Vehicle Suspension Layout Inversion for Driven Sprocket Guarding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular suspension systems require circumventive structures to accommodate driven sprockets and brake discs, which restrict vehicle layout and compromise rigidity, necessitating additional weight to achieve sufficient stiffness.

Innovation Solution

The suspension structure positions the driven sprocket and brake disc inside the vehicle body frame, with suspension arms outside the frame, eliminating the need for circumventive arrangements and allowing the frame to serve as a guard for these components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driven sprocket and brake disc are disposed outside the vehicle body frame, then the suspension arm can be simply positioned, but the vehicle layout is restricted and additional relief structures are needed which increase weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension arm positioningVSAvoidsuspension arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the driven sprocket and brake disc inside the vehicle body frame rather than outside. This inversion eliminates the need for relief structures in the suspension arm, maintaining simplicity while reducing weight. The frame itself serves as the protective guard for these components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle body frame is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural frame and as a protective guard for the driven sprocket and brake disc. This eliminates the need for separate guard members, reducing overall component count and weight while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the driven sprocket and brake disc are disposed outside the vehicle body frame, then the suspension arm structure can be simple, but circumventive structures are required which reduce rigidity and increase weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension arm structureVSAvoidsuspension arm rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the driven sprocket and brake disc are disposed outside the vehicle body frame, then no guard member is needed, but the suspension arm requires relief structures that increase weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguard member requirementVSAvoidsuspension arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the driven sprocket and brake disc are disposed inside the vehicle body frame, then the frame serves as a guard member, but the space inside the frame is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguard member functionVSAvoidvehicle body frame space

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7708107B2Suspension structure for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2010.05.04 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A suspension system structure is provided which permits a suspension arm to be disposed without being affected by a driven sprocket or a brake disc. A final drive case is supported on rear portions of left and right vehicle body subframes. A driven sprocket and a brake disc are coaxially disposed on the left and right of the final drive case. The driven sprocket and the brake disc are disposed on the inside of the vehicle body frame. An upper arm and a lower arm are disposed on the outside of the vehicle body frame. Support portions of the upper arm and the lower arm relative to the vehicle body frame are overlapped partly with the driven sprocket and the brake disc in a side view to provide a guard therefor.