Patent ID: 6328322
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
In a drive axle trailing arm suspension assembly supporting a rigid drive axle comprising a differential having opposing axle shafts mounted to the differential and connected to a pinion gear contained within the differential, the pinion gear forms an angle relative to the ground and is coupled to a drive shaft for transferring torque from an engine to the axle shafts through the differential, the drive axle trailing arm suspension comprising:a pair of trailing arm assemblies adapted to mount to opposite sides of a vehicle and support the drive axle housings, each trailing arm assembly comprising a trailing arm having a longitudinal axis and a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame for pivotal movement in a generally vertical plane, an air spring positioned between a second portion of the trailing arm and a vehicle frame for resiliently resisting the pivotal movement of the trailing arm, and a torque rod extending between the trailing arms, the drive axle mounted to the trailing arm between the first and second portions of the trailing arm, the improvement comprising:each trailing arm comprising a blade-shaped beam capable of twisting about the trailing arm longitudinal axis for flexibility of the axle with respect to the vehicle frame other than in the vertical plane.