Vehicle suspension member
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorFriedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension member for connecting a vehicle wheel to a vehicle. In one example, the suspension member is a control arm having a control arm body and at least one bearing receiver having a bushing. The control arm body has a recess or opening extending one direction. The control arm body has a reinforcing structure in the recess or opening. The reinforcing structure formed of a material different from that of the control arm body. For example, the reinforcing structure is formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic, while the control arm body at least in regions comprises a lightweight metal or metal alloy.
Claims19
A suspension member comprising:
- an elongated body, formed of a first material, having first and second apertures and an opening;
- a bushing having an inner member and an elastic portion located in each of said first and second apertures;
- and
- a reinforcing member, formed of a second material, located in said opening.
A suspension member comprising:
- an elongated body, formed of a first material, having a continuous wall portion including an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface circumscribing an opening in said elongated body;
- said elongated body having an aperture;
- a bushing having an elastic portion located in said aperture;
- and
- a reinforcing member, formed of a second material, spans a portion of said opening and contacts said continuous wall.
A control arm for connecting a vehicle wheel to a vehicle, comprising:
- an extruded, metal control arm body having a bearing receiver receiving a bushing, wherein the control arm body includes an opening extending in an extrusion direction;
- said bearing receiver an integral component of the control arm body;
- a bushing, having an inner part and an elastic body surrounding said inner part, said bushing arranged in said bearing receiver whereby said elastic body is in direct contact with said bearing receiver;
- and
- said control arm body having a reinforcing structure arranged in the region of said opening, said reinforcing structure formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic.
The control arm of claim one wherein the extrusion direction extends transversely to a longitudinal direction of the control arm body whereby said opening extends between two opposing sides of said control arm body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.