FRAME TYPE FLEXIBLE AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Abstract: Present invention is a frame type flexible axle suspension system designated for use on automobiles. This system mainly consists of two parallel spring steel shafts (12, 14), ends of which pass through a pair of link stands (16, 18) which are perpendicular to the spring steel shafts, thus form a frame construction (10). The Link stands are connected with elevation shaft or drive shaft or wheel shaft. In addition, on each steel shaft there is a pair of elastic sleeves which are fastened on the spring steel shaft by means of hoops (24). Supporting stand (26) is connected with the hoops at one end and fixed on chassis or mainbeam of automobile at the other end. This frame type flexible axle suspension system can be used for front and rear axles of automobiles. It is also possible to select optimal combination of parameters of parts according to needs.

Description: Frame type flexible axle suspension system The present invention relates to a frame type flexible axle suspension system used as an independent suspension system in a drive system of a motor vehicle, or an automobile in particular. It is well known that suspension system is one of important subassemblies of a modern automobile. It consists of elastic elements, buffer, guiding mechanism and stabilizing rod. Suspension system greatly affects smoothness and stability of drive of an automobile, and also has influence on many performance features of an automobile, such as roadability, fuel economy etc. Therefore, improvements and patent applications on suspension system have been proposed and submitted again and again. Presently there exists a great variety of types of suspension system. According to the form of guiding mechanism it can be classified into two groups: dependent and independent suspension system. Independent suspension system can be further calssified into a number of types. Up to now following types have been developed: dual cross arm type, single cross arm type, longitudinal arm type, single oblique arm type and sliding column with swinging arm type. There is one common feature among all above mentioned independent suspension systems, that is, various functions of a suspension system, such as guiding, buffering, shock absorbing, stabilizing functions, are performed by separate related mechanisms or elements. These mechanisms and elements are then combined togther to form an integral suspension system. Based on this principle of thoughts people focused their attention on improving suspension system. Problem of coordinating the improved mechanism with whole suspension to form an integral unit was considered afterwards. For example, in order to improve guding function of a suspension, only guiding mechanism of a suspension was improved, thus single and dual arm types were developed. Such kind of principle of thoughts brings about a lot of problems for suspension system (1) Suspension system is relatively complex due to the fact that it is combined from a number of mechanisms or elements; (2) Therefore, there are more connecting elements in suspension system (3) There is a big difference between front and rear suspension constructions. Above mentioned constructional problems result in a larger amount of work during manufacturing process, cause throuble and inconvenience in assembly and maintenence, and at the same time constitute one of reasons for high cost of automobiles. The objective of present invention is to propose a totally new and unique independent suspension system, that is, a frame type flexible axle suspension system. It integrates guiding, stabilizing, buffering functions and hinges of a suspension system into a simplified frame construction. This suspension's coming out solves above mentioned problems which exist in presently used suspension systems. The frame type flexible axle suspension system of present invention includes two parallel shafts made of spring steel. Ends of these shafts pass through a pair of link stands which are perpendicular to spring steel shafts, thus form a frame construction. Link stands are connected with elevation shaft or driving shaft or wheel shaft. Four elastic sleeves are fixed on spring steel shafts by hoops. supporting stands are connected with hoops and fixed on chassis of automobile. Here the elastic sleeves can stand both the normal pressure in the tangent direction and the shearing force in the traverse direction, thus ensure a secure connection of suspension system with vehicle body. Following is a description of the principle of this frame type flexibly axle suspension system. Guiding function: (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) When a wheel accepts a vertical force from the ground (in direction F), due to the fact that the spring steel shaft has elasticity, wheel will swivel around the center A (or B) in direction N within a radius L (or l), thus guiding function is performed. Proper adjustment of the distance between A and B may change the distance from wheel to A (orB), thus may adjust the radius within which the wheel can swivel in direction N to achieve the objective of adjusting guiding radius. Link stands are rigidly connected with spring steel shafts through conic holes and nuts. As a result, when a wheel accepts a longitudinal force in direction G in Fig. 4, (such as traction force and braking force), the wheel cannot be staggered in direction M, thus smothness of drive is ensured. In summary, it can be seen that this construction performs guiding function successfully and makes itself an independent suspension system. Buffering function: When a wheel accepts a ground impact, it transfers the impact to elastic metal frame which is fixed on supporting components connected with vehicle body through rubber elastic sleeves. Since elastic deformation of spring steel shaft absorbs impact energy, the spring steel shaft as an elastic element performs the buffering function. Stabilizing function: In order to improve smoothness of drive of an automobile, the rigidity of elastic elments in a