MXPA02001113A

MXPA02001113A - Modular trailing arm suspension.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02001113A
Application number: MXPA02001113A
Authority: MX
Inventors: C Pierce William
Original assignee: Holland Usa Inc
Priority date: 1999-07-30
Filing date: 2000-07-27
Publication date: 2002-06-13
Also published as: GB2368321B; GB0202126D0; GB2368321A; WO2001008909A1; CA2379989A1; BR0012854A

Abstract

A modular suspension (10) adapted to mount on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced C-shaped frame rails (12). The modular suspension comprises a pair of trailing arm assemblies (14) connected by a cross beam (50) and a trailing arm (16) connection. Each of the trailing arm assemblies comprises a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted to one of the frame rails and a trailing arm having one portion pivotally mounted to the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The trailing arm connection (42, 52) extends between and is coupled to a portion of the trailing arms reward of the pivot axis. The cross beam extends between and connects to the frame brackets such that a rail opening (56) having a shape for slidably receiving at least a portion of one of the frame rails is formed between each of the frame brackets and the cross beam. The modular suspension can be mounted to the frame rails by aligning each of the frame rails with each of the rail openings and moving the modular suspension longitudinally relative to the frame rails..

Description

MODULAR REAR ARM SUSPENSION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to a rear arm suspension comprising a pair of rear arm assemblies mounted on the frame rails of a vehicle and carrying an axle having wheels that contact the ground. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a rear arm suspension module where the rear arm assemblies are interconnected and pre-positioned for installation so that the module can be installed directly on the vehicle as an integral unit. Description of the Related Art State Heavy-duty vehicles such as semi-tractors / trailers typically have multiple rear arm suspensions comprising a pair of rear arm assemblies mounted on the vehicle or trailer frame and carrying a wheel axle that they make contact with the ground. The axis can be either a traction axis or a non-traction axis. The rear arm assemblies typically comprise a rear arm having first and second ends. The first end is pivotally connected to a hanging bracket that is directly connected to the frame of the vehicle. The second end mounts a portion of an air spring having another portion mounted on the frame of the vehicle. The rear arm is free to rotate around the pivotal connection with the hanging bracket and the air spring dampens the rotational movement of the rear arm. The shaft covers the opposite rear arms and is secured to the rear arms by means of suitable clamps. The rear arm suspension may include other components such as shock absorbers and torsion rods, for example. In all current rear arm suspensions, the rear arm assemblies and the sub-subassemblies of the other components of the suspension are built into the vehicle. In other words, the rear arm suspension is installed or mounted on the vehicle frame by assembling and sequentially interconnecting each of the partial components or sub-assemblies with one another, in the vehicle frame, as required. The construction approach to assembling and installing the rear arm suspension requires a relatively long time and it is highly desirable to reduce the assembly time of the rear arm suspension to reduce assembly costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a modular suspension adapted to be mounted on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced, C-shaped frame rails. The modular suspension comprises a pair of rear arm assemblies connected by a cross beam and a rear arm connection. Each of the rear arm assemblies comprises a frame bracket adapted to be mounted on one of the frame rails and a rear arm having a portion pivotally mounted on the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The rear arm connection extends between and engages a portion of the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot shaft. The cross beam extends between and connects to the frame clamps such that a rail opening having a shape for slidably receiving at least a portion of one of the frame rails is formed between each of the frame clamps and the beam crusade. The modular suspension can be mounted on the rack rails by aligning each of the rack rails with each of the rail openings and moving the modular suspension longitudinally relative to the rack rails. The modular suspension further comprises a connector that mounts each of the frame clamps to the cross beam. The connector may comprise a spacer mounted between a portion of the frame clamp and the cross beam and a removable fastener secures the spacer to the frame clamp and the cross beam. The rear arm connection can comprise an axis ___ _? . -, lA * _t. ^ ..._ ¿^ _ ^ ___ -. "_ ..« ._. _j_ _:, _____. j mounted on the rear arms for movement with them. The rear arm connection can alternatively comprise a torsion tube mounted on a portion of the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot pin. The frame rail opening is preferably L-shaped and slidably receives a portion of the frame rail. The modular suspension may further comprise a spring adapted to operatively connect the rear arm to the vehicle frame to resist pivotal movement of the rear arm about the pivot axis towards the frame. A pair of shock absorbers can also be mounted on the modular assembly. Each of the shock absorbers has one end pivotally mounted on one of the rear arms and the other end adapted to be mounted on one of the frame rails. A positioning bracket can extend between the other end of the shock absorber and the air spring to fix the position of the other end of the shock absorber in a position to be mounted on the frame rail when the modular suspension is slidably mounted on the rails of frame. A torsion rod extends from the shaft to the cross beam and a lateral fastener extends from the shaft to one of the rails. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for installing a modular suspension in a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced, C-shaped frame rails. The modular suspension comprises a pair of rear arm assemblies, each of which comprises a frame bracket and a rear arm having a portion pivotally mounted in the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A rear arm connection extends between and engages a portion of the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot shaft. A cross beam extends between and connects to the frame clamps with a rail opening therebetween to slidably receive at least a portion of the frame rails. The method comprises: aligning the frame rails with the rail openings, moving the modular suspension longitudinally relative to the frame rails to insert the rails into the rail openings, and fixing the cross beam and each of the frame clamps to the rails. