Tiltable Vehicle Suspension Balancer and Spring Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for laterally tiltable multitrack vehicles face challenges in providing both balancing and spring/damping functions without compromising either, often resulting in packaging issues and inefficient load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with independent load paths for balancing and spring/damping functions, utilizing first and second steering knuckles, control arms, and a spring/damper element positioned between the control arms, allowing for separate load distribution during roll and jounce/rebound motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suspension system incorporates both balancing and spring/damping functions, then the vehicle stability during cornering improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides balancing torque during cornering while also serving as a mounting structure for spring/damper elements. The control arms and associated linkages are configured to handle both lateral balancing forces and vertical suspension loads, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the balancing mechanism and spring/damping elements into an integrated suspension assembly. The spring/damper elements are mounted on the balancer system rather than as separate components, and the control arms serve dual purposes in both the balancing and suspension functions, effectively merging what could be separate systems into a unified structure.
2Ease of operation
If spring/damper elements are added for safety and ride comfort, then the ride quality improves, but the packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring/damper elements are nested within or mounted on the existing balancer system structure rather than requiring separate mounting space. The control arms and linkages are arranged to accommodate the spring/damper elements within the existing structural envelope, effectively nesting the suspension components within the balancing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancer system components serve dual purposes as both balancing structures and suspension mounting points, eliminating the need for additional dedicated space for spring/damper installation. The control arms and linkages are designed to handle both balancing and suspension functions within the same structural framework.
3Ease of operation
If the suspension system uses multiple spring/damper elements for optimal damping, then the ride comfort improves, but the device complexity and packaging issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spring/damper elements are combined and mounted on the same balancer system structure, sharing common mounting points and structural support. This arrangement provides optimal damping through multiple elements while avoiding the packaging and complexity issues that would arise from completely separate suspension systems for each wheel.
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 system effectively stabilizes the vehicle during cornering and suppresses resonant vertical motions, maintaining both balancing and damping functions without compromising performance, while also optimizing packaging and reducing the number of spring/damper elements.
Implementation Method 1
a spring/damper element acting between the lower control arms and/or the upper control arms of the first and second sets of control arms
Implementation Method 2
distributing a second load along a second load path during a jounce/rebound motion of the vehicle... distributing the second load may enable vertical wheel motion and suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a balancer system configured to create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle... distributing a first load along a first load path during a roll motion of the vehicle. Distributing the first load may influence a leaning angle of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle suspension may include first and second steering knuckles. The suspension may also include a first set of control arms connected to the first steering knuckle and a second set of control arms connected to the second steering knuckle. Each of the first and second sets of control arms may include upper and lower control arms. The suspension may further include a spring/damper element acting between the first and second sets of control arms and a balancer system.