Vehicle Suspension With Angular Leaf Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems using leaf springs face challenges such as high unsprung mass, vertical deflection, wind-up, and lack of independent suspension benefits, which affect handling and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
Innovation Solution
A vehicle suspension arrangement utilizing primary and secondary leaf springs with angularly displaced configurations and a configurable fulcrum, which can be actively displaced to adjust spring rate and reduce unsprung mass, providing semi-independent suspension and improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a solid axle with Hotchkiss drive is used, then axle control and load distribution are improved, but unsprung mass increases and independent wheel motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The solid axle is segmented into separate left and right suspension arms that are independently mounted to the chassis. This allows each wheel to move independently while still providing controlled axle behavior, resolving the contradiction between axle control and independent wheel motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system transitions from a single solid axle configuration to a multi-link arrangement where suspension arms are positioned at different locations and angles relative to the chassis. This dimensional redistribution enables independent wheel motion while maintaining axle control through geometric constraints.
2Stability of the object's composition
If parallel leaf springs are added at each end of solid axle, then axle control and power hop are reduced, but unsprung mass remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring arrangement is extracted from the traditional solid axle configuration and repositioned to work with the segmented suspension arms. The leaves are mounted to the suspension arms rather than a solid axle, allowing the system to achieve axle control through the multi-link geometry while reducing unsprung mass by eliminating the heavy solid axle structure.
3Weight of moving object
If de Dion tube is used for semi-independent suspension, then unsprung weight is reduced, but the tube adds unsprung weight and is not directly connected to chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension arms serve multiple functions: they provide the structural connection between chassis and wheel, act as the mounting structure for the leaf springs, and provide the geometric constraints for axle control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate de Dion tubes while achieving similar weight reduction benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces unsprung mass, improves vehicle handling, and minimizes noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) while maintaining the benefits of leaf spring technology, including reduced lateral wheel shake and side view wind-up.
Implementation Method 1
a primary leaf spring having a plan view longitudinal configuration and a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a first primary pivot coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a longitudinal axle arranged substantially orthogonal thereto. The vehicle suspension has a primary spring, which may be a leaf spring having a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a first primary pivot coupling, and a distal second end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a second primary pivot coupling. The primary spring can be a coil spring. A secondary leaf spring has a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the axle. The longitudinal configuration of the secondary leaf spring is arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal configuration of the primary leaf spring. The first primary pivot coupling and the secondary pivot coupling are arranged to be substantially coplanar.