Void Bushing Structure for Suspension Handling and Ride Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-type bushings used in vehicle suspensions offer good handling response characteristics but compromise on ride comfort and durability characteristics, making them unsuitable for balanced performance in high-performance vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A void bushing design featuring void portions and protrusion parts in an elastic body between an inner and outer pipe, with the protrusion parts oriented in oblique directions to enhance rigidity and improve handling response while maintaining ride comfort and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a solid type bushing is used to improve handling response characteristics, then handling response characteristics are improved, but ride comfort characteristics and durability characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by forming void portions within the elastic body of the bushing. The elastic body contains multiple void portions that are distributed throughout its volume, creating a porous structure that allows the material to absorb energy while maintaining structural integrity. This porous configuration enables the bushing to provide both the responsiveness needed for handling and the comfort/durability required for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the elastic body with void portions and protrusion parts to create a multi-functional structure. The elastic body serves as the base material providing flexibility, while the void portions add energy absorption capabilities, and the protrusion parts provide reinforcement. This composite approach allows the single bushing component to simultaneously achieve handling response, ride comfort, and durability characteristics.
2Reliability
If void portions are formed in the elastic body to improve ride comfort and durability, then ride comfort and durability are improved, but handling response characteristics may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning protrusion parts at specific locations on the inner pipe surface, particularly at regions corresponding to the void portions. These protrusion parts are formed with specific dimensions and orientations to provide localized reinforcement in directions critical for handling response. This localized reinforcement compensates for the potential strength reduction from void portions while maintaining the overall porous structure's comfort and durability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the elastic body with void portions and protrusion parts to create a multi-functional structure. The elastic body serves as the base material providing flexibility, while the void portions add energy absorption capabilities, and the protrusion parts provide reinforcement. This composite approach allows the single bushing component to simultaneously achieve handling response, ride comfort, and durability characteristics.
3Speed
If protrusion parts are added to the inner pipe to enhance rigidity and handling response, then handling response characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the protrusion parts directly into the inner pipe structure during the molding process, rather than adding them as separate components. The protrusion parts are formed as integral features of the inner pipe, with their bases directly connected to the pipe wall. This integration reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural benefits of the protrusion parts for enhancing handling response characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the geometric parameters of the protrusion parts, including their height, width, orientation angles, and distribution patterns. By carefully selecting these parameters within specific ranges, the design achieves the necessary rigidity enhancement for improved handling response while minimizing the added complexity. The parameters are tuned to provide maximum benefit with minimum structural complexity.
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
The void bushing effectively balances ride comfort, durability, and handling response characteristics by absorbing shocks, promoting rigidity, and minimizing the loss of comfort and durability during handling performance improvements.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body coupled to and filled in a space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe
Implementation Method 2
The elastic body is formed with void portions therein
Implementation Method 3
The bulge part is formed with protrusion parts protruding outwards thereon and the protrusion parts are located in oblique line directions between the void portions
Data Source
AI summary
A void bushing for a vehicle suspension is configured to have protrusion parts formed to protrude outwards on a bulge part of an inner pipe. The protrusion parts are located to be disposed in oblique line directions between void portions of an elastic body that is filled between the inner pipe and an outer pipe. In the void bushing, ride comfort characteristics and durability characteristics of a vehicle may be maintained, as they are, under favorable conditions by the void portions. Further the handling response characteristics of the vehicle may be advantageously improved by promoting a rigidity increase through the protrusion parts.