US 10,239,373 B2 · Vehicle components and sacrificial ribs

Abstract

A structural component 1 is provided for a vehicle designed for driving off-road on rough terrain. The component 1, such as the lower control arm of a suspension system, is formed from aluminum, aluminum-alloy or other light-weight material and provided on its underside with a parallel arrangement of chamfered ribs 5 which extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The spacing between adjacent ribs 5 is less than or equal to 10 mm so as to prevent underlying rocks and stones 7 from impacting, and thereby abrading the inner surface 3 of the component 1. The ribs 5 are provided as sacrificial elements and will become eroded in use until they no longer provide the desired protection of the inner surface 3. The extent of abrasion of the ribs 5 can be ascertained by a visual inspection of the underlying surface of the vehicle, and, if necessary, the component 1 can be replaced.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A lower control arm of a suspension system for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of projections on an underlying surface of the lower control arm that, in use, opposes a surface over which the vehicle is travelling;
wherein the plurality of projections comprise sacrificial elements and are configured to project substantially from the underlying surface of the lower control arm toward the surface over which the vehicle is travelling,
wherein the plurality of projections is configured so that any impact erosion in driving the vehicle is concentrated on the plurality of projections to protect the underlying surface of the lower control arm, so that the partial, or even total, removal of the plurality of projections by abrasion does not impact the integrity or function of the lower control arm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle components and sacrificial ribs

Life of this patent

Vehicle components and sacrificial ribs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18