IFS including strut pivotally secured to chassis through torque tube assembly

摘要

An Independent Front Suspension (IFS) assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the lower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.

主权项

1. An IFS assembly comprising:
a single lower control arm having laterally-spaced inboard and outboard ends, the inboard end adapted to be pivotally secured to a chassis support structure; a steering knuckle secured to the lower control arm outboard end; a strut having upper and lower ends disposed along a strut axis, the strut upper and lower ends having relative movement along and about the strut axis, the strut lower end fixed relative to the steering knuckle; and a torque tube assembly comprising:
an elongate torque tube disposed along a torque tube axis and extending between first and second joints at which the torque tube is adapted to be rigidly fixed relative to the chassis support structure, and an upper strut mount having laterally-spaced first and second ends, the first end rigidly affixed to the torque tube between the first and second joints and the second end extending laterally from the torque tube, the strut upper end adapted to be pivotally secured to the second end whereby a rotational force is applied to said torque tube about said torque tube axis.