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular rear arm assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partial rear view of the modular rear arm suspension of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partial front view of the rear arm suspension of Figure 1. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments __ --__ • .X__t Á. FIG. 1 illustrates a modular rear arm suspension 10 according to the invention, mounted on a pair of vehicle frame rails 12. The modular rear arm suspension 10 comprises a pair of rear arm assemblies 14, each of which is mounted on a corresponding frame rail 12. The rear arm assemblies 14 are identical or mirror images and only one will be described in detail. The rear arm assembly 14 comprises a rear arm 16 having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally mounted to a hanging bracket 18 by a sleeve connection 20, such as an elastomeric sleeve. The second end supports an air spring assembly 22, comprising a piston 24 fixedly mounted on the second end of the rear arm and a flexible member 26 having a mounting plate 28 adapted to be secured to the vehicle frame rail 12. A shaft clamp 30 is pivotally mounted to the rear arm 16 by a sleeve connection 32. The shaft clamp 30 includes a shaft seat 34. The rear arm assembly 14 may include other components, such as an impact absorbing element 36, having an end mounted on the rear arm by means of a lower impact bracket 38 and whose upper end is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle frame rail 12 by means of an upper impact bracket 40. In addition to the pair of rear arm assemblies 14, the rear arm modular suspension 10 comprises a drive shaft assembly 42 comprising a differential housing 44 with axle housings 46. The axle housings 46 are received within the seat of the vehicle. shaft 34 so that the drive shaft assembly 42 is carried by the rear arm assemblies 14. A torsion bar 48 has one end pivotally mounted in the differential housing 44. The rear arm modular suspension 10 also comprises a beam crossed 50 extending between the hanging brackets 18 of the rear arm assemblies 14 and a torsion tube 52 extending in the second ends of the rear arms 16. A side rod or rail bar 49 can be positioned between the differential housing 44 and the frame rail 12. A torsion rod 48 extends from the difference housing 44 to the cross beam 50. The aforementioned rear arm suspension components are well known and currently used in rear arm suspensions. The invention advantageously preassembles these components into a modular rear arm suspension capable of being mounted directly on the frame rails 12 as a unit. Referring to Figures 2-3, to form the module, the cross beam 50 is coupled to the hanging brackets 18 by such a connector as a filler plate 54, which is bolted between the cross beam 50 and the hanging brackets 18. The size and position of the filler plate 54 are selected to create an L-shaped space 56 between the cross beam 50 and the hanging brackets 18. The L-shaped space 56 conforms to a portion of the C-shaped cross-sectional shape of the vehicle frame rails 12 and allows the vehicle frame rails to be slidably inserted between the vehicle frame rails 12. cross beam 50 and the hanging bracket 18, without the need to remove the filler plate 54. In this way, the modular rear arm suspension 10 can be slidably mounted on the vehicle frame rails 12 by aligning the frame rails 12 with the L-shaped space 56 and longitudinally moving the modular suspension relative to the frame rails. Alternatively, the frame rails can be moved relative to the modular suspension. The cross beam forms a connection between the pair of rear arm assemblies. The module is completed by forming a second connection between the rear arm assemblies. The second connection can be formed by either the shaft or the torsion tube. The first and second connections between the rear arm assemblies form a box-like module that is an independent, self-standing structure. The separation of the cross beam 50 from the hanging brackets 18 pre-disposes the cross beam 50 and the hanging brackets 18 to be slidably mounted to the vehicle frame rails 12. The combination of the shaft 42 and the torsion tube 52 connecting the rear arm assemblies further increases the unitary structure. Additionally, other components in the modular rear arm suspension 10, such as the shock absorber 36, can be pre-positioned for direct mounting on the frame rail. A temporary clamp 60 (FIG. 1) may extend between the air spring assembly clamp 28 and 10 the upper impact clamp 40 for fixing the position of the shock absorber 36 in its assembled position. Other components can also be pre-arranged in the modular rear arm suspension 10. To assemble the rear arm modular suspension 15 to the frame rails 12 of the vehicle, the rear arm modular suspension 10 is slidably mounted to the ends of the vehicle frame rails by inserting the vehicle frame rails 12 into the frame rail spaces 56 and sliding the rear arm modular suspension 20 to the desired location where bolt openings in the various components are aligned with corresponding bolt openings in the frame rails. The mounting bolts 58 are passed through the aligned and partially secured bolt openings. The filling plates 54 are removed and the 25 mounting bolts are tightened completely. The components of j ^^ t KÍUtM ^ ^? á ?? ^ IUlá.i? ^ l, ^ ^ '^^' - •. -.,., _-___, -..__-.._-...., -....... .......__, _- ...-, .. .: _- "_» -.-...,. The suspension, such as the shock absorber 36, are also bolted to the frame rail as is the case with the air spring 22. The benefit of the modular suspension of rear arm 10 is that pre-mounting the cross beam 50 in the rear arm assemblies with the filling plate 54 allows the rear arm assemblies 14 to be preassembled together with the torsion tube 52 and the shaft 42 in a module that is self-supporting and capable of being mounted directly on the rails 12 of the vehicle frame. The filler plate establishes the proper orientation between the cross beam 50 and the hanging brackets 18 to allow the insertion of the rails 12 of the vehicle frame between them, allowing the sliding assembly of the rear arm modular assembly 10 on the rails of the frame. vehicle. The modular rear arm suspension 10 greatly simplifies and expedites the assembly of the rear arm suspension on the rails of the vehicle frame. In previous rear arm suspensions, it was necessary to build the rear arm suspension on the rails of the vehicle frame because the cross beam was mounted on an opposite side of the rails 12 of the frame respecting the hanging clamps, essentially prohibiting any easy pre-assembly of the cross beam and hanging clamps. The invention greatly reduces the difficulty of installing the arm suspension It allows the manufacturer of the rear boom suspension to pre-assemble the rear boom suspension in a module where the assembly vehicle manufacturer is shipped as a module or sub-assembly in the overall vehicle assembly. Although the invention has been specifically described in relation to certain specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the described embodiments are illustrative of the invention, but not a limitation of the invention. Reasonable variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the above disclosure, without departing from the spirit of the invention. _ - ^ r

