Angled Suspension Arm for Compact Rear Axle Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension systems face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining optimal ride quality, handling, and reducing lift and squat, particularly in independent rear suspension systems.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a lower control arm pivotably coupled to the vehicle sub-frame with strategically positioned rotational connections, including a stiff ball-joint and a softer bushing, oriented at specific angles to allow for compact packaging and enhanced compliance, along with a torque link and upper link configuration that reduces the need for bulky components and optimizes camber and steering characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional independent rear suspension systems are designed to be compact, then packaging space is reduced, but ride quality and handling performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The first member is pivotably coupled to the vehicle sub-frame with its rotational axis oriented at a specific angle β (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to the vertical plane extending through the fore-aft axis. This angular orientation allows the suspension components to be arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that reduces the fore-aft packaging length while maintaining adequate component spacing for proper function, thereby achieving compact packaging without sacrificing ride quality or handling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system employs an asymmetric arrangement where the first member's rotational axis is angled rather than aligned with conventional vertical or horizontal planes. This asymmetric geometry creates an optimized spatial distribution of components that reduces overall packaging volume while preserving the mechanical leverage and compliance characteristics necessary for good ride and handling
2Volume of moving object
If the first member is pivotably coupled with rotational axis at an angle β to the vertical plane, then packaging is compacted, but the complexity of the rotational connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spherical rod end connection serves as an intermediary component between the first member and the vehicle sub-frame. This spherical rod end accommodates the angled rotational axis configuration while providing a standardized, relatively simple connection mechanism that reduces the complexity compared to custom-designed angular pivots, thereby enabling compact packaging without excessive complexity in the rotational connection
3Reliability
If rotational connections are strategically positioned with the second connection outboard of the first, then handling and ride quality are improved, but the length of the first member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two rotational connections are positioned at different lateral locations (inboard and outboard) along the first member, creating a moment arm that improves handling and ride quality. The angled orientation of the rotational axis in three-dimensional space allows this lateral separation to be achieved with reduced fore-aft projection, thereby improving performance while controlling the overall length of the first member through optimized spatial arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel suspension system for a vehicle includes a first member pivotably coupled to a portion of the vehicle so as to be pivotable about a first rotational axis which forms an angle with a vertical plane extending through a fore-aft axis of the vehicle.