US3703215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Independent front suspension system for a front wheel drive automobile
Assignee: Subaru Corp
•
Filing: 1971-10-07
•
Granted: 1972-11-21
•
Expires: 1991-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A front wheel drive automobile has an axially non-extensible and non-contractable drive shaft connected at one end with the output shaft of a differential gear unit mounted on the vehicle body through an inboard universal joint and its other end with an axle of a wheel assembly through an outboard universal joint. A bearing housing rotatably supports the axle, a ball joint is provided on the bearing housing at a position beneath the axle and a post is connected at one end with the bearing housing ball joint and at the other end with a resilient member mounted on the vehicle body at a position rearward and inboard with respect to the ball joint and located at a position higher than that of the ball joint in the normal running state to provide a nose-down effect under vehicle acceleration.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuo Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G3/00; B60G3/18; B60G3/20; B60G3/24; B60G3/202; B60G3/205; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
In an independent front suspension system for a front wheel drive automobile including an output shaft of a differential gear unit mounted on the vehicle body, a driving shaft which is nonextensible and non-contractable for transmitting power from the engine through said output shaft of the differential, an inboard universal joint connecting the output shaft to the driving shaft, an outboard universal joint connecting the driving shaft to the vehicle wheel axle, a bearing housing rotatably supporting said axle, a cylindrical damper strut having one end fixed to the bearing housing and the other end fixed by a rubber mounting to said vehicle body permitting vertical movement of the wheel relative to said vehicle body, the improvement comprising: a lower ball joint provided on said bearing housing and lying beneath said axle, mounting means on said vehicle at a position rearward of said lower ball joint, a post connected at one end to the lower ball joint and at the other end with said mounting means to define a single fore and aft load suspension arm for the independent front suspension system, and steering gear means connected to said bearing housing for steering said wheel, said mounting means being positioned inboard of, and higher than said lower ball joint when said vehicle is moving at a non-accelerated rate whereby said post extends in a down and outward position and is prevented from interfering with said wheel when the same is steered to a maximum angle from a longitudinal parallel position to said vehicle body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an independent front suspension system for a front wheel drive automobile including an output shaft of a differential gear unit mounted on the vehicle body, a driving shaft which is nonextensible and non-contractable for transmitting power from the engine through said output shaft of the differential, an inboard universal joint connecting the output shaft to the driving shaft, an outboard universal joint connecting the driving shaft to the vehicle wheel axle, a bearing housing rotatably supporting said axle, a cylindrical damper strut having one end fixed to the bearing housing and the other end fixed by a rubber mounting to said vehicle body permitting vertical movement of the wheel relative to said vehicle body, the improvement comprising: a lower ball joint provided on said bearing housing and lying beneath said axle, mounting means on said vehicle at a position rearward of said lower ball joint, a post connected at one end to the lower ball joint and at the other end with said mounting means to define a single fore and aft load suspension arm for the independent front suspension system, and steering gear means connected to said bearing housing for steering said wheel, said mounting means being positioned inboard of, and higher than said lower ball joint when said vehicle is moving at a non-accelerated rate whereby said post extends in a down and outward position and is prevented from interfering with said wheel when the same is steered to a maximum angle from a longitudinal parallel position to said vehicle body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an independent front suspension system for a front wheel drive automobile including an output shaft of a differential gear unit mounted on the vehicle body, a driving shaft which is non-extensible and non-contractable for transmitting power from the engine through said output shaft of the differential, an inboard universal joint connecting the output shaft to the driving shaft, an outboard universal joint connecting the driving shaft to the vehicle wheel axle, a bearing housing rotatably supporting said axle, a cylindrical damper strut having one end fixed to the bearing housing and the other end fixed by a rubber mounting to said vehicle body permitting vertical movement of the wheel relative to said vehicle body, the improvement comprising: a lower ball joint provided on said bearing housing and lying beneath said axle, mounting means on said vehicle at a position rearward of said lower ball joint, a post connected at one end to the lower ball joint and at the other end with said mounting means to define a single fore and aft load suspension arm for the independent front suspension system, and steering gear means connected to said bearing housing for steering said wheel, said mounting means being positioned inboard of, and higher than said lower ball joint when said vehicle is moving at a non-accelerated rate whereby said post extends in a down and outward position and is prevented from interfering with said wheel when the same is steered to a maximum angle from a longitudinal parallel position to said vehicle body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an independent front suspension system for a front wheel drive automobile including an output shaft of a differential gear unit mounted on the vehicle body, a driving shaft which is non-extensible and non-contractable for transmitting power from the engine through said output shaft of the differential, an inboard universal joint connecting the output shaft to the driving shaft, an outboard universal joint connecting the driving shaft to the vehicle wheel axle, a bearing housing rotatably supporting said axle, a cylindrical damper strut having one end fixed to the bearing housing and the other end fixed by a rubber mounting to said vehicle body permitting vertical movement of the wheel relative to said vehicle body, the improvement comprising: a lower ball joint provided on said bearing housing and lying beneath said axle, mounting means on said vehicle at a position rearward of said lower ball joint, a post connected at one end to the lower ball joint and at the other end with said mounting means to define a single fore and aft load suspension arm for the independent front suspension system, and steering gear means connected to said bearing housing for steering said wheel, said mounting means being positioned inboard of, and higher than said lower ball joint when said vehicle is moving at a non-accelerated rate whereby said post extends in a down and outward position and is prevented from interfering with said wheel when the same is steered to a maximum angle from a longitudinal parallel position to said vehicle body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |