Vehicle suspension system

A method for enabling substantially independent setting, adjustment and tuning of longitudinal, transverse and steering geometry in a suspension system for each wheel of a vehicle, each wheel having a king pin axis, a steering carrier assembly, a steering link track rod, a wheel carrier and a spring/damper unit with one sprung end and one unsprung end and each wheel further having at least one upper suspension link and at least one lower suspension link, each link having further at least one sprung end and at least one unsprung end, where each wheel has a known axis of travel comprising, for each wheel:

• locating a king pin axis generally perpendicular to one and the same end of each of the upper suspension links and each of the lower suspension link;
• attaching the steering carrier assembly pivotally to the king pin axis;
• further attaching the steering link track rod movably to the steering carrier assembly;
• connecting the sprung end of the spring/damper unit electively either to the king pin axis or to another sprung structure on the vehicle;
• further connecting the sprung end of each upper and each lower suspension link to the steering carrier assembly;
• orienting each upper and each lower suspension link so as to be generally parallel along their length with the axis of travel for of the vehicle;
• and
• yet further attaching the unsprung ends of each upper suspension link and each lower suspension link to the wheel carrier.

A suspension assembly for a vehicle wheel having a known axis of travel comprising:

• a substantially rigid mounting structure attached to a vehicle;
• a king pin axis to which said mounting structure is attached;
• a steering carrier assembly pivotally attached to said king pin axis wherein vertical movement of the wheel occurs outboard of said steering carrier assembly;
• a steering link track rod movably attached to said steering carrier assembly;
• at least one upper suspension link with at least two ends oriented along its length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle and pivotally attached on a first sprung end to said steering carrier assembly, said at least one upper suspension link being required to enable vertical movement of the wheel;
• at least one lower suspension link with at least two ends oriented along its length generally parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle, said at least one lower suspension link spaced below and away from said at least one upper suspension link having a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the axis of travel of the vehicle pivotally attached on a first sprung end to said steering carrier assembly, said at least one lower suspension link being required to enable vertical movement of the suspension;
• and
• a wheel carrier attached by a first bearing assembly to a second unsprung end of each said at least one upper suspension link and by a second bearing assembly to a second unsprung end of each said at least one lower suspension link;
• and
• a spring/damper unit having a sprung end and an unsprung end, attached on its sprung end to said king pin axis and on its unsprung end either to one of said at least one upper suspension link or to one of said at least one lower suspension link;
• wherein the suspension and steering geometry are substantially independent of each other.