Double-Wishbone Axle Spring Support via Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double wishbone axles face challenges in achieving safe vehicle operation with limited installation space while maintaining design freedom for driving dynamics, particularly on two-lane roads.
Innovation Solution
A double wishbone axle design featuring a wheel carrier with an upper and lower wishbone articulation, a transverse leaf spring, and a damper with a fork-shaped extension that reduces force interaction and allows for flexible lower wishbone design, enabling compactness and reduced sensitivity to force interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spring element is directly connected to the wheel carrier, then the suspension function is achieved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper and spring element are merged into a single integrated assembly where the spring element is supported exclusively via the damper component. This combination reduces installation space by eliminating separate mounting points while maintaining the suspension function through the series connection of spring and damper.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper component serves multiple functions: it acts as both a shock absorber and a support structure for the spring element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lower end of the damper is positioned higher, then the force interaction between upper control arm and spring element increases, but the design freedom of lower wishbone is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lower end of the damper is positioned below the wheel axis, utilizing the vertical dimension to create a longer virtual pendulum support. This dimensional arrangement reduces force interaction between the upper control arm and spring element while providing design freedom for the lower wishbone configuration.
3Reliability
If the upper wishbone is mounted stiffly, then the sensitivity to force interaction is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper wishbone is designed with different stiffness characteristics at different locations - stiffer at the mounting points to reduce sensitivity to force interaction, while maintaining appropriate flexibility elsewhere. This localized quality optimization reduces overall manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired reliability.
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 minimizes installation space, enhances design flexibility, and improves vehicle stability by decoupling the spring and damper components, allowing for efficient suspension and steering capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element is designed as a transverse leaf spring and is supported on the wheel carrier exclusively via the component of the damper supported on the wheel carrier
Implementation Method 2
The damper is arranged to dampen the compression and rebound movement of the wheel (relative to the body)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a double-wishbone axle (1) for a vehicle, comprising a wheel carrier (2) that is pivotally connected to the vehicle chassis by an upper wishbone (3) and a lower wishbone (4), further comprising a spring element (18) which at least partly supports the chassis relative to the wheel carrier (2), and a damper (5) for damping compressive and/or rebounding movements of the wheel carrier (3) relative to the chassis; for this purpose, a first component (9) of the damper (5) is supported on the chassis and a second component (8) thereof is supported on the wheel carrier. The invention is characterized in that the spring element (18) is supported on the wheel carrier (2) exclusively by the component (9) of the damper (5) which is supported on the wheel carrier (2) such that forces between the chassis and the wheel carrier (2) are transmitted serially by the intermediate spring element (18) and the damper component (9) supported on the wheel carrier.