Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G7/00—Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof
  • B60G7/001—Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
  • B60G11/26—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs
  • B60G11/28—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
  • B60G11/32—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having springs of different kinds
  • B60G11/48—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having springs of different kinds not including leaf springs
  • B60G11/64—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having springs of different kinds not including leaf springs having both torsion-bar springs and fluid springs
• • 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
  • 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
  • B60G21/055—Stabiliser bars
  • B60G21/0551—Mounting means therefor
• • 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
• • 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
  • B60G2200/314—Rigid axle suspensions with longitudinally arranged arms articulated on 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
  • B60G2200/422—Driving wheels or live axles
• • 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
  • B60G2200/4622—Alignment adjustment
• • 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
  • B60G2200/466—Damping acceleration or deceleration torque on wheel axle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
  • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
  • B60G2202/13—Torsion spring
  • B60G2202/135—Stabiliser bar and/or tube
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
  • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
  • B60G2202/13—Torsion spring
  • B60G2202/136—Twist-beam type arrangement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
  • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
  • B60G2202/13—Torsion spring
  • B60G2202/136—Twist-beam type arrangement
  • B60G2202/1362—Twist-beam type arrangement including a second torsional element, e.g. second beam, stabiliser bar or tube
• • 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
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/122—Mounting of torsion springs
  • B60G2204/1222—Middle mounts of stabiliser on vehicle body or chassis
• • 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
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/122—Mounting of torsion springs
  • B60G2204/1224—End mounts of stabiliser on wheel suspension
• • 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
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/122—Mounting of torsion springs
  • B60G2204/1226—Mounting of torsion springs on the trailing arms of a twist beam type arrangement
• • 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
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/126—Mounting of pneumatic springs
• • 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
  • B60G2204/43—Fittings, brackets or knuckles
• • 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
  • B60G2204/4302—Fittings, brackets or knuckles for fixing suspension arm on the vehicle body or chassis
• • 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
• • 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
  • B60G2204/4307—Bracket or knuckle for torsional springs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/10—Constructional features of arms
  • B60G2206/11—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link
  • B60G2206/111—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link of adjustable length
  • B60G2206/1112—Manually, for alignment purposes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/10—Constructional features of arms
  • B60G2206/121—Constructional features of arms the arm having an H or X-shape
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/20—Constructional features of semi-rigid axles, e.g. twist beam type axles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/60—Subframe construction
  • B60G2206/601—Hanger bracket

Definitions

• the invention concerns a rear suspension for a motorized vehicle , in particular industrial vehicles of the heavy goods lorry type .
• a suspension is generally the mechanical member which provides the link between a vehicle chassis and an axle system (motorized axle or non-motorized axle) .
• This disposition is extremely useful in at least two cases . Specifically, it allows a tractor vehicle to hitch trailers or semi-trailers whose hitching members are at different heights and also, in the case of a vehicle intended to load a container, it allows the height of the chassis to be adjusted according to the height at which the container is positioned .
• a suspension In addition to the possibility of adjusting its vertical clearance , a suspension must of course satisfy the usual requirements , that is to say allow the wheels connected to the suspension to perfectly follow the profile of the ground in order to ensure constant adhesion, and filter out the vibrations and oscillations of which the wheels are the seat in order to protect the mechanical elements and the merchandise transported.
• a specific problem that must be mentioned concerning vehicles fitted with a pneumatic suspension is that , when a vertical movement of the chassis is required along the Z axis obtained by changing the pneumatic pressure of the air cushions, this movement may induce a translation of the chassis along the X axis .
• One obj ect of the invention is to propose a rigid suspension.
• a further obj ect of the invention is to propose suspension for a motorized vehicle that can be used to adjust the vertical height of a chassis without inducing substantial longitudinal movement of the chassis and without inducing transverse movement of the chassis .
• a further obj ect of the invention is to propose a suspension offering high quality transverse guidance .
• a further obj ect of the invention is to propose a suspension that can be easily programmed according to the purpose of the vehicle to which it is fitted.
• a further obj ect of the invention is to propose a suspension having compact dimensions .
• a further obj ect of the invention is to propose a suspension that can be installed in place of an existing suspension.
• the present invention concerns essentially a suspension for a motorized industrial vehicle that may be interposed between a chassis of the vehicle and an axle system of the vehicle .
