Rear Suspension Balancer Systems for Tiltable Multitrack Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laterally tiltable multitrack vehicles require a rear suspension system that provides both balancing and spring/damping functions without compromising either, while also being weight and cost optimized to ensure stability and ride comfort during cornering and on uneven roads.

Innovation Solution

A rear suspension system comprising first and second trailing arms with separate balancer systems, where the first balancer system creates a torque to influence the leaning angle and the second balancer system suppresses resonant vertical motion, allowing for independent load paths for leaning and spring/damper functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single balancer system is used to provide both balancing and spring/damping functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the balancing function is compromised due to interference from vertical vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension system structureVSAvoidbalancing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into two independent balancer systems: a first balancer system dedicated to creating torque for influencing the leaning angle during cornering, and a second balancer system dedicated to suppressing resonant vertical motion. This segmentation allows each subsystem to optimize its specific function without interference, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and balancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate balancer systems are used for balancing and spring/damping functions, then function reliability is improved, but device complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalancing functionVSAvoidsuspension system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both balancer systems share common components including the control arm, mounting points on the vehicle body, and integration with the trailing arm assembly. This merging of structural elements allows the system to achieve improved reliability through functional separation while minimizing device complexity by reusing common hardware across both subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If heavier suspension components are used to provide both functions, then function reliability is improved, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension performanceVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation into two specialized balancer systems allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring oversized components to handle all functions. The first balancer system can use lighter components optimized for torque generation during cornering, while the second system uses components optimized for vertical vibration suppression, reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a simplified suspension system is used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but balancing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidbalancing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control arm and its mounting structure serve universal functions across both balancer systems, providing rotational movement support and force transmission for both the leaning angle control and vertical motion suppression functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable balancing performance without requiring entirely separate hardware for each function, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively stabilizes the vehicle during cornering and absorbs road vibrations, maintaining performance and safety without compromising weight or cost optimization.

Implementation Method 1

The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of a body of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the body of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

first and second trailing arms, each trailing arm extending between a rear wheel of the vehicle and a frame rail of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9925843B2Rear suspension systems for laterally tiltable multitrack vehicles

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.