Fusible Linking Yoke for Uncoupled Shock Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle designs face challenges in balancing longitudinal and lateral shock resistance, leading to inefficient shock management, time-consuming repairs, and uncapping of ball joints during wheel shocks, which compromises passenger safety and vehicle integrity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an intermediate linking fork joint between the suspension arm and engine cradle, with removable and fusible elements that allow differential displacement based on predetermined force thresholds, decoupling lateral and longitudinal fusibility and preventing ball joint uncapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fusible means are provided integral with the suspension arm, then lateral shock fusibility is achieved, but the suspension arm must be replaced which is time-consuming and impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral shock fusibilityVSAvoidrepair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is segmented into distinct components: the suspension arm, the linking fork joint, and the engine cradle. The fusible means are located in the linking fork joint rather than being integral to the suspension arm, allowing the joint to be replaced independently while preserving the suspension arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fusible means are extracted from the suspension arm and placed in a separate linking fork joint component. This extraction allows the fusible element to be replaced independently without replacing the entire suspension arm, significantly reducing repair time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the suspension arm is designed for longitudinal shock strength, then longitudinal shock resistance is improved, but lateral shock fusibility capacity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelongitudinal shock strengthVSAvoidlateral shock fusibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shock management function is segmented into separate longitudinal and lateral components. The suspension arm handles longitudinal shocks through its structural design, while the linking fork joint handles lateral shocks through fusible means, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linking fork joint acts as an intermediary component between the suspension arm and engine cradle. It mediates lateral shock forces through its fusible means while allowing the suspension arm to maintain its longitudinal shock strength design without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the ball joint between suspension arm and stub axle resists shocks, then shock resistance is improved, but uncapping phenomenon occurs following arm failure which causes loss of vehicle control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock resistanceVSAvoiduncapping phenomenon

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The linking fork joint with its fusible means serves as a beforehand cushioning element that absorbs excess lateral shock energy before it can propagate to the suspension arm and ball joint. This prevents the chain reaction that leads to arm failure and subsequent ball joint uncapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The fusible means in the linking fork joint are designed to fail in a controlled manner under excessive lateral shock, converting the harmful effect of strong shocks into a beneficial protective mechanism. This controlled failure prevents more severe damage to the suspension arm and ball joint, avoiding the uncapping phenomenon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10023018B2Fusible linking yoke between the suspension arm and the engine cradle

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 RENAULT SA

AI summary

An arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a suspension arm, an engine cradle, a wheel attached to the suspension arm, at least one intermediate linking fork joint disposed between the suspension arm and the engine cradle to ensure attachment of the suspension arm to the engine cradle, removable elements to attach the linking fork joint to the engine cradle, elements to attach the suspension arm to the linking fork joint, and first fusible elements to allow a first relative displacement of the suspension arm with respect to the engine cradle over a first path only in an event of application, to the wheel or to the suspension arm, of an external force having a lateral component that exceeds a first predetermined threshold for which the first fusible elements are sized. The first fusible elements include at least one portion of the linking fork joint.