Hollow Suspension Link With Integral Pivot Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle suspension designs face challenges in minimizing space occupation and eliminating offset loading to accommodate complex drivetrain systems and accessories, while maintaining structural robustness and reducing noise, vibration, and harshness transfer.
Innovation Solution
The suspension assembly incorporates a pivot arm positioned within a cavity of a hollow suspension link, with a locking assembly using retainers and a pin to support the pivot arm, allowing for compact design and robust structure, compatible with various suspension types like Watts-type, twist axle, or de Dion suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a Watts-type linkage assembly with offset pivot arm is used, then the suspension can be assembled, but the volume occupied by suspension components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot arm assembly is positioned within a cavity formed in the suspension link, nesting the pivot arm inside the suspension link body. This eliminates the need for offset positioning and reduces the overall volume occupied by the suspension components while maintaining proper assembly and function.
2Strength
If offset loading is minimized, then structural robustness is improved, but space for adjacent components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the pivot arm within the suspension link cavity and eliminating offset positioning, the design achieves both compact space utilization and proper load alignment. The pivot arm rotates about an axis that passes through or near the center of the suspension link, minimizing offset loading and improving structural robustness while freeing up space for adjacent components.
3Volume of moving object
If pivot arm is positioned within suspension link cavity, then space is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension link is designed with a segmented structure featuring a cavity that receives the pivot arm assembly. This segmentation allows the pivot arm and suspension link to be manufactured separately and then assembled, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated appearance. The cavity can be formed through casting, forging, or additive manufacturing techniques.
4Reliability
If locking assembly with retainers is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly combines multiple retention features into an integrated system. The retainers work together with the fastener to create a unified locking mechanism that secures the pivot arm within the suspension link cavity. This merging of retention functions into a single assembly reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension for a motor vehicle having a hollow suspension member including first and second spaced apart sidewalls and a pivot pin. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot pin is a locking assembly that includes a first retainer partially insertable through a first window formed in the first sidewall and a second retainer partially insertable through a second window formed in the second side wall. The first retainer engages the second retainer to present a pivot that receives a pivot arm between the sidewalls.