WHEEL SUSPENSION WITH ECCENTRIC SHEAR DISC

Abstract: The specification discloses a resilient wheel suspension 10 wherein a wheel 11 is rotationally mounted upon an axle 12 and the axle is resiliently suspended with respect to a mounting plate 14. The resilient suspension includes an elastomer disk 60 which is coupled along one major surface to the axle 12 and along the other major surface to the mounting plate. The axle is coupled eccentrically to the elastomer disk so that the axle axis is offset from the central axis of the elastomer disk. Lateral movement of the axle causes a shear to be applied in the elastomer disk. The eccentric mounting provides increased suspension travel, more ground clearance and more wheel mounting clearance with respect to a concentric mounting. The suspension can have non-linear characteristics by having a plurality of elastmer disks 60, 61, and 62 and metal disks 55, 56, 57 and 58 with central openings for passing the axle and successively coupled adjacent disks between a coupling to the axle and a coupling to the mounting plate. The size of the opening diameter increases in successive disks going from the disk adjacent the mounting plate. Successive disks are also mounted eccentrically with respect to the axle.

Description: WHEEL SUSPENSION WITH ECCENTRIC SHEAR DISC TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to wheels and, more particularly, to resiliently cushioned wheels. BACKGROUND ART Relatively hard, high capacity tires are often used in transport devices such as carts or industrial lift trucks used in production facilities of any number of products. While the use of such tires reduces rolling resistance and increases the load capacity of the cart, they produce a relatively hard ride for opt operator of the vehicle. Further, the shock loading imposed on cart components such as the axle and frame when the wheel goes over bumps or other irregular surfaces, tends to be relatively high and causes relatively fast wear of the wheel, the cart components, and the floor. Improved suspensions for in-plant doilies or other in-plant transportation vehicles have typically employed relatively expensive and elaborate spring suspension systems which can be likened to those of the automobile. Clearly, it would be desirable to reduce the wear on the cart wheels and on the floor without incurring substantial expense for an improved suspension. These are some of the problema this invention overcomes. U.S. Patent No. 3,072,169 issued to R. Hastings, Jr. on January 8, 1963 and entitled "Resilient Wheel" teaches a wheel which has a shearing ring bonded between the wheel and the axle. The axle is not movable with respect to the axle mounting and the shear member is mounted between the wheel and the axle. As a result, increasing the size of the shear member necessitates the corresponding increase in the size of the wheel. Such an increase is undesirable because it adds weight and typically requires more substantial ball bearing for supporting the wheel. Again, all this adds to the cost of the suspension. Further, the patent only teaches a linear suspension wherein there is only provided-the same amount of resilient resistance even as the wheel approaches the absolute limit of its travel. Thus, when the wheel does reach the limit of its travel, there may be an undesirably large shock loading. U.S. Patent No. 2,700,173 issued to L. D. Huffman on January 25, 1955 and entitled "Cushioned Caster" teaches a relatively complex cushioning mechanism whereby the axle of the caster wheel is offset from a torsional cushioning member and swings with respect to the torsional cushioning member. The complexity of the cushioning mechanism results in a corresponding increase in cost. A U.S. Patent to Chestnut, No. 1,734,326 issued November 5, 1929 and entitled "Caster Wheel" attempts to provide some of the cushioning through the tread and thus avoid the problem of having a hard tire althogether. However, such a solution also reduces the load capacity of the caster wheel. U.S. Patent No. 2,669,448 issued to W. W. Cushman on February 16, 1964 and U.S. Patent No. 629,229 issued to C. Ballin on July 18, 1899 teach suspension systems including rubber balls which are required to twist and turn as the wheel turns with respect to the wheel mounting. Again, a relatively simple and less expensive- solution would be desirable. U.S. Patent No. 4,188,048 teaches a wheel suspension for reducing shock loading and increasing floor and wheel wear life. The suspension includes a pair of spaced walls resiliently supporting a wheel therebetween. An elongated axle extends through opposed openings in the side walls so that the axle has end portions extending beyond the side walls. A wheel is rotationally mounted on the. axle between the side walls. A pair of resilient means coupling end portions of the axle to an adjacent one of the side plates each include a pair of spaced cover plates attached to an elastomer therebetween. One of the cover plate8 is also attached to the axle and the other cover plate is also attached- to one of the side walls so that movement of the axle in a radial direction with respect to the side walls applies a shear force to the elastomer. Such a nonlinear suspension is particularly advantageous for reducing axle movement as the limit of axle travel is approached. A plurality of elastomer members coupled between the side walls and the axle with separating disks positioned between each of the adjacent elastomer members generate a non-constant force to deflection ratio which increases with the approach of the limit of axle travel. The separating disks are sized so as to succeedingly land on the axle as the axle travels for increasing load. That is, increasing