Abstract:
A vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement includes a vehicle frame, a slider suspension arrangement coupled to the vehicle frame and including an axle member, and a spring member biasing the axle member, and an impact force absorbing arrangement that includes a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, first and second pivot members each pivotably coupled to the mounting member, and an elastically deformable biasing member positioned between each of the pivot members and the mounting member, wherein each of the pivot members is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension system and in particular to a vehicle suspension impact energy absorption arrangement and integrated rear impact collision safety arrangement. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement comprises a vehicle frame, a slider suspension arrangement coupled with the vehicle frame, and an impact force absorbing arrangement. The slider suspension arrangement comprises at least one trailing arm member having a first end and a second end, a support bracket coupled to the vehicle frame and pivotably supporting the first end of the first trailing arm, and a spring member positioned between the second end of the trailing arm and the vehicle frame. The impact force absorbing arrangement comprises a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, a first pivot member pivotably coupled to the mounting member, a second pivot member pivotably mounted to the mounting member, at least one elastically deformable biasing member positioned between the first pivot member and the mounting member and between the second pivot member and the mounting member, wherein the first pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted by the slider suspension arrangement, and wherein the second pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when the second pivot member receives a forwardly directed force. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle impact energy absorbing arrangement that includes a vehicle frame, a slider suspension arrangement coupled to the vehicle frame, and an impact force absorbing arrangement. The slider suspension arrangement comprises at least one trailing arm member having a first end and a second end, a support bracket coupled to the vehicle frame and pivotably supporting the first end of the at least one trailing arm, and a spring member positioned between the second end of the trailing arm and the vehicle frame. The impact force absorbing arrangement comprises a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, a first pivot member pivotably coupled to the mounting member and at least one elastically deformable biasing member positioned between the first pivot member and the mounting member, wherein the first pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted by the slider suspension arrangement. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle impact energy absorbing arrangement that includes a vehicle frame, a slider suspension arrangement coupled to the vehicle frame, and an impact force absorbing arrangement. The slider suspension arrangement includes at least one trailing arm having a first end and a second end, a support bracket coupled to the vehicle frame and pivotably supporting the first end of the at least one trailing arm, and a spring member positioned between the second end of the trailing arm and the vehicle frame. The impact force absorbing arrangement includes a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, a first pivot member pivotably coupled to the mounting member, and at least one elastically deformable biasing member positioned between the first pivot member and the mounting member, wherein the first pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted by the slider suspension arrangement. 
     Still yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle impact force absorbing arrangement for use on a vehicle that includes a slider suspension arrangement, the vehicle impact force absorbing arrangement including a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, a first pivot member pivotably coupled to the mounting member, a second pivot member pivotably coupled to the mounting member, at least one elastically deformable biasing member positioned between the first pivot member and the mounting member and between the second pivot member and the mounting member, wherein the first pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted by the slider suspension arrangement, and wherein the second pivot member is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when the second pivot member receives a forwardly directed force. 
     The principle objects of the present invention are to provide a durable, impact force absorbing arrangement that can be easily and quickly assembled, may be retrofit onto existing trailer assemblies, is economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, reduces damage typically associated with excessive force being applied by an operator to a slider suspension assembly, increases the safety of passengers in a vehicle that collides with the rear of a trailer assembly while simultaneously reducing the damage to the trailer typically associated with rear collisions, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement mounted to an associated vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a vehicle slider suspension arrangement; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side elevational view of the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement, wherein a slider suspension arrangement has impacted the impact force absorbing arrangement; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side elevational view of the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement, wherein the impact force absorbing arrangement has been impacted by a secondary vehicle; and 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The reference numeral  10  ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement includes a vehicle frame assembly  12 , a slider suspension arrangement  14  coupled to the vehicle frame assembly  12 , and an impact force absorbing arrangement  16 . 
     The vehicle frame assembly  12  includes a pair of longitudinally-extending frame members, of which frame member  18  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The frame assembly  12  also includes a plurality of cross-wise extending frame members (not shown). 
     The vehicle slider suspension arrangement  14  ( FIG. 2 ) comprises a plurality of support brackets  20  pivotably supporting corresponding trailing arms  22 , and spring members in the form of pneumatic springs  24 . Each trailing arm  22  includes a first end  26  pivotably coupled to a support bracket  30 , and a second end  28  configured such that the pneumatic spring  24  is operably positioned between the second end  28  of the trailing arm  22  and a slider rail  30  of the slider suspension arrangement  14  as well as the frame member  18  of the vehicle frame assembly  12 . An axle member  32  extends between pairings of the trailing arms  22  located on opposite sides of the associated vehicle. The slider suspension arrangement  14  is longitudinally adjustable in the directions  34  with respect to the vehicle frame assembly  12 . 
