JPH0757562B2 - Vehicle suspension - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension system for attaching a grounding wheel to a vehicle frame, and more particularly to a rear arm suspension axle support means for fixing the grounding wheel to a vehicle. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,486 discloses a rear extension arm suspension having an axle secured to the rear extension arm by a wrapper plate which partially surrounds the axle. With pressure
Bolts are utilized to allow the wrapper plate to support and reinforce the axle, and circular plug welds attach the wrapper plate to the axle.

US-A 3,547,215 (Bird)
Discloses a rear extension arm suspension in which a rectangular axle is typically welded to a bracket, which bracket is affixed to the rear extension arm of the vehicle suspension structure. Welding to secure the axle to the bracket is commonly done at the midpoint on the side of the axle where the vertical bending moment stress is zero. However, these regions are regions where there is a high torsional load caused by brake torque, vehicle shake, skew of the axle (wheel), and the like.
Welding at the midpoint of the axle will create weaknesses in which cracks may begin. The weaknesses in a typical axle welded to a bracket result, in part, from undesired heat treatment effects on the axle material during the welding process in localized areas near the weld. In addition, craters and impact marks create points that initiate cracks and concentrate stress.

Under these high load conditions, the axle is typically welded to the bracket to secure the axle to the bracket. The axle is welded to the axle bracket by line welding on both sides of the bracket. Since it is a line weld, the weld will have "edges" where stress will concentrate and cracks will begin.

[0005]

An object of the rear extension arm suspension system according to the present invention is to overcome the above-described problem of cracks in the prior art. The wrapper plate of the suspension system of the present invention is fixedly attached to the axle by mechanical means without welding the axle. This mechanical attachment provides an axle support mechanism that is easy to secure to the axle and avoids accidents between the axle and bracket as described above.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a vehicle suspension system for mounting a ground wheel to a vehicle frame. The suspension system consists of at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame. The arm is secured by a substantially aligned pivot mount. At least one wheel support axle is attached to this arm. A wrapper plate having elongated planar complementary surfaces surrounds the axle by at least 180 °. The downwardly extending sides of the wrapper plate extend beyond the axle.
Compression means for diametrically compressing the axle attract both sides of the wrapper plate. Transverse compression means exert a second diametrical compression force on the axle substantially transversely to the first compression force exerted by the wrapper plate on the axle. The wrapper plate and the transverse compression means grip, support and reinforce the axle at the point where the axle is connected to the rigid arm.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one adapter plate is fixedly attached to the wrapper plate such that some of the compression force exerted by the wrapper plate on the axle is substantially due to the adapter plate. It is in contact with the axle so that it can be transformed into a transverse compression force against.

In another embodiment, at least one bolt extends through both sides of the wrapper plate. The bolt is adapted to diametrically press the axle by pulling the sides of the wrapper plate together.

In yet another embodiment, the adapter plate is substantially U-shaped in cross section. Preferably, the top surface of the leg portion of the U-shaped adapter plate contacts the axle and surrounds the bolt on its three sides. There is preferably one adapter plate for each of the opposed inner surfaces of the wrapper plate.

In yet another embodiment, the second transverse compression force is at a right angle to the first compression force. In yet another embodiment, the vehicle suspension system includes at least one positioning block. This block is mounted near the wrapper plate on the axle. The locating block prevents lateral movement of the wrapper plate along the axle if the compression force of the wrapper plate on the axle is insufficient to prevent its lateral movement.

