Semi-independent swing arm suspension system for a low floor vehicle

US6793035B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC · US

Inventors

• John L. Bennett · Fraser, US
• Mark Smith · Troy, US
• Chihping Kuan · Rochester Hills, US
• John Ma · Rochester, US
• William C. Sullivan · Newark, US
• Edward Eshelman · Rochester Hills, US
• Dean House · Pataskala, US
• Tomaz Dopico Varela · Gahanna, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2002
• Grant date: Sep 21, 2004
• Expiry date: May 18, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Y2200/1432
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A suspension system includes a swing arm which pivots about a pivot axis. A hub assembly, hub gear box and input gear box are mounted to an independently pivoting swing arm. The pivot axis is located closer to the ground than a rotational axis defined by the hub assemblies and the input gear box. A coupling extends from the input gear box to receive an input driveline from a drive source such as vehicle engine. The coupling is located proximate the pivot axis to minimize relative movement during articulation of the swing arm. An axle housing extends between the input gear box and an opposite hub gear box to support a drive shaft and serves as a torsion bar.