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A modular suspension (10) adapted to be mounted on a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced, C-shaped frame rails (12), comprising: a pair of rear arm assemblies (14), each set of rear arm comprising: a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted on one of the frame rails; a rear arm (16) pivotally mounted at one end to the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; a rear arm connection (42, 52), which extends between and is coupled to the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot shafts; and a cross beam (50) extending between the frame clamps and connected to the frame clamps with openings (56) therebetween, configured with a profile of a size sufficient to slidably receive at least a portion of one of the rack rails; whereby the modular suspension can be mounted on the frame rails by sliding the frame rails towards and along the openings between the cross beam (50) and the frame clamps (18). 2. The modular suspension according to claim 1, and further comprising a connector (54) that mounts each ___ »_« ______- * _ one of the frame clamps to the cross beam. 3. The modular suspension according to claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a spacer (54) mounted between a portion of each of the frame clamps and the cross beam. 4. The modular suspension according to claims 1-3, wherein the rear arm connection comprises an axle (42) mounted on the rear arms for movement therewith. The modular suspension according to claim 4, and further comprising an axle clamp (30) mounted deformably on each of the rear arms and the axle is mounted on the axle clamps. 6. The modular suspension according to claim 4, and further comprising a torsion rod (48) mounted on one end on the shaft and mounted on the other end on the cross beam. 7. The modular suspension according to any of claims 4-6, and further comprising a lateral fastener (49) mounted on the shaft at one end and adapted to be mounted on one of the frame rails at the other end. 8. The modular suspension according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the rear arm connection comprises a torsion tube (52) mounted on the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot shafts. 9. The modular suspension according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the openings between the cross beam (50) and the frame brackets (18) are L-shaped and slidably receive a portion of the frame rails. The modular suspension according to any of claims 1-6, wherein each rear arm assembly further comprises a spring (22) mounted on the rear arm at one end and adapted to operatively connect to the vehicle frame in the another end to resist the pivotal movement of the rear arm about the pivot axis towards the frame. The modular suspension according to any of claims 1-6, wherein each rear arm assembly comprises an impact damper (36) having one end pivotally mounted on the rear arm and the other end adapted to be mounted on the rear arm. one of the rack rails. The modular suspension according to claim 11, wherein each rear arm assembly further comprises a spring (22) mounted on the rear arm at one end and adapted to be operatively connected to the vehicle frame at the other end. to resist the pivotal movement of the rear arm about the pivot axis towards the frame and further comprising a positioning bracket (60) extending between the other end of each shock absorber and one of the springs to fix the position of the other end of the shock absorbers in a position to mount the frame rails when the modular suspension is slidably mounted to the frame rails. 13. A method to install a modular suspension (10) in a vehicle frame having a pair of spaced, C-shaped frame rails (12), the modular suspension comprising a pair of rear arm assemblies (14), each rear arm assembly comprising a clamp frame (18) and a rear arm (16) having a portion pivotally mounted in the frame bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; a rear arm connection (42, 52) extending between and coupled to a portion of the rear arms rearwardly of the pivot shafts; and a cross beam (50) extending between and connected to the frame clamps with a rail opening (56) therebetween, configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the frame rails; the method comprising: aligning each of the frame rails with a corresponding rail opening; moving the modular suspension longitudinally relative to the frame rails to insert the frame rails into and along the rail openings; and fix the cross beam and each of the clamps _, _, _, _.__ rack to the rails _ •...Item .!..._ .. "-_ . , .i _ ..