FR2524850A1 - STABILIZER ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A STABILIZER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE HAVING A BODYWORK AND A PAIR OF SUSPENSIONS WITH WHEEL KNUCKLES. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, IT INCLUDES A U-SHAPED STABILIZER BAR 46 HAVING TWO ARMS 48 AND A CENTRAL PART 50 INTERCONNECTING THEM; TWO PENDULUM SUPPORT RODS 64 PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT THEIR UPPER ENDS ON THE BODYWORK 32 AND CAPABLE OF ROTATING SUPPORT AT THEIR LOWER ENDS, THE CENTRAL PART 50 OF THE BAR 46; AND A COUPLING MEANS 52 FOR PIVOTLY CONNECTING THE ARMS 48 TO THE SUSPENSIONS 28 AT PARTS ADJACENT TO THE KNUCKLES 34 OF THE WHEELS RESPECTIVELY. THE INVENTION APPLIES IN PARTICULAR TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

Description

The present invention relates to stabilizer assemblies for a

use in vehicles

such as automobiles.

  Stabilizer assemblies comprise stabilizer bars usually made of a U-shaped curved bar A large diameter stabilizer bar is desirable when considering the stability of the stabilizer bar.

  However, such a stabilized bar

  The reading of a large diameter is heavy and expensive.

  The present invention relates to a new improved stabilizer assembly enabling its stabilizer bar to be relatively lighter and cheaper compared to comparable stabilizer bars

according to the prior art.

  Another subject of the present invention is a new improved stabilizer assembly of the character described above enabling its stabilizer bar to have a

quite simple form.

  Another object of the present invention is a novel, improved stabilizer assembly of the character described above, which can provide greater rolling stiffness.

  without increasing the diameter of the stabilizer bar.

  Another object of the present invention is a novel and improved stabilizer assembly of the character described above enabling the associated suspensions to function.

  fairly regularly and efficiently.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a new improved stabilizer assembly of the above-described character particularly suitable for use on a vehicle equipped with suspensions of the type

  comprising a spacer and a pair of transverse rods

  dirty parallel and a single rod back to locate the spacer. In carrying out the above and still other objects of the present invention, the stabilizer assembly for a vehicle having a body and a pair of suspensions with wheel flares comprises a U-shaped stabilizer bar having a pair of arms and a central portion interconnecting the arms; a pair of pendulum support rods mounted oscillating at the upper ends on the vehicle body and rotatably supported at their lower ends, the central portion of the stabilizer bar; and coupling means for pivotally connecting the arms to the suspensions into portions thereof

  adjacent to the wheel spindle, respectively.

  The invention will be better understood, and other purposes, features, details and advantages thereof

  will become clearer during the description

  explanatory text which will follow with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a Mac Pherson rear suspension with a spacer a stabilizer assembly of a known type; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the Mac Pherson strut back suspension and the stabilizer assembly of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG.

  but it shows a stabilizing assembly according to the invention

  tion; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the stabilizer assembly of Figure 3; FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a construction for mounting, on a vehicle body, an end

  of a stabilizer bar used in the overall stability

  Figure 3; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a rubber liner used in the construction of Figure 5; and FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but shows, by the mixed lines, various conditions

  actuated the stabilizer assembly according to the invention.

  In Figures 1 and 2, a stabi lder assembly of a known type is partially and generally shown

  designated in 10 The illustrated part of the stabilization

  The stabilizer assembly 10 comprises a U-shaped stabilizer bar 12 having two arms 14 and a central portion 16 interconnecting the arms 14. The stabilizer bar 12 is attached to each arm 14 to a rear rod 18 of a MacPherson strut rear suspension 20, which extends longitudinally to the vehicle body 22 The central portion 16 of the stabilizer bar 12 is mounted so that it can be twisted, on the bodywork 22 of the vehicle, although

  this is not illustrated so on the drawing.

  With the above structure, when the vehicle tends to roll while passing through a turn, the arms 14 are rotated relatively around the central portion 16 and form, with each other, an angle which is equal to the angle that the left and right rear stems 18 make with each other. From this point of view, as the rear stems 18 have a considerable length,

  the angular deformation or torsion of the stabilizing bar

  12 for a given roll of the vehicle is weak.

  As a result, the stabilizer bar 12 must have a high spring constant and be made of a bar of a large diameter. The stabilizer bar 12 is

  therefore cumbersome and expensive.

  Referring now to Figures 3 to 7 inclusive, a stabilizer assembly according to the invention is generally designated at 26 and is illustrated as being suitable for use on a vehicle having a rear suspension.

Mac Pherson 28 spacer.

  The Mac Pherson 28 spacer rear suspension is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and

  it comprises a spacer 30 having a damper.

