Steerable Wheel Suspension with Tilting Hinge and Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-wheeled motor vehicles face a challenge in balancing stability and handling, as increased stability requires additional weight and components that compromise handling and cost-effectiveness, while a three-wheeled configuration cannot guarantee the stability and roadholding of a four-wheeled vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle wheel suspension system with a guide wheel having an outer jacket that encloses a damper and spring, featuring a tilting hinge and slot for attachment to the frame, and a tilting support structure for front wheels connected to a rotation pin, allowing for synchronized rolling and steering through an articulated quadrilateral mechanism, optimizing stability and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional elements are added to increase stability, then stability is improved, but weight and structure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steering mechanism and suspension system into an integrated unit. The steerable wheel assembly combines the wheel, steering knuckle, suspension elements (spring and damper), and connecting rods into a single kinematically connected system. This integration provides stability through the interconnected structure while avoiding the weight penalty of separate, redundant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The steerable wheel assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides steering control, suspension, and structural support. The articulated quadrilateral mechanism enables the wheel to both steer and tilt, while the integrated suspension elements handle road irregularities. This multi-functionality achieves stability without adding dedicated separate components for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional elements are added to increase stability, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steering mechanism and suspension system into an integrated unit. The steerable wheel assembly combines the wheel, steering knuckle, suspension elements (spring and damper), and connecting rods into a single kinematically connected system. This integration provides stability through the interconnected structure while avoiding the weight penalty of separate, redundant components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wheel suspension components are optimized for stability, then stability is improved, but handling and agility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates dynamic elements including a damper and spring that adapt to road conditions. The steerable wheel assembly can dynamically adjust its position through the articulated quadrilateral mechanism, allowing the vehicle to maintain stability during normal operation while enabling agile maneuvering when steering input is applied. The system transitions between stable and agile states based on operational requirements.
4Weight of moving object
If three-wheeled configuration is used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but stability and roadholding deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates dynamic elements including a damper and spring that adapt to road conditions. The steerable wheel assembly can dynamically adjust its position through the articulated quadrilateral mechanism, allowing the vehicle to maintain stability during normal operation while enabling agile maneuvering when steering input is applied. The system transitions between stable and agile states based on operational requirements.
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
The solution enhances the dynamic behavior of the vehicle by moving the center of rotation rearward, providing uniform suspension sinking, improved steering control, and reduced weight, resulting in a stable, agile, and cost-effective vehicle with enhanced handling and safety.
Implementation Method 1
said outer jacket (132) internally encloses a tilting hinge (100, 105) for realising a second attachment to connection elements of the frame
Implementation Method 2
said outer jacket (132) internally encloses a damper (116) and a spring (120)
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle wheel suspension, comprising a guide wheel having an outer jacket comprising a wheel attachment for the connection of the guide wheel to a rotation pin of a wheel. The guide wheel extends between opposite axial upper and lower ends in correspondence of which it comprises attachments for its connection to connection elements of an associated frame, wherein said outer jacket internally encloses a damper and a spring. The outer jacket, in correspondence of one of said axial upper and lower ends comprises a slot for realizing a first attachment to connection elements of the frame, said slot housing a pin axially guided by said slot, the slot connecting a cavity inside the outer jacket with said pin. The outer jacket, in correspondence of the other of said axial upper and lower ends comprises a tilting hinge for realizing a second attachment to connection elements of the frame.