Spring strut arrangement for wheel suspension of motor vehicles

• US 8,573,573 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Michel, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Bradley
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lane, Nicholas J
• Application Number:
  US12/808,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20100308518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 267/175, 267/177, 267/218, 267/221, 267/224, 267/225, 280/5.514, 280/6.157, 280/124.158, 280/124.145, 280/124.147, 280/124.154, 280/124.155
• US Class Current: 267/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/068 specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/021 the mechanical spring being a coil spring B60G17/0272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/312 The spring being a wound spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/124 Mounting of coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/12422 anchoring the end coils on the spring support plate
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/121 adjustable, e.g. to modify spring characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 3/04 composed only of wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/56 Means for adjusting the length of, or for locking, the spring or damper, e.g. at the end of the stroke F16F9/50 takes precedence; for telescopic gas springs or dampers F16F9/0245; vehicle suspension locking arrangements B60G17/005

Abstract

The invention relates a spring strut arrangement for wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, which is formed from a telescoping shock absorber, a suspension spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, and a preloaded spring element which is preferably made as a helical compression spring, the spring elements being supported by way of spring caps on the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel suspension element and a third spring cap located in between being movably guided along the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber relative to the body by way of an electrically driven positioning drive which is located within the spring elements, the positioning drive having a positioning spindle which is pivoted around the shock absorber and an adjusting nut which is connected to the movable spring cap. According to the invention, the shock absorber with the shock absorber tube is located at the top on the body of the motor vehicle and the positioning spindle is pivoted on the shock absorber tube.

Claims

1. A strut connectable between a wheel suspension component and the body of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a shock absorber including a cylindrical member closed at one end connectable to said vehicle body, and a piston with a rod extending through an opening in the other end thereof, connectable to said suspension component;

a first cylindrical sleeve member coaxially mounted on said cylindrical member, selectively rotatable by a motor mountable on said vehicle body;

a second cylindrical sleeve member coaxially mounted on said first cylindrical sleeve member provided with a ball and screw connection therebetween, and an annular flange rigidly mounted coaxially therein;

a first helical spring disposed coaxially relative to said shock absorber, having one end engaging said annular flange of said second cylindrical sleeve and an opposite end connectable to said suspension component;

a second helical spring disposed coaxially relative to said shock absorber, having one end engaging said annular flange of said second cylindrical sleeve and an opposite end connectable to said vehicle body; and

a third torsion spring disposed coaxially relative to said shock absorber, having an end connected to said second cylindrical sleeve member and an opposite end engageable by an abutment surface of said first cylindrical sleeve member upon axial displacement of said second cylindrical sleeve member toward an end of said first cylindrical sleeve member, effecting compression of said third torsion spring.

2. The strut according to claim 1 wherein said one end of said third torsion spring is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of said shock absorber and is received in an opening in said second cylindrical sleeve member, and said other end of said third torsion spring is disposed substantially parallel to said axis.

3. The strut according to claim 2 wherein said abutment surface of said first cylindrical sleeve member comprises a component of said first cylindrical sleeve member, projecting radially relative to said axis.

4. The strut according to claim 3 wherein said component comprises a pin.

5. The strut according to claim 1 including cushioning means disposed on said first cylindrical sleeve member engageable by said second cylindrical sleeve member.

6. The strut according to claim 1 including a bearing disposed between said cylindrical member of said shock absorber and said first cylindrical sleeve member.

7. The strut according to claim 1 wherein said motor includes a stator supportable on said vehicle body and a rotor mounted on said first cylindrical sleeve member.