One-Shell Suspension Arm Coil Spring Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring links for motor vehicle wheel suspensions face challenges with high manufacturing costs and weight due to the need for additional reinforcing sheets and complex production steps, while also requiring improved resilience and force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A single-shell spring link design featuring a coil with a yield strength of at least 500 MPa, an inwardly projecting collar for centering, and a fork-shaped bearing section that distributes forces and moments, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing plates and optimizing manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional reinforcing sheets or locking plates are used to increase resilience in the spring support area, then the strength and rigidity of the spring link is improved, but the component weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring support function and shock absorber connection into a single integrated connecting section. The coil spring seat and shock absorber mounting point are combined in one structure, eliminating the need for separate reinforcing sheets or locking plates. This integration maintains structural strength while reducing component weight and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating reinforcement only where needed - in the connecting section that combines the spring seat and shock absorber mounting. Rather than adding universal reinforcement throughout the spring link, the design provides localized strengthening at the critical load-bearing connecting section, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio.
2Strength
If additional reinforcing sheets or locking plates are used to increase resilience in the spring support area, then the strength and rigidity of the spring link is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (spring support, shock absorber mounting, and structural reinforcement) into a single integrated connecting section. This merger eliminates the need for multiple separate components that would require assembly steps such as welding or fastening, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the required strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the spring seat, the shock absorber mounting point, and the necessary structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating separate production and assembly steps for reinforcing elements.
3Device complexity
If forces are concentrated in a small area of the spring support, then the structural design is simpler, but the spring link may deform or expand under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional spring support surface to a three-dimensional coil spring seat structure. The coil configuration provides radial and axial support surfaces that distribute loads in multiple directions, increasing the support area and improving resistance to deformation while maintaining structural integrity under high loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring seat incorporates curved surfaces that conform to the spring geometry, providing optimal contact and load distribution. The curved configuration of the coil structure naturally distributes forces across multiple contact points, preventing stress concentration and reducing the risk of deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a one-shell suspension arm (1) for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, the suspension arm being formed from sheet metal, comprising a first end section (1.1) for connecting to a chassis beam, preferably a rear-axle beam, a second end section (1.2) for the wheel-side connection, and a width-expanded section (1.3) for supporting a spring (2), said width-expanded section being arranged between the two end sections (1.1, 1.2) and defining a trough having flanks (1.31, 1.32) projecting upward. In order to enable optimized wheel suspension by distributing the forces and torques to spatially distanced connection or articulated-connection points while achieving a relatively low component weight and low production costs, a spiral (1.34) is formed as a spring seat in the width-expanded section of the suspension arm, and a connecting section (1.22) for connecting a shock absorber (3) is formed between the spiral (1.34) and the second end section (1.2).