US 2016/0107684 A1Published application

Vehicle front suspension

AssigneeNissan North America, Inc.

InventorsRyan CORBY, Joyce LAM, Kenneth AMELOOT, Jeffery DIX

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Abstract

A transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side. A steering knuckle has an upper end, a wheel supporting section and a lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. A strut has an upper end and a lower end. An upper knuckle breakaway structure attaches the upper end of the steering knuckle to the lower end of the strut. The upper knuckle breakaway structure has a frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force. A transverse link breakaway structure couples the inboard side of the transverse link to a lower suspension support structure such that upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force the inboard side of the transverse link is released from the lower suspension support structure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle front suspension comprising;

a lower suspension support structure;
an upper suspension support structure;
a transverse link having an inboard side and an outboard side;
a steering knuckle having an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end, with the lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link;
a strut having an upper end connected to the upper suspension support structure, and a lower end;
an upper knuckle breakaway structure fixedly attaching the upper end of the steering knuckle to the lower end of the strut, the upper knuckle breakaway structure having a predetermined frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on at least one of the lower suspension support structure and the steering knuckle;
and
a transverse link breakaway structure coupling the inboard side of the transverse link to the lower suspension support structure such that upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force the inboard side of the transverse link is released from the lower suspension support structure.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/978,820Filed 22 Dec 2015
Priority: 11 Mar 2013
Published: 21 Apr 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B62D 7/166
Arrangement of linkage connections: substantially perpendicular, e.g. between tie-rod and steering knuckle
B60G 3/06
The arm being essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle: the arm being rigid
B60G 7/001
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
B60G 7/008
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: attaching arms to unsprung part of vehicle

Family

Application13/794,006Division · filed 11 Mar 2013
Application14/305,892Continuation · filed 16 Jun 2014
Application14/978,820Continuation
Application14/305,892Division
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.