CA2220171A1 - Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting - Google Patents
Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2220171A1 CA2220171A1 CA002220171A CA2220171A CA2220171A1 CA 2220171 A1 CA2220171 A1 CA 2220171A1 CA 002220171 A CA002220171 A CA 002220171A CA 2220171 A CA2220171 A CA 2220171A CA 2220171 A1 CA2220171 A1 CA 2220171A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- axle
- wrapper plate
- washer
- wrapper
- aperture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G9/00—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels
- B60G9/003—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G21/00—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces
- B60G21/02—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected
- B60G21/04—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically
- B60G21/05—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
- B60G21/051—Trailing arm twist beam axles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
- B60G2200/30—Rigid axle suspensions
- B60G2200/31—Rigid axle suspensions with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
- B60G2200/40—Indexing codes relating to the wheels in the suspensions
- B60G2200/445—Self-steered wheels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
- B60G2200/40—Indexing codes relating to the wheels in the suspensions
- B60G2200/462—Toe-in/out
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/14—Mounting of suspension arms
- B60G2204/148—Mounting of suspension arms on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/14—Mounting of suspension arms
- B60G2204/148—Mounting of suspension arms on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle
- B60G2204/1482—Mounting of suspension arms on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle on rigid axle by elastic mount
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
- B60G2204/41—Elastic mounts, e.g. bushings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
- B60G2204/43—Fittings, brackets or knuckles
- B60G2204/4306—Bracket or knuckle for rigid axles, e.g. for clamping
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system for mounting ground-engaging wheels to a vehicle frame (10) where two arms (18) are secured to opposite sides of the frame and a wheel-carrying axle (12) is suspended between the arms. The axle is secured to the arms by a wrapper plate (34) partially surrounding the axle, adapter plates (39) mounted to the interior surface of the wrapper plate and at least one bolt (38) to compress the wrapper about the axle and the adapter plate against the axle. In this configuration, the wrapper plate supports and strengthens the axle. The wrapper plate generally conforms to the profile of that portion of the axle which it surrounds. The axle can be square, oval, hexagon, octagon, rectangular or D-shaped in cross section. The wrapper plate and the adapter plates exert substantially transverse forces on the axle. An aperture (42) is formed in the wrapper plate in the side thereof in a location corresponding to the vertical midpoint of the adjacent side of the axle. A circular washer (44) is welded to the axle on each side thereof in registry with the apertures in the side of the wrapper plate to prevent lateral translation of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle.
Description
W 096/36502 PCTrUS95/06151 TRAILING ARM SUSPENSION VV~TH
WRAPPER COMPRESSION AXLE MOUNTING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Terhni~~l Field This invention relates to vehicle suspension systems for mounting ground-eng~ginp wheels to a vehicle frame, and, more particularly, to a trailingarm suspension axle in which a wheel-carrying a~cle is secured to a trailing arm.
In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a method of mounting an a~de support ~c~embly on an axle for ground-eng~ging wheels.
10 Des~ tion of Related Art In U.S. Patent No. 4,693,486 to Pierce, et al. (issued September 15, 1987), a trailing arm suspension has an axle secured to a trailingarm by a wrapper plate partially sulloullding the axle, a bolt is lltili7erl to conl~less the wrapper plate about the axle so that the wrapper plate supports 15 and ~LIell~ll.ens the axle, and a circular plug weld ~tt~hes the wrapper plate to the axle.
The U.S. Patent No. 3,547,215 to Bird ~issued December 15, 1970) closes a trailing arm suspension wherein a square axle is typically welded to a bracket which is, in turn, secured to the trailing arm of the vehicle suspension20 structure. The welllm~nt securing the axle to the bracket is usually made at the midpoint of the side of the axle where vertical bending moment stresses are neutral.
Axles are typically welded to the brackets in order to attach the a~de to the bracket under high lo~(ling contlition~. The axle is welded to the 25 axle bracket by a line weld on either side of the bracket. Because it is a line weld, the wel~lment has "ends" at which stresses are conçe-ntrated and at which cracks may initi~te The U.S. Patent No. 5,116,075 to Pierce ~liccloses a trailing arm suspension with a wrapper colll~ression axle mounting similar to the Pierce et 30 al. '486 patent except that the aperture in the wrapper plate is elimin~ted and blocks are welded to the axle ~dj~cent the wrapper plate to prevent lateral tr~n~l~tion of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle. Although this W 096/36502 PCTÇUS95/06151 -2-arr~ngement is relatively s~ticf~ctQry, it has been found that the blocks may give rise to stress cracks at the points where the blocks are welded to the axle. It has been found that the highest stress points in this suspension were at the edges of the wrapper plate where the blocks are pocition~d and that these S stresses cause the ~ ,.,ale~l strains on the axle at that point. It has further been found that at the axial midpoint of the wrapper on the vertical center of the axle, ...i..;...~l strains on the axle appear.
SIJMMARY OF THE ~NVENTION
The invention relates to a vehicle suspension system for mounting ground-eng~ging wheels to a vehicle frame and to a method for mounting an axle support assembly to an axle. The suspension system comprises at least two subst~nti~lly rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame. The arms are secured to the vehicle frame through subst~nti~lly aligned pivot mounts. At least one wheel-carrying axle is mounted to the arms. A wrapper plate having an elongated planar complement~ry surface wraps around the axle at least 180~.
Opposite sides of the wrapper plate extend beyond the lower portion of the axle. At least one bolt eYtçn~lc through the wrapper plate at the depending o~osiLe sides thereof for diametrically colll~,essillg opposite sides of the axle.
Accordillg to the invention, the wrapper plate has at least one aperture pocition~l in a side of the wrapper plate in a position at about the vertical midpoint of the axle. A washer is welded to the ax~e and is in registerwith the wrapper plate aperture to ~ venl lateral .chifting of the vwrapper plate with respect to the axle. Preferably, the washer is ~nnnl~r shaped and is weldedto the axle through welds at a central opening in the washer. In a preferred embo~1iment the wrapper plate aperture is at an axial central portion of the wrapper plate.
BRIEF OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accol"~lyi,lg drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fr~gment~ry, side elevational view of a vehicle frame having mounted thereon a suspension system accolding to the invention;
CA 02220l7l l997-lO-3l W O 96/36S02 PCTrUS95/06151 FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fr~gment~ry side sectional view of the suspension shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 iS a section~l view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a section~l view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3.
S DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, a vehicle frame 10 has an axle 12 and ground-eng~ging wheels 14 (shown in ph~ntom lines) suspended thereLo,l, by a suspension system 16 accor.li"g to the invention. The front of the vehicle is to the left of the frame as viewed in FIG.
10 1. Suspension system 16 in~ lec, at each side of the vehicle frame 10, a trailing arm 18 pivotally mounted to a hanger bracket 20 depending from frame 10.
The hanger 20 has a pivot pin 22 at the lower end thereof for pivotably supporting the forw-ard end of trailing arm 18. Trailing arm 18 comprises a hollow rect~n~l~r member for supporting the axle 12. The forward end of 15 trailing arm 18 is pivotably mounted at pivot pin 22. The trailing arm 18 extends rea,w~rd along the vehicle frame 10. The rear end of the trailing arm 18 is secured to an air spring 24. Trailing arm 18 has a slight d~w,lw~rd bend intermediate between its folw~-d and rear ends. A folw~rd bushed pin 26 and a rear bushed pin 28 extend through trailing arm 18 near the slight d~wllw~ld 20 bend therein for supporting an axle support assembly 30 while pelllliL~ g limited articulation between the axle support assembly 30 and the trailing arm 18. The upper portion of the air spring 24 is fixedly secured to the vehicle frame 10.
In operation, vertical movement of the ground-eng~ging wheels 14 25 is tr~ncl~ted through axle 12 to the axle support assembly 30. Vertical movement of axle support ~c.cemhly 30iS trzlncl~te~l to trailing arm 18 through folw~rd bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28. Referring to FIG. 3, a bushing 29 çnc~ces bushed pins 26, 28. The limited articulation permitted between axle support assembly 30 and trailing arm 18 by the bushing 29 of forward bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28 cnchionc the vertical movement of the trailing arm 18 and controls the roll rate of the suspension by pe,...i~li-.g axle ~u~po~L
CA 02220l7l l997-lO-3l W 096/36S02 PCTrUS95/06151 ~c~çmhly 30 to make small vertical and conical displ~cçment~ relative to trailing arm 18.
