Suspension for a vehicle

A suspension system (7) for a rear axle (5) of a vehicle (1), said vehicle comprising a frame provided with at least two side members (3a, 3b), said suspension system (7) connecting said axle (5) to said side members (3a, 3b) and comprising a left side (7a) and a right side (7b), each comprising an axle-holder assembly (8), a bellows (9), and a leaf spring (12),

• said leaf spring (12) comprising a first end (12a) connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b), a second end (12b), and an intermediate portion (12c), ranging between said ends (12a, 12b), said bellows (9) being connected to said second end (12b) and to one of said side members (3a, 3b), said axle-holder assembly (8) comprising a plurality of plates (12) interposed between said axle (5) and said leaf spring (12) and retention means (22) configured to keep said plates (21) packed under a compression force with said axle (5) and said leaf spring (12),
• said left side and said right side (7a, 7b) further comprising a first (25) and a second (27) bar, said first bar (25) comprising a first end connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b) and a second end connected to said axle-holder assembly (8), said second bar (27) comprising a first portion (27a) connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b) and a second end (27b) connected to said axle (5), said first and second bars (25, 27) defining respective angles (β,γ) with respect to a horizontal axis, said second bars (27) of said left and right sides (7a, 7b) defining an angle (a), between one another, with respect to a longitudinal axis (A) of said vehicle, said suspension system (7) further comprising a torsion bar (31) connected to one of said plates (21) and to said first bars (25),
• wherein said torsion bar (31) is set below said axle (5),
• wherein said leaf spring (12) has a straight section, wherein said second end (12b) is straight and arranged above a lower plate (21a) of said plates (21), said first end (12a) is inclined in respect to the horizontal until reaching, at the connection point with said side member (3a, 3b), a height approximately equal to the height of an intermediate plate (21b) of said plates (21) and said intermediate portion (12c) is linear and joins said first and second ends (12a, 12b).

A vehicle (1) comprising:

• a frame provided with at least a pair of side members (3a, 3b) and a rear axle (5);
• and
• a suspension system (7) for the rear axle (5) of the vehicle (1), said suspension system (7) connecting said rear axle (5) to said side members (3a, 3b) and comprising a left side (7a) and a right side (7b), each comprising an axle-holder assembly (8), a bellows (9), and a leaf spring (12),
• said leaf spring (12) comprising a first end (12a) connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b), a second end (12b), and an intermediate portion (12c), ranging between said ends (12a, 12b), said bellows (9) being connected to said second end (12b) and to one of said side members (3a, 3b), said axle-holder assembly (8) comprising a plurality of plates (12) interposed between said axle (5) and said leaf spring (12) and retention means (22) configured to keep said plates (21) packed under a compression force with said axle (5) and said leaf spring (12),
• said left side and said right side (7a, 7b) further comprising a first (25) and a second (27) bar, said first bar (25) comprising a first end connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b) at a first connection (26) and a second end connected to said axle-holder assembly (8), said second bar (27) comprising a first portion (27a) connected to one of said side members (3a, 3b) at a second connection (28′) and a second end (27b) connected to said axle (5) at a third connection (28″), said first and second bars (25, 27) defining respective angles (β,γ) with respect to a horizontal axis, said second bars (27) of said left and right sides (7a, 7b) defining an angle (a), between one another, with respect to a longitudinal axis (A) of said vehicle, said suspension system (7) further comprising a torsion bar (31) directly connected to one of said plates (21) and to said first bars (25),
• wherein the second bars (27) are arranged such that longitudinal axes of the second bars (27) intersect one another,
• wherein the second bars (27) are separate discrete bars and the third connections (28″) between the second ends (27b) of the respective second bars (27) and the axle (5) are at different locations along the axle (5),
• wherein at least one of the first connection (26), the second connection (28′) and the third connection (28″) to the respective element is adjustable in height and/or horizontally, in order to vary the respective angle of inclination (β, γ) with respect to the horizontal.