Wheel Suspension With Offset Leaf Spring Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double wishbone suspension designs in vehicles suffer from high manufacturing and maintenance costs due to complexity, along with undesirable variations in wheel camber angle during vehicle body roll, leading to reduced handling performance and increased tire wear.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension arrangement featuring a wheel holder with a rigid control arm and a transverse leaf spring, where the leaf spring is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure at a transverse centre, vertically offset from its pivotal attachment location, providing additional shock absorption and reducing camber angle variation through a compact and cost-efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a double wishbone suspension design is used, then vehicle handling is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the rigid control arm and elastic mounting into a single integrated control arm structure with built-in elastomeric elements. This eliminates the need for separate elastic mountings and reduces the number of linkage components, thereby lowering manufacturing and maintenance costs while preserving the double wishbone suspension's excellent vehicle handling characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rigid structural support, elastic compliance for suspension motion, and structural reinforcement through integrated ribs. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the suspension system while maintaining handling performance
2Ease of operation
If a double wishbone suspension design is used, then vehicle handling is improved, but camber angle variation increases during vehicle body roll
Solution Approach 1:
The control arm incorporates elastomeric elements that provide dynamic compliance, allowing the control arm to flex and adapt during vehicle body roll. This dynamic behavior compensates for camber angle changes more effectively than rigid linkages, maintaining better wheel camber stability during rolling conditions while preserving handling performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional coil or air springs are added to achieve shock absorption, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shock absorption function with the rigid control arm by integrating elastomeric elements directly into the control arm structure. This eliminates the need for separate coil or air springs, reducing component complexity while providing effective shock absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rigid structural support, elastic compliance for suspension motion, and structural reinforcement through integrated ribs. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the suspension system while maintaining handling performance
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 achieves reduced camber angle variation during vehicle body roll, enhancing handling and extending tire life while minimizing manufacturing and maintenance costs by integrating the leaf spring's spring stiffness for shock absorption, similar to a double wishbone design without the need for additional coil or air springs.
Implementation Method 1
a second vertical end region of the wheel holder is attached to the vehicle support structure by means of a leaf spring
Implementation Method 2
a first vertical end region of the wheel holder is pivotally attached to a vehicle support structure by means of a rigid control arm
Implementation Method 3
The leaf spring is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure at a transverse centre region of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel suspension arrangement for a vehicle having a longitudinal direction (2), a transverse direction (4) and a vertical direction (5). The wheel suspension arrangement comprises a wheel holder (20) for supporting a vehicle wheel (3). A first vertical end region of the wheel holder (20) is pivotally attached to a vehicle support structure (21 ) by means of a rigid control arm (22) and a second vertical end region of the wheel holder (20) is attached to the vehicle support structure (21 ) by means of a leaf spring (23). A longitudinal direction of the leaf spring (23) is arranged substantially in the transverse direction (4) of the vehicle. The leaf spring (23) is pivotally attached to the vehicle support structure (21) at a transverse centre region of the vehicle, and a centre of the leaf spring (23) in the transverse direction is located vertically offset from a pivotal attachment location (25) of the leaf spring (23). The pivotal attachment location (25) of the leaf spring (23) is vertically offset towards the side of the rigid control arm (22).