Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1988-06-06
1989-12-19
Marmor, Charles A.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
267 361, 267148, 280694, B60G 1108, F16F 136
Patent
active
048878413
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a suspension for a pair of wheels for a vehicle, including a leaf spring extending transversely of the vehicle and supported relative to the vehicle structure at two positions spaced from one another between the ends of the spring, end portions of the spring engaging respective wheel supporting members. For example, the spring end portions may be connected directly to wheel supporting members by suitable swivel joints, or may act on wishbones or other members or arrangements of members which in turn are connected to wheel supporting members. The invention has been developed in relation to the suspension for the front wheels of a motor vehicle such as a passenger car, but it will be appreciated that it is applicable generally where similar problems, as described hereafter, arise, possibly for the rear wheels of a motor car or for the wheels of trailers or semi-trailers.
An example of a vehicle suspension including a leaf spring disposed transversely of the vehicle as above set forth is disclosed in published International Patent Application No. WO83/01758. In that suspension the spring, which is of composite, fibre reinforced plastics material, is of constant cross-sectional shape between its positions of mounting to the vehicle structure. Outboard of such positions, towards its ends, the spring is of decreasing width in plan view and increasing thickness, maintaining a constant cross-sectional area. Such outboard portions act as relatively rigid suspension links (of the type generally known as wishbones) in use and eliminate the need for separate links. Springing is provided by deflection of the portion of the spring between its mountings to the vehicle structure. Each wheel carrier is also connected to the vehicle structure by a telescopic damper strut.
When such a suspension is used for the front wheels of a motor car, particularly one with front wheel drive, the spring may need to pass beneath the engine and/or gearbox of the vehicle. Typically the engine and/or gearbox has a portion which extends fairly close to the ground on which the vehicle stands, and may even be the part of the vehicle having the least ground clearance. If then the transverse spring has to be mounted beneath such part, the overall ground clearance of the vehicle can be reduced to an unacceptable level. Further, sufficient space has to be left between the spring and engine/ gearbox to allow for bending of the spring in use, further reducing ground clearance. These problems exist for any suspension utilising a transverse leaf spring, whether of the type above described or one in which wishbones or like links are employed.
It is the object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate the above described ground clearance problem.
According to the invention, there is provided a suspension for a pair of wheels of a vehicle comprising a spring in the form of an elongate leaf extending transversely of the vehicle and supported relative to the vehicle structure, for pivotal movement about axes extending generally longitudinally of the vehicle, at two spaced positions between the ends of the spring to provide a central portion of the spring and two end portions thereof, said end portions of the spring engaging respective wheel supporting members, characterised in that the spring includes a part which is displaced out of the general line of adjacent parts of the spring, to provide a working clearance from a part of the vehicle.
Said displaced part of the spring may comprise a downwardly and/or forwardly or rearwardly extending curved part of said central portion of the spring.
In a suspension including such a spring, the spring as a whole can be mounted in the vehicle at a relatively higher position to provide, overall, an adequate ground clearance. Particularly with a spring made of composite, fibre reinforced plastics, material, and with appropriate dimensions and fibre disposition, stresses in the spring are not raised unacceptably.
The end portions of the spring may be inclined to said central portion thereo
REFERENCES:
patent: 1573583 (1926-02-01), Smith
patent: 1975836 (1934-10-01), Ford
patent: 3197190 (1965-07-01), Miyashiro
patent: 3601425 (1971-08-01), Sampietro
patent: 3710882 (1973-01-01), Marceau
patent: 4732371 (1988-03-01), Pfederer
Cowburn David
Pollard Andrew
Rawlings Stephen P.
GKN Technology Limited
Marmor Charles A.
Tyson Karin
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