Stabilizer Bar Disconnect With Clutch Actuation for Wheel Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle suspensions with stabilizer bars often restrict independent vertical movement of wheels, which can hinder off-road performance by requiring synchronized movement of both wheels, limiting clearance over obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle stabilizer bar with a disconnect mechanism featuring a clutch piston and actuator that allows torsional coupling and axial movement, enabling selective disconnection between the left and right side-bars, allowing each wheel to move independently by using a screw assembly and planetary gearset to control the clutch piston's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stabilizer bar is used to equalize vertical movement of left and right wheels, then vehicle stability is improved, but independent wheel movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer bar incorporates a dynamic disconnect mechanism that allows the system to switch between connected and disconnected states. The clutch piston and actuator assembly enable the stabilizer bar to transition from a rigid coupled state (providing stability) to a disconnected state (allowing independent wheel movement), making the system adaptable to different operating conditions such as on-road versus off-road terrain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a disconnect mechanism with actuator and gearset is added to allow independent wheel movement, then off-road performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect mechanism employs a nested structure where the clutch piston is disposed within the first housing, the actuator is positioned within the second housing, and the planetary gearset is integrated within the actuator assembly. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact package, reducing overall space requirements and simplifying integration into the vehicle suspension system while maintaining the desired disconnect 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
Enables each wheel to experience independent vertical displacement without affecting the other, improving off-road performance by allowing clearance over obstacles and reducing the tendency for the vehicle to tip during cornering.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator and a gearset arranged within the second housing and the actuator is drivably connected to the nut via the gearset. The gearset can be a planetary gearset
Implementation Method 2
a screw assembly includes a nut disposed within the second housing and the nut is drivably connected to the screw and the screw is coupled to the clutch piston
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer bar includes a first housing configured to be fixed to a first side-bar, and a second housing configured to be fixed to a second side-bar. The first housing incudes a clutch piston that engages a clutch ring fixed to the second housing. The clutch piston is moved axially via a screw actuated by a nut. The nut is rotated via a planetary gearset driven by an actuator.