Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-24
2001-12-11
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S086750, C280S086752, C280S086756, C280S124147, C280S124155
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328321
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an adjustable mount for the upper end of a vehicle suspension strut, particularly although not limited to a mount for the upper ends of McPherson-type struts used in the front and rear suspension of motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Strut-type suspension is well known in motor vehicles wherein a telescope strut normally incorporating an hydraulic damper is used as one locating member for a motor vehicle wheel. The most common form of strut suspension is the so-called McPherson strut where the suspension spring is located concentrically around the telescopic strut which has an upper mounting point to the vehicle chassis in a tower located above its front wheel arch and protruding into the engine bay of the motor vehicle. The lower end of the strut is typically further located by a transverse link and a fore and aft or drag link.
The wheel alignment of a motor vehicle, particularly the front wheel alignment is important to the safe handling of the vehicle and to prevent wear on the tires. During the life of a vehicle it may be necessary or desirable to adjust the caster and/or camber of a motor vehicle wheel either due to normal wear and tear or to some form of minor damage such as the striking of curbs or other obstacles. On many motor vehicles fitted with McPherson strut suspension, this adjustment is often difficult to perform as the motor vehicle manufacturer provides little or no mechanism for relocating the upper end of the strut where it mounts into the vehicle chassis. It is often necessary to relocate the mounting point of the upper end of the strut to achieve the desired caster and/or camber settings.
It is common for the upper end of a McPherson strut to be secured to the chassis member by way of three vertical studs located on a pitch circle and passing from a flange and bush at the upper end of the strut through aligned holes in the vehicle chassis member. Some manufacturers have provided a degree of adjustment by locating the axis of the strut off-centre from the pitch circle of the studs so that disengaging the studs from the holes in the vehicle chassis member, locating the strut and re-engaging the studs through the holes will relocate the axis of the strut relative to the vehicle chassis member. This is, however, an extremely coarse adjustment which only permits the top end of the strut to be located in three defined positions. Furthermore, if it is required to alter the camber of the suspension without affecting the caster, or vice versa, this adjustment is not possible using the mounting described above.
Another type of vehicle strut type suspension with alignment adjustment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,575 (Hyma). This patent discloses a mounting apparatus for attaching the upper and of the strut to a stamped sheet metal tower portion of the vehicle superstructure and having provision for adjustment of either wheel caster or wheel camber via the relative movement of the upper and of the strut relative to the towers. In this arrangement the amount of adjustable movement of the mounting apparatus is not sufficient as a series of threaded studs which project from a lower reinforcing member are restricted in movement through slots located within plate members of the mounting assembly. The size and orientation of the slots restrict the amount of possible adjustment.
International Patent Publication No. W093/00244 (McIntyre) discloses an adjustable mount to the upper end of a vehicle suspension strut with adjustability by providing a bush adapted to receive the upper end of a strut, wherein a flange extends radially outwardly from the upper part of the bush. The flange is adapted to be slidable between the vehicle chassis member and a lower clamping plate. A plurality of studs extend upwardly through apertures within the circumference of the flange which are significantly larger than the diameter of the studs. This adjustable mount also suffers from relatively restricted adjustment because the movement of the flange is limited by the size of the apertures through which the studs extend. Whilst such an adjustable mount is able to allow for the alteration of the camber of the suspension without affecting the caster (or vice versa), there is a limitation in providing adequate, adjustability for both the camber and caster simultaneously and for providing sufficient adjustment for negative camber where it is required.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In one respect the present invention consists in an adjustable mount for the upper end of a vehicle suspension strut allowing the strut to be relocated relative to a vehicle chassis member, said mount comprising a bush adapted to receive and secure the upper end of the strut, a flange extending radially outwardly from the bush and having upper and lower faces, a clamping plate adapted to abut the lower face of the flange and having an opening therethrough larger than the perimeter of the bush such that the, damping plate can relatively slide over the lower face of the flange over a limited area, and a plurality of studs extending upwardly from the clamping plate, characterised in that the studs are located outside the periphery of the flange and restrict the sliding movement of the flange relative to the clamping plate by engagement with the periphery of the flange.
Preferably the flange is shaped to provide a plurality of angularly spaced apart projecting tongues.
Preferably the flange extends radially outwardly from an upper part of the bush.
Preferably each stud has an annular spacer located thereon.
In at first embodiment the flange is symmetrical about a diameter of the bush.
In a second embodiment the flange is about the bush.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4372575 (1983-02-01), Hyma
patent: 4817984 (1989-04-01), Ferman et al.
patent: PCT/AU92/00303 (1992-06-01), None
Culbreth Eric
Noltec Distribution
Paul & Paul
LandOfFree
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