Vehicle Suspension Arm Weight Reduction via Local Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension arms for motor vehicles, particularly those subject to significant stresses, face a challenge in reducing weight and material costs due to the need for flat machining start zones, which are typically arranged as bumps increasing the weight.
Innovation Solution
The suspension arm features recessed flat support zones in weakly stressed areas, with hollow zones on one face and raised zones on the other for machining, allowing for reduced material usage and weight while maintaining stability at high-stress points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat bearing zones are arranged as bumps on the suspension arm, then machining start zones are provided for referencing on machining machines, but the weight of the suspension arm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of flat bearing zones based on their location and stress levels. In weakly stressed areas, flat zones are arranged recessed to reduce weight, while in highly stressed areas, flat zones are arranged as bumps to maintain structural integrity. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each area according to its specific requirements rather than applying a uniform design throughout the suspension arm.
2Weight of moving object
If flat support zones are arranged recessed in weakly stressed areas, then the weight of the suspension arm is reduced, but machining reference stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures machining reference stability in recessed areas by providing counter-support areas on the opposite face of the suspension arm. These counter-support areas work in conjunction with the recessed flat support zones to maintain stability during machining operations while still achieving weight reduction. The combination of recessed flat zones and opposing counter-support areas resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and machining reference stability.
3Strength
If more material is used to maintain structural integrity at high-stress points, then the suspension arm can withstand significant stresses, but the weight and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes material distribution by concentrating material only where structurally necessary. Flat zones are arranged as bumps only in highly stressed areas to maintain strength, while recessed flat zones are used in weakly stressed areas to reduce weight. This localized material optimization resolves the contradiction by ensuring strength where needed while minimizing weight where structural demands are lower.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly adding material throughout the suspension arm to ensure strength, the patent inverts the approach by strategically removing material from weakly stressed areas while preserving it in highly stressed areas. This inversion principle allows weight reduction without compromising overall structural integrity, as material is retained only where absolutely necessary for withstanding significant stresses.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention concerns a suspension arm (1) forming a front triangle, fixed to the body at two neighbouring points (E1, E2) and to the wheel support at a third point (D), said arm comprising, on one of the faces thereof, at least one recessed planar supporting area (Z1, Z3) arranged close to the point of attachment (E1) at the elbow of the triangle, one recessed planar supporting area (Z2) is arranged close to the other point of attachment (E2) of the arm to the body and another projecting planar supporting area (Z4) is arranged close to the other point of attachment (D) of the arm to the wheel support.