SLOTTED ALIGNMENT BUSHING

• US 20200130449A1
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hoyer, Eric B., Marchel, Jack
• Granted Patent: US 11,059,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/143 on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4102 having a pin or stud extending perpendicularly to the axis of the elastic mount
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4104 Bushings having modified rigidity in particular directions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/44 Centering or positioning means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/02 Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle B60G7/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/003 the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device

Abstract

An alignment assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first bushing with a slot, the first bushing being configured to be positioned and secured to an end of a first link of a wishbone suspension assembly, and an insert that fits within the slot, the insert having a locating hole that positions a bolt within the slot for nominal caster and camber angles.

Claims

1. An alignment assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising;

a first bushing with a slot, the first bushing being configured to be positioned and secured to an end of a first link of a wishbone suspension assembly; and

an insert that fits within the slot, the insert having a locating hole that positions a bolt within the slot for nominal caster and camber angles.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert is one of a plurality of inserts.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole at a nominal position.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one other of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole offset from the nominal position.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole with a position in the respective insert that is different than the position of the locating hole of any other insert.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wishbone suspension assembly includes a second link and a second bushing being configured to be positioned and secured to an end of a second link of a wishbone suspension assembly, the second bushing having a slot for a second insert.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the insert is one of a plurality of inserts.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole at a nominal position.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one other of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole offset from the nominal position.

10. A wishbone suspension assembly comprising:

a first link;

a second link, the first link and the second link joined together to form a y-shaped assembly;

a first bushing with a first slot, the first bushing being positioned and secured to an end of the first link;

a second bushing with a second slot, the second bushing being positioned and secured to an end of the second link; and

a plurality of inserts, each of the plurality of inserts being configured to fit within the first slot and the second slot, each of the inserts having a locating hole that positions a bolt within the slot for nominal caster and camber angles.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole at a nominal position.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one other of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole offset from the nominal position.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole with a position in the respective insert that is different than the position of the locating hole of any other insert.

14. A method of aligning a wishbone suspension assembly of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

measuring a caster angle;

measuring a camber angle; and

selecting a first insert and a second insert, the first insert fitting into a first slot of a first bushing, the first bushing being positioned and secured to an end of a first link of the wishbone suspension assembly, the second insert fitting into a second slot of a second bushing, the second bushing being positioned and secured to an end of a second link of the wishbone suspension assembly,

wherein each of the first and second inserts having a locating hole that positions a respective bolt within the respective slot for nominal caster and camber angles.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second inserts is one of a plurality of inserts.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole at a nominal position.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one other of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole offset from the nominal position.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of inserts has a locating hole with a position in the respective insert that is different than the position of the respective locating hole of any other insert.