Self-Compensated Floating Swing Arm Suspension for Constant Wheel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle suspension systems, whether dependent or independent, face challenges in maintaining optimal wheel alignment and contact with the road surface, leading to compromised comfort, stability, and safety due to their inherent structural limitations, which result in variations in wheel track and wheelbase that cannot be kept constant during vehicle movement.

Innovation Solution

An independent suspension system with a self-compensated floating swing arm and a skew force balancing apparatus that allows wheels to perform linear motion perpendicular to the car body, using a compensator and floating swing arm mechanism to maintain constant wheel alignment and balance skew forces during cornering, thereby maximizing road contact and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional dependent or independent suspension systems are used, then the structure is relatively simple or weight is reduced, but the wheel alignment parameters (wheel track and wheelbase) cannot remain constant during vehicle movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel alignment parameter constancyVSAvoidsuspension system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a floating swing arm mechanism that dynamically adjusts wheel position during suspension movement. The swing arm rotates around a pivot point, allowing the wheel assembly to move in an arc that compensates for changes in wheel track and wheelbase, maintaining constant alignment parameters throughout the suspension travel range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a rotational degree of freedom in addition to the vertical suspension motion. By combining vertical movement with rotational adjustment of the swing arm, the system achieves constant wheel alignment parameters through two-dimensional motion control rather than simple one-dimensional vertical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If independent suspension system is used, then wheel adhesion to road is increased and impact to car body is reduced, but structure becomes complicated and maintenance becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel adhesion and impact reductionVSAvoidsuspension system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the independent suspension function with the wheel alignment compensation function into a single integrated floating swing arm mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment adjustment mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent wheel motion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The floating swing arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides independent wheel suspension, maintains constant wheel alignment parameters, and enables automatic skew force balancing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If wheels are allowed to move independently during suspension travel, then comfort is improved, but wheel track and wheelbase vary causing poor stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveriding comfortVSAvoidwheel alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The floating swing arm mechanism dynamically maintains constant wheel alignment parameters throughout the suspension travel range. As the wheel moves vertically for comfort, the swing arm rotates to compensate, ensuring wheel track and wheelbase remain constant, thereby maintaining stability during independent wheel motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If anti-skew bar apparatus is added to reduce vehicle skew during cornering, then stability is improved, but the performance of independent suspension is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle skew controlVSAvoidsuspension system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating swing arm mechanism automatically balances skew forces during cornering through its inherent rotational freedom. The mechanism self-adjusts to maintain proper wheel alignment during vehicle turning, eliminating the need for additional anti-skew bar apparatus and preserving independent suspension performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9302559B2Independent suspension system with self-compensated floating swing arm

Publication Date: 2016.04.05 HOU HE

AI summary

An independent suspension system with self-compensated floating swing arm is provided. The independent suspension system with self-compensated floating swing arm includes at least one of an independent suspension apparatus with self-compensated floating swing arm for controlling wheels of a vehicle to perform linear motion constantly along vertical direction of car body of the vehicle, and a scissors-type anti-skew bar apparatus controlled by centrifugal force for balancing skew force when the vehicle is cornering. The two mechanisms can be used together or independently. Also, they may be applicable for front wheels or rear wheels.