A New Independent Springing System
Page 15
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Heyermans Sartoris Arrangement Which Affords True Vertical Wheel Movement and Progressive Spring Resistance
'TWO principal features are claimed for an independent 1 suspension system known as the HeyerrnanS-Sartoris. On the one hand, the geometry of the layout is theoretically perfect, and on the other a simple helical spring gives a deflection load characteristic which is not linear but which provides rapidly increasing resistance as the deflection grows.'
To each wheel there are four links arranged in two pairs, toggle fashion. The joint between' the two links of one pair has its axis parallel with the axes of the joints 'connecting the same links to the chassis and to the wheel. With this arrangement the moving end of the link is restricted to a plane at right angles to these axes.
As the two pairs are arranged at right angles to one another, a result is that the freedom is restricted to a straight line parallel with the intersection of the two planes concerned. In short, the wheel rises vertically, so that no gyroscopic effect occurs, and there is no alteration to the track or to the wheelbase.
As this restriction to straight-line motion depends upon the smallness of the sum of the play in three bearings, it is obvious that these parts of the mechanism are of con siderable importance. It is understood, however, that needle-roller bearings have proved satisfactory, and that the system has been tested extensively on. the road, when applied to the front wheels of a 14 hp. private car.
Each suspension unit is, in this case, mounted upon the steering pivot, -so -that the axle is sprung. Additionally, the track rod and the drag link are pot. affected by the vertical movement of the road wheels.
' Reverting •-to the -spring characteristics, the progressive action is obtained by anchoring one end of.a helical corn
pression spring to a bell-crank-extension of one of the links. This gives a varying leverage as the arm end moves on the arc of a circle and, in consequence, the effective strength of the spring can be arranged to increase materially as the wheel rises higher in -relation to the chassis.
We are indebted for particulars of this suspension system and for the opportunity of preparing a drawing of a working model to Mr. Stanley Rhodes, of Joseph Rhodes and Son, Ltd., 95, New Street, Birmingham.