Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-10-30
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S093511, C280S124134
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308970
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally pertains to motor vehicles. More particular, the present invention pertains to a motor vehicle suspension system. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a ball joint to a motor vehicle suspension.
2. Discussion
Vehicle suspension systems for wheels connect an axle shaft and a vehicle body to each other and absorb vibrations and impacts from a road surface during vehicle operation to improve both vehicle safety and riding comfort. A vehicle suspension system should be flexibly connected vertically to absorb impacts.
Also, the vehicle suspension should be firmly horizontally connected to insure driving force, braking force, and centrifugal force during vehicle turning. These forces are generated at the wheel.
Independent suspension systems are mainly applied to axles of passenger cars or sport utility vehicles to improve the ride comfort and running safety by bisecting an axle and allowing both wheels to act independently of one another. There are many different types of independent suspension systems. For example, McPherson type and Wishbone type suspension systems are applied to steerable wheels and non-steerable wheels. A vehicle suspension system is designed to control position of a wheel with respect to the vehicle body to obtain a better positioning in vehicle operation, as well as to absorb vibrations or impacts. The axle is thus prevented from directly transmitting impact or vibration from the road surface to the vehicle body. Thus, optimal handling safety and running safety may be obtained. Therefore, it is desirable to have an independent suspension which provides these characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a suspension control arm for supporting the vertical loads of a motor vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a suspension control arm for a motor vehicle having reduced weight and costs.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a suspension control arm for a motor vehicle which eliminates welds where cracks initiate, thereby improving fatigue life.
In one form, the present invention provides an apparatus for coupling a ball joint to a frame of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a main body portion and a ball joint housing. The main body portion is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the frame and has at least one support surface. The ball joint housing is coupled to the ball joint and has at least one contact surface. At least one fastener couples the main body portion and the ball joint housing in a coupled relationship such that the at least one support surface of the main body portion is in contact with the at least one contact surface of the ball joint housing.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Bottorff Christopher
Calcaterra Mark P
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Swann J. J.
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