Trailing Arm Stabilizer Link Positioning for Toe Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semi-trailing arm suspension systems face difficulties in achieving a desired toe characteristic during suspension stroke due to limitations in layout space and vehicle dimensions, leading to deterioration of the required stroke toe characteristic.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a shaft-shaped stabilizer with a bent part and a stabilizer link that connects the trailing arm to the stabilizer, where the stabilizer link's fitting point is behind the hinge mechanism's center axis, and its fastening point is positioned above or below the fitting point in the vehicle's up-down direction, utilizing the reactive force of the stabilizer to improve the toe characteristic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the suspension swinging axis is moved to prioritize layout space, then the layout space is improved, but the stroke toe characteristic deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into multiple functional components: the stabilizer link for toe control, the stabilizer for reactive force generation, and the hinge mechanism for suspension movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling layout space improvement without compromising stroke toe characteristic
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer link acts as an intermediary component that transmits the reactive force from the stabilizer to the trailing arm, creating a mechanical advantage that improves stroke toe characteristic without requiring movement of the suspension swinging axis
2Length of stationary object
If the suspension swinging axis is moved to account for height dimensions, then the height dimension is improved, but the stroke toe characteristic deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer link is positioned at specific coordinates in three-dimensional space (behind the hinge mechanism center axis in the front-back direction, and above/below in the up-down direction). This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows the reactive force to be applied at an optimal angle, improving stroke toe characteristic without compromising height dimension requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If the stabilizer link fitting point is positioned behind the hinge mechanism center axis, then the stroke toe characteristic is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer link serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the stabilizer to the trailing arm, transmits reactive force, and controls the toe characteristic during suspension stroke. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level while achieving improved stroke toe characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system includes: a trailing arm and a lower arm which are turnably connected to a chassis and are joined in such a way as to be displaceable relative to each other through a hinge mechanism; and a stabilizer. The suspension system includes a stabilizer link which connects the stabilizer to the trailing arm. A fitting point of the stabilizer link to the trailing arm is located behind a center axis of the hinge mechanism in a vehicle front-back direction, and a fastening point of the stabilizer and the stabilizer link is located above the fitting point in a vehicle up-down direction and inside the fitting point in a vehicle width direction.