deflection of the axle more than proportionately increases the deflection resisting force supplied by the elastomer members to limit travel of the axle. This provides a relatively inexpensive way for damping or cushioning wheels thereby increasing the life of the wheels. A nonlinear suspension substantially reduces the occurrence of any shock caused by the axle reaching the limit of its travel. However, although the wheel suspension taught in U.S. Patent 4,188,048 provides an improvement, it is sometimes difficult to retrofit this suspension to an existing cart. For example, the suspension may mount the wheel too high between the spaced side walls so that there is interference with the object supported by the suspension. Additionally, the side walls extending downward may interfere with rails in which the wheels are to run. Still further, it may be desirable to increase the suspension travel distance for the axle while retaining the same exterior dimensions for the suspension. An increased suspension travel distance can provide more cushioning without increasing size of the suspension. These are some of the problems this invention overcomes. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION This invention recognizes that a wheel suspension for reducing shock loading and increasing floor and wheel wear life can provide generally annular cover plates resiliently coupled to each other, the cover plates being radially offset one from another to provide eccentric openings. An axle passing eccentrically through an opening has more radial suspension travel than an axle going concentrically through an opening of the same size. Thus, for a given size opening in a given size cover plate there is increased travel for an eccentrically mounted axle with respect to a concentrically mounted axle. Additionally, as a result, the wheel is mounted lower with respect to the supported object thus increasing clearance for projections extending from the object toward the wheel as well as for projections extending up from the travel surface of the wheel toward the suspended object. Alternatively, smaller diameter cover plates can be used with an eccentric system than with a concentric system having the same amount of suspension travel. The smaller diameter cover plates can also increase ground clearance. The suspension system includes a prior of spaced side walls resiliently supporting a wheel therebetween. An elongated axle extends through opposed openings in the side walls so that the axle has end portions extending beyond the side walls. A wheel is rotationally mounted on the axle between the side walls. A pair of resilient means coupling end portions of the axle to an adjacent one of the side plates each include a pair of spaced cover plates attached to an elastomer therebetween. One of the cover plates is also attached to the axle and the other covervplate is also attached to one of the side walls so that movement of the axle in a radial direction with respect to the side walls applies a shear force to the elastomer. The first and second cover plates have generally circular central openings positioned eccentrically of each other so that the center of the first cover plate is radially off-set from the center of the second cover plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front sectional view of a wheel suspension in accordance with an embodiment of this invention wherein three pairs of elastomer disks are used to provide a nonlinear suspension force; Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the wheel suspension of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is one side of the wheel suspension shown in Fig. 1 at the limit of suspension travel wherein the elastomer members are subjected to shear; Figs. 4A (prior art) and 4a show a concentric and an eccentric suspension system, respectively, and the increased travel of the eccentric suspension system, Fig. 4B; being taken substantially along section IVB - IVB of Fig. 1; Figs. 5A (prior art) and 5B show a concentric and an eccentric suspension system, respectively, and the increased clearance between the wheel and the suspended object of the eccentric system; Figs. 6A (prior art) and 6B show a concentric and an eccentric suspension system, respectively, and the increased ground clearance associated with the eccentric system; and Figs. 7A (prior art) and 7B show a fully deflected concentric and eccentric suspension system, respectively, each having the same amount of suspension travel so that the eccentric suspension system has a smaller outer diameter and increased ground clearance than the concentric suspension system. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1, a wheel suspension 10 includes a wheel 11 which rotates an axle 12. Axle 12 passes through a pair of aligned and opposing openings 19 and a pair of spaced planar and a generally parallel side walls 14. Bearings 13 are mounted within a central axial opening 21 of wheel 11 and are adjacent to the outer surface of axle 12. A resilient connection 50 is positioned between the ends of axle 12 and side walls 14. Nuts 20 are at the end of axle 12 and provide a compression force on resilient connection 50. Resilient connection 50 includes three pairs of spaced elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 and four pairs of cover plates 55, 56, 57 and 58. Cover plates 55, 56, 57 and 58 each have a central axial opening defining an inner diameter and a circular periphery defining an outer diameter. Inner cover plates 55 each have protruding annular bosses 65 for sitting in openings 19 of side walls 14. The cover plates are positioned eccentrically with respect to each other so that the center of cover plate 56 is lower than the