Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1986-03-03
1988-02-16
Bertsch, Richard A.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
267 361, 267229, 280688, B60G 300
Patent
active
047250747
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a suspension for a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle. It is a broad object of the invention to provide a suspension which provides a good performance whilst being economical in components used.
A motor vehicle suspension has been proposed, in GB-PS 1224196, comprising a pair of suspension arms pivotally connected at their front ends to the vehicle, and connected between their ends to a live or dead axle beam. Rear end portions of the suspension arms are connected to a leaf spring extending transversely of the vehicle, the leaf spring being connected to the vehicle at spaced supports between which the spring is able to flex. Such connection of the transverse leaf spring to the vehicle enables the spring to resist roll of the vehicle, i.e. different vertical displacements of the two wheels relative to the vehicle.
However, such an arrangement of a transverse leaf spring behind the wheels carried by the axle of the vehicle means that when the wheels are vertically displaced relative to the vehicle the ends of the spring undergo a greater displacement than the wheels. The suspension thus requires a large amount of space for its installation, which is undesirable generally in motor vehicles. Further the suspension is not an independent suspension, and therefore cannot provide the suspension characteristics generally considered desirable for vehicles such as passenger cars. It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.
According to the present invention, we provide a suspension for a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising two arms one each side of the vehicle and each connected at its one end to the vehicle, for pivotal movement about an axis extending generally transversely of the vehicle, and having means supporting a respective wheel at or adjacent its other end; and a leaf spring extending transversely of the vehicle, connected at its ends to said arms between their ends, and supported relative to the vehicle at two spaced positions between the ends of the spring, for pivotal movement about generally horizontal and parallel axes.
In a suspension according to the invention, the connection of the ends of the leaf spring to the suspension arms between their ends, whilst the wheels are carried at or adjacent the ends of the arms remote from their ends which are pivoted to the vehicle, means that the ends of the spring undergo vertical movements relative to the vehicle which are less than those undergone by the wheels. The suspension thus minimises space required for its installation, as compared with the suspension previously proposed as described above. Further, movements of the wheels relative to the vehicle, although constrained relative to one another in the sense that the transverse leaf spring resists roll of the vehicle, are independent, i.e. not constrained by a live or dead axle beam. The suspension thus provides a good performance as is required for modern vehicles.
Preferably the leaf spring is a single leaf made from composite, fibre-reinforced plastics, material. In addition to the advantage of light weight for which composite leaf springs are well known, the spring is enabled to be designed to meet the suspension requirements of any particular vehicle, in respect of parameters such as the variation in thickness of the spring along its length. The spring can also be manufactured to incorporate features by which it is pivotally supported relative to the vehicle, and connected to the respective arms of the suspension.
Preferably each pivotal support of the spring is provided by a portion thereof held within an elastomeric element and a supporting structure, which supporting structure is secured to the vehicle. A composite spring can readily be provided with such a portion, e.g. of part cylindrical configuration.
Preferably the ends of the spring are connected to said arms by means providing for transmission of forces between the arms and spring in directions lengthwise of the spring. The spring thus assists in wheel location, so th
REFERENCES:
patent: 1841849 (1932-01-01), Rohr
patent: 2695791 (1954-11-01), Heftler
patent: 2697613 (1954-12-01), Giarosa
patent: 2755098 (1956-07-01), Jochumsen
patent: 4422666 (1983-12-01), Proctor
patent: 4557500 (1985-12-01), Collard et al.
patent: 4619466 (1986-10-01), Schaible et al.
Bertsch Richard A.
GKN Technology Limited
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