Back to results
US 11,813,918 B2Granted
Axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsJeff R. Zawacki, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Gary E. Gerstenslager
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tandem mechanical spring axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a tandem assembly that comprises a front beam of a suspension assembly of a front axle/suspension system, a rear beam of a suspension assembly of a rear axle suspension system, and a mechanical spring. The mechanical spring operatively engages the front beam and the rear beam and extends longitudinally therebetween, as well as operatively engages a main member of the vehicle frame.
Claims34
A tandem assembly for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- a front suspension assembly pivotally attached to a main member of said heavy-duty vehicle;
- a rear suspension assembly pivotally attached to said main member;
- and
- a single mechanical spring, a first end of said mechanical spring being operatively engaged with a longitudinally extending front beam of said front suspension assembly, a middle portion of the mechanical spring being operatively engaged with the main member, and a second end of said mechanical spring being operatively engaged with a longitudinally extending rear beam of said rear suspension assembly.
1 more element
A mechanical spring for a suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- an elongate structure, said elongate structure tapering in both a transverse width and a vertical thickness in a semi-parabolic manner along a length of the elongate structure, wherein said vertical thickness of said elongate structure at least decreases, then increases, and then decreases along said length moving in a direction from a front end of the elongate structure to a rear end of said elongate structure.
A mechanical spring for a suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- an elongate structure, said elongate structure tapering in both a transverse width and a vertical thickness in a semi-parabolic manner along a length of the elongate structure, wherein said mechanical spring is a monoleaf having a constant cross-sectional area along said length.
A tandem assembly for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- a front suspension assembly pivotally attached to a main member of said heavy-duty vehicle;
- a rear suspension assembly pivotally attached to said main member;
- and
- a mechanical spring operatively engaged with said front suspension assembly, said rear suspension assembly, and the main member, wherein a middle portion of said mechanical spring is operatively engaged with a hanger and a member bracket, said hanger being fixedly mounted to said main member and said member bracket being fixedly connected to a bottom surface of the main member.
1 more element
A tandem assembly for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- a front suspension assembly pivotally attached to a main member of said heavy-duty vehicle;
- a rear suspension assembly pivotally attached to said main member;
- and
- a mechanical spring operatively engaged with said front suspension assembly, said rear suspension assembly, and the main member, wherein a middle portion of said mechanical spring is disposed through sidewalls of a hanger fixedly mounted to said main member, said middle portion of the mechanical spring being positioned between a cushion of a top interface plate and a cushion of a bottom interface plate positioned between said sidewalls of said hanger to operatively engage the mechanical spring with the main member.
1 more element
A tandem assembly for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- a front suspension assembly pivotally attached to a main member of said heavy-duty vehicle;
- a rear suspension assembly pivotally attached to said main member;
- and
- a mechanical spring operatively engaged with said front suspension assembly, said rear suspension assembly, and the main member, wherein a middle portion of said mechanical spring is captured by a bolster fixedly attached to said main member, said bolster providing operative engagement of the mechanical spring to the main member, whereby said mechanical spring is able to rock, pivot, and/or flex relative to the bolster, said bolster including:
- a top plate, said top plate contacting said main member;
- a pair of rectangular plates positioned below the top plate, said rectangular plates having arced curvatures along their longitudinal axis;
- elastomeric material, said elastomeric material filing spaces between said top plate and the rectangular plates;
- an upper cushion, said upper cushion being positioned below said rectangular plates and above said middle portion of the mechanical spring;
- a lower cushion, said lower cushion being positioned below said mechanical spring;
- and
- a sleeve, said sleeve being disposed around the upper cushion, the middle portion of the mechanical spring, and the lower cushion, the sleeve being secured to the bolster.
8 more elements
A tandem assembly for a suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
- a front suspension assembly pivotally attached to a main member of said heavy-duty vehicle;
- a rear suspension assembly pivotally attached to said main member;
- and
- a mechanical spring operatively engaged with said front suspension assembly, said rear suspension assembly, and the main member, wherein a middle portion of said mechanical spring is operatively engaged with a member bracket fixedly connected to a bottom surface of said main member via a structure that includes:
- a member interface connected to said member bracket;
- an upper cushion positioned on a top surface of said middle portion of the mechanical spring;
- a lower cushion positioned on a bottom surface of the middle portion of said mechanical spring;
- and
- a sleeve disposed around said upper cushion, said middle portion of the mechanical sleeve, and said lower cushion, said sleeve being secured to said member interface.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.