International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC

International Truck and Engine Corporation

Derek K Warinner

James J Korson

Justin W Vig

Robert W Pope

Chad M Harshbarger

An arrangement for mounting a flexible-bladder air spring to a mounting plate. A first end-plate of a flexible-bladder air spring has a retention projection fixedly attached to it and the retention projection defines a retention recess into itself in directions parallel to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring. A mounting plate is abutted against the first end-plate and the retention projection mounted to the first end-plate is disposed within a projection recess defined in the mounting plate. A retention pin extends through a pin recess defined through the mounting plate and the retention pin extends into the retention recess defined by the retention projection attached to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring.

Spring-mounting arrangement

A novel suspension-system for a vehicle has two or more leaf-spring groups that vertically support a portion of the weight of a suspended structure of the vehicle. The novel suspension-system further includes pneumatic springs that are engaged to spring-support components of the novel suspension-system and also the suspended structure supported by the novel suspension-system in such a manner that the pneumatic springs assist the leaf-spring groups of the novel suspension system in vertically supporting the weight of the suspended structure.

Suspension system for a vehicle

The invention is a compressible fluid suspension system using a compressible fluid spring, like an air spring, communicating with a reservoir for auxiliary volume of compressible fluid. The reservoir is located within an axle.

Compressible fluid suspension system

A suspension system for the steering axle of a vehicle chassis includes a right side air spring and a left side air spring. In the preferred embodiment leading rigid arms link each end of the steering axle to a pivoting mount on the chassis and transmits brake reaction torque as a lifting force to the chassis. Spring half leaf trailing links connect each end of the steering axle to the chassis, rigid leading arms provide anti-roll capacity as well as help in locating and stabilizing axle position.

Front air spring suspension with anti-dive and anti-roll properties

A suspension system for a vehicle frame from a steering axle has first and second controllable rate springs mounted above the steering axle and below the frame to support a portion of vehicle weight. A trailing V-link member is mounted to pivot on its vertex on a cross-member of the frame forward of the steering axle. The opposite ends of the V-link member are pivotally connected to opposing ends of the steering axle allowing the V-link member to constrain fore to aft movement of the steering axle, lateral displacement of the steering axle and frame roll. A pitman and trailing draglink from a steering gear on the frame to the steering axle controls steering. First and second shackle assemblies depend from the frame aft of the steering axle. First and second leading arms are suspended from the shackle assemblies to permit longitudinal translation of the first and second leading arms relative to the frame. The leading arms are rigidly connected to the opposing ends of the steering, axle to constrain rotation of the steering axle and the trailing V-link member about the vertex of the V-link member. Shock absorbers for damping motion between the steering axle and the frame are positioned adjacent the controllable rate springs.

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New Haven, IN, United States of America

Derek K Warinner