Vehicle Axle Suspension Link with Collision Stop Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

In small overlap crash tests, the wheel rim shifts rearwards into the passenger compartment, posing a risk of intrusion due to impact forces being directed outside the front-side cross member, which existing wheel suspensions fail to adequately mitigate.

Innovation Solution

A wheel suspension with a two-point link assembly that includes a stop member to limit pivotal movement during collisions, forming a third mounting point to counteract forces and prevent intrusion, while maintaining normal driving functionality by spacing the stop member from the counterpiece during non-collision modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stop member is positioned close to the counterpiece, then pivotal movement is limited during collision, but the stop member may interfere with normal steering operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision protection effectivenessVSAvoidsteering operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member's position is dynamically optimized to be spaced from the counterpiece during normal operation, allowing full steering range of motion without interference. During collision, the two-point link pivots and the stop member naturally moves into engagement with the counterpiece, providing automatic activation of the protective function only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stop member is extracted from a continuously engaged configuration and positioned as a separate, spaced element that only engages during collision. This separation allows normal steering operations to proceed without restriction while maintaining the capability to limit pivotal movement when collision forces are applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the two-point link is made rigid to prevent wheel movement, then structural strength is maintained, but the wheel cannot move backwards to prevent intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink assembly strengthVSAvoidwheel intrusion into passenger compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The link assembly is segmented into a two-point link with a stop member, creating distinct functional zones: the main link body maintains structural strength and rigidity, while the stop member provides a controlled weakness that allows limited pivotal movement during collision. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve both strength and controlled deformability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The effective rigidity of the link assembly is changed based on loading conditions. During normal operation, the two-point link maintains full rigidity for strength. During collision, the stop member engages to create a third mounting point, effectively changing the structural parameters to allow controlled pivotal movement that prevents intrusion while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces the risk of wheel intrusion into the passenger compartment by allowing controlled pivotal movement and force distribution during collisions, enhancing occupant safety through controlled transverse wheel shift and force absorption.

Implementation Method 1

the two-point link executing a pivotal movement in the event of a head-on collision to enable a collision-proximal vehicle wheel to move backwards, the two-point link including a stop member to limit the pivotal movement in the event of the head-on collision, by impacting a body-side counterpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the two-point link executing a pivotal movement in the event of a head-on collision to enable a collision-proximal vehicle wheel to move backwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS9902226B2Wheel suspension of a vehicle axle

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 AUDI AG

AI summary

A wheel suspension for a vehicle axle, in particular a front axle, of a two-track vehicle includes a wheel carrier configured to support a vehicle wheel, and a link assembly configured to articulate the wheel carrier to a vehicle body. The link assembly includes at least one two-point link articulated on a side of the wheel carrier to the wheel carrier at a first mounting point and on a side of the vehicle body to the vehicle body at a second mounting point. The two-point link executes a pivotal movement in the event of a head-on collision to enable a collision-proximal vehicle wheel to move backwards. The two-point link includes a stop member to limit the pivotal movement in the event of the head-on collision, by impacting a body-side counterpiece, thereby forming a body-side third mounting point to block and counteract the pivotal movement of the two-point link.