Patent GB-1277611-A (GB)
Title: Suspension systems and wheels
Inventor: MOORE JOHN RUSSELL CROMPTON
IPC: F16D3/62
Filed: 1969-01-03
Abstract: 1277611 Vehicle suspension systems; springwheels J R C MOORE 30 Dec 1969 [3 Jan 1969] 620/69 Headings B7C and B7D. [Also in Division F2] A suspension system for a vehicle comprises a wheel which has a rim and hub joined by compliant means permitting radial movement between the rim and hub but capable of transmitting torque therebetween, and control means which are arranged to constraint radial movement of the rim to a predetermined path relative to a suspension support and are coupled to the rim by bearing means permitting rotation of the rim relative to the control means. The wheel may be a spring wheel and the predetermined path may be rectilinear or arcuate. In Figs. 3, 5 the rim 2 and hub 1 are connected by resilient sheet metal spokes 3 having a transversely extending angled bend. A disc 21 co-operating with the rim 2 is coupled to an axle 8 which rotatably supports the hub 1 through a bearing 18 and a Watts linkage which confines movement of the rim to a generally vertical linear path and comprises a pair of links, 13, 14 connected between a member 10 rigidly secured to the axle 8 and a link 17 carrying the bearing 18. An extension 24 of the link 14 is connected by a link 26 to an arm 28 splined to a spindle 30 so that vertical movement of the rim 2 imparts a corresponding rotary movement to the spindle 30 and can thus be controlled by suspension springing, damping means or anti-roll means acting through the spindle. In Figs. 14, 15 the rim 2 is connected to the hub 1 by resiliently hinged inner and outer spoke members 31, 34. The outer spoke members 31 are connected to supports 32 on the rim 2 by semicircular rubber bushes 42 bonded between male members 38 on the supports 32 and tubular recesses at the ends 40 of the spoke members, the inner spoke members 34 are similarly connected by bushes 46 to male members 47 on the hub 1, and the spoke members 31, 34 are connected together by conical rubber bushings 44. A diaphragm plate 50 secured to the rim 2 houses a bearing 49 seated by means of a resilient pad in a bearing carrier 51. Oppositely directed links 53, 54, Fig. 16, forming a Watts linkage are connected between bearing supports 52 on the carrier 51 and the chassis of the vehicle. Springing is provided by a torsion bar 55 splined to the link 54 or by helical springs acting on the carrier 51. A shock absorber 56 is connected to the torsion bar 55 and rubber stops limit rim deflection. In another embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown), the wheel has radial spoke portions 4 extending from the hub and joined to chord-wise portions 5, 6 which are connected to the rim, at one end by a bend or loop. In Figs. 6, 11, 13 (not shown) the wheel has hinged spoke structures which may be duplicated in respect of both directions of rotation and one or more pairs of which may be joined by a resilient link to make the wheel capable of transmitting torque. The control means may be in the form of a leading suspension arm mounted outboard of the wheel (Fig. 16, not shown), or a hypocycloid gear mechanism (Figs. 18, 19, not shown) or a linkage (Fig. 21, not shown) which operates in a manner similar to a hypocycloid mechanism. Gear wheels, sprockets and pulleys may be constructed and mounted in accordance with the invention to reduce back-lash or provide chain or belt tensioning.