Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-01
2001-01-16
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173977
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising steerable front wheels supporting the vehicle and rear wheels supporting the vehicle, at least one rear wheel of which is coupled, by means of an at least substantially horizontal axle journal extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to a wheel suspension arm extending at least substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which arm is capable of pivoting movement with respect to the other part of the vehicle about a horizontal pivot axis extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, whereby said rear wheel is capable of pivoting movement against spring force about an upwardly extending pivot axis with respect to said wheel suspension arm from the position intended for normal forward movement, in which said upwardly extending pivot axis is positioned behind the axle journal of the rear wheel, seen in the intended direction of forward movement, the axle journal of said rear wheel is attached to a wheel suspension member, which is capable of pivoting movement with respect to said wheel suspension arm about said upwardly extending pivot axis, whilst a coupling rod is provided between a coupling point which is located on said wheel suspension member and is spaced from the upwardly extending pivot axis by some distance and a coupling point which is located on said wheel suspension arm, which coupling rod is provided with resilient means, all this in such a manner that the distance between said coupling points can change as a result of deformation of said resilient means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a similar motor vehicle known from DE-34.10.115 the rear wheel can pivot about the upwardly extending pivot axis in order to counteract a tendency to oversteer during steering manoeuvres. A drawback of the known vehicle is the fact that the rear wheel is also pivoted about the pivot axis in the case of a change in the mechanical load on the wheel in vertical direction, which is undesirable.
The object of the invention is to obtain a motor vehicle of the above kind, wherein the wheel is prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis in the case of a vertical load, whilst the wheel is still allowed to pivot about the pivot pin when a transverse force is exerted on the wheel.
According to the invention this objective can be accomplished in that the wheel suspension member is capable of tilting movement about a tilting axis extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, whilst said upwardly extending pivot axis intersects the ground in a point which lies at least substantially in the central longitudinal plane of the respective rear wheel during forward movement.
In the case of a change in the wheel load in vertical direction the wheel suspension member is subjected to a force which attempts to pivot the wheel suspension member outwards about the pivot axis and which will tilt the wheel suspension member about the tilting axis. The coupling rod connected to the wheel carrier will undergo a change in length as a result of the load being applied to the wheel suspension member. Simultaneously with the change in length of the coupling rod tilting of the wheel suspension member and consequently of the coupling rod connected thereto will take place. The combined tilting movement and change in length of the coupling rod will prevent pivoting of the wheel suspension member.
When a transverse force is exerted on the rear wheel, the wheel suspension member will be pivoted about the pivot pin and hardly any tilting of the wheel suspension arm about the tilting axis will take place. As indicated above, the wheel load variation that occurs when a transverse load is applied will have no influence on the steering angle.
When the vehicle negotiates a bend the wheels can adapt their positions to the driving conditions by pivoting about the upwardly extending pivot axes, thus counteracting said tendency to oversteer and making it possible to make the connection between the torsion bar(s) and the other part of the vehicle less stiff, which will substantially contribute towards enhancing the driving comfort.
Preferably the upwardly extending pivot axis will thereby intersect the ground in a point which lies at least substantially in the central longitudinal plane of the respective rear wheel during forward movement, in order to avoid undesirable pivoting of the rear wheels about the upwardly extending pivot axes during braking.
In order to be able to effect this without a conflict arising because of the presence of a braking mechanism, which is usually provided within the wheel circumference, the pivot axis is according to the invention designed to slope upwards from the point where the pivot axis intersects the ground in the direction of the central longitudinal plane of the vehicle, as a result of which the bearings defining the pivot axis can be positioned in places where they do not impede the provision of the braking mechanism.
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AB Volvo
Hurley Kevin
McKinley Kevin
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
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