Patent ID: 6074016
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
A flexible axle for a vehicle having at least two axles and a suspended body, said axle comprising two trailing arms, a crossmember connecting said arms, said arms being designed to be coupled to the body so as to provide a pivot axis for each arm on the body, said arms each carrying a stub axle designed to receive a wheel, the said crossmember connecting said arms defining a torsional axis on which the arms swing relative to each other, the torsional axis being set off from the pivot axis of each arm on the body, said crossmember comprising coupled elements, one coupled element connected to one arm and another coupled element connected to the other arm, and elastomeric couplings joining the coupled elements so as to be non-slidingly integral with the coupled elements and to maintain them transversely symmetrical, each coupling having a torsional stiffness on the torsional axis, said couplings being arranged in such a manner that:they allow a relative transverse displacement between coupled elements;all of the reaction torque balancing the relative displacement between arms caused by torsion of the axle will be transmitted by the couplings;the couplings are axially separated from one another.