center of cover plate 55, the center of cover plate 57 is lower than the center of cover plate 56, and the center of cover plate 58 is lower than the center of cover plate 57 (Fig. 2). Thus elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 have inside and outside diameters eccentric to each other. A bushing 31 is positioned around the ends of axle 12 in resilient member 50 thereby providing a sleeve for axle 12. The eccentric configuration eliminates substantially all the space below bushing 31 and the lower inside'portion of resilient connection 50. That is, if the system were concentric without the offsets of the cover plates, the -space below bushing 31 would equal the space above bushing 31 shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the inside and outside diameters of the cover plates and the elastomeric members can be reduced, there can be increased clearance between the resilient connection and the travel surface for the wheel, and increased clearance between the top of the wheel and the lowest portion of the supported member at the top of side plates 14. The pair of cover plates 55 is adjacent to the exterior of side walls 14 around openings 19. Continuing successively outward from cover plates 55, there is a pair of elastomeric members 60, a pair of cover plates 56, a Sair of elastomeric members 61, a pair of cover plates 57, a pair of elastomeric members 62, and a 'pair of cover plates 58. Nuts 20 abut the outermost extremity of resilient connection 50 and can be tightened to apply compressive force to resilient connection 50. Elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 are each bonded to the adjacent cover plates 55 through 58 so that deflection of cover plates 55 through 58 causes a shear force to be applied to elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62. Both the elastomeric members and the cover plates have decreasing diameters as resilient connection 50 extends outwardly from side walls 14 to the connection with axle 12. The inner diameter of outermost cover plates 58 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of bushing 31 around axle 12 and responds immediately to movement of axle 12. The deflection created by such movement is applied primarily to the adjacent elastomeric members 62. However, lower rates of shear deformation are also applied to elastomeric members 61 and 60. When axle 12 has deflected sufficiently to engage the larger inner diameter of the next innermost cover plates 57, then cover plates 57 also move with further movement of axle 12. As a result there is no further increase in the applied shear force to elastomeric members 62 but there is an increase in the applied shear force in the elastomeric members 61 inward of cover plates 57. Similarly, when deflection of axle 12 is such that the outer surface of bushing 31 around axle 12 strikes the inner diameter of cover plates 56, there is no further increase in the shear force applied to pairs of elastomeric-members 61 and 62 but there is additional shear force applied to elastomeric members 60. Finally, when the outer . surface of bushing 31 around axle 12 reaches the innermost diameter of cover plates 5S no further increase in the shear forces is applied to elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 and no further deflection of axle 12 may be realized. Fig. 3 shows the maximum deflection of axle 12 and elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 under maximum shear. The abovedescribed sequence in the increase in stiffness introduced successively by stopping elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 from further deformation provides a nonlinear suspension system. That is, when the two cover plates adjacent an elastomeric member both contact bushing 31 around axle 12 there is no further deformation of the elastomeric member between the cover plates and wheel suspension has an increased stiffness. Such a suspension system is particularly advantageous because there can be effective damping of a relatively broad range of travel of axle 12 without it being necessary to have a particularly high force resisting deflection at the beginning of travel of axle 12. Instead, there can be a substantial increase in the damping force as axle 12 approaches the end of its travel. Advantageously, cover plates 55 through 58 are made of a metal which is nonresilient and is easily attached to both side walls 14 and elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62. Elastomeric members 60 through 62 are sufficiently resilient that the opposing major faces of each member can be displaced with respect to each other by distances equal to the differences between gaps upward from the axle adjacent the cover plates. That is, following the direction of suspension travel, the elastomeric member must be able to absorb the difference in movement of adajcent cover plates which is equal to the difference in radial spacing between the upper interior boundaries of adjacent cover plates. The material of the elastomeric member is chosen so that for this displacement there is a desired shear force resistance. The size and the numbers of layers of elastomer will be determined for each application according to the payload range and the desired dynamic characteristics of the system which includes the caster and the payload. Referring to Fig. 2, an end view ' of resilient member 50 shows the offset of the concentric cover plates 55, 56, 57 and 58. Additionally, an indentation 71 at the top edge of cover plate 55 aligns with a pin 72 protruding from the side of side member 14. The correct rotational orientation of resilient member S0 is important so that the offset centers of cover members 55 through 58 are along the line of