Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1995-06-07
1998-01-06
Culbreth, Eric D.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
280690, 280224, 280 961, B60G 300
Patent
active
057046328
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suspension system for the non-driven wheels of a vehicle, and more particularly to a suspension system for a vehicle which can improve ride comfort by absorbing the vibrations from the wheel to the vehicle body by means of a horizontally disposed shock absorber assembly. The suspension system also maximizes the inner space of the vehicle for passengers including the trunk, and improves cornering stability by pushing the lower portion of the wheel.
(2) Description of the Conventional Art
The common designs for a suspension system of a vehicle are Wishbone and MacPherson types. FIG. 7A shows a conventional MacPherson type suspension system which comprises a steering knuckle 104, a strut 106 having a shock absorber 101 and a spring 102, and a lower arm 108.
FIG. 7B shows a conventional Wishbone type suspension system which comprises a steering knuckle 111, upper and lower control links 112 and 113, a spring assembly 114 disposed between the upper and lower control links 112 and 113.
In the conventional MacPherson and Wishbone type suspension systems, since the shock absorber assembly is disposed vertically, though somewhat inclined, impact from the wheel is transmitted directly in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. Thus, there is a limit in reducing the impact and in improving ride comfort, and it is therefore difficult to design the system. Also, since the camber changes toward the positive (+) when the wheel bumps against the road condition, the tire efficiency decreases and the cornering stability is not good.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for a vehicle which improves ride comfort when the wheel moves in bounce and rebound.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a suspension system which can enlarge the passenger space or trunk space.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a suspension system which has improved cornering stability.
In order to achieve the above objects, the invention provides a suspension system which comprises a wheel carrier, an upper control link having a horizontal arm, a vertical arm, and a hinge portion disposed therebetween. The hinge portion of the upper control link is hingedly connected to a subframe of a vehicle body, front and rear lower control links for connecting a lower portion of the wheel carrier to the subframe, a trailing arm disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to the vehicle body and the wheel carrier, and a shock absorber assembly having a shock absorber and a spring, mounted between the wheel carrier and the vertical arm of the upper control link.
The impact from the wheel is not transmitted to the vehicle body directly but rather in a reduced amount because of this configuration. Thus, ride comfort is improved. Also, the lower portion of the wheel carrier is pushed by the shock absorber assembly, during bumping of the wheel, to improve the cornering stability and driving stability. Further, the horizontally disposed absorber can enlarge the space for the passengers and the trunk. Still further, the trailing arm contributes to increasing the stiffness of the whole structure of the suspension system.
Other and further objects of the present invention will become obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described and indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suspensio
REFERENCES:
patent: 3292945 (1966-12-01), Dangauthier
patent: 4761017 (1988-08-01), Claux
patent: 4881752 (1989-11-01), Tanaka
patent: 5080389 (1992-01-01), Kawano et al.
patent: 5108126 (1992-04-01), Banse
Butto Jonathan E.
Culbreth Eric D.
Hyundai Motor Company
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