Rear suspension for vehicles

Details Rear suspension for vehicles Rear suspension for vehicles

2002-03-01

2004-03-09

Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3616)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Running gear

C280S781000, C280S124175

Reexamination Certificate

active

06702309

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to rear suspensions for vehicles and, more particularly, to a rear suspension for vehicles designed to distribute load applied to the junction of a trailing arm bracket and a rear floor side member, thus preventing the junction from cracking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As well known to those skilled in the art, a suspension system for vehicles absorbs vibration and impact transmitted from the wheels to the chassis during a movement of a vehicle, thus preventing damage to the chassis and freight caused by the vibration and impact, in addition to allowing passengers to feel comfortable. The suspension system includes a front suspension and a rear suspension.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional rear suspension using a torsion beam axle. As shown in the drawing, the conventional rear suspension comprises a trailing arm bracket
100
, which is assembled with a torsion beam axle and is mounted to a rear floor side member
104
through a trailing arm mounting bracket
102
(FIG.
2
).
That is, the conventional rear suspension uses both the trailing arm bracket
100
and the trailing arm mounting bracket
102
for assembling the torsion beam axle to the rear floor side member
104
.
The structure for assembling the torsion beam axle to the rear floor side member
104
in the rear suspension is shown in detail in the sectional view of FIG.
2
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, a part of the rear floor side member
104
is closely interposed between the trailing arm bracket
100
and the trailing arm mounting bracket
102
. A plurality of bolts
108
, penetrating the trailing arm bracket
100
and the rear floor side member
104
, are tightened to nuts
106
welded to the trailing arm mounting bracket
102
. In the drawings, the reference numerals
110
and
112
denote a rear floor panel and a side seal inner panel, respectively.
However, in accordance with tests, such as a rough road test, it was noted that the conventional rear suspension having the above-mentioned structure has an inferior structural strength, and so it is reduced in its durability. That is, the conventional rear suspension may easily crack at the junction of the trailing arm bracket
100
, the trailing arm mounting bracket
102
and the rear floor side member
104
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a rear suspension for vehicles, which is improved in the structure of connecting the torsion beam axle to the rear floor side member, thus having an improved structural strength accomplishing desired durability.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a rear suspension for vehicles, comprising: a rear floor side member; a trailing arm bracket connected to a torsion beam axle; and a locking unit mounting the trailing arm bracket to the rear floor side member while leaving a space between the trailing arm bracket and the rear floor side member.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a rear suspension for vehicles wherein the suspension is secured to a floor member of the vehicle. The suspension itself comprises a trailing arm bracket for connection to a torsion beam axle and a trailing arm mounting bracket supporting the trailing arm bracket. The mounting bracket is configured and dimensioned to be secured to the floor member and to define a space between the floor member and the trailing arm bracket. A spacer member is fixed to the mounting bracket and configured and dimensioned to extend through the space and also through a hole defined by the floor member and to be fixed to the floor member. Fastening means are provided to secure the trailing arm bracket to the mounting bracket. Fastening means may be bolts cooperating with the spacers, formed as pipe nuts, or other forms such as screws, rivets or a folded metal connection. In a preferred embodiment, the trailing arm mounting bracket defines a bent portion configured to define a lip that bears against the floor member to define the space.


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