Segmented Lower Cross Member for Vehicle Cabin Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing rear suspension units of industrial and commercial vehicles face challenges in accommodating the increasing size of engine units without increasing the overall vehicle dimensions, requiring double safety clearances that complicate design and manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A rear suspension unit design featuring a lower cross member composed of two physically separated and reciprocally spaced lateral parts, allowing the upper cross member to oscillate between them, which increases the available space for the engine unit and simplifies the design by eliminating the need for central supports and additional clearances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the lower cross member is made as a single piece with a solid horizontal part, then structural strength is improved, but the space available for the engine unit is reduced due to the need for double safety clearances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidspace for engine unit

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lower cross member is divided into two separate lateral parts (first lateral part and second lateral part) instead of being a single solid piece. These parts are spaced apart to define an oscillation space, allowing the upper cross member to oscillate freely while providing engine clearance without requiring double safety margins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the cabin is raised to increase engine space, then the space for the engine unit is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to new cabin design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace for engine unitVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of raising the entire cabin structure, the invention segments only the lower cross member into spaced lateral parts. This localized modification creates the necessary engine clearance without requiring redesign or raising of the cabin, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If double safety clearances are provided under and over the horizontal part, then collision avoidance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower cross member is segmented into two lateral parts spaced apart to create an oscillation space. This segmentation inherently provides the necessary clearances for both engine vibrations (below) and cabin oscillations (above) without requiring separate clearance design calculations, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane horizontal part to a three-dimensional oscillation space defined by the spaced lateral parts. This dimensional change allows simultaneous accommodation of engine clearance and cabin oscillation clearance, reducing design complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2619071B1Improvements to the rear suspension unit of a vehicle cabin, especially of an industrial or commercial vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.06.10 IVECO SPA

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AI summary

The present invention refers to a rear suspension unit of vehicle cabin, especially of industrial or commercial vehicle, comprising: an upper cross member (1) connected to the lower edge of the back of the cabin; a lower cross member, connected to the vehicle chassis by means of vertical supports; one or more shock absorbers (2) and at least a containment bar (4) between said cross members. The lower cross member is open-shaped, being defined by two lateral substantially parallel parts (10, 11) developing vertically and being physically separated and spaced out so that the upper cross member can oscillate between them.