Spring-like Arm Patents (Class 280/124.14)
  • Patent number: 8727362
    Abstract: A wheel suspension element for a motor vehicle which comprises a supporting structure (1) for an axle of a motor vehicle and at least a rod for guiding, with the rod, at least an articulated wheel carrier (2) which can be connected to the supporting structure (1). The supporting structure (1) is formed from a fiber composite material. The rod of the wheel suspension element is designed as an elastic spring rod (3, 4) and is formed from a fiber composite material as one element with the supporting structure (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jens Heimann, Daniel Wolf, Thomas Eifflaender
  • Patent number: 8360452
    Abstract: A link of a vehicle suspension is elastic and includes three suspension points. A first point is adapted to be pivotally connected to a wheel carrier of the corresponding vehicle. A second point is adapted to be pivotally connected to a rigid chassis of the corresponding vehicle. The third point is adapted to be pivotally connected to a shackle, the shackle pivotally connecting the third point to the rigid chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Kettenberger, Norbert Seyr, Andreas Obieglo, John Ziegert, Beshah Ayalew, Vincent Lee, Souharda Raghavendra
  • Patent number: 7938221
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a swing frame and right and left suspension cylinders for front wheels. The swing frame is swingably supported by the front portion of a vehicle body about a support shaft extending in a lateral direction, and supports the front axle case, so as to allow the front axle case to swing about a center shaft extending in a front-rear direction. The right and left suspension cylinders are provided on the swing frame. A lateral oscillation regulation unit is provided between the swing frame and the front frame, and configured to regulate an oscillation of the swing frame by contact in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsuzaki, Atsushi Hayashi, Nobuyuki Okabe, Toshimitsu Yazaki
  • Patent number: 7108253
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for use within a suspension system having a frame member, a control arm, and an elongated suspension member extending between the frame member and the control arm is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a cup, a seal, a resilient element, and a fastener. The cup includes an end that is at least partially closed, a side wall, and an open end. The seal is disposed within the cup and is configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member. The resilient element is at least partially disposed within the cup and is substantially encapsulated by the cup and the seal. The fastener is configured to couple the cup, the seal, and the resilient element between the elongated suspension member and one of the frame member and the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Oshkosh Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Jesse Knoble
  • Patent number: 6659482
    Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for a vehicle including an upper connection, typically provided by an upper control arm. A knuckle includes an upper and lower portions with the upper portion supported by the upper connection. A lower assembly of the present invention includes a control arm with legs extending from a spring portion at spaced apart ends. The legs extend from its ends and converge to a lower connection for supporting the lower portion of the knuckle with the upper and lower connections defining a wheel camber and a wheel caster. Preferably, each of the legs of the control arm has a different spring rate to provide a change in wheel camber under the deflection of the control arm during wheel travel. The different spring rates of the legs permits the lower connection to twist thereby enabling the wheel caster to change slightly during the upward and downward motion of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Carlstedt, Mark C. Smith, Steven M. Foster, Daniel Eugene Whitney, Eric Stephen Geib, Richard M. Clisch, Shan Shih, Juan J. Marcos Munoz
  • Publication number: 20020175487
    Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system replaces the lower control arms, upper control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar assembly in the prior art with a simple composite member. By carefully designing the shape of the beam, the material system and the pivot locations, the ride and roll rates and camber and toe characteristics of the original prior art suspension system can be preserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Christian Lawson