Interlocking suspension bracket for an inverted portal axle
View Patent ↗An axle assembly is provided that includes an axle. The axle assembly may be of an inverted portal axle configuration. The axle includes a boss having a threaded aperture. A suspension component, such as a suspension arm, may be secured to the axle by a fastener received by the threaded aperture. A bracket may be arranged in engagement with the boss between the suspension arm and the axle. The bracket may be used to connect a torsion bar to the axle. The bracket includes an aperture with the fastener disposed within the bracket aperture. The fastener, which is common for the suspension arm and bracket, creates a clamping load on the bracket. Moreover, the suspension arm and the torsion bar bracket share a common boss.
1. An axle assembly comprising:
an axle having a first aperture;
a first suspension component having a second aperture;
a bracket having a third aperture and a torque rod attached to said bracket; and
a fastener disposed within said first, second, and third apertures to secure said bracket and said first suspension component to said axle.
2. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein said bracket is interposed between said axle and said first suspension component.
3. The axle assembly of claim 2 wherein said axle and said first suspension component exert a clamping force on said bracket.
4. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein said first suspension component is a suspension arm.
5. An axle assembly comprising:
an axle having a first aperture;
a first suspension component having a second aperture;
a bracket having a third aperture; and
a fastener disposed within said first, second, and third apertures to secure said bracket and said first suspension component to said axle, wherein a portion of said bracket extends away from said first suspension component and said portion is secured to said axle with a second fastener.
6. An axle assembly comprising:
an axle having a threaded aperture;
a first suspension component having another aperture;
a bracket interposed between said axle and said first suspension component; and
a first fastener disposed within said another aperture and threadingly received by said threaded aperture to secure said first suspension component to said axle.
7. The axle assembly of claim 6 wherein said axle and said first suspension component exert a clamping force on said bracket.
8. The axle assembly of claim 6 having a second suspension component attached to said bracket by a second fastener extending through said bracket and into said axle securing said second suspension component and bracket to said axle.
9. The axle assembly of claim 8 wherein said second suspension component is a torque rod.
10. An axle assembly comprising:
an axle having a first aperture;
a first suspension component having a second aperture;
a bracket interposed between said axle and said first suspension component; and
a fastener disposed within said first and second apertures to secure said suspension component to said axle, wherein said first suspension component is a suspension arm.
11. An axle assembly comprising:
an axle having a first aperture;
a first suspension component having a second aperture;
a bracket interposed between said axle and said first suspension component; and
a fastener disposed within said first and second apertures to secure said suspension component to said axle, wherein a portion of said bracket extends away from said first suspension component and said portion is secured to said axle with a second fastener.