SiEnifi~nt vertical displ~rem~-nt of axle support assembly 30 causes the vertical rli~p~ ement of trailing arm 18. Vertical movement of S trailing arm 18is pçrmi~te~l by the pivotal connection of the folw~rd end of trailing arm 18 at the pivot pin ~. The vertical movement of trailing arm 18is cn~hioned and restrained by air spring 24 and a shock absorber (not shown).
The axle support assembly 30 co~ ,ises a pair of side plates 32 disposed on either side of trailing arm 18, a U-shaped wrapper plate 34 10 depending from the side plates 32, a rehlro,~ g plate 36, a bolt 38 and adapter plates 39. The bolt 38 passes through the end of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 for co~ lessing the sides of the wrapper plate 34.
Each side plate 32 colll~lises a vertical plate having openings at the upper portion thereof to receive forward bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 15 28. The ro,w~rd bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28 extend through trailing arm 18 and through co,les~onding openings in the pair of side plates 32 disposed on either side of trailing arm 18 to secure side plates 32 to trailing arm 18 thereby supporting the a~de support assembly 30 while pell-li~l;,,~ limited arti~ll~tion between the side plates 32 and trailing arm 18. In ~d~litif~n~ each20 side plate 32 has a U-shaped opening adapted at the lower portion thereof to receive in compliment~ry f~shion the bight portion of U-shaped wrapper plate 34. The side plate 32 thereby acts to both provide a snrf~ce to which wrapper plate 34 may be secured as by welding and also acts to rehlrolce wrapper plate 34.
Wrapper plate 34, as seen in FIG. 3,iS a saddle-shaped plate. As seen in FIG. 2, the wrapper plate 34iS a of U-shaped cross-section. The bight portion of the wrapper plate 34 iS disposed ulJw~ldly within side plates 32 and the open end of wrapper plate 34 eytentlc dowl,waldly. Wrapper plate 34iS
secured to side plates 32 by suitable means such as welding. Wrapper plate 34 30 iS shaped to snugly receive the axle 12 having a square, rect~n~ll~r or othernon-circular cross section~l configuration with a small space between the upper surface of the axle and the inside surface of the wrapper plate 34. As can be W 096/36502 PCTrUS95/06151 S
seen in FIG. 3, wrapper plate 34 has an aperture 40 in the bight portion of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 to reduce the overall weight of the aYle ~UppOl l ~c.c~mhly 30, to increase the fleYihility of the wrapper plate 34 and to providetrailing arm clearance.
Wrapper plate 34 inchldes bolts 38 eYt~on~ling through the sides of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34. When ~ccemhled, the bolts 38 are posi~ioned beneath the aYle 12 and are adapted to place the side of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 in co~ res~ion against the axle 12 when the bolts 38 are tightened.
Adapter plates 39 are incorporated to enh~nce the gripping effect of the wrapper plate 34 on the axle 12. The adapter plates 39 are fixedly ~tt~ hed to the interior surface of wrapper plate 34 at a point just below the opening in wrapper plate 34 for bolts 38. The adapter plates 39 are U-shaped in cross section with two upst~n-lin~ leg portions 31 and a bight portion 33. The adapterplates 39 are mounted such that the upper surface of the two upst~nc1ing leg portions 31 cont~ct the lower surface of the axle 12.
Axle support assembly 30 also includes a reil~orcillg plate 36 secured as by welding to side plate 32 and wrapper plate 34 for supporting and reinron;illg wrapper plate 34. A shock absorber bracket 37 is provided at the inner side plate 32 for securing a lower portion of a shock absorber (not shown)to dampen os~ tiQnc of the axle 12. Although the aYle support z~ccemhly 30 is described in the prefelled embodiment as a plurality of plates fixedly ~tt~ched to one another by suitable means such as welding, it can also be easily understood that a single axle support assembly could be formed by a casting.
