Vehicle suspension beam

US7178816B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited · US

Inventors

• David Chan · Runcorn, GB
• Martin Peaker · Chester, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 17, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2007
• Expiry date: Jan 17, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2206/8201
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hollow vehicle suspension beam (1) has opposed side walls formed with recesses (11) in which an axle wrap (2) is located and secured by welded jointing (12, 13) internally and externally of the opposed side walls to provide a strong joint between the beam and axle wrap. The beam may comprise at least one component (5, 6) of a generally U-shaped section the opposed limbs of which provide at least part of the opposed side walls of the beam, and the mouth of the section provides an access opening into the interior of the beam for the internal welded jointing (12) to be made at the axle wrap. One embodiment has the beam comprised of two of the U-shaped components (5, 6) disposed with their mouths opening in opposite directions to provide access to the interior of the beam for the internal welded jointing to be made at the axle wrap (2) before the mouths are closed by closure components (15, 16). Another embodiment has the opposed side walls formed in combination by the opposed limbs of a U-shaped component and the space between the plate components being closed off by closure components after the internal welded joint have been made.