GB418390A - Vehicle suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

418,390. Spring-suspension systems; shock-absorbers. DUNLOP RUBBER CO., Ltd., 32, Osnaburgh Street, London, LACEY, B. W. D., and BAWCUTT, P. J., Fort Dunlop, Birmingham. June 6,1933, No. 16103. [Classes 108 (ii) and 108 (iii).] In a spring-suspension mounting for a vehicle wheel or an aircraft float or skid in which the wheel &c. is supported at one end of a lever 4, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body, in order to vary the shock - absorbing resistance automatically with the degree of shock, quick angular movement of the lever operates a liquid dashpot of the rotary-vane type which causes displacement of abutments 19, Fig. 4, towards or away from one another and consequent loosening or compression of concentric groups of obliquely-corrugated, coacting, rubber and steel spring-rings. The inner end of the arm is formed into a circular web bolted to four movable sector-shaped members 8, Fig. 3, which are separated from each other by fixed sector-shaped members 3, radial gaps 9 permitting limited relative movement of the members. The outer rings 17a, Fig. 4, of the larger - diameter series of rings 17, 18 are attached to the moving members 8 and the inner rings 17<b> to the abutments 19 which have opposite, quick-thread connections with a central shaft 16 and are separated from one another by resilient blocks 20. The outer rings 18b of the smaller diameter rings are secured to the fixed member 3 and the inner rings 18a to the abutments 19. The casing of the dashpot is formed integral with extensions 21 of the movablo members 8 while the vane 31 is formed integral with the shaft 16 and rotates in a lower chamber 27 separated by a valved partition 28 from an upper chamber 26. In operation, on slow upward movements of' the arm 4, a restricted channel 32 adjustable externally by a screwed plug 35, allows flow of liquid from one side to the other of the vane without moving the vane. The movement of the arm is therefore cushioned by the deformation of the corrugated rubber rings 18, which expand axially and force the abutments towards one another, and by compression of the blocks 20. On rapid upward movement of the arm the vane 31 is locked relatively to the casing and consequently rotation of the shaft 16 occurs which, due to the quick-thread connections with the abutments, causes the latter to separate and thus to increase the resistance of the rubber rings. According to the Provisional Specification, (a) an endless track may be supported by the arm 4 ; (b) instead of the screw-threaded portions on the shaft 16 one or more cam surfaces associated with frictionreducing elements may be provided ; and (c) the blocks 20 are replaced by an annular rubber ring.