Patent ID: 6616161
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
A torsion beam type rear suspension apparatus for a motor vehicle having a differential gear case disposed between rear right and left wheels, the apparatus comprising:a torsion beam, having a central portion in a vehicle width direction, which is bent along a configuration of the differential gear case so as to position the central portion at the rear of the differential gear case, the central portion of the torsion beam movable to the differential gear case; a pair of wheel support members connected to right and left end portions of the torsion beam in the vehicle width direction for the torsion beam to rotatably hold the rear right and left wheels; a pair of trailing arms disposed at right and left sides of the vehicle width direction and extending in a vehicle length direction, each front end portion of the trailing arms connected to a vehicle body so as to be rotatable about an axis running along the vehicle width direction, and each rear end portion of the trailing arms connected to the torsion beam so as to be rotatable about an axis running along the vehicle width direction; and a lateral link extending in the vehicle width direction, one end portion of the lateral link connected to the vehicle body at one side of the vehicle width direction so as to be rotatable about an axis running along the vehicle length direction, and the other end portion of the lateral link connected to the torsion beam at the other side of the vehicle width direction so as to be rotatable about an axis running along the vehicle length direction; wherein the differential gear case has a curved section protruding rearwardly along the vehicle length direction, a peak portion of the curved section is placed at a more rearward position than an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the curved section, and is formed to be substantially center of the rear end portion of the differential gear case, and the central portion of the torsion beam is formed to be at a higher position than both end portions of the torsion beam and is disposed to be at a lower position than the peak portion of the curved section of the rear end portion of the differential gear case, whereby the torsion beam is contacted to the differential gear case and then moved downwardly along the curved section during a rear end collision.