suspension system should be properly reduced. However, when an automobile makes a turn, centrifugal force causes the automobile too large a slant that reduces its stability. Therefore, automobiles (mostly cars) with independient suspension system are to have an additional spring steel shaft which, passing through vehicle body, is fixed on wheel shaft on both sides, thus in a certain degree enhances rigidity of outer suspension system during a turn, decreases the slant of vehicle body and improves stability. The frame type flexible axle suspension system of present invention, however, does not need additional stabilizing shaft device, because when an automobile makes a turn, the outer spring steel shaft deforms, thus affects bending deformation of whole spring steel shaft, causes a spontaneous deformation of inner spring steel shaft. Therefore, outer and inner sides are lowering almost simultaneously during a turn, slant angle decreases one half at the least, thus stability is ensured. This unique suspension system is of a simple frame construction. It combines guiding, buffering, stabilizing functions of present complex suspension system into a simplified system. Moreover, it has following effects: manufacturing process of suspension elements is simplified, the amount of parts, especially connecting elements such as hinges, is decreased, assembly and maintenence becomes easier, break down rate is lowered. This independent suspension system makes it possible to use basically common construction for front and rear axle suspension. Therefore, it further simplifies manufacturing process, reduces the amount of assembly work, at the same time favours repair and maintenence work. Moreover, shapes and sizes of parts in this construction, as well as their relative positions can be adjusted in a certain range. It helps to find an ideal combination of parameters, thus it can conveniently satisfy different requirements on suspension functions for different vehicles. Therefore, this suspension system can be considered as a flexible suspension system which can be adjusted flexibly and conveniently to satisfy requirements of vehicles of various different types. Hereunder is a detailed description together with attached drawings of present invention. Fig. 1 is a bottom view of down supporting type front drive flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 2 is a front view of down supporting type front drive flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 3. is a view in direction B of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of upper suspending type front drive flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 5 is a front view of upper suspending type front drive flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 6 is a front view of the right half of sliding arm type front drive front flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 7 is a view in direction A of fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a top view of the left half of rear drive rear flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 9 is a view in direction A of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of passive type rear flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 11 is a front view of passive type rear flexible axle suspension system. Fig. 12 is a top view of link stands of front axle. Fig. 13 is a view of A-A section of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a structural schema of link stands. Fig. 15 is a structural schema of link stands. Fig. 16 is a structural schema of link stands. Fig. 17 is a structural schema of elastic sleeves, hoops and supporting stands. Fig. 18 is a view of A-A section of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a top view of Fig. 17. Requirements to various components are described separately together with attached drawings as follows. In a flexible axle suspension system the material of spring steel shafts (12, 14) is very important. Spring steel with good mechanical characteristics and high elasticity strength, such as manganese steel and silicon manganese steel, are to be selected. In particular, spring steel 65Mn and 60 (Si₂Mn) are more commonly used materials. Shape, section size and length of spring steel shafts (12, 14) are to be selected based on differences in type, construction and loading capacity of automobile. In one and the same frame construction (10), two spring steel shafts (12, 14) must meet the requirement of parallelism. however, shapes, section sizes and lengths may be identical or not identical. Depending on concrete design specification, it can be adjusted in a certain range. Section of steel shaft may have various forms, such as round, oval, square, rectangle etc. If spring steel shafts (12, 14) have round sections, then for a mini-automobile their diameter should not be less than 8 mm., For a ordinary car or a passenger-cargo dual purpose truck their diameter should be more than 20 mm. Two ends of spring steel shafts (12, 14) are to pass through individually two conic holes of a pair of link stands (16 and 18) which are perpendicular to the steel shafts to form a frame construction (10) (see Fig. 1). The steel shafts should be firmly connected with the link stands. There should not be any traverse displacement between them. For example, at the end of spring steel shaft there may be a fine thread folowed by a conic thransition part, the conicity of which should match with the conicity of holes (48, 50) on the link stands. Then the steel shaft is fixed on link stands by nuts. The distance h (see Fig. 4) between two parallel spring steel shafts in the frame construction (10), i.e. the distance h (see Fig. 14, 15, 16) between centers of two holes on link stands, through which steel shafts are to pass, should be selected according to vehicle body structure. The distance between two parallel steel shafts should not be less than one fifth of wheel diameter D, that is , h ≧ 1/5D. In brief, by changing shape, section size, length of each of two spring steel shafts (12, 14) and distance between them it