Vehicle Suspension Control Arm with Nested Biasing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in effectively counteracting downward loads caused by spoilers, which can affect the vehicle's stability and ride quality, especially during high-speed cornering and varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with a wheel knuckle and control arm configuration that includes a biasing device, such as a torsion bar, positioned between arm segments to provide a reaction force proportional to downward loads, actively adjusting to maintain the vehicle's vertical position and counteract spoiler-induced downforce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a torsion bar is utilized instead of a coil spring, then packaging space is reduced, but a large packaging space is still required to attach the torsion bar to the lower control arm at the outside surface
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device is nested within the control arm structure itself, specifically utilizing the space between the first and second arm segments. This eliminates the need for separate mounting locations outside the control arm, as the control arm structure serves as both the structural component and the housing for the biasing device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the mounting space for the biasing device, and transmits forces between the wheel assembly and vehicle body. The space between the arm segments serves dual purposes as both a structural feature and a housing for the biasing device.
2Force
If a hydraulic actuator is used to adjust seat height to counteract downforce, then the downforce is counteracted, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device is directly coupled to the control arm and automatically responds to downward loads on the wheel assembly. When downforce increases, the control arm experiences greater downward force, which directly compresses the biasing device, generating an upward reaction force that counteracts the downforce without requiring external actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm serves as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the downward load from the wheel assembly into compression of the biasing device. This mechanical coupling allows the biasing device to automatically generate counteracting force through the motion and forces already present in the suspension system.
3Force
If a heave spring is used to counteract downforce, then simultaneous vertical travel is compensated, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The function of counteracting downforce is extracted from separate components (hydraulic actuators or heave springs) and integrated directly into the control arm assembly. The biasing device is positioned within the control arm structure, eliminating the need for additional external components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Volume of moving object
If the biasing device is positioned between arm segments, then packaging space is optimized, but the coupling configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device is nested within the control arm structure, utilizing the space between the first and second arm segments. This eliminates the need for separate mounting locations outside the control arm, as the control arm structure serves as both the structural component and the housing for the biasing device.
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 vehicle's stability and ride quality by actively adjusting to counteract downward loads, maintaining the vertical position and improving cornering performance while reducing the need for additional space for the biasing device.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device, such as a torsion bar, positioned between arm segments to provide a reaction force proportional to downward loads
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a suspension system for the vehicle are disclosed. The suspension system includes a wheel knuckle and a control arm coupled to the wheel knuckle. The control arm includes a proximal end having a first arm segment and a second arm segment each extending outwardly from the proximal end away from each other to respective first and second distal ends to define a space between the first and second arm segments. The suspension system also includes a biasing device at least partially disposed in the space between the first and second arm segments. The biasing device is coupled to at least one of the first and second distal ends of the first and second arm segments respectively such that actuation of the biasing device provides a first reaction force that counteracts a downward load.