Kingpin independent front suspension
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorJames Ziech
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering knuckle assembly for a heavy duty independent front suspension comprises an upper kingpin support and a lower kingpin support for connecting the knuckle to the upper and lower control arms, respectively. The shock absorber member extends from the vehicle frame to either the lower control arm or the lower kingpin support member. The bolted connection of the upper kingpin support member allows an adjustable kingpin caster angle as opposed to a fixed caster angle provided in a typical kingpin steer independent front suspension axle. This concept allows the angle to be tuned to suit each application of the axle without retooling the components. Additionally, the invention eliminates the bulky upright connecting member of the conventional design.
Claims12
A heavy duty independent suspension system for a vehicle, said suspension system comprising:
- a steer knuckle comprising upper and lower knuckle legs and a spindle adapted to mount a wheel on the steer knuckle;
- a kingpin rotatably affixed to said steer knuckle and extending from said upper knuckle leg to said lower knuckle leg;
- an upper kingpin support connecting said kingpin to an upper control arm extending from a vehicle frame, said upper kingpin support having a mounting surface disposed above said upper control arm;
- and
- a lower kingpin support connecting said kingpin to a lower control arm extending from said vehicle frame,
- wherein said upper and lower kingpin supports are mounted to said knuckle through said kingpin.
A heavy duty independent suspension system for mounting a wheel of a vehicle to a vehicle frame structure, said suspension system comprising:
- a steer knuckle comprising upper and lower knuckle legs through which is rotatably mounted a kingpin and adapted to connect the wheel spindle to said vehicle frame structure and a spindle adapted to rotatably mount a wheel on the steer knuckle;
- an upper kingpin support connecting said kingpin to a pivoting upper suspension control arm, and a lower kingpin support connecting said kingpin to a pivoting lower suspension control arm, wherein
- said kingpin extends from said upper kingpin support through said upper and lower knuckle legs and to said lower kingpin support, and
- a bolted joint in said upper kingpin support, said bolted joint connection permitting caster angle changes to thereby enhance a performance of said suspension system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.