GB2098142A

GB2098142A - Vehicle suspension

Info

Publication number: GB2098142A
Application number: GB8114185A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BL Technology Ltd
Current assignee: BL Technology Ltd
Priority date: 1981-05-08
Filing date: 1981-05-08
Publication date: 1982-11-17

Abstract

A vehicle wheel 1 (seen in a plan view) is connected to the vehicle body by means of a cantilever leaf spring 4 and an upright telescopic damper (not shown). The spring 4 is approximately triangular and connects to the vehicle body at its wider end. Because of this, the spring locates the wheel against movement in a fore-and-aft as well as in a lateral direction, in addition to performing a function as a springing unit. The leaf spring may be of carbon fibre, glass composite material or steel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle suspension This invention relates to vehicle suspensions.

The invention provides an independent suspension for a non-steerable wheel of a vehicle, wherein the hub and vehicle structure are connected by means of a telescopic strut and cantilever spring, and wherein the cantilever spring locates the hub against movement in directions parallel to and laterally with respect to, the centre-line of the vehicle.

The use of a cantilever spring as combined springing unit and linkage permits a reduction in the number of working parts.

Advantageously, the cantilever spring is a leaf spring. The width preferably increases along its length from the hub to the vehicle structure end. The thickness preferably also increases along the length of the spring from the hub to the vehicle structure end. The spring may be of steel, carbon fibre or glass composite material.

The suspension is for non steerable wheels, front or rear, with or without driven axles.

A vehicle having an independent suspension for a rear wheel constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of the suspension; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the suspension of Figure 1 seen from the side of the vehicle on a reduced scale compared to Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a vertical section of the suspension of Figure 1 seen from the rear of the vehicle on a reduced scale compared to Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a vehicle wheel 1 is mounted on a hub 2, which is connected to the vehicle body by means of a telescopic damper 3 and a leaf spring 4.

At the hub, the hub has an axial projection 5 which forms a journal bearing for one end of the leaf spring. The leaf spring has a ring-like portion 7 formed integrally with the spring which fits over the projection 5 with a non resilient bearing such as a needle roller type 9 interposed therebetween. The hub has also an upward projection 10 the end of which forms a cup which receives the lower end of the telescopic damper 3. The use of a non-resilient bearing reduces camber changes due to lateral forces.

The upper end of the damper 3 is fixed to the vehicle body. The leaf spring attaches to the body just in front of the petrol tank 11 below the floor 1 1a of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the leaf spring gradually becomes wider from the hub end to the body end. The leaf spring also becomes thicker in the same direction. Because the leaf spring is 'triangular', it locates the hub and thus the wheel against fore-and-aft and lateral movement. Accordingly, the leaf spring performs the function of a linkage for locating the hub as well as the function of a springing unit.

The leaf spring is made of carbon fibre, glass composite material or steel.

Although the suspension described is for a rear non-driven wheel, it could be for a rear driven wheel, or any other wheel system driven or non-driven, but not steerable.

1. An independent suspension for a non steerable wheel of a vehicle, wherein the hub and vehicle structure are connected by means of a telescopic strut and cantilever spring, and wherein the cantilever spring locates the hub against movement in directions parallel to, and laterally with respect to, the centre-line of the vehicle.

2. An independent suspension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cantilever spring is a leaf spring.

3. An independent suspension as claimed in claim 2, wherein the width of the spring increases along its length from the hub end to the vehicle structure end.

4. An independent suspension as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the thickness of the spring increases along its length from the hub to the vehicle structure.

5. An independent suspension as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cantilever spring is made of carbon fibre, glass composites or steel.

6. An independent suspension substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A vehicle which includes an independent suspension as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vehicle suspension This invention relates to vehicle suspensions. The invention provides an independent suspension for a non-steerable wheel of a vehicle, wherein the hub and vehicle structure are connected by means of a telescopic strut and cantilever spring, and wherein the cantilever spring locates the hub against movement in directions parallel to and laterally with respect to, the centre-line of the vehicle. The use of a cantilever spring as combined springing unit and linkage permits a reduction in the number of working parts. Advantageously, the cantilever spring is a leaf spring. The width preferably increases along its length from the hub to the vehicle structure end. The thickness preferably also increases along the length of the spring from the hub to the vehicle structure end. The spring may be of steel, carbon fibre or glass composite material. The suspension is for non steerable wheels, front or rear, with or without driven axles. A vehicle having an independent suspension for a rear wheel constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of the suspension; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the suspension of Figure 1 seen from the side of the vehicle on a reduced scale compared to Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a vertical section of the suspension of Figure 1 seen from the rear of the vehicle on a reduced scale compared to Figure 1. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a vehicle wheel 1 is mounted on a hub 2, which is connected to the vehicle body by means of a telescopic damper 3 and a leaf spring 4. At the hub, the hub has an axial projection 5 which forms a journal bearing for one end of the leaf spring. The leaf spring has a ring-like portion 7 formed integrally with the spring which fits over the projection 5 with a non resilient bearing such as a needle roller type 9 interposed therebetween. The hub has also an upward projection 10 the end of which forms a cup which receives the lower end of the telescopic damper 3. The use of a non-resilient bearing reduces camber changes due to lateral forces. The upper end of the damper 3 is fixed to the vehicle body. The leaf spring attaches to the body just in front of the petrol tank 11 below the floor 1 1a of the vehicle. Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the leaf spring gradually becomes wider from the hub end to the body end. The leaf spring also becomes thicker in the same direction. Because the leaf spring is 'triangular', it locates the hub and thus the wheel against fore-and-aft and lateral movement. Accordingly, the leaf spring performs the function of a linkage for locating the hub as well as the function of a springing unit. The leaf spring is made of carbon fibre, glass composite material or steel. Although the suspension described is for a rear non-driven wheel, it could be for a rear driven wheel, or any other wheel system driven or non-driven, but not steerable. CLAIMS