TORSION HELICAL SPRINGS IN A VEHICLE SUSPENSION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION It relates to a vehicular chassis suspension device using torsion helical springs to absorb or isolate trepidations, shocks and vibrations from each wheel related to the vehicle's structure having them. It can be used in the body of carts and hauled vehicles, automotive vehicles, railroad wagons, airplanes and others.

Usage of helical springs to attenuate the compressive strains is rather common; less ordinary is using helical spring to endure torsion strains such as the springs used in a mechanical clock. The vehicle suspension system using torsion helical springs are already known. The American patent document "US 3,484,1 18 - Helical Torsion Spring Vehicle Suspension", describes a vehicle suspension system with torsion helical springs encircling a stationary shaft fixed to the vehicle's structure. One end of the spring is fixed in one wheel or set of wheels and the other one is fixed to a second wheel or set of wheels operating together. So the same helical spring joins two wheels forming a "double set of wheels" or "tandem". The tanden is commonly used in the rear shaft of cargo vehicles - trucks using leaf springs also known as "knife spring" which is a rectangular cross section steel bar. Another embodiment uses the torsion helical spring as a spacer between the leaf spring ends and the vehicle's structure to which they are assembled compensating the reactive torque from the leaf spring ends. In this case one of the ends is fixed to the leaf spring and the other one to the vehicle's structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The vehicle suspension device with torsion helical springs hereby described relates to using one torsion helical spring on each wheel providing an independent suspension to each wheel. So, there's a device for each wheel without using any kind of additional springs providing constructive and functional differences related to existing suspension

systems. The helical spring is axially fitted to the articulation shaft of the vehicle's suspension tray and longitudinally holded by the shaft. The shaft is fixed in the vehicle's structure. The shaft is fixed to the vehicle's structure. One of the spring's end is directly attached to the vehicle's suspension tray and the other one is fixed to the vehicle structure. With this constructive characteristic the helical spring suspension system can be utilized whenever is necessary using a sole suspension system for one wheel only or or in a independent way for many wheels of the vehicle. Another characteristic of this vehicular chassis suspension device is the simple mechanical construction. The helical spring is internally holded by the shaft which doesn't turn having the shape of a rigid cylindrical bar; it is not submitted to alternate bending but only to simple bending allowing dimensional reduction or using less mechanical resistance material. One of the spring ends has a shorter stem fixed to the vehicle's body through the help of a clamp; the other one is a longer stem attached to one of the stems of the vehicle suspension oscillating tray. The constructive form makes it respond with torsion tensions when the wheel applies compression strain. The helical spring is not compressed. One end of the oscillating arm is joined to the internal bar holding the spring, though a bearing, and the other one is attached to the wheel's shaft. Using a shock absorber with one end fixed to the body to of the vehicle and the other one attached to the oscillating arm, completes the suspension system with helical spring. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 01 is a side view of the suspension system showing the torsion helical spring(l) encircling the articulation shaft(2)of the balance(4); the longer stem(l l) of spring(l) leaning on the balance(4) of the vehicle suspension; the shorter stem(12) of the spring(l) leaning on the body(3) of the vehicle; it also shows the shaft(5) of the wheel(6) and the telescopic shock absorber(7).

Figure 02 is a top view of the suspension system and represents in a schematic way the constructive arrangement of the suspension system with helical springs showing the balance(4) with its bearings (41 and 43) on which actuates the articulation shaft(2) of the balance(4) being said shaft(2) fixed to the structure of the body(3); it also shows the end(42) of the balance(4) acting as a connecting flange to the shaft(5) of the wheel(6).

Figure 03 is a side view representing the helical spring(l) with their stems(l I and 12). The stem(12) is attached to the body(3) and the other stem(l l) attached to the balance(4).

Figure 04 shows the spring(l) in a top plan view. Figure 05 presents, in a top plan view, one way of using the helical springs assembled to each wheel of the vehicle's same shaft.

Figure 06 shows a perspective view of using the helical spring assembled to each wheel of the vehicle's same shaft. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The torsion helical spring(l) of the suspension system is internally holded by the articulation shaft(2) of the balance(4), in a form of a holding up cylindrical bar; the shaft(2) doesn't turn and is fixed by both its ends to the body(3) of the vehicle. The longer stem(l l) of the helical spring(l) is connected to the arm(45) of the balance(4); this arm(45) is perpendicular to the articulation shaft(2); the balance(4) has two arms in a "V" shape each one having a bearing(41 and 43) at each arm end, and is pivoted on shaft(2). The other end(42) of the balance(4) has a socket where the shaft(5) of the wheel(6) is fixed. The shorter stem(12) of the helical spring(l) is attached to the body(3) of the vehicle through a bracket(31) to the shorter stem(12), forming a vertical suspension system of the wheel(6) related to the body(3) of the vehicle. The telescopic shock absorber(7) has an end(44) pivoted to a bearing stem which is a part of the balance(4); the

other end(32) of the telescopic shock absorber is pivoted to the vehicle's body(3) structure. The telescopic shock absorber(7) can be assembled in an inclined or vertical position depending on the better constructive way according to the requirements of the application. The arrangement of the torsion helical spring(l) being holded by the articulation shaft(2) has been shown in Figure 2. Besides holding said torsion helical spring(l) the shaft(2) acts as pivot to hold bearings(41 and 43) assembled to one of the ends of the arms of the balance(4) allowing said balance(4) to turn around said articulation shaft(2) fixed to the vehicle's body. Through Figure 2 one can also see the end(42) of the balance(4) holding the shaft(5) of the wheel(6).

One of the system's constructive ways applied to a trailer, shown in a perspective view in Figure 6, allows a better understanding of the object hereby described making it clear that its application can be performed in different ways to any kind of vehicles.

The inventive step consists in modifying the current helical suspension system through different constructive ways; it can be used in different kinds of vehicles where the present system is characterized by using it in an unique way for each wheel without being necessary additional springs to said system.