Independent wheel suspension system using thrust bearing constant velocity universal drive joints as suspension members to minimize wheel chamber
An independent wheel suspension system is described for a vehicle having an engine adapted to provide a driving torque, a chassis, vehicle support means for resiliently supporting the chassis for displacement relative to a driving surface, and a wheel assembly for each wheel having a vertical center plane through the center thereof and a wheel axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical center plane. The wheel assembly has a chamber angle relative to the vertical center plane adapted to undergo a change of chamber as the wheel assembly undergoes movement relative to the vertical center plane. The independent wheel suspension system comprises: differential means comprising a differential housing, a differential input at an engine end of the differential housing adapted to be coupled to the engine so as to receive the driving torque therefrom about a differential input axis. The differential housing has a pair of lateral sides on opposite sides of the differential input axis, each lateral side having a differential output axis therethrough. The differential means is adapted to redirect the driving torque from the differential input axis to the differential output axis and is supported by the vehicle support means to position the differential input axis substantially perpendicular to the wheel axis.
- Assignee:
- GKN Automotive Components, Inc., Southfield, MI
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4632203
- OSTI ID:
- 6777526
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 5 Mar 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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