  The spacer 30 is mounted oscillating at its upper end not shown, on a body 32 of a vehicle and maintains, at its lower end, a spindle 34 for supporting a rear wheel 36 The rear suspension 28 also comprises a single rear rod 37 and two parallel and transverse rods 38 for locating the spacer 30 The rear rod 37 extends longitudinally to the body 32 and is pivotally mounted at its front end to the vehicle body 32 by a rubber seal 40 and rear, by a rubber seal not shown on a tab 42 which, in turn, is attached to the lower end

  of the spacer 30 by means of bolts 44 The transverse rods

  versales 38 are pivotally connected at their inner ends, to the bodywork 32 of the vehicle and to their

  outer ends, to the rocket 34 of the wheel.

  The spacer suspension 28 having been described above is a left rear suspension looking from the rear of the vehicle. The right rear suspension is omitted because the left rear suspensions and

  right have similar constructions, although symmetrically

cudgels.

  The stabilizer assembly 26 comprises a U-shaped bar 46 having two arms 48 and a central portion 50 connecting the arms 48, although the right-hand half of the stabilizer assembly 26 which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the bodywork 32 is omitted. Each arm 48 is pivotally mounted on the tab 42 by means of a coupling device 52. This coupling device 52 comprises an annular member 54 which is attached to one end of each arm 48 to form a transverse hole or eye 56 to the end of the arm -The eye 56 can be aligned with the other eye when the vehicle is horizontal or level The coupling device 52 further comprises inner and outer hollow cylindrical members 58 and 60, the cylindrical member external connector 60 fitting into the eye 56 and being attached to the annular member 54, a rubber seal 62 interconnecting the inner and outer cylindrical members 58 and 60 and a bolt 64 rotatably holding the cylindrical member

58 on the leg 42.

  More particularly, the tab 42 has a hollow, transverse pin 42 which is internally threaded

  to receive the bolt 64 which passes through the cylindrical member

  The internal cylindrical member 58 is longer than the annular member 54, so it protrudes and its opposite ends out of the annular member 54 as can best be seen in FIG. that the outer cylindrical member 60 is

  shorter or substantially equal to the annular member 54.

  As best seen in Figure 6, the rubber liner 62 is cross-shaped or has a cross-section

  cruciform comprising two horizontal arms 62

  connecting the inner and outer cylindrical members 58 and 60 and two upright arms 62b having outer ends spaced a short distance from the outer cylindrical member 60 when the rubber liner 62 is

subject to no force.

  The central portion 50 of the stabilizer bar 26 is flexibly mounted to the vehicle body 32 by means of two support rods 64 forming a pendulum. Each support rod 64 is pivotally mounted at its upper end to the bodywork 32. of the vehicle by a rubber seal 66 and rotatably supports at its lower end the central portion 50 of the stabilizer bar 46 by a

rubber gasket 68.

  In use, when the vehicle tends to roll while passing through a curve, the

  arm 48 of the stabilizer bar 46 are turned relative

  in opposite directions, twisting the central portion 50 along its length and thereby forcing the stabilizer bar 46 to effect a spring action which reduces movement

roll of the vehicle.

  In FIG. 7, the arms 48 of the stabilizer bar 46 are illustrated by solid lines at the assumed level position when the vehicle is horizontal or level and they are also illustrated in female lines at the turned positions taken when the C axis of the rocket 34 of the wheel travels a stroke S up and down respectively The arm 48 is rotated at an angle 6 in response to the stroke S of the axis C of the rocket 34 of the wheel In this illustration, it will be understood that the angle G is inversely proportional to the length r of the arm 48, that is to say that while the length r of the arm 48 decreases, the arm is turned to a larger angle O in response to the same stroke From this point of view, since the length of the arm 48 may be relatively shorter because the pendulum support rods 64 are provided, a greater torsion of the stabilizer bar 48 is obtained in response to the same stroke. S of the rocket 34 of the Cel wheel a reduces the diameter of the stabilizer bar 46 to achieve the same roll stiffness or the stabilizer bar 46 can be reduced for greater rigidity without

increase the diameter.

  Since the spacer suspension 28 is located by the rear rod 37, the axis C of the wheel spindle 34 moves forward and backward along a ring arc as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the point where the arm 48 joins the tab 42 moves up and down along a circular arc From this point of view, as the pendulum support rod 64 oscillates toward the forward to allow this movement, the rocket 34 of the wheel can move longitudinally to the bodywork 32 without any appreciable friction, resulting in a frictionless operation, regular and

  thus effective suspension spacer 28.

  The pendulum support rod 64 is therefore effective not only to reduce the length of the arm 48 but also to achieve a smooth and reliable operation.

  effective of the suspension 28 itself.