In yet another embodiment, a vehicle suspension system for attaching a ground wheel to a vehicle frame comprises at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite frames by substantially aligned pivot attachment members.
Attached to the arm is at least one wheel support axle through a wrapper plate, the wrapper plate having an elongated complementary surface that encircles the axle at least 180 degrees. The wrapper plate has both sides extending below the axle. A bolt exerts a diametrical squeeze on the axle by pulling the sides of the wrapper plate together. A transverse compression member in combination with the bolt exerts a substantially transverse second compression force on the axle in addition to the first diametrical force exerted by the wrapper plate on the axle. Thus, the wrapper plate and the transverse compression member grip, support and reinforce the axle at the point where the axle is connected to the rigid arm.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle frame 10 has an axle 12 and ground wheels 14 (shown in phantom) suspended therefrom by a suspension system 16 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the left side of the frame is the front part of the car. The suspension system 16 includes, on both sides of the frame 10, rear extension arms 18 pivotally attached to hanger brackets 20 extending downwardly from the frame 10. The hanger bracket 20 has a pivot pin 2 for pivotally attaching the front end of the rear extension arm 18 to the lower part thereof.
Have two. The rear extension arm 18 is made of a hollow rectangular member for supporting the axle 12. The front end of the rear extension arm 18 is pivotally attached by a pivot pin 22. Rear extension arm 18 is frame 10
Extends rearward along. The rear end of the rear extension arm 18 is fixed to the air spring 24. The rear extension arm 18 has a slight downward bend in the middle of its front and rear ends. A front bushing pin 26 and a rear bushing pin 28 extend through the rear extension arm 18 near the slightly downward bends and provide an axle support mechanism 30.
And supports a limited joint movement between the axle support mechanism 30 and the rear extension arm 18. The upper portion of the air spring 24 is fixed to the frame 10.

In operation, the vertical motion of the ground wheel 14 is transmitted to the axle support mechanism 30 through the axle 12. The vertical movement of the axle support mechanism 30 is transmitted to the rear extension arm 18 through the bush pins 26 and 28. A bush 29 surrounds the bush pins 26 and 28 (see FIG. 5). The limited articulation allowed by the bushing 29 of the bushing pins 26, 28 between the axle support mechanism 30 and the rear extension arm 18 buffers the vertical movement of the rear extension arm 18 and causes the axle support mechanism 30 to extend to the rear extension arm 18. The vibration rate of the suspension system is controlled by making a small vertical / conical displacement with respect to.

A large vertical displacement of the axle support mechanism 30 causes a vertical displacement of the rear extension arm 18. Vertical movement of the rear extension arm 18 is allowed by a pivotal connection at the pivot pin 22 at its front end. The vertical movement of the rear extension arm 18 is controlled by the air spring 24.
And, it is buffered and restrained by a shock absorber (not shown).

The axle support mechanism 30 includes a pair of side plates 32 arranged on both sides of the rear extension arm 18, a U-shaped wrapper plate 34 extending downward from the side plates 32, a reinforcing plate 36, a bolt 38, and an adapter plate. And 39. Bolt 3
8 penetrates the end of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 and presses both sides of the wrapper plate.

Each of the sides 32 comprises a vertical plate having an opening in its top for receiving the front and rear bush pins 26, 28. The bush pins 26, 28 extend through the corresponding openings of the rear extension arm 18 and the side plate 32, fix the side plate 32 to the rear extension arm 18 to support the axle support mechanism 30, and between the side plate 32 and the rear extension arm 18. Allows limited joint movement. In addition, each side plate 32 has a U-shaped opening in its lower portion to complementarily receive the middle portion of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34. The side plates 32 thereby provide a surface to which the wrapper plate 34 is attached, such as by welding, and also serve to reinforce the wrapper plate 34.

The wrapper plate 34 is a saddle-shaped plate as seen in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the wrapper plate 34 has a U-shaped cross section. The middle recess of the wrapper plate 34 is located above the side plate 32, and the open end of the wrapper plate 34 extends downward. The wrapper plate 34 is secured to the side plate 32 by any suitable means, such as welding. The wrapper plate 34 is
It is shaped so as to slidably receive the axle 12 having a rectangular, rectangular, or other non-circular cross section, and there is a slight gap between the upper surface of the axle and the inner surface of the wrapper plate. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the wrapper plate 34 has an opening 40 in the intermediate recess, to reduce the overall weight of the axle support mechanism and to increase the flexibility of the wrapper plate 34. This is to provide a rear extended arm clearance.

