Cast aluminum rear subframe control arm articulations
AssigneeHayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
InventorWerner E. Kosak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrally cast aluminum subframe for a vehicle suspension system has control arm connections that avoid high stress in the connections. Mounting studs may be an integral part of the subframe casting or may be subsequently joined to the subframe. Bushings of the articulations of the control arms are joined to the mounting studs from one side only, so that the flexing of the connection that was present in the prior art clevis connection is avoided. Consequently, the articulation is retained between a head of the mounting bolt and the mounting stud.
Claims20
A subframe for a vehicle, said subframe adapted to receive articulations of control arms for attaching vehicle wheels, said subframe comprising:
- a substantially hollow left side-rail;
- a substantially hollow right side-rail;
- a front cross-member;
- a rear cross-member;
- lower control arm connections on said left and right side-rails;
- a left-side upper control arm connection on one of said cross-members;
- and
- a right-side upper control arm connection on said one cross-member;
- at least one of said upper control arm connections comprising a respective mounting stud, said stud including a bore extending substantially parallel to said side-rails and adapted to secure at least one of said articulations of an upper control arm using a bolt, whereby said articulation is retained between a head of said bolt and said mounting stud.
A vehicle suspension system comprising:
- an upper control arm including a pair of articulations;
- a lower control arm including a pair of articulations;
- and
- a subframe including a substantially hollow left side-rail, a substantially hollow right side-rail, a front cross-member, a rear cross-member, lower control arm connections on said left and right side-rails, a left-side upper control arm connection on one of said cross-members, and a right-side upper control arm connection on said one cross-member;
- each of said upper control arm connections comprising a respective mounting stud, each stud including a bore extending substantially parallel to said side-rails and adapted to secure at least one of said articulations of an upper control arm using a bolt, whereby said articulation is retained between a head of said bolt and said mounting stud.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.