WALKING BEAM SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A walking beam suspension assembly may include, but is not limited to: a beam portion including: a central body portion; and at least one mounting bushing disposed through the beam portion; a linkage rotatably coupled to the frame portion via at least one linkage pivot bushing; and one or more elastically deformable members coupled to the linkage and configured to abut the central body portion.

Claims

1. A walking beam suspension assembly comprising: a beam portion including at least one substantially planar surface; a linkage rotatably coupled to the beam; and one or more elastically deformable members, each including a first side and an opposite second side, the second side defining a substantially planar surface; wherein the linkage is coupled to the first side of the one or more elastically deformable members, wherein the at least one substantially planar surface of the beam portion is coupled to the at least one substantially planar surface of the one or more elastically deformable members, and wherein the at least one at least one substantially planar surface of the beam portion and the at least one substantially planar surface of the one or more elastically deformable members are both substantially perpendicular to an axis of compression and extension of at least one of the one or more elastically deformable members.

2. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more elastically deformable members includes: one or more air bags operably coupled to at least one compressed air source.

3. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more elastically deformable members includes: one or more rubber structures.

4. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured to rotate, relative to a neutral position of the one or more elastically deformable members, from about +15 degrees to 15 degrees.

5. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one frame mounting bracket coupled to the beam portion.

6. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one axle support.

7. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one axle support includes: at least one axle mounting bracket.

8. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one axle mounting bracket includes: at least one at least partially arcuate axle mounting bracket.

9. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one axle mounting bracket includes: at least one substantially rectilinear axle mounting bracket.

10. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one axle support includes: a tube portion; a rigid torsion shaft disposed within the tube portion; and one or more elastic torsion rounds disposed about the rigid torsion shaft within the tube portion.

11. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one snubber assembly.

12. A walking beam suspension assembly comprising: a beam portion; at least one mounting bushing disposed through the beam portion; a linkage rotatably coupled to the beam portion via at least one linkage pivot bushing; one or more elastically deformable members coupled to the linkage; and at least one snubber assembly including at least one snubber member coupled to the beam portion via at least one through-bolt routed through: an aperture in the beam portion, an at least partially arcuate slot in the linkage, and an aperture in the at least one snubber member.

13. An axle support comprising: a tube portion; a rigid torsion shaft disposed within the tube portion; one or more elastic torsion rounds disposed about the rigid torsion shaft within the tube portion; and a through-hole disposed in the rigid torsion shaft and configured to receive a bolt.

14. The axle support of claim 13, further comprising: at least one axle mounting bracket.

15. The axle support of claim 14, wherein the at least one axle mounting bracket includes: at least one at least partially arcuate axle mounting bracket.

16. The axle support of claim 14, wherein the at least one axle mounting bracket includes: at least one substantially rectilinear axle mounting bracket.

17. A walking beam suspension assembly comprising: a beam portion; a linkage rotatably coupled to the beam portion; one or more elastically deformable members operably coupled to the linkage; and at least one axle support operably coupled to the linkage, wherein the axel support is operably coupled to the linkage at a position on the linkage that is between the coupling of the linkage to the beam portion and the coupling of the linkage to the one or more elastically deformable members.

18. The walking beam suspension assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one axle support includes: at least one axle mounting bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0003] FIG. 1 shows a cut-away environmental view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0004] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0005] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0006] FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0007] FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0008] FIG. 6 shows a cut-away view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0009] FIG. 7 shows a cut-away view of an axle support of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0010] FIG. 8 shows a cut-away view of an axle support of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0011] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a walking beam suspension assembly;

[0012] FIG. 10 shows a cut-away view of an axle support of a walking beam suspension assembly; and