     In the illustrated example, the impact force absorbing arrangement  16  includes a mounting member  40  coupled to the vehicle frame assembly  12 , a first pivot arrangement  42  pivotably coupled to the mounting member for pivoting about a pivot axis  44 , and a second pivot arrangement  46  pivotably coupled to the mounting member  40  for pivoting about a pivot axis  48 , and a biasing member  50  operably positioned between the first and second pivot arrangements  42 ,  46  and the mounting member  40 . In the illustrated example, the first pivot arrangement  42  includes a pivot arm  52  having a downwardly-extending portion  54  and a rearwardly-extending portion  56 . The biasing member  50  is positioned between the rearwardly-extending portion  56  of the biasing member  50  and the mounting member  40 . The second pivot arrangement  46  includes a downwardly-extending portion  58  and a forwardly-extending portion  60 . The biasing member  50  is operably positioned between the forwardly-extending portion  60  of the second pivot arrangement  46  and the mounting member  40 . The biasing member  50  may comprise a pneumatic spring, a hydraulic damper, a rubber bushing, and the like. 
     In operation, and as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the impact force absorption arrangement  16  is adapted to absorb the impact between the slider suspension arrangement  14  and the impact force absorbing arrangement  16 , thereby reducing the forces exerted by the slider suspension arrangement  14  on the vehicle frame assembly  12 . Specifically, excessive forces generated on the overall system during position adjustment of the slider suspension arrangement  14  with respect to the vehicle frame assembly  12  may result in damage to the slider suspension arrangement  14 , the vehicle frame assembly  12 , or both. In the illustrated example, the slider suspension arrangement  14  is moved rearwardly in a direction  64  until the slider suspension arrangement  14  impacts a bumper member  66  positioned on a forward side of the downwardly-extending portion  54  of the first pivot arrangement  42 . Impact of the slider suspension arrangement  14  with the bumper member  66  causes the first pivot arrangement  42  to pivot about the pivot axis  48  in a direction  68 , thereby causing the rearwardly-extending portion  56  of the first pivot arrangement  42  to compress the biasing member  50  in a direction  70 . The biasing member  50  absorbs the impact energy exerted by the slider suspension arrangement  14  and reduces or eliminates any damage to the slider suspension arrangement  14  and/or the vehicle frame assembly  12 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a rear impact collision of a secondary vehicle  72  with the downwardly-extending portion  58  of the second pivot arrangement  46  causes the second pivot arrangement  46  to rotate about the pivot axis  48  in a direction  80 , thereby causing the forwardly-extending portion  60  of the second pivot arrangement  46  to compress the biasing member  50  in a direction  82 . The biasing member  50  is adapted to absorb the energy exerted by the secondary vehicle  72  onto the second pivot arrangement  46 , thereby ensuring the safety of the passengers in the secondary vehicle  72 , and simultaneously reducing the damage to the vehicle frame assembly  12  or the remainder of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a.  Since the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a  is similar to the previously described vehicle energy absorption arrangement  10 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 1-4  and  FIG. 5 , respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a  is configured to lower the reaction point of the arrangement to a position equal to or below a center of mass of the slider suspension arrangement  14 . Specifically, the suspension arrangement  14  includes a brace  90  that is configured to abut the bumper member  66   a  during rearward movement of the slider suspension arrangement  14   a  in the direction  64   a.  A structural reinforcement member  92  structurally reinforces and attaches the bumper member  66   a  to the downwardly-extending portion  54   a  of the first pivot arrangement  42   a.  The location and configuration of the brace  90  lowers the reaction point of the forces exerted on the slider suspension arrangement  14  during position adjustment of the suspension slider assembly arrangement with respect to the vehicle frame assembly, to a position below the slider suspension arrangement  14 , thus generating a moment that forces the slider suspension arrangement  14  in an upward direction as opposed to forcing the slider suspension arrangement away from the vehicle frame assembly  12 . The vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a  is also configured to provide improved aerodynamic efficiencies. Specifically, the brace  90  may be configured to act as an aerodynamic shield or windbreak. Further, the configuration and positioning of the above-described components of the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a  may serve to reduce the wind drag associated with the overall assembly by forcing airflow completely or significantly below the vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement  10   a.    
     The present inventive vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement can be easily and quickly assembled, may be retrofit onto existing trailer assemblies, is economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, reduces damage typically associated with excessive force being applied by an operator to a slider suspension assembly, increases the safety of passengers in a vehicle that collides with the rear of a trailer assembly while simultaneously reducing the damage to the trailer typically associated with rear collisions, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
     In In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts as disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.