Multi-link front suspension for an underground articulated dump truck

A tractor for an articulated vehicle, comprising:

• a tractor frame;
• a front axle having an axle rotational axis and an axle transverse axis that is perpendicular to the axle rotational axis and positioned at an axial center of the front axle;
• and
• a front suspension comprising:
• an upper suspension link having an axle center mounting arm connected to the front axle at a pivotal connection proximate a top side of the front axle and positioned at the axial center of the front axle, a first frame mounting arm extending rearward and pivotally connected to the tractor frame at a connection that permits pivotal movement about a first axis and motion about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, and a second frame mounting arm extending rearward and pivotally connected to the tractor frame, wherein the first frame mounting arm and the second frame mounting arm are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axle transverse axis;
• a first lower support link pivotally connected to the front axle proximate a bottom side of the front axle, extending rearward from the front axle, and pivotally connected to the tractor frame;
• a second lower support link pivotally connected to the front axle proximate the bottom side of the front axle, extending rearward from the front axle, and pivotally connected to the tractor frame, wherein the first lower support link and the second lower support link are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axle transverse axis;
• and
• the pivotal connection between the upper suspension link and the front axle being configured to allow the front axle to move about the pivotal connection.

A front suspension for a front axle of a tractor of an articulated vehicle, wherein the tractor has a tractor frame, and wherein the front axle has an axle rotational axis and an axle transverse axis that is perpendicular to the axle rotational axis and positioned at an axial center of the front axle, the front suspension comprising:

• an upper suspension link comprising:
• an axle center mounting arm connected to the front axle by an axle upper link pivot pin of a pivotal connection proximate a top side of the front axle and positioned at the axial center of the front axle,
• a first frame mounting arm extending rearward and pivotally connected to the tractor frame by a first frame upper link pivot pin, and
• a second frame mounting arm extending rearward and pivotally connected to the tractor frame by a second frame link pivot pin, wherein the first frame mounting arm and the second frame mounting arm are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axle transverse axis;
• a first lower support link pivotally connected to the front axle by a first axle lower link pivot pin proximate a bottom side of the front axle, extending rearward from the front axle, and pivotally connected to the tractor frame by a first frame lower link pivot pin;
• and
• a second lower support link pivotally connected to the front axle by a second axle lower link pivot pin proximate the bottom side of the front axle, extending rearward from the front axle, and pivotally connected to the tractor frame by a second frame lower link pivot pin, wherein the first lower support link and the second lower support link are positioned symmetrically with respect to the axle transverse axis,
• wherein the front suspension defines an instantaneous center of rotation of the front axle that is rearward of the front axle and above the axle transverse axis when the front suspension is in a static position, and
• the pivotal connection between the upper suspension link and the front axle being configured to allow the front axle to move about the pivotal connection.