HYBRID ARM FOR AN INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20100253030A1
• Filed: 12/02/2008
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni SPA (Magneti Marelli S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni SPA (Magneti Marelli S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Santini, Andrea, Monchiero, Piero, D'Aponte, Armando
• Application Number:
  US12/744,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20100253030A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/124.116
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/182 with one longitudinal arm or rod and lateral rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/129 Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/143 on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/012 Hollow or tubular elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/7102 Aluminium alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/8101 by casting
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/8102 by stamping
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/8105 by extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/22 a rigid arm forming the axle housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence

Abstract

The arm includes a wheel-side portion for support of a wheel and a body-side portion for connection to the vehicle body, the two arm portions being securely connected to each other by welding. The wheel-side arm portion may be made of cast iron and the body-side arm portion may be made as a steel tubular piece. Alternatively, the wheel-side arm portion is made of cast aluminium and the body-side arm portion is made as an extruded aluminium piece. It is thus possible to combine the high camber stiffness of the wheel-side portion made of cast iron or aluminium with the high compliance in case of impact of the body-side portion made of stamped or extruded steel or aluminium.

Claims

1. Arm for an independent rear suspension for a motor vehicle, the arm comprising a wheel-side portion for support of a wheel and a body-side portion for connection to the vehicle body, characterized in that the wheel-side portion is formed by a single cast metal piece, in that the body-side portion is formed by at least one stamped or extruded metal piece and in that the two arm portions are securely connected to each other by welding.

2. Arm according to claim 1, wherein the wheel-side arm portion is made of cast iron and wherein the body-side arm portion is made as a steel tubular piece.

3. Arm according to claim 1, wherein the wheel-side arm portion is made of cast aluminium and wherein the body-side arm portion is made as an extruded piece of aluminium.

4. Arm according to claim 1, wherein the wheel-side portion is provided with a wheel-carrying spindle and wherein the body-side portion is provided with a bushing seats for articulated connection of the arm to the vehicle body.

5. Arm according to claim 1, wherein the wheel-side portion integrally forms at least one small arm provided at its free end with a respective bushing seat for articulated connection of the wheel-side portion to at least one further connection member of the suspension.

6. Arm according to claim 1, wherein the wheel-side portion integrally forms at least one support bracket for support of a brake caliper.

7. Independent rear suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising an arm according to claim 1, at least one further connection member articulated on the one hand to the wheel-side portion of the arm and on the other hand to the vehicle body, as well as a spring and a shock-absorber.

8. Suspension according to claim 7, wherein the arm is a longitudinal arm and wherein the suspension further comprises, as the at least one further connection member, a pair of transverse rods.

9. Suspension according to claim 7, further comprising a plate for support of the lower portion of the spring, the plate being made as a stamped piece of metal.

10. Suspension according to claim 9, wherein the spring plate is securely connected by welding both to the wheel-side arm portion and to the body-side arm portion.

11. Suspension according to claim 2, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of steel.

12. Suspension according to claim 3, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of aluminium.

13. Suspension according to claim 9, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of steel.

14. Suspension according to claim 10, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of steel.

15. Suspension according to claim 9, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of aluminium.

16. Suspension according to claim 10, wherein the spring plate is made as a stamped piece of aluminium.