초록 ▼

A front suspension for a tractor has an axle that is pivotally coupled to an axle carrier to pivot about a substantially longitudinal axis. The axle carrier, in turn, is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the vehicle to pivot about a generally vertical axis. The front end of the axle carrier is su

A front suspension for a tractor has an axle that is pivotally coupled to an axle carrier to pivot about a substantially longitudinal axis. The axle carrier, in turn, is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the vehicle to pivot about a generally vertical axis. The front end of the axle carrier is supported by a counter frame that prevents the axle carrier from twisting about a longitudinal axis. The counter frame is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the tractor to pivot about a generally lateral and horizontal axis. Both the axle carrier and the counter frame are constrained to pivot about the common horizontal and lateral axis with respect to the chassis of the tractor. Springs are coupled between the counter frame and the chassis of the tractor to control the pivoting of the counter frame with respect to the tractor and provide shock absorbing for the front suspension.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A front suspension for a chassis of an agricultural tractor, comprising: a front axle having a laterally extending central portion with left and right ends, the axle further including left and right steerable wheel hubs pivotally coupled to the left and right ends, respectively, of the

I claim: 1. A front suspension for a chassis of an agricultural tractor, comprising: a front axle having a laterally extending central portion with left and right ends, the axle further including left and right steerable wheel hubs pivotally coupled to the left and right ends, respectively, of the central portion, wherein the left and right hubs pivot with respect to the central portion about left and right vertical axes, respectively; an axle carrier pivotally coupled to the axle to permit the axle to pivot with respect to the axle carrier about a first axis; and a counter frame pivotally coupled to the axle carrier to permit the axle carrier to pivot with respect to the counter frame about a second axis; wherein the counter frame is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the tractor to pivot with respect to the chassis about a third axis. 2. The front suspension of claim 1, wherein the counter frame has a front end and a rear end and further wherein the counter frame is coupled to the chassis at the rear end, and further wherein the front end of the counter frame defines a first track for pivotal motion of the axle carrier about the second axis. 3. The front suspension of claim 2, wherein the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis. 4. The front suspension of claim 3, wherein the second and third axes are co-planar. 5. The front suspension of claim 1, wherein the axle carrier is constrained to pivot with respect to the counter frame about the second axis and further wherein the second axis is constrained to be orthogonal to the first axis. 6. The front suspension of claim 5, wherein the second axis is co-planar with the first axis. 7. The front suspension of claim 1, wherein the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis. 8. The front suspension of claim 2, wherein the axle carrier has a front carrier end and a rear carrier end, and further wherein the axle carrier is pivotally coupled to the chassis at the rear carrier end, and further wherein the front carrier end of the axle carrier is supported by at least one roller disposed to ride on the first track. 9. The front suspension of claim 8, wherein the at least one roller includes at least two rollers, and further wherein the counter frame includes a second track parallel to and spaced apart from the first track, and further wherein the first and second tracks face each other and support opposite sides of both of the two rollers. 10. The front suspension of claim 8 wherein the front axle is pivotally coupled to the front end of the axle carrier, wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the second axis, and further wherein the first axis is generally orthogonal to the third axis when the wheel hubs are disposed in a straight-ahead position. 11. The front suspension of claim 1, wherein the front axle is pivotally coupled to a front end of the axle carrier, wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the second axis, and further wherein the first axis is generally orthogonal to the third axis when the wheel hubs are disposed in a straight-ahead position. 12. A front suspension for an agricultural tractor having a chassis, comprising: a front axle having a laterally extending beam portion with left and right ends, the axle further including left and right wheel hubs pivotally coupled to the respective left and right ends of the beam portion to pivot with respect to the beam portion about generally vertical and parallel left and right axes; an axle carrier coupled to the axle to define a first axis of relative rotation of the axle with respect to the axle carrier; a counter frame coupled to the axle carrier to define a second axis of relative rotation of the axle carrier with respect to the counter frame; an at least one spring coupled to and between the chassis and the counter frame to spring support the front axle and permit translation of the front axle with respect to the chassis wherein the counter frame is coupled to the chassis of the tractor to define a third axis of relative rotation of the counter frame with respect to the chassis. 13. The front suspension of claim 12, wherein the counter frame extends longitudinally and has opposing first and second longitudinal ends, and wherein the counter frame is coupled to the chassis at the first longitudinal end, and wherein the counter frame supports the axle carrier at the second longitudinal end. 14. The front suspension of claim 13, wherein the second axis is physically constrained to be orthogonal to the third axis, and wherein the first axis is generally orthogonal to the third axis when the wheel hubs are in a straight-ahead position. 15. The front suspension of claim 14, wherein the third axis is physically constrained to be co-planar with the second axis in every operating position of the counter frame with respect to the chassis and in every operating position of the axle carrier with respect to the chassis. 16. The front suspension of claim 12, wherein the axle carrier extends longitudinally, having a front end that is supported on anti-friction bearings to pivot with respect to the counter frame, and having a rear end that is pivotally fixed to the chassis. 17. The front suspension of claim 16, wherein the second axis intersects the first axis in every working position of the axle with respect to the axle carrier and in every working position of the axle carrier with respect to the counter frame. 18. The front suspension of claim 12, wherein the counter frame is pivotally coupled to the chassis by at least two spaced-apart pivot joints that define the third axis, and further wherein the axle carrier is coupled to the chassis at a joint disposed between the two spaced-apart pivot joints. 19. The front suspension of claim 18, wherein the joint coupling the axle carrier to the chassis is a universal joint. 20. The front suspension of claim 19, wherein the second axis extends through the universal joint in every working position of the axle carrier. 21. The front suspension of claim 20, wherein the second axis and the third axis intersect each other.