SUSPENSION ARM COMPRESSION CLAMP

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to vehicle suspension systems and, in one example described below, more

particularly provides a suspension system with a clamp for securing a suspension arm.

BACKGROUND

A clamp can be used to secure a spring beam, leaf spring or other suspension arm to other components of a suspension system. For example, a clamp can secure a spring beam or a leaf spring to an axle of a suspension system.

Typically, where a clamp is used to secure a spring beam, the clamp is configured for particular dimensions (including manufacturing tolerances) of that specific spring beam. Unfortunately, this practice requires that the spring beam and the clamp be precision machined, in order to limit lateral movement of the spring beam in the clamp. Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are needed in the art of suspension system design and

construction. Such improvements may allow a clamp to be used with a spring beam that is not precision machined with relatively close tolerances, may allow a spring beam to be used with clamp members that are not precision machined with relatively close tolerances, and may effectively and

efficiently prevent lateral movement of the spring beam in the clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of a vehicle that can embody principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative perspective view of one lateral side of a suspension system that can be used with the vehicle of FIG. 1, and which can embody the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a representative elevational view of the suspension system.

FIG. 4 is a representative cross-sectional view of the suspension system, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged scale representative cross- sectional view of a spring beam clamp portion of the

suspension system.

FIGS. 6 & 7 are further enlarged scale representative cross-sectional views of a compression insert of the spring beam clamp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a vehicle 10 which can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the vehicle 10 is merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the vehicle 10 described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.

The vehicle 10 is depicted as including a tractor 12 and a trailer 14. It is contemplated that the principles of this disclosure can be incorporated into a trailer of any type (as well as other types of vehicles), and so the term "vehicle" is used herein to refer to trailers of various types, as well as to refer to self-propelled vehicles.

The trailer 14 of FIG. 1 includes multiple suspension systems 16 which suspend a frame 18 of the trailer above a road surface. Wheels 20 and tires 22 are rotatably mounted at each end of each suspension system 16. None, any or all of the suspension systems 16 may be liftable (so that the wheels 20 can be raised out of contact with a road surface).

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 2-4, an example of one of the suspension systems 16 is representatively

illustrated. Only one lateral side of the suspension system 16 is depicted in FIGS. 2-4, it being understood that an opposite side of the suspension system is substantially a mirror-image of the portion depicted in FIGS. 2-4.

In this example, the suspension system 16 includes a laterally extending axle 24. The wheels 20 and tires 22 (not visible in FIGS. 2-4, see FIG. 1) are rotatably mounted at opposite ends of the axle 24, for example, with conventional hubs (not shown), spindles 26, bearings (not shown), king pins (if the suspension system 16 is steerable), etc.

A hanger bracket 28 is used to attach the suspension system 16 to the frame 18 of the vehicle 10. The hanger bracket 28 in this example also pivotably mounts a spring beam 30 at its forward end. An air spring 32 resiliently spaces a rearward end of the spring beam 30 away from the vehicle frame 18.

In other examples, the hanger bracket 28 may not be used or a different type of bracket may be used, the spring beam 30 could be replaced by a trailing arm or other type of pivoting suspension beam or arm, the air spring 32 could be a coiled spring, etc. Thus, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular details of the suspension system 16 described herein or depicted in the drawings.

In the FIGS. 2-4 example, the spring beam 30 includes an upper spring 30a and a lower spring 30b. Other numbers of springs (including one) may be used in the spring beam 30 in other examples.

As used herein, the term "spring beam" is used to indicate a longitudinally extending suspension arm that is relatively compliant and is pivotably attached (such as, via the hanger bracket 28 or other pivotable connection) to a vehicle for suspension of the vehicle. Leaf spring(s) in a vehicle suspension system can be considered a spring beam. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of suspension arm or spring beam.

In the FIGS. 2-4 example, the axle 24 is secured to the spring beam 30 between the hanger bracket 28 and the air spring 32 . In other examples, the axle 24 could be secured at another position, or these components of the suspension system 16 could be otherwise arranged (e.g., the air spring 32 could be mounted directly above the axle,, the axle could be secured above the spring beam 30 , etc.).

A clamp 34 is used to secure the axle 24 to the spring beam 30 . The clamp 34 includes members 36 , 38 positioned respectively above and below the spring beam 30 , and members 38 , 40 positioned respectively above and below the axle 24 . When fasteners 42 are tightened, a clamping force is applied via the members 36 , 38 to the spring beam 30 , and via members 38 , 40 to the axle 24 .

