A vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system

Abstract

This invention discloses a vertical-tilt motion decoupling control suspension system, comprising a rocker arm assembly, a cross rocker arm, a spring damping assembly, and a link assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes a left rocker arm and a right rocker arm; the spring damping assembly includes a first spring damper, a second spring damper, and a third spring damper; the link assembly includes links corresponding to the ends of the three spring dampers, as well as a first link and a second link; the cross rocker arm consists of four stacked rotating plates, with the two middle rotating plates forming the first cross rocker arm and the two outer rotating plates forming the second cross rocker arm, the first and second cross rocker arms being arranged in an X-shape. This invention simplifies the rocker arm structure, achieving the goal of decoupling the linear and angular stiffness of the suspension in a simpler way by adding two cross rocker arms forming an X-shape in the middle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle suspension technology, and more specifically, to a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, decoupled suspensions commonly used in racing cars typically employ a combination of a commutator, two springs, and a shock absorber. Damping can be directly adjusted, or the linear and angular stiffness can be decoupled by replacing the springs. Structurally, this results in significant weight reduction and is very convenient for tuning. However, on bumpy roads or when encountering curbs, there is a noticeable decrease in vibration filtering performance, weakened ground contact, and significant changes in dynamic load. Compared to suspensions with a three-spring and stabilizer bar combination, its performance has significant drawbacks. Furthermore, the design of the commutator and the calculation of damping conditions are extremely complex and difficult.

[0003] In addition, common decoupled suspensions include three-spring suspensions and opposed double wishbone suspensions. Three-spring suspensions add a third spring to the traditional two-spring suspension. The third spring's function is to suppress pitch, increasing suspension stiffness, tire rebound speed, suspension response speed, and road grip without increasing roll stiffness. However, the three-spring structure is not completely decoupled; linear stiffness can be adjusted by adjusting the third spring, but angular stiffness cannot be changed without altering linear stiffness. Opposed double wishbone suspensions, typically used for racing cars, are often of greater freedom and are of unequal length. While offering high reliability, they cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of comfort and handling. Their linear and angular stiffness are coupled. For example, increasing spring stiffness increases steering stability, but high spring stiffness leads to increased sensitivity to the road surface, reducing tire grip; conversely, insufficient spring stiffness results in a larger roll angle.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved decoupled suspension system to overcome the many problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system, the specific technical solution of which is as follows:

[0006] A vertical-tilt motion decoupling control suspension system comprises four parts: a rocker arm assembly, a cross rocker arm, a spring damping assembly, and a link assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes a left rocker arm and a right rocker arm. The spring damping assembly includes a first spring damper, a second spring damper, and a third spring damper. The link assembly includes links corresponding to the ends of the three spring dampers, as well as a first link and a second link. The two sides of the first spring damper are hinged to the corresponding upper positions of the left and right rocker arms. The cross rocker arm consists of four stacked rotating plates, each with a central through hole. The corresponding ends of the two middle rotating plates are connected vertically to form a first cross rocker arm. The corresponding ends of the two outer rotating plates are connected vertically to form a second cross rocker arm. The first cross rocker arm and... The second cross rocker arm is arranged in an X-shape via a cross rocker arm shaft integrally disposed within the central through hole, and the first cross rocker arm and the second cross rocker arm can rotate in the same plane around the cross rocker arm shaft; the two ends of the first cross rocker arm are respectively hinged to the rod end of the first connecting rod and the second spring damper, the other side of the corresponding rod end of the first connecting rod is hinged to the corresponding near-middle position of the left rocker arm, and the other side of the corresponding rod end of the second spring damper is hinged to the corresponding near-middle position of the right rocker arm; the two ends of the second cross rocker arm are respectively hinged to the rod end of the second connecting rod and the third spring damper, the other side of the corresponding rod end of the second connecting rod is hinged to the corresponding near-middle position of the right rocker arm, and the other side of the corresponding rod end of the third spring damper is hinged to the corresponding near-middle position of the left rocker arm.

[0007] This invention simplifies the structure of the rocker arm. By adding two cross rocker arms that form an X shape in the middle, the goal of decoupling the linear stiffness and angular stiffness of the suspension is achieved in a simpler way. Decoupling makes the vertical stiffness damping and the roll stiffness damping independent of each other, which is convenient for adjustment.

