Anti-torque Link Inclination Reduces Elastomer Torsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle powertrain suspension devices with anti-torque links face limitations in reducing angular displacement, leading to increased size requirements and reduced endurance and performance due to excessive torsional stress on elastomers and constraints in ground clearance.

Innovation Solution

A suspension device with an anti-torque link featuring a metal insert with inclined side faces, allowing the link to be inclined by approximately 5° while maintaining a horizontal connection interface, reducing elastomer stress and enabling a more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the anti-torque link is made horizontal to work along the X axis, then the torsional stress on the elastomer is reduced, but the size of the window in the cradle must be large to manage the proximity between the link and the cradle during deflections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional stress on elastomerVSAvoidwindow size in cradle
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension (Y axis) by inclining the anti-torque link at approximately 5 degrees relative to the horizontal X axis. This dimensional change allows the link to clear the cradle structure during deflections, reducing the required window size while maintaining acceptable torsional stress levels on the elastomer through the carefully controlled inclination angle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the anti-torque link is inclined at a large angle to reduce the window size, then the cradle window can be smaller, but the torsional work of the elastomer increases causing endurance and performance problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow size in cradleVSAvoidendurance and performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the inclination angle parameter to approximately 5 degrees, which is the critical value that balances two competing requirements: it is steep enough to reduce the cradle window size by clearing the structure during deflections, yet shallow enough to minimize torsional stress on the elastomer and maintain endurance and performance characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the connecting rod is made longer to work horizontally, then the angular displacement is reduced, but the mass of the suspension device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular displacementVSAvoidmass of suspension device
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the link length in the horizontal direction to reduce angular displacement, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by inclining the link at 5 degrees. This approach achieves the same stability objective with a compact link length, thereby reducing the mass of the suspension device while maintaining controlled angular displacement during powertrain deflections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution enhances endurance, performance, and reduces mass by minimizing elastomer torsion and allowing a smaller vehicle bed window, while being simpler, more robust, and economical.

Implementation Method 1

a mass of flexible and elastically deformable material, preferably of elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3107748B1Device for the suspension of a power train of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3107748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3107748B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the suspension of a power train of a motor vehicle, of the type that comprises an anti-torque drop link (10) with two joint hinges (12, 14) i.e. a small joint hinge (12) acting as a pivot on the power train, and a large joint hinge (14) held in a fork-type arrangement between two flat, substantially horizontal, facing surfaces (21, 22) of the cradle (20) of the vehicle by means of an insert (30). The two side faces (31, 32) of the insert (30) are flat, parallel and inclined in relation to the plane which is perpendicular to the geometrical axis (yy') of the insert (30).