is possible to change guiding feature, natural frequency, stability of this suspension system , thus to find an ideal combination of parameters to meet compound requirements to suspension system of certain kind of automobile. Due to the fact that this suspension system is merely a simple frame construction, such adjustment is relatively easy and simple. Link stands (16, 18) play an important role in flexible axle suspension system of automobile. It not only connects spring steel shafts to form a frame construction (10), but also connects suspension system with drive shaft (32 or 44) or elevation shaft (30) or wheel shaft (62), thus comprises an important part of chassis of automobile. Link stands (16, 18) are perpendicular to spring steel shafts and disposed at both ends of this pair of steel shafts. They are integrated with steel shafts by fasteners, thus a rigid frame construction (10) is formed. Link stands are essentially plate stands (see Fig. 12, 13). Mainly, on link stands there are two conic holes (48, 50) for spring steel shafts to pass through and a connecting part 57 for drive shaft (32 or 44) or elevation shaft (30) or wheel shaft (62) to be connected. Conic holes match with conic parts of spring steel shaft ends. At ends of steel shafts there are sections with fine thread, right next to above mentioned conic parts of steel shafts. Thus, it is possible to integrate steel shafts with link stands by fasteners such as nuts. Shape and size of link stands may be adjusted according to requirements. By making appropriate changes in shape and size of link stands according to concrete difference between front and rear axle constructions it is possible to apply the suspension system simultaneously to front and rear axles. Positions of two conic holes (48, 50) on link stands are to be selected according to characteristics of automobiles of different types. As shown in Fig. 14, two holes are located above the connecting part of link stands. It is suitable for use in automobiles with good roadibility. In Fig. 15 two connection lines of each center of hole with center of respecitive connecting part of link stand are almost perpendicular. It is suitable for use in automobile construction where its disposition hinders engine or fuel tank. In Fig. 16 two holes are arranged at one and the same side of connecting part of link stand. It is suitable for use in automobile with special construction. It is also possible to use various constructions of link stands to arrange relative positions of two holes to avoid wheel interference. However, no matter how to arrange the disposition, two conditions are to be met: 1. Positions of conic holes in each pair of link stands should ensure that two spring steel shafts are paralle. 2. Angle between the plane formed by two parallel steel shafts and the water level of chassis should not be larger than 60°, that is, should not be in a range nearly vertical to the ground. Connecting part of link stand (56) is to be designed and selected according to concrete construction and application case. In a front drive front axle suspension system its drive shaft (32) may be located below frame structue (10) (as shown in Fig. 2), may also be located above frame structure (10) (as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6), wherein connecting part of link stand (56) has to have holes to connect elevation shaft (30) or drive shaft (32). For example, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are simple schema of link stand of front axle where hole (64) is connected with elevation shaft (30). In rear drive rear axle suspension system (as shown in Fig. 8) the connecting part of link stand has a hole for drive shaft (44) to pass through. In rear axle passive suspension system (as shown in Fig. 10 and 11) the connecting part of link stand is a blind hole. On frame type flexible axle suspension system there are other four supporting components, two for each steel shaft. Although they are disposed on respective steel shafts symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of automobile (i.e. center line of front and rear wheel shafts), distances of each pair of suspporting components on two steel shafts may be equal or not equal. Vehicle frame (40) is directly fixed on these supporting components, thus performs the task of connecting suspension system with wheels (28, 46) and vehicle frame (40). Each supporting component consists of a supporting stand, a hoop, an elastic sleeve. Elastic sleeves (20, 21, 22, 23) have shock absorbing feature, at the same time functions as a hinge for guiding action. They are made of rubber or synthetic rubber product, e.g. rubber (BR), polyurethane (UR), and thermoplastic elastic material (SBS) etc. Elastic sleeves are directly put on appropriate location of spring steel shafts (12, 14), stuck together by adhesives, or solidified on spring steel shaft by rubber vulcanizing process. Sleeves may have various forms, such as cylindrical form or form of bearing housing. In addition, supporting stand (26) and spring steel shafts (12, 14) may be integrated by filling rubber between them, a method normally called "vulcanization', to ensure that it is elastic and strong. Hoops (24) are used to band elastic sleeves firmly on spring steel shafts. Hoops may have various constructions. Ordinary clamping mechanism is capable to achieve this objective. Fig. 17, 18 and 19 show one of those ordinary hoop mechanisms, where hoop (24) consists of two halves of steel parts, the form of inner clamping surface suits the form of elastic sleeves (20, 21, 22, 23), the outer form suits supporting stand (26). On both halves of the hoop there are holes with threades (58). Two halves of the hoop are clamped together by bolts (52), thus elastic sleeves are tightly pressed on spring steel shafts (12, 14). By controlling tightening force of bolts it is possible to adjust the pressure of elastic sleeves on steel shafts. Sticking force of adhesives and pressure of hoops make the supporting components on spring steel shafts imposible to slide along steel shafts under impact, vibration, braking