Vehicle suspension unit
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsWolfgang David, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen, Marc Simon, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A longitudinal leaf spring device for suspending a motor vehicle body or chassis on a vehicle axle thereof. Leaf spring device including an elongated leaf spring unit, a coupling device connecting the leaf spring unit to the vehicle axle, and suspension unit arranged in a substantially vertical direction between a chassis and the axle. The suspension unit including suspension elements providing a spring-back force in the vertical direction and producing an active connection between the chassis and the axle when the distance between the chassis and axle exceeds a predetermined first deflection depth.
Claims11
A longitudinal leaf spring device for use with a vehicle comprising:
- an elongated leaf spring,
- a vehicle axle;
- a coupler connecting the leaf spring to the vehicle axle;
- a suspension unit, separate from said elongated leaf spring, positioned vertically between a vehicle chassis and the vehicle axle, the suspension unit having a plurality of suspension elements exerting a spring-back force, the suspension unit connected to said vehicle chassis and having a free end spaced from said vehicle axle at a predetermined first deflection depth between the free end of the suspension unit and the vehicle axle;
- and
- said suspension unit includes a plurality of concentrically arranged plate springs.
A vehicle suspension comprising:
- an elongated leaf spring,
- a vehicle axle;
- a vehicle chassis;
- a coupler connecting the leaf spring to the vehicle axle;
- a suspension unit, separate from said leaf spring, fixed to and depending vertically from said vehicle chassis, said suspension unit including a plurality of concentrically aligned plate springs, a topmost plate spring connected to said vehicle chassis;
- and
- a lowermost plate spring and a connection element fixed to the lowermost plate spring forming a free end of said suspension unit spaced from said vehicle axle at a predetermined first deflection depth.
A vehicle suspension comprising:
- an elongated leaf spring,
- a vehicle axle;
- a vehicle chassis;
- a coupler connecting the leaf spring to the vehicle axle;
- a suspension unit, separate from said leaf spring, fixed to and depending vertically from said vehicle chassis, said suspension unit including a plurality of concentrically aligned plate springs, a topmost plate spring connected to said vehicle chassis;
- and
- a lowermost plate spring and a connection element fixed to the lowermost plate spring;
- and
- said suspension unit includes a bumper fixed to said connection element, said bumper having a free end, said free end of said bumper forming a free end of said suspension unit spaced from said vehicle axle at a predetermined first deflection depth, said bumper positioned between said plurality of concentrically aligned plate springs and said vehicle axle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.