GB755659A - Suspension and transmission device for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

755,659. Spring suspensions. COMPAGNIE DE PONT-A-MOUSSON. March 16, 1954 [March 17, 1953; Jan. 29, 1954], No. 7583/54. Class 108 (2). [Also in Group XXXI] Relates to a suspension and transmission device for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle having wheels mounted independently of each other, of a known type comprising a central movement transmitting means which includes a differential the housing of which is fixed to the chassis frame of the vehicle, the two output shafts of this means being connected by universal joints to two cross-shafts to which the wheel-mounting members are directly keyed, and these cross-shafts being guided in the vicinity of the wheels by guide devices connected by suspension devices to the chassis frame of the vehicle. According to the invention in which each of the cross-shafts is bare and is journalled directly in a guiding device, each of the shafts is of a cross-section capable of transmitting torque to the wheel and axial thrusts, without buckling, or bending and is supported in the axial direction on a member held transversely of the chassis frame by a universal thrust bearing device the centre of which coincides with that of the universal joint which connects the cross-shaft to the corresponding output shaft, the universal thrust bearing device being adapted to transmit to the chassis frame through the output shaft the axial thrusts from the cross-shaft and wheel. In the arrangement according to Fig. 2 the road wheels 6 are carried by swinging live half-axles 10 which are connected through cardan joints 9 to differential output shafts 5 and each wheel is carried by a plate 16 rigid with the respective half axle, which is rotatably mounted on a head 19. A tubular part 20 of the head 19 supports one end of a thrust member 21, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a chassis frame member 2. A coil suspension spring 25 is located between each thrust member 21 and a bracket 26 on a frame member 1. In another arrangement, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown), the cardan joint 9 also constitutes the universal thrust bearing device and the thrust member is arranged parallel to the frame member 1 to have a pivotal and sliding connection therewith. The thrust member is also connected to the frame member 1 by a rod lying in a plane parallel to that of the thrust member and pivotally connected thereto and to the frame member 1. A coil suspension spring is disposed between the head adjacent the road wheel and a bracket on the member 1. In a further arrangement, Fig. 5, a pair of thrust members 21b, 21c at each side of the vehicle, are pivotally connected to the frame member 1 and to a bearing housing 19b adjacent each road wheel, a coil suspension spring 25 being disposed between each member 21b and the adjacent frame member 1. The thrust members at each side may be of unequal length. In all arrangements springs other than coil springs may be used.