Suspension travel-limiting arrangement

• US 6,805,215 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Puterbaugh, Benjamin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/279,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20040080133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.12, 180/89.13, 180/89.16, 180/352, 280/124.106, 280/124.111, 280/124.116, 280/124.11, 280/124.112, 280/124.113, 280/755, 296/190.07, 267/66, 267/248, 267/256
• US Class Current: 180/89.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/341 Panhard rod
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/112 longitudinally arranged
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/143 on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/45 Stops limiting travel
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/11 the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/003 the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0608 pneumatic or hydraulic suspension

Abstract

An assembly that includes a mounted component that is suspended from a mounting component by a novel suspension-system in such a manner that relative movement between the mounted component and the mounting component is allowed only in certain directions and only within certain ranges. The novel suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged to the mounted component at one connection point and also engaged to the mounting component at another connection point. The travel-limiting link is pivotally engaged to the mounted component at its connection point thereto and/or is pivotally engaged to the mounting component at its connection point thereto. The travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that cooperates with a first bump-stop structure of the assembly to limit the rotation of the travel-limiting link relative to the mounted component and/or the mounting component.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

(a) a mounted component that is mounted to a mounting component through a first suspension system in such a manner that the mounted component may move within predefined ranges of positions relative to said mounting component;

(b) wherein said first suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounting component at a first connection point and is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounted component at a second connection point;

(c) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a spanning portion that extends between said first connection point and said second connection point;

(d) wherein both of said connection points are pivotal connections about which said travel-limiting link may pivot relative to said mounting component and said mounted component;

(e) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that is disposed adjacent one of said pivotal connections and upon a side of said one pivotal connection opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(f) wherein either said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a first bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said first snubber moves toward said first bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said first snubber moves away from said first bump-stop structure;

(g) wherein said first suspension system comprises one or more flexible-chamber air springs that are engaged between said mounting component and said mounted component in such a manner that they provide substantial jounce resistance and limited rebound resistance; and

(h) wherein said mounted component is pivotally engaged to said mounting component about a suspension-system primary pivot-axis that is disposed at a distance from and at an angle of less than 30 degrees relative to a connection-point axis that extends through said connection points at which said travel-limiting link is connected to said mounted component and said mounting component.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said suspension-system primary pivot-axis and said connection-point axis are both

disposed at angles of less than 30 degrees relative to horizontal.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein:

(a) said assembly is a vehicle;

(b) said vehicle comprises one or more rigid frame structures to which a majority of other components of said vehicle are directly or indirectly engaged and from which a majority of other components of said vehicle derive support directly or indirectly;

(c) said vehicle comprises a frame-suspension system that is engaged to said one or more frame structures and that provides said one or more frame structures with support above the ground;

(d) said frame-suspension system is constructed in such a manner to provide said vehicle with a relatively low resistance to movement along the ground;

(e) said vehicle comprises one or more body structures that are mounted to and supported by said one or more frame structures of said vehicle;

(f) one of said body structures of said vehicle is an operator cabin which is also said mounted component;

(g) one of said one or more frame structures of said vehicle is said mounting component; and

(h) said first suspension system supports said operator cabin from said one frame structure in such a manner that said operator cabin can move vertically relative to said one frame structure.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein:

(a) said suspension-system primary pivot-axis is disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of said vehicle and at a forward portion of said operator cabin; and

(b) said travel-limiting link is engaged at one of its connection points to a lower rear portion of said operator cabin and at the other of its connection points to said one frame structure.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein:

(a) said first bump-stop structure is either a downwardly facing portion of said lower rear portion of said operator cabin or an upwardly facing portion of said one frame structure.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein:

(a) said travel-limiting link comprises a second snubber that is disposed adjacent whichever of said pivotal connections said first snubber is not adjacent;

(b) said second snubber is disposed upon a side of said pivotal connection that it is adjacent opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(c) said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a second bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said second snubber moves toward said second bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said second snubber moves away from said second bump-stop structure; and

(d) said first bump-stop structure and said second bump-stop structure are positioned such that, when relative rotation occurs between said travel-limiting link and whichever of said mounted component and said mounting component said travel-limiting link is pivotally engaged to through said pivotal connection adjacent said second snubber, said second bump-stop structure is disposed within a path of travel of said second snubber.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein:

(a) said one or more flexible-chamber air springs are mounted between said lower rear portion of said cabin and said one frame structure.

