Vehicle front suspension system
AssigneesNikola Motor Company LLC, ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
InventorsTrevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A front suspension system is provided for a front-wheel drive vehicle having a drive shaft for driving a front wheel. The front suspension system includes a suspension device configured to be connected to the vehicle, a control arm configured to be connected to the vehicle, and a yoke mount configured to connect the suspension device to the control arm. The yoke mount has first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.
Claims25
A front suspension system for a front-wheel drive vehicle having a drive shaft for driving a front wheel, a motor gearbox assembly including a motor for driving the drive shaft, a gear train associated with the motor, and a housing that receives the motor and the gear train, the front suspension system comprising:
- a suspension device configured to be connected to the vehicle;
- a lower control arm configured to be connected to the vehicle;
- a yoke mount configured to connect the suspension device to the lower control arm, the yoke mount having first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle;
- an upper control arm;
- and
- a knuckle that is attachable to the lower and upper control arms and configured to support the front wheel;
- wherein at least one of the control arms is attachable to the housing when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle, and the first and second legs of the yoke mount are configured to be directly connected to the suspension device at first and second spaced apart locations, respectively, when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.
A front wheel drive vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle support structure;
- a front wheel that is rotatable relative to the vehicle support structure;
- a drive shaft connected to the front wheel for driving the front wheel;
- a steering arm connected to the front wheel for steering the front wheel;
- a front suspension system including a suspension device connected to the vehicle support structure, a lower control arm, an upper control arm, a knuckle that supports the front wheel and is attached to the lower and upper control arms, and a yoke mount that connects the suspension device to the lower control arm, the yoke mount having first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween, wherein the first and second legs are connected to the suspension device at first and second spaced apart locations, respectively, and the first and second legs join together beneath the drive shaft and above the lower control arm;
- and
- a motor gearbox assembly attached to the vehicle support structure, the motor gearbox assembly including a motor for driving the drive shaft, a gear train associated with the motor, and a housing that receives the motor and the gear train;
- wherein at least one of the control arms is pivotably attached to the housing, the lower control arm has an opening, and an end of the yoke mount extends into the opening so that the end of the yoke mount is recessed below a top face of the lower control arm.
A front suspension system for a front-wheel drive vehicle having a drive shaft for driving a front wheel, the front suspension system comprising:
- a suspension device configured to be connected to the vehicle;
- a control arm configured to be connected to the vehicle;
- and
- a yoke mount configured to connect the suspension device to the control arm, the yoke mount having first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle, wherein the first and second legs join together beneath the drive shaft and above the control arm when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.