Rotatable Bracket Suspension Device Maintains Damper Axis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear suspension devices for steering vehicles experience a change in the position of the damper spring axis when the wheel is steered by an actuator, affecting suspension performance.
Innovation Solution
A suspension device design featuring a rotatable bracket between the retention member and the lower arm, utilizing a tie rod connected to an actuator, which maintains the damper spring axis position unchanged during wheel steering by employing a Class 2 lever mechanism to adjust toe angles without directly transmitting force to the lower arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driving rod of the actuator is driven back and forth to steer the wheel, then the wheel steering function is achieved, but the position of the damper spring axis changes, affecting suspension performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steering mechanism into separate functional components: the actuator drives the driving rod, which rotates the bracket independently, while the lower arm and damper spring remain isolated from steering forces. This segmentation ensures that wheel steering and suspension functions are decoupled, allowing the damper spring axis position to remain unchanged during steering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as an intermediary component between the driving rod and the wheel assembly. It receives rotational motion from the driving rod and transmits it to the wheel via the tie rod, while the lower arm and damper spring are connected to the vehicle body in a way that isolates them from steering-induced position changes. This intermediary structure enables steering without affecting suspension geometry.
2Device complexity
If the actuator directly transmits force to the lower arm for steering, then the steering mechanism is simplified, but the damper spring axis position changes during steering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force transmission path by introducing a bracket as a dedicated steering rotation component. The actuator's force is transmitted to the bracket, which rotates independently on its rotation axis. The lower arm is then connected to the bracket in a manner that allows rotation without transmitting steering forces to the damper spring mounting points, thus maintaining suspension performance while achieving steering functionality.
3Reliability
If the bracket is made rotatable between the retention member and the lower arm, then the damper spring axis position remains unchanged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with a rotation axis that allows it to dynamically adjust its orientation during steering operations. This rotational degree of freedom enables the bracket to accommodate steering motion while maintaining the lower arm's position relative to the vehicle body, thereby keeping the damper spring axis position unchanged. The dynamic rotation capability resolves the conflict between maintaining suspension geometry and enabling steering 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
This design maintains the damper spring axis position unchanged, enhancing suspension performance and reducing the size and weight of the actuator, while effectively adjusting toe angles for improved vehicle stability and turning performance.
Implementation Method 1
employing a Class 2 lever mechanism to adjust toe angles without directly transmitting force to the lower arm
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension device includes knuckles that rotatably retain rear wheels, an electric actuator that steers the rear wheels, paired tie rods that are connected to the electric actuator via a link mechanism and driven back and forth by the electric actuator, brackets that are rotated by the tie rods, and a lower arm attached to the brackets. Each bracket is rotatable between the knuckle and the lower arm.