or turning of automobile. Obviously, making elastic sleeves longer will favour preventing above mentioned slide. Therefore, elastic sleeves for large automobiles should be longer, for small or mini-automobiles shorter, but it should not be less then 20 mm. at the least. Supporting stand (26) is fixed on hoop (24). It can be made integral with hoop, or fixed on hoop by means of mechanical fastening method or welding process. Supporting stand has four holes. By means of bolts or rivets it can be securely fastened to chassis (40). Finally it serves as a support for chassis. Supporting stand may have a round, triangular, rectangular or square form according to construction of chassis, but normally rectangular form is prefered. As described above, distance between each pair of supporting components can be adjusted. The benefit is that guiding feature and stability of suspension can be adjusted. Since supporting components make suspension possess guiding feature, at the same time make steel shafts function like stabilizing rod, increase in the distance will improve the stability of suspension, decrease in the distance will improve guiding feature, but decrease stability. Therefore, by adjusting this distance it is possible to find an ideal combination of guiding and stabilizing features. In addition, by adjusting the distance it is possible to adjust natural frequency of virbration of the elastic element--spring steel shaft, thus to improve smoothness of automobile. Just as described above, the distance between supporting stands of two spring steel shafts may be different. The amount of difference may also be adjusted. The advantage is that in a certain degree it makes rigidity of suspension variable depending on vehicle's loading. In this way the natural frequency of vehicle body changes very little. Smoothness of drive of vehicle is improved which is most important for buses and cars. Generally speaking, two supporting components of each steel shaft should be disposed at 1/6 H to 2/6 H and at 4/6 H to 5/6 H respectively. (H: distance between two wheels, see Fig. 4). Two supporting components of each steel shaft should be symmetric to center line of distance between two wheels. For example, on spring steel shaft (12) there are two elastic sleeves (20) and (21). If (20) is placed at 1/6 H (H: distance between two wheels), then (21) should be placed at 5/6H. Elastic sleeves (20) and (21) are symmetric to center line of distance between two wheels. However, elastic sleeves (20 and 21) and (22 and 23) on two respective spring steel shafts (12) and (14) of the same frame construction are not necessarily to be placed at the same distance, see Fig. 4. For example, elastic sleeves (20) and (21) on spring steel shaft (12) are placed at 2/6 H and 4/6H (H: distance between two wheels) respectively, but elastic sleeves (22) and (23) on spring steel shaft (14) are placed at 1/6 H and 5/6H respectively. Of course, from point of view of vehicle body construction, loading condition and simplicity of maintenence, elastic sleeves (20) and (21) or (22) and (23) may be placed at the same distance between two wheels. In summary from above, frame type flexible axle suspension system is basically characterized as two parallel spring steel shafts (12, 14), ends of which pass through a pair of link stands (16, 18) respectively, which are perpendicular to spring steel shafts. Combined together, they form a frame construction (10). Link stands are connected with elevation shaft or drive shaft or wheel shaft. Elastic sleeves (20, 21, 22, 23) are fastened on spring steel shafts (12 or 14) respectively by means of hoops. Supporting stand (26) is connected with hoops and fixed on chassis or main beam (40) of automobile. At the same time, in order to solve the problem of making wheel perpendicular to earth as much as possible, applying this frame type flexible axle suspension system to presently used sliding arm type or four connecting rod type (especially with movable spherical head at its turning link) front drive front axle suspension system will give a more ideal effect (see Fig. 6). This new frame type flexible axle suspension system has been tested on automobiles. Experimental automobile is a small truck with one row of seats and 600 kg loading capacity. On the front axle of automobile a front drive down supporting type flexible axle suspension system (as shown in Fig. 2) was applied, on rear axle-- a passive type suspension system (as shown in Fig. 11). Spring steel 60si₂Mn was selected for spring steel shafts of both front and rear axles. Diameter of all steel shafts is 20mm. The distance between two steel shafts of front axle is approximately one third of wheel diameter. The distance between two spring steel shafts of rear axle is 250 mm. Elastic sleeves are made of rubber (BR). They have cylindrical form with inner diameter of 18 mm, thickness of 20 mm and length of 40 mm. Sleeves are firmly stuck to steel shafts with 502 adhesive. Hoops are used to fasten elastic sleeves on to steel shafts as shown in Fig. 17, 19. Hoops are welded on supporting stands and fixed on main frame of automobile by bolts which pass through four thread holes on supporting stands. Elastic sleeves of front and rear axles are placed at 2/9H and 7/9H (H: distance between two wheels) respectively. In total, there are less than 200 parts in the experimental frame type flexible suspension system for front and rear axle. Construction is extremely simple. Automobile had been driving under full load condition and unexpected smoothness was achieved. Comfortableness is excellent. Sitting inside, people did not feel any bumping. Automobile showed flexible turning and good guiding feature. Using frame type flexible axle suspension system greatly simplifies the whole suspension mechanism, reduces the amount of parts and components, thus makes manufacturing easier and assembly simpler, reduces cost, facilitates maintensence and repair, decreases vehicle body's weight, saves energy consumption accordingly and reduces the noise level caused by friction between parts.

