Vehicle Front Suspension Arm Upward Bend Inducing Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front suspension devices face issues where collision loads cause the subframe mounting portion to detach from the vehicle body, leading to instability and interference with other vehicle components during collisions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an upward bend inducing portion in the suspension arm, which bends upward upon collision, absorbing collision energy and reducing the detachment risk of the subframe mounting portion from the vehicle body, while also simplifying the suspension device by using the rear axially supporting portion as the subframe mounting portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a recess extending in the vehicle width direction is formed on the upper surface of the lower arm to absorb collision energy, then collision energy absorption is improved, but the subframe mounting portion may detach from the vehicle body due to downward force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision energy absorptionVSAvoidsubframe mounting portion detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing the lower arm to bend downward from the recess as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the bending direction by forming an upward curved portion that induces upward bending. This reversal prevents downward force transmission to the subframe mounting portion while still absorbing collision energy through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an upward curved portion in the lower arm that creates a predetermined curved path for deformation. This curvature geometry directs the bending motion upward during collision, transforming the deformation pattern from downward to upward to avoid subframe detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Loss of energy

If the lower arm bends downward from the recess during collision, then collision energy is absorbed, but the amount of retreat of the subframe increases and causes interference with the toe board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision energy absorptionVSAvoidsubframe retreat amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional downward bending behavior by designing the upward curved portion that forces the lower arm to bend upward during collision. This inversion directly counteracts the subframe retreat motion, reducing the retreat amount and preventing toe board interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration effectively absorbs collision energy without causing detachment of the subframe mounting portion, enhancing stability and reducing the input to the rear axially supporting portion, thus improving the vehicle's collision resistance and simplifying the suspension structure.

Implementation Method 1

an upward bend inducing portion 60 that bends the suspension arm upwardly when a suspension arm frontal collision load is input via the front wheel 16 to the suspension arm 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3785950B1Front suspension device for vehicle, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP3785950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] An object is to provide a front suspension device for a vehicle that, when a collision load acts on a suspension arm, is capable of reducing the detachment amount of a subframe mounting portion on the rear side from a vehicle body, absorbing collision load energy, and thereby reducing an input to a rear axially supporting portion for a subframe. [Means for Solution] The front suspension device for a vehicle is characterized by including: a subframe SF; a suspension arm 10 having an outer end on which a front wheel is pivotally supported, and an inner end pivotally supported with respect to the subframe; a subframe mounting portion 13A for mounting the subframe SF to a vehicle body 2 through a fastener 17 from below on the rear side relative to a front-wheel axially supporting portion of the suspension arm 10; and an upward bend inducing portion 60 for bending the suspension arm 10 upward when a suspension arm frontal collision load is input via the front wheel to the suspension arm 10.