초록 ▼

A wheel camber adjustment linkage of the disclosure is utilized with a vehicle independent suspension system to sense and correct an improper wheel camber angle condition. The linkage includes first and second portions associated with a suspension control arm on which an adjustable joint is mounted.

A wheel camber adjustment linkage of the disclosure is utilized with a vehicle independent suspension system to sense and correct an improper wheel camber angle condition. The linkage includes first and second portions associated with a suspension control arm on which an adjustable joint is mounted. The first linkage portion senses the angular relationship between the control arm and a wheel supporting member mounted on the control arm by the adjustable joint. The second linkage portion senses the angular relationship between the control arm and the sprung mass of the vehicle. The angular relationships sensed by the two linkage portions are compared so as to determine whether adjustment of the joint is necessary to correct the wheel camber angle. If correction is required, the angular linkage movement during suspension jounce provides the impetus for the adjustment. Each linkage portion preferably includes a push-pull link and a lever pivoted to each other. The push-pull link of the first linkage portion is connected to the wheel supporting member and the push-pull link of the second linkage portion is connected to the sprung vehicle mass. The levers of the linkage portions are pivotally connected to each other about a first axis and one of the levers is pivoted to the control arm about a second axis that is spaced from the first axis. The other lever supports a pair of pawls that are positioned on opposite sides of a toothed input member of the adjustable joint. A positive or negative wheel camber angle causes one or the other of the pawls to engage the input member so as to adjust the joint as the linkage moves angularly.

대표청구항 ▼

In a vehicle independent suspension system including a control arm pivoted to the sprung mass of the vehicle, an adjustable joint mounted on the control arm, and a wheel supporting member mounted on the control arm by the joint for vertical movement with respect to the sprung mass of the vehicle dur

In a vehicle independent suspension system including a control arm pivoted to the sprung mass of the vehicle, an adjustable joint mounted on the control arm, and a wheel supporting member mounted on the control arm by the joint for vertical movement with respect to the sprung mass of the vehicle during suspension jounce, a wheel camber adjustment linkage comprising: a first linkage portion extending between the wheel supporting member and the control arm so as to sense the angular relationship between the wheel supporting member and the control arm; the first linkage portion moving angularly during suspension jounce as the wheel supporting member moves vertically; a second linkage portion extending between the sprung mass of the vehicle and the control arm so as to sense the angular relationship between the control arm and the sprung mass of the vehicle; the second linkage portion moving angularly during suspension jounce as the wheel supporting member moves vertically; means for comparing the angular relationships sensed by the first and second linkage portions to determine whether the wheel supporting member is angularly oriented so the camber angle of a wheel supported thereby is proper; and means for selectively connecting the linkage to the adjustable joint to provide adjustment thereof if the camber angle sensed by the comparing means is not proper, the connecting means utilizing suspension jounce through the connected linkage as the impetus for adjustment of the joint so as to correct the wheel camber angle, and the connecting means disconnecting the joint from the linkage when the wheel camber angle sensed by the comparing means is proper.