Trailing Arm Suspension Reinforcing Bar Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trailing arm suspensions lack sufficient installation rigidity relative to the vehicle body frame, which hinders improvements in driving stability and response, and fail to adequately protect the fuel tank from impact loads.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reinforcing bar that connects the suspension member to the vehicle body frame between the trailing arm and the fuel tank, increasing the rigidity of the suspension member and providing additional protection by regulating the movement of the trailing arm during impact loads without increasing the number of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the suspension member is merely installed between the paired right and left side members of the vehicle body frame, then the structure is simple, but the installation rigidity of the suspension member relative to the vehicle body frame cannot be increased sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation rigidityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing bar is integrated into the existing suspension structure, connecting the suspension member to the vehicle body frame in a manner that merges structural reinforcement with the original design. This combines the function of the trailing arm and reinforcing bar into a unified load-bearing system, increasing installation rigidity without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing bar extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, adding a dimensional element that complements the lateral arrangement of the trailing arm. This creates a multi-dimensional reinforcement structure that enhances rigidity by distributing forces across different spatial dimensions rather than merely increasing component count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the number of parts is increased to increase rigidity around the fuel tank, then the fuel tank can be protected, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity around fuel tankVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing bar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between the suspension member and vehicle body frame, provides reinforcement around the fuel tank, and regulates trailing arm movement during impact loads. This multi-functionality increases protective capability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing bar combines several protective and structural functions into a single component, merging the roles of suspension connector, fuel tank protector, and impact load regulator. This reduces the total number of parts needed while achieving comprehensive rigidity enhancement around the fuel tank

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the trailing arm is reinforced to regulate the movement of the trailing arm to the fuel tank side, then the movement can be regulated, but the weight increases and suspension performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailing arm movement regulationVSAvoidtrailing arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movement regulation function is segmented from the trailing arm itself and assigned to a separate reinforcing bar. This divides the structural responsibilities, allowing the trailing arm to remain lightweight while the reinforcing bar provides the necessary movement regulation and protection, preventing weight transfer to the moving suspension components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the suspension member is merely installed between the paired right and left side members of the vehicle body frame, then the installation is simple, but the handling and response of the automobile cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling and responseVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing bar is pre-installed and positioned to connect the suspension member to the vehicle body frame before final assembly. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that the handling and response characteristics are optimized from the outset, rather than requiring complex adjustments after installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8286980B2Trailing arm type suspension

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A trailing arm type suspension improves the handling (driving stability) and the response (driving response) of an automobile by increasing the installation rigidity of a suspension member to a vehicle body frame. In the trailing arm type suspension including a pair of right and left trailing arms which extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a reinforcing bar for connecting a suspension member in the vehicle rear side of the trailing arm to a connecting part of a vehicle body frame in the vehicle front side of the suspension member, is disposed between a fuel tank and the trailing arm, and the reinforcing bar and the trailing arm overlap each other as viewed from the side of the vehicle.