GB1412014A - Independent suspension for the steered wheels of motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1412014 Mounting steerable wheels BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG 9 Nov 1972 [9 Nov 1971] 51695/72 Headings B7D and B7H In an independent suspension for a steered wheel of a motor vehicle a wheel carrier is either connected to a suspension arm by two coupling links 11, 12 (Fig. 3) which are connected to one another and to the wheel carrier 5 and the suspension arm 10 respectively by pure swivel joints having respective axes I, II and III, or a single coupling link 31 (Figs. 11, 12) is connected by pure swivel joints having respective axes I, II to the wheel carrier and to a suspension arm 29 which is so connected to the vehicle superstructure and to a link 28 extending generally longitudinally of the vehicle that the arm 29 can rotate about an axis III extending longitudinally thereof, the axes I, II, III being so disposed in the straight ahead position of the wheel 1 that the axis I extends longitudinally of the vehicle and the axes II, III are contained one above the other in a generally vertical transverse plane and intersect at a point 13 which forms a virtual pivot through which the swivel axis 6 of the wheel passes. The swivel axis 6 may thus be inclined to produce a small or negative steering roll radius r 3 without obstruction of the space within the wheel 1 for accommodating a brake. The joint having the swivel axis I extending longitudinally of the vehicle may alternatively be arranged between the two coupling links or between one coupling link and the suspension arm. The upper end of the wheel carrier is attached to a second suspension arm by a ball joint or by an arrangement similar to that connecting the carrier to the first arm, or the carrier may be integral with a telescopic strut. The wheel may be steered by rotating the suspension arm by means of steering mechanism acting on the arm.