[0013] FIG. 11 shows an environmental view of a walking beam suspension assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain embodiments and specific features thereof. The embodiments set forth herein are taken to be illustrative rather than limiting. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-11 embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a walking beam suspension assembly 101.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an environmental view of a walking beam suspension assembly 101 is shown. In one example, the walking beam suspension assembly 101 may be operably coupled to one or more axle members 201 of one or more vehicle wheel assemblies 202. The walking beam suspension assembly 101 may then be operably coupled to a vehicle or trailer body frame via a frame mounting bracket as further described below. The walking beam suspension assembly 101 may serve to dissipate vibration and/or shock to a vehicle as the vehicle wheel assemblies 202 traverse a road surface.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the walking beam suspension assembly 101 may include a beam portion 102, a frame mounting bracket 103, and one or more axle supports 104. The beam portion 102 may include a first beam panel 105A and a second beam panel 105B. The first beam panel 105A and the second beam panel 105B may be constructed via a stamping process such that an exterior flanged perimeter ridge 106C is formed to provide enhanced structural integrity for the overall beam portion 102. The various components of the walking beam suspension assembly 101 may be disposed within a cavity defined by the first beam panel 105A and the second beam panel 105B. The frame mounting bracket 103 may be coupled to the beam portion 102 via a mounting bushing 107 disposed within a through-hole 108 defined by the beam portion 102. The beam portion 102 may be configured for rotation 109 relative to the frame mounting bracket 103 around the mounting bushing 107.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, a cut-away view of the walking beam suspension assembly 101 is shown with the first beam panel 105A of the beam portion 102 removed. The beam portion 102 may further include a central body portion 110 disposed between the first beam panel 105A and the second beam panel 105B. In one example, the central body portion 110 may have an A-frame configuration including a first central body surface 111A oriented at least partially toward a first end 112A of the walking beam suspension assembly 101 and a second central body surface 111B oriented at least partially toward a second end 112B of the walking beam suspension assembly 101.

[0019] The walking beam suspension assembly 101 may include a shock absorbing assembly 113. The shock absorbing assembly 113 may include a linkage 114. The linkage 114 may include one or more linkage plates 114A and/or 114B which are rotatably coupled to the beam portion 102 via an linkage pivot bushing 115 retained by a locking nut 116. The linkage 114 may each include an arcuate slot 117 which may allow for limited travel of the linkage 114 relative to the beam portion 102 as the linkage 114 rotates about the linkage pivot bushing 115.

[0020] The shock absorbing assembly 113 may further include one or more elastically deformable members 118. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the elastically deformable members 118 may include one or more air bags 118A (e.g., one or more FD 120-20 CI Double Convolution Air Actuators manufactured by Continental Industry) operably coupled to a compressed air source (not shown). In another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the elastically deformable members 118 may include one or more rubber ride members 118B having one or more cutouts allowing for elastic deformation.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the elastically deformable members 118 may be configured to abut or otherwise physically engage a central body surface 111 of the central body portion 110 such that movement of the linkage 114 results in compression or expansion of the elastically deformable members 118 relative to the central body surface 111. For example, the axle supports 104 may be coupled to the linkage 114 such than an application of force 119 to the axle supports 104 (e.g., an upward force 119B induced by vehicle wheel assemblies 202 attached to the axle supports 104 encountering a bump; or downward force induced by vehicle wheel assemblies 202 attached to the axle supports 104 encountering a depression in a road surface) may induce rotation 120 of the linkage 114 about the linkage pivot bushing 115 so as to travel within the beam portion 102 and either compress the elastically deformable members 118 (e.g., as shown with respect to elastically deformable member 118B) against a central body surface 111 of the central body portion 110 or pull the elastically deformable members 118 (e.g., as shown with respect to elastically deformable member 118A) away from the central body portion 110. Such movements by the elastically deformable members 118 serve to provide a shock-absorbing response to the force 119. In one example, as shown in FIG. 5, the linkage 114 may travel between an up-angle of +15 (e.g., responsive to force 119A) to down-angle of 15 (e.g., responsive to force 119B) relative a neutral midpoint 121 within the arcuate slot 117. Such a configuration permits for a 30 range of motion for the axle supports 104 and associated axle members 201/vehicle wheel assemblies 202.

