Transverse Leaf Spring Multi-Link Rear Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-link rear suspension systems require longitudinal links that weaken the vehicle body, increase weight, and complicate noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) behavior due to the need for structural reinforcements and complex stabilizer guidance, while also limiting structural space for components like battery packs in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces longitudinal links with transverse links and uses a transverse leaf spring as both a cushioning element and stabilizer, allowing for separate adjustment of kinematic and suspension properties, reducing weight and complexity by eliminating the need for coil springs and conventional stabilizers, and optimizing structural space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If longitudinal links are used to guide wheel-carriers, then the suspension structure is complete, but the vehicle body is weakened and requires structural reinforcements increasing weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes longitudinal links from the suspension system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused body weakening. Instead, only transverse links are used to guide the wheel-carriers, eliminating the need for cut-outs and structural reinforcements in the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse leaf spring is given multiple functions: it cushions the vehicle structure with respect to the wheel-carriers and simultaneously serves as a stabilizer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stabilizer components and reduces overall system weight.
2Strength
If longitudinal links are used with structural reinforcements, then the vehicle body strength is maintained, but the NVH behavior worsens and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes longitudinal links from the system, eliminating the source of NVH problems. By using only transverse links for guidance, the system avoids the complex interaction between longitudinal links, cut-outs, and reinforcements that generates noise and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding reinforcements to compensate for the presence of longitudinal links, the patent inverts the approach by completely removing longitudinal links and using only transverse links for guidance, fundamentally changing the suspension architecture to eliminate the problem at its source.
3Reliability
If longitudinal links are used, then the suspension guidance is complete, but structural space for battery packs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes longitudinal links from the suspension system, which eliminates the need for cut-outs in the vehicle body structure. This extraction of the problematic component frees up structural space below the vehicle floor, creating room for battery packs in electric vehicles.
4Device complexity
If the transverse leaf spring is used to guide wheel-carriers, then the suspension is simplified, but the kinematic and suspension properties become coupled and harder to adjust separately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guidance function from the transverse leaf spring, removing its role in guiding wheel-carriers. This separation allows the leaf spring to focus solely on cushioning, while transverse links handle guidance, enabling independent optimization and adjustment of both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the suspension functions by separating guidance (handled by transverse links) from cushioning (handled by transverse leaf spring). This functional segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and adjusted separately for optimal performance.
5Reliability
If coil springs and conventional stabilizers are used, then the suspension functions are complete, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse leaf spring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it cushions the vehicle structure with respect to the wheel-carriers and also serves as a stabilizer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate coil springs and stabilizer components, significantly reducing system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cushioning and stabilizing functions into a single transverse leaf spring component. By combining these functions that were previously performed by separate components (coil spring and stabilizer), the system achieves weight reduction while maintaining complete suspension and stabilizer functions.
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
This configuration enhances travel dynamics, reduces NVH issues, and provides structural space advantages, allowing for lighter, more rigid components and improved steering sensation while maintaining effective suspension and stabilizer functions.
Implementation Method 1
a transverse leaf spring extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle for cushioning a vehicle structure of the motor vehicle with respect to wheel-carriers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-link rear suspension for a motor vehicle, having at least one transverse leaf spring arranged on the motor vehicle to extend in the transverse vehicle direction and having ends which operatively act on left and right wheel carriers to cushion a vehicle structure of the motor vehicle with respect to the wheel-carriers. The transverse leaf spring also serves as a stabilizer, thereby replacing dedicated stabilizer. In order to provide a multi-link rear suspension which is optimized in terms of structural space and which is lightweight, the multi-link rear has exclusively transverse links for guiding the wheel-carriers.