Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1987-06-22
1989-02-14
Mitchell, David M.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
280686, B60G 1102
Patent
active
048042056
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to vehicles having at least one axle carrying a pair of steerable wheels and at least one axle carrying a pair of non-steerable wheels and more particularly relates to a vehicle having two parallel axles carrying non-steerable wheels.
The majority of multi axle vehicles have a pair of leaf springs as the suspension medium between the vehicle chassis and the respective axles. When the vehicle is operating on relatively smooth roads or level terrain there is only a limited degree of upward movement in a vertical direction between, the wheels at either end of the axle. However, this extent of movement becomes quite substantial when vehicles are operated in off-road conditions.
It is the normal practice for the axle to be rigidly attached, such as by a suitable clamping arrangement, to each of the left springs so as to substantially prevent movement between the axle and the spring. In some constructions hard rubber components may be interposed between the axle and the spring, but this rubber is of a very hard quality and is highly compressed by the conventional arrangement which clamps the axle to the spring. Accordingly the rubber only provides very limited movement between the axle and the spring as the wheels travel over uneven terrain.
Because of the substantial rigid nature of the connection between the axle and the springs, vertical movement of one wheel relative to the wheel at the other end of the axle may only take place by either distortion of the vehicle chassis or twisting of the leaves of the suspension spring. Suspension leaf springs as used on off road vehicles are highly resistant to twisting, and accordingly the rigid nature of the connection between the springs and the axle constitutes a restriction in the relative vertical movement between the wheels at either end of the axle.
It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a vehicle having an axle and suspension construction which will accommodate substantial relative vertical movement between the wheels at either end of the axle without twisting the springs or excessive distortion of the vehicle chassis.
With this object in view there is provided a vehicle suspension configuration comprising a chassis and at least one pair of wheels rotatably supported on an axle assembly disposed transversely to a longitudinal direction of the chassis, a pair of laterally spaced suspension leaf springs each connected at each end to the chassis and disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the chassis, and means connecting the axle assembly to each said suspension spring intermediate the ends of the spring and adapted to permit pivotal movement between the axle assembly and each said suspension spring about respective axes parallel to the longitudinal direction of the chassis.
Preferably one end of each suspension spring is pivotally connected to the chassis about an axis fixed in relation to the chassis while the other end is connected for limited displacement in the longitudinal direction as the spring deflects. The other end of the spring may be pivotally connected to an arm which is pivotally connected to the vehicle chassis. As is known, leaf springs vary in effective length between the ends when deflected by a load applied to it and this variation may be accommodated for by the above pivot connection arrangement. Alternatively the springs may be connected to the chassis for controlled movement of each end of the spring relative to the chassis in the longitudinal direction. In such an arrangement appropriately disposed control arms are provided to connect the axle to the vehicle chassis so the up and down movement thereof is on a controlled arcuate path.
Conveniently a channel-shaped member is provided to span across the axle in the longitudinal direction with pivot pins connected to the fore and aft portion of the channel-shaped member co-operating with bearings provided in rigid extensions of the axle. This provides a trunion type construction so that the channel-shaped member can angu
REFERENCES:
patent: 2174320 (1939-09-01), Gonard
patent: 2309812 (1943-02-01), Utz
patent: 2361323 (1944-10-01), Seghens
patent: 2369501 (1945-02-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 2988352 (1961-06-01), Masser
patent: 3317062 (1967-05-01), Grey et al.
Mitchell David M.
Weaver Ross
LandOfFree
Vehicle suspension assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle suspension assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle suspension assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1361866