Steerable Wheel Suspension with Bent Coupling Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspension systems for steerable vehicles do not adequately reduce influences during wheel compression, such as on uneven roadways, and do not effectively minimize the restoring moment of the steering device across different driving speeds.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension device featuring a pivotable wheel carrier with an upper and lower link, and a stabilizer with a coupling rod that extends in a bent manner around the spring strut, allowing for reduced forces and moments transmission, and compensation of elastic toe-in during cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional wheel suspension systems are used, then basic suspension function is provided, but disruptive moments on the steering wheel during wheel compression are not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilizer is introduced as an intermediary component between the wheel carrier and the vehicle frame. The stabilizer includes a coupling rod that extends in a bent manner around the spring strut, acting as a mediator to reduce disruptive moments transmitted to the steering wheel while maintaining steering stability through its connection to the wheel carrier and vehicle frame
2Weight of moving object
If traditional suspension components are used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight of suspension parts can be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling rod is designed with a bent configuration that extends around the spring strut in a curved manner. This curved geometry allows the coupling rod to effectively transmit forces and moments while using less material compared to a straight rigid connection, thereby reducing weight while maintaining structural strength
3Object-affected harmful factors
If simple connecting members are used, then device complexity is minimized, but influences during compression on uneven roadways are not adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into distinct functional components: upper link, lower link, stabilizer, and coupling rod. Each component performs a specific function in reducing influences during wheel compression, allowing the system to handle complex road conditions while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
A device suspends a steerable wheel on a vehicle via a wheel carrier that is pivotable about a steering axis and on which the wheel is rotatably mounted. The device includes an upper link including a first end and a second end. The upper link is pivotably mounted on the vehicle by the first end and supports the wheel carrier by the second end via a wheel carrier arm. A lower link includes a wheel-side end on which the wheel carrier is pivotably mounted and a vehicle-side end that is pivotably mounted on the vehicle. A stabilizer is pivotably supported in support bearings on the vehicle. The stabilizer includes a free end connected to a coupling rod that extends in a bent manner around a wheel-side region of a spring strut and another end that is mounted on the wheel carrier.