Generative Vehicle Transverse Link with Folded Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transverse links for vehicle wheel suspensions face challenges in achieving lightweight construction while maintaining strength, rigidity, and flexibility, and current production methods are inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
The transverse link is produced using generative production methods, such as 3D printing, which allows for the creation of attachment structures like bushings and ball joints with customizable fold-like, grid-like, or bionic designs, enabling material efficiency and optimized load path distribution for reduced weight and enhanced mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional production methods (forging, die-casting, shaped sheet metal) are used for transverse links, then manufacturing reliability and structural integrity are maintained, but weight reduction opportunities are limited and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies generative production methods (additive manufacturing) to fundamentally change the manufacturing parameters and process technology, enabling complex lattice structures and optimized geometries that cannot be achieved with conventional forging or die-casting methods, thus achieving weight reduction while maintaining manufacturing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different materials (metal alloys with support structures, or multiple metal layers) in composite forms during additive manufacturing, allowing optimization of both weight and structural integrity through material selection and layering strategies
2Loss of substance
If generative production methods are used to create complex attachment structures, then material efficiency and weight reduction are achieved, but production time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The generative production method changes the manufacturing approach from subtractive (machining) or formative (casting) processes to additive layer-by-layer construction, dramatically reducing material waste by only depositing the exact material needed for the final structure including optimized lattice patterns
3Adaptability or versatility
If generative production methods with support structures are used, then manufacturing flexibility and design freedom are improved, but production time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment structures into modular components that can be independently optimized and manufactured, allowing support structures to be minimized or eliminated in critical areas while maintaining design freedom in other regions, thus reducing overall production time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digital optimization and support structure planning using computational algorithms before manufacturing, enabling the identification of minimal support requirements and optimized build paths that reduce production time while maintaining design flexibility
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 approach results in a lightweight transverse link that meets safety and comfort requirements with reduced material waste and production costs, offering improved strength, rigidity, and flexibility while enabling rapid production.
Implementation Method 1
The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method
Implementation Method 2
which sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel-side attachment structure and at least one structure-side attachment structure. The wheel-side and structure-side structures are connected to each other by a connection structure which extends therebetween. The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method. At least one of the attachment structures is constructed as a generatively produced bushing which has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure. The present disclosure further provides a method for producing such a transverse link.