuts with an end of the shock absorber, and

an inner shoulder that is formed at an end of the column, the inner shoulder abuts with the end of the shock absorber during a loaded state of the bumper cap and defines a clearance gap with the end of the shock absorber during an unloaded state of the bumper cap.

2. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator; and

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap, wherein the bumper cap includes a plurality of ribs that radially extend from the column to the cylindrical body along an inner surface of the annular cover.

3. The bumper cap assembly of claim 2 wherein the electronic isolator assembly is one piece that has the printed circuit board encapsulated in a body that forms the gasket and the isolator.

4. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator; and

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap, wherein the bumper cap defines a plurality of grooves that extend radially from the aperture along an outer surface of the annular cover.

5. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator; and

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap, wherein the bumper cap includes a plurality of ribs that extend longitudinally along an outer surface of the cylindrical body, such that a thickness of the cylindrical body between two adjacent ribs is less than a thickness of the cylindrical body at the rib.

6. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator; and

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap, wherein the bumper cap includes a rim that attaches to a groove defined around an outer surface of the shock absorber.

7. A bumper cap assembly for an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber, the bumper cap assembly comprising:

an electronic isolator assembly including a printed circuit board assembly, a gasket, and an isolator, the printed circuit board assembly is arranged between the gasket and the isolator;

a bumper cap having a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and including an inner column extending inward from the aperture, wherein the cylindrical body, the annular cover, and the inner column define a gap, and the electronic isolator assembly is housed within the gap;

a dirt wiper concentrically disposed with the aperture, wherein the dirt wiper seals between a piston rod extending through the aperture; and

a seal disposed at an end of the cylindrical body opposite of the annular cover.

8. A damper system for a vehicle comprising:

an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber; and

a bumper cap assembly coupled to an end of the shock absorber, and including an electronic isolator assembly and a bumper cap, wherein the electronic isolator assembly is electrically coupled to the shock absorber and is disposed between the shock absorber and the bumper cap, wherein the bumper cap includes:

a cylindrical body, an annular cover defining an aperture, and an inner column extending inward from the aperture,

an outer shoulder that extends along an inner surface of the cylindrical body and abuts with an end of the shock absorber, and

an inner shoulder that is formed at an end of the column, the inner shoulder abuts with the end of the shock absorber during a loaded state of the bumper cap and defines a clearance gap with the end of the shock absorber during an unloaded state of the bumper cap.

Assignments (14)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2025
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: ADVANCED SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 072553/0175 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: TENNECO INC.; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063268/0506 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061989/0689 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVE TRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
Reel/Frame 061975/0218 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061975/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061971/0156 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2021
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055626/0065 →
CONFIRMATION OF TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (R/F 34674/0291) Recorded Feb 26, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 055429/0503 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2020
From: TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054555/0592 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 048099/0716 →
CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2018
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVETRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 047223/0001 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jun 14, 2017
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 042809/0515 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2014
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034674/0291 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: HALL, DOUGLAS; ROESSLE, MATTHEW L.; SIMPSON, RICK J.; DUNAWAY, SCOTT S.; LOPEZ, ZACHARY
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 033097/0671 →