Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-17
2001-03-27
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S124130, C280S124133, C280S124167, C280S124177
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206391
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to vehicle suspensions systems, and more particularly to a rear suspension system using a torsional spring integral with a trailing arm.
BACKGROUND
The suspension system of an automobile allows the automobile to drive smoothly over a bumpy surface. The wheels may jolt up and down, but the suspension system between the wheel assemblies and the body and frame of the vehicle flex and take up the force of the jolt. The suspension system insures that the force of the jolt does not transfer to the vehicle and its occupants. Springs alone produce a bouncing motion, so the suspension system also contains dampers, commonly known as shock absorbers. The shock absorbers slow the movement of the springs to prevent the car and its occupants from bouncing up and down.
Many types of springs have been utilized in the automotive industry in numerous configurations. In particular, coil springs have been utilized in smaller vehicles which have a coil spring and shock absorber attached to each wheel. The spring and shock absorber are fixed between the car body and the wheel struts.
Larger vehicles often utilize heavy-duty leaf springs and shock absorbers to cushion the ride. The leaf spring is a stack of steel strips slightly curved so that the spring straightens when the vehicle is loaded. The ends of the spring are fixed to the vehicle frame or body and the shock absorber is fixed between the axle and the vehicle body.
Torsion bars are steel rods that act like a spring to take up a twisting force. If the bar is forced to twist in one direction, it resists the movement and then twists back when the force is removed. Many cars contain an anti-roll bar fixed between the front axles. This rotates as the wheels go up and down. If the car begins to rollover on a tight corner, the anti-roll bar prevents the roll from increasing.
Each of the above-spring systems which are utilized in various vehicle suspensions have different mounting requirements. In particular, the use of coil springs between a strut and a vehicle body requires that the vehicle body be substantially rigid in the location of the connection to the coil spring. In addition, the space required for a vertical coil spring and shock absorber assembly can greatly limit the design flexibility for a vehicle. The use of leaf springs and torsion bars also have design limitations and restrictions which may require frame cross members which restrict the space available for luggage, fuel tank, spare tires, etc. Accordingly, it is desirable in the automotive industry to provide a suspension system which is compact and allows for greater vehicle design flexibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle suspension system which is light weight, compact, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
These and other objects are obtained by providing a suspension system including a trailing arm pivotally connected to a frame rail of the vehicle. A wheel assembly is mounted to a first end of the trailing arm and a torsion element is mounted in the trailing arm. A crank arm is provided having a first end mounted to the torsion element and a second end which is attached to a link which is attached to the vehicle frame. As the wheel moves up and down, the vertical motion of the trailing arm is converted to a torsional load on the torsion element disposed within the trailing arm.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Rich James C
Schroeder Del C
Speth David G
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Dickson Paul N.
Fleming Faye M.
MacLean Kenneth H.
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