Horizontal Shock Absorber in Parallelogram Suspension
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle suspension systems face challenges in accommodating shock absorbers on front or rear axles without encroaching on the vehicle's trunk volume, and they do not allow for adjustable damping forces as a function of suspension stroke.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system featuring a connecting device with an articulated parallelogram formed by four rods, where the shock absorber is mounted horizontally or slightly inclined between the median vertices of the parallelogram, allowing for variable damping forces and optimal placement that does not encroach on the trunk volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shock absorbers are positioned vertically in conventional suspension systems, then they provide effective damping, but they encroach on the trunk volume and reduce available space
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is reoriented from a vertical position to a horizontal position, changing its orientation from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. This dimensional change allows the shock absorber to be positioned between the longitudinal axes of the wheel and vehicle body, utilizing space that would otherwise be unused and avoiding encroachment on the trunk volume while maintaining effective damping functionality
2Reliability
If shock absorbers are positioned vertically, then they provide stable damping, but they require a large operating length that reduces trunk width and volume
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the shock absorber orientation from vertical to horizontal, the operating length is redirected from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. This allows the shock absorber to accommodate its required operating length in the lateral direction between the wheel and vehicle body axes, rather than encroaching vertically into the trunk space
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is divided into functional segments: the shock absorber handles damping in the horizontal plane, while the spring assembly handles suspension in the vertical plane. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, enabling the shock absorber to have adequate operating length horizontally without affecting trunk volume
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional vertical shock absorber mounting is used, then installation is simple, but it limits ground clearance and trunk volume
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is repositioned from a vertical mounting arrangement to a horizontal mounting arrangement, changing its orientation from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. This allows the shock absorber to be positioned between the longitudinal axes of the wheel and vehicle body, utilizing space that would otherwise be unused and avoiding encroachment on both trunk volume and ground clearance
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 design allows for efficient use of trunk space and adjustable damping forces, enhancing the system's reliability, efficiency, and simplicity while maintaining robustness and economy.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber (10) which is mounted substantially horizontally, or slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, between the two mechanical connections of the median vertices of the parallelogram
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a suspension system for a motor vehicle wheel, comprising a shock absorber (10) and a linkage device (20) between the vehicle body (1) and the wheel's suspension arm (3). The linkage device (20) consists of four connecting rods (21, 22, 23, 24) forming an articulated parallelogram, connected to each other by mechanical linkages (P1, P2, P3, and P4) at the four vertices of the parallelogram. The mechanical linkage (P1) at the upper vertex of the parallelogram forming the linkage device (20) is mounted on the vehicle body (1), and the mechanical linkage (P3) at the lower vertex of the parallelogram is mounted on the suspension arm (3). The shock absorber (10) is mounted substantially horizontally between the two mechanical linkages (P2, P4) at the midpoints of the parallelogram forming the linkage device (20).