Rear Axle Transverse Leaf Spring Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear axle designs for motor vehicles, which use transverse leaf springs, occupy significant installation space and require additional measures for roll stabilization due to their linear characteristic.
Innovation Solution
A rear axle design featuring two independent wheel suspensions with a three-link arrangement and a transverse leaf spring arrangement connected to the vehicle's structure, allowing for a compact configuration with increased space above the axle, and providing a progressive spring characteristic to enhance roll stabilization without the need for additional stabilizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a transverse leaf spring is arranged in vehicle vertical direction above the transverse link portion of the H-arm link and under the upper transverse link, then the installation space is reduced, but installation space is still occupied and roll stabilization requires further measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the transverse leaf spring from a straight configuration to a bent configuration with multiple curvature radii. This parameter change allows the spring to provide both suspension function and roll stabilization function, eliminating the need for additional stabilizer measures while maintaining compact installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent transverse leaf spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a suspension element supporting the vehicle weight, provides roll stabilization through its asymmetric bent geometry, and maintains a compact installation footprint. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating roll stabilization into the spring structure itself rather than requiring separate measures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a straight transverse leaf spring is mounted by means of rubber pads, then the mounting is simplified, but a linear characteristic is produced requiring further measures for roll stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the leaf spring from straight to bent, with specific curvature radii (R1, R2, R3) defined in the claims. This geometric transformation maintains the simplicity of mounting by rubber pads while fundamentally changing the spring characteristic from linear to progressive, thereby providing inherent roll stabilization without additional measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent geometry creates local quality variations in the spring's stiffness characteristics. The different curvature sections (with radii R1, R2, R3) provide varying flexibility along the spring length, creating a progressive spring rate that enhances roll stabilization locally while maintaining overall mounting simplicity.
3Reliability
If the transverse leaf spring arrangement has a linear characteristic, then the spring behavior is predictable, but roll stabilization requires additional measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spring characteristic from linear to progressive by changing the geometric parameters (bending the spring with specific radii). The progressive characteristic remains predictable and calculable through the defined geometry, while providing enhanced roll stabilization. The predictability is maintained through precise geometric definition rather than through additional stabilizing components.
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
The design reduces installation space requirements, allows for the placement of additional components above the axle, and improves roll stabilization through a bidirectional progressive spring characteristic, eliminating the need for additional stabilizers.
Implementation Method 1
a transverse leaf spring arrangement connected to the two independent wheel suspensions and to a structure of the motor vehicle... providing a progressive spring characteristic to enhance roll stabilization
Data Source
AI summary
A rear axle is provided for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, with two independent wheel suspensions, each of which include, but is not limited to a wheel carrier and a three-link arrangement connected therewith in an articulated manner with a longitudinal link and two transverse links. The two transverse links are each arranged in vehicle longitudinal direction next to each other, and with a transverse leaf spring arrangement, which is connected to the two independent wheel suspensions.