suspension travel of axle 12. That is, if the line of suspension travel is angled with respect to the line connecting the centers of the cover plates, travel distance is reduced from its maximum possible. Reduced suspension travel limits performance of the suspension system. The extreme case would be if resilient member 50 were mounted upside down so that there would be essentially no suspension travel. Although the cover plates could have an outer periphery which is eccentric with respect to the periphery of the central opening of the same cover plate, fabrication is easier with concentric, annular cover plates. With eccentric cover plates it would be necessary to make sure each cover plate is in the correct relative rotational position with respect to the other cover plate. With concentric cover plates the relative rotational position of each cover plate is not important. The amount of shear stiffness applied by elastomeric members 60, 61 and 62 is also dependent upon the radial extent of each of the members. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer diameters of elastomeric members 60 through 62 are also decreased in accordance with the decreasing inner diameters of the elastomeric members 60 through 62. However, because of the offset of the intervening cover plates the inner and outer diameters of the elastomeric members 60 through 62 are eccentric with respect to one another. The outer diameters of cover plates 55 through 58 also decrease. It should be recognized that the force resisting ,deflection provided by resilient connection 50 can be varied by varying the outer diameter of the elastomeric members and cover plates. Further, the inner and outer diameters of each of the cover plates and each of the elastomeric members need not be constant with axial distance along axle 12. For example, the outer diameter of elastomeric members may vary so that there is a smooth connection between the outer diameters of adjacent cover'plates. The elastomeric members in accordance with this invention do not rotate and as such are not subject to varying deflection as a function of the speed of rotation. Such deflection causes heat loss due to such reasons as hysterisis which results in energy being dissipated without performing useful suspension work or forward travel. The nonrotating elastomeric rings are flexed only when a load is applied to the wheel and there is no deflection as a result of wheel rotation alone. Further, the relative position of the elastomeric members with respect to the wheel suspension is advantageous in that there is sufficient room radially outward and axially outward for a variety of elastomeric configurations. If only one elastomeric member is used, such as indicated in Figs. 4B, 5B ' and 6B, the wheel suspension provides a linear suspension or damping force when deflection of the wheel causes the deflection of the axle. That is, the travel of the axle is radially limited by the radially most inward portion of the axially innermost cover plate and the opening in the side wall. Elastomeric members are bonded to both the adjacent surfaces of the cover plates so that movement of the outermost cover plates is damped or resisted in that a shear force is applied to the elastomeric member. Advantageously, at least one nut 20 has - internal threads mating with external threads on axle 12 so that nuts 20 can be tighted toward each other and apply a compressive force on the elastomeric members. Such a compressive force can be used to reinforce the bonding between elastomeric members and cover plates of the wheel suspension. Referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, increased travel is possible with an eccentric system 33 having the same outer diameter a" as concentric system 31. Concentric system 31 shown in Fig. 4A positions axle 12 in the middle of a circular opening 19 in side wall 14. Thus, the travel of axle 12 is about half the diameter of the opening less half the diameter of the axle. In contrast, in the eccentric system 33 of Fig. 4B, axle 12 is positioned lower in opening 19 .in side wall 14. Thus, the travel of axle 12 can approach the length of the diameter of opening 19 less the diameter of axle 12. Referring to Figs. 5A and 5B, concentric system 31 shown in Fig. 5A mounts wheel 11 higher than eccentric system 33 shown in Fig. SB. When mounting concentric suspension system 31 on an existing side wall 14 there is less clearance between the object to be supported, for example, a cart, and the top of the wheel. An existing bolt 36 is located on side wall 14 at the same relative position from the supported cart in both Figs. 5A and SB. Wheel 11 supported by concentric system 31 touches bolt 36. Wheel 11 supported by eccentric system 33 clears bolt 36 by a distance web". Also, eccentric system 33 provides longer suspension travel than concentric system 31 even though the exterior diameters of both are a Similarly, with respect to Figs. 6A and 6B, concentric system 31 of Fig. 6A does not provide as much clearance from the bottom of side wall 14 to the floor as does the eccentric system. This may be particularly critical when the suspension system is used on a cart designed to run in existing rails 35 on a floor. In Fig. 6A, concentric system 31 causes side wall 14 to interfere with rails 35. In Fig. 6B, eccentric system 33 causes side wall 14 to clear rails 35. Again, eccentric system 33 also provides longer suspension travel than converter system 31 even though the exterior diameters of both are a Typical dimensions for resilient member 50 are: Offset from Inside Outside Centerline Cover Diameter Diameter of 55 Plate (inches) (inches) (inches) Thickness 55 1.62 3e88 0 .187 56 1.43 3081 .03 .125 57 1.25 3.38 .12 .125 58 .765 2e75 .18 .187 Eccentric suspension system 33 shown in Fig. 7B has the same amount of suspension travel as concentric suspension system 31 shown in Fig. 7A. However, eccentric suspension system 33 provides increased ground clearance and increased wheel clearance while having a smaller outer diameter than concentric suspension system 31. Further, the opening required in side wall 14 is smaller for eccentric system 33 than concentric suspension system 31. Thus. there may be castor side walls which are not wide enough to provide holes to support a concentric suspension system, but are wide enough to support an eccentric suspension system. The concentric and eccentric suspension systems 31 and 33 shown in Figs. 7A and 7B are both in a loaded, fully deflected condition. The additional wheel clearance , A , is equal to one-half of the difference between the hole diameters of the inner most cover plates of the two suspension systems, i.e. a = t (ec - ee). Eccentric system 33 uses smaller diameter cover plates with smaller diameter holes than concentric system 31 having the same amount of suspension travel. Tús, even though eccentric suspension system 33 has a smaller outer diameter, the area of the cover plate between the opening and the outer diameter which 'determines the amount of elastomer between the cover plates can be the same as in the larger concentric suspension system 31. Thus the amount of elastomer and the damping characteristics of the concentric and eccentric suspension systems 31 and 33 can be substantially equal. The increase in ground clearance of- concentric system 31 is equal to the increased wheel clearance plus one-half the difference between the outer diameters of the concentric and eccentric systems, i.e. gc = dW - ¸dc - ec + ¸s = ¸(w-dc - ec+s) ge = ¸w - ¸de - hee + ¸s = ¸(w-de - ee+s) ge-gc = ¸(dc-de + ec-ee) = h(dC-de) + A wherein: : "c" subscript indicates the concentric system "e1 subscript indicates the eccentric system "g" indicates ground clearance "e" indicates diameter of opening in innermost cover plate Dd" indicates outer diameter of opening in innermost cover plate "s" indicates outer diameter of sleeve on axle "w" indicates outer diameter of wheel "A" indicates increased wheel clearance of eccentric suspension system with respect to concentric system. The above equations assume equal suspension travel and having the center of the openings in the side walls at the same relative locations with respect to the extremity of the side wall. Various modifications and variations will no doubt occur to those skilled in the various arts to which this invention pertains. For example, the resilient connection may extend inwardly from the side walls to connection with the axle instead of, as shown, extending outwardly. Further, the outer dimensions of the cover plates and elastomeric members may be varied from that disclosed herein. These and all other variations which basically rely on the teachings through which this disclosure has advanced the art are properly considered within the scope of this invention. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY This eccentric wheel suspension can be used in conjunction with relatively hard, high capacity tires often used in transport devices such as in-plant dollies, carts and industrial lift trucks.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A wheel suspension for an object having a suspension support means for attaching said wheel suspension to the object, an elongated axle for providing an axis of rotation, a wheel rotationally mounted on the axle, said wheel suspension including resilient means for coupling the axle to the suspension support means, said resilient means including a plurality of elastomer members and connecting means for attaching adjacent elastomer members to each other, said connecting means being deflectable by said axle so that a shear deformation occurs to said elastomer members, characterised by said connecting means (56,57) having an eccentric configuration with respect to each other so that radial axle movement to a point of interference is a different distance in at least two opposing directions. 2. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said elastomer members (60,61,62) and said connecting members (56,57) are alternately positioned along the axial length of the axle to form a deflectable member, a first extremity of said deflectable member relatively closely following the radial movement of the axle (12) with respect to the suspension support means (14), a second extremity of said deflectable member follow-ing the suspension support means, thus being relatively movable with respect to said first extremity, said deflectable member intermediate said first and second extremities decreasingly following relative movement between the axle and the suspension support means with increasing distance from said first extremity toward said second extremity so as to provide a nonlinear suspension for the wheel with increasing relative displacement between the axle and the suspension support means successively applying a more than proportionately increasing shear force to elastomer members progressively closer to said second extremity as a result of said connecting means beisuesively positioned adjacent said axle to limit shear deformation of successive elastomer members, successive connecting members from said first extremity to said second extremity having an eccentricity with respect to an adjacent connecting member. 3. