Segmented Suspension Stabilizer with Locking Torsion Shaft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-roll stabilizer bars in vehicle suspension systems compromise ride comfort by restricting independent suspension articulation and create packaging constraints, as they extend transversely across the vehicle and are always active, even when not needed to modulate body roll.
Innovation Solution
A suspension stabilization system featuring independently mounted stabilizer devices with a torsion shaft and a locking mechanism that can be engaged or disengaged based on vehicle parameters like steering angle, body roll, and lateral acceleration, allowing for selective modulation of vehicle roll without impeding independent suspension articulation when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional stabilizer bar is used to prevent excessive vehicle body roll, then vehicle roll stability is improved, but independent suspension articulation is compromised and ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer bar system is made dynamically controllable through a locking mechanism that can selectively engage or disengage the stabilizer bar from the vehicle frame. This allows the system to transition between a rigid connected state (providing roll stability) and a disconnected state (allowing independent suspension articulation), resolving the contradiction by making the stabilizer effect conditional rather than constant
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connection parameter between the stabilizer bar and vehicle frame through the locking mechanism. When engaged, the stabilizer bar is rigidly connected to provide roll stability; when disengaged, the connection is released to allow independent suspension movement. This parameter change enables the system to adapt between conflicting requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional stabilizer bar extends transversely across the vehicle to increase roll rigidity, then vehicle roll stability is improved, but packaging constraints increase and component location flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer bar system is segmented into independent left and right sides, each with its own locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the stabilizer bar to be mounted independently on each side of the vehicle rather than requiring a continuous transverse structure, thereby reducing packaging constraints and improving component location flexibility while maintaining roll stability functionality
3Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism is added to enable selective engagement of the stabilizer bar, then independent suspension articulation is improved when not needed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically actuated based on vehicle operating conditions such as lateral acceleration, steering angle, or suspension articulation detection. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual control systems or additional sensors, reducing overall device complexity while enabling selective engagement to improve independent suspension articulation when needed
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 solution effectively stabilizes the vehicle body during lateral acceleration events while maintaining independent suspension articulation on straight paths, enhancing ride comfort and reducing packaging constraints by allowing the suspension to respond independently to road irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion shaft with an end connected to the stabilizer bar
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension stabilization system may include a stabilizer bar having an end configured to connect to a suspension component of a vehicle, and a torsion shaft with an end connected to the stabilizer bar. A locking mechanism may be configured to rotationally couple and decouple at least a portion of the torsion shaft with a portion of a frame of the vehicle. Methods relate to stabilizing a vehicle suspension.