VEHICLE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WITH UNIQUE GEOMETRY

• Main Authors: BRANNIGAN, Michael, TOMLIN, Neil, James
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 05.09.2018
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A suspension system for supporting an axle and connected to a vehicle frame, including a pair of transversely spaced frame brackets mounted on and depending from the vehicle frame. Each of the frame brackets having one or more mounting points spaced along its perimeter for mounting of suspension components, such as shock absorbers, and having a protruding air spring attachment plate that extends inboard toward the center of the vehicle frame. The suspension system also includes a first pair of air springs, the upper portions of which are mounted to the air spring attachment plates of the frame brackets. The lower portions of the air springs are mounted to suspension arm. The suspension system includes a second pair of air springs that are longitudinally separated from the first pair of air springs and that are connected to the suspension arm assemblies and to the frame. A pair of shock absorbers is connected at their lowest point to the suspension arm assemblies and at their highest point to a mounting point on the frame brackets. The suspension arm assemblies are coupled to and support the axle. The suspension system also includes a torque box coupled to the vehicle frame and the axle.