Off-Road Wheel Suspension Axial Buffer Bearing Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspensions for all-terrain vehicles face issues with torsional overstressing of buffer elements, leading to rapid wear or destruction, and compromise ground clearance when attempting to absorb horizontal impacts and maintain pivoting freedom.
Innovation Solution
The buffer element and bearing are placed axially adjacent to the hinge pin, using high-ratio inner to outer diameter bearings like plain or needle bearings, with two holding heads on the wishbone and strategically positioned buffer elements to distribute loads and reduce wear, while maintaining small retaining head diameter and ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing is provided between the buffer element and the retaining head to relieve torsional load, then the buffer element is protected from torsional overstressing, but the diameter of the retaining head increases, reducing ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a radial nesting arrangement (buffer element inside bearing) to an axial arrangement (buffer element and bearing positioned end-to-end along the hinge pin axis). This dimensional reconfiguration allows both components to coexist without increasing the retaining head's radial diameter, thereby maintaining ground clearance while preserving the bearing's torsional protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer element is positioned within the retaining head's bore, nested along the axial direction. This nested arrangement allows the buffer element to occupy the internal axial space of the retaining head without requiring additional radial clearance, thus avoiding an increase in overall diameter.
2Length of stationary object
If the buffer element and bearing are arranged radially nested, then the retaining head diameter is minimized, but access for repair becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging the buffer element and bearing axially adjacent rather than radially nested, the patent creates distinct axial positions for each component. This spatial separation along the hinge pin axis provides adequate clearance for tools and hands during maintenance, significantly improving accessibility for repair operations while keeping the retaining head compact.
3Reliability
If the retaining head diameter is increased to accommodate both buffer element and bearing, then both components can function properly, but ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension along the hinge pin to accommodate both the buffer element and bearing, rather than increasing the radial dimension of the retaining head. This axial stacking arrangement allows both components to perform their functions while maintaining a compact retaining head diameter, thereby preserving ground clearance for off-road vehicle operation.
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 enhances the wheel suspension's ability to absorb horizontal impacts, extends service life, and maintains large ground clearance without increasing the retaining head diameter, while allowing easier access for repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve-shaped buffer element made of elastomer material is fitted in a bore of a retaining head of the wishbone
Implementation Method 2
the buffer element allows a movement of the joint bolt in the radial direction relative to the holding head and thus also the damping of horizontally acting impacts
Implementation Method 3
Torsional overstressing of the buffer element could be avoided by providing a bearing between it and the retaining head of the wishbone surrounding it or the pivot bolt running through it
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The suspension has a supporting head (14) fixed in a frame for supporting hinge pins (7-10). A supporting head (16) of suspension arms (5, 6) and the supporting head (14) are engaged with each other in an axial direction of the hinge pins offset from the hinge pins. Two elastic buffer elements (17, 23) i.e. hollow cylinder, are arranged between the hinge pins and are attached with the supporting head of the suspension arms. The hinge pins and the supporting head (14) are pivotably connected with each other by bearings (12, 15) e.g. sleeve bearing and needle bearing.