Saf-Holland Gmbh

Greg Galazin

Roger L Jansen, Iii

Greg Thorwall

Bill Broene

Ed Hammer

Dan Dykstra

Roger L Iii Jansen

Roger L Jansen

A suspension assembly includes an axle member, a first trailing beam assembly and a second trailing beam assembly. The first trailing beam assembly and the second trailing beam assembly each include a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame and a second end that includes a downwardly opening recess, wherein the recess includes an outer periphery, the axle member is positioned within the recess, and wherein a weld extends about the entire periphery of the recess, thereby securing the trailing beams to the axle member.

Trailing arm suspension beam assembly

A method for making a vehicle suspension assembly includes forming a beam having a forward end defining a pivot, and a rearward end having an axle-receiving opening therethrough defined by a surface. At least a portion of the surface is generally cylindrical, and the surface defines a first diameter when the beam is at a first temperature. The method further includes providing an axle defining an axis and having a generally cylindrical outer surface portion defining a second diameter when the axle is at the first temperature, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The method further includes raising the temperature of the beam to expand the axle-receiving opening. The axle is then inserted into the axle-receiving opening while the opening is expanded due to the elevated temperature. The temperature of the beam is then lowered to provide a tight interference fit between the beam and the axle member.

Shrink fit suspension arrangement

A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels includes a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end a second end, and a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, wherein the frame bracket assemblies are operably coupled to opposite sides of the frame bracket, and wherein the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprises a substantially cylindrically-shaped bushing. The suspension system also includes a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonsymmetrical, thereby causing a nonsymmetrical compression of the bushing about the pivot axis. The suspension system also includes embodiments wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonuniform, thereby reducing rotation of the bushing with respect to the trailing arm, wherein a mating surface of each trailing arm operably coupled to the first and second end of the axle comprise a cavity, thereby reducing a localized stress transferred from the trailing arm to the axle, wherein the second end of each trailing arm further comprises a lip extending radially outward from the aperture and at least one engagement surface extending radially outward from the lip and adapted to abut a bushing-removal tool, as well as other improvements.

Trailing arm suspension with optimized I-beam

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Muskegon, MI, United States of America

Greg Galazin