Universal Wishbone Trailing Arm Camber Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle suspension systems face challenges in mechanical strength and performance while maintaining reduced complexity, particularly when navigating rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
A universal wishbone trailing arm design featuring a wheel hub with a cylindrical axle support, forwardly extending swing arms, and hinged chassis mounts that allow for camber angle adjustment and shock absorption, enabling unchanged wheel tracking and protection from debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trailing arm suspension is used in off-road vehicles, then the suspension can handle rough terrain, but the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple suspension arms into a single integrated wishbone trailing arm structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The wishbone arm integrates both the trailing arm function and the control arm function, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining suspension performance on rough terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The wishbone trailing arm is designed as a universal component that can be used on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The symmetric design allows a single component to serve multiple positions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to handle rough terrain conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel tracking changes during traveling, then the suspension adapts to terrain, but the vehicle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wishbone trailing arm employs asymmetric mounting positions for its chassis attachment points, with the first chassis mount positioned differently from the second chassis mount. This asymmetric geometry creates a controlled camber change that allows the wheel to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining stable tracking through the articulated mount design.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated mount incorporates a dynamic joint that allows controlled movement between the two swing arms. This dynamic connection enables the suspension to adapt wheel camber angle in response to terrain changes while maintaining stable wheel tracking through the coordinated motion of the asymmetrically positioned swing arms.
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
Enhances mechanical strength and performance by maintaining wheel tracking and reducing vertical motion transfer to the vehicle, while shielding critical components from damage during off-road driving.
Implementation Method 1
A cylindrical axle support is configured to support one or more roller bearings whereby the wheel hub is rotatable
Implementation Method 2
A first chassis mount is configured to hingedly couple the first swing arm to the vehicle chassis. A second chassis mount is configured to hingedly couple the second swing arm to an articulated mount
Data Source
AI summary
A universal wishbone trailing arm and methods are provided for coupling a wheel to a vehicle chassis. The universal wishbone trailing arm comprises a wheel hub that fastenably receives the wheel. A cylindrical axle support supports one or more roller bearings whereby the wheel hub is rotatable. A first swing arm and a second swing arm extend forwardly from a joined swing arm. The cylindrical axle support is coupled to a rear of the joined swing arm. A first chassis mount hingedly couples the first swing arm to the vehicle chassis. A second chassis mount hingedly couples the second swing arm to an articulated mount which is configured to couple the second swing arm to the vehicle chassis. The articulated mount cooperates with the first second swing arms to change camber of the wheel, such that a tracking of the wheels remains substantially unchanged during traveling over rough terrain.