Off-Highway Vehicle Rear Suspension Geometry for Zero Toe and Camber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational off-highway vehicles face challenges in maintaining zero toe change and zero camber change through the full suspension stroke while minimizing scrub, which affects handling on uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rear suspension assembly with trailing arms, floating rear knuckles, shock absorbers, and control links that maintain zero toe and zero camber through the full suspension stroke, minimizing scrub by using a combination of pivotally connected components and adjustable control links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suspension assemblies have a large amount of travel to handle rough terrain, then the vehicle can operate on uneven terrain, but the wheel orientations (camber and toe) change adversely affecting handling
Solution Approach 1:
The control links are designed with specific pivot points and linkages that dynamically adjust wheel orientation parameters (camber and toe) during suspension travel. The trailing arm suspension geometry is configured to maintain consistent wheel angles despite large suspension stroke, transforming the relationship between suspension travel and wheel orientation
Solution Approach 2:
Control links act as intermediary components between the trailing arm suspension and the wheel assembly. These links mediate the motion transmission, decoupling the large suspension travel from direct wheel orientation changes through carefully positioned pivot points and linkages
2Length of moving object
If the wheels move up and down in vertical direction by the suspension assemblies, then the suspension provides travel for rough terrain, but the camber and toe of the wheels change
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing arm suspension geometry and control link configuration are specifically designed to maintain constant camber and toe parameters throughout the full suspension stroke. The pivot points and linkages are positioned to ensure that wheel orientation remains consistent regardless of vertical wheel position
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing wheel orientation to change naturally with suspension travel, the control links are configured to actively counteract orientation changes. The linkage geometry is inverted or rearranged to produce the opposite effect of what would occur in a conventional suspension, thereby maintaining consistent wheel angles
3Device complexity
If conventional suspension designs are used, then the structure is simpler, but scrub increases reducing handling precision
Solution Approach 1:
The control links are designed with specific pivot point locations and link lengths that minimize scrub throughout the suspension stroke. By carefully selecting and positioning these parameters, the suspension achieves precise wheel ground contact behavior without requiring overly complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing arm suspension incorporates localized geometric features and control link configurations specifically optimized to minimize scrub at critical points in the suspension stroke. The pivot points and linkages are positioned to address scrub reduction at specific phases of wheel movement
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of rear suspensions, a rear differential and a motor. The rear suspensions connect the rear wheels to the vehicle frame. The rear differential connects to the rear wheels. The motor is connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. Each rear suspensions includes a trailing arm, a floating rear knuckle, a shock absorber and a plurality of control links. The trailing arm has a front end pivotally connected to the vehicle frame. The floating rear knuckle is pivotally connected to a rear end of the trailing arm. The shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and the trailing arm. The control links have first ends movably supporting the floating rear knuckle and second ends pivotally connected to the vehicle frame forward of the rear differential.