AU2011218652B2

AU2011218652B2 - Integrated suspension and chassis assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2011218652B2
Application number: AU2011218652A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paulo Inturrisi
Original assignee: Al Ko Chassis Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Al Ko Chassis Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-08
Filing date: 2011-08-30
Publication date: 2013-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-08
Also published as: AU2011218652A1

Abstract

A support chassis 10 having a frame 17 adapted to be bolted or otherwise connected to the main chassis of a vehicle (not shown). The inner lateral end of the frame is provided with downwardly directed members 14 to which trailing 5 arms 20 at either side of the underside of the frame 10 may be pivotally connected at pivot points 16. The trailing arms 20 are generally U shaped or A shaped in that they include cross bracing members 25 extending between a pair of substantially straight and parallel arms 21 joined by an arcuate portion Forming the curved apex 22. The curved apex 22 is connected by a bridge 31 10 being a solid vertical plate to a cup member 30 at some distance interior to the bridges 31 connection to the wheel hub members 40. These cup members 30 act as a base for a concentric spring and shock absorber mechanism 45 which passes through to a mounting 50 in each lateral side I I of the frame 17. ? 2 1/2 5 0 1 112 1 -16 -20 Fig.J. 4 30-3 Fig 2

Description

INTEGRATED SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS ASSEMBLY This application is a divisional of application No. 2004228072, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by relence. Area of the Invention 5 This invention relates to the area of vehiclcsuspensions and in particular to a chassis and suspension arrangement suitable for relatively large vehicles such as caravans. Background to the Invention Vehicle suspensions customarily Utilise means to provide a dampened 10 movement between a wheel axle mechanism and the vehicle body or chassis. Such means can include spring based mechanisms, usually associated with shock absorbers, as well as air bags or other types of fluid suspension. Whatever means is used, such suspension means are generally affixed to a chassis on the underside of the relevant vehicle. This requires the vehicle 1 5 chassis to be custom designed to cooperate with a particular suspension means. In addition where a concentric spring and shock absorber means is used between a mount on a trailing arm and a vehicle chassis it is common for a fairly crudely fabricated trailing arm to be used where such an arm is manufactured from bent tubing, the strength of which is consequently reduced. 20 Oulline of the Invention Tt is an object of this invention to provide a vehicle suspension means which is readily attachable to a vehicle and is superior in strength to previous such suspensions and minimises the suspension problems previously described. The invention is a vehicle suspension system which includes an integral 25 support chassis and suspension Teans, the suspension means being positioned between extension members of trailing arms, said extension members being associated with whcc hubs, and side members of the support chassis, said trailing arms being pivotally connected to the chassis at pivot points on a lateral cnd thereo E Tt is preferred that the trailing arm is of a welded arcuate shape rather than a 5 bent tubular meniber. It is preferred that the trailing ann be a generally U shaped mernber with flat upper and lower faces separated by curved side members which are welded to the upper and lower faces. It is preferred that the trailing arm be provided with a cross bracing member interior to hinged connection means at terminal ends of 10 the arm which connect to a generally rectangular support chassis Ior a vehicle. It is further preferred that suspension means and associated trailing arms are provided adjacent either lateral side of the support chassis. In order that the invention may be more readily understood we shall describe by way of non limiting example a particular embodiment of the invention with 15 reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Outline of the Drawing Figures Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the integrated suspension and chassis assembly of the invention; Fig. 2 shows the perspective view of Figure 1 from below; 20 Fig. 3 shows an inverted view of a trailing arm of the invention; and Fig, 4 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the suspension of the invention. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In one embodiment of the invention an embodiment which is suitable for use 25 with caravans is provided.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 a single 2000 kg suspension is provided which includes a support chassis 10, which is in effect a frame of angle iron, which is adapted to be bolted or otherwise connected to the main chassis of the vehicle (not shown). 5 This generally rectangular frame 17 has, at each lateral end, an open channel 12 with extension components 15 on either side of each end of the frame 17 which can engage with the vehicle chassis and be fastened thereto by bolt means. Further bolt holes are also provided in the side mrnembers of the frame 17 br additional strength, although this is strictly not essential. 10 The inner lateral end of the frame is provided with downwardly directed members 14 to which trailing arms 20 at either side of the underside of the frame 10 may be pivotally connected at pivot points 16. The trailing arms 20 are generally TI shaped or A shaped in that they include cross bracing members 25 extending between a pair of substantially straight 15 and parallel arms 21 joined by an arcuate portion forming the curved apex 22 (of the A shape). Remote from the pivotal connections 16, the curved apex 22 in each case is connected by a bridge 31 being a solid vertical plate to a cup member 30 at some distance interior to the bridges' 31 connection to the wheel hub members 40. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the trailing arms 20 have a 20 thickened portion 35 adjacent the bridge 3 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the extent of expansion of the shock absorber and spring mechanism 45 is limited by a flexible linkage or chain 32 and the extent of compression is limited by a stop means 36 mounted to the frame 17 and downwardly depending to abut a whecl hub and axle component 4 1. 25 These cup members 30 act as a base for a concentric spring and shock absorber mechanism 45 which passes through to a mounting 50 in each lateral side 11 of the frame 17. If required the shock absorber 45 can be mounted separately to the spring.

The invention therefore provides a detachable subframe 17 associated with vehicle suspension means 45 which can be connected to the chassis of a vehicle and which can particularly he used for heavy vehicles such as caravans. Where a tandem version of the invention is used it is envisaged that loads of up 5 to 3200kg could be mounted in this manner. With such an arrangement it is envisaged that a rocker arm could be used to stabilise the tandem wheel suspension. Clearly the frame 17 and Support components of the suspension system 45 would be manulactured from conventional metal materials. H however, the 10 invention is not restricted to any particular type of suspension mechanism and it is envisaged that an air bag type of system could be used or, alternatively any other type of shock absorbing mechanism required. The invention is unique, however, in that it provides an integral support chassis mechanism and vehicle suspension mechanism which is removably attachable 15 to a vehicle chassis. While we have described herein one particular embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations and modifications in the features described can still lie within the scope of the invention.

Claims

2. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing arm is integrally welded with the extension members and a cup member in which the suspension means is seated. 20 3. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing arm is a generally U shaped member in which the parallel arms comprise flat upper and lower faces separated by the arcuate portion having curved side members which are welded to the upper and lower faces.
4. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of the previous 25 claims, in which the parallel arms are straight and elongate relative to the arcuate portion and are provided with a cross bracing member across an aperture defined by the trailing arn.
5. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the parallel arns end in the pivotal connections at a 5 lateral end of the chassis.
6. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the one end of the suspension means sits in the cup member while an opposing end of the suspension means is located in a channel in a side member of the support chassis. 10 7 A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the suspension means includes a shock absorber seated in the cup member and a concentric spring around the shock absorber.
8. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the suspension means and associated trailing arm are 15 provided adjacent either lateral side of the support chassis.
9. A vehicle suspension system as claimed in any one of claiins 2 - 8, wherein the cup member is remote from the hinged connections and the extension members extend to the trailing arm either side of the cup member. 20