• the suspension comprises two parallel longitudinal arms having each a first end and a second end. Each arm supports at its first end, a connection member that can provide a link with the chassis , and at its second end, an elastic element of adjustable height that can be connected to the chassis .
• the suspension also comprises means of receiving and of securing the axle system on the parallel arms .
• the two arms are rigidly connected by a transverse beam thus forming an H-shaped element with the latter .
• Each end of the beam is embedded in one of the arms between the means of securing an axle system and the connection member .
• the suspension also comprises absorbing means which absorb the traction and/or braking forces received by the axle system.
• the absorbing means extend between the axle system and the chassis , at least substantially in a parallel to the arms .
• the essential feature of the invention lies in the fact that an H- shaped element constitutes the basis of the suspension upon which suspension components can be grafted .
• the means of absorbing the traction and/or braking forces can comprise a U-shaped stabilizer bar comprising a transverse portion and two longitudinal branches .
• Each of the longitudinal branches can be connected to the axle system, while the transverse portion can be connected to the chassis by two supports .
• the presence of a stabilizer bar means that the suspension, in this embodiment , is rather intended for a vehicle of substantial tonnage .
• the stabilizer bar extends between the axle system and the chassis .
• the stabilizer bar can advantageously be connected onto the axle system by two U sections capable of being secured onto the axle system. Each of the two U sections can pivotally attach the free end of the longitudinal branches of the stabilizer bar .
• the transverse portion of the stabilizer bar can be attached, at least pivotally, onto the chassis by two supports , in the vicinity of the connection brackets .
• the means of absorbing the traction and/or braking forces can comprise two connecting rods each linking the axle system to the chassis .
• the vehicle fitted with a suspension according to this configuration would rather be a vehicle of low tonnage , for example between 7.5 tonnes and 11 tonnes per axle .
• each of the connecting rods can be provided with, at one of their ends , an attachment flange pivotally connectable to the axle system and with, at their second end, a flange pivotally connectable to the chassis in the vicinity of the connection bracket .
• the transverse beam can be connected to each of the arms via an embedding connection.
• the embedding could be of the ribbed, keyed or shrink-fit type .
• the adjustable-height elastic elements can be two air cushions formed by an elastic envelope containing a fluid whose pressure can be regulated.
• the transverse beam is suitably made of spring steel .
• the transverse beam is suitably provided with a local recess . This may be extremely useful for allowing a transmission shaft to pass through, for example .
• the arms and the transverse beam could also be made of a single piece .
• the basis of the invention is therefore an H-shaped element that has great rigidity.
• this H-shaped element which provides a great rigidity to twisting and bending, components according to several embodiments are grafted .
• transverse beam contributes considerably to the general rigidity of the suspension and a change of this beam (different material , different dimension) may be used to greatly modulate the mechanical properties of the suspension to suit an application or a specific usage of the vehicle for which the suspension is intended .
• the suspension has a geometry which approximates a parallelogram whose bottom side would be an arm and the top side would be a branch of the stabilizer bar or a guide connecting rod.
• This geometry has the advantage that , when the height of the chassis relative to the ground is changed, the movement of the chassis in relation to the axle takes place along a virtually vertical component .
• Figure 1 represents in perspective a first embodiment of the invention .
• Figure 2 represents in perspective a second embodiment of the invention .
• Figure 3 shows the suspension according to the first embodiment attached to a vehicle chassis .
• the suspension in all its embodiments comprises two parallel arms 2 each having a first end 2a and a second end 2b .
• the arms 2 which for example can be made of steel or forged aluminium, are particularly bulky and have a considerable inertia .
• the two arms 2 are connected by a transverse beam 3. At each of its ends , the beam 3 is suitably engaged in an opening 4 for example circular made in each of the arms 2.
• connections of the transverse beam 3 relative to the two arms 2 are connections of the embedding type , that is to say connections that allow no degree of freedom.
• These embedding links may be achieved in different ways , for example by the use of keys or ribbings . It is also possible to weld the two ends of the transverse 3 beam to each one of the arms 2.
• the basic body of the suspension is an H-shaped element consisting of the two arms 2 and the transverse beam 3.
• connection bracket 6 can receive , at one of its ends 2a, a connection bracket 6 to a chassis .
• the connection bracket 6 is , in the examples shown, a casting which, at one of its ends , can have a yoke 7 whose two arms have a bore for a shaft 8 to pass through. This yoke 7 is used to connect the connection bracket 6 to the end of each suspension arm 2.
