MOTOR-VEHICLE MULTI-LINK SUSPENSION SYSTEM INCLUDING A TRANSVERSE LEAF SPRING

摘要

A motor-vehicle multi-link suspension system includes, for each wheel, two lower transverse arms and a substantially longitudinal or inclined lower arm, each having one end pivotally connected to a respective wheel support and the opposite end pivotally connected to the motor-vehicle structure. A leaf spring is arranged transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle. The leaf spring is supported by elastic supports arranged symmetrically at intermediate positions between the center of the leaf spring and the ends thereof. Ends of the leaf spring are pivotally connected to upper parts of the two wheel supports. Two jack-type shock absorbers have opposite ends swingably connected to the respective wheel support and the motor-vehicle structure. The end portions of the leaf spring also fulfill the function of triangular upper transverse arms of the multi-link suspension. Preferably the leaf spring is made of a composite material.

主权项

1. Motor-vehicle suspension system, comprising:
at least one transverse arm for each wheel support, having one end pivotally connected to a respective wheel support of two wheel supports and an opposite end pivotally connected to a motor-vehicle supporting structure, a suspension spring which counteracts vertical movements of the two wheel supports, consisting of a leaf spring arranged transversally with respect to a longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle, with its general plane lying horizontally and connected to the motor-vehicle supporting structure by means of elastic supports arranged symmetrically at intermediate positions between the centre a center of the leaf spring and its-ends thereof, these the ends of the leaf spring being pivotally connected to the two wheel supports at the upper part of each wheel support, and two jack-type shock absorbers interposed between the wheel supports and the motor-vehicle supporting structure, said suspension being a multi-link suspension, in which each wheel support is connected to the motor-vehicle supporting structure by means of two transverse lower arms, said arms comprising a substantially longitudinal or inclined lower arm and at least one upper transverse arm formed by the respective end portion of the leaf spring, and wherein each jack-type shock absorber has its-opposite ends swingably connected to the respective wheel support and the motor-vehicle supporting structure, said leaf spring comprising a single leaf in a one-piece construction, which comprises two portions of enlarged thickness at said intermediate positions for connection to the respective elastic supports, each of said portions of enlarged thickness on its turn comprising two seats for two respective elastic supports connected to the motor-vehicle supporting structure, said seats being spaced apart from each other and aligned along the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle, and said leaf spring having a width along the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle which has a maximum value at said intermediate portions of enlarged thickness and the end portions of the leaf spring which extend beyond said intermediate portions having a triangular configuration, with a base secured to the motor-vehicle supporting structure by means of said elastic supports and an apex at the end of the leaf spring, which is pivotally connected to the wheel support.