GB854423A - An improved vehicle suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

854,423. Spring suspensions. FORD MOTOR CO. Ltd. (Ford Motor Co.). April 10, 1959, No. 12237/59. Class 108(2). In a vehicle suspension system the driving wheels are suspended in such a manner that an assumed point on one of the wheels moves in different paths during vehicle acceleration and deceleration. A wheel 17, Fig. 2 is suspended from a chassis by levers 12, 19. The lever 19 is connected to a bracket 26 on the chassis by a shackle 23 resiliently held in a mid-position by springs 33, 34. When the vehicle accelerates, the lever 19 exerts a rearward force on the shackle 23, compressing the spring 34. A point 29 on the wheel now moves along a path PA. This path is at an angle with the vertical line through the wheel centre. When the vehicle brakes, a forward force is exerted by the lever 19 which compresses the coil spring 33. The point 29 now moves along a path PB. This path is also at an angle to the vertical line. through the wheel centre, but subtends a greater angle with ,the vertical than the path PA. Instead of coil springs 33, 34 a pair of hollow rubber blocks may be used to control the movement of the shackle 23. In a modification, a floating axle tube 51, Fig. 4, has its opposite ends connected to wheel support members 52. Trailing arms 53 are connected between the chassis and the members 52. Centrally of the vehicle a bracket 57, rigidly mounted on the tube 51, is supported on the vehicle frame 58 by means of a link 59 having pivotal connections 61, 62 to the frame and bracket respectively. Pivotal connections 61, 62 are mounted for limited resilient movements by springs 63, 64. In this embodiment braking and accelerating forces move the shackle 59 bodily against the reaction of springs 63, 64. To provide variable understeer in acceleration and braking, suspension arms 163, 164, Fig. 5, may be resiliently connected through pivots 161, 162, and springs 166 to the vehicle frame. The lower suspension arm 164 only may be resiliently connected to the frame. In a construction of the last embodiment, suspension arms 88, 89, Fig. 7, support an axle 86 from frame members 87. An air spring 95 and a shock absorber 97 are provided. The point 100 in which the axes of the spring 95, the shock absorber 97, and the suspension arm 88 meet is vertically above the axle 86. A resilient rubber block 102, having holes 106, 107 provides the connection between the end of the suspension arm 89 and the frame member 87. A metal reinforcement 108 is embedded in the block 102.