[0008] Preferably, the four rotating plates are shuttle-shaped plates of the same shape and size.

[0009] Preferably, the left rocker arm and the right rocker arm have the same structure, each including two rocker arm pieces of the same shape and size; the two rocker arm pieces are arranged in parallel, and a first ball joint is installed between their corresponding upper positions; the corresponding rod end of the first spring damper extends into the space between the two rocker arm pieces on both sides, and is hinged to the first ball joint on the left rocker arm and the right rocker arm.

[0010] Preferably, a second ball joint is installed between the two rocker arms near their respective middle positions; the corresponding end of the first connecting rod is hinged to one of the outer shaft ends C1 of the second ball joint a on the left rocker arm, the corresponding end of the third spring damper is hinged to the other outer shaft end A1 of the second ball joint a on the left rocker arm, the corresponding end of the second connecting rod is hinged to one of the outer shaft ends C2 of the second ball joint b on the right rocker arm, and the corresponding end of the second spring damper is hinged to the other outer shaft end A2 of the second ball joint b on the right rocker arm.

[0011] Preferably, the connection point between the first connecting rod and the first cross rocker arm is D1, and the connection point between the third spring damper and the second cross rocker arm is B1, with the line connecting D1 and B1 parallel to the second ball joint; the connection point between the second connecting rod and the second cross rocker arm is B2, and the connection point between the second spring damper and the first cross rocker arm is D2, with the line connecting B2 and D2 also parallel to the second ball joint.

[0012] Preferably, the first spring damper is used to adjust the dynamic response of vertical motion, and the second spring damper and the third spring damper are used to adjust the dynamic response of lateral motion.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. The design utilizes two intersecting rocker arms instead of the complex steering rocker arm mechanism of traditional decoupled suspensions, greatly simplifying the design of the lateral roll decoupled suspension. Furthermore, as a decoupled suspension, the linear and angular stiffness can be adjusted independently, significantly facilitating suspension system tuning and improving race car performance.

[0015] 2. An innovation was made to the elastic element, using three spring elements, which allows for greater freedom in the overall vehicle tuning. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of a vertical-tilt motion decoupling control suspension system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a vertical motion diagram of a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system according to the present invention. 。

[0021] Figure 5 This is a roll motion diagram of a vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system according to the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Left rocker arm, 2. Right rocker arm, 3. First spring damper, 4. Second spring damper, 5. Third spring damper, 6. First connecting rod, 7. Second connecting rod, 8. First cross rocker arm, 9. Second cross rocker arm, 10. Cross rocker arm shaft, 11. First ball joint, 12-1. Second ball joint a, 12-2. Second ball joint b. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] Example:

[0027] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the present invention discloses a vertical-tilt motion decoupling control suspension system, which consists of four parts: a rocker arm assembly, a cross rocker arm, a spring damping assembly, and a link assembly.

[0028] The rocker arm assembly includes a left rocker arm 1 and a right rocker arm 2; the spring damping assembly includes a first spring damper 3, a second spring damper 4, and a third spring damper 5; the rod assembly includes rods corresponding to the ends of the three spring dampers, as well as a first connecting rod 6 and a second connecting rod 7; the two sides of the first spring damper 3 are hinged to the corresponding upper positions of the left rocker arm 1 and the right rocker arm 2.

[0029] The cross rocker arm consists of four rotating plates stacked vertically, each with a central through hole. The corresponding ends of the two middle rotating plates are connected vertically to form the first cross rocker arm 8. The corresponding ends of the two outer rotating plates are connected vertically to form the second cross rocker arm 9. The first cross rocker arm 8 and the second cross rocker arm 9 are arranged in an X-shape by a cross rocker arm shaft 10 integrally disposed in the central through hole, and the first cross rocker arm 8 and the second cross rocker arm 9 can rotate around the cross rocker arm shaft 10 in the same plane.

[0030] In a further specific embodiment, the four rotating plates are shuttle-shaped plates of the same shape and size, which makes it easier to achieve free rotation of the first cross rocker arm 8 and the second cross rocker arm 9.

