Motor-Integrated Swing Arm Suspension for Space-Saving Wheel Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel suspensions for commercial vehicles require large installation space and complex drive train components, limiting vehicle behavior control and space for other components due to coupled wheels and intricate drive shaft interactions.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension design featuring a rocker arm with a pivotally mounted electric or pneumatic motor directly connected to the swing arm, eliminating the need for a drive train and allowing independent wheel control, which reduces space requirements and enhances energy efficiency by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity and enabling a lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional drive train components are used with complex bearings and shafts, then torque transmission to the wheel is achieved, but installation space is consumed and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is integrated directly into the wheel hub, merging the drive function with the wheel structure. This eliminates the need for separate drive train components such as bearings, shafts, and differentials, significantly reducing installation space while maintaining torque transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel hub is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the wheel mounting structure and the motor housing. The motor shaft is directly connected to the wheel rotation, making the wheel hub a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate drive train elements
2Power
If complex drive train components with multiple bearings and shafts are used, then torque is transmitted to the wheel, but device complexity increases and control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes all intermediate drive train components (bearings, shafts, differentials) from the system, leaving only the essential motor and wheel hub. This simplification eliminates the complex interactions between multiple components while preserving the core function of torque transmission to the wheel
3Volume of stationary object
If the motor is mounted on the swing arm with direct connection, then space is saved and center of gravity is lowered, but the motor must be integrated into the moving suspension mass
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is merged with the wheel hub structure, and both are mounted on the swing arm as an integrated unit. This combination allows the motor mass to be part of the wheel-suspended mass, but the overall vehicle mass is reduced due to elimination of the drive train, and the center of gravity is lowered due to the compact integration
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 simplifies the suspension, saves space, improves vibration behavior, and allows for easier conversion of vehicles to electric or pneumatic drives, enabling a more passenger-friendly low-floor design and efficient energy use while reducing wheel-suspended masses and tire wear.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel suspension (1) for a wheel of a vehicle driven by an electric or pneumatic motor (2)
Implementation Method 2
the wheel is pivotally mounted to the vehicle via only one link – the swing arm... Longitudinal and lateral forces occurring during operation are most effectively absorbed when the swing arm is angled
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel suspension (1) for a wheel (23) of a vehicle, which wheel is driven by an electrical or pneumatic motor (2), particularly a rear wheel of a utility vehicle, comprising a swing arm (3) that is mounted on the vehicle in a first region (4) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (7), and is supported on the vehicle in a second region (8), wherein a third region (10) of the swing arm (3) supports a part of the motor (2) that is secured for conjoint rotation with respect to the swing arm (3) in order for a torque to be transmitted to the wheel with a rotating part of the motor (2).