Suspension structure with improved shock absorber arrangement, and vehicle incorporating same

A wheel suspension structure for a vehicle,

• the vehicle comprising
• a vehicle body frame,
• left and right wheels, and
• a power transmission shaft for transmitting power to the wheels,
• the suspension structure provided for suspending one of the wheels and comprising:
• a first suspension arm for supporting one of said wheels, the first suspension arm comprising a front arm body and a rear arm body,
• a damper interposed between the first suspension arm and the vehicle body frame, and
• a knuckle disposed between the first suspension arm and the one of said wheels,
• wherein said damper comprises a damper connecting portion which operatively connects the damper to the first suspension arm, and wherein said damper connecting portion is cantilevered from a forward facing surface of the front arm body.

A wheel suspension structure for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising

• a vehicle body frame,
• left and right wheels, and
• a power transmission shaft for transmitting power to the wheels, the suspension structure provided for suspending one of said wheels and comprising:
• a lower suspension arm for supporting one of said wheels, the lower suspension arm comprising a front member and a rear member arranged in a substantially V-shaped configuration,
• an upper suspension arm disposed above the lower suspension arm and formed in a substantially U shaped configuration including two leg members joined by a base,
• a damper extending between a portion of the lower suspension arm and the vehicle body frame, and
• a knuckle disposed between the one of said wheels and the first and second suspension arms, the knuckle comprising an upper connecting portion and a lower connecting portion,
• wherein
• the lower suspension arm extends between the vehicle body frame and the lower connecting portion of the knuckle,
• the upper suspension arm extends between the vehicle body frame and the upper connecting portion of the knuckle, and
• the damper is arranged such that a lower end thereof is operatively connected to the lower suspension arm proximate an apex of the V-shaped configuration, and an intermediate portion of the damper passes between the leg members of the second suspension arm.