Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-01-23
Mar, Michael (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176501
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle independent front suspensions. More particularly, the present invention relates to an eccentric device at the pivotal connection between the front suspension control arms and the vehicle frame assembly for adjusting the vehicle wheel geometry, namely, the wheel camber and caster angles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Independent front suspension assemblies are today very commonly used on vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. Typically, the independent front suspension assembly includes a knuckle assembly whereupon the front wheel is rotatably supported. The knuckle assembly is pivotally attached to upper and lower control arms so as to rotate vertical about a general axis. A steering rod is pivotally connected to the knuckle assembly for selectively turning the knuckle assembly and front wheel about the vertical axis and thereby steering the vehicle. The control arms are pivotally connected to the vehicle frame so as to pivot about generally horizontal axes thereby allowing the knuckle assembly and wheel to move vertically up and down. Suspension components such as shock absorbers and/or springs are connected to one or both of the control arms for resisting and dampening the vertical motion of the wheel.
The control arms are pivotally connected to the vehicle frame assembly using rubber bushings which are pivotally supported between mounting brackets attached to and extending from the vehicle frame assembly. More specifically, the upper and lower control arms are both provided with two mounting cylinders, each of which are adapted to receive a rubber bushing. The rubber bushings are provided with a central longitudinal bole for receiving a bolt therethrough. The mounting cylinders and bushings therein are located between respective mounting brackets placing the bushing longitudinal bore in alignment with mounting bracket holes at each end of the mounting cylinders. A bolt is provided and extends through the mounting bracket hole at one end of the cylinder, through the bushing longitudinal bore and the mounting bracket hole at the other end of the cylinder whereat a nut is threaded thereon for retaining the bolt thereat. The control arm thus pivots about an axis which is generally horizontal and collinear with its mounting cylinders and respective bushings and bolts.
As can be appreciated, the bracket holes locations serve to properly locate the knuckle assembly and wheel and set or otherwise affect the wheel camber and caster angles.
Unfortunately, due to manufacturing inconsistences the mounting holes in the bracket are not always located at the optimal location for achieving the correct camber and caster angles. In view of this and the potential need to adjust the camber and caster angles both initially and after the vehicle has been placed in operation, a need exists for a device capable of shifting or otherwise moving the control arm horizontal axis of rotation for effectively, efficiently and generally inexpensively adjusting the wheel camber and caster angles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages associated with prior independent front suspensions. It is further the object of the present invention to provide a device for use on or in conjunction with existing independent suspension control arms which effectively, efficiently and generally inexpensively allows the control arm generally horizontal angle of rotation to be adjusted so as to thereby selectively adjust the camber and caster angles of the wheel.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior independent front suspensions and achieves the desired and other objects by providing an eccentric boss at each of the mounting bracket holes at the longitudinal ends of at least one of the control arm mounting cylinders through which the mounting bolts are received whereby the mounting bolt and, thus, the axis of rotation are selectively adjustable. Each of the eccentric bosses include a circular portion which is slightly smaller than the mounting bracket holes and which are received therein. An adapter plate is formed integrally with the circular portion, is located adjacent the circular portion, and extends radially beyond both the circular portion and the outside diameter of the bracket hole in which the circular portion is received. A rotational adjustment portion, also integrally formed therewith, is located adjacent the adapter plate, thus, sandwiching the adapter plate between the rotational adjustment portion and the circular portion. The rotational adjustment portion includes at least one tool contact surface whereat a tool may selectively be placed for cooperation therewith and for rotating the boss about a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the circular portion. A bolt hole is provided and extends through the eccentric boss circular portion, adapter plate and rotational adjustment portion. The bolt hole has a longitudinal axis which is offset from the circular portion longitudinal axis. Thus, by rotating the boss and circular portion, the mounting bolt extending through the bolt hole and supporting the bushing and control arm mounting cylinder is selectively moved within the mounting bracket hole, up, down, left and right for thereby also selectively adjusting the camber and caster angles of the wheel. An eccentric boss is typically used in the mounting bracket holes at the longitudinal ends of both the front and rear mounting cylinders of the upper control arm. Eccentric bosses may similarly be installed at the longitudinal ends of the front and rear mounting cylinders of the lower control arm.
Preferably, the adapter plate has a generally circular outside surface and a longitudinal axis which is collinear with the circular portion longitudinal axis. Additionally, the rotational adjustment portion preferably includes four tool contact surfaces circumscribing a rotational adjustment portion longitudinal axis which is collinear with the bolt hole longitudinal axis. The four tool contact surfaces form a square nut for easily and readily receiving and being rotatable with a common wrench.
More preferably, the adapter plate extends radially beyond at least one of the tool contact surfaces whereat a threaded set screw hole is provided and extends through the adapter plate. A set screw is threadingly received therein and is adapted to selectively contact the mounting bracket adjacent the adapter plate so as to thereby selectively prevent rotational movement of the eccentric boss. Although the set screw prevents rotational movement of the eccentric boss, such rotational movement is also prevented via the bushing which extends to and is in contact with the mounting brackets at the longitudinal ends of the mounting cylinders. The inner sleeve of the bushing is compressed longitudinally upon tightening the mounting bolt thereby further fixing the sleeve and bosses at each end thereof at the desired rotational angle for the desired camber and caster wheel angles.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to an alignment device used in an independent front suspension including a knuckle assembly pivotally supported by upper and lower control arms. The upper and lower control arms are pivotally connected to a vehicle frame assembly. One of the control arms has two mounting cylinders and each of the mounting cylinders are located between mounting brackets which extend from the vehicle frame assembly. Mounting holes are provided on the mounting brackets. The holes are aligned with the mounting cylinders therebetween and bolts extend through each of the mounting cylinders and bracket holes at the cylinder longitudinal ends thereby pivotally attaching each of the mounting cylinders between their respective mounting brackets. The alignment device includes an eccentric boss located at each of the mounting bracket holes at the longitudinal ends of at least one of the control arm cylinders. The boss includes a circul
Fluidrive, Inc.
Jasmin Lynda
Mar Michael
Pappas George
LandOfFree
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