In the FIGS. 2 -4 example, a single upper member 36 , a single middle member 38 and separate lower members 40 are used, and the fasteners 42 are U-bolts. However, in other examples multiple upper members, multiple middle members and/or a single lower member could be used, and the

fasteners could be individual bolts or other types of fasteners, etc. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular details of the clamp 34 as

described herein or depicted in the drawings.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5 , an enlarged scale cross-sectional view of the spring beam 30 secured in the clamp 34 (detail 5 of FIG. 4 ) is representatively

illustrated. In this view, certain details of the suspension system 16 have been omitted for clarity of illustration and description .

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, when the clamping force is applied to the spring beam 30 via the clamp members 36 , 38 , the spring beam is

compressed vertically between the clamp members. An

additional feature of the clamp 34 example of FIG. 5 is that, when the clamping force is applied, the spring beam 30 is also compressed laterally between opposite sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the respective clamp members 36, 38.

In this manner, opposite lateral sides of the spring beam 30 do not have to be precision machined to relatively close tolerances, and internal faces 36c, d and 38c, d of the respective clamp members 36, 38 also do not have to be precision machined to relatively close tolerances. In addition, lateral compression of the spring beam 30 between the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38 prevents relative lateral movement between the spring beam and the clamp 34, thereby enhancing performance and reducing maintenance requirements for the suspension system 16.

Such lateral compression of the spring beam 30 between the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38 is provided in the FIG. 5 example by interaction of compression inserts 44 with the faces 36c, d and 38c, d of the clamp members. The faces 36c, d and 38c, d are vertically inclined so that, as the clamp members 36, 38 are biased toward each other by the clamping force, the compression inserts are biased laterally inward toward the spring beam 30.

The compression inserts 44 are, therefore, laterally compressed between the spring beam 30 and the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38. As described more fully below, the compression inserts 44 are configured so that, as they are compressed between the spring beam 30 and the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38 a compliance of the compression inserts substantially

decreases, so that the spring beam is rigidly secured against lateral movement relative to the clamp 34.

In the FIGS. 2-5 example, the compression inserts 44 extend substantially a full longitudinal length of the clamp members 36, 38, with one compression insert on each opposite lateral side of the spring beam 30. However, in other examples multiple compression inserts 44 could be used on each side of the spring beam 30, the compression inserts could have other lengths, etc. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular details of the compression inserts 44 described herein or depicted in the drawings .

Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, an enlarged scale cross-sectional view of a compression insert 44 is

representatively illustrated. In this view, the compression insert 44 has not yet been compressed between the spring beam 30 and the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38.

In the FIG. 6 example, the compression insert 44 includes a body 46 having flexible arms 48. The arms 48 are each resiliently connected to the body 46 at one end, and are spaced apart from the body with a gap g at an opposite end.

An inwardly facing side 46a of the body 46 is shaped to generally conform to the opposite lateral sides of the spring beam 30. However, as mentioned above, precision machining with relatively close tolerances is not required in this example on the opposite lateral sides of the spring beam 30, since the spring beam will be compressed laterally between the compression inserts 44. Thus, the body 46 does not have to conform exactly to the opposite lateral sides of the spring beam 30.

The arms 48 are provided with surfaces 48a for

contacting the inclined faces 36c, d and 38c, d of the clamp members 36, 38. When, for example, the clamping force is applied and the inclined faces 36c, 38c displace toward each other, contact between the surfaces 48a and the inclined faces will cause the arms 48 to deflect toward the body 46.

Initially, due to the presence of the gap g between the arms 48 and the body 46, such deflection of the arms toward the body occurs relatively easily. A compliance (deflection per unit force) of the compression insert 44 is, thus, relatively large at this point.

Such large initial compliance can aid in centering the compression insert 44 between the clamp members 36, 38.

However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to a compression insert having an initial relatively large compliance .

Referring additionally now to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of the compression insert 44 is representatively illustrated after the compression insert has been

sufficiently compressed, so that the gaps g are no longer present between the body 46 and the arms 48. The arms 48 now contact surfaces 46b formed on the body 46.

The arms 48 are now no longer able to readily deflect relative to the body 46. Thus, the compliance of the

compression insert 44 is substantially decreased. Additional clamping force applied via the clamp members 36, 38 will result in significant compressive force 50 in the

compression insert 44 and, since the spring beam 30 is positioned between two of the compression inserts, the spring beam will be compressed laterally between the

compression inserts.

