Patent GB-508473-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to wheel suspensions for vehicles
IPC: B60G9/00
Filed: 1937-12-24
Abstract: 508,473. Vehicle spring-suspensions. GAYE, F. Dec. 24, 1937, No. 35739. [Class 108 (ii)] The wheel axle is supported at each side of the vehicle by a pair of links or levers pivoted together at or near the axle and pivoted or linked to the chassis, these links forming between them an angle pointed downwardly, and one at least of the links being movable transversely to its pivotal axis on the chassis to permit variation of the said angle and being subject to a restraining force which acts along it in the direction of the common axis and varies with the deflection of the axle relatively to the chassis. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3, each end of the axle casing a has pivoted thereto one end bl of a radius link b pivoted at the other end at b<3> to the chassis frame. Restraint links c are also pivoted on the axle and extend upwardly and rearwardly at an angle to the radius links, their rear ends being connected to arms d, d<1> fixed on the free ends of torsion bar springs e, e<1> respectively. The spring e<1> may be larger in diameter than the spring e to compensate for its greater distance from the axle a, or the arms d, d<1> may be of different lengths. The straightening-out of the toggle formed by the links b, c when the axle moves upwards causes increased friction in the bearings of the links on the axle a, this friction serving to damp the vibrations. In the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the restraint link c is replaced by a link l sliding through a sleeve securing to the free end of a torsion bar spring k, a helical spring m on the link l being confined between a fixed or adjustable collar l<1> and the sleeve j. In this construction the vertical movements of the axle cause the link l to twist the bar spring k and to compress the spring m, the restraining force acting on the axle being mainly due to the spring m. The load/deflection curve for the coiled spring m corresponds to the curve o, Fig. 10, and the curve p corresponds to that for the torsion bar spring, the resulting curve due to both springs being that shown in dotted lines at q. The curve q may take any desired form by suitably proportioning the lengths and positions of the different parts. Instead of the sleeve j, the link l may slide through pairs of rollers carried by the free end of the torsion bar spring. In a modification, the torsion bar spring may be omitted, the link l sliding through a sleeve pivoted on a spindle mounted in the chassis frame. In a further modification, the radius links may be replaced by restraint links c or l connected to torsion bar springs so that the suspension is symmetrical. The links may be adjustable in length, and the springs may be arranged to be readily changed or adjusted. The fixed ends of the torsion bar springs may be so mounted on the frame as to be rotatably adjustable. If the spring system is required to withstand the driving and brake torque reactions, the radius links b are fixed on the axle casing so as to act as torque rods. The invention may be appliedto trailer vehicles, to the front wheels of motor vehicles and to independently-sprung wheels.