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said connecting means (56,57) are metal disks with central, axial openings, the outer diameter of said disks being about equal to the outer diameter of an adjacent elastomer member in the direction of the side wall, and the inner diameter of said disks being substantially equal to the inner diameter of an adjacent elastomer in the direction away from the side wall, the edges of said central openings of said disks being positioned to be aligned substantially at one circumferential point around said central openings so that the axle can be positioned adjacent such circumferential point for travel away from such circumferential point. 4. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said elastomer members positioned at progressively increasing dista.nces from the side walls have a decreasing inner diameter and the inner diameter of each of said elastomer members is substantially constant across the axial extent of each of said elastomer members, the inner diameters of adjacent elastomer members being eccentric with respect to one another. 5. An eccentric wheel suspension including a pair ot spaced side walls having opposed openings; an. elongated axle extending between said side walls and through said opposed openings so that said axle has end portions adjacent said side walls, a wheel rotationally mounted on said axle between said side walls; a pair of resilient means coupling the end portions of said axle to an adjacent one of said side plates, said resilient means each including a pair of spaced cover plates having an elastomer therebetween and attached to said cover plates, a first of said cover plates being coupled to said axle and a second or said cover plates being coupled to one of said side walls so that movement of said axle in a radial direction with respect to said side walls applies a shear force to said elastomer and a force resisting deflection to the wheel suspension; said first of said cover plates is annular with concentric first inner and outer diameters, said first inner diameter being substantially equal to the diameter of said axle so that radial movement ot said axle causes corresponding radial movement of said first cover plate thereby applying a shear force to said elastomer and thus resisting motion of said axle with respect to said side plate; said second of said cover plates is annular with concentric second inner and outer diameters, said second inner diameter being sufficiently larger than the diameter of said axle to permit some radial movement of said axle which movement is limited by interference with the innermost boundary of said opening in said side plate and said inner diameter of said second cover plates; and characterised by said first and second cover plates --(56,57) being positioned eccentrically of each other so that the centre of said first cover plate is radially ottset trom the centre of said second cover plate. 6. A wheel suspension as claimed in dlaim 5, wherein said elastomer (61) has an outer boundary extending between the outer diameter of said first and second cover plates and an inner diameter extending between the inner diameter of said first and second cover plates so that said elastomer is generally disk shaped with an inside diameter eccentric to each other. 7. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 5, further comprising an adjustable compression means (20) axially positionable along said axle to provide a compressive force on said elastomer thereby reinforcing the bonding force between said elastomer and said cover plates. 8. An eccentric wheel suspension for a body including a suspension support means for attaching said wheel suspension to the body; an elongated axle for providing an axis of rotation; a wheel rotationally mounted on said axle; resilient means for coupling said axle to said suspension support means, said resilient means including a plurality of elastomer members and connecting means for attaching adjacent elastomer members to each other, said connectiong means being successively deflectable by said axle so that a shear deformation occurs at successively increasing rates two said elastomer members and there is a successive stopping of additional shear deformation to said elastomer members, said elastomer members and said connecting members being alternately positioned along the axial length of said axle to form a deflectable member a first extemity of said deflectable member relatively closely following the radial movement of said axle with respect to said suspension support means; a second extremity of said deflectable member following said suspension support means, thus being.relatively movable with respect to said deflectable member intermediate said thirst and second extremities; said deflectable member decreasingly following relative movement between said axle and said suspension support mean8 with increasing distance from said first extremity toward said second extremity so as to provide a nonlinear. suspension for said wheels with increaing relative displacement between said axle and said suspension support means successively applying an increasing shear force to elastomer members progressively closer to said second extremity so that said connecting means are successively positioned adjacent said axle to limit shear deformation of successive ones of said elastomer members; and said connecting members being generally disk shaped, having concentric inside and outside diameters, and being located eccentrically with respect to other connecting members, the centre of a first connecting member being offset from the centre of an adjacent second connecting -member which is closer to said second extremity than said first connecting member, and said elastomer members havig a generally eccentric central opening. 9. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said resilient means and said suspension support means include an alignment means so as to orient the direction of eccentric offset of said resilient means on said suspension support means. 