Jointed Rear Suspension Assembly for Toe Stability in Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear wheels in off-road vehicles tend to toe in or toe out during suspension travel, leading to misalignment when the vehicle rebounds or reaches full compression, which affects the vehicle's stability and directional control.
Innovation Solution
A rear suspension assembly featuring a trailing arm with a joint and radius rods, along with a suspension member that controls the toe of the rear ground-engaging members, is designed to maintain the rear wheels' alignment by pivoting relative to the frame assembly and the trailing arm, using a combination of couplers and shock absorbers to manage toe change throughout the suspension travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional trailing arm and radius rod suspension is used, then the suspension provides basic wheel control and support, but the rear wheels experience toe change (toe in or toe out) during suspension travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the trailing arm composed of two segments that can pivot relative to each other about a vertical axis. This dynamic configuration allows the trailing arm to adapt its geometry during suspension travel, automatically maintaining proper toe alignment of the rear wheels throughout the suspension stroke, thereby resolving the toe stability issue while preserving operational ease.
2Reliability
If a complex suspension member with multiple links is added to control toe, then toe alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the two-segment trailing arm assembly to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral wheel control through the radius rods, vertical suspension support through the shock absorber, and automatic toe alignment control through the pivoting joint. This multi-functional design achieves reliable toe alignment without adding separate dedicated toe control mechanisms, thereby avoiding excessive device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the trailing arm's pivoting joint to automatically adjust and maintain proper toe alignment through its own geometric configuration during suspension travel. The system uses the natural motion and forces present in the suspension system to self-regulate wheel alignment without requiring external actuators, sensors, or complex control mechanisms, thus achieving reliable toe control with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a rear suspension assembly which has a trailing arm generally extending longitudinally. The trailing arm includes a joint along a longitudinal length of the trailing arm. Also, the rear suspension assembly includes an upper radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to a centerline of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear suspension assembly includes a lower radius rod extending in a generally lateral direction relative to the centerline of the vehicle. The rear suspension assembly further includes a suspension member configured to control toe of the at least one rear ground-engaging member.