Strut type vehicle wheel suspension

• US 4,779,893 A
• Filed: 09/24/1987
• Issued: 10/25/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Auto OOO (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Juechter, Tadge J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weaver, Ross
• Application Number:
  US07/100,539
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 280/668, 280/692, 280/697, 280/715
• US Class Current: 280/124.145
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/08 arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/06 and fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/1442 including longitudinal rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/182 with one longitudinal arm or rod and lateral rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/114 transversally arranged
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/31 with the spring arranged around the damper, e.g. MacPherson strut
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/121 Mounting of leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/129 Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/15 Mounting of subframes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/44 Centering or positioning means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4502 using resilient buffer
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4504 using cable or band to prevent extension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/602 Single transverse beam
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/20 Spring action or springs

Abstract

Vehicle strut type suspensions are improved against deleterious side loadings and excessive friction in the telescopic strut portions by use of a couple counterbalance secondary spring which imposes a counter-moment on the strut-connected wheel support knuckle.

Claims

1. Vehicle wheel suspension comprising a telescopic guidance strut oriented generally vertically in the vehicle, an unsprung mass including a roadwheel and a roadwheel support member fixed to the lower end of said strut, primary suspension spring means for supporting the sprung mass of the vehicle upon the unsprung mass at a location on the latter spaced laterally of the center longitudinal plane of the roadwheel containing the effective ground reaction force, whereby said unsprung mass experiences a laterally applied force couple sustainable in the telescopic parts of said strut, and a couple counterbalance torsionally compliant stranded cable member fixed at its ends in a normally deformed condition, one such end being connected to said roadwheel support member so as to apply a lateral moment thereon of opposite hand to that of said force couple.

2. Vehicle wheel suspension comprising a telescopic guidance strut oriented generally vertically in the vehicle, a lower control arm extending laterally in the vehicle, an unsprung mass including a roadwheel and a roadwheel support member fixed to the lower end of said strut and pivotally secured to the outboard end of said control arm, primary suspension spring means for supporting the sprung mass of the vehicle upon the unsprung mass at a location on the latter spaced laterally inboard of the center longitudinal plane of the roadwheel containing the effective ground reaction force, whereby said unsprung mass experiences a laterally applied force couple sustainable in the telescopic parts of said strut, and a couple counterbalance elastomeric body installed in a normally compressed condition between its ends, one such end being connected to said wheel support member to apply to the latter a moment of opposite hand to that of said force couple.