Hollow Suspension Link Stiffening Bracket Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-link suspension structures face reduced durability due to stress concentration from load inputs from coil springs, shock absorbers, and stabilizers, leading to potential failures and reduced lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A suspension structure with a hollow link design featuring opposing frame brackets and an integrally connected stiffening bracket that holds and sandwiches these brackets together, enhancing rigidity and dispersing stress, thereby improving durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a hollow structure suspension link is used, then the weight and size of the suspension link are reduced, but the durability is reduced due to stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of suspension linkVSAvoiddurability of suspension link
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension link is divided into multiple frame brackets that are joined together to form a hollow structure. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain strength while reducing weight, as the load is distributed across multiple segments rather than concentrated in a single solid structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A stiffening bracket is added in a third dimension to connect and reinforce the frame brackets. This dimensional addition provides structural support that prevents stress concentration at critical joints, thereby improving durability without significantly increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Weight of moving object

If frame brackets are joined to form a hollow structure, then the rigidity is reduced, but the weight is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of suspension linkVSAvoidrigidity of suspension link
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffening bracket introduces a third dimensional element that connects the frame brackets at strategic points. This additional dimensional support restores rigidity to the hollow structure by creating triangular reinforcement patterns that resist deformation while maintaining the weight benefits of the hollow design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffening bracket is designed to preemptively reinforce areas where stress concentration is likely to occur during operation. By pre-positioning structural support at these critical locations, the design prevents rigidity issues before they arise during suspension operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2524824B1Suspension structure and method of making suspension link
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2524824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2524824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2524824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a suspension structure, a suspension link has a hollow structure in which a pair of frame brackets are joined together, while opposing each other. Also provided is a stiffening bracket integrally connected to both the frame brackets for holding and sandwiching the frame brackets together. The stiffening bracket is configured to hold and sandwich both an end face of a first one of the frame brackets facing apart from the mating face with the second frame bracket and an end face of the second frame bracket facing apart from the mating face with the first frame bracket together. One end of a stabilizer, a height sensor, or the like is connected to the stiffening bracket.