Patent ID: 8152184
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B60G,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A suspension assembly for a vehicle wheel having a known axis of travel comprising: a substantially rigid mounting structure attached to a vehicle; a king pin axis to which said mounting structure is attached; a steering carrier assembly pivotally attached to said king pin axis wherein vertical movement of the wheel occurs outboard of said steering carrier assembly; a steering link track rod movably attached to said steering carrier assembly; at least one upper suspension link with at least two ends oriented along its length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle and pivotally attached on a first sprung end to said steering carrier assembly, said at least one upper suspension link being required to enable vertical movement of the wheel; at least one lower suspension link with at least two ends oriented along its length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle, said at least one lower suspension link spaced below and away from said at least one upper suspension link having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle pivotally attached on a first sprung end to said steering carrier assembly, said at least one lower suspension link being required to enable vertical movement of the suspension; and a wheel carrier attached by a first bearing assembly to a second unsprung end of each said at least one upper suspension link and by a second bearing assembly to a second unsprung end of each said at least one lower suspension link; and a spring/damper unit having a sprung end and an unsprung end, attached on its sprung end to said king pin axis and on its unsprung end to said wheel carrier; wherein the suspension and steering geometry are substantially independent of each other.