Patent EA-000648-B1 (EA)
Title: Pivoting spring-mounted axle suspension
Inventor: ALTHERR AUGUST
IPC: B60G9/02
Filed: 1997-10-14
Abstract: 1. A suspension for suspending a rigid axle body from a frame of a vehicle, the suspension having a pivot bearing for pivotally supporting the axle body, a spring arrangement for resiliently coupling the axle body to the frame, a thrust arm ex tending in a longitudinal direction between the axle body and the frame, and a steering arm extending generally horizontally and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, t he steering arm having one end connected to the frame and a second end connected by the pivot be aring to the axle body, the axle body supporting rotatable wheels, characterized by: a pivot stop coupled to the axle body at a first joint spaced apart from the pivot bearing and coupled to the fram at a second joint, a line connecting the first and second joints extending generally in a direction parallel to an axis of the axle body, and the pivot stop permitting movement of the joints towards each other, and limiting movement of the joints away from each other and thereby limiting pivoting of the axle body to a maximum angle. 2. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: said line extends generally transverse to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and transverse to an axis of a spring element of the spring arrangement. 3. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: the pivot bearing has a pivot axis which is located in a center plane of the axle body and which is located above and transverse to an axis of rotation of the wheels. 4. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: frame joints fixed to the chassis are arranged on both sides of the pivot bearing, each frame joint being coupled to an associated pivot stop. 5. The suspension of Claim 1, further comprising: a stop means which limits relative motion between the axle body and the frame in a vertical direction. 6. The suspension of Claim 5, wherein the stop means comprises: a stop projection extending upward from the axle body; and a stop surface on the frame located above the stop projection and which is engageable with the stop projection. 7. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: the pivot stop comprises a chain having a plurality of links. 8. The suspension of Claim 7, wherein: the chain has an end link with larger and smaller ends, said chain being coupled to another part of the suspension by a pin which extends through the larger end. 9. The suspension of Claim 1, characterized by: a pair of chains, each having one end coupled to a central region of the axle body, each having a second end coupled to the frame, and each having a plurality of links extending generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in opposite directions, said chains being slack in a neutral position of the axle body, and one of the chains being straightened when the axle body is in a maximum pivot position. 10. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: first pivoting stop comprises a rigid connecting element pivotally coupled to the axle, and pivotally and slidably coupled to the frame. 11. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: the spring arrangement has a range of motion, which, but for the pivot stop, would permit the axle body to pivot beyond said maximum angle. 12. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: a pair of generally vertically extending hydraulic cylinders are arranged on opposite sides of the pivot bearing, cylinder having a first end coupled to the axle body and a second end coupled to the frame. 13. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: the axle body is part of a driven, steerable front axle. 14. The suspension of Claim 1, wherein: the thrust arm has a generally U-shaped cross section which opens upwardly, the thrust arm having a rear end coupled to the frame by a ball joint and having a front end rigidly connected to the axle body, the thrust arm receiving a vehicle articulated drive shaft.