Adjustable Suspension Bracket Assembly for Multi-Link Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current suspension systems for high-performance vehicles, such as four-link and three-link systems, lack adjustability and tunability, particularly in instant center points, which limits their ability to optimize tire force application and requires fixed installation, restricting versatility and adaptability for racing applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular, adjustable bracket assembly mounted to the vehicle's housing rather than the chassis, providing over 1000 instant center locations with fine adjustments of up to one-eighth-of-an-inch increments for trailing arms, anti-roll bars, and shock absorbers, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chassis-mounted bracket assemblies are used, then instant center adjustability is provided, but the bracket cannot be positionally relocated and requires chassis re-manufacturing for changes
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into modular components: a chassis-mounted bracket assembly and a separate adjustable bracket assembly. The adjustable bracket can be independently positioned and reconfigured without modifying the chassis, allowing instant center adjustments through component relocation rather than chassis re-manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate adjustable bracket assembly serves as a mediator between the fixed chassis-mounted bracket and the trailing arms. This intermediate component provides the adjustability function while the chassis remains unchanged, eliminating the need for chassis re-manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If mounting points are provided with five-eighths-of-an-inch to three-fourths-of-an-inch increments, then some adjustability is permitted, but the tuneability of the suspension system is limited by steps of sizeable increments
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly incorporates multiple mounting points with fine incremental spacing (one-eighth-of-an-inch or finer), allowing the instant center position to be dynamically adjusted in small increments. This enables precise tuning of the suspension geometry to achieve optimal performance characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If chassis-mounted bracket assemblies are fixedly installed on the frame, then structural stability is maintained, but the bracket cannot be positionally relocated for change of instant center points
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the fixed chassis-mounted bracket from the adjustable bracket assembly. The chassis-mounted bracket remains stably fixed to the frame, while the separate adjustable bracket can be repositioned to change instant center points, maintaining both stability and adaptability.
4Device complexity
If a single bracket assembly is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the adjustability and tunability of suspension components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable bracket assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that can accommodate and adjust multiple suspension components (trailing arms, anti-roll bars, shock absorbers) simultaneously. This universal design provides comprehensive adjustability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket assembly for a multi-link suspension system is provided, said bracket assembly mounted to a housing of an automotive vehicle, as opposed to a chassis of the automotive vehicle, enabling modularity and ease of replacement of the housing and adjustability of suspensions system components. The bracket assembly may have a body, wherein the body includes: an axle tube hole; one or more cross tube support holes; at least one trailing arm attachment portion having a first plurality of adjustment holes and a second plurality of adjustment holes; an anti-roll bar attachment portion having one or more attachment holes; and a shock attachment portion having a plurality of attachment holes. Further, the bracket assembly may include one or more engagement points, configured to support a number of said suspension system components, such as at least one trailing arm, an anti-roll bar, a shock absorber coupler, and a shock absorber.