Leaf Spring Wind-Up Control Link with Bumper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension systems face challenges in effectively controlling wind-up forces during vehicle acceleration, leading to excessive deformation of leaf springs, as the reduced leaf-spring-rate compromises wind-up control while relying primarily on air springs for vertical spring rate.
Innovation Solution
The proposed vehicle suspension system incorporates a link member and a bumper, where the bumper extends downward from the link member toward the leaf spring, contacting it at high acceleration to limit deformation and supplement wind-up control, while maintaining air springs as the primary provider of vertical spring rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the leaf spring rate is reduced to improve vertical suspension performance, then vertical comfort is improved, but wind-up control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wind-up control function is segmented from the vertical suspension function. The link member is divided into a main body and a separate bumper component, allowing independent optimization of vertical compliance (through the leaf spring) and wind-up control (through the bumper-leaf spring contact mechanism).
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper acts as an intermediary element between the link member and the leaf spring. It transfers wind-up forces from the link member to the leaf spring during acceleration, enabling effective wind-up control without requiring the leaf spring to have high stiffness in all directions.
2Ease of operation
If the leaf spring is allowed to deform freely to improve vertical compliance, then vertical suspension is improved, but excessive deformation occurs during acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the constraints on the leaf spring based on vehicle acceleration. During normal vertical motion, the leaf spring deforms freely for compliance. During acceleration, the bumper contacts the leaf spring to limit deformation, and this contact state changes dynamically with acceleration conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is pre-positioned to contact the leaf spring at locations that will experience excessive deformation during acceleration. This preliminary positioning creates a constraint that prevents excessive deformation before it occurs, acting in advance to counteract the harmful deformation during acceleration events.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid link member is used to improve wind-up control, then wind-up stability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link member is designed as a multi-functional component that provides both the structural connection between mounting structures and the wind-up control function through the attached bumper. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining wind-up stability.
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 wind-up control by limiting leaf spring deformation during vehicle acceleration and maintains optimal vertical spring rate, improving handling and ground clearance by distributing forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
contact between the distal end and the leaf spring limits deformation of the leaf spring during vehicle acceleration
Implementation Method 2
a distal end of the bumper includes a resiliently compressible pad
Implementation Method 3
The air spring may be compressed when the vehicle suspension is in the vertically compressed state
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension may include a leaf spring, a link member and a bumper. The leaf spring may include first and second ends and a body extending between the first and second ends. The first end may be pivotably coupled to a first mounting structure and may be configured to pivot relative to a vehicle chassis. The second end may be pivotably coupled to a second mounting structure and may be configured to pivot relative to the vehicle chassis. The body may engage a third mounting structure configured to secure the body relative to a vehicle axle. The link member may include a first end pivotably coupled to the first mounting structure and a second end pivotably coupled to the third mounting structure. The bumper may extend downward from the link member toward the leaf spring.