[0022] Such a configuration may serve to reduce the force applied to the elastically deformable members 118 of the shock absorbing assembly 113 as compared to conventional, under-frame configurations of similar structures. In one example, the employment of the pivoting linkages 114 may reduce the forces applied to the elastically deformable members 118 by half relative to conventional, under-frame configurations of air bags. This may be accomplished via the additional pivot points provided by the linkage pivot bushing 115 may, when combined with the rotation 109 of the beam portion 102 around the mounting bushing 107, serving as additional force equalizers to further smooth load handling by the walking beam suspension assembly 101. The ability of each of the axle members 201 of a vehicle to articulate independently of the beam portion 102 via their associated shock absorbing assembly 113 further dampens any vibrations. It will be recognized above-referenced departure angle values are merely exemplary and additional ranges are contemplated depending on the potential degree of force 119 applied to the axle supports 104, the required travel distance of the linkage 114, and the elastic capabilities of the elastically deformable members 118.

[0023] Further referring to FIG. 5, a linkage 114 may including an additional pivot point 131 couplable to a bracket 132 supporting the elastically deformable members 118. The pivot point 131 may allow for an additional range of motion for the linkage 114 so as to permit the elastically deformable members 118 to expand and contract in a manner more perpendicular to the central body surface 111 so as to minimize shear forces at the connection between the elastically deformable members 118 and the central body surface 111.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, the walking beam suspension assembly 101 may further include at least one snubber assembly 122. Referring to FIGS. 3,4 and 6, the snubber assembly 122 may retained in position by a slot bolt 123 and slot bushing 124. The slot bolt 123 may be routed through an aperture in the first beam panel 105A, the arcuate slot 117 in the linkage 114, an aperture in the snubber assembly 122, and an aperture in the second beam panel 105B. The snubber assembly 122 may include multiple through-holes 125 such that the snubber assembly 122 can act as a supplemental compressively deformable support member operating as a stop or limiter to protect the elastically deformable members 118 in the case where the elastically deformable members 118 are subject to a force above their intended capacity. In one example, the snubber assembly 122 may be constructed of a progressive-type rubber such as those manufactured by Timbren Industries. As a linkage 114 rotates about the linkage pivot bushing 115, a rib 126 on a back side of the elastically deformable members 118 may be brought into contact with the snubber assembly 122 thereby compressing the snubber assembly 122 to dissipate a portion of the force associated with movement/response of the shock absorbing assembly 113 and maintain the elastically deformable members 118 in contact with the central body surface 111 of the central body portion 110.

[0025] Referring again to FIGS. 6-7, the shock absorbing assembly 113 may include axle supports 104 disposed between and coupled to (e.g., welded to) the linkage 114. Referring to FIG. 7, an axle support 104 may include an axle mounting bracket 127 operably coupled to a tube portion 128 with the tube portion 128 being disposed between and coupled to (e.g., welded to) the linkages 114.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 8, a view of the axle support 104 is shown with the tube portion 128 removed. Internal to the tube portion 128, the axle support 104 may include a rigid torsion shaft 129 (e.g., a shaft constructed from high-grade steel such as 4140 steel) disposed internal to one or more elastic torsion rounds 130 (e.g., Progressive-type rubber members). The torsion rounds 130 may be configured to permit a degree of flex and/or rotation of the axle mounting bracket 127 and attached axle members 201 relative to the rest of the walking beam suspension assembly 101 to further dissipate vibrations and/or shock.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the axle mounting bracket 127 may be a saddle-type bracket where the axle mounting bracket 127 includes and arcuate portion dimensioned to at least partially encircle a cylindrical axle members 201 of the vehicle wheel assemblies 202 (e.g., as on various trailer axle members 201). Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the axle mounting bracket 127 may include one more wall structures defining a substantially rectilinear channel portion 131 dimensioned to at least partially receive rectilinear axle members 201 of the vehicle wheel assemblies 202 (e.g., as on various truck axle members 201).

[0028] One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components, devices, objects, operations, and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken as limiting.

[0029] The previous description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. As used herein, directional terms such as top, bottom, over, under, upper, upward, lower, down, and downward are intended to provide relative positions for purposes of description, and are not intended to designate an absolute frame of reference. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed.

[0030] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0031] It is further contemplated that each of the embodiments of the method described above may include any other step(s) of any other method(s) described herein. In addition, each of the embodiments of the method described above may be performed by any of the systems described herein.

[0032] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, and the like). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, and the like is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, and the like). In those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, or C, and the like is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, and the like). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase A or B will be understood to include the possibilities of A or B or A and B.

[0033] It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims.