| 摘要 |
A suspension assembly for supporting an axle (17) on a vehicle frame includes a pair of transversely spaced (21') hangers mounted on and depending from the frame (11, 12, 13). Each one of a pair of longitudinally extending control arms is pivotally attached at one end of its ends to a respective one of the hangers (21'), and at the other of its ends to a respective one of a pair of axle seats (23'). The axle seats rigidly capture the transversely extending axle. A support member (35) is attached to and extends longitudinally rearwardly from each of the axle seats for mounting an air spring (30) and a shock absorber (31). Each of the air springs and shock absorbers extend upwardly from its respective support member and is attached to the frame. A generally rigid torque box (40) is immovably attached at one of its ends to the frame, and the other if its ends to the axle (17). The torque box is a hollow fabrication closed at each of its attachment ends by a mounting tube. A shaft having at least one busing molded abou the shaft is press fit into each of the tubes. The three components of the suspension assembly (27', 40) react the various loads imposed on the axle during operation of the vehicle, including vertical, lateral and longitudinal forces, and roll and yaw movements of the axle, without the use of traditional beams, thereby saving parts and/or complexity, cost and weight. The suspension assembly advanteously minimizes axle wind-up. |
