Toe Angle Regulation in Motor Vehicle Wheel Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-vehicle rear suspension systems face challenges in regulating the toe angle without altering its variation during vertical movements, and they often require modifications that increase bulk, reducing space for rear seats.
Innovation Solution
A motor-vehicle wheel suspension design where the toe rod's outer end is pivotally connected to the wheel support and the vertical rod's upper end, featuring an articulation axle with an eccentric cylindrical member and adjustment ring, allowing angular adjustment to change the toe angle without altering the toe rod's position or distance between articulation axes, thus maintaining consistent toe angle variation during vertical movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the toe angle is regulated by altering the geometry of the suspension and modifying the relative positions of the Kinematic points, then the toe angle can be adjusted, but the variation of the toe angle during vertical movement of the suspension is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the toe angle regulation function from the suspension geometry by introducing a dedicated regulation device that acts on the toe rod independently. The toe rod remains a distinct component with its own articulation points, allowing regulation without altering the fundamental suspension geometry or the positions of the Kinematic points that define wheel movement characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary regulation mechanism (the device with articulation axle, cylindrical cavity, and adjustment means) that mediates between the toe rod and the wheel support. This intermediary allows toe angle adjustment through controlled rotation around the articulation axle, while maintaining the original articulation points and suspension geometry intact.
2Ease of operation
If conventional toe angle regulation devices are used, then the toe angle can be adjusted, but the bulk of the suspension increases, reducing space for rear seats
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the toe angle regulation function with existing suspension components. The regulation device utilizes the existing articulation points (sixth articulation axis) and integrates the articulation axle and adjustment mechanism into the space already defined by the toe rod and wheel support connection, avoiding the need for separate, space-consuming regulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces regulation in a different dimensional approach by enabling rotation around the articulation axle (a rotational degree of freedom) rather than requiring linear displacement or geometric reconfiguration. This rotational adjustment mechanism achieves toe angle variation without requiring additional space in the longitudinal or transverse directions of the suspension.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motor-vehicle wheel suspension comprises a wheel support (K) connected to a supporting structure (F) of the motor-vehicle by a plurality of connecting elements, including a lower oscillating arm (W), a damper unit (D), an upper oscillating rod for camber control (C) and a vertical articulated rod (R) having an upper end (R1) pivotally connected to the wheel support (K) and a lower end pivotally connected to the outer end of the lower oscillating arm (W). The suspension further comprises a toe control oscillating rod (T) which has an inner end (T1) pivotally connected to the supporting structure (F) and an outer end which is pivotally connected to the wheel support (K) around the same axis (VI) around which the upper end (R) of the vertical rod (R) is also articulated. The articulation of the outer end (T2) of the toe control rod (T) to the wheel support (K) and the upper end of the vertical rod (R) comprises an articulation axle (60) rigidly connected to said upper end (R1) of the vertical rod (R) around which the toe control rod (T) is articulated. On the articulation axle (60) there is rigidly connected an eccentric cylindrical member (61) which is rotatably mounted within a cylindrical cavity (K31) formed in the support (K) and having an axis eccentric with respect to the articulation axle (60). On the articulation axle there is also rigidly connected an adjustment ring (G), whose rotation determines a variation in the position of the wheel support (K) and a resulting variation of the wheel toe angle, without modifying the position of the ends of the toe control rod (T).