GB2463042A

GB2463042A - Stabilizer arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2463042A
Application number: GB0815702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthijs Klomp
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2008-08-29
Filing date: 2008-08-29
Publication date: 2010-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-29
Also published as: GB2463042B; GB0815702D0

Abstract

The present invention comprises a stabilizer arrangement for an independent wheel suspension system (1) of an automotive vehicle comprising a stabilizer bar (14) having an elongated central segment (15) and an arm segment (16) at each end portion of the central segment that is secured to a suspension system component (6); at least one fastening link (17) adapted to movably fasten the central segment (15) on the vehicle body; wherein the stabilizer arrangement is deformable substantially along an elongation direction of the central segment. (15) such that it can take up lateral movements of at least one of the suspension system components (6) secured to the arm segments (16).

Description

STABILI ZER AP.RMGENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to independent wheel suspension systems for motor vehicles and more particularly relates to a stabilizer arrangement for an independent wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. It further relates to the independent wheel suspension system comprising the stabilizer arrangement.

BACKGROUND ART

Modern motor vehicles are commonly equipped with independent wheel suspension systems for absorbing road shocks and other vibrations in order to provide a smooth and comfortable ride for vehicle occupants. An independently suspended wheel is able to move in one or more directions without affecting the movement of any other wheel. Contrary thereto, a "rigid" suspension does not permit any relative lateral or rotational movement between the wheels on the same axle.

In order to prevent excessive body roll in road vehicles when making a turn, particularly at higher speeds, it is common practice to use a stabilizer bar that connects the two sides of a same axle to thereby increase the roll stiffness and to improve the stability of the vehicle.

Typically, the stabilizer bar is a rod-shaped member having an elongated central segment oriented to extend laterally across the vehicle and an arm segment oriented to extend longitudinally along the vehicle at each end of the central segment to form a generally U-shaped configuration.

Conventionally, each arm segment is coupled to an independent wheel suspension member such as control arm or wheel carrier that is swingably or movably connected to the side of the vehicle body.

When such vehicle is subjected to lateral rolling forces, for instance when making a turn, the arm segments pivot in opposite directions with regard to the longitudinal axis of the central segment (i.e. lateral direction of the vehicle).

In that case, since the central segment is provided with torsional stiffness, torsional reaction forces are generated by the central segment which act through both arm segments to thereby urge the independent wheel suspension control arms or wheel carriers towards their normal position.

In a typical stabilizer bar configuration, the central segment is supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis by one or more mounting brackets that are fixed to the vehicle body. Otherwise, the distal end of each arm segment is coupled to an independent wheel suspension control arm or wheel carrier using an end link that accomodates the relative movement between the stabilizer bar and the suspension member to which it is attached and which is caused by the suspension travelling through its range of motion.

In such independent wheel suspension systems, in order to enhance mountability of the stabilizer bar, it is common practice to use pendulum-type end links extending substantially vertically in a normal ground position of the motor vehicle between the distal end of each arm segment and the independent wheel suspension control arm or wheel carrier. Such pendulum-type end links swingably connect the stabilizer bar to the control arm or wheel carrier and, therefore, always require free space for their movement that, however, in some independent wheel suspension systems may be lacking.

In order to overcome such a drawback, according to the present invention, a stabilizer arrangement for usage with an independent wheel suspension system of a motor vehicle is disclosed.

SU4ARY OF THE INVENTION In light of the above, according to the present invention, a stabilizer arrangement for an independent wheel suspension system of a motor vehicle is disclosed.

The independent wheel suspension system includes two independent wheel suspensions for independently suspending the wheels of a same vehicle axle. The stabilizer arrangement comprises a stabilizer bar for connection of the two sides of the vehicle axis. More specifically, the stabilizer bar includes a central segment and an arm segment at each end portion thereof.