Accordhlg to the invention, the wrapper plate inchlcles at least one and ~refelably two apertures 42 in the sides thereof at a position at a~ xi...~tely the vertical midpoint of the axle 12. An ~nmll~r washer 44 is welded to the axle at a vertical midpoint of the axle 12 and in register with the aperture 42. The washer 44 has a central aperture 46. Preferably, the washer 44 is welded to the axle at the aperture 46 through welds 48. The external 30 diameter of the washer 44 closely resembles the interior diameter of the aperture 42 and ~Ytçn(lc into the aperture to ~levelll relative lateral shif~ingbetween the wrapper plate 34 and the axle 12. The welding of the washer 44 to W 096/36502 PCTrUS95106151 the axle 12 at t_e midpoint of the axis and centrally with respect to the wrapper plate 34 ...;..;....,es the stresses between the wrapper plate and the axle 12 to hifting of the wrapper plate 34 with respect to the axle 12. If desirable, the apertures 42 in the wrapper plate 34 can be axially offset from one another 5 and the washers 44 can likewise be welded to the axle at axially displaced loc~tion~ with respect to each other.
In operation, the axle 12 is secured within the wrapper plate 34 by first inserting the axle 12 into the U-shaped comrle-ment~ry wrapper plate 34 and then ~ rnring the axle 12 forcibly into wrapper plate 34. Bolt 38 is 10 tightened until the wrapper plate 34 is snug against axle 12. Then, the adapter plates 39 are fixedly ~tt~-h~-cl as by welding to the interior surface of the wrapper plate 34 such that the upst~n~ling leg portions 31 cont~ct the lower surface of the axle 12. With the adapter plates 39 securely in place, the bolt 38 is further tightened to create co~ ressive forces on the axle 12.
As the bolt 38 is tightened, as shown in FIG. 2, the sides of the wrapper plates exert a first diametric co~ essive force on the complement~ry sides of the axle 12 in the direction of arrow F1. The tightening of bolt 38 also causes the depending ends of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 to bend or flex inward. This inward bending results in a slight rotation of the bottom of the 20 wrapper plate about the bottom corners of the axle 12 to introduce a holi~olllal component of movement into the bottom end of the wrapper plate 34. This inward bending of wrapper plate 34 at the ends thereof results in the application of a vertical component of force F2, on axle 12 by adapter plates 39. Thus, the holi~olllal force on the ends of the U-shaped wvrapper plate 34 is translated into 25 a second colll~ressive force F2, which is transverse to the first force F1. The t~llsvel~e colll~ression force F2 exerted by the adapter plates 39 on the axle along with the coll~lession force F1 exerted along the internal faces of wrapperplate 34 provide sufficient gripping strength for the axle support assembly 30 on the axle 12, and strengthen~ the axle against torsional stresses and bending 30 stresses.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the washer 44 is aligned with the opening 42 in the wrapper plate 34. Preferably, the wvrapper plate 34 contains two W 096/36502 PCTnUS95/06151 apertures, one on each side of the axle and further comprises two washers 44, each in register with an aperture. The washers 44 are positioned in the apertures 42 and are welded in place by plug welds 48 between the washer and the axle 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the welds 48 are po~itioned prefe,~bly in5 the central opening 46 of the washer 44. The welding of the washer 44 onto theaxle 12 should take place after the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 is completely ~tt~hed to the axle 12.
Other axle shapes such as D-shaped, hexagon, octagon, and rect~n~ r can be used in accordance with the invention by simply modifying 10 the confi~lration of the wrapper plate to conform to the cross section of the axle.
The invention uvercollles the problem of potential stress fractures at the ends of the wrapper plate and provides a simple and expedited method of ~c~çmhling a suspension system accordhlg to the invention with a ~,.i"i,ll--l" of 15 effort. The suspension system is more effective than the suspension systems of the prior art.
Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing ~ Qsllre without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
WRAPPER COMPRESSION AXLE MOUNTING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Terhni~~l Field This invention relates to vehicle suspension systems for mounting ground-eng~ginp wheels to a vehicle frame, and, more particularly, to a trailingarm suspension axle in which a wheel-carrying a~cle is secured to a trailing arm.
In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a method of mounting an a~de support ~c~embly on an axle for ground-eng~ging wheels.
10 Des~ tion of Related Art In U.S. Patent No. 4,693,486 to Pierce, et al. (issued September 15, 1987), a trailing arm suspension has an axle secured to a trailingarm by a wrapper plate partially sulloullding the axle, a bolt is lltili7erl to conl~less the wrapper plate about the axle so that the wrapper plate supports 15 and ~LIell~ll.ens the axle, and a circular plug weld ~tt~hes the wrapper plate to the axle.
The U.S. Patent No. 3,547,215 to Bird ~issued December 15, 1970) closes a trailing arm suspension wherein a square axle is typically welded to a bracket which is, in turn, secured to the trailing arm of the vehicle suspension20 structure. The welllm~nt securing the axle to the bracket is usually made at the midpoint of the side of the axle where vertical bending moment stresses are neutral.
Axles are typically welded to the brackets in order to attach the a~de to the bracket under high lo~(ling contlition~. The axle is welded to the 25 axle bracket by a line weld on either side of the bracket. Because it is a line weld, the wel~lment has "ends" at which stresses are conçe-ntrated and at which cracks may initi~te The U.S. Patent No. 5,116,075 to Pierce ~liccloses a trailing arm suspension with a wrapper colll~ression axle mounting similar to the Pierce et 30 al. '486 patent except that the aperture in the wrapper plate is elimin~ted and blocks are welded to the axle ~dj~cent the wrapper plate to prevent lateral tr~n~l~tion of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle. Although this W 096/36502 PCTÇUS95/06151 -2-arr~ngement is relatively s~ticf~ctQry, it has been found that the blocks may give rise to stress cracks at the points where the blocks are welded to the axle. It has been found that the highest stress points in this suspension were at the edges of the wrapper plate where the blocks are pocition~d and that these S stresses cause the ~ ,.,ale~l strains on the axle at that point. It has further been found that at the axial midpoint of the wrapper on the vertical center of the axle, ...i..;...~l strains on the axle appear.
SIJMMARY OF THE ~NVENTION
The invention relates to a vehicle suspension system for mounting ground-eng~ging wheels to a vehicle frame and to a method for mounting an axle support assembly to an axle. The suspension system comprises at least two subst~nti~lly rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame. The arms are secured to the vehicle frame through subst~nti~lly aligned pivot mounts. At least one wheel-carrying axle is mounted to the arms. A wrapper plate having an elongated planar complement~ry surface wraps around the axle at least 180~.
Opposite sides of the wrapper plate extend beyond the lower portion of the axle. At least one bolt eYtçn~lc through the wrapper plate at the depending o~osiLe sides thereof for diametrically colll~,essillg opposite sides of the axle.
Accordillg to the invention, the wrapper plate has at least one aperture pocition~l in a side of the wrapper plate in a position at about the vertical midpoint of the axle. A washer is welded to the ax~e and is in registerwith the wrapper plate aperture to ~ venl lateral .chifting of the vwrapper plate with respect to the axle. Preferably, the washer is ~nnnl~r shaped and is weldedto the axle through welds at a central opening in the washer. In a preferred embo~1iment the wrapper plate aperture is at an axial central portion of the wrapper plate.
BRIEF OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accol"~lyi,lg drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fr~gment~ry, side elevational view of a vehicle frame having mounted thereon a suspension system accolding to the invention;
CA 02220l7l l997-lO-3l W O 96/36S02 PCTrUS95/06151 FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fr~gment~ry side sectional view of the suspension shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 iS a section~l view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a section~l view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3.
S DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, a vehicle frame 10 has an axle 12 and ground-eng~ging wheels 14 (shown in ph~ntom lines) suspended thereLo,l, by a suspension system 16 accor.li"g to the invention. The front of the vehicle is to the left of the frame as viewed in FIG.
10 1. Suspension system 16 in~ lec, at each side of the vehicle frame 10, a trailing arm 18 pivotally mounted to a hanger bracket 20 depending from frame 10.
The hanger 20 has a pivot pin 22 at the lower end thereof for pivotably supporting the forw-ard end of trailing arm 18. Trailing arm 18 comprises a hollow rect~n~l~r member for supporting the axle 12. The forward end of 15 trailing arm 18 is pivotably mounted at pivot pin 22. The trailing arm 18 extends rea,w~rd along the vehicle frame 10. The rear end of the trailing arm 18 is secured to an air spring 24. Trailing arm 18 has a slight d~w,lw~rd bend intermediate between its folw~-d and rear ends. A folw~rd bushed pin 26 and a rear bushed pin 28 extend through trailing arm 18 near the slight d~wllw~ld 20 bend therein for supporting an axle support assembly 30 while pelllliL~ g limited articulation between the axle support assembly 30 and the trailing arm 18. The upper portion of the air spring 24 is fixedly secured to the vehicle frame 10.
In operation, vertical movement of the ground-eng~ging wheels 14 25 is tr~ncl~ted through axle 12 to the axle support assembly 30. Vertical movement of axle support ~c.cemhly 30iS trzlncl~te~l to trailing arm 18 through folw~rd bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28. Referring to FIG. 3, a bushing 29 çnc~ces bushed pins 26, 28. The limited articulation permitted between axle support assembly 30 and trailing arm 18 by the bushing 29 of forward bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28 cnchionc the vertical movement of the trailing arm 18 and controls the roll rate of the suspension by pe,...i~li-.g axle ~u~po~L
CA 02220l7l l997-lO-3l W 096/36S02 PCTrUS95/06151 ~c~çmhly 30 to make small vertical and conical displ~cçment~ relative to trailing arm 18.
SiEnifi~nt vertical displ~rem~-nt of axle support assembly 30 causes the vertical rli~p~ ement of trailing arm 18. Vertical movement of S trailing arm 18is pçrmi~te~l by the pivotal connection of the folw~rd end of trailing arm 18 at the pivot pin ~. The vertical movement of trailing arm 18is cn~hioned and restrained by air spring 24 and a shock absorber (not shown).
The axle support assembly 30 co~ ,ises a pair of side plates 32 disposed on either side of trailing arm 18, a U-shaped wrapper plate 34 10 depending from the side plates 32, a rehlro,~ g plate 36, a bolt 38 and adapter plates 39. The bolt 38 passes through the end of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 for co~ lessing the sides of the wrapper plate 34.
Each side plate 32 colll~lises a vertical plate having openings at the upper portion thereof to receive forward bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 15 28. The ro,w~rd bushed pin 26 and rear bushed pin 28 extend through trailing arm 18 and through co,les~onding openings in the pair of side plates 32 disposed on either side of trailing arm 18 to secure side plates 32 to trailing arm 18 thereby supporting the a~de support assembly 30 while pell-li~l;,,~ limited arti~ll~tion between the side plates 32 and trailing arm 18. In ~d~litif~n~ each20 side plate 32 has a U-shaped opening adapted at the lower portion thereof to receive in compliment~ry f~shion the bight portion of U-shaped wrapper plate 34. The side plate 32 thereby acts to both provide a snrf~ce to which wrapper plate 34 may be secured as by welding and also acts to rehlrolce wrapper plate 34.
Wrapper plate 34, as seen in FIG. 3,iS a saddle-shaped plate. As seen in FIG. 2, the wrapper plate 34iS a of U-shaped cross-section. The bight portion of the wrapper plate 34 iS disposed ulJw~ldly within side plates 32 and the open end of wrapper plate 34 eytentlc dowl,waldly. Wrapper plate 34iS
secured to side plates 32 by suitable means such as welding. Wrapper plate 34 30 iS shaped to snugly receive the axle 12 having a square, rect~n~ll~r or othernon-circular cross section~l configuration with a small space between the upper surface of the axle and the inside surface of the wrapper plate 34. As can be W 096/36502 PCTrUS95/06151 S
seen in FIG. 3, wrapper plate 34 has an aperture 40 in the bight portion of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 to reduce the overall weight of the aYle ~UppOl l ~c.c~mhly 30, to increase the fleYihility of the wrapper plate 34 and to providetrailing arm clearance.
Wrapper plate 34 inchldes bolts 38 eYt~on~ling through the sides of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34. When ~ccemhled, the bolts 38 are posi~ioned beneath the aYle 12 and are adapted to place the side of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 in co~ res~ion against the axle 12 when the bolts 38 are tightened.
Adapter plates 39 are incorporated to enh~nce the gripping effect of the wrapper plate 34 on the axle 12. The adapter plates 39 are fixedly ~tt~ hed to the interior surface of wrapper plate 34 at a point just below the opening in wrapper plate 34 for bolts 38. The adapter plates 39 are U-shaped in cross section with two upst~n-lin~ leg portions 31 and a bight portion 33. The adapterplates 39 are mounted such that the upper surface of the two upst~nc1ing leg portions 31 cont~ct the lower surface of the axle 12.
