Vehicle Suspension Cable Actuation for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspensions, particularly those for small vehicles like baby buggies and wheelchairs, are unstable when passing over obstacles due to free attachment of arms, complicating steering and making it difficult to create collapsible carts for transporting goods, as they occupy large areas.
Innovation Solution
The suspension system incorporates longitudinal and transverse coupling cables with linear actuators to synchronize the relative position of wheel block housings and bodies, ensuring stable movement by adjusting cable lengths, and includes a U-shaped vertical frame for enhanced stability and adjustable ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid arms with free attachment are used in the suspension, then the suspension allows body tilting and weight distribution among all four wheels, but the vehicle becomes unstable when passing over obstacles with only one pair of wheels on the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rigid arm attachment system with a cable-based suspension system. The cables connect the wheel blocks to the frame, allowing for flexible yet controlled movement. This substitution enables the suspension to maintain stability when one pair of wheels is off the road while still allowing body tilting and weight distribution, resolving the contradiction between stability and steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the suspension system by introducing adjustable cable lengths and tensioning mechanisms. This allows the suspension to adapt its stiffness and movement characteristics dynamically, maintaining stability during obstacle passage while preserving steering controllability. The cable tension can be adjusted to optimize performance for different operating conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suspension uses rigid arms and torsion bars, then it ensures constant weight distribution and adjustable ground clearance, but it is difficult to create collapsible or assemblable carts for transporting goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the suspension system into modular components: separate wheel blocks, frame sections, and cable assemblies. This segmentation allows the cart to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining the weight distribution characteristics. Each module can be independently manufactured and then connected through the cable-based suspension system, enabling collapsible cart designs for transporting goods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible cables instead of rigid structural elements to connect the wheel blocks to the frame. This flexibility allows the cart to be collapsed into a compact form for storage and transport, while the cables maintain tension and weight distribution when the cart is assembled and in use. The cable-based system replaces rigid arms, enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
3Area of stationary object
If the cart occupies large areas in commercial premises, then it provides sufficient space for cargo, but it limits the use for transporting goods in retail stores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic suspension system with adjustable ground clearance and collapsible geometry. The cart can transition between an expanded configuration for maximum cargo space and a collapsed configuration for compact storage in retail store aisles. The cable-based suspension allows smooth transitions between states while maintaining stability and weight distribution in both configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the cart with nested components that allow the structure to collapse into a compact form. The wheel blocks, frame sections, and cargo platform can be folded or nested together when not in use, reducing the occupied area in commercial premises. The cable-based suspension system maintains its functional integrity during these transformations, enabling the cart to fit into narrow retail store spaces while providing ample cargo space when deployed.
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 maintains stability and even weight distribution among all wheels, allowing for constant traction and adjustable ground clearance, improving off-road performance and enabling the suspension to be used in various applications, including collapsible carts and lightweight vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
spring stabilizers of the wheel position of the wheel block are put on end sections of cables
Implementation Method 2
each coupling cable is provided with a linear actuator, the casing of said linear actuator being rigidly attached to the body of the wheel block
Implementation Method 3
longitudinal and transverse coupling cables in housings, respectively, are attached to the sides of the frame so that they are adapted to move along the sides of the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to suspension design. The present vehicle suspension comprises a quadrangular frame. Each corner portion of the frame has a wheel block kinematically attached thereto so as to form two pairs of wheels - a front pair and a rear pair. On each side of the frame, longitudinal and transverse coupling cables are attached and adapted to move therealong inside housings. Each wheel block consists of a body that is simultaneously connected to two coupling cables. Movably mounted on the body are parallel horizontal arms, the first of which is attached to the body by its middle portion. A knuckle with the hub of a wheel is attached to an end of the first arm and to another end of the second arm, and two coupling cable dampers are attached to the other end of the first arm. The housings of the cables are attached to the body of the corresponding wheel block. The free end of each cable is enclosed in a damper. Mounted on the cable end portions that freely project from the housings in front of a damper are spring stabilizers of the wheel position of the wheel block. Each coupling cable is provided with a linear actuator. The result is an increase in the stability and smoothness of movement of a vehicle.