GB2030940A - Independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

In an independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement comprises an axle sub-structure 1 with means for securing it resiliently to the vehicle superstructure and transverse wheel- guiding members 3, 4 which are pivotably connected to the substructure and swingable about axes 10, 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the lower arm 4 is abutted against the sub-structure by a helical spring 13, and the swing axis 11 of the arm 4 is inclined upwardly and forwardly, while the spring 13 is inclined rearwardly and upwardly. As seen in side elevation, the axis of the spring is preferably perpendicular to the axis 11 in the design position of the suspension arrangement. The arrangement thereby prevents pitching movements during take off while maintaining constraint-free resilient abutment of the sub-structure 1 against the superstructure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement The invention relates to an independent wheel suspension arrangement, particularly but not essentially a rear-wheel suspension arrangement for a motor car, of the kind comprising an axle sub-structure held resiliently to the vehicle superstructure and transverse wheel-guiding members which are connected to the sub structure and swingable about axes extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are abutted against the sub-structure by helical springs.

The invention seeks to make, in an arrangement of the aforesaid kind, provision for preventing pitching movements on driving off, but without detriment to constraint-free resilient abutment of the sub-structure against the superstructure.

According to the invention in an arrangement of the aforesaid kind, the axes about which the said member, on which the springs are supported, swing are inclined upwardly and forwardly, while the said springs are inclined rearwardly and upwardly. Preferably, as seen in side elevation, the spring axis is perpendicular to the axis of the respective wheel-guiding member in the normal position for which the suspension is designed.

The arrangement according to the invention achieves, even with strong resistance to pitching when driving off, freedom from constraint not only for the springs, but also for the sub-structure, irrespective of the position and direction of the spring abutment forces in relation to the superstructure.

One embodiment of independent rear-wheel suspension arrangement illustrated in diagrammatic side elevation in the accompanying drawing wili now be more fully described by way of example: Referring to the drawing, a sub-structure 1 is abutted by resilient mountings 2 against the vehicle superstructure (not shown). P ivotally connected to the sub-structure 1 on each side are an upper transverse wheel-guiding link 3 and a lower transverse wheel-guiding link 4. As diagrammatically indicated, these links may be triangular links. The links 3, 4 guide and support a wheel carrier 5 on the journal of which a wheel 6, indicated in outline, is mounted. The articulation of the wheel carrier 5 to the links 3, 4 is by way of ball and socket joints, so that turning of the wheel carrier about the axis 7 would be possible.This is prevented, however, by the pivotal connection to -an arm 8 of the wheel carrier of a track rod 9 which is in turn connected to the sub-structure 1.

In the case illustrated, in which the upper link 3 is swingable about a substantially horizontal axis 10 and the lower link 4 about an axis 11 inclined forwardly and upwardly, a comparatively high location of the pole 1 2 of axis intersection is obtained and a correspondingly high resistance to pitching when driving or braking. The relevant angles, in relation to the horizontal, of lines connecting the pole 12 to the axis 7 and to the point of wheel contact respectively are indicated as n and B.

The required resistances to pitching when driving off and braking produces, in the case of customary abutment of the spring 1 3 directly against the vehicle superstructure, distortion of the mountings 2 when horizontal components of force occur. These would in any case be present when the spring is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, preferably in a plane perpendicular to the axis 11, in order to exclude as far as possible spring constraint at full spring deflection.With the illustrated arrangement, in accordance with the invention, deformation and constraint of the mountings 2 are obviated, despite the inclined position of the spring 1 3, because the spring is abutted directly against the sub-structure 1 , so that the suspension arrangement is associated with the sub-structure at all its articulation and spring-abutment points and forms with the substructure a self-contained system which is mounted, as an entity, resiliently on the vehicle body through the said sub-structure.

1. An independent vehicle wheel suspension arrangement comprising an axle sub-structure with means for holding it resiliently to vehicle superstructure and transverse wheel-guiding members which are pivotably connected to the sub-structure and swingable about axes extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are abutted against the sub-structure by helical springs, the axes about which the said members, on which the springs are supported, swing being inclined upwardly and forwardly, while the said springs are inclined rearwardly and upwardly.

