REAR AXLE SUSPENSION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 3,694,000 A
• Filed: 04/17/1970
• Issued: 09/26/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Friedrich H. Van Winsen
• Original Assignee: Friedrich H. Van Winsen
• Inventors: Van Winsen, Friedrich H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodman, Philip
• Application Number:
  US05/029,483
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124R,124A 180/73
• US Class Current: 280/124.128
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/055 Stabiliser bars
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1244 on a suspension arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/207 the arms being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/225 the arm being of the trailing wishbone type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/02 Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle B60G7/006 takes precedence

Abstract

A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles in which a wheel carrier is connected with the vehicle superstructure by way of a lower guide member and an upper guide member whereby the wheel carrier is extended forwardly, particularly in its lower part and the point of pivotal connection of the lower guide member at the wheel carrier is arranged at a relatively large distance forwardly of the vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center while the straight line connecting the joints of the lower guide member extends upwardly at a relatively steep incline.

Claims

1. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the distance between the pivotal connection point of the one guide means at the wheel carrier means and said vehicle transverse plane being larger than the vertical spacing of said pivotal connecting point from a horizontal plane passing through the wheel center, the distance between the two joints connecting the wheel carrier means with the two wheel guide means being larger in the vehicle longitudinal direction than in the vehicle vertical direction, the point of pivotal connection of the one guide means at the wheel carrier means being located outside of the wheel circumference in front thereof.

2. A rear axle suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that the wheel carrier means is extended forwardly in its lower part.

3. A rear axle suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper and lower guide means are directed in opposite directions from the wheel.

4. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the distance between the pivotal connection point of the one guide means at the wheel carrier means and said vehicle transverse plane being larger than the vertical spacing of said pivotal connecting point from a horizontal plane passing through the wheel center, the distance between the two joints connecting the wheel carrier means with the two wheel guide means being larger in the vehicle longitudinal direction than in the vehicle vertical direction, the point of pivotal connection connecting the wheel carrier means with the other guide means being disposed to the rear of said vehicle transverse plane.

5. A rear axle suspension according to claim 4, characterized in that said one guide means is the lower guide means and said other guide means is the upper guide means.

6. A rear axle suspension according to claim 4, characterized in that said last-mentioned point of pivotal connection is located in the normal position of the wheel at least approximately in a horizontal plane extending through the wheel center.

7. A rear axle suspension according to claim 4, characterized in that the point of intersection of the straight lines connecting the joints of the upper and lower guide means, respectively, is located at least in proximity to the point of intersection of the starting force resultant engaging in the wheel center and of the braking force resultant engaging at the point of contact of the wheel with the ground.

8. A rear axle suspension according to claim 7, characterized in that the first-mentioned point of intersection is disposed above said second-mentioned point of intersection for purposes of achieving an overcompensation of the starting and brake moment.

9. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the distance of the two joints connecting the wheel carrier means with the two wheel guide means being larger in the vehicle longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction.

10. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the one guide means being arranged at an inclination to the horizontal at an angle of more than 45*.

11. A rear axle suspension according to claim 10, characterized in that the one guide means is pivotally connected at the vehicle superstructure below a vehicle rear seat.

12. A rear axle suspension according to claim 10, characterized in that the wheel carrier means is extended forwardly in its lower part.

13. A rear axle suspension according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper and lower guide means are directed in opposite directions from the wheel.

14. A rear axle suspension according to claim 10, characterized in that with the wheel in its normal position, the distance of the point of pivotal connection of the one guide means at the wheel carrier means from said vehicle transverse plane is larger than the vertical spacing of said pivotal connecting point from a horizontal plane passing through the wheel center.

15. A rear axle suspension according to claim 14, characterized in that the distance of the two joints connecting the wheel carrier means with the two wheel guide means is larger in the Vehicle longitudinal direction than in the vertical direction.

16. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the one guide means having a relatively short length in relation to the length of the other guide means.

17. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the one guide means being of relatively short construction in relation to the length of the wheel carrier means.

18. A rear axle suspension of motor vehicles comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, upper and lower guide means pivotally connected to said vehicle superstructure and said wheel carrier means, the points of pivotal connection between the upper guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a first joint-connecting straight line, the points of pivotal connection between the lower guide means and the vehicle superstructure and wheel carrier means defining a second joint connecting straight line, said first and second lines converging in the forward direction in the projection of the wheel plane, said wheel carrier means having a forward extension, the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means with the wheel carrier means being arranged in the forward extension at a distance from a vehicle transverse plane passing through the wheel center, the one of the said first and second lines associated with the one guide means extending steeply upwardly, the point of pivotal connection connecting the wheel carrier means with the other guide means being disposed to the rear of said vehicle transverse plane.

