Selective Sway Bar Hinge Lock for Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems in vehicles face challenges in balancing the need to reduce body roll during turns while maintaining independent suspension operation, especially at low speeds over rough terrain, where roll is not a concern but suspension independence for comfort is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A suspension assembly with a sway bar that can be selectively engaged or disengaged through a hinge lock mechanism, allowing vertical movement to cause torsion in the sway bar when engaged, but allowing independent suspension operation when disengaged, by using pivotally connected hinge members with apertures and pins to control the sway bar's torsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a sway bar is provided to reduce body roll during turns, then roll resistance is improved, but suspension independence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is designed to be dynamically changeable between locked and unlocked states. The lock mechanism allows the hinge to transition from a rigid connection (when locked) to a pivotal connection (when unlocked), enabling the sway bar to adapt between providing roll resistance and allowing suspension independence based on driving conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sway bar is continuously engaged to provide roll reduction, then handling stability is improved, but rider comfort deteriorates on rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the sway bar engagement state. On rough terrain, the hinge can be unlocked to allow independent suspension movement, improving rider comfort. During high-speed turns, the hinge is locked to provide roll resistance and handling stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge is designed as a rigid connection to ensure sway bar effectiveness, then roll resistance is improved, but suspension adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a lock mechanism that allows it to switch between rigid and pivotal connection modes. When locked, it provides rigid connection for effective sway bar operation. When unlocked, it allows pivotal movement for suspension adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rigid hinge structure and the pivotal connection requirement. It mediates the transition between fixed and movable states, enabling the hinge to fulfill both contradictory requirements at different times
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
Enables the driver to choose between roll reduction and independent suspension operation based on driving conditions, enhancing both handling and comfort by allowing the sway bar to provide roll reduction during high-speed turns or operate independently over rough terrain.
Implementation Method 1
When the vehicle turns, the suspension of the wheel on the outer side of the turn is compressed. This causes torsion of the sway bar.
Implementation Method 2
This torsion then causes the suspension of the wheel on the inner side of the turn to also be compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension assembly for a vehicle has left and right suspension arms, left and right shock absorbers operatively connected to their corresponding suspension arms, a sway bar operatively connected to the left and right suspension arms, left and right hinges pivotally connecting corresponding ends of the sway bar to their corresponding suspension arms. Each hinge includes a first hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding end of the sway bar, a second hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding suspension arm, the second hinge member being pivotally connected to the first hinge member, and a hinge lock selectively rigidly connecting the first hinge member to the second left member to prevent the first hinge member from pivoting relative to the second hinge member. A vehicle having the suspension assembly is also disclosed.