GB1581990A

GB1581990A - Suspension for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB1581990A
Application number: GB18915/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Boomerang Engineering 1971 Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Boomerang Engineering 1971 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1974-07-10
Filing date: 1978-05-11
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: FR2277691A1; JPS5131414A; AU475680B2; JPS5819482B2; FR2277691B3; SE7507686L; DE2530893C2; AU7106974A; DE2530893A1

Description

(54) IMPROVED SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES (71) We, BOOMERANG ENGINEERING (1971) PIY. LTD., a Company incorporated in the State of Western Australia, of 1416 Wheeler Street, Belmont, in the State of Western Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by:which it is to be performed, to be particularly de scribed in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an improved suspension for vehicles.

The present invention may provide a suspension for multi-axed vehicles which is relatively simple in construction, requires a minimum - of maintenance, reduces the tare weight of the vehicle and which does not involve the use of springs.

According to the invention we provide a suspension for multi-axled vehicles comprising a plurality of arms, each arm be ing pivotally mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the-chassis, each arm having an axle mounted thereon at a position apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm; a plurality of first guide members mounted in spaced positions on the chassis adjacent said arms, one guide member being associated with each arm; a plurality of second guide members one being mounted on each arm in longitudinal spaced relationship with the corresponding first guide member and each second guide member being spaced apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm on which it is mounted; a cable, or chain, or like flexible member,.attached to the chassis at each end of the plurality of spaced arms and engaged by. the guide members therebetween such that it passes over one guide member and under the other guide member of each axle mounting whereby the upward pivoting of each arm is controlled by the flexible member and the load on the chassis is distributed substantially equally to each axle irrespective of the position of the arm on which it is mounted.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of the specific embodiments shown in the ac companying drawings wherein: - Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing one side of the rear end of a vehicle provided with a suspension in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating the rocker arm of the embodi melt of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a rocker arm of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation showing one side of the rear end of - a vehicle provided with a suspension accord- ing to a second embodiment.

As shown in'Figs. 1 and 2 of the draw- ings each axle 11 of a multi-axled vehicle is mounted on a pair of rocker arms 12, each of which is pivotally mounted on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal pivot 13 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

Wheels 14 are mounted on each end of each axle in the normal manner. A first pulley 15 is pivotally mounted on the chassis for rotation about the pivot 13 whilst a second pulley 16 is pivotally moun- ted on the arm 12 for rotation in substantially the same plane as the first pulley 15 and spaced therefrom. One end of a heavy wire cable 17 is anchored to the rear end of the chassis whilst the other end is alsd anchored t6 the chassis forward 6f the forwardmost arm 12, the cable passing over the second pulley 16 and under the first pulley 15. Preferably the suspension on one side on the'chassis is independent of the suspension on the other side of the chassis.

It will be evident that the second pulley 16 on each arm can move between pos.i- tions above and below the median position which is the position when at rest but it will be appreciated that not all the second pulleys will be in the uppermost or lowermost positions at the same time. Some will be in an uppermost position above the median position and some will be in a lowermost position below the median posi tioh so that the suspension will automatically adjust itself to the rise and fall of the surface over which the wheels of the vehicle are travelling.

The embodiment of Fig. 5 comprises an axle 111 mounted on a pair of rocker arms 112 each of which is pivotally mounted on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal pivot 113 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

Wheels 114 are mounted on each end of each axle in the normal manner. A first pulley 115 is pivotally mounted on the chassis for rotation about the pivot 113 whilst a second pulley 116 is pivotally mounted on the arm 112 for rotation in substantially the same plane as the first pulley 115 and spaced therefrom. One end of a heavy wire cable 117 is anchored to the rear end of the chassis whilst the other end is Mso anchored to the chassis forward of forwardmost arm 112, the cable passing under the second pulley 116 and over the first pulley 115. The length of the cable is such that in the median rest position it is as straight as possible and under slight tension.

It is preferable that the rocker arm be mounted upon the pivot point by resilient mountings. Where each side of the chassis has independent suspension there is some twisting action placed upon the arms as the two wheels mounted upon the same axle take on differing attitudes which cause the axle to be placed at an angle and as a result of this action the horizontal distance between the vertical plane of each end of the axle is shortened so placing some twisting action upon the rocker arms.

Resilient mountings at the pivot point permit the twisting action to take place without exerting stress on the rocker arms.

If desired a suitable shock absorbing device either in the form of a hydraulic cylinder or a spring may be interposed between one end of the cable and the chassis. Also a device such as a screw thread or a hydraulic cylinder may be interposed between one end of the cable and the chassis of the vehicle for increasing or decreasing the length of the cable so that the height of the chassis above the surface can be decreased and increased as required.

