# US 5,344,187 A · Spring strut mounting assembly of a vehicle body

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- Number: US 5,344,187 A
- Document ID: US5344187A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/078,183
- Filed: 1993-06-18
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1990-12-20
- Assignees: Audi AG
- Inventors: Gundolf Kreis; Heinrich Timm
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344187A

## CPC

- B62D 23/005: {with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like (B62D33/044 takes precedence)}
- B60G 15/068: {specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension}
- B62D 25/088: {Details of structures as upper supports for springs or dampers}
- B62D 27/065: {using screwthread (connection of crossbeam to A- pillars B62D25/147; mounting load bearing surfaces B62D21/09; securing mudguards B62D25/163; connections for synthetic parts B62D29/048)}
- B60G 2204/124: Mounting of coil springs
- B60G 2204/128: Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis
- B60G 2206/60: Subframe construction
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})

## Abstract

A spring strut mounting assembly for fitting on a vehicle body which includes a spring strut having a bearing block mounted at the top end thereof on which elements of the running gear, such as a damper, a spring and link arms, can also be pre-mounted. Support members for attachment to the vehicle body adjacent the location for the suspension strut mounting assembly are provided and have converging free ends which define three boundary points of a free space region for mounting the upper bearing block of the spring strut. The upper bearing block is joined directly to these support members without the need for the conventional spring strut cup which is normally fixed to the vehicle body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support members are aluminum extrusions and the converging free ends are each cut at an oblique angle to provide suitable large contact surfaces for mounting to the corresponding receiving flanges of the upper bearing block of the suspension strut. The upper bearing block of the spring strut is bolted directly to the free ends of the aluminum-extrusion support members.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a vehicle body, an assembly for mounting a spring strut to the vehicle body wherein the spring strut includes a bearing block at an upper end thereof and wherein the bearing block is adapted for preassembly of vehicle suspension elements including dampers, springs and links, the mounting assembly comprising in operative combination:
a) a plurality of suspension strut assembly support members, each of said support members having a first end connected to the vehicle body and a second end; and wherein said plurality of support members includes:
i) an obliquely angled first support member which extends rearwardly and upwardly from its first end connection at a lower longitudinal bearer member towards a free space region;
ii) a second transversely oriented support member which extends horizontally outward from its first end connection at a central interior region of the vehicle body towards said free space region;
iii) a third longitudinally oriented support member which extends forwardly and downwardly from its first end connection at an A pillar of the vehicle body towards said free space region;
b) each of said support members converge a distance towards a common vertical axis such that their corresponding second ends define a plurality of boundary points along said free space region located at a desired position in space relative to the vehicle body for supporting the bearing block of the spring strut; and
c) means for connecting said second ends of said support members directly to said bearing block.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 1 wherein:
a) said first, second and third support members comprise light metal extruded sections; and
b) said bearing block comprises a light metal casting.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprise bolt fasteners.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 3 herein the second ends of said first, second and third support members are each cut at an oblique angle to provide sufficiently large contact surfaces for connection to the bearing block.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprise bolt fasteners.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 5 wherein the second ends of said first, second and third support members are each cut at an oblique angle to provide sufficiently large contact surfaces for connection to the bearing block.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A spring strut mounting assembly as in claim 1 wherein the second ends of said first, second, and third support members are each cut at an oblique angle to provide sufficiently large contact surfaces for connection to the bearing block.