Independent suspension system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11420490-B2
Application number	US-202117347946-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2021
Priority date	Nov 19, 2020
Publication date	Aug 23, 2022
Grant date	Aug 23, 2022

Abstract

An independent suspension system includes: a steering unit configured to adjust the steering angle of a wheel; a shock absorber engaged with the wheel in order to absorb impacts applied to the wheel and including a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber, each of which being arranged in a forward-rearward direction on opposite side surfaces of the wheel; and a link unit disposed between the shock absorber and the steering unit in order to vary the distance between the wheel and the steering unit. The link unit includes a first upper arm disposed between the first shock absorber and the steering unit, a second upper arm disposed between the second shock absorber and the steering unit, and a ground clearance adjustment unit engaged with the first and second upper arms in order to vary the distance between the first and second upper arms.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An independent suspension system, comprising:
a steering unit configured to adjust a steering angle of a wheel;
a shock absorber engaged with the wheel in order to absorb impacts applied to the wheel, the shock absorber comprising a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber, each of which arranged in a forward-rearward direction on opposite side surfaces of the wheel; and
a link unit disposed between the shock absorber and the steering unit, the link unit being configured to vary a distance between the wheel and the steering unit,
wherein the link unit comprises:
a first upper arm disposed between the first shock absorber and the steering unit;
a second upper arm disposed between the second shock absorber and the steering unit; and
a ground clearance adjustment unit engaged with the first upper arm and the second upper arm, the ground clearance adjustment unit being configured to vary a distance between the first upper arm and the second upper arm.

2. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the steering unit is configured to control a steering angle to be applied to the wheel by a steering input part located at a vehicle body.

3. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the ground clearance adjustment unit comprises:
a fixing bracket disposed in an opening in the first upper arm;
a guide bracket disposed in an opening in the second upper arm;
a height adjustment part engaged with the fixing bracket; and
a distance adjustment screw engaged with the fixing bracket and the guide bracket, the distance adjustment screw having one end connected with the height adjustment part so as to be rotated by driving force of the height adjustment part, and
wherein, as the distance adjustment screw rotates, a distance between the fixing bracket and the guide bracket is varied.

4. The independent suspension system of claim 3 , further comprising:
a guide extending through the steering unit and engaged with the distance adjustment screw,
wherein the guide is configured to move with the distance adjustment screw in an upward-downward direction according to rotation of the distance adjustment screw.

5. The independent suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the fixing bracket comprises fixing protrusions on opposite side surfaces of the fixing bracket so as to be engaged with the first upper arm, and
wherein, when the distance adjustment screw is rotated, the fixing bracket is configured to rotate about the fixing protrusions relative to inclination of the first upper arm such that the distance adjustment screw is maintained in a horizontal orientation.

6. The independent suspension system of claim 5 , wherein the guide bracket comprises guide protrusions on opposite side surfaces of the guide bracket, and wherein the guide bracket is configured to rotate about the guide protrusions so as to face the fixing bracket.

7. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein, as the first upper arm and the second upper arm move closer to each other with respect to ends of the first upper arm and the second upper arm, respectively, the ends being engaged with the steering unit, a distance between the steering unit and the wheel becomes greater.

8. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , wherein, as the first upper arm and the second upper arm move farther from each other with respect to ends of the first upper arm and the second upper arm, respectively, the ends being engaged with the steering unit, a distance between the steering unit and the wheel becomes smaller.

9. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising a wheel bush disposed at a position at which the wheel and the shock absorber are engaged with each other.

10. The independent suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising a support bush disposed at a position at which the shock absorber and the steering unit are engaged with each other.

11. The independent suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the distance adjustment screw comprises a rack-gear configured to vary a distance between the fixing bracket and the guide bracket according to a rotational force of the height adjustment part.

12. The independent suspension system of claim 11 , wherein the height adjustment part includes a pinion gear configured to engage with the rack-gear.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Park Jeong Hwan
• Kong Do Hyun
• Kim Jae Hun
• Park Tae Woong

Classifications

• B60G2500/30

  Height or ground clearance · CPC title

• B60G2200/10

  Independent suspensions · CPC title

• B60G17/00

  Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load {(levelling or stabilising systems for tippers B60P1/045)} · CPC title

• B60G13/00 Primary

  Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of vibration dampers (adjusting damping effect B60G17/06; vibration dampers per se F16F) · CPC title

• B60G3/01 Primary

  the wheel being mounted for sliding movement, e.g. in or on a vertical guide (camber maintaining means B60G3/26) · CPC title