Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-05
2001-11-27
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S124132, C280S124157
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322089
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a suspension for a motor vehicle, and including at least one link to extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, with links to be on both sides of a longitudinal center plane of the motor vehicle. The link has a front end to be articulated on a bearing point stationary on the chassis and spaced from such bearing point the link is connected with an axle beam or body. Preferably, a link segment projects from the axle beam in a rearward direction to serve as a lower support of an air spring to have an upper side supported on the motor vehicle chassis is supported. The links can accommodate a disk brake, in particular a floating caliper disk brake, for the particular associated wheel. The axle beam is a continuous round integral axle tube, which with the links forms a U-shaped stabilizer.
In known suspensions of this type, the links are disposed as a parabolic arm over the axle beam so that the actuation device of the disk brake must be rotated so far downwardly that it is exposed to an increased extent to impact from rocks, splash water and other wear and tear. In the event of collision of the motor vehicle, the disk brake can even be destroyed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the known suspension and to provide the suspension with a configuration to enable with simple mounting a secure accommodation of sensitive parts of a clamping device of a disk brake.
This object is achieved according to the invention by providing that a particular link has a cutout or opening in which parts of the clamping device of the disk brake, in particular the particular brake cylinder, is accommodated. Consequently, such brake part is protected against damage, which in particular is of significance for off-road vehicles. On the other hand, the link is simple to mount and readily accessible. The links can be formed advantageously of metal sheet members from which the cutouts are cut. It is also conceivable to form for reasons of stability each of the links from two vertical side walls spaced apart substantially parallel, wherein the side walls are correspondingly cut out.
The cutout preferably is disposed, relative to the driving direction, in front of the axle beam such that the brake cylinder with its supply lines is relatively close to the particular bearing point of the link and therefore is subjected only to minimal motions. In order to attain that the link is not seriously weakened by the cutout for the reception of parts of the clamping device of the disk brake, the cutout in a preferred embodiment of the invention is disposed in a neutral zone of loading of the link. It is furthermore of advantage if the supply lines of the brake cylinder also are disposed at least partially in the cutout and thus are protected against the above stated effects. Such supply lines include not only pneumatic but potential hydraulic and electrical supply lines, for example for specific sensors, such as wear sensors of the brake.
In a further special embodiment of the invention the brake cylinder-side connections of the supply lines of the brake cylinder are disposed between the brake cylinder and the bearing point of the link. This ensures additionally that the supply lines of the brake cylinder, due to their proximity to the bearing point of the particular axle rod, are exposed only to minimal motions during compression and rebound movements of the suspension. This positioning further ensures that the supply lines do not collide with other motor vehicle parts, such as transverse members, shock absorbers, etc. The connections of the supply lines of the brake cylinder can be realized differently such as, for example, for receiving previously customary rubber fabric pressure tubing. However, according to the invention they are preferably in the form of plug connections, for example for synthetic material tubing lines, in order to ensure rapid and reliable mounting and dismounting. According to a further preferred characteristic of the invention, the supply lines of the brake cylinder are at least partially positioned in hollow spaces of the link or on the link. In this way, the link can be delivered to the motor vehicle manufacturer as a modular unit including supply lines, so that the mounting in situ is simplified. For the same purpose, the supply lines extending in or on the particular link can terminate, on the one hand, in junction connectors stationary on the link in the proximity of the bearing point and, on the other hand, injunction connectors stationary on the link in the proximity of the disk brake. The motor vehicle manufacturer therefore only needs to plug in the source supply lines, for example, for compressed air and electricity at the corresponding coupling sites. Thereby, costs to install the lines on a motor vehicle are further reduced.
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Dantele Johann
Frey Christopher
Hennrich Thomas
Bottorff Christopher
Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik Keilberg
Swann J. J.
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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