Independent front suspension for a motor vehicle

• US 3,990,725 A
• Filed: 07/07/1975
• Issued: 11/09/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Allison, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Robert R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carroll, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/593,806
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124 R, 280/124 B, 280/721, 280/723, 280/700, 267/57, 267/154
• US Class Current: 280/124.146
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/20 characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/055 Stabiliser bars
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0551 Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/13 Torsion spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/1351 comprising at least two stabiliser bars parallel to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/122 Mounting of torsion springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/10 Constructional features of arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/124 the arm having triangular or Y-shape, e.g. wishbone
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/42 Springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/724 Wires, bars or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence

Abstract

An independent front suspension for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a one-piece torsion bar which functions as the left and right front wheel positioning members, the left and right front suspension springs and the front anti-roll stabilizer bar. The torsion bar has integral left and right lateral portions of generally Y-shape that are supported on the vehicle frame by mounts located fore and aft the axis of rotation of the vehicle'"'"'s front wheels. The outer ends of the Y-shape portions are coupled to the wheel support members by ball joints.

Claims

1. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame and a road wheel positioned adjacent said frame;

an independent wheel support member rotatably supporting said road wheel;

first and second support means connecting said torsion bar to said vehicle frame;

said first support means being disposed forwardly of the axis of rotation of said wheel and said second support means being positioned rearwardly of the axis of rotation of said road wheel;

said torsion bar having an integral portion of generally Y-shape;

said Y-shape integral portion comprising a fore diagonally arranged strut portion, an aft diagonally arranged strut portion and a laterally extending portion extending laterally outwardly for the rearward end of said fore strut portion and the forward end of said aft strut portion;

means connecting the outer end of said laterally extending portion of said Y-shape integral portion to said wheel support member;

said Y-shape integral portion being constructed, in part, to position said wheel support member both longitudinally and laterally with respect to said vehicle frame.

2. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame;

left and right road wheels positioned adjacent said frame;

left and right mutually independent wheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right road wheels. respectively;

a torsion bar connected to said vehicle frame and to said wheel support members;

first and second longitudinally spaced apart support means connecting said torsion bar to said vehicle frame;

said torsion bar having left and right integral portions each of generally Y-shape;

said left and right Y-shape integral portions each comprising a fore diagonally arranged strut portion, an aft diagonally arranged strut portion and a laterally extending portions extending laterally outwardly from the rearward end of said fore strut portion and the forward end of said aft strut portion;

means connecting the outer ends of said laterally extending portions of said left and right Y-shape integral portions to said left and right wheel support members, respectively;

said left and right Y-shape integral portions being constructed, in part, to position said left and right independent wheel support members both longitudinally and laterally with respect to said vehicle frame.

3. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame;

left and right road wheels positioned adjacent said frame;

left and right mutually independent wheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right road wheels, respectively;

a one-piece torsion bar connected to said vehicle frame and to said wheel support members;

first left and right support means connecting said torsion bar to said vehicle frame;

second left and right support means connecting said torsion bar to said vehicle frame;

said first support means being disposed forwardly of the axis of rotation of said wheels and said second support means being positioned rearwardly of the axis of rotation of said road wheels;

said torsion bar having left and right integral portions each of generally Y-shape;

said left and right Y-shape integral portions each comprising a fore diagonally arranged strut portion, an aft diagonally arranged strut portion and a laterally extending portion extending laterally outwardly from the rearward end of said fore strut portion and the forward end of said aft strut portion;

means connecting the outer ends of said laterally extending portions of said left and right Y-shape integral portions to said left and right wheel support members, respectively;

said left and right Y-shape integral portions being constructed, in part, to position said left and right independent wheel support members both longitudinally and laterally with respect to said vehicle frame.