Spring devices – Vehicle – Mechanical spring and nonresilient retarder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-06-19
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Mechanical spring and nonresilient retarder
C280S124145
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247688
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a suspension device for the wheel of a vehicle, comprising a shock absorber mounted between the hub carrier of the wheel and the body of the vehicle, and a coil spring mounted between a lower spring plate secured to the cylinder of the shock absorber and an upper spring plate mounted secured to the rod of the shock absorber.
In known devices of this kind, in particular, suspensions of the MacPherson type, a thrust ball bearing is mounted between the upper spring plate and the vehicle suspension tower. This thrust ball bearing exhibits, when the steering is turned, a threshold resistance to slip which makes the steering undesirably stiff.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the invention is to improve the suspension devices of the known type by eliminating the upper thrust ball bearing and replacing it with an elastic system, of which the operating torque is approximately proportional to the angle of pivoting.
A second object of the invention is to produce this elastic system in a modular form, so as to allow an interchangeable modular assembly comprising a shock absorber and an associated spring to be factory assembled.
A third object of the invention is to allow this interchangeable assembly to be torsionally preset once it has been assembled with the body of the vehicle, so as to compensate for any lateral loading due to the tire.
The subject of the invention is a suspension device for the wheel of a vehicle, comprising a shock absorber mounted between the hub carrier of the wheel and the body of the vehicle, and a coil spring mounted between a lower spring plate secured to the cylinder of the shock absorber and an upper spring plate mounted secured to the rod of the shock absorber, characterized in that the upper spring plate is secured to a laminated elastomeric assembly secured to a part for attaching to the body of the vehicle, preferably a suspension tower formed in the body of the vehicle, the part for attaching to the body being angularly adjustable with respect to the body.
According to other features of the invention:
the part for attachment to the body of the vehicle is shaped into a convex cup which fits to the interior surface of the suspension tower;
the upper end of the coil spring is angularly indexed by insertion in part of either the lower or upper spring plates, which part is advantageously overmolded with an elastomeric material, at least in the region in which the spring rests;
the part for attachment to the body is mounted so that it can pivot with respect to the i body via a lever for adjusting its rotation;
the attachment part and the body each have a number of orifices located on circles of the same diameter and spaced apart so as to allow angular indexing when the part for attachment to the body and the body are mechanically assembled;
the part for attachment to the body has a radially inner part collaborating with a relaxation stop to prevent the shock absorber from disengaging if the vehicle wheel lifts off the road surface and the laminated elastomeric assembly breaks;
the radially inner part is coated at least partially or overmolded with a shock-absorbing material;
the body has a number of first shapings and the part for attaching to the body has a number of second shapings, and a first shaping of the body collaborates with a second shaping of the part for attachment to the body so as to provide indexing between the body and the part for attachment to the body;
the part for attachment to the body is shaped to snap-fasten into the body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4817984 (1989-04-01), Ferman et al.
patent: 4971296 (1990-11-01), Kondo
patent: 5401051 (1995-03-01), Ivory
patent: 5484161 (1996-01-01), McIntyre
patent: 31 36 954 A1 (1983-03-01), None
patent: 37 13 699 A1 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 36 19 942 A1 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 0 092 066 A1 (1983-10-01), None
patent: 0 265 059 A1 (1988-04-01), None
patent: 0 301 517 A2 (1989-02-01), None
patent: 0 619 196 A1 (1994-10-01), None
patent: 2 297 150 (1976-08-01), None
patent: WO 91/06438 (1991-05-01), None
de Fontenay Etienne
Jean Philippe
Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz
Michelin AVS
Schwartz Christopher P.
LandOfFree
Vehicle wheel suspension device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle wheel suspension device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle wheel suspension device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2528696