Variable rate anti-roll bar end link

• US 5,934,696 A
• Filed: 08/08/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Bloser, Nathan E., Martindale, Larry G. II, Lloyd, Quentin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US08/907,677
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.106, 280/124.13, 280/124.137, 280/124.149, 280/124.152, 280/93.502, 280/93.507, 280/93.508, 280/93.51, 280/93.511 , 280/124.107, 403/133
• US Class Current: 280/124.106
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0551 Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1224 End mounts of stabiliser on wheel suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/422 Links for mounting suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/61 Adjustable during maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/20 Spring action or springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition

Abstract

A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension. The link comprises a lower link member, a central link member, and an upper link member. The lower link member comprises a lower portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion, the middle portion comprising a frusto-conical member defining a cylindrical bore which receives a plurality of annular disk springs. The disks are removable and give the link a progressive spring characteristic.

Claims

1. A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension comprising:

means for connecting to said control arm;

means for connecting to said anti-roll bar;

a lower link member, said means for connecting to said control arm connected to said lower link member;

said lower link member comprising;

a lower portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion;

said lower portion comprising a cylindrical member further comprising a threaded bore for receiving said means for connecting to said lower control arm;

said middle portion comprising a frusto-conical member defining a cylindrical bore, said bore connected to said lower portion bore, said lower portion connected to said middle portion;

said upper portion comprising a cylindrical member defining an internally threaded cylindrical bore, said upper portion connected to said middle portion, said upper portion bore connected to said middle portion bore, said upper portion defining a set screw hole connected through to said upper portion bore;

a resilient member comprising a plurality of annular disk springs, said springs received by said upper portion bore;

a central link member, said central link member comprising a lower shaft, a central portion, and an upper shaft;

said lower shaft sized to fit within and received by said upper portion bore of said lower member;

said central portion connected to said lower shaft and having generally the same diameter as said springs;

said upper shaft connected to said central portion, said central portion received by said upper bore of said lower member such that said central portion abuts said springs;

said lower shaft received by said lower portion bore;

a cylindrical bushing further comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising an externally threaded cylindrical member for engaging said internal threads of said upper portion bore, said lower portion further comprising a cylindrical bore for receiving said upper shaft of said central link member;

said upper portion comprising a cylindrical member externally splined for receiving said set screw and further comprising a bore connected to said lower bore for receiving said upper shaft, said bushing mounted on said upper shaft.

2. The link of claim 1 further comprising a locknut, said locknut capable of securing said upper shaft to said upper link member.

3. The link of claim 1 further comprising an upper link member, said upper link member comprising an internally threaded hollow cylindrical member, said middle portion further comprising means for engaging said upper link member, said means comprising threads on said upper shaft.

4. A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension comprising:

a lower link member adapted to be connected to said control arm and including a resilient member;

a central link member received by said lower link member; and

an upper link member connected to said central link member and adapted to be connected to said anti-roll bar;

said lower link member including a lower portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion, said lower portion having a threaded bore for receiving said lower control arm, said middle portion including a frusto-conical member defining a cylindrical bore connected to said lower portion bore, said upper portion defining an internally threaded cylindrical bore connected to said middle portion bore, said upper portion defining a set screw hole intersecting said upper portion bore.

5. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 4, wherein said lower link member includes a plurality of annular disk springs.

6. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 5, wherein said lower link member defines a bore and said plurality of annular disk springs is removably disposed in said bore.

7. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 5, wherein said annular disk springs of said plurality of annular disk springs are stacked in series;

.

8. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 7, wherein said central link member includes a lower shaft passing through said plurality of annular disk springs.

9. A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension comprising:

a lower link member adapted to be connected to said control arm, said lower link member defining a first bore portion and a second bore portion;

a plurality of annular disk springs disposed in said second bore portion;

a central link member received by said lower link member; and

an upper link member connected to said central link member and adapted to be connected to said anti-roll bar;

said central link member including a lower shaft, a central portion, and an upper shaft, said lower shaft sized to fit within and be received by said second bore portion of said lower link member, said central portion having substantially the same diameter as said annular disk springs, said central portion received by said first bore portion of said lower member such that said central portion abuts said annular disk springs.

10. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 9, wherein said annular disk springs of said plurality of annular disk springs are stacked in series.

11. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 10, wherein said lower shaft of said central link member passes through said plurality of annular disk springs.

12. A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension comprising:

a lower link member adapted to be connected to said control arm and a resilient member;

a central link member received by said lower link member, said central link member including an externally threaded upper shaft; and

an upper link member connected to said central link member and adapted to be connected to said anti-roll bar, said an upper link member including an internally threaded hollow cylindrical member, and a locknut securing said upper shaft to said upper link member.

13. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 12, wherein said lower link member includes a plurality of annular disk springs.

14. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 13, wherein said lower link member defines a bore and said plurality of annular disk springs is removably disposed in said bore.

15. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 12, wherein said annular disk springs of said plurality of annular disk springs are stacked in series.

16. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 15, wherein said central link member includes a lower shaft passing through said plurality of annular disk springs.

17. A link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension comprising:

a lower link member adapted to be connected to said control arm, said lower link member defining a first bore portion and a second bore portion;

a plurality of annular disk springs disposed in said second bore portion;

a central link member including a lower shaft passing through said plurality of annular disk springs and received in said first bore portion, said central link member further including a portion abutting an uppermost one of said plurality of annular disk springs; and

an upper link member connected to said central link member and adapted to be connected to said anti-roll bar.

a central link member received by said lower link member, said central link member including an externally threaded upper shaft; and

an upper link member connected to said central link member and adapted to be connected to said anti-roll bar, said an upper link member including an internally threaded hollow cylindrical member, and a locknut securing said upper shaft to said upper link member.

18. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 17, wherein said plurality of annular disk springs is removably disposed in said first bore.

19. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 17, wherein said annular disk springs of said plurality of annular disk springs are stacked in series.

20. The link for connecting an anti-roll bar to a control arm of an independent suspension of claim 17, wherein said central link member further includes an upper shaft threadably engaged with said upper link member.