Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2002-10-29
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C180S252000, C180S253000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06471224
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved heavy duty independent front suspension assembly associated with non-driving axle, wherein the kingpin is attached to the suspension through a unique two piece kingpin joint member.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Heavy duty independent front suspension (non-driving) assemblies have used the knuckle and king pin components from solid beam axle designs and these suspension assemblies have added a large upright member to attach the kingpin to the suspension. The upright member ties the kingpin to the suspension control arms.
The conventional upright member known in the prior art is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, wherein the knuckle and wheel end
10
engages an upright connecting member
12
through a kingpin
14
. The upright connection member
12
connects the wheel end
10
to the vehicle through the upper ‘A’ or control arm
16
and lower ‘A’ or control arm
17
. The bulky upright member
12
also mounts the air bag
18
and resilient shock absorber and/or strut member
19
.
These conventional suspension assemblies result in increased weight, cost and complexity. Moreover, the bulky upright member provided by the conventional heavy duty independent suspension systems occupies space needed for brake and steering components. Additionally, there is no provision for adjustment of the caster angle.
The need therefore exists for an improved suspension assembly having reduced weight, cost and complexity; while freeing up space taken by the bulky systems known in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved suspension assembly having reduced weight, cost and complexity; while freeing up space taken by the bulky systems known in the prior art.
The invention replaces the conventional upright connecting member with two smaller lighter pieces attached to the suspension and linked together by the kingpin. The kingpin thus serves the function previously served by the bulky upright connecting member.
The present invention also provides a bolted joint in the upper kingpin support member and the replacement of the lower outboard tapered roller bearing pivot with a ball joint. The upper kingpin support member is attached to the knuckle through the bolted joint connection and the lower control arm is attached to the lower kingpin support member through the ball joint connection. The spring member extends from the vehicle frame to either the lower control arm or the upper kingpin support or the lower kingpin support member.
A two-piece bolted joint in the upper king pin support and upper control arm which can be adjusted fore and aft allows an adjustable kingpin caster angle as opposed to a fixed caster angle provided in a typical kingpin steer independent front suspension axle. This concept allows the angle to be tuned to suit each application of the axle without retooling the components and allows an adjustment for manufacturing tolerances or field maintenance. Additionally, the invention eliminates the bulky upright connecting member to thereby lower the overall weight and improve the overall axle packaging.
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patent: 3749415 (1973-07-01), Sampatacos
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patent: 4190265 (1980-02-01), Goodbary et al.
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patent: 4553624 (1985-11-01), Yoshii
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patent: 4842296 (1989-06-01), Kubo
patent: 4964651 (1990-10-01), Kubo
patent: 4986565 (1991-01-01), Hajto
patent: 5022673 (1991-06-01), Sekino et al.
patent: 5188382 (1993-02-01), Seiler
patent: 5219176 (1993-06-01), Mitchell
Culbreth Eric
Dana Corporation
Liniak Berenato & White
Lum L.
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