Active Geometry Control Suspension Actuator Load Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active geometry control suspensions face durability issues due to direct transfer of road impacts to actuators, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a guide with a slot to absorb horizontal and vertical loads, a control arm to transform rotation energy into linear movement, and a drive motor with a reduction gear to reduce load transfer to the actuator, enhancing durability and stability while simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is directly connected to the control lever to control toe-in angle, then the alignment control function is achieved, but road impacts are transferred to the actuator causing durability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the actuator and the control lever. This buffer member absorbs and isolates road impacts, preventing them from being directly transferred to the actuator while still allowing the actuator to effectively control the toe-in angle through the control lever and assist link mechanism.
2Reliability
If the actuator is securely fixed and the assembly structure is made solid to improve durability, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member serves as a cost-effective intermediary solution that improves durability without requiring complex reinforcement of the actuator mounting structure. By placing this simple buffering component in the load path, the system achieves improved reliability while avoiding the high costs associated with making the entire assembly structure overly solid and complex.
3Ease of operation
If the control lever rotates based on fixing hinge to move assist link, then the toe-in angle control is achieved, but horizontal and vertical loads are transferred to the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is positioned in the force transmission path between the control lever and the actuator. It selectively absorbs horizontal and vertical loads generated during assist link movement, allowing the actuator to focus on generating the primary control force needed for toe-in angle adjustment while the buffer handles the impact and lateral load components.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission path is segmented into different functional zones: the actuator provides precise control force, the buffer member absorbs impact and lateral loads, and the control lever translates these forces to the assist link. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and reduces the overall load burden on the actuator.
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
This solution effectively reduces the impact on the actuator, improving durability and stability, reducing manufacturing costs, and enhancing the overall life of components like bearings and gears.
Implementation Method 1
a guide formed in the moving member and including a slot to slidably receive the moving member therein so as to guide a movement of the moving member
Implementation Method 2
a control arm that extends from the drive shaft to be pivotally connected to the other portion of the moving member through a connection pin formed in the moving member
Data Source
AI summary
An active geometry control suspension, may include an assist link of which a wheel is connected to one end portion thereof to guide a movement of the wheel, a moving member, one portion of which is pivotally fixed to the other end portion of the assist link, a guide formed in the moving member and including a slot to slidably receive the moving member therein so as to guide a movement of the moving member, a body that is fixed to a vehicle body to connect the guide thereto, and a driving portion coupled to the other portion of the moving member and moving the moving member along the slot to vary a position of the assist link and thus to vary an alignment angle of the wheel.