19. A rear axle suspension according to claim 18, characterized in that said last-mentioned point of pivotal connection is located in the normal position of the wheel at least approximately in a horizontal plane extending through the wheel center.

20. An axle suspension for supporting a wheel and axle assembly on a motor vehicle comprising:

vehicle superstructure, wheel carrier means, a forwardly arranged guide means which is pivotally attached at one point to the vehicle supersturcture and at another point to the wheel carrier means, and a rearwaRdly arranged guide means which is pivotally attached at one point to the vehicle superstructure and at another point to the wheel carrier means, the two points of pivotal connection of the forwardly arranged guide means defining a first centerline and the two points of pivotal connection of the rearwardly arranged guide means defining a second centerline, said first and second centerlines intersecting at a point located forwardly of the vertical line of symmetry of the wheel, said first centerline intersecting a horizontally extending road surface over which the wheel is travelling in front of the vertical plane of symmetry of the wheel, and said second centerline intersecting said road surface to the rear of said vertical plane.

21. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the distance between the points of connection between the wheel carrier means and the respective guide means is greater in the vehicle longitudinal direction than in the vehicle vertical direction.

22. An axle suspension according to claim 21, characterized in that the point of pivotal connection of one of the guide means at the wheel carrier means is located in proximity to the wheel circumference.

23. An axle suspension according to claim 21, characterized in that the point of pivotal connection between the rearwardly arranged guide means and the wheel carrier means is located with the wheel in its normal position below a horizontal plane passing through the wheel center and to the rear of the wheel center.

24. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that one of the guide means is arranged at an inclination to the horizontal at an angle of more than 45*.

25. An axle suspension according to claim 24, characterized in that the one guide means is pivotally connected at the vehicle superstructure below a vehicle rear seat.

26. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the point of pivotal connection between the rearwardly arranged guide means and the wheel carrier means is located with the wheel in its normal position below a horizontal plane passing through the wheel center and to the rear of the wheel center.

27. An axle suspension according to claim 26, characterized in that said one guide means is the upper guide means and said other guide means is the lower guide means.

28. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the point of intersection of said first and second centerlines is located at least in proximity to the point of intersection of the starting force resultant engaging in the wheel center and of the braking force resultant engaging at the point of contact of the wheel with the ground.

29. An axle suspension according to claim 28, characterized in that said second-mentioned point of intersection substantially coincides with said first-mentioned point of intersection.

30. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the wheel carrier means is constructed as an inclined guide member.

31. An axle suspension according to claim 30, characterized in that the wheel carrier means includes two fork arms, and in that each fork arm is connected with the vehicle superstructure by a forward guide member forming part of the forwardly arranged guide means.

32. An axle suspension according to claim 31, characterized in that the two forward guide members are suspended at the vehicle superstructure connected in a torsion-rigid manner.

33. An axle suspension according to claim 32, characterized in that a common shaft interconnects said two forward guide members in a torsion-rigid manner.

34. An axle suspension according to claim 32, characterized in that the wheel carrier means serves for the support of the wheel spring system.

35. An axle suspension according to claim 34, characterized in that said wheel carrier means is disposed essentially horizontally.

36. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the point of pivotal conneCtion of the forwardly arranged guide means at the wheel carrier means is located in proximity to the wheel circumference.

37. An axle suspension according to claim 36, characterized in that the point of pivotal connection of the forwardly arranged guide means at the wheel carrier means is located outside of the wheel circumference in front thereof.

38. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the point of intersection of the first and second center lines is located at least in proximity to the point of intersection of the starting resultant force engaging in the wheel center and of the braking force resultant engaging at the point of contact of the wheel with the ground.

39. An axle suspension according to claim 38, characterized in that said second-mentioned point of intersection substantially coincides with said first-mentioned point of intersection.

40. An axle suspension according to claim 38, characterized in that the first-mentioned point of intersection is disposed above said second-mentioned point of intersection for purposes of achieving an overcompensation of the starting and braking moment.

41. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that the wheel carrier means includes two fork arms, and in that each fork arm is connected with the vehicle superstructure by a lower guide forward member forming part of the forwardly arranged guide means.

42. An axle suspension according to claim 41, characterized in that said wheel carrier means is constructed as a longitudinal guide member.

43. An axle suspension according to claim 41, characterized in that said wheel carrier means is constructed as an inclined guide member.

44. An axle suspension according to claim 41, characterized in that the two means guide members are suspended at the vehicle superstructure connected in a torsion-rigid manner.

45. An axle suspension according to claim 44, characterized in that a common shaft interconnects said two forward guide members in a torsion-rigid manner.

46. An axle suspension according to claim 20, characterized in that said wheel carrier means is disposed essentially horizontally.

47. An axle suspension according to claim 46, characterized in that the wheel carrier means serves for the support of the wheel spring system.