Abstract: The wheel suspension system is dimensioned and positioned so as to be contained within a fore-and-aft profile of the engine assembly so that the wheel suspension system which is considered to be too rigid to define a crush zone in case of a vehicle crash is contained within the profile of the engine assembly, and would not in any way reduce the crush zone of the vehicle body which is effective in absorbing the impact energy of a vehicle crash. A steering gear may also be too rigid to define a crush zone. The engine assembly normally projects toward the passenger compartment at upper and lower parts thereof. Therefore, to avoid the steering mechanism from reducing the effective crush zone, the steering gear unit may be placed so as to oppose the recess thus defined in the engine assembly.

Abstract: In a strut type wheel suspension system comprising a knuckle arm extending vertically from a knuckle, an intermediate part of a knuckle end of a linear damper is attached to a part of the knuckle arm so as to reinforce each other. Thereby, the knuckle arm may be made compact without compromising the camber rigidity or the precision and stability of wheel alignment. Also, the linear damper is not require to be modified from a conventional design.

Abstract: In a floor structure of a vehicle comprising: left and right side sills; a substantially flat floor panel extending between the left and right side sills; and a cross member for connecting the left and right side sills, the cross member comprises: left and right upper members which extend inwardly from the left and right side sills, respectively, and attached to a top surface of the floor panel with their opposing inward ends spaced from each other; and a lower member extending laterally across a part of a lateral length of the vehicle and attached to an under surface of the floor panel. In the above floor structure, an open space formed beside the lower member can accommodate external piping under the floor panel, and the floor surface can be substantially flat by placing front seats over the upper members. Thus, a floor structure is achieved in which the floor surface is substantially flat and the floor is placed at a lower position.

Abstract: A strut type wheel suspension system is modified so as to allow the camber angle of the wheel to change in the negative direction as the wheel moves upward with respect to the vehicle body. The suspension system includes additional links which jointly convert the vertical movement of a lower part of the knuckle into a lateral movement of an upper part of the knuckle. This allows the camber angle of the outer wheel of a vehicle making a turn to change into a more negative value, and thereby increases the cornering power of the wheel. Thus, the present invention increases the freedom in controlling the camber angle of the wheel without losing the benefits of the simplicity of a strut type wheel suspension system.

Abstract: In a wheel suspension system, a trailing link, which connects of a knuckle rotatably carrying a wheel to a vehicle body, has a front end which is pivotally attached to a vehicle body via a coupling rod fitted with a rubber bush, an axial center line of the coupling rod is slanted so that a rear end thereof is offset toward a center of the vehicle body, and a rear end which is attached to the vehicle body via a lateral arm made of a plate member so as to be flexible in a fore-and-aft direction. Thus, when the rear wheel is pulled backward as a result of applying a brake, the lateral member made of a plate member deflects and the rubber bush fitted on the coupling rod connecting the front end of the trailing link to the vehicle body deforms in the axial direction.

Abstract: A suspension arm for a vehicle is provided, the suspension arm including an L-shaped arm body having a first end portion, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion is adapted to pivotally connect the arm body to a vehicle. The intermediate portion has a bulge formed thereon which is adapted to pivotally connect the arm body to the vehicle. The second end portion is adapted to connect the arm body to a vehicle wheel knuckle. The arm body is formed from a single piece of pipe material having a closed cross-section.