Dynamic Anti-Roll Bar Link for Selective Suspension Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-roll bar systems can cause jarring side-to-side body motions and instability, especially when traversing rough terrain, due to their rigid links that transfer torsional forces, leading to undesirable wheel lift during cornering and limited off-road capability.
Innovation Solution
The dynamic anti-roll bar link assembly allows for selective relative motion between the anti-roll bar and suspension components, featuring a locked and unlocked state, with an adjustable sliding assembly that reduces the anti-roll bar's effect on suspension articulation, enabling increased suspension travel and stability on rugged terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid links are used to connect the anti-roll bar to suspension components, then torsional forces are directly transferred to reduce body roll, but jarring side-to-side body motions and wheel lift occur during cornering and off-road travel
Solution Approach 1:
The link assembly transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that can change its state between locked and unlocked configurations. This allows the system to adapt its behavior based on operating conditions, providing rigid connection for on-road stability and flexible connection for off-road articulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameter of link rigidity by transitioning between locked and unlocked states. In the locked state, the link provides rigid torsional force transfer; in the unlocked state, the link allows relative motion, effectively changing the stiffness parameter to reduce harmful body motions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the anti-roll bar is disconnected to allow increased suspension articulation for off-road use, then suspension travel is improved, but vehicle stability is lost and undamped side-to-side motion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The link assembly provides dynamic adaptability by allowing the system to switch between locked and unlocked states based on terrain conditions. This enables the suspension to achieve high articulation when needed while maintaining stability when the link is locked
Solution Approach 2:
The link assembly is segmented into movable components (link rod, sliding assembly, locking latch) that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the system to provide both rigid connection and articulation freedom through the controlled movement of these segments
3Stability of the object's composition
If excessive role stiffness is used in aggressive anti-roll bar setups, then body roll is reduced, but inside wheels lift off the ground during hard cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the effective stiffness parameter of the anti-roll bar connection by transitioning between locked and unlocked states. This allows optimization of the stiffness parameter to provide body roll resistance without excessive values that would cause wheel lift
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic anti-roll bar link for a vehicle suspension is provided. The link selectively transfers movement of the suspension system to the anti-roll bar, depending on a locked or unlocked state of the link. The anti-roll bar link includes an elongate link rod; a sliding assembly configured to translate axially along the elongate link; and a latch assembly configured to extend between the second retention member and the sliding assembly. In a locked state, the pawl portion can receive the pawl engaging member, and the retention member interface portion abuts the second retention member to prevent axial translation of the sliding assembly along the elongate link rod. In an unlocked state, the sliding assembly is permitted to translate axially along the elongate link rod. The primary and secondary latch bodies are pinned together in an over-center configuration in the locked state to prevent inadvertent unlocking.