Quadrilateral Suspension Patents (Class 267/254)
  • Patent number: 11591007
    Abstract: A guide wheel shock absorbing device includes an attachment arm, a shock absorbing link provided on the attachment arm and extending in one direction, a shock absorbing link support portion provided on the shock absorbing link and supporting the shock absorbing link in a state of being oscillatable with respect to the attachment arm, a guide wheel coming into contact with a guide rail laid on a traveling track of a vehicle, a guide wheel support portion provided on the shock absorbing link and supporting the guide wheel in a rotatable state, and a shock absorbing elastic portion elastically supporting the shock absorbing link with respect to the attachment arm. The shock absorbing elastic portion has first and second elastic bodies different in displacement with respect to a guide wheel load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura
  • Patent number: 11485186
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle may include a wheel support structure operably coupling a wheel to the suspension assembly, a bolt-in spring seat bracket operably coupled to the wheel support structure, and a spring supported by the bolt-in spring seat bracket and disposed between a chassis of the vehicle and the bolt-in spring bracket. The bolt-in spring seat bracket may be adjustable to change a ride height of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Wiley Cooper, Sean McMahon Conway, Andrew Barry Lane, Justin Applegate
  • Patent number: 11338635
    Abstract: A multi-leg control arm for a wheel suspension in a vehicle, includes first and second control arm legs coupling the multi-leg control arm to an axle carrier, and third and fourth control arm legs coupling the multi-leg control arm to a wheel carrier. The first and/or third control arm leg comprises a first elongated hole, and the second and/or fourth control arm leg comprises a second elongated hole. The first and second elongated holes are aligned with one another and define a movement path of the multi-leg control arm with respect to the axle carrier or the wheel carrier. At least one fastening element penetrates the first and second elongated holes and is adapted to fix the multi-leg control arm with respect to the axle carrier or the wheel carrier in a movement position on the movement path to set a control arm camber or a control arm track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Abram, Geir Linnerud, Frode Paulsen
  • Patent number: 11167609
    Abstract: A vehicle axle with a centrally arranged drive unit and a wheel suspension which has a wheel carrier for holding a wheel, a lower wheel-guiding control arm for the articulated connection of the carrier to a vehicle body, a camber link that connects the carrier to the body and steering unit for steering the wheel. The carrier and control arm are connected directly, in a first connection area, and indirectly via an integral link, in a second connection area, so that the carrier can pivot relative to the control arm about a steering axis. The control arm can be connected to the body in forward and rear areas, and has a rotational axis that extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. All connection areas of the control arm are positioned outside the centrally arranged drive unit relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Wallgren, Knut Heidsieck
  • Patent number: 11008040
    Abstract: A chassis for an electrically powered vehicle including a front wheel suspension and a rear wheel suspension each having longitudinal control arms arranged on both sides and a torsion spring actively connected to the longitudinal control arms. The chassis includes a battery housing receiving a propulsion battery. A front transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the front wheel suspension and a rear transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the rear wheel suspension. The respective transverse carriers are rigidly connected to the battery housing and couple the longitudinal control arms and the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 10843520
    Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a suspension assembly, an axle, and a damping means. The suspension assembly is operatively connected to the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle is operatively connected to the suspension assembly. The damping means is operatively connected to and extends between the suspension assembly and the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle/suspension system has a motion ratio of between about 1.4 to about 1.7. A method for optimizing damping of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes the steps of: calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to load on a damping air spring; calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to air flow velocity through at least one opening of the air spring; calculating an optimized motion ratio by determining an intersection of the curves; altering the geometry of the axle/suspension system to provide the axle/suspension system with the optimized motion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Damon Delorenzis, Jeff R. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 10556476
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of suspension assemblies coupled to the frame. The plurality of suspension assemblies configured to together increase or decrease a vertical distance between the frame and a surface supporting the agricultural vehicle. The agricultural vehicle also includes a plurality of wheels. One wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to each suspension assembly, and at least two wheels of the plurality of wheels are movable about a steering axis. The agricultural vehicle further includes at least two actuators. Each of the at least two actuators is coupled to a respective suspension assembly of the plurality of suspension assemblies and is configured to move one of the at least two wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hagie Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Matthew W. Dames, Michael M. Miller
  • Patent number: 10532621
    Abstract: A suspension arm A-shaped in a plan view includes legs receiving therebetween front and rear surfaces of a vertical member arranged in a travel direction of a working vehicle. The legs of the suspension arm and the surfaces of the vertical member each have a hole. An attaching structure includes: a cantilevered pin inserted into the hole of each of the legs and the corresponding hole of the vertical member to hold the leg of the suspension arm such that the suspension arm is pivotable; and a retaining mechanism provided to a frame to prevent the pin from coming off the vertical member. The pin includes a projection extending radially outward at a base end in an insertion direction. The retaining mechanism includes: a holding portion holding the projection in a rotation direction of the pin; and a cover portion covering the projection in the insertion direction of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Taiga Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10279640
    Abstract: A wheel suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a vertical direction. The wheel suspension arrangement includes a wheel holder for supporting a vehicle wheel. A first vertical end region of the wheel holder is pivotally attached to a vehicle support structure by a rigid control arm and a second vertical end region of the wheel holder is attached to the vehicle support structure by a leaf spring. A longitudinal direction of the leaf spring is arranged substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The leaf spring is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure at a transverse center region of the vehicle, and a center of the leaf spring in the transverse direction is located vertically offset from a pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring. The pivotal attachment location of the leaf spring is vertically offset towards the side of the rigid control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Preijert, Hoda Yarmohamadi