10. An eccentric wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said suspension support means is a pair of spaced side walls having opposed openings for passing said axle so that said axle extends beyond said side walls and said deflectable member having a first extremity adjacent the outer extremity of said axle and said second extremity adjacent said side wall, said elastomer members being generally circular with an offset, eccentric opening for passing said axle, and said connecting means are metal disks with central, axial, concentric openings, the outer diameter of said disks being generally equal to the outer diameter of and adjacent elastomer member in the direction of said side wall, the inner diameter of said disks generally defining the boundary'of the offset, eccentric openings of said elastomer members. 11. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said resilient means includes at least two elastomer members with eccentric openings therein, each being bounded by a pair of metal disks, at least one of said disks each being adjacent to two of said elastomer members and two of said disks being adjacent to only one of said elastomer members. 12. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said elastomer members positioned at progressively increasing distances from said side walls have a decreasing inner diameter and the inner diameter of each of said elastomer members is substantially constant across the axial extent of each of said elastomer members. 13. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of each of said elastomer members decreases with increasing distance from said side walls, the outer diameter of each of said elastomer members being substantially constant across the axial extent of each of said elastomer members. 14. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the innermost disk adjacent said side walls has a flange adjacent the inner diameter of said innermost disk which extends into said opening of said side walls thereby providing additional support for said innermost disk. 15. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 10, further comprising a compression means for reinforcing the bonding force between said metal disks and said elastomer members, said compression means including a nut (20) in a threaded engagement with said axle and longitudinally movable along said axle so as to apply a force against the outermost of said disks thereby applying a force to said elastomer between said side wall and said outermost disk. 16. An eccentric wheel suspension including, a pair of spaced side walls having opposed openings, an elongated axle extending between said side walls and through said opposed openings so that said axle has end portions extending beyond said walls, a wheel rotationally mounted on said axle between said side walls, a pair of inner cover plates attached to said side walls around said opposed openings, said inner plates being disk shaped and including a central opening for passing said axle, the longitudinal axis of said axle being offset from the centre of said inner plate in a first direction toward a surface on which said wheel travels, a pair of first elastomer members having an eccentric central opening for passing said axle and being attached to said inner cover plate along major surfaces of said cover plate and said first elastomer member, a pair of first separating disks of a metal material attached to said first elastomer member,- said first separating disk having a central opening for passing said axle and having a diameter less than the central opening of said inner cover plate, the centres of the central openings of said pairs of inner cover plates and said pair of first separating disks being offset from one another in said first direction, the outer diameters of said pair of first separating disks generally defining the outer diameters of said pair of first elastomer members a pair of second elastomer members attached to said pair of first separating disks, said second elastomer member having an eccentric inner diameter and an outer diameter less than those of said first elastomer member and having a central opening therein for passing said axle, a pair of second separating disks having a central opening therein for passing said axle and having an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of said central, opening of said first separating disk, the centre of said second separating disks being offset in said first direction from the centres of said first separating disks, the outer diameters of said pair of second separating disks generally defining the outer diameters of said pair of second elastomer members, a pair of third elastomer members having an eccentric central opening therein for passing said axle and having an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of said second elastomer disk, a pair of outer cover plates having a disk shape with a central opening for passing said axle, so that said movement of said axle causes corresponding radial movement of said outer cover plates, the outer diameters of said outer cover plates generally defining the outer diameters of said pair of third elastomer members, and said opposed openings of said side walls having a larger diameter than the diameter of said central opening of said outer cover plates and relative movement between said axle and said side walls is confined within the limits of said opposed openings of said side walls. 