[0031] The two ends of the first cross rocker arm 8 are respectively hinged to the rod end of the first connecting rod 6 and the second spring damper 4. The corresponding rod end on the other side of the first connecting rod 6 is hinged to the corresponding position near the middle of the left rocker arm 1. The corresponding rod end on the other side of the second spring damper 4 is hinged to the corresponding position near the middle of the right rocker arm 2.

[0032] The two ends of the second cross rocker arm 9 are respectively hinged to the rod end of the second connecting rod 7 and the third spring damper 5. The corresponding rod end on the other side of the second connecting rod 7 is hinged to the corresponding position near the middle of the right rocker arm 2. The corresponding rod end on the other side of the third spring damper 5 is hinged to the corresponding position near the middle of the left rocker arm 1.

[0033] In other words, with the central axis of the first spring damper 3 as a reference, the first connecting rod 6 and the second connecting rod 7 are located on one side of the central axis, while the second spring damper 4 and the third spring damper 5 are located on the other side of the central axis.

[0034] In a further specific embodiment, the left rocker arm 1 and the right rocker arm 2 have the same structure, each including two rocker arm pieces of the same shape and size; the two rocker arm pieces are arranged in parallel, and a first ball joint 11 is installed between their corresponding upper positions. The corresponding rod end of the first spring damper 3 extends into the space between the two rocker arm pieces on both sides and is hinged to the first ball joint 11 on the left rocker arm 1 and the right rocker arm 2.

[0035] A second ball joint is installed between the two rocker arms near their middle positions; the corresponding end of the first connecting rod 6 is hinged to one of the outer shaft ends C1 of the second ball joint a12-1 on the left rocker arm 1, the corresponding end of the third spring damper 5 is hinged to the other outer shaft end A1 of the second ball joint a12-1 on the left rocker arm 1, the corresponding end of the second connecting rod 7 is hinged to one of the outer shaft ends C2 of the second ball joint b12-2 on the right rocker arm 2, and the corresponding end of the second spring damper 4 is hinged to the other outer shaft end A2 of the second ball joint b12-2 on the right rocker arm 2.

[0036] The connection point between the first link 6 and the first cross rocker arm 8 is D1, and the connection point between the third spring damper 5 and the second cross rocker arm 9 is B1. The line connecting D1 and B1 is parallel to the second ball joint. The connection point between the second link 7 and the second cross rocker arm 9 is B2, and the connection point between the second spring damper 4 and the first cross rocker arm 8 is D2. The line connecting B2 and D2 is also parallel to the second ball joint.

[0037] In this invention, the first spring damper 3 is used to adjust the dynamic response of vertical motion, and the second spring damper 4 and the third spring damper 5 are used to adjust the dynamic response of lateral motion.

[0038] Working principle:

[0039] 1. When the vehicle body only moves vertically, the tire bounces upwards relative to the vehicle body. Under the action of the push rod, the left and right rocker arms move simultaneously inwards towards the vehicle body, and the first spring shock absorber is in a compressed state relative to its static position. Simultaneously, the left and right rocker arms, constrained by ball joints, drive the pistons of the second and third spring shock absorbers to move inwards towards the vehicle body. At this time, the first and second connecting rods, pushed by the left and right rocker arms, cause the first and second cross rocker arms to rotate relative to each other, resulting in the second and third spring shock absorber cylinders having exactly the same displacement as their pistons, thus maintaining the static length of the second and third spring shock absorbers. The same principle applies when the wheel bounces downwards; the first spring shock absorber extends relative to its static position, while the second and third spring shock absorbers maintain their static length.

[0040] 2. When the vehicle body tilts, the left and right wheels bounce in opposite directions relative to the vehicle body. For example, the left tire moves upwards relative to the vehicle body, while the right tire moves downwards. (See also...) Figure 5The left ball joint A1 of the third spring damper moves to the right with the left rocker arm, and the right rocker arm moves to the right, driving the second cross rocker arm to rotate clockwise via the second connecting rod. This causes the right ball joint B1 of the third spring damper to move to the left, compressing the third spring damper. Simultaneously, the right ball joint A2 of the second spring damper moves to the right with the right rocker arm; the left rocker arm moves to the right, driving the first cross rocker arm to rotate clockwise via the first connecting rod. This causes the left ball joint D2 of the second spring damper to move to the left, extending the second spring damper. At the same time, the left rocker arm, constrained by the ball joint, drives the piston of the first spring damper to move to the right. Meanwhile, under the push of the right rocker arm, the cylinder of the first spring damper and its piston have exactly the same displacement, thus maintaining the static original length of the first spring damper. The stroke changes of the second and third spring dampers provide stiffness and damping for the roll motion.