In an -alternative arrangement the wire cable may be replaced by a flexible metal band or by a chain in which case the pulleys would be replaced by sprockets.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A suspension for multi-axled vehicles comprising a plurality of arms, each arm being pivotally mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the chassis, each arm having an axle mounted thereon at a position apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm; a plurality of first guide members mounted in spaced positions on the chassis adjacent said arms, one guide member being associated with each arm; a plurality of second guide members .one being mounted on each arm in longitudinal spaced relationship with the corresponding first guide member and each second guide member being spaced apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm on which it is mounted; a cable, or chain, or like flexible member, attached to the chassis at each end of the plurality of spaced arms and engaged by the guide members therebetween such that it passes over one guide member and under the other guide member of each ~axle mounting whereby the upward pivoting of each arm is controlled by the flexible member and the load on the chassis is distributed suS stantially equally to each axle irrespective of the position of the arm on which it is mounted.

2. A suspension as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first -guide member is a pulley rotatably mounted on the pivot point of the arm and the second guide member is a pulley rotatably mounted on the arm.

3. A suspension as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the arm is mounted on the pivot point at its centre and has the second guide member mounted at one end and the axle mounted at the other.

4. A suspension as claimed in claim 3 wherein the arm is substantially V shaped 5. A suspension as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arm is mounted resiliently upon the pivot point.

6. A suspension as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a re, silient shock absorbing means is interposed between an end of the flexible member and the chassis.

7. A suspension as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means capable of selective longitudinal extension is interposed between an end of the flexible member and the chassis in order that the length of the flexible member may be lengthened or shortened to lower or raise the height of the chassis above ground level as desired.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. will be appreciated that not all the second pulleys will be in the uppermost or lowermost positions at the same time. Some will be in an uppermost position above the median position and some will be in a lowermost position below the median posi tioh so that the suspension will automatically adjust itself to the rise and fall of the surface over which the wheels of the vehicle are travelling. The embodiment of Fig. 5 comprises an axle 111 mounted on a pair of rocker arms 112 each of which is pivotally mounted on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal pivot 113 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. Wheels 114 are mounted on each end of each axle in the normal manner. A first pulley 115 is pivotally mounted on the chassis for rotation about the pivot 113 whilst a second pulley 116 is pivotally mounted on the arm 112 for rotation in substantially the same plane as the first pulley 115 and spaced therefrom. One end of a heavy wire cable 117 is anchored to the rear end of the chassis whilst the other end is Mso anchored to the chassis forward of forwardmost arm 112, the cable passing under the second pulley 116 and over the first pulley 115. The length of the cable is such that in the median rest position it is as straight as possible and under slight tension. It is preferable that the rocker arm be mounted upon the pivot point by resilient mountings. Where each side of the chassis has independent suspension there is some twisting action placed upon the arms as the two wheels mounted upon the same axle take on differing attitudes which cause the axle to be placed at an angle and as a result of this action the horizontal distance between the vertical plane of each end of the axle is shortened so placing some twisting action upon the rocker arms. Resilient mountings at the pivot point permit the twisting action to take place without exerting stress on the rocker arms. If desired a suitable shock absorbing device either in the form of a hydraulic cylinder or a spring may be interposed between one end of the cable and the chassis. Also a device such as a screw thread or a hydraulic cylinder may be interposed between one end of the cable and the chassis of the vehicle for increasing or decreasing the length of the cable so that the height of the chassis above the surface can be decreased and increased as required. In an -alternative arrangement the wire cable may be replaced by a flexible metal band or by a chain in which case the pulleys would be replaced by sprockets. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. A suspension for multi-axled vehicles comprising a plurality of arms, each arm being pivotally mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on the chassis of the vehicle for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the chassis, each arm having an axle mounted thereon at a position apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm; a plurality of first guide members mounted in spaced positions on the chassis adjacent said arms, one guide member being associated with each arm; a plurality of second guide members .one being mounted on each arm in longitudinal spaced relationship with the corresponding first guide member and each second guide member being spaced apart from the pivotal mounting of the arm on which it is mounted; a cable, or chain, or like flexible member, attached to the chassis at each end of the plurality of spaced arms and engaged by the guide members therebetween such that it passes over one guide member and under the other guide member of each ~axle mounting whereby the upward pivoting of each arm is controlled by the flexible member and the load on the chassis is distributed suS stantially equally to each axle irrespective of the position of the arm on which it is mounted.

4. A suspension as claimed in claim 3 wherein the arm is substantially V shaped

5. A suspension as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arm is mounted resiliently upon the pivot point.

8. A suspension for multi-axled vehicles

substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

9. A suspension for multi-axled vehicles substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5.