GB2174961A

GB2174961A - Independent wheel suspension systems

Info

Publication number: GB2174961A
Application number: GB08611594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kanji Kubo
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 1985-05-13
Filing date: 1986-05-13
Publication date: 1986-11-19
Also published as: FR2581595A1; GB8611594D0; DE3616005A1; JPS61190706U; GB2174961B; FR2581595B1; DE3616005C2

Abstract

An independent wheel suspension system comprises a lower control arm (14) having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle frame (11) and the other end pivotally connected to a steering knuckle assembly (22), and a radius arm (40) having one end connected to the vehicle frame (11) and the other end rigidly connected to the lower control arm (14). The radius arm (40) has an elongated section in a vertical direction so as to have adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Independent wheel suspension systems This invention relates to independent wheel suspension systems.

In an independent wheel suspension system it is known that a lower suspension control arm is pivotally connected at its inner end to a vehicle frame, and its outer end to a steering knuckle. A bracing or radius arm is rigidly connected, at one end, to near the outer end of the lower control arm to keep the lower control arm from swinging forward and rearward. The other end of the radius arm is connected to the vehicle frame through a rubber bushing or any elastic materials.

It is desired that in such a system the radius arm has adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction. However, a conventional radius arm has a circular section and thus is subject to deflection in a downward or transverse direction under compression or tension.

According to the present invention there is provided an independent wheel suspension system comprising a lower control arm having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle frame and the other end pivotally connected to a steering knuckle assembly, and a radius arm having one end connected to the vehicle frame and the other end rigidly connected to the lower control arm, the radius arm having an elongated section in a vertical direction. In this system the radius arm has adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of an independent wheel suspension system, Figure 2 is a side view of a radius arm shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the radius arm of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Figure 3, Referring particularly to Figure 1,there is illustrated the left front suspension of a vehicle. The direction of forward vehicle travel is to the left in this Figure. Reference numeral 10 indicates a left front road wheel upon which is suspended a vehicle frame 11 having a front cross member 12, only schematically shown. The front wheel 10 is dirigibly connected to the cross member 12 by means of a lower control arm 14.The lower control arm 14 is provided at its inner end with an enlarged hub 16 having a through hole 18 therein, which receives a pivot shaft 20. The pivot shaft 20 is secured between the front and rear faces of the cross member 12. The outer end of the lower control arm 14 is pivotally connected to one end of a steering knuckle assembly 22 by means of a pivot connection 24. The steering knuckle assembly 22 includes a spindle 26 rotatably supporting the front wheel 10. The other end of the steering knuckle assembly 22 is pivotally connected to one end of a tie rod 30 by means of a pivot connection 32. It will be understood that the form and arrangement of the suspension for the right front road wheel is reversely similar.

A radius arm 40 is rigidly connected, at one end, to the outer end of the lower control arm 14 by any suitable means, for example, by bolts 42. This arrangement keeps the lower control arm 14 from swinging forward and backward. The other end of the radius arm 40 is connected through a rubber bushing assembly 44 to the vehicle frame 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the radius arm 40 is arcuated at its centre. In order to give adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction, the radius arm 40 is vertically elongated in section as best seen in Figure 4. As shown, the cross section of the radius arm 40 is rectangular but it is to be understood that the section may be of elliptical shape.

1. An independent wheel suspension system comprising a lower control arm having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle frame and the other end pivotally connected to a steering knuckle assembly, and a radius arm having one end connected to the vehicle frame and the other end rigidly connected to the lower control arm, the radius arm having an elongated section in a vertical direction.

2. An independent wheel suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said section of the radius arm is rectangular.

3. An independent wheel suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said section of the radius arm is elliptical.

4. An independent wheel suspension system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Independent wheel suspension systems This invention relates to independent wheel suspension systems. In an independent wheel suspension system it is known that a lower suspension control arm is pivotally connected at its inner end to a vehicle frame, and its outer end to a steering knuckle. A bracing or radius arm is rigidly connected, at one end, to near the outer end of the lower control arm to keep the lower control arm from swinging forward and rearward. The other end of the radius arm is connected to the vehicle frame through a rubber bushing or any elastic materials. It is desired that in such a system the radius arm has adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction. However, a conventional radius arm has a circular section and thus is subject to deflection in a downward or transverse direction under compression or tension. According to the present invention there is provided an independent wheel suspension system comprising a lower control arm having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle frame and the other end pivotally connected to a steering knuckle assembly, and a radius arm having one end connected to the vehicle frame and the other end rigidly connected to the lower control arm, the radius arm having an elongated section in a vertical direction. In this system the radius arm has adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of an independent wheel suspension system, Figure 2 is a side view of a radius arm shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the radius arm of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Figure 3, Referring particularly to Figure 1,there is illustrated the left front suspension of a vehicle. The direction of forward vehicle travel is to the left in this Figure. Reference numeral 10 indicates a left front road wheel upon which is suspended a vehicle frame 11 having a front cross member 12, only schematically shown. The front wheel 10 is dirigibly connected to the cross member 12 by means of a lower control arm 14.The lower control arm 14 is provided at its inner end with an enlarged hub 16 having a through hole 18 therein, which receives a pivot shaft 20. The pivot shaft 20 is secured between the front and rear faces of the cross member 12. The outer end of the lower control arm 14 is pivotally connected to one end of a steering knuckle assembly 22 by means of a pivot connection 24. The steering knuckle assembly 22 includes a spindle 26 rotatably supporting the front wheel 10. The other end of the steering knuckle assembly 22 is pivotally connected to one end of a tie rod 30 by means of a pivot connection 32. It will be understood that the form and arrangement of the suspension for the right front road wheel is reversely similar. A radius arm 40 is rigidly connected, at one end, to the outer end of the lower control arm 14 by any suitable means, for example, by bolts 42. This arrangement keeps the lower control arm 14 from swinging forward and backward. The other end of the radius arm 40 is connected through a rubber bushing assembly 44 to the vehicle frame 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the radius arm 40 is arcuated at its centre. In order to give adequate flexibility in a transverse direction and also sufficient rigidity and strength in a vertical direction, the radius arm 40 is vertically elongated in section as best seen in Figure 4. As shown, the cross section of the radius arm 40 is rectangular but it is to be understood that the section may be of elliptical shape. CLAIMS