Single Shell Spring Link C-Profile Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring links for motor vehicle wheel suspensions face challenges with high manufacturing costs and weight due to the need for additional reinforcing sheets and complex production steps, while also requiring improved resilience and force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A single-shell spring link with inwardly formed surface parts on its widened section, creating a C-shaped cross-sectional profile, which enhances rigidity and strength, allowing for reduced material usage and weight, and includes a connecting section for shock absorbers to distribute forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional reinforcing sheets or locking plates are used to increase rigidity and strength, then the spring link achieves higher resilience in the spring support area, but the component weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring link is divided into functionally optimized sections: a widened section with C-shaped profile for spring support, a connecting section for shock absorber attachment, and end sections for mounting. This segmentation allows each part to contribute efficiently to overall strength without unnecessary material throughout the entire component.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped cross-sectional profile with inwardly formed surface parts is applied specifically in the widened section where spring support is needed, providing localized reinforcement exactly where required. The connecting section includes openings for shock absorber mounting to distribute forces at a specific location. This localized quality approach strengthens critical areas without adding material to the entire spring link.
2Strength
If additional reinforcing sheets or locking plates are incorporated into the spring link, then the spring link achieves higher resilience and force distribution, but the manufacturing complexity and production steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional requirements are merged into a single integrated spring link shell: the C-shaped profile provides spring support, the connecting section integrates shock absorber mounting, and the end sections incorporate mounting features. This merging eliminates the need for separate reinforcing sheets, locking plates, or bridging plates that would require additional manufacturing steps and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-shell spring link performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the wheel, supports the spring through the C-shaped profile, connects the shock absorber via the connecting section, and provides mounting points at the end sections. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.
3Strength
If outwardly bent collars (flanges) are used in single-shell spring links, then the spring link achieves adequate strength, but more material is required compared to inwardly formed surface parts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the flanks outward to form collars as in conventional designs, the flanks are formed inwardly to create the C-shaped cross-sectional profile. This inversion of the conventional approach achieves equal or superior strength through the geometric efficiency of the C-shape, which provides structural rigidity while using less material than outwardly bent collars would require.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~17
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-shell spring arm (1), shaped from sheet steel, for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, having a first end portion (1.1) for connection to a chassis member, preferably to a rear axle member, having a second end portion (1.2) for connection on the wheel side, and having an increased-width portion (1.3) which is arranged between the two end portions (1.1, 1.2) and which defines a spine (1.33) with flanks (1.31, 1.32) protruding therefrom and which defines a spring seat (1.34) for supporting a spring. In order, with a relatively low component weight and favourable production costs, to attain high component rigidity and a wheel suspension which is optimized with regard to loads, the invention proposes that inwardly formed surface parts (1.311, 1.321) be implemented on the flanks (1.31, 1.32), the longitudinal edges (1.312, 1.322) of which surface parts are spaced apart from one another over the entire length thereof such that the increased-width portion (1.3) has a C-profile-shaped cross-sectional profile, and that furthermore a connecting portion (1.22) for the connection of a shock absorber be implemented between the spring seat and the second end portion (1.2).