Suspension arrangement

• US 5,401,051 A
• Filed: 02/07/1992
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Ivory, Douglas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US07/828,943
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 280/660, 280/663, 280/666, 280/667, 280/668, 280/670, 280/673, 280/688, 280/690, 280/696, 280/722, 280/724, 280/96.1, 280/47.131, 280/701
• US Class Current: 280/124.145
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/07 the damper being connected to the stub axle and the spring being arranged around the damper B60G15/068 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4305 Bracket for mounting of hydraulic lines on a damper cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/04 Buffer means for limiting movement of arms stops limiting fluid passage in fluid dampers F16F9/49; stroke-limiting stops for fluid dampers F16F9/58

Abstract

In a McPherson strut suspension, the top end of the strut 26 is not positively secured against axial movement in its seat 28 but is prevented from moving from its seat on full extension by abutment of a bracket 44 fixed to the strut with a stop 46 fixed to the chassis.

Claims

1. A suspension arrangement for use in a vehicle having a chassis which includes a McPherson Strut and a suspension arm, wherein the top end of the strut is located from below in a seat in the chassis and is normally retained in its seat by the weight of the vehicle, characterized in that the strut has a radial projection arranged so that the projection will come into contact with part of the chassis when the strut extends, to define the maximum strut extension, before the top end of the strut is displaced from its seat.

2. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the part of the chassis is a part of a body cross member which is extended into the path of the radial projection.

3. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that no fasteners are used to hold the top end of the strut to the bodywork.

4. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that twisting torque developed on the strut is resisted by locating the top of the strut within a socket in the underside of the bodywork.

5. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that twisting torque is resisted by a plate screwed to the underside of the bodywork.

6. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that top end of the strut is held to the bodywork by a frictional engagement produced when the top end of the strut is introduced into a socket from below the vehicle.

7. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the radial projection comprises a rubber pad.

8. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cooperating faces of the radial projection and the part of the chassis are parallel and inclined to the axis of the strut.

9. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the part of the chassis is part of a chassis cross member to which the suspension arm attaches.

10. A suspension arrangement for use in a vehicle having a chassis, said suspension arrangement comprising:

a knuckle;

a suspension arm pivotally interposed between the chassis and said knuckle;

a seat in the chassis;

a McPherson strut wherein a top end of said strut is inserted from below the chassis into said seat and is normally retained in said seat by the weight of the vehicle and a bottom end attached to said knuckle;

a stop disposed on the chassis;

a bracket disposed on said strut, said bracket being adapted to contact said stop thereby defining the maximum strut extension to prevent said top end of said strut from displacing from said seat; and

a plate secured within said seat by a single fastener, said plate having a socket therein to resist twisting torque developed on said strut when said bracket engages said stop.

11. A suspension arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein cooperating faces of said bracket and said stop are parallel and inclined to the axis of the strut.