Patent Application
20110095503
This disclosure relates generally to vehicle suspension systems and, in an example described below, more particularly provides a drop spindle independent suspension system.
It is continually desirable to provide more light weight, reliable and reduced cost suspension systems for wheeled vehicles, including light trailers. Drop spindle independent suspension systems are being used more frequently, but typical suspension systems of this type suffer from certain drawbacks. These drawbacks include, but are not limited to, an excessive number of components, difficult assembly and excessive time needed to manufacture and install the suspension systems.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are needed in the art of suspension systems.
In the disclosure below, improvements are described for the art of suspension systems. One example is described below in which a spindle carrier is pivotably mounted to a member which extends laterally relative to a vehicle frame. Another example is described below in which the spindle carrier rotates about the member itself, and about an axis which extends laterally relative to the vehicle frame.
In one aspect, a suspension system for a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes a member which extends laterally relative to a frame of the vehicle, and at least one spindle carrier which pivots about the member.
In another aspect, a suspension system for a vehicle includes the member which extends laterally relative to the frame of the vehicle, and multiple spindle carriers. Each of the spindle carriers is pivotably mounted at a respective opposite end of the member.
In yet another aspect, a suspension system for a vehicle includes the member which extends laterally relative to the frame of the vehicle, with the member having an axis. At least one spindle carrier rotates about an axis which is collinear with and/or parallel to the member axis.
These and other features, advantages and benefits will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative examples below and the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are indicated in the various figures using the same reference numbers.
Representatively illustrated in
The trailer 14 of
One of the many benefits of the suspension system described in this disclosure is that the vehicle frame 18 can be lowered significantly, thereby providing for increased cargo volume in the trailer 14, the vehicle 10 can have a lower center of gravity, the vertical distance to step into the trailer or unload cargo from the trailer is reduced, etc. Other benefits include reduced cost, reduced weight, increased convenience and reduced time and labor to manufacture the trailer, etc.
Referring additionally now to
The suspension system 30 is securely mounted (for example, by welding, fastening, etc.) below a frame 32 of the vehicle. As depicted in
The suspension system 30 includes a member 38 which extends laterally relative to the vehicle frame 32. As depicted in
At each opposite end of the member 38, a spindle carrier 42 is pivotably mounted. A spindle 44 extends outwardly from each spindle carrier 42.
The spindles 44 are otherwise conventional, in that they are configured for rotatably mounting wheels (such as wheels 20) thereon. Additional components (such as brakes, bearings, hubs, etc.) may be provided, although they are not depicted in the drawings.
Each spindle carrier 42 uniquely rotates about an axis 46 at each end of the member 38. The axes 46 are preferably parallel to the member axis 40 (and, thus, also orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal axis 36), and are most preferably collinear with the member axis 40.
In the example of
The suspension system 30 is mounted to the frame 32 via hanger brackets 48 which also serve as upper mounts for air springs 50. The air springs 50 serve to resiliently bias the spindle carriers 42 to pivot downwardly relative to the vehicle frame 32. The air springs 50 are compressed by the weight of the vehicle.
Referring additionally to
Note that the member 38 in this example is a generally tubular cylindrical member. However, other shapes and types of members may be used, if desired.
Each spindle carrier 42 has bushings 52 therein to provide for rotation of the spindle carrier about the member 38. In addition, note that each spindle carrier 42 has an inwardly extending platform 54 formed thereon for mounting the air spring 50.
Referring additionally now to
Referring additionally now to
The air spring 50 biases the platform 54 downwardly relative to the top plate of the hanger bracket 48 to thereby support the vehicle frame 32. Increased weight on the vehicle frame 32 (or a bump traversed by the associated wheel 20 and tire 22) tends to compress the air spring 50 and pivot the spindle carrier 42 upwardly about the member 38 (i.e., toward the frame 32), and decreased weight on the vehicle frame (or a depression traversed by the associated wheel and tire) tends to decompress the air spring and pivot the spindle carrier downwardly about the member (i.e., away from the frame).
Referring additionally now to
Note that the member 38 is secured against rotation relative to the hanger bracket 48 (for example, by welding, fastening, etc.). Since the hanger bracket 48 is rigidly mounted to the frame 32, the member 38 is also secured against rotation or other displacement relative to the frame.
In the example of
Referring additionally now to
Note that the hanger bracket 48, along with the support bracket 60, operates to laterally retain the spindle carrier 42 on the member 38, while also allowing the spindle carrier to rotate freely about the member.
It is not necessary in keeping with the principles of this disclosure for the member 38 to extend completely laterally across the frame 32 (e.g., between the frame rails 34, as depicted in
In
Another difference in the suspension system 30 as depicted in
In
Another difference in the configuration of
In
It may now be fully appreciated that the suspension system 30 as described herein provides many advancements to the art. In particular, the suspension system 30 is fairly straightforward in design, requiring relatively few components to perform its function, while still providing a capable means of reliably suspending the vehicle frame 32 above a road surface. The suspension system 30 is relatively inexpensive and convenient to manufacture and install.
The above disclosure describes a suspension system 30 for a vehicle. The suspension system 30 includes a member 38 which extends laterally relative to a frame 32 of the vehicle. At least one spindle carrier 42 pivots about the member 38.
The suspension system 30 can include two spindle carriers 42, with each of the spindle carriers being pivotably mounted on the member 38. Each of the spindle carriers 42 may be pivotably mounted at a respective opposite end of the member 38. The spindle carriers 42 may be spaced apart from each other on the member 38.
The spindle carrier 42 may rotate about an axis 40 of the member 38. The spindle carrier 42 may rotate relative to the member 38. The member 38 may be secured against rotation relative to the vehicle frame 32.
Also described by the above disclosure is a suspension system 30 for a vehicle which includes a member 38 which extends laterally relative to a frame 32 of the vehicle, and at least two spindle carriers 42, with each of the spindle carriers 42 being pivotably mounted at a respective opposite end of the member 38.
The spindle carriers 42 may rotate about the member 38. The spindle carriers 42 may rotate relative to the member 38.
The above disclosure also provides a suspension system 30 for a vehicle which includes a member 38 which extends laterally relative to a frame 32 of the vehicle, with the member having an axis 40. At least one spindle carrier 42 rotates about an axis 46 which is collinear with and/or parallel to the member axis 40. The member axis 40 may be orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 36 of the vehicle frame 32.
The suspension system 30 may comprise multiple spindle carriers 42 and multiple members 38. The spindle carriers 42 and respective members 38 may be attached on opposite lateral sides of the frame 32. Each member 38 may extend less than completely laterally across the frame 32.
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are within the scope of the principles of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