The central segment ("torsion segment") has torsional stiffness and is oriented to extend along an elongation direction that preferrably substantially is a lateral direction across the vehicle (i.e. perpendicular to a normal driving direction of the vehicle as seen in a horizontal plane) . Each arm segment ("torque segment") is adapted for exerting torsional moments on the central segment and preferrably is oriented to substantially extend along a longitudinal direction (i.e. normal driving direction) of the vehicle.

Furtermore, the stabilizer arrangement of the present invention comprises at least one ("pendulum-type") fastening link adapted to rotatably (particularly swingably) fasten the central segment of the stabilizer bar to the vehicle body for instance by means of a hinge joint, ball joint or resilient bushing. This fastening link should allow the entire stabilizer bar to freely move in the "longitudinal" direction (i.e. circumferential direction as given by its bearing) but prevent any lateral movement thereof. The central segment is supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis in order to allow for torsional movements thereof.

In the stabilizer arrangement of the present invention, each arm segment of the stabilizer bar is coupled to a wheel suspension system component such as control arm or wheel carrier of the independent wheel suspension that is located at the arm segment's side.

According to the present invention, the stabilizer arrangement is provided with means enabling (elastic or non-elastic) deformation of the stabilizer arrangement, such that the stabilizer arrangement is deformable substantially along an elongation direction of the central segment so that it can take up lateral movements of one or both of the suspension system components that are secured to the arm segments.

According to the present invention, a stabilizer arrangement including a pendulum-type vehicle body fixed stabilizer bar may advantageously be used within an independent wheel suspension system of a motor vehicle.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the stabilizer arrangement comprises at least one first interconnection member that is provided in between one or both of the arm segments and the central segment. The first interconnection member is adapted for resiliently interconnecting the arm segment and the central segment.

To this aim, the first interconnection member is provided with resilience substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment such that it can take up lateral movements of the suspension system component that is secured to the arm segment when the independent wheel suspension is travelling through its range of motion.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the stabilizer arrangement comprises at least one second interconnection member that is provided in between one or both of the arm segments and the central segment. The second interconnection member is adapted for rotatably (particularly swingably) connecting the arm segment to the central segment such that the arm segment can take up lateral movements (i.e. movements along a lateral direction of the vehicle) of the suspension system component it is secured with.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, that may be combined with the first embodiment and/or second embodiment, the stabilizer bar is provided with resilience substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment such that it can take up lateral movements of one or both of the independent wheel suspension system components the arm segments are secured to when the independent wheel suspensions are travelling through their ranges of motion.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, that may be combined with the first embodiment and/or the second embodiment and/or the third embodiment,the stabilizer arrangement comprises at least one third interconnection member provided for securing the arm segment to the wheel suspension system member. The second interconnection member is provided with resilience substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment such that it can take up lateral movements of the suspension system component secured to the arm segment when the independent wheel suspension is travelling through its range of motion.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following

description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and

constitute a part of the specification, illustrate

embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an independent wheel suspension system according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of an independent wheel suspension system according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings where like designations denote like or similar elements.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 depicting a perspective schematic view of an independent wheel suspension system according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

Accordingly, an exemplary independent wheel suspension system, in total denoted with reference numeral 1, comprises two independent wheel suspensions, in total denoted with reference numerals 2 and 3, for independently suspending the wheels of a same axle of the vehicle.

Each independent wheel suspension 2, 3 comprises a wheel carrier 4 and a brake unit 5 that are swingably (rotatably) connected by two lower control arms, front lower control arm (not shown in the figures) and back lower control arm 6, and an upper control arm 7 to the vehicle body by a subframe 10.

More particularly, lower and upper control arms 6, 7, both of which are oriented to substantially extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle,are secured by bearings 9, 8 such as hinge joints, ball joints or resilient bushings to a sub frame 10 attached to the vehicle body, and, on their opposite sides are secured by bearings 11, 12 such as hinge joints, ball joints or resilient bushings to the wheel carrier 4. Furthermore, a resilient blade-type control arm is fixed to each wheel carrier. This blade extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (forward direction of the vehicle), is fixed to the body by means of a resilient bushing and substantially controls the longitudinal and vertical movement of the wheel.

