Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2001-10-30
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S124170, C280S124175
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308971
ABSTRACT:
STANDPOINT OF THE INVENTION, AND STATE OF THE ART
The present invention relates to a suspension element for a rigid wheelshaft of a vehicle.
Conventional rigid wheelshafts are usually suspended in vehicles by means of upper and lower reaction rods which extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and transverse reaction rods. Such reaction rods each have a first end pivotably connected to the wheelshaft and a second end pivotably connected to the vehicle's framework. The reaction rods are designed to prevent wheelshaft movement in longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the vehicle's framework. In cases where the wheelshaft springing devices consist of pneumatic springing devices, a stabiliser is also arranged between the wheelshaft and the vehicle's framework.
DE 195 21 874 refers to a suspension element for a rigid wheelshaft of a vehicle. The known suspension element is pivotably connected to the wheelshaft by two connections and pivotably connected to the vehicle's framework by two connections. The suspension element is designed to prevent wheelshaft movement in longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the vehicle's framework and to provide a stabilising effect. Such a suspension element makes it possible for the transverse reaction rods of a conventional rigid wheelshaft suspension to be superfluous, as also any stabiliser. The suspension element is manufactured in one piece but such construction makes it expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a suspension element of the kind mentioned in the introduction which can replace the transverse reaction rods and any stabiliser in a conventional wheelshaft suspension and can at the same time be manufactured at low cost.
This object is achieved by the suspension element mentioned in the introduction which is comprised of two separate elongate elements held together by at least one separate connecting device. A suspension element comprised of two separate inherently uncomplicated elongate elements joined together by a separate connecting device which itself may likewise be of inherently simple construction makes it possible to manufacture at low cost a suspension element of the aforesaid kind.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate elements are so directed as to cross one another in the fitted state. This means that the elongate elements are of substantial diagonal extent relative to the vehicle. As the elongate elements are rigid in their longitudinal direction and are held together by a connecting device, the suspension element will form a rigid element in an extension plane, thereby effectively preventing wheelshaft movement in longitudinal and transverse directions. The elongate elements preferably cross in a region situated substantially at the middle of the elongate elements. This means that the connections of the elongate elements to the wheelshaft and the framework, i.e. the vehicle's two frame side members, can absorb in a substantially symmetrical manner the forces that act upon the wheelshaft. The connecting device is preferably designed to connect the elongate elements to one another in the region where they cross. Arranging the connecting device in this region is very advantageous, since the elongate elements are essentially in contact with one another there, which means that the connecting device inherently need not incorporate a structure which bridges over the distance between the elongate elements, so it can be of simple construction. Such a connecting device may in its simplest form be a bolt extending through a hole arranged through the two elongate elements in the region where they cross.
According to another preferred embodiment, said elongate elements are resilient in the vertical direction. Such resilient characteristics in the vertical direction make it possible to achieve a suspension element which has a stabilising effect on the wheelshaft relative to the vehicle's framework. Such elongate elements preferably take the form of conventional leaf springs. Conventional leaf springs are substantially rigid in their longitudinal direction and usually exhibit such thickness in a first transverse direction as to be also substantially rigid in that transverse direction. They nevertheless exhibit a substantially small thickness in a second transverse direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction, or in the vertical direction, thereby being resilient in this second direction. Advantageously, the thickness of the leaf springs in the vertical direction is greatest in the central portion of the leaf springs. This provides the suspension element with a mainly rigid central portion so that said connecting device is not subject to springing movements which might adversely affect the retaining capacity of the connecting device. The thickness of the leaf springs may decrease continuously from said central portion to their ends. The thickness of the leaf springs in the vertical direction will thus be least at their ends and said springing movements will therefore be greatest at the pivotable connections of these ends to the wheelshaft and the vehicle's framework. Conventional leaf springs with a thickness in the vertical direction which decreases along a substantially parabolic path from said central portion to the ends may thus be used. Such leaf springs are manufactured in large quantities and may be purchased at a favorable price.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the design of the connecting device is such that it forms a closed structure which extends round the elongate elements at said connection point. This makes it possible to achieve a very secure connection between said elongate elements, which therefore do not risk being moved sideways relative to one another. Such a connecting device may incorporate an upper device and a lower device connectable to one another by means of at least two fastening elements directed substantially vertically. Said upper and lower devices may be flat-shaped, in which case the upper flat-shaped device abuts against the top of the elongate element arranged uppermost and the lower flat-shaped device abuts against the underside of the elongate element arranged lowest. These flat-shaped devices may be provided with holes designed to accommodate throughbolts whereby tightening of said bolts brings said flat-shaped devices towards one another until a sufficient clamping force is achieved to hold the elongate elements securely together.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2865652 (1958-12-01), Easton
patent: 4084838 (1978-04-01), vor der Bruck et al.
patent: 6129367 (2000-10-01), Bublies et al.
patent: 19521874 (1996-12-01), None
patent: 4-159110 (1992-06-01), None
Gustavsson Anders
Mikaelsson Peter
Dickson Paul N.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Scania CV Aktiebolag (publ)
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