The wrapper plate 34 has bolts 38 extending through both sides of the U-shaped wrapper plate. When assembled, this bolt 38 is located below the axle 12,
When the bolts are tightened, the sides of the wrapper plate 34 will move to the axle 1
It is designed to put pressure on 2. An adapter plate 39 is incorporated to enhance the gripping effect of the wrapper plate on the axle 12. The adapter plate 39 is fixed to the inner surface of the wrapper plate 34 just below the opening for the bolt 38 of the wrapper plate 34. The adapter plate 39 has a U-shaped cross section, and has two upright legs 31 and an intermediate portion 33.
have. The adapter plate 39 has its upright legs 3
1 is attached so that the upper surface of 1 contacts the lower surface of the axle 12.

The axle support mechanism 30 also has a reinforcing plate 36 fixed to the side plate 32 and the wrapper plate 34 by welding or the like for supporting and reinforcing the wrapper plate 34. The shock absorber bracket 37 is attached to the axle 1
It is provided on the inner side plate 32 for fixing the lower part of the shock absorber (not shown) for damping the vibration of the second vibration. Although the axle support mechanism 30 is described as being manufactured by fixing a number of plates to each other by suitable means such as welding in the illustrated example, it is also possible to form the axle support mechanism as a single axle support mechanism by casting or the like. Easy to understand.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the bush 29
Comprises an outer shell or tube 46, an elastomeric coating 48, and an inner core 50. Outer shell 46 and inner core 5 are preferred
0 is made of steel and the elastomeric coating 48 is made of a flexible material. The outer shell 46 is inserted into a suitable hole (not shown) in the rear extension arm 18 and fixed thereto by a suitable means such as welding. The outer shell 46 is preferably circular in cross-section, but may have other shapes. The elastomeric coating 48 is adhered directly to the outer surface of the inner core 50 so that the coating 48 covers the entire length of the inner core. Inner core 50 and elastomer coating 48
And are inserted into the outer tube 46. Bolts 26 are then inserted into appropriate holes (not shown) in side plate 32 through a pair of washers 52 and through inner bush core 50. The washer 52 is attached between the side plate 32 and the end of the inner core 50. As for the bolt 26, the compression force is applied to the side plate and the inner core 5.
0 and washer 52 are tightened so that they are affected.

In operation, the axle 12 first inserts it into the U-shaped complementary wrapper plate 34,
Then, the axle 12 is forcibly fastened in the wrapper plate 34 to be fixed in the wrapper plate 34. The bolt 38 is tightened until the wrapper plate 34 is tightened on the axle 12. Then, the adapter plate 3
9 is fixed to the inner surface of the wrapper plate 34 by welding or the like so that the upright leg 31 contacts the lower surface of the axle 12. Once the adapter plate 39 is secured in place, the bolts 38 are further tightened to create a compressive force on the axle 12.

When the bolt 38 is tightened, the side of the wrapper plate exerts a first diametrical compression force on the side of the complementary axle 12 in the direction of arrow F1 as shown in FIG. Tightening the bolts 38 will also bend or bend the downward side of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 inward. This inward bending will cause the bottom of the wrapper plate to rotate slightly around the corners of the axle 12, introducing a vertical motion component at the bottom end of the wrapper plate 34. This inward bending at the bottom end of the wrapper plate 34 will add a vertical component F2 of the force on the axle 12 by the adapter plate 39. Thus, the horizontal force at the end of the U-shaped wrapper plate 34 is converted into a force transverse to the second compressive force F2, ie the first force F1. The transverse compressive force F2 exerted on the axle by the adapter plate 39 and the compressive force F1 exerted by the inner surface of the wrapper plate 34 provide the axle support mechanism 30 with sufficient grip strength on the axle 12 to prevent torsional stress on the axle. It reinforces against bending stress.

The suspension system further includes an axle support mechanism 3
It is improved by fixedly mounting the positioning blocks 41 on the axle 12 on both sides of zero. Positioning block 4
1 serves to prevent lateral movement of the support mechanism 30 along the axle 12, even if the bolts 38 are not properly tightened to ensure proper torque during installation or maintenance. If the bolt 38 comes loose, the axle support mechanism 30
If the vehicle moves laterally along the axle, it may hinder the rotation of the wheels 14 or break the wheels. Such lateral movement can be prevented by fixing the positioning block 41 to the axle 12 by suitable means such as welding. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locator block 41 can be mounted directly near the sides of the wrapper plate 34.

