Strut spring seat

Abstract

A suspension assembly is provided that includes a strut connected between a lower control arm and a portion of the vehicle frame or body. This strut includes a hydraulic cylinder and rod disposed therein. A first spring seat is arranged on the hydraulic cylinder, and a second spring seat is arranged on the rod spaced from the other spring seat. A spring is arranged between the spring seats to provide a desired suspension load characteristic. At least one of the spring seats extends circumferentially about its connection to either the rod or hydraulic cylinder less than 360°. Since the spring engages the spring seat less than 360°, a non-uniform force is produced that generates a moment in a direction opposite the moment created by the suspension geometry. In this manner, the friction force at the bearing surface is minimized or eliminated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.