2. A suspension arrangement according to Claim 1 ,wherein, as seen in side elevation, the axis of each spring is perpendicular to the axis of swinging of the respective guiding member in the design position of the suspension arrangement.

3. An independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement The invention relates to an independent wheel suspension arrangement, particularly but not essentially a rear-wheel suspension arrangement for a motor car, of the kind comprising an axle sub-structure held resiliently to the vehicle superstructure and transverse wheel-guiding members which are connected to the sub structure and swingable about axes extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are abutted against the sub-structure by helical springs. The invention seeks to make, in an arrangement of the aforesaid kind, provision for preventing pitching movements on driving off, but without detriment to constraint-free resilient abutment of the sub-structure against the superstructure. According to the invention in an arrangement of the aforesaid kind, the axes about which the said member, on which the springs are supported, swing are inclined upwardly and forwardly, while the said springs are inclined rearwardly and upwardly. Preferably, as seen in side elevation, the spring axis is perpendicular to the axis of the respective wheel-guiding member in the normal position for which the suspension is designed. The arrangement according to the invention achieves, even with strong resistance to pitching when driving off, freedom from constraint not only for the springs, but also for the sub-structure, irrespective of the position and direction of the spring abutment forces in relation to the superstructure. One embodiment of independent rear-wheel suspension arrangement illustrated in diagrammatic side elevation in the accompanying drawing wili now be more fully described by way of example: Referring to the drawing, a sub-structure 1 is abutted by resilient mountings 2 against the vehicle superstructure (not shown). P ivotally connected to the sub-structure 1 on each side are an upper transverse wheel-guiding link 3 and a lower transverse wheel-guiding link 4. As diagrammatically indicated, these links may be triangular links. The links 3, 4 guide and support a wheel carrier 5 on the journal of which a wheel 6, indicated in outline, is mounted. The articulation of the wheel carrier 5 to the links 3, 4 is by way of ball and socket joints, so that turning of the wheel carrier about the axis 7 would be possible.This is prevented, however, by the pivotal connection to -an arm 8 of the wheel carrier of a track rod 9 which is in turn connected to the sub-structure 1. In the case illustrated, in which the upper link 3 is swingable about a substantially horizontal axis 10 and the lower link 4 about an axis 11 inclined forwardly and upwardly, a comparatively high location of the pole 1 2 of axis intersection is obtained and a correspondingly high resistance to pitching when driving or braking. The relevant angles, in relation to the horizontal, of lines connecting the pole 12 to the axis 7 and to the point of wheel contact respectively are indicated as n and B. The required resistances to pitching when driving off and braking produces, in the case of customary abutment of the spring 1 3 directly against the vehicle superstructure, distortion of the mountings 2 when horizontal components of force occur. These would in any case be present when the spring is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, preferably in a plane perpendicular to the axis 11, in order to exclude as far as possible spring constraint at full spring deflection.With the illustrated arrangement, in accordance with the invention, deformation and constraint of the mountings 2 are obviated, despite the inclined position of the spring 1 3, because the spring is abutted directly against the sub-structure 1 , so that the suspension arrangement is associated with the sub-structure at all its articulation and spring-abutment points and forms with the substructure a self-contained system which is mounted, as an entity, resiliently on the vehicle body through the said sub-structure. CLAIMS

1. An independent vehicle wheel suspension arrangement comprising an axle sub-structure with means for holding it resiliently to vehicle superstructure and transverse wheel-guiding members which are pivotably connected to the sub-structure and swingable about axes extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are abutted against the sub-structure by helical springs, the axes about which the said members, on which the springs are supported, swing being inclined upwardly and forwardly, while the said springs are inclined rearwardly and upwardly.

2. A suspension arrangement according to Claim 1 ,wherein, as seen in side elevation, the axis of each spring is perpendicular to the axis of swinging of the respective guiding member in the design position of the suspension arrangement.

3. An independent vehicle-wheel suspension arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.