GB467891A - Chassis for motor driven vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

467,891. Motor vehicles; spring suspensions. DIXON, F. W. Nov. 18, 1935, No. 31956. [Classes 79 (ii), 79 (iii), 79 (iv), and 79 (v)] [Also in Group XXXII] A motor-vehicle chassis includes a central longitudinal girder frame 1 and steerable front wheels A mounted on separate half-axles 2, 3 universally-connected at their inner ends 7 to the frame and interconnected by steering mechanism so that steering is effected by swinging said half-axles in opposite directions. The rear wheels B may be similarly mounted on separate half-axles 4, 5, and all four wheels may be steered and driven. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the front and rear half-axles 2 ...5 are connected by links 11 .. 14 to upwardly and downwardly-extending arms 9, 10 on a transverse steering shaft 8, so that the half-axles are swivelled when the shaft is rotated. Springing of the half-axles is effected by transverse springs 21 pivoted to the frame 1 at 22 and bearing slidably at their ends on seats 23 on housings 17 of the half-axles, these housings being connected to the frame by universally-jointed rods 18. The universal joints 7 of the half-axles may be of any suitable type which will permit axial movements of the half-axles during the spring- ing movements. In the construction shown in Fig. 2, the half-axles 4, 5 slide in a casing 24 fixed to the chassis frame, and their inner ends are universally-connected for driving purposes to the hubs 32 of the sun pinions of the differential gear 31. The universal connection comprises blocks 34 pivoted at 40 to the half-axles and sliding in grooves 33 in the pinion hubs 32. The vertical movements of the half-axles are controlled by balljointed links 18 and compression springs 43 which abut against adjustable stops 44 screwed into the half-axles. The slidable connection of the half-axles to the frame makes it possible to maintain substantially constant the distance between the point of contact of each tyre and the connection of the half-axle to the frame. The width of the track may be varied by employing telescopic half-axles. The engine and gear-box may be incorporated as a unit with the chassis frame 1, and where two engines are employed they may be run in opposition to each other so that their reaction torques on the chassis frame counteract each other. According to the Provisional Specification the rear half-axles may be replaced by a pair of wheels close together or by a single wheel.