Leading link type independent systems

Abstract

In a leading link type independent suspension system a pair of leading links are mounted for oscillating movement on the vehicle chassis. A half axle is fixed to each leading link and is pivotally connected to a stub axle by a vertical swivel pin. An assembly mounted between each link and its half axle comprises a deformable chamber disposed in parallel with an anti-roll damper, a clevis with a vertical pivot axis connecting the deformable chamber to an arm fixed to its leading link. One of the ends of each anti-roll damper is connected to its associated clevis. A connecting bar with ball joints interconnects the clevises of the pair of leading links. The half axles are blocked by pneumatic jacks during backing up movement of the vehicle. A safety microswitch controls the supply of compressed air to the deformable chamber and is mounted on each leading link for detecting pivotal movements of the associated half axle.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. An independent suspension system of the leading link type for a vehicle, in which a pair of independent leading links are mounted on vehicle frame for oscillating movement, comprising a half axle fixed to each leading link, a stub axle pivotally connected to each half axle by a vertical swivel pin, an assembly mounted between each leading link and its associated half axle including an elastic chamber disposed in parallel with an anti-roll damper, a vertical axis pivot mounting effectively connecting said elastic chamber to its leading link, one of the ends of said anti-roll damper being connected to said vertical axis pivot mounting, and a ball-jointed connecting bar interconnecting both said vertical axis pivot mountings. 
     
     
       2. A suspension system according to claim 1, wherein each said elastic chamber is connected to a buffer vessel through an equalizing valve, a conduit connecting said buffer vessel with a compressed air circuit of the vehicle for supplying compressed air to said buffer vessel. 
     
     
       3. A suspension system according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure control device disposed in the conduit supplying compressed air to said buffer vessel. 
     
     
       4. A suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the blocking of said half axles during backing up movement of the vehicle comprising a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit mounted on each said leading link and adapted to block displacements of its elastic chamber and a control circuit for said pneumatic piston and cylinder unit including an electrically operated valve, means for controlling said valve and a warning signal circuit responsive to said safety valve. 
     
     
       5. A suspension system according to claim 4, further comprising a microswitch for controlling the supply of compressed air to said elastic chamber mounted on each said leading link and detecting pivotal movements of its associated half axle. 
     
     
       6. A suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising an arm fixed to each half shaft and connecting said elastic chamber to its leading link.