Axle support assembly 30 also includes a reil~orcillg plate 36 secured as by welding to side plate 32 and wrapper plate 34 for supporting and reinron;illg wrapper plate 34. A shock absorber bracket 37 is provided at the inner side plate 32 for securing a lower portion of a shock absorber (not shown)to dampen os~ tiQnc of the axle 12. Although the aYle support z~ccemhly 30 is described in the prefelled embodiment as a plurality of plates fixedly ~tt~ched to one another by suitable means such as welding, it can also be easily understood that a single axle support assembly could be formed by a casting.
Accordhlg to the invention, the wrapper plate inchlcles at least one and ~refelably two apertures 42 in the sides thereof at a position at a~ xi...~tely the vertical midpoint of the axle 12. An ~nmll~r washer 44 is welded to the axle at a vertical midpoint of the axle 12 and in register with the aperture 42. The washer 44 has a central aperture 46. Preferably, the washer 44 is welded to the axle at the aperture 46 through welds 48. The external 30 diameter of the washer 44 closely resembles the interior diameter of the aperture 42 and ~Ytçn(lc into the aperture to ~levelll relative lateral shif~ingbetween the wrapper plate 34 and the axle 12. The welding of the washer 44 to W 096/36502 PCTrUS95106151 the axle 12 at t_e midpoint of the axis and centrally with respect to the wrapper plate 34 ...;..;....,es the stresses between the wrapper plate and the axle 12 to hifting of the wrapper plate 34 with respect to the axle 12. If desirable, the apertures 42 in the wrapper plate 34 can be axially offset from one another 5 and the washers 44 can likewise be welded to the axle at axially displaced loc~tion~ with respect to each other.
In operation, the axle 12 is secured within the wrapper plate 34 by first inserting the axle 12 into the U-shaped comrle-ment~ry wrapper plate 34 and then ~ rnring the axle 12 forcibly into wrapper plate 34. Bolt 38 is 10 tightened until the wrapper plate 34 is snug against axle 12. Then, the adapter plates 39 are fixedly ~tt~-h~-cl as by welding to the interior surface of the wrapper plate 34 such that the upst~n~ling leg portions 31 cont~ct the lower surface of the axle 12. With the adapter plates 39 securely in place, the bolt 38 is further tightened to create co~ ressive forces on the axle 12.
As the bolt 38 is tightened, as shown in FIG. 2, the sides of the wrapper plates exert a first diametric co~ essive force on the complement~ry sides of the axle 12 in the direction of arrow F1. The tightening of bolt 38 also causes the depending ends of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 to bend or flex inward. This inward bending results in a slight rotation of the bottom of the 20 wrapper plate about the bottom corners of the axle 12 to introduce a holi~olllal component of movement into the bottom end of the wrapper plate 34. This inward bending of wrapper plate 34 at the ends thereof results in the application of a vertical component of force F2, on axle 12 by adapter plates 39. Thus, the holi~olllal force on the ends of the U-shaped wvrapper plate 34 is translated into 25 a second colll~ressive force F2, which is transverse to the first force F1. The t~llsvel~e colll~ression force F2 exerted by the adapter plates 39 on the axle along with the coll~lession force F1 exerted along the internal faces of wrapperplate 34 provide sufficient gripping strength for the axle support assembly 30 on the axle 12, and strengthen~ the axle against torsional stresses and bending 30 stresses.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the washer 44 is aligned with the opening 42 in the wrapper plate 34. Preferably, the wvrapper plate 34 contains two W 096/36502 PCTnUS95/06151 apertures, one on each side of the axle and further comprises two washers 44, each in register with an aperture. The washers 44 are positioned in the apertures 42 and are welded in place by plug welds 48 between the washer and the axle 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the welds 48 are po~itioned prefe,~bly in5 the central opening 46 of the washer 44. The welding of the washer 44 onto theaxle 12 should take place after the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 is completely ~tt~hed to the axle 12.
Other axle shapes such as D-shaped, hexagon, octagon, and rect~n~ r can be used in accordance with the invention by simply modifying 10 the confi~lration of the wrapper plate to conform to the cross section of the axle.
The invention uvercollles the problem of potential stress fractures at the ends of the wrapper plate and provides a simple and expedited method of ~c~çmhling a suspension system accordhlg to the invention with a ~,.i"i,ll--l" of 15 effort. The suspension system is more effective than the suspension systems of the prior art.
Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing ~ Qsllre without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. In a vehicle suspension for mounting ground-engaging wheels to a vehicle frame, the suspension system comprising at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame through substantially aligned pivot mounts; at least one wheel-carrying axle mounted to said arms through a wrapper plate having an elongated planar complementary surface wrapping at least 180° around said axle and depending opposites sides extending beyond said axle; and at least one bolt for diametrically compressing said axle by drawing said opposite sides of said wrapper plate toward each other; the improvement comprising;
an aperture in at least one side of the wrapper plate;
a washer in the aperture and welded to the axle;
the lateral dimension of the washer generally conforms to the lateral dimension of the aperture to prevent lateral shifting of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle.
an aperture in at least one side of the wrapper plate;
a washer in the aperture and welded to the axle;
the lateral dimension of the washer generally conforms to the lateral dimension of the aperture to prevent lateral shifting of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle.
2. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the aperture in the wrapper plate is circular in configuration and the washer iscircular in configuration.
3. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 2 wherein the washer is annular in configuration and the washer is welded to the axle at acentral opening in the washer.
4. A vehicle suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the aperture is positioned at an axial central portion of the wrapper plate.
5. In a method for mounting an axle support assembly on an axle for ground-engaging wheels comprising the steps of;
inserting an axle in an elongated planar complementary surface of a wrapper plate having at least one aperture;
inserting a bolt through opposite sides of said wrapper plate;
tightening said bolt until said wrapper plate makes contact with the opposite sides of the axle;
the improvement which comprises:
placing a washer in the at least one aperture in the wrapper plate, and welding the washer to the axle.
inserting an axle in an elongated planar complementary surface of a wrapper plate having at least one aperture;
inserting a bolt through opposite sides of said wrapper plate;
tightening said bolt until said wrapper plate makes contact with the opposite sides of the axle;
the improvement which comprises:
placing a washer in the at least one aperture in the wrapper plate, and welding the washer to the axle.
6. A method for mounting an axle support assembly on an axle for ground-engaging wheels according to claim 5 wherein the washer has a cross dimension approximately equal to a cross dimension of the at least one aperture to prevent lateral shifting of the wrapper plate with respect to the axle.
7. A method for mounting an axle support assembly on an axle for ground-engaging wheels according to claim 6 wherein the washer is annular in configuration and the welding step comprises placing a weld bead in a central opening of the washer.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002220171A CA2220171A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
| AU25912/95A AU2591295A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounti ng |
| PCT/US1995/006151 WO1996036502A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
| EP95920469A EP0825931A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002220171A CA2220171A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
| PCT/US1995/006151 WO1996036502A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2220171A1 true CA2220171A1 (en) | 1996-11-21 |
Family
ID=25679798
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002220171A Abandoned CA2220171A1 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0825931A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2591295A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2220171A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996036502A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2387822B (en) * | 2000-02-01 | 2004-03-24 | Bamford Excavators Ltd | Axle |
| US6406008B1 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2002-06-18 | The Boler Company | Axle clamp attachment system |
| US8136825B2 (en) | 2007-03-08 | 2012-03-20 | Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc | Tubular axle beam suspension mount |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4693486A (en) * | 1986-04-09 | 1987-09-15 | Lear Siegler, Inc. | Trailing arm suspension with wrapper compression axle mounting |
| DE4109108C2 (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1993-11-25 | Bergische Achsen Kotz Soehne | Adjustment device for air or leaf spring axes |
| DE4232779C1 (en) * | 1992-09-30 | 1994-02-17 | Bergische Achsen Kotz Soehne | Vehicle axle body having carbon@ fibre reinforced polyamide inserts - has cambering on vertical sidewalls along axle length |
| DE4232778C1 (en) * | 1992-09-30 | 1994-01-05 | Bergische Achsen Kotz Soehne | Axis integration |
-
1995
- 1995-05-16 WO PCT/US1995/006151 patent/WO1996036502A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-05-16 CA CA002220171A patent/CA2220171A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-05-16 EP EP95920469A patent/EP0825931A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-05-16 AU AU25912/95A patent/AU2591295A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996036502A1 (en) | 1996-11-21 |
| AU2591295A (en) | 1996-11-29 |
| EP0825931A1 (en) | 1998-03-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |