Shock Absorber Support Structure Load Dispersion Utility Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility vehicle shock absorbers often impose excessive load on the vehicle body frame, leading to insufficient load distribution, which can compromise structural integrity and stability, especially under heavy loads.

Innovation Solution

A supporting structure for shock absorbers that includes connecting the shock absorber to a support portion of the vehicle body frame from below and integrating a rollover protective structure (ROPS) above, with the shock absorber and ROPS aligned on the same line to facilitate load dispersion, and utilizing a gusset to reinforce the connection between lower and rear frames for enhanced support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the shock absorber is supported only by the vehicle body frame, then the support structure is simple, but the load on the vehicle body frame becomes excessive and insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidload bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shock absorber support function with the ROPS structure by connecting both components to the same support portion on the vehicle body frame. This merging allows the ROPS to share the load-bearing responsibility, distributing the shock absorber load to the ROPS and preventing excessive concentration on the vehicle body frame alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the shock absorber and ROPS are aligned on one straight line, then load transmission to ROPS is optimized, but the structural configuration becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transmission efficiencyVSAvoidstructural configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by specifically aligning the shock absorber and ROPS on one straight line at the support portion where load transmission is critical. This localized alignment optimizes load transmission efficiency from the shock absorber to the ROPS without requiring the entire vehicle structure to follow this configuration, thus maintaining flexibility in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a gusset is used to connect lower frame and rear frame, then the supporting strength of the support portion is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport portion strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gusset is designed and positioned in advance during the vehicle body frame construction process to pre-reinforce the support portion before the shock absorber and ROPS are installed. This preliminary reinforcement ensures that the support portion has enhanced strength capacity ready to handle the combined loads, rather than requiring complex reinforcement after assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10696117B2Supporting structure for shock absorber of suspension device of utility vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A supporting structure for a shock absorber of a suspension device of a utility vehicle includes a shock absorber and a vehicle body frame. The shock absorber is supported on a support portion of the vehicle body frame from below the vehicle body frame, and a rollover protective structure (ROPS) is connected to the support portion from above the vehicle body frame.