Although the preferred embodiment described above describes an axle support for a square axle, the present invention is simply a wrapper for D-shaped, oval, hexagonal, octagonal and rectangular axles. This can be dealt with only by adapting the shape of the plate 34 to the cross section of the axle.

The mechanical assembly of the axle support mechanism in accordance with the present invention overcomes the potential for cracking that results from the axle welding operations used in the prior art. The axle support mechanism according to the present invention firmly couples the axle support mechanism to the axle without welding the axle. Another distinct advantage of the axle support mechanism of the present invention is that it is relatively easy to install as compared to the complex and difficult welding operations found in conventional suspension mechanisms.

Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these and reasonable modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a fragment of a part of a vehicle frame to which a suspension system according to the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial elevational view showing a main part of the suspension system shown in FIG.

3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Frame 12 ... Axle 16 ... Suspension system 18 ... Rigid rear extension arm 32 ... Side plate 34 ... Wrapper plate 36 ... Reinforcement plate 38 ... Bolt 39 ... Adapter plate 31 ... Legs (of adapter plate) 41 ... Positioning block

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle suspension for mounting a ground wheel to a vehicle frame, the suspension system comprising at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame by substantially conforming pivot attachment members. At least 180 ° around the axle to be attached to the arm
At least one axle mounted to the arm by a wrapper plate having an elongated planar complementary surface and opposite sides extending downwards across the axle; and by diametrically pulling the sides of the wrapper plate toward each other. Compression means for diametrically compressing the axle, an improvement of which is substantially transverse to a first diametrical compression force exerted by the compression means from the wrapper plate to the axle. 2 is provided with transverse compression means for applying a diametrical compression force to the axle, whereby the wrapper plate and the transverse compression means are
A vehicle suspension system characterized in that the axle is gripped, supported and reinforced at a point where the axle is connected to the rigid arm. 2. The transverse compression means comprises at least one adapter plate secured to the wrapper plate, wherein a portion of the compression force exerted on the axle by the wrapper plate is substantially exerted on the axle by the adapter plate. The vehicle suspension of claim 1, wherein the vehicle suspension contacts the axle so as to be converted into a transverse compression force. 3. The transverse compression means further comprises at least one bolt penetrating both sides of the wrapper plate, the bolt adapted to diametrically compress the axle by attracting both sides of the wrapper plate. The vehicle suspension system according to claim 2, wherein 4. The adapter plate has a substantially U-shaped cross section.
The vehicle suspension device according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle suspension device has a letter shape. 5. The vehicle suspension system according to claim 4, wherein the top surface of the leg portion of the U-shaped adapter plate is in contact with the axle, and the bolt is wrapped on three sides thereof. 6. The vehicle suspension system according to claim 5, wherein one adapter plate is attached to each inner surface of the wrapper plate. 7. The vehicle suspension system according to claim 2, wherein one adapter plate is attached to each of the facing inner surfaces of the wrapper plate. 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second substantially transverse compression means is at a right angle to the first compression force exerted by the compression means on the axle from the wrapper plate. Suspension system. 9. The axle further comprising at least one locator block mounted on the axle near the wrapper plate when the pressure of the wrapper plate on the axle is insufficient to prevent its lateral movement. The vehicle suspension system of claim 1, adapted to prevent lateral movement of the wrapper plate along. 10. A vehicle suspension for mounting a ground wheel to a vehicle frame, the suspension system comprising at least two substantially rigid arms secured to opposite sides of the frame by substantially conforming pivot mounting members. At least 180 around the axle to be attached to the arm
° At least one axle attached to the arm by a wrapper plate having a surrounding elongated complementary surface and opposite sides extending downwards beyond the axle, and pulling the sides of the wrapper plate to bring the axle up in diameter. A bolt for compressing, the improvement being such that a second diametrical compression force is applied substantially transversely to the first diametrical compression force exerted by the wrapper plate from the wrapper plate onto the axle. It comprises a transverse compression means associated with the bolt for applying to the axle, whereby the wrapper plate and the transverse compression means grip and support the axle at the point where the axle is connected to the rigid arm. Vehicle suspension system that is reinforced and reinforced.