Transverse Leaf Spring Suspension for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension units for vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, face challenges in reducing vertical dimensions and incorporating additional functions like vehicle height control without increasing complexity or size, while also managing stress on components and simplifying production.
Innovation Solution
The suspension unit employs a single transverse leaf spring with adjustable central portions connected to the frame module and upper oscillating arms, along with horizontally arranged shock absorber cylinders and actuators, allowing for compact design, vehicle height adjustment, and reduced vertical dimension, eliminating the need for high swivel joints and brake discs, thus minimizing weight and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spring-damper units are arranged vertically at elevated levels to maintain steering axis proximity to wheel center, then steering precision is improved, but vertical dimension of suspension unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the spring-damper units from vertical arrangement to horizontal arrangement, changing the dimensional orientation of the suspension components. This allows the steering axis to remain close to the wheel center while reducing the vertical dimension of the suspension unit, as the spring-damper units are now positioned laterally rather than vertically above the wheel assembly.
2Measurement precision
If wheel support extends upwardly above wheel axis to position steering axis close to wheel center, then steering precision is improved, but vertical dimension of suspension unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel support structure is redesigned to extend laterally rather than vertically, positioning the steering axis close to the wheel center through horizontal extension instead of vertical elevation. This reduces the vertical dimension while maintaining steering precision through a different spatial configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension unit employs asymmetric arrangement of components, with spring-damper units positioned horizontally at lateral positions rather than symmetrically above the wheel assembly. This asymmetric configuration allows optimized steering geometry with reduced vertical height.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional functions like vehicle height control are incorporated into suspension unit, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension unit is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple functions. The spring-damper units with adjustable central portions can simultaneously provide suspension, vehicle height control, and potentially other functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and simplifying overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension unit incorporates adjustable and movable components, such as the adjustable central portions of spring-damper units, that can dynamically adapt to different vehicle height requirements. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to serve multiple functions without requiring complex separate systems for each function.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional suspension components are used in electric vehicles, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but vertical dimension cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies conventional suspension components in a reoriented horizontal configuration rather than traditional vertical arrangement. This maintains manufacturing simplicity by using standard components while achieving reduced vertical dimension through spatial reconfiguration, making it suitable for electric vehicle platforms with lower floor pans.
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 results in a more compact, modular, and cost-effective suspension system that reduces vertical height, simplifies assembly, and minimizes stress on components, while eliminating the need for large filtering systems and reducing rolling noise by aligning steering axes with wheel centers.
Implementation Method 1
spring means operatively interposed between at least one of said oscillating arms and the frame module... a single leaf spring
Implementation Method 2
horizontally arranged shock absorber cylinders
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension unit includes a frame module and two wheel supports each connected to the frame module by upper and lower oscillating arms, each arm having a first end portion swivelly connected to the respective wheel support by a first swivel joint and a second end portion swivelly connected to the frame module by a second swivel joint. A suspension spring arrangement includes a single leaf spring, constituting a separate element with respect to the upper and lower arms and arranged transversely relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction, in a symmetrical position relative to a vehicle vertical median plane. The leaf spring has a central portion connected to the frame module and end portions connected to the upper arms. In one version, the central portion is connected to the frame module by a device for adjustment of a position in height of said central portion relative to the frame module.