Vehicle suspension arrangement and vehicle provided with such a suspension

• US 7,168,718 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Svartz, Bjorn O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown; Drew J.
• Application Number:
  US10/855,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20050263972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.07, 280/124.11, 280/124.153, 280/676, 280/684, 280/124.116, 280/124.128, 280/124.13
• US Class Current: 280/124.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/314 with longitudinally arranged arms articulated on the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/341 Panhard rod
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/025 using linkages for the suspension of the axle allowing its lateral swinging displacement

Abstract

An axle suspension arrangement for rigid axles in vehicles with a frame having a pair of longitudinal beams. The suspension arrangement includes at least one first longitudinal control arm extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each longitudinal control arm being connected to the vehicle by a first pivotal joint and being connected to the vehicle axle by a second pivotal joint. The arrangement further includes a second longitudinal control arm connected to the vehicle by a third pivotal joint and connected to the vehicle axle by a fourth pivotal joint, the control arms being arranged on each side of the vehicle approximately at the same level, positioned above the first control arm, and a stabilizer bar counteracting lateral tilting movements of the axle. The stabilizer bar is arranged directly between and fixedly attached to the second longitudinal control arms at its ends. There is further disclosed a vehicle provided with such an axle suspension.

Claims

1. An axle suspension arrangement for rigid axles in vehicles with a frame having a pair of longitudinal beams, the suspension arrangement comprising:

a vehicle axle vertically movable relative to a vehicle frame;

at least one first longitudinal control arm extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each first longitudinal control arm being arranged on a respective side of the vehicle, being connected to the vehicle frame by a first pivotal joint and being connected to the vehicle axle by a second pivotal joint;

at least two second longitudinal control arms being respectively connected to the vehicle by a third pivoting joint, being respectively connected to the vehicle axle by a fourth pivoting joint, and being arranged on each side of the vehicle approximately at a common level, the second longitudinal control arm being positioned above the first longitudinal control arm arranged on the respective side;

a stabilizer bar counteracting lateral tilting movements of the axle, the stabilizer bar being arranged directly between and fixedly attached at its ends to the second longitudinal control arms, the stabilizer bar being arranged to pass through the longitudinal beams.

2. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first and second longitudinal control arms on the side of the vehicle form a parallelogram.

3. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer bar is attached to the second longitudinal control arms at or near the third pivoting joint.

4. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 3, wherein the stabilizer bar is positioned in a roll center of the vehicle.

5. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth pivoting joints comprise resilient bushings.

6. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 5, wherein the fourth pivoting joint has an axis parallel to a horizontal plane and angled outwards and forward relative to a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

7. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 5, wherein the fourth pivoting joint is resiliently displaceable relative to an axis of the bushing.

8. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 5, wherein the third pivoting joint has an axis parallel to a lateral, vertical plane and angled outwards and upward relative to a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

9. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 8, wherein the third pivoting joint is resiliently displaceable relative to an axis of the bushing.

10. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 8, wherein the fourth pivoting joint has an axis parallel to a horizontal plane and angled outwards and forward relative to a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

11. The axle suspension arrangement of claim 8, wherein the fourth pivoting joint is resiliently displaceable relative to an axis of the bushing.

12. A vehicle, comprising at least one axle suspension arrangement according to claim 1.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the stabilizer bar is positioned in front of the axle.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the stabilizer bar is positioned rearward of the axle.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein for a vehicle with two rear axles, the first stabilizer bar is positioned rearward of a first rear axle and a second stabilizer bar is positioned in front of a second rear axle.

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein for a vehicle with two rear axles, the first stabilizer bar is positioned in front of a first rear axle and a second stabilizer bar is positioned rearward of a second rear axle.