U-Shaped Composite Spring-Link Suspension for Toe-In Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems require significant spatial resources and do not efficiently manage toe-in during braking, particularly in lightweight construction applications.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped spring-link structure constructed from composite fiber material with at least one member rigidly secured to the vehicle body, featuring a recess that minimizes longitudinal links and enhances toe-in by creating separate link portions under braking forces, and a tongue and groove connection for secure attachment and acoustic decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional wheel guiding link extending in the longitudinal direction is provided, then toe-in adjustment during braking is achieved, but spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wheel guiding function and toe-in adjustment function into the U-shaped spring-link structure itself. The recess in the upper member creates separate link portions that provide toe-in adjustment during braking without requiring an additional longitudinal wheel guiding link, thus reducing spatial requirements while maintaining the desired toe-in adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the upper member segments the link structure into separate link portions. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve toe-in adjustment during braking through the relative movement of these portions, eliminating the need for a separate longitudinal wheel guiding link and reducing overall spatial requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple wheel guiding links are provided, then wheel guidance function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped spring-link structure performs multiple functions: it guides the wheel laterally, provides longitudinal guidance through rigid securing to the vehicle body, acts as a carrier spring for vibration damping, and enables toe-in adjustment during braking through the recess. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wheel guiding links, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable wheel guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple suspension functions (wheel guiding, spring support, toe-in adjustment) into a single integrated U-shaped spring-link structure, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall suspension system while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight construction is implemented using composite fiber material, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-link structure is constructed from composite fiber material, which significantly reduces the weight of the suspension components compared to traditional metal materials. The U-shaped design with integrated recess can be manufactured as a single composite part, reducing assembly complexity despite the specialized material requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By integrating multiple functions into a single composite spring-link structure, the patent reduces the total number of parts that would need to be manufactured and assembled. The composite material allows for complex geometries (including the recess) to be formed in a single molding process, potentially offsetting the increased manufacturing complexity with reduced assembly operations.
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 configuration reduces spatial requirements, achieves desired toe-in during braking, and provides resilient longitudinal guidance while maintaining structural integrity and acoustic decoupling.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the upper and lower members is substantially, that is to say, with the exception of low levels of elasticity, rigidly secured to the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
An independent suspension for a vehicle includes a spring-link suspension structure which is made from a fibrous composite material, is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Ends of upper and lower members are secured to the vehicle body or a carrier connected thereto. At least one of these securements has no rotational degree of freedom about an axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while a wheel hub is connected to the base of the U-shaped spring-link suspension structure in order to secure a vehicle wheel. At least one of the members is secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier in a substantially rigid manner i.e. aside from low levels of elasticity, and no further wheel guiding suspension link is provided that substantially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, in order to achieve a desired toe-in increase when braking, a recess is provided in at least one of the members. The recess extends from the point at which the wheel hub is secured to the base and across only a subregion of the member in the longitudinal direction thereof.