Fiber Composite Spring Arm for Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel suspensions in motor vehicles require multiple components made of steel, leading to increased weight, construction space, and complexity, as they separate suspension and suspension arm functions.
Innovation Solution
A spring arm device combining suspension and suspension arm functions using fiber composite materials with flanges oriented in the longitudinal direction and a web with fibers at positive angles, allowing for integrated force transmission and reduced weight and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional steel suspensions with separate suspension and suspension arm components are used, then structural strength and force transmission are ensured, but weight and construction space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suspension function and suspension arm function into a single integrated spring arm device. The fiber composite structure integrates the flange (suspension arm) and web (suspension) into one component, eliminating the need for separate steel components while maintaining structural strength and force transmission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fiber composite materials with specific fiber orientations to replace conventional steel components. The flange uses fibers oriented in the longitudinal direction for strength, while the web uses fibers at positive angles to handle shear forces, creating a lightweight yet strong integrated structure that reduces both weight and component count.
2Weight of moving object
If fiber composite materials with oriented fibers are used to reduce weight, then weight and space are reduced, but force transmission capability in certain directions may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different fiber orientations in different parts of the structure to optimize local force transmission. The flange has fibers oriented in the longitudinal direction for axial strength, while the web has fibers at positive angles to handle shear forces and braking loads, ensuring each region has the optimal fiber orientation for its specific loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of anisotropic fiber composite materials allows weight reduction while maintaining strength by aligning fibers with principal stress directions. The controlled fiber orientation in the flange and web provides adequate strength for force transmission in critical directions while minimizing material usage and weight.
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 spring arm device reduces weight and construction space by integrating suspension and arm functions, effectively transmitting forces while minimizing deformation and twisting, enabling improved suspension and stability with reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the flanges counteract deformation of the spring arm device caused by forces acting in a normal direction of the web by means of a spring force
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring arm device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising two flanges (2) arranged at a distance from each other and which are made of a first fiber composite material (4) having fibers (6) each oriented in a longitudinal direction (5) of the flanges (2). The spring arm device (1) also comprises a web (3) which connects the flanges (2) and is made of a second fiber composite material (7) having the fibers (8) oriented at positive angles to the longitudinal directions (5) of the flanges (2). The spring arm device (1) can be fastened in end regions (15) opposite to each other to vehicle parts as part of a wheel suspension. The end regions (15) comprise end segments (14) of the two flanges (2) associated with each other and each comprise an end segment (9) of the web (3) that connects the end segments (14) of the flanges (2). Respective forces applied to the spring arm device (1) in the longitudinal direction (5) by means of the end regions (15) can be transmitted by means of the flanges (2). By means of a spring force, the flanges (2) counteract deformation of the spring arm device (1) caused by forces acting in a normal direction (16) of the web (3). Forces acting on the spring arm device (1) in a transverse direction (13) are transmitted from the web (3) to the end regions (15).