8. An assembly comprising:

(a) a mounted component that is mounted to a mounting component through a first suspension system in such a manner that the mounted component may move within predefined ranges of positions relative to said mounting component;

(b) wherein said first suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounting component at a first connection point and is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounted component at a second connection point;

(c) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a spanning portion that extends between said first connection point and said second connection point;

(d) wherein both of said connection points are pivotal connections about which said travel-limiting link may pivot relative to said mounting component and said mounted component;

(e) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that is disposed adjacent one of said pivotal connections and upon a side of said one pivotal connection opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(f) wherein either said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a first bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said first snubber moves toward said first bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said first snubber moves away from said first bump-stop structure;

(g) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a second snubber that is disposed adjacent whichever of said pivotal connections said first snubber is not adjacent;

(h) wherein said second snubber is disposed upon a side of said pivotal connection that it is adjacent opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(i) wherein said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a second bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said second snubber moves toward said second bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said second snubber moves away from said second bump-stop structure; and

(j) wherein said first bump-stop structure and said second bump-stop structure are positioned such that, when said mounted component moves away from said mounting component to a rebound limit said first snubber contacts said first bump-stop structure and said second snubber contacts said second bump-stop structure.

9. An assembly comprising:

(a) a mounted component that is mounted to a mounting component through a first suspension system in such a manner that the mounted component may move within predefined ranges of positions relative to said mounting component;

(b) wherein said first suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounting component at a first connection point and is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounted component at a second connection point;

(c) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a spanning portion that extends between said first connection point and said second connection point;

(d) wherein both of said connection points are pivotal connections about which said travel-limiting link may pivot relative to said mounting component and said mounted component;

(e) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that is disposed adjacent one of said pivotal connections and upon a side of said one pivotal connection opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(f) wherein either said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a first bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said first snubber moves toward said first bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said first snubber moves away from said first bump-stop structure;

(g) wherein said first suspension system comprises one or more springs that are constructed and engaged between said mounted component and said mounting component in such a manner that they provide substantial jounce resistance and limited rebound resistance;

(h) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a second snubber that is disposed adjacent whichever of said pivotal connections said first snubber is not adjacent;

(i) wherein said second snubber is disposed upon a side of said pivotal connection that it is adjacent opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(j) wherein said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a second bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said second snubber moves toward said second bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said second snubber moves away from said second bump-stop structure; and

(k) wherein said first bump-stop structure and said second bump-stop structure are positioned such that, when said mounted component moves away from said mounting component to a rebound limit said first snubber contacts said first bump-stop structure and said second snubber contacts said second bump-stop structure.

10. An assembly comprising:

(a) a mounted component that is mounted to a mounting component through a first suspension system in such a manner that the mounted component may move within predefined ranges of positions relative to said mounting component;

(b) wherein said first suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounting component at a first connection point and is engaged directly or indirectly to said mounted component at a second connection point;

(c) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a spanning portion that extends between said first connection point and said second connection point;

(d) wherein both of said connection points are pivotal connections about which said travel-limiting link may pivot relative to said mounting component and said mounted component;

(e) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that is disposed adjacent one of said pivotal connections and upon a side of said one pivotal connection opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(f) wherein either said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a first bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said first snubber moves toward said first bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link rotates about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said first snubber moves away from said first bump-stop structure;

(g) wherein said first suspension system comprises one or more flexible-chamber air springs that are engaged between said mounting component and said mounted component in such a manner that they provide substantial jounce resistance and limited rebound resistance;

(h) wherein said travel-limiting link comprises a second snubber that is disposed adjacent whichever of said pivotal connections said first snubber is not adjacent;

(i) wherein said second snubber is disposed upon a side of said pivotal connection that it is adjacent opposite said spanning portion of said travel-limiting link;

(j) wherein said mounting component or said mounted component comprises a second bump-stop structure that is disposed in such a position that when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves away from said mounting component said second snubber moves toward said second bump-stop structure and when said travel-limiting link pivots about said pivotal connections as said mounted component moves toward said mounting component said second snubber moves away from said second bump-stop structure; and

(k) wherein said first bump-stop structure and said second bump-stop structure are positioned such that, when said mounted component moves away from said mounting component to a rebound limit said first snubber contacts said first bump-stop structure and said second snubber contacts said second bump-stop structure.