The compression insert 44 is substantially rigid in a lateral direction in the FIG. 7 configuration. If the compression insert 44 is made of a relatively low compliance material (such as metal, including metal alloys), then the spring beam 30 can be relatively rigidly retained between the compression inserts.

Metals and alloys thereof (for example, aluminum, mild steel, etc.) can be used for the compression inserts 44. These materials have desirable properties of being able to deform in the high compliance configuration of FIG. 6, but also being relatively rigid and having low creep in the low compliance configuration of FIG. 7.

In the examples described above, there is metal-to- metal contact between the compression inserts 44 and each of the clamp members 36, 38 and the spring beam 30. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to only metal- to-metal contact in these areas, since examples could be envisioned in which there is initial non-metal contact, and/or in which there is a combination of non-metal and metal-to-metal contact.

Although the compression insert 44 is described above as being made of a metal material (including metal alloys), in some examples non-metal materials could also be used (for example, at a pivot between the arms 48 and the body 46, etc.). Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of only metals in the compression insert 44.

Although the compression insert 44 is described above as having a compliance that substantially decreases as it is compressed between the spring beam 30 and the sides 36a, b and 38a, b of the clamp members 36, 38, in some examples the compliance of the compression insert may not change. For example, if the arms 48 are not used to provide an initial relatively large compliance, then the inclined faces 36c, d and 38c, d could directly contact the surfaces 46b of the body 46. Although the clamp 34 is described above as being used to secure together the spring beam 30 and the axle 24, other suspension system components would be secured together using the principles of this disclosure. For example, such other components could include lift actuators, air springs, shock absorber brackets, other types of brackets or mounting devices, etc.

It may now be fully appreciated that the above

disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of suspension system design and construction. In examples described above, the clamp 34 is capable of securing the spring beam 30 to components (such as, the axle 24) of the suspension system 16, with the spring beam being laterally compressed by the clamp. Such lateral compression of the spring beam 30 can reduce requirements for precision

machining, and can mitigate relative movement between the spring beam and the clamp 34.

More specifically, the above disclosure provides to the art a vehicle suspension system 16. In one example, the suspension system 16 can comprise a suspension arm (such as, the spring beam 30), and a clamp 34 that secures a component (such as, the axle 24) of the suspension system 16 to the arm. In this example, the clamp 34 includes at least one compression insert 44 that applies a lateral force 50 to the arm 30.

The component can comprise an axle 24.

The "at least one" compression insert 44 may include two compression inserts that apply the lateral force 50 to opposite lateral sides of the arm 30.

The suspension system 16 can have metal-to-metal contact between the compression insert 44 and members 36, 38 of the clamp 34. There can be metal-to-metal contact between the compression insert 44 and the arm 30. The compression insert 44 in this example comprises a metal (including one or more metals and metal alloys).

The clamp 34 may include clamp members 36, 38 that are biased toward each other by a clamping force, the arm 30 being clamped between the clamp members 36, 38 with the clamping force. The compression insert 44 in this example is biased laterally toward the arm by inclined faces 36c, d and 38c,d of the clamp members 36, 38.

Also provided to the art by the above disclosure is a vehicle suspension system 16 that comprises a suspension arm 30, and a clamp 34 that secures a component 24 of the suspension system to the arm. In this example, the clamp 34 includes at least one compression insert 44, and clamp members 36, 38 that are biased toward each other by a clamping force, the arm 30 being clamped between the clamp members 36, 38 with the clamping force, and the compression insert 44 being biased laterally toward the arm 30 by inclined faces 36c, d and 38c, d of the clamp members 36, 38.

The above disclosure also describes a vehicle

suspension system 16 comprising a suspension arm 30, and a clamp 34 that secures a component 24 of the suspension system 16 to the arm 30. In this example, the clamp 34 includes at least one compression insert 44, with metal-to- metal contact between the compression insert 44 and the arm 30.

Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example.

Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

In the above description of the representative

examples, directional terms (such as "above," "below,"

"upper," "lower," etc.) are used for convenience in

referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.

The terms "including," "includes," "comprising,"

"comprises," and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as "including" a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term "comprises" is considered to mean "comprises, but is not limited to."

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of

representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions,

substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example,

structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa.

Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.