  • Patent number: 10144258
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle axle, in particular a front axle, of a two-track vehicle, having a wheel carrier carrying a vehicle wheel, this carrier being linked via a link assembly to a vehicle body, which link assembly has at least two links that are linked to the wheel carrier at bearing points on the side of the wheel carrier and to the vehicle body at bearing points on the body side. In the event of a head-on collision, in particular with a small lateral overlap, the vehicle wheel can be shifted rearwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and specifically with a pivoting movement of the crash-facing first link and with deformation of the crash-remote second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dominik Mohrlock, Ruben Goldberg, Tobias Kramer
  • Patent number: 9937762
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a torsion bar including a central portion, a left coupling, and a right coupling. The central portion extends in a lateral direction in front of a left drive shaft and a right drive shaft. The left coupling is positioned to the left of the central portion and coupled to a portion of a left lower arm that is rearward relative to the left drive shaft. The right coupling is positioned to the right of the central portion and coupled to a portion of a right lower arm that is rearward relative to the right drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuo Sunahiro
  • Patent number: 9775756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wheelchair improvements and, in particular, to a wheelchair including a monocoque structural skin according to one aspect, and a suspension assembly according to another aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NEXT GENERATION MOBILITY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Scott Gordon
  • Patent number: 9428031
    Abstract: A vehicle-use pivotally-supporting portion structure includes a cylindrical upper pivotally-supporting portion; a tubular bushing mounted on a radially inner side of an end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion; and a sealing member mounted on a radially outer side of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion. A flange portion, which extends outward in a radial direction and is brought into contact with a distal end of the upper pivotally-supporting portion, is formed on an end portion of the tubular bushing, and an outer diameter of the flange portion is larger than an outer diameter of the end portion of the upper pivotally-supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7344102
    Abstract: Variable tension is applied to a cord as it is drawn from a spool. More tension is applied to the cord as more cord is drawn preventing impulse stress. Cord used to attach user interface device for receiving input and presenting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Royer, Rene L. Barba, Douglas J. Wolfe, Steve C. Olauson
  • Patent number: 7070177
    Abstract: A suspension assembly comprises four springs spaced at four distinct locations. A first plate extends to support each of the springs at each location. An axle is connected to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory D. Pavuk
  • Publication number: 20040159995
    Abstract: A suspension assembly comprises four springs spaced at four distinct locations. A first plate extends to support each of the springs at each location. An axle is connected to the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory D. Pavuk
  • Patent number: 6550796
    Abstract: The invention provides a new method of vehicular suspension, whereby the attributes of greater design freedom, reduction of frontal area, lower center of gravity, increased fuel efficiency, decreased polar movement, increased safety due to improved handling and a more linear relationship of springing force to wheel travel are accomplished with the outboard primary lever (outrigger bell crank) and the associated linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen V. Behr
  • Patent number: 6412797
    Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for a vehicle includes a wheel carrier for supporting a wheel, an upper control arm for mounting to an upper end of the wheel carrier, a lower control arm for mounting to a lower end of the wheel carrier, and a strut assembly for mounting on the lower control arm to absorb up-and-down impacts transmitted from the wheel, the strut assembly being inclined in a direction and designed to apply damping force to the lower control arm when the vehicle wheel bumps. A device is provided to generate a reacting force acting against the damping force of the strut assembly, the reacting force being applied to the lower control arm to compensate for the damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young-Wook Park
  • Patent number: 6161853
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension system for vehicles including a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel; an upper control arm having a first end connected to an upper end of the wheel carrier and a second end pivotally connected to a frame of the vehicle; a lower control arm having a first end connected to a lower end of the wheel carrier and a second end extending toward the frame of the vehicle; and a damper for converting an up-and-down motion of the lower control arm caused by shock transmitted from a road surface into a linear motion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and cushioning the linear motion, the damper being mounted on a side member and connected to the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-wha Jung
  • Patent number: 6039337
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a structural vehicle part (14), a control arm (20) which is pivotal relative to the vehicle part (14), and a shock absorber (52) which is interposed between the control arm (20) and the vehicle part (14). The apparatus (10) further includes a stroke-reducing linkage (24) interposed between the control arm (20) and the shock absorber (52). Preferably, the stroke-reducing linkage (24) includes a lever (60) supported on the vehicle part (14) for pivotal movement about an axis (37) that is fixed relative to the vehicle part (14). The shock absorber (52) is pivotally connected to the lever (60) at a first joint (70) that is spaced a first distance (L1) from the axis (37). The control arm (20) is pivotally connected to the lever (60) at a second joint (76) that is spaced a second, greater distance (L2) from the axis (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Urbach
  • Patent number: 5197755
    Abstract: A coil spring suspension system that differs from conventional prior art coil spring suspensions in that an additional A-arm is used, the additional A-arm being vertically oriented and having its leg ends attached to the leg ends of the horizontally oriented upper A-arm. The vertically oriented A-arm has its leg ends pivotally attached to the vehicle frame or body with the leg ends of the upper horizontally oriented A-arm. The apex of the vertically oriented A-arm lies in or near the plane of the lower horizontally oriented A-arm. A coil spring is used, having a substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal axis, with one end of the coil spring secured to the horizontally oriented lower A-arm near the apex of the horizontally oriented lower A-arm and with the other end of the coil spring attached to or near to the apex of the vertically oriented A-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Dallas W. Quick