• a transverse hole is in fact provided in the first end 2a of each arm 2.
• the connection between the connection bracket 6 and the suspension arm 2 can be achieved by engaging a shaft 8 in the bores provided in the yoke 7 and in the hole provided at the end of each arm 2.
• the hole made at the end of each of the arms can be fitted with a rubber bushing which gives certain rigidity to the connection.
• connection between each of the suspension arms 2 and the connection bracket 6 to the chassis can be considered as a ball and socket joint .
• connection brackets 6 to the chassis also has holes 9 by which it is possible to attach them for example with pins or with bolts to each of the side rails 10 of a vehicle chassis , as is shown in Figure 3.
• each of the arms 2 supports a suspension cushion 12.
• This suspension cushion 12 is of a well known type consisting of an elastic envelope which encloses pressurized air .
• These two cushions 12 are suitably connected to the pressurized air circuit of the vehicle .
• each of these cushions 12 can be fitted with a L shaped section having one branch connected to the cushion 12 and a second perpendicular branch used for an attachment to the two side rails 10 of the chassis .
• the arms 2 can be hook-shaped at their second end 2b which allows each of the suspension cushions 12 to be vertically aligned with the side rails 10 forming the chassis , thus participating to a general compactness of the suspension.
• each of the arms 2 can have a pad 14 in which an eye is made which receives the bottom end of a shock absorber 15.
• the top end of this shock absorber 15 is attached to a side rail 10 of the chassis . Note that the shock absorber 15 is attached to the outer face of the side rail thus contributing to a large overall compactness of the suspension .
• each of the arms 2 can be provided with a hole accepting a flange 16 having two branches with a bore .
• the flange 16 is attached, in the embodiment shown, by a bolt 17 engaged in each of the branches of the flange 16.
• this flange 16 four apertures are made which receive two U-shaped clamps 18. The axle therefore comes between the clamps 18 and the flange 16 , the attachment of the axle being made by nuts which tighten the clamps 18 against the flange 16.
• the transverse beam 3 can be suitably provided with a local recess 22.
• the recess 3 can be obtained by machining and is thus carved in the transverse beam 3.
• the transverse beam 3 can also be shaped, for example by forging, to include a recess 22 which may be useful to avoid a conflict between the transverse beam 3 and a mechanical component .
• a substantially U-shaped stabilizer bar 19 is provided .
• the stabilizer bar 19 can have two branches 20 oriented longitudinally relative to the suspension connected by a transverse portion 21.
• two U sections 23 can be provided, bolted to the axle, which each receive the free end of the longitudinal branches 20 of the stabilizer bar 19 allowing a pivot connection between the stabilizer bar 19 and the axle .
• the stabilizer bar 19 is moreover attached to each of the side rails 10 of the chassis by supports 25. In another embodiment , the stabilizer bar 19 could be coupled directly onto the connection brackets 6.
• these supports 25 are in the shape of an L, one of whose branches is used for bolting onto each of the side rails 10 and the other branch is coupled to a bored portion .
• This bored portion can receive a rubber bushing which provides a sliding pivot connection with the stabilizer bar 19 , this sliding pivot connection is nevertheless stiffened by the presence of the rubber bushing .
• each connecting rod 27 For the attachment of these connecting rods 27 , provision can be made at one of their ends for an attachment flange 29 connected to the axle and at their second end a flange 28 for attachment to each of the side rails 10 in the vicinity of the connection bracket 6.
• Each flange 28 provides a pivot j oint between each of the connecting rods 27 and the axle and each flange 29 provides a pivot joint between each of the connecting rods 27 and each of the side rails 10.
• this suspension behaves like a virtual parallelogram whose bottom side would be the arm 2 and the top side would be either the longitudinal branch 20 of the stabilizer bar 19 or a connecting rod 27.
• the transverse beam is situated in a position fairly close to the articulation of the arms relative to the connection bracket to the chassis means that the portion of the suspension adj acent to the members for connection to the chassis makes it possible to totally clear the space situated below the suspension cushions . This allows the use of extremely high cushions and so contributes to providing a suspension having a particularly great clearance .
• the suspension according to the invention may, furthermore , be easily adapted to different vehicles by varying the mechanical features or dimension of the transverse beam.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34960339

Family Applications (1)

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• 2004
  • 2004-12-21 WO PCT/IB2004/004381 patent/WO2006067551A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2004-12-21 EP EP04806540A patent/EP1831038A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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