Pivoting Wheel Arm Suspension for Off-Road Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vehicles, particularly off-road vehicles, are compromised in their ability to provide agility and stability across a wide range of terrain and conditions, failing to effectively manage shock, vibration, and maintain vehicle grip during maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with pivotable wheel arms and actuators allowing 180-degree pivoting, combined with a modular design and independent actuation, enabling various modes of operation such as standard travel, slope traverse, turn on the spot, gap crossing, and storage, to enhance versatility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional suspension systems are designed for specific off-road tasks, then off-road mobility is enhanced, but vehicle stability and grip are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system employs dynamically adjustable wheel arm configurations that can pivot between multiple positions. The wheel arms are connected via pivoting joints allowing real-time adjustment of suspension geometry to optimize both mobility and stability based on terrain conditions and vehicle maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is designed with universal wheel arm assemblies that can perform multiple functions: supporting vehicle weight, absorbing shocks, enabling steering, and maintaining wheel ground contact. The same basic suspension unit adapts to different operational requirements through its pivoting mechanism, providing both off-road mobility and vehicle stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If wheel arms are configured for maximum travel range, then terrain adaptability improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system divides the wheel arm into segmented components connected by pivoting joints. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, achieving maximum travel range and terrain adaptability while keeping individual components simpler in design and easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting wheel arm mechanism employs a nested arrangement where the wheel arm pivots within the suspension housing, and the wheel assembly pivots within the wheel arm structure. This nested configuration maximizes the range of motion without proportionally increasing the overall structural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If pivot range is increased to 180 degrees, then suspension flexibility improves, but clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system achieves 180-degree pivot range by utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The pivoting joints are positioned and oriented to allow full rotation while the wheel arm and wheel assembly are configured to clear surrounding structures through coordinated motion in multiple dimensions rather than requiring excessive linear clearance
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system (400) for supporting a chassis (200) of a vehicle (100). The suspension system (400) comprises a suspension unit (442). The suspension unit (442) comprises a wheel arm assembly (444) comprising a first wheel arm (402) having a chassis mount end (410) and a wheel mount end (412). The chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) are provided with a chassis mounting member (414), the chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) and chassis mounting member (414) being pivotable relative to one another around a chassis mount pivoting axis (230). The chassis mounting member (414) is configured to support the chassis mount end (410) of the first wheel arm (402) so that the first wheel arm (402) and chassis mounting member (414) are operable to pivot 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis (230).