Adjustable Anti-Roll Bar Layout for Variable Roll Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-roll bar systems for heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, lack the ability to dynamically adjust roll stiffness in response to varying conditions like road roughness and load, which can lead to inadequate performance in terms of stability and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable anti-roll bar arrangement that separates the linear displacement of the stabilizer stay from the linear drive axis, using a supporting shaft to carry loads and a linear actuator to adjust the position of the stabilizer stay, allowing for changes in roll stiffness by altering the lever action, thereby increasing or decreasing stiffness based on the vehicle's needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stabilizer stay is directly connected to the linear actuator along the same axis, then the structure is simpler, but the arrangement cannot handle high loads and is prone to mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second geometrical axis (supporting shaft axis) that is different from the first geometrical axis (actuator drive axis). The stabilizer stay's second end is supported by the supporting shaft mounted on the second geometrical axis, while the linear actuator drives along the first geometrical axis. This dimensional separation allows the load-carrying function and the actuation function to be independent, enabling the system to handle high loads while maintaining adjustability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the anti-roll bar has fixed roll stiffness selected upon order, then the structure is simpler and more reliable, but it cannot adapt to varying road conditions and load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the anti-roll bar system dynamic by introducing an adjustable stabilizer stay connection. The second end of the stabilizer stay is movably connected to and supported by the supporting shaft, allowing the position to be changed. A linear actuator is provided to move the stabilizer stay along the supporting shaft, enabling real-time adjustment of roll stiffness based on road conditions and load requirements, transforming a static system into a dynamic adaptive system.
3Ease of operation
If the linear actuator drives the guided element along the first geometrical axis, then the actuation is more direct, but the stabilizer stay cannot effectively follow the motion along the second geometrical axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the supporting shaft as an intermediary element between the linear actuator's motion along the first geometrical axis and the stabilizer stay's position along the second geometrical axis. The supporting shaft is mounted to the bracket and defines the second geometrical axis, which is different from the first geometrical axis. The second end of the stabilizer stay is movably connected to and supported by the supporting shaft, allowing it to follow the motion effectively while maintaining proper load distribution.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjustable anti-roll bar arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a bracket configured to be mounted in a fixed relationship to a chassis or a an axle of the vehicle, a linear actuator connected to the bracket, a guided element, the linear actuator being configured to drive the guided element along a first geometrical axis, a supporting shaft mounted to the bracket and defining a second geometrical axis, an anti-roll bar, and a stabilizer stay having a first end connected to the anti-roll bar, and a second end movably connected to and supported by the supporting shaft, the second end being also connected to the guided element such that when the linear actuator drives the guided element along the first geometrical axis, the second end follows the motion along said second geometrical axis. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement.