Multi-part Wishbone Suspension with Articulated Angle Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel suspensions face design constraints due to compact cast parts limiting geometric flexibility and favorable arrangement of suspension springs and shock absorbers, especially when considering spatial conditions and wheel guide elements.

Innovation Solution

The wishbone is constructed in two separate struts with an articulated angle lever, allowing for a space-saving design that supports the shock absorber and suspension spring with a parallelogram arrangement, enabling the use of different materials and reducing weight through simplified geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wishbone is manufactured as a compact cast part, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the geometric flexibility and handlebar arrangement options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric flexibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wishbone is divided into two separate wishbone struts instead of being a single compact cast part. This segmentation allows each strut to be independently designed and positioned, providing greater geometric flexibility for handlebar arrangements while maintaining structural integrity through their connection to the angle lever and vehicle body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the suspension spring is arranged far outside near the wheel, then the spatial efficiency is improved, but the larger outer circumference creates unfavorable transmission ratios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension spring is arranged axially offset from the shock absorber rather than being positioned far outside near the wheel. This axial offset arrangement in a different dimensional orientation allows the spring to be positioned favorably within the available space while maintaining appropriate transmission ratios through the angle lever mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Weight of moving object

If the wishbone struts are designed with simplified geometry, then the component weight is reduced, but the structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent weightVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wishbone struts can be manufactured from different materials including fiber-reinforced plastics or combinations of materials. This allows the struts to achieve the required structural strength with simplified geometry while minimizing weight, as the composite materials provide high strength-to-weight ratios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3130489B1Wheel suspension for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 AUDI AG
  • EP3130489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3130489B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3130489B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a two-track motor vehicle, with a lower control arm (11) extending in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle between a vehicle body (1) and a wheel carrier (7), wherein a shock absorber (15) and a suspension spring (13) are supported on the control arm (11), wherein the wheel suspension (3) has an angle lever (23) which is pivotally mounted on the control arm (11) at a bearing point (21) about a pivot axis (S1) oriented in the longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle, and the angle lever (23) has a first lever arm (25) on which the suspension spring (13) is supported, and a second lever arm (27) on which a stabilizer link (41) articulated to the vehicle body (1) is supported. According to the invention, the control arm (11) is constructed in two parts from two separate control arm struts (29) and the bell crank (23) is articulated with its pivot axis (S1) between the two control arm struts (29).