Suspension Bushing Block Cycles From Vehicle Load Event Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current bushing development processes face inaccuracies due to misalignment of multi-axis loads, inconsistent block cycles, and unreliable testing methods, leading to inaccurate and delayed identification of durability issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining block cycles by analyzing event data to identify maximum and minimum forces and angular displacements, using a controller to generate accurate and repeatable block cycles for elastomeric bushings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If block cycles are accelerated to shorten test time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect assumptions causing overtesting or undertesting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest timeVSAvoiddamage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of actual vehicle loading data before creating block cycles. Event data from vehicle operation is collected and analyzed to determine accurate maximum and minimum forces and angular displacements, which then inform the creation of realistic block cycles that maintain durability validity while enabling accelerated testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If multi-axis loads are not aligned correctly in current processes, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates as loading blocks do not represent actual vehicle loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading alignment complexityVSAvoidloading representation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual mechanical alignment processes with automated computational methods. A controller automatically processes event data to determine maximum and minimum forces and angular displacements, eliminating the need for manual multi-axis load alignment while achieving accurate representation of actual vehicle loading conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If block cycles are developed by different people with variations in process, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates as block cycles become inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess flexibilityVSAvoidblock cycle consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automation where the controller independently processes event data and generates block cycles without human intervention. This eliminates variability between different developers while maintaining the ability to adapt to different vehicle types and loading conditions through the same automated process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes from subjective human-developed parameters to objective data-driven parameters. By automatically determining maximum and minimum forces and angular displacements from event data, the system creates consistent block cycles that can be reliably reproduced across different testing scenarios while adapting to specific vehicle requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12352662B2Method and system for determining block cycles for an elastometric suspension bushing for a vehicle involving determining maximum force and maximum force angular displacement for the bushing

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A method and system of determining a block cycle for a bushing includes determining event data for a plurality of events corresponding to operating conditions of a vehicle. Based on the event data for each of the plurality of events, data including a maximum force of the bushing and a maximum force angular displacement for the bushing at the maximum force and a minimum force and a minimum force angular displacement are determined. A block cycle is determined comprising the maximum force and maximum force angular displacement and the minimum force and the minimum force angular displacement for the plurality of events.