Wheel suspension for steered wheels of motor vehicles

• US 7,780,177 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Michel, Wifried
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US12/401,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.146, 280/124.147, 280/124.151, 280/124.154, 280/6.157, 280/6.159
• US Class Current: 280/124.146
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/063 characterised by the mounting of the spring on the damper B60G15/065, B60G15/066 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/068 specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension
• 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 17/0157 non-fluid unit, e.g. electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/021 the mechanical spring being a coil spring B60G17/0272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/312 The spring being a wound spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1242 on a damper, e.g. MacPerson strut
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/128 Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/41 Elastic mounts, e.g. bushings
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/418 Bearings, e.g. ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel suspension for steered wheels of motor vehicles having a telescoping shock absorber which is preferably permanently connected to the wheel carrier and a helical compression spring which surrounds it and which is clamped between a lower spring plate which is preferably permanently connected to the shock absorber tube and an upper, body-side spring plate. According to the invention for vertical adjustment of the body around the shock absorber there is an actuator, and the actuator acts by way of an actuating pinion with the interposition of an axial anti-friction bearing on the upper spring plate.

Claims

1. A wheel suspension for steered wheels of motor vehicles having a telescoping shock absorber which is preferably permanently connected to the wheel carrier and a helical compression spring which surrounds it and which is clamped between a lower spring plate which is preferably permanently connected to the shock absorber tube and an upper, body-side spring plate wherein

for vertical adjustment of the body around the shock absorber there is an actuator, and

the actuator acts by way of an actuating pinion with the interposition of an axial anti-friction bearing on the upper spring plate, and

wherein the spindle is pivoted and the electric motor is held by way of a base part to which the piston rod is attached.

2. The wheel suspension according to claim 1 wherein the base part is supported on the body by way of the rubber-elastic shock absorber bearing.

3. The wheel suspension according to claim 1 wherein the base part has a bearing plate which carries the electric motor and on which the intermediate gear is also pivoted.

4. A shock absorber assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising;

a base member connectable to a wheel carrier of said vehicle;

a piston cooperating with said base member;

a coil spring supported on a lower flange provided on said base member, and provided with an upper, annular flange seated thereon;

a guide member mounted on said piston, having a radially projecting portion relative to said piston;

means mounted on said radially projecting portion connectable to a body portion of said vehicle;

a tubular member disposed coaxially relative to said piston and base member;

an annular member disposed coaxially relative to said tubular member, supported on said upper, annular flange seated on said coil spring, and having a ball screw connection with said tubular member;

a motor mounted on said projecting portion of said guide member, and

means supported on said projecting portion of said guide member for transmitting rotary motion of said motor to said tubular member.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 including cushioning means disposed between said piston and said base member.

6. An assembly according to claim 4 including an annular bearing seated on said upper, annular flange seated on said coil spring, wherein said annular member is supported thereon.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 including cushioning means interposed between a portion of said annular member and said bearing.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said bearing comprises a roller bearing.

9. A system according to claim 4 including means functionally interacting between said annular member and said base member to permit axial displacement of said annular member and preclude rotational movement thereof relative to the axis of said piston upon rotation of said tubular member.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said means mounted on said radially projecting portion of said guide member connectable to a body section of said vehicle, is formed of a cushioning material.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said means mounted on said radially projecting portion of said guide member has an annular configuration and is disposed coaxially relative to the axis of said piston.

12. A system according to claim 4 wherein said means for transmitting rotary motion from said motor to said tubular member comprises a gear train.

13. A system according to claim 4 wherein the axes of said piston, said coil spring and a steering axis of said wheel carrier are coaxial.

14. A assembly according to claim 4 wherein said motor is provided with a brake.