Suspension system having reduced stress axle connection
AssigneeWatson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsThomas N. Chalin, Donald R. Watson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system includes features which reduce stress in an axle connection. In a described embodiment, a vehicle suspension system includes a sleeve which is clamped on an axle. The sleeve is retained in its clamped position and is welded to opposing side walls of an arm. A bottom plate of the arm may also be welded to the sleeve.
Claims75
A vehicle suspension system, comprising:
- an axle;
- a sleeve clamped on the axle without press-fitting, the sleeve being welded in its clamped position;
- and
- an arm attached to the axle by welding directly to the sleeve.
A vehicle suspension system, comprising:
- an axle;
- a sleeve clamped to the axle;
- and
- an arm having opposing side walls, each of the side walls having an opening formed therethrough, the sleeve being received in each of the openings, and the sleeve being welded to the arm less than 360 degrees about a periphery of each of the openings.
A method of fabricating a vehicle suspension system, the method comprising the steps of:
- clamping a sleeve to an axle without press-fitting;
- welding the sleeve, thereby retaining the sleeve in its clamped position;
- and
- welding the sleeve to each of opposing side walls of an arm, the sleeve being welded less than 360 degrees about an opening formed through each of the side walls.
A method of fabricating a vehicle suspension system, the method comprising the steps of:
- clamping a sleeve to an axle without press-fitting, thereby removing clearance between the sleeve and axle, and applying a compressive stress between the sleeve and axle;
- welding the sleeve to the axle;
- and
- welding opposing side walls of an arm to the sleeve.
A vehicle suspension system, comprising:
- an axle;
- a sleeve clamped on the axle by a clamp portion of the sleeve, the sleeve being welded in its clamped position;
- and
- an arm attached to the axle by welding to the sleeve.
A method of fabricating a vehicle suspension system, the method comprising the steps of:
- clamping a sleeve to an axle, thereby removing clearance between the sleeve and axle, and applying a compressive stress between the sleeve and axle;
- then welding the sleeve to the axle;
- and
- then welding opposing side walls of an arm to the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.