Vehicle Torsion Beam Suspension With Variable Cross Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torsion beams in vehicle suspensions face challenges in achieving suitable torsional stiffness and sufficient bending strength, as their constant circumferential length limits the ability to fully satisfy the requirements for both properties.
Innovation Solution
The torsion beam features circumference increasing portions with a longer circumferential length and gradually increasing width towards the beam ends, maintaining a constant beam height to enhance bending strength and torsional stiffness, thereby improving mount strength and handling stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the torsion beam uses a constant circumferential length throughout the pipe length, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to simultaneously achieve suitable torsional stiffness and sufficient bending strength is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion beam employs different circumferential lengths at different locations along its length. The beam center portion has a first circumferential length optimized for torsional stiffness, while the beam end portions have a second circumferential length that is longer to provide sufficient bending strength for mounting trailing arms. This local differentiation allows each section to have the optimal geometry for its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion beam is divided into distinct segments: a beam center portion and beam end portions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each segment's geometric properties. The beam center portion focuses on torsional characteristics while the beam end portions focus on bending strength, resolving the contradiction between uniform manufacturing and location-specific performance requirements.
2Strength
If the torsion beam increases the circumferential length at beam ends to improve bending strength, then the mount strength of trailing arms is enhanced, but the weight of the beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion beam implements local quality enhancement by increasing the circumferential length only at the beam end portions where mounting strength is required, while maintaining a smaller circumferential length at the beam center portion. This localized geometric modification provides the necessary strength enhancement at critical locations without proportionally increasing the overall weight of the entire beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam geometry transitions dynamically from the beam center portion to the beam end portions, with the circumferential length changing along the longitudinal direction. This dynamic geometric adaptation allows the beam to have different structural characteristics at different locations, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio by providing additional material only where mechanically necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A torsion beam of a vehicle torsion beam suspension has a closed cross section. A beam center portion has an inverse substantially v-shaped cross section or a substantially v-shaped cross section. Circumference increasing portions having a longer circumferential length toward the beam ends are disposed at opposite sides of the beam center portion. Each circumference increasing portion has a beam width that is a width in the fore and aft direction of a vehicle body, the beam width gradually increasing toward a beam end, and increasing at a higher rate as a position of the beam width is closer to the beam end.