US 12,109,865 B2
Deadbeam based rear suspension system for BEV driven axle
Shane Edward Foley, Livonia, MI (US); Jeffrey Michael Hatt, Livonia, MI (US); Geoff Lawrence Gordon, Novi, MI (US); Carl Montgomery, Madison Heights, MI (US); Steve Scott Allen, Saline, MI (US); and Derek Moore, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/842,277.
Prior Publication US 2023/0406055 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B60G 3/20 (2006.01); B60G 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 3/20 (2013.01) [B60G 7/02 (2013.01); B60G 2204/422 (2013.01); B60G 2300/50 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle suspension system comprising:
a deadbeam extended between a first wheel at a first end of the deadbeam and a second wheel at a second end of the deadbeam;
an electric motor disposed proximate to the deadbeam;
a lateral link operably coupling the deadbeam to a chassis of the vehicle;
a first half shaft operably coupled to the first wheel and the electric motor;
a second half shaft operably coupled to the second wheel and the electric motor;
a first suspension assembly operably coupling the first wheel to the chassis; and
a second suspension assembly operably coupling the second wheel to the chassis,
wherein the deadbeam is disposed entirely rearward of the electric motor,
wherein the first suspension assembly and the second suspension assembly each comprise one or more longitudinal links operably coupling the deadbeam to the chassis,
wherein the one or more longitudinal links extend from a position forward of the first and second half shafts, past the first and second half shafts, to a position rearward of the first and second half shafts where the one or more longitudinal links operably couple to the deadbeam rearward of the first and second half shafts, and
wherein the deadbeam extends linearly at least from the first half shaft to the second half shaft,
wherein the first suspension assembly comprises an upper link extending above the first half shaft between the chassis and a first portion of the deadbeam, and a lower link extending below the first half shaft between the chassis and a second portion of the deadbeam.