A helical spring 12 is placed on each of the lower control arms 6 and a damper 13 is secured to each of the wheel carriers 4 in order to dampen the in-ward wheel carrier movement and to absorb road shocks and other vibrations.

The wheel suspension system further comprises a stabilizer arrangement for connection of independent wheel suspensions 2, 3 (i.e. connection of both sides of the vehicle's axle) that comprises a stabilizer bar, in total denoted with reference numeral 14, including a central segment 15 and arm segments 16 provided at each end portion of the central segment 15. The central segment 15 is oriented to substantially extend along a lateral direction of the vehicle and both arm segments 16 are oriented to substantially extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The central segment 15 has torsional stiffness and is adapted for exerting torsional moments on the arm segments 16. It is secured to the subframe 10 by means of two pendulum-type fastening links 17 that rotatably (swingably) fasten the central segment 15 to the subframe by means of bearings 19 such as hinge joints, ball joints or resilient bushings with the central segment 15 being fastened by mounting clamps 18 enabling free rotation of the central segment around its longitudinal axis. The fastening links 17 allow the entire stabilizer bar 14 to freely move along a circumferential direction as given by bearings 19 but prevent any lateral movement thereof. The central segment is supported for rotation about its own longitudinal axis in order to allow for torsional movements thereof.

Each arm segment 16 of the stabilizer bar 14 is attached to the wheel carrier 4 of the independent wheel suspension by means of bearing 20 such as a hinge joint, ball joint or resilient bushing enabling rotational movement of the arm segment 16 connected to end link 21 that is immediately attached to the wheel carrier 4.

The stabilizer arrangement of Fig. 1 further comprises resilient bearings 22 that are provided in between each of the arm segments 16 and the central segment 15. The bearings 22 resiliently interconnect the arm segments 16 and the central segment 15 having resilience substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment 15. Each of the bearings 22 thus is able to take up lateral movements of the independent wheel suspension (i.e. wheel carrier) that is secured to the corresponding arm segment 16.

In the stabilizer arrangement of Fig. 1, bearings 20 for attaching of the arm segments 16 to the wheel carriers 4 preferrably are also provided with resilience substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment 15 for example by means of resilient bushhings such that they can take up lateral movements of the indepedent wheel suspensions 2, 3 when travelling through their ranges of motion.

In the stabilizer arrangement of Fig. 1, stabilizer bar 14 preferrably is made resilient substantially along the elongation direction of the central segment 15 such that it can take up lateral movements of the indepedent wheel suspensions 2, 3 when travelling through their ranges of motion.

Hence, providing resilient bearings 22, 20 and resilient stabilizer bar 14, lateral movements of indepedent wheel suspensions 2, 3 when travelling through their ranges of motion advantageously can be taken up.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 depicting a perspective schematic view of an independent wheel suspension system according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, with regard to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, only differences with respect to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Otherwise, reference is made to the description made in connection with FIG. 1.

Accordingly, the stabilizer arrangement of Fig. 2 comprises hinge joints 23 that are provided in between each of the arm segments 16 and the central segment 15.

The hinge joints 23 which provide rotational freedom in only one dimension swingably connect the arm segments 16 and the central segment 15 so that each of the hinge joints 23 is able to take up lateral movements of the independent wheel suspension (i.e. wheel carrier) that is secured to the corresponding arm segment 16.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

List of reference signs 1 Independent wheel suspension system 2 Independent wheel suspension 3 Independent wheel suspension 4 Wheel carrier Brake unit 6 Lower control arm 7 Upper control arm 8 Bearing 9 Bearing Subframe 11 Bearing 12 Helical spring 13 Damper 14 Stabilizer bar Central segment 16 Arm segment 17 Fastening link 18 Mounting clamp 19 Bearing Bearing 21 End link 22 Interconnection member 23 Hinge joint