Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A rear suspension system for a four-wheel-steered vehicle which is provided with a front wheel turning mechanism and a rear wheel turning mechanism and in which both front and rear wheels are turned in response to the rotation of a steering wheel and at least outer one of the rear wheels is turned in the same direction as the front wheels when the steering wheel is turned while the vehicle is in a predetermined operating condition, the rear suspension system comprising a wheel support which supports a rear wheel and is connected to a rear wheel turning rod member of the rear wheel turning mechanism so that the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about a king pin axis when the rear wheel turning rod member is displaced, a wheel guide means which is connected to the wheel support and guides the wheel support so that the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about the king pin axis in response to displacement of the rear wheel turning rod member, and a damping means which is connected between the wheel support and the vehicle body and restrains vertical motion of the wheel support under the counterforce thereof, the damping means being arranged so that the line of action of the counterforce is tilted with respect to the king pin axis so that it is not parallel to the king pin axis, does not intersect the king pin axis and is directed such that the counterforce turns the wheel support in the toe-out direction of the rear wheel thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
A rear suspension system for a four-wheel-steered vehicle which is provided with a front wheel turning mechanism and a rear wheel turning mechanism and in which both front and rear wheels are turned in response to the rotation of a steering wheel and at least outer one of the rear wheels is turned in the same direction as the front wheels when the steering wheel is turned while the vehicle is in a predetermined operating condition, the rear suspension system comprising a wheel support which supports a rear wheel and is connected to a rear wheel turning rod member of the rear wheel turning mechanism so that the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about a king pin axis when the rear wheel turning rod member is displaced, a wheel guide means which is connected to the wheel support and guides the wheel support so that the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about the king pin axis in response to displacement of the rear wheel turning rod member, and a damping means which is connected between the wheel support and the vehicle body and restrains vertical motion of the wheel support under the counterforce thereof, the damping means being arranged so that the line of action of the counterforce is tilted with respect to the king pin axis so that it is not parallel to the king pin axis, does not intersect the king pin axis and is directed such that the counterforce turns the wheel support in the toe-out direction of the rear wheel thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 1 in which said damping means comprises a spring member which is compressed between the wheel support and the vehicle body and urges the wheel support downward relative to the vehicle body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 2 in which said spring member comprises a coil spring which is fit on a spring guide member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 1 in which said wheel guide means comprises upper and lower lateral links which extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 4 in which said king pin axis passes through the points at which said upper and lower lateral links are connected to the wheel support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 4 in which at least one of the upper and lower lateral links is formed of a pair of links which are separate from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim 1 in which said king pin axis intersects the ground at a point to the rear of where the rear wheel makes contact with the ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rear suspension system as defined in claim in which said wheel support is pivoted on the rear wheel turning rod member by way of a ball joint.