Suspension Stop Device Radial Force Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension stop devices for motor vehicles fail to effectively absorb forces exerted by the damper pad during shocks on the suspension leg, particularly in terms of radial and axial forces, and lack a simple and economic design.

Innovation Solution

The suspension stop device features an upper contact cap with a centering portion for the damper pad, which is fixed and positioned inside a bore of the lower support cap, allowing better absorption of radial forces and isolating axial forces from the bearing, while also providing reinforcement for enhanced mechanical strength and retention mechanisms to prevent separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the damper pad is centered inside the lower support cap which is movable in rotation, then the device allows relative rotational movement during wheel deflection, but the absorption of radial forces exerted by the damper pad is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption of radial forcesVSAvoidrelative rotational movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate caps: an upper contact cap that remains fixed during rotation and a lower support cap that moves with the wheel deflection. The damper pad is centered in the fixed upper contact cap, allowing it to effectively absorb radial forces, while the lower support cap handles the rotational movement, thus resolving the contradiction between force absorption and rotational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of centering the damper pad in the movable lower support cap as in prior art, the invention inverts the arrangement by centering the pad in the fixed upper contact cap. This inversion allows the damper pad to remain stationary relative to the vehicle body, maximizing its ability to absorb radial forces while the lower cap handles the rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the upper contact cap and lower support cap are separate components, then the design is simpler and more economical, but the caps may separate during manipulation, transportation and mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity and economy of designVSAvoidrisk of separation during handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Axial retention means are provided on both caps that engage with each other to preliminarily secure the caps together before final assembly. This preliminary action prevents the caps from separating during manipulation, transportation, and mounting, while still allowing the caps to be manufactured and assembled as separate components for simplicity and economy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design enhances the absorption of forces, particularly radial forces, during wheel deflection and compression, ensuring effective force transmission without transferring axial forces to the bearing, thereby improving mechanical strength and ease of assembly and transportation.

Implementation Method 1

Upon a shock on the suspension leg, the spring, the piston rod and the damper pad are compressed axially. The damper pad then exerts axial and radial forces on the lower cap of the stop device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9950582B2Suspension stop device

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A suspension stop device provides an upper contact cap, a lower support cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps. The upper contact cap provides a centering portion for a damper pad, inside which the pad, which is external to the device, is intended to be mounted. The centering portion extends axially inside a bore in the lower support cap.