TRAILING ARM SUSPENSION WITH OPTIMIZED I-BEAM

摘要

A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground−engaging wheels includes a wheel−carrying axle having a first end and a second end, and a pair of frame bracket assemblies operably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle frame. The suspension system also includes a pair of trailing arm assemblies adapted to be mounted to opposite sides of the vehicle frame and operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and operably coupled to the frame bracket assemblies, wherein each trailing arm assembly comprises a trailing arm that comprises an I−beam portion having a web section, a first flange and a second flange, wherein a thickness of the first flange varies along a length thereof. The suspension system further includes an axle mounting assembly operably coupling the axle to the trailing arms.