Four-Wheel ATV Suspension Geometry for Vertical Obstacle Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing all-terrain vehicles for physically disabled individuals face challenges in navigating uneven terrain, including obstacles like kerbstones and roots, and often fail to meet national wheelchair standards, limiting their use and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A four-wheel driven, all-terrain vehicle with a unique suspension geometry featuring A-arm control arms and adjustable kick-up, anti-squat, and camber angles, along with over-dimensioned tires and hydraulic damping, allowing it to traverse rough terrain while adhering to wheelchair dimensions and safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle uses conventional spring geometry for wheel suspensions, then it can be manufactured with standard components, but it cannot effectively pass vertical obstacles in rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the suspension geometry parameters, specifically the kick-up angle of the control arms. The control arms are designed with a kick-up angle between 5-30 degrees, which changes the suspension's mechanical characteristics to enable effective passage of vertical obstacles while maintaining manufacturability with standard components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is designed with enhanced terrain capability to pass obstacles, then it can navigate rough terrain effectively, but its outer dimensions exceed wheelchair standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing geometric parameters of the suspension system. The control arm lengths, kick-up angles, and attachment point positions are carefully selected to achieve maximum obstacle-clearing capability while keeping the vehicle's outer dimensions within wheelchair standard limits
3Manufacturing precision
If the vehicle uses a stable suspension geometry, then it maintains manufacturing consistency, but it cannot adapt to varying terrain conditions and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the suspension with movable control arms that can dynamically adjust their position and angle in response to terrain variations. The control arms rotate about fixed axes, allowing the suspension geometry to adapt automatically to different obstacle heights and ground conditions while maintaining consistent manufacturing specifications for the fixed mounting points
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 vehicle effectively navigates uneven terrain, including vertical obstacles, maintains stability, and meets national wheelchair requirements, enhancing the mobility and safety of physically disabled users.
Implementation Method 1
a right front damping device and a left front damping device, each of which is connected to the frame and to a respective one of the right and left lower control arms
Implementation Method 2
the spring geometry and the attachment points of the spring components can improve the driving dynamics
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A four-wheel driven, all-terrain vehicle is disclosed comprising a frame (1) which is provided with a bracket device (18), where the frame (1) comprises a right front wheel suspension (2) and a left front wheel suspension (3) with a right front wheel (6) and a left front wheel respectively and a right rear wheel suspension (4) and a left rear wheel suspension (5) with a right rear wheel (8) a left rear wheel (9) respectively. The right front wheel suspension (2) comprises a right, upper, front control arm (10) which is shaped as an A-arm and is connected to the frame (1) with a right, upper, front connecting connection (50) and a right, upper, rear connecting connection (51), and a right, lower, front control arm (12) which is shaped as a curved A-arm and is connected to the frame (1) with a right, lower, front connecting connection (56) and a right, lower, rear connecting connection (57). The left front wheel suspension (3) comprises a left, upper, front control arm (11) which is shaped as an A-arm and is connected to the frame (1) with a left, upper, front connecting connection (53) and left, upper, rear connecting connection (54), and a left, lower, front control arm (13) which is shaped as a curved A-arm and is connected to the frame (1) with a left, lower, front connecting connection (59) and a left, lower, rear connecting connection (60). The right, upper, front connecting connection (50) is connected to the frame (1) vertically higher than the right, upper rear connecting connection (51) such that the right, upper, front control arm (10) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and the right, lower, front connecting connection (56) is connected to the frame (1) vertically higher than the right, lower rear connecting connection (57) such that the right, lower, front control arm (12) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The left, upper, front connecting connection (53) is connected to the frame (1) vertically higher than the left, upper rear connecting connection (54) such that the left, upper, front control arm (11) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and the left, lower, front connecting connection (59) is connected to the frame (1) vertically higher than the left, lower rear connecting connection (60) such that the left, lower, front control arm (13) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.