Lower Arm Leaf Spring Opening Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension devices for vehicles, particularly the lower arm, face a challenge in reducing weight while maintaining strength, as improvements often lead to increased weight or decreased rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The suspension device incorporates a lower arm with an opening portion for a leaf spring that extends into the arm, supported by a cover portion with a reinforcing shape, and a shock absorbing device between the lower arm and side member, allowing for a more efficient design and weight reduction without compromising strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lower arm is designed with a solid structure to maintain strength, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower arm is divided into multiple functional portions: a base portion, an arm portion, an opening portion, and a cover portion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the main structural portions maintain strength while the opening portion reduces weight by removing material where it is not critically needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lower arm have different structural characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements. The base portion and arm portion have substantial thickness for strength, while the opening portion has reduced material for weight savings. The cover portion provides localized reinforcement only where needed to protect the leaf spring.
2Weight of moving object
If the lower arm is designed with weight reduction features, then the weight is reduced, but the strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower arm implements local quality by providing substantial material in critical load-bearing areas (base portion and arm portion) while reducing material only in non-critical areas (opening portion). This selective material distribution maintains overall strength while achieving weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower arm features an asymmetric design with an opening portion that removes material from one specific location rather than uniformly reducing material throughout. This asymmetric material removal targets non-critical areas while preserving strength in critical load paths.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lower arm structure is simplified for manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The lower arm is designed as a integrated component with distinct functional portions (base, arm, opening, and cover portions) that can be manufactured using standard casting or molding processes. This segmented design within a single piece simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate components while maintaining structural integrity.
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 configuration reduces the weight of the lower arm while maintaining its strength, enhancing the vehicle's safety, travel performance, and fuel efficiency by allowing for a lighter yet robust suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring extending in the vehicle width direction, the leaf spring having an end portion disposed on the lower arm
Implementation Method 2
the cover portion having a predetermined reinforcing shape
Implementation Method 3
a shock absorbing device disposed between the lower arm and the side member
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure which is equipped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a leaf spring positioned so as to extend in the vehicle widthwise direction in a manner such that an end section thereof is provided in the lower arm, wherein: the lower arm has an opening which opens to the inside in the vehicle widthwise direction; the leaf spring extends into the lower arm through the opening; the end section of the leaf spring is supported by a support part of the lower arm; and a cover section of the lower arm covers the end section of the leaf spring at a distance therefrom, and has a prescribed reinforcing shape.