17. An eccentric wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 16, further including an indentation in said inner cover plate, a protrusion extending from said side wall for engaging said indentation thereby aligning said inner cover plate with respect to said side wall so that the direction of the travel of said axle is parallel to a line connecting the centres of said separating disks. 18. An eccentric wheel suspension for an object including a pair of spaced side walls having opposed openings; an elongated axle for extending between the side walls and through the opposed openings so that the axle has end portions extending beyond said side walls, and a wheel rotationally mounted on the axle between the side walls, said wheel suspension including, a pair of resilient means coupling the end portions of the axle to an adjacent one of the side plates, said resilient means each indluding a pair of spaced cover plates having an elastomer therebetween and attached to said cover plates, a first of said cover plates being adapted to be coupled to the axle and a second of said cover plates being adapted to be attached to one of the side walls so that movement of the axle in a radial direction with respect to the side walls applied a shear force to said elastomer and a force resisting deflecting to said wheel suspension, and said first and second cover plates each having a central opening, the opening in said first cover plate being eccentric with respect to the central opening in said second cover plate, so that when the axle passes through the central opening of said first cover plate, and axle is positioned off the central axis of the central opening of said second cover plate and axle travel, at least in one direction, within the central opening of said second cover plate is greater than half the difference between the maximum distance acrpss the central opening of said second cover plate and the maximum radial distance across the axle. 19. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 18, wherein, said first of said cover plates is annular and has a inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of-the axle so that radial movement of the axle causes corresponding radial movement of said first cover plate thereby applying a shear force to said elastomer and thus resisting motion of said axle with respect ot the side plate, and said second of said cover plates is annular and has an inner diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the axle to permit some radial movement of the axle which movement is limited by interference with the innermost boundary of the opening in the side plate and said inner diameter of said second cover plates. 20. A wheel suspension as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said elastomer has a outer boundary extending between the outer diameter of said first ad second cover plates and an inner boundary extending between the inner diameter of said tirst and second cover plates. 21. A wheel suspension for an object with a pair of spaced side walls having opposed openings, an elongated axle extending between the side walls and through said opposed openings so that the axle has end portions extending beyond the side walls , a wheel rotationally mounted on the axle between the side walls, said suspension including: a pair of inner cover plates attached to the side walls around said opposed openings, said inner plates being disc shaped and including a central opening 'for passing the axle; a pair of first elastomer members ha.ving a disk shape with a first eccentric opening for passing the axle and being attached to the inner cover plate along a major surface of said cover plate and said first elastomer members; a pair of first separating disks of a metal material attached to said first elastomer member, said first separating disk having a first central opening for passing the axle with a diameter less than the central opening of the inner cover plate, the central opening of, said, first separating disk being positioned eccentrically with respect to the central opening of said inner cover plate; a pair of second elastomer members attached to said first separating disk, said second elastomer member having an inner diameter and an outer diameter less than those of said first elastomer member and having a second eccentric opening therein for passing the axle, said second eccentric opening being eccentric both with respect to the outer perimeter of said second elastomer member and said first eccentric opening; a pair of second separating disks having a second central opening therin for passing said axle with an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of said first central opening of said first separating disk, said second central opening being positioned eccentrically with respect to first central opening; a pair of third elastomer members having a third eccentric opening therein for passing said axle and having an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of said second elastomer disk; and a pair of outer cover plates having a disk shape with an outer central opening positioned eccentrically with respect to said second central opening for passing the axle, so that the axle abuts said outer cover plate and radial movement of the axle causes corresponding radial movement of said outer cover plates and so that the opposed openings of the side walls have a larger diameter than the diameter of said outer central opening of said outer cover plates and relative movement between the axle and the side walls is confined within the limits of the opposed openings of the side walls.

Inventors: HUANG, BERNARD, MILENKOVIC, VELIKO
Applicants: FORD FRANCE SOCIETE ANONYME, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, FORD MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, FORD-WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B60G11
IPC codes: B60B33, B60G11