Vehicle Suspension Ball Joint Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension structures face challenges in preventing deformation of the vehicle body during frontal or rear impacts, as the suspension arm can pivot and cause interference between the vehicle wheel and the body, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A suspension structure that utilizes a ball joint linking the suspension arm and vehicle wheel, where the spherical housing of the ball joint pivots relative to the sphere, allowing the sphere to come out of the housing upon deformation, thereby releasing the link between the wheel and arm, which reduces interference and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suspension arm is linked to the vehicle wheel via a ball joint to ensure shock absorbing capability, then the reliability of the suspension system is improved, but the vehicle body may deform due to wheel interference during frontal or rear impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint is segmented into a spherical housing and a sphere that can separate from each other. During normal operation, they remain connected to provide shock absorption. During impact, the sphere detaches from the spherical housing, allowing the suspension arm to pivot independently and prevent wheel interference with the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint transitions from a static connected state to a dynamic separable state during impact. The spherical housing and sphere are designed to separate under specific impact conditions, enabling the suspension system to adapt its behavior based on the operational state (normal vs. impact) to prevent harmful effects.
2Loss of energy
If the suspension arm deforms during impact to absorb shock, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the spherical housing may interfere with the shaft portion preventing proper release
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical housing is pre-configured with an open end and positioning features that anticipate impact forces. The geometry is designed in advance so that during deformation, the spherical housing naturally pivots and the open end aligns with the shaft portion, enabling automatic release without additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint release mechanism is self-actuating through the deformation process itself. The spherical housing's own movement during impact causes the open end to interfere with the shaft portion, automatically triggering the release of the sphere without requiring external actuation or complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension structure includes a suspension arm and a ball joint. The suspension arm is connected between a suspension member and a vehicle-widthwise outer side end connected to a vehicle wheel. The ball joint connects the suspension arm and the vehicle wheel. When the vehicle receives an impact in the longitudinal direction, a socket of the ball joint pivots relative to a ball as the suspension arm deforms, and a flange portion on an open side of the socket interferes with a stud shaft of the ball joint. The interference causes the flange portion to deform and the ball to come out of the socket to undo the link with the vehicle wheel by the ball joint. Upon becoming unlinked, the vehicle wheel moves toward the vehicle-widthwise outer side and interference with the rear vehicle body is suppressed to limit deformation of the vehicle body.