Rear Portal Trailing Arm Assembly for Stable Off-Road Suspension Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges in mechanical strength, safety, convenience, and performance due to the harsh terrain and susceptibility to tipping over, which existing suspension systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A rear portal trailing arm assembly is introduced, featuring a CV joint hub, a gear transfer case with multiple meshed gear assemblies, and a wheel hub, which communicates torque from the CV joint hub to the wheel hub, allowing for vertical motion and improved suspension geometry to maintain track width and reduce articulation angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional trailing arm suspension is used, then the vehicle can traverse rough terrain, but the mechanical strength and structural integrity are insufficient under extreme off-road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the trailing arm suspension function with the rear differential housing into a single integrated portal assembly. The differential case serves as both the housing for gear assemblies and the structural trailing arm that connects to the chassis, eliminating the need for separate trailing arm components and increasing overall structural strength while reducing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The portal assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the rear differential housing, the trailing arm suspension component, and the mounting structure for gear assemblies. This multi-functional design strengthens the overall structure by consolidating load-bearing functions into a single robust assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If higher clearance and larger wheels are used for off-road capability, then the vehicle can access rough terrain, but the suspension geometry deteriorates and track width changes
Solution Approach 1:
The portal design elevates the differential and gear assemblies vertically above the wheel centerline, creating a stepped suspension geometry. This vertical dimensionality change allows the vehicle to maintain proper suspension angles and track width even with increased ground clearance and larger wheels, as the elevated component position compensates for the increased wheel offset.
3Reliability
If meshed gear assemblies are added to communicate torque, then the drivetrain performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear assemblies are integrated directly into the portal assembly structure, with the differential case serving as the housing for the meshed gears. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate gear housing components and simplifies the overall drivetrain architecture while maintaining reliable torque communication through the meshed gear assemblies.
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 rear portal trailing arm assembly enhances mechanical strength, safety, and performance by effectively managing road-induced forces and terrain changes, improving the overall comfort and reliability of off-road vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple gear assemblies are meshed within the gear transfer case... such that torque applied to the CV joint hub is communicated to the wheel hub
Data Source
AI summary
A rear portal trailing arm assembly for a vehicle rear suspension that includes a CV joint hub for coupling with a transaxle and a wheel hub for coupling with a rear wheel. A gear transfer case extends rearward from the CV joint hub to an axle case and functions similarly to a rear trailing arm. Forward mounts facilitate coupling the gear transfer case to the chassis such that the trailing arm assembly pivots vertically with respect to the chassis. A rearward mount facilitates coupling a strut with the gear transfer case to control the vertical motion of the rear wheel. Multiple gear assemblies are meshed within the gear transfer case. An axle is coupled with the meshed gear assemblies and housed within the axle case, such that torque applied to the CV joint hub is communicated to the wheel hub.