Patent ID: 8840126
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
1. A suspension assembly for a vehicle wheel, comprising: a substantially rigid mounting structure attached to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an axis of travel and a steering direction and wherein the steering direction is alterable with respect to the axis of travel; a steering carrier assembly pivotally attached to the mounting structure, wherein pivotal movement of the steering carrier assembly alters the steering direction and wherein vertical movement of the vehicle wheel occurs outboard of the steering carrier assembly; a steering link track rod attached to the steering carrier assembly to control the steering direction; at least one upper suspension link with an upper link length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle, the at least one upper suspension link having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle, being pivotally attached on a sprung end to the steering carrier assembly, and enabling the vertical movement of the vehicle wheel; at least one lower suspension link with a lower link length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle, the at least one lower suspension link being spaced below and away from the at least one upper suspension link, having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle, being pivotally attached on a sprung end to the steering carrier assembly, and enabling the vertical movement of the vehicle wheel; a wheel carrier assembly pivotally attached to the unsprung end of the at least one upper suspension link and to the unsprung end of the at least one lower suspension link; at least one spring connected between the mounting structure, the steering carrier, or a rigid structure for the at least one spring and the wheel carrier assembly, the at least one upper suspension link, or the at least one lower suspension link; and at least one damper connected between the mounting structure, the steering carrier, or a rigid structure for the at least one damper and the wheel carrier assembly, the at least one upper suspension link, or the at least one lower suspension link; wherein steering geometry is substantially independent of suspension geometry.