US 9,254,724 B2 · Vehicle front suspension

Abstract

A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle has an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle front suspension comprising:

a lower suspension support structure;
a transverse link having an inboard side and an outboard side, the inboard side attached to the lower suspension support structure;
a steering knuckle having an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end, with the lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link;
and
a lower knuckle breakaway structure formed on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.

2 more elements

A vehicle front suspension comprising:

a lower suspension support structure;
a transverse link having an inboard side and an outboard side, the inboard side attached to the lower suspension support structure;
a steering knuckle having an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end, with the lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link;
a lower knuckle breakaway structure formed on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure;
an upper suspension support structure;
a strut having an upper end coupled to the upper suspension support structure, and a lower end coupled to the upper end of the steering knuckle;
and
an upper knuckle breakaway structure configured to release the steering knuckle from the strut upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force, such that at least the wheel supporting section is free from connection to the upper suspension support structure and the lower suspension support structure.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/305,892Filed 16 Jun 2014 · division

Priority

11 Mar 2013

Published

US 2014/0252741 A12 Oct 2014

Granted

9 Feb 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B62D 7/166
Arrangement of linkage connections: substantially perpendicular, e.g. between tie-rod and steering knuckle
B60G 3/06
The arm being essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle: the arm being rigid
B60G 7/001
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
B60G 7/008
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: attaching arms to unsprung part of vehicle

Vehicle front suspension

Life of this patent

Vehicle front suspension

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20