US 5,163,701 A · Torsion spring vehicle suspension

Abstract

A torsion spring cartridge is provided for torsionally absorbing loads on a trailer frame or the like. The torsion spring cartridge is insertable into an axle tube and includes a counter torque hub, a bearing block spaced therefrom, and a torque shaft mounted for oscillating rotational movement in the bearing block with torsion rods operably interconnected between the counter torque hub and the torque shaft. The bearing block and the torque shaft each include over-rotation stops that cooperate to prevent over-rotation of the torque shaft during use. The bearing block supports the inside of the axle tube to prevent distortion of the axle tube profile during over-torquing of the torque shaft during use, and a frame bracket supports the outside of the axle tube and transmits forces from the bearing block and axle tube directly to the trailer frame. The torsion rods have ends with substantially circular cross-sections, and are held in place by brazing. Oven brazing is utilized to equalize stress and minimize stress risers in the brazed joint so that the resulting brazing bonds resist stress fractures and failure from cyclical loading of the torsion spring cartridge.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A torsion spring cartridge for use in an axle tube adapted to be mounted on a trailer frame or the like, comprising:

a counter torque hub shaped to mateably fit within the axle tube and including a first set of torsion rod apertures;
a bearing block shaped to mateably fit within the axle tube in a position spaced from said counter torque hub, said bearing block including a second set of torsion rod apertures and an inner bore and further including a cross-section that substantially fills a cross-sectional interior portion of said axle tube to prevent distortion of said axle tube when said bearing block experiences torque while installed therein;
a torque shaft including a portion shaped to mateably fit within said inner bore of said bearing block for rotational movement therein, said torque shaft further including positive stop torque-limiter means for engaging corresponding portions of said bearing block to prevent over-rotation of said torque shaft relative to said bearing block;
a plurality of torsion rods each having first and second ends that are inserted into said first and second set of torsion rod apertures, respectively;
means for non-rotatably securing said torsion rods in said first and second set of torsion rod apertures;
and
a torque arm mounted on said first portion of said torque shaft, said torque arm including means for mounting a trailer wheel thereto;
whereby, when said torque shaft is over-torqued the force thereof is transferred through said positive stop torque-limiter means and said corresponding portions to said bearing block, such that said axle tube remains undeformed by said force and said torsional cartridge can be readily removed and replaced after the over-torque condition.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Torsion spring vehicle suspension

Life of this patent

Torsion spring vehicle suspension

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23