  The coupling device 52 is also effective to achieve a smooth and efficient operation of the spacer suspension 28 The suspension

  spacer 28 is located by transverse rods 38.

  As a result, the rocket 34 of the wheel moves laterally inwardly and outwardly along an arc of a circle. From this point of view, as these lateral movements subject the rubber seal 62 to shear and that the rubber liner 62 is adapted to have a low elasticity constant for such shear forces, the rocket 34 of the wheel can move laterally to the vehicle body 32 without any substantial resistance, resulting in a operation without friction, regular and therefore

  effective suspension spacer 28.

  The coupling device 52 and the support rod 64 in pendulum are consequently quite effective

  to achieve driving comfort of a vehicle.

  The rubber liner 62 is also subjected to compressive forces when the rear wheel 36 and therefore the rocket 34 of the wheel lament upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle body 32, that is, that is, the raised arms 62b of the rubber packing 62 are brought into contact with the outer cylindrical member 60 and subjected to compressive forces. From this point of view, as the upstanding arms 62b are constructed to be relatively more thick that the horizontal arms 62 has to have a higher elasticity constant for such compressive forces, the coupling device 52 can effectively transmit to the stabilizer bar 46, the torsional forces when

  the vehicle tends to roll.

  The rubber liner 62 is thus constructed to have a lower elasticity constant for its lateral deformation of the vehicle body 32 in comparison to that for the deformation in

  vertical direction to the vehicle body.

  On reading the foregoing, it will be appreciated that since pendulum support rods 64 are provided, stabilizer bar 46 may have a fairly simple form, i.e. the bar may be formed so that the arms 48 and the central portion 50 are on a flat common plane In addition to such a simple form, the stabilizer bar 46 may have an arm 48 which is comparatively shorter than those of the sets

  stabilizers according to the prior art.

  Furthermore, it will be understood that the pendulum support rods and the coupling devices 52 allow the rocket 34 of the wheel and therefore the wheels 36 to move up and down along a curved path, which is effective enough to get operation

  regular and effective suspensions 28 to spacer.

Claims (7)

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S   Stabilizer assembly for a vehicle having a body and a pair of suspensions with wheel flares, characterized in that it comprises: a U-shaped stabilizer bar (46) having two arms (48) and a central portion ( 50) interconnecting said arms (48); two pendulum support rods (64) oscillatingly mounted at the upper ends on said body (32) and rotatably supported at their lower ends, said central portion (50) of said stabilizer bar (46); and coupling means (52) for pivotally connecting said arms (48) to said suspensions (28)   adjacent to said rockets (34), respectively   tively. Stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means comprises a pair of coupling devices (52), each of which comprises an annular member (54) attached to a coupling member   end of each arm (48) to form a trans-   versal (56) at the end of said arm, said eye (56) being alignable with the other eye when the vehicle is level, inner and outer concentric hollow cylindrical members (58, 60), said outer cylindrical member ( 60) fitting into said eye (56) and being attached to said annular member (54), an elastic seal (62) interconnecting said inner and outer cylindrical members (58, 60) and a bolt (64) rotatably holding said internal cylindrical member (58) on said suspension portion proximate said rocket (34), said resilient liner (62) having a lower elasticity constant for its lateral deformation of the vehicle body (32) relative to to that for its deformation in the vertical direction of the bodywork (32).   Stabilizer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic seal (62) has a cruciform section comprising two horizontal arms (62a) interconnecting the inner and outer cylindrical members (58, 60) and two upright arms (62b). ) having outer ends spaced a short distance from said outer cylindrical member (60), said upstanding arms (62b) engageable with said outer cylindrical member (60) when said resilient liner (62) is subjected to forces said raised arms (62b) being   thicker than said horizontal arms (62a).   4. Stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned pendulum-shaped support rods (64) are mounted on the vehicle body (32) by providing between them gaskets. rubber (66).   Stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the pendulum support rods (64) rotatably support the central portion (50) of the stabilizer bar (46) by providing therebetween. rubber gaskets (68).   Stabilizer assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the suspensions mentioned above are   type further comprising a spacer (30) mounted   at its upper end on the vehicle body (32) and now, at its lower end, the wheel spindle (34), a tab (42) attached to the lower end of said spacer (30), a single rod rear end (37) extending longitudinally of said body (32) and pivotally mounted at its forward end on said body (32) and at its rear end on said leg (42), and two parallel and transverse rods (38) pivotally conected at their inner ends to said body (32) and at their outer ends to said rocket (34).   he 7. Stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms (48) above and the central portion (50) above are on a flat plane and common when the stabilizer bar (46) is not subjected to any force.