GB477056A - Vehicle suspension systems - Google Patents

Abstract

477,056. Vehicle spring suspensions. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. July 21, 1936, No. 20163. Convention date, Aug. 22, 1935. [Classes 108 (ii) and 108 (iii)] In vehicle suspensions in which each wheel is independently supported at the end of a lever arm which preferably oscillates parallelly to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle about a horizontal transverse axis the suspension comprises a torsion spring and an auxiliary spring adapted to reduce the effective rate of the torsion spring adjacent to its normal load position. The longitudinal wheel-carrying arm 9 is mounted on a pivot member 7, which is carried by a bracket 5 pivoted on a king pin 3 on the end of the axle beam 1, the king pin being inclined to give the wheel 13 the requisite caster and the arm 9 being inclined as shown. The pivot member 7 is secured to a torsion bar spring 17, Fig. 5, the other end of which is secured at 18 to an encircling torsion tube 19 anchored at its other end to the bracket 5 so that the torsion rod 17 and torsion tube 19 act in series. Secured to the pivot member 7 is a lever 23 of a toggle lever system the other member comprising the auxiliary spring 25 in compression so that as the lever arm 9 deflects the spring 25 assists the torsion spring, but the assistance becomes less as the deflection increases, thereby in effect increasing the rate or hardness of the torsion spring. The bracket member 5 is hollow and contains the toggle system the lever 23 of which is provided with two lugs 33, 34, Fig. 4, adapted to bear upon the pistons 35, 36 of an hydraulic damper. At the end of the damper casing 39, two bosses 44, 45 are provided each having a bore and counterbore 46 within which is arranged a spring pressed valve 50, Fig. 6. Upward deflection of the arm 23 forces the piston 36, Fig. 4, inwards and forces the valve 50 off its seat permitting the pressure fluid to pass into the cylinder 37 through the restricted aperture 46<1>, and causing the piston 35 to follow the lug 33. Downward deflection of the arm 23 is resisted in similar manner, the valve 50 in the boss 45 being actuated. In place of a coiled spring 25, a Bellwille washer spring may be used.