[0041] Figure 4 , Figure 5 The dashed line represents the initial position, and the solid line represents the position after the jump.

[0042] Based on the above working principle, adjusting the upper horizontal spring (first spring damper) can achieve the purpose of adjusting the linear stiffness; adjusting the two lower springs (second spring damper and third spring damper) can achieve the purpose of adjusting the angular stiffness, thus realizing the decoupling of vertical and lateral motion.

[0043] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0044] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A vertical-roll motion decoupling control suspension system characterized by, The rocker assembly is composed of a rocker assembly, a cross rocker, a spring damping assembly, and a rod assembly; the rocker assembly comprises a left rocker and a right rocker; the spring damping assembly comprises a first spring damper, a second spring damper, and a third spring damper; the rod assembly comprises rods corresponding to the ends of the three spring dampers, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod; the corresponding rod ends of the first spring damper are hingedly connected to the corresponding upper positions of the left rocker and the right rocker; the cross rocker is composed of four rotating plates stacked one on top of another; each of the rotating plates is provided with a middle through hole; the corresponding ends of the two rotating plates in the middle are connected to each other, forming a first cross rocker; the corresponding ends of the two rotating plates on the outer layer are connected to each other, forming a second cross rocker; the first cross rocker and the second cross rocker are arranged in an X shape through a cross rocker shaft arranged in the middle through hole, and the first cross rocker and the second cross rocker can rotate around the cross rocker shaft in the same plane; the two ends of the first cross rocker are respectively hingedly connected to the rod end of the first connecting rod and the second spring damper; the corresponding rod end of the other side of the first connecting rod is hingedly connected to the corresponding position close to the middle of the left rocker; the corresponding rod end of the other side of the second spring damper is hingedly connected to the corresponding position close to the middle of the right rocker; the two ends of the second cross rocker are respectively hingedly connected to the rod end of the second connecting rod and the third spring damper; the corresponding rod end of the other side of the second connecting rod is hingedly connected to the corresponding position close to the middle of the right rocker; and the corresponding rod end of the other side of the third spring damper is hingedly connected to the corresponding position close to the middle of the left rocker.

2. A pitch-roll decoupled control suspension system according to claim 1, wherein, The four rotating plates are shuttle-shaped plates with the same shape and size.

3. The pitch-roll decoupled control suspension system, according to claim 1, wherein, The left rocker and the right rocker have the same structure and each comprises two rocker pieces with the same shape and size; the two rocker pieces are arranged in parallel and a first ball hinge is installed between the corresponding upper positions thereof; the corresponding rod ends of the first spring damper are respectively inserted between the two rocker pieces on the left and right sides and are hingedly connected to the first ball hinge on the left rocker and the right rocker.

4. A pitch-roll decoupled control suspension system according to claim 3, wherein, The corresponding positions close to the middle of the two rocker pieces are provided with a second ball hinge; the corresponding rod end of the first connecting rod is hingedly connected to one of the outer shaft ends C1 of the second ball hinge a on the left rocker, the corresponding rod end of the third spring damper is hingedly connected to the other outer shaft end A1 of the second ball hinge a on the left rocker, the corresponding rod end of the second connecting rod is hingedly connected to one of the outer shaft ends C2 of the second ball hinge b on the right rocker, and the corresponding rod end of the second spring damper is hingedly connected to the other outer shaft end A2 of the second ball hinge b on the right rocker.

5. A pitch-roll decoupled control suspension system according to claim 4, wherein, The connecting point between the first connecting rod and the first cross arm is D1, the connecting point between the third spring damper and the second cross arm is B1, and the line connecting D1 and B1 is parallel to the second spherical hinge; the connecting point between the second connecting rod and the second cross arm is B2, the connecting point between the second spring damper and the first cross arm is D2, and the line connecting B2 and D2 is also parallel to the second spherical hinge.

6. A pitch-roll decoupled control suspension system according to claim 1, wherein, The first spring damper is used to adjust the dynamic response of vertical motion, and the second spring damper and the third spring damper are used to adjust the dynamic response of roll motion.

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