Claims: 1. A suspension system designated for use on front and rear axles of automobiles, characterized in that the suspension system is a frame type flexible axle suspension system including two parallel spring steel shafts (12, 14) and a pair of link stands (16, 18) said link stands being perpendicular to and being passed though by the end parts of said spring steel shafts respectively, said spring steel shafts and said link stands being combined to form a frame construction (10), said link stands being connected with elevation shaft or drive shaft or wheel shaft, said suspension system further including elastic sleeves (20, 21, 22, 23,) being fastened on said spring steel shafts (12, 14), respectively by means of hoops (24), and supporting stand (26) being connected with hoops and fixed on chassis or main beam of automobile (40). 2. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of said two spring steel shafts (12, 14) is spring steel of manganess steel series. 3. The Material of spring steel shaft of frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that said spring steel shafts (12, 14) are made of spring steel 65Mn. 4. the Material of spring steel shaft of frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that said spring steel shafts (12, 14) are made of spring steel 60Si₂Mn. 5. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said two spring steel shafts (12, 14) are round, diameter and material of both steel shafts are identical. 6. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the distance h between said two spring steel shafts is not less than 1/5 of wheel diamete D, i.e. h≧1/5D. 7. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the diameter of said spring steel shaft is not less than 8 mm. 8. The diameter of said spring steel shaft of frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 7, characteized in that the diameter of said spring steel shaft is about 20 mm. 9. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ends of said spring steel shafts are machined as thread part with a conic part right next to the thread part. 10. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said elastic sleeves (20) and (21) are fixed on spring steel shaft (12) and placed at 1/6H to 2/6 H and at 4/6 H to 5/6 H respectively where H is the distance between two wheels, and sleeves (20) and (21) are symmetric to center line of the distance between two wheels; while elastic sleeves (22) and (23) are fixed on spring steel shaft (14) and placed at 1/6 H to 2/6 H and 4/6 H to 5/6 H respectively where H is the distance between two wheels, and sleeves (22) and (23) are symmetric to center line of the distance between two wheels. 11. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact length of each said elastic sleeve with said spring steel shaft may not be less than 20 mm. 12. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said elastic sleeves are made of rubber material (BR). 13. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said elastic sleeves are made of polyurethane rubber material (UR). 14. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said elastic sleeves are made of thermoplastic elastic material (SBS). 15. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that said elastic sleeves are stuck to said spring steel shaft by adhesives, and said hoops (24) are used to band said elastic sleeves firmly on said spring steel shafts. 16. The frame type flexible axle suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that on each said link stand (16 and 18) there are two conic holes (48, 50) for said spring steel shafts to pass through, the conicity of said hole matches with the conicity of end part of said steel shaft, relative position of said two holes may be adjusted according to constructional needs, but angle between the plane formed by said two parallel spring steel shafts and the water level of chassis should not be larger than 60°. 17. The Link stand according to claim 16, characterized in that the connecting part of said link stand ( 16 and 18) has a hole to connect elevation shaft. 18. The link stand according to claim 16, characteized in that said connecting part of said link stand has a hole for drive shaft to pass through. 19. The link stand according to claim 16, characterized in that said connecting part of said link stand has a blind hole, said link stand is connected with wheel shaft.

Inventors: TANG, JINSHENG
Applicants: TANG, JINSHENG
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60G3
IPC codes: B60G7, B60G11, B60G21, B60G3, B60G9