Patent US4810002A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4810002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Double link type suspension system
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-07-10
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A double link type front suspension system for an automotive vehicle of the front engine front drive type or the four wheel drive type is comprised of upper and lower control arms for swingable connecting a knuckle for rotatably supporting a front wheel to a vehicle body. A curved extension bracket is provided to rotatably connect the knuckle upper section with the upper control arm. The extension member is movably connected at its upper end section with the outboard end section of the upper control arm and rotatably connected at its lower end section with the knuckle upper section. The relative rotation between the extension member and the knuckle upper section is made around a straight line (steering) axis) passing through a ball joint for connecting the knuckle lower section and the lower control arm, thereby making it possible to set the steering axis regardless of the upper control arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshihiko Kakimoto
- 👤 Takuya Murakami
- 👤 Shinichi Morita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:43
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D17/00; B60; B60G; B60G15/00; B60G15/02; B60G15/06; B60G15/062; B60G3/00; B60G3/18; B60G3/20; B60G3/26; B60G3/265; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/10; B60G2200/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A double link suspension system for a vehicle, comprising: a knuckle for rotatably supporting a wheel for the vehicle which has a tire mounted thereon, said knuckle having an upper and a lower end; a first joint which is connected to the lower end of said knuckle; a second joint which is connected to the upper end of said knuckle; a lower control arm having a first end which is rotatably connected to the lower end of said knuckle by said first joint, and a second end which is rotatably connected to a side of a vehicle body; an extension member having a first end which is rotatably connected to the upper end of said knuckle by said second joint, and a second end, said extension member being rotatable relative to the upper end of said knuckle around a straight line passing through said first joint; a third joint which is connected to the second end of said extension member; and an upper control arm having a first end which is rotatably connected to the second end of said extension member by said third joint, and a second end which is rotatably connected to the side of the vehicle body, said second joint lying radially inward with respect to the radial center of the wheel from a plane which is substantially parallel to the ground and passes through the center of a line which connects the points of maximum width of the top of the tire, and said third joint lying radially outward with respect to the radial center of the wheel from the plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A double link suspension system for a vehicle, comprising: a knuckle for rotatably supporting a wheel for the vehicle which has a tire mounted thereon, said knuckle having an upper and a lower end; a first joint which is connected to the lower end of said knuckle; a second joint which is connected to the upper end of said knuckle; a lower control arm having a first end which is rotatably connected to the lower end of said knuckle by said first joint, and a second end which is rotatably connected to a side of a vehicle body; an extension member having a first end which is rotatably connected to the upper end of said knuckle by said second joint, and a second end, said extension member being rotatable relative to the upper end of said knuckle around a straight line passing through said first joint; a third joint which is connected to the second end of said extension member; and an upper control arm having a first end which is rotatably connected to the second end of said extension member by said third joint, and a second end which is rotatably connected to the side of the vehicle body, said second joint lying radially inward with respect to the radial center of the wheel from a plane which is substantially parallel to the ground and passes through the center of a line which connects the points of maximum width of the top of the tire, and said third joint lying radially outward with respect to the radial center of the wheel from the plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shock absorber disposed generally vertically near said extension member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said shock absorber has an upper end connected to the side of the vehicle body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a front engine, front wheel drive vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a four wheel drive vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wheel has an axle shaft connected through a constant velocity joint to a drive shaft which is driven by an engine, said axle shaft being rotatably journalled by said knuckle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first joint is a ball joint whose axis is aligned with said straight line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said second joint has an axis of rotation which coincides with the straight line passing through said first joint; and said third joint is disposed outside of a first vertical plane containing a point in said upper control arm which lies on the straight line passing through said first joint, said third joint being located between said first vertical plane and a wheel vertical plane which contains the center line of the wheel and which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the straight line serves as a steering axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ball joint includes a ball stud secured to the lower end of said knuckle, said ball stud having an axis which is aligned with said straight line, and a retainer for retaining said ball stud which is secured to said lower control arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the point in said upper control arm is spaced apart from said third joint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the straight line intersects the wheel vertical plane at a point above a road surface with which the wheel is in contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the straight line intersects the road surface at a point outside of the wheel vertical plane with respect to the vehicle body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second joint includes a shaft portion which is formed on the upper end of said knuckle and which has an axis which is aligned with the straight line, and a cylindrical portion which is formed on the first end of said extension member and disposed around said shaft portion and rotatable relative to said shaft portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second joint includes a cylindrical bushing interposed between said shaft portion and said cylindrical portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second joint includes first and second ball joints whose axes are aligned with each other and with said straight line, each ball joint rotatably connecting the upper end of said knuckle and the first end of said extension member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second joint includes first and second annular ball bearings whose axes are aligned with each other and with said straight line and an elongated member which is secured to the first end of said extension member, and the upper end of said knuckle has a cylindrical portion which surrounds said elongated member, each ball bearing being interposed between said elongated member and said cylindrical portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said shock absorber has a lower end which is connected to said lower control arm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said third joint includes an elastomeric bushing interposed between the second end of said extension member and the first end of said upper control arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said third joint is positioned outside of a vertical plane which passes through the uppermost section of the wheel and which is perpendicular to the wheel vertical plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said third joint is positioned forward of the uppermost section of the wheel relative to the vehicle body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said third joint is positioned rearward of the uppermost section of the wheel relative to the vehicle body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said third joint includes an elastomeric bushing interposed between the second end of said extension member and the first end of said upper control arm, said elastomeric bushing being located below the top of the uppermost section of the wheel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
93 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said third joint includes a common rod member which extends generally in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and first and second elastomeric bushings which are mounted on said common rod member and are axially separated from each other, the first end of said upper control arm being mounted on said first and second elastomeric bushings, the second end of said extension member being securely connected to a part of said common rod member between said first and second elastomeric bushings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said upper control arm includes first and second elongated sections which are integrally connected with each other, each elongated section having a first end on which is formed a cylindrical part which is mounted on one of said first and second elastomeric bushings, and a second end portion which is elastically connected to the vehicle body side.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said shock absorber has a first end which is connected to the side of the vehicle body, a second end, and a cylindrical outer wall which is securely attached to the first end of said extension member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a fourth joint which pivotally connects the second end of said shock absorber to the upper end of said knuckle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A double link type suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second joint includes a portion of the first end of said extension member and a portion of the upper end of said knuckle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1573273A
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US3630303A
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JPS5996007A
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US4538831A
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US4570969A
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JPS60135314A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |