Idea that could use some help: hybrid axle

[Dreadredbeard]

First, I'm sorry if this has been done before.

I've been working on this idea for a little, independent suspension offers great ground clearance and wonderful high speed performance, but lacks considerably in high articulation. Solid axle of course offers the opposite, so I started thinking of a way to combine them both into one unit.

Being that the idea of the axle was to have the best of both worlds I thought a differential lock was important, but the addition makes the assembly VERY wide.

I started going a little overboard since all I was trying to do was build a working prototype, but I wanted to start on a chassis:

I integrated sariel's 2 speed HD gearbox to add to the dual usage theme.

Random shot I suppose:

Still a lot to figure out: steering, mounting the necessary multiple springs, reinforcing the independent arms, plumbing for the pneumatics for the diff locks...

Here is a mockup of the springs:

But before going to far I was wondering what kind of input you guys could offer.

Thanks!

Edited June 10, 2013 by Dreadredbeard

[piterx]

to me it seems a very cool idea! even if it's a bit strange

will you have two sets of suspension?

and anyway congratulations for the tidyness of your desk xD it reminds mine ahah

[Zerobricks]

Too messy and complex IMO. Also that 20 tooth gear powering differential will slip by very low torque.

[rm8]

Too messy and complex IMO. Also that 20 tooth gear powering differential will slip by very low torque.

Agree with Zblj.

[Junpei]

In place of that bushing behind the 20t gear you could put the axle through the second pinhole on this part and then attach it to the 5x11 frame via a 3l stop axle or axle pin.

Edit: Even with this the gear should probably have some other type of bracing.

[timslegos]

I am interested as to how it performs. Will the independent suspension activate or will the pendular part just turn?

tim

[pluto7443]

Seems to me what would happen is that the independent suspension would only do anything if there was a sudden shock to the entire axle, such as a fall, or if the pendular suspension was maxed out.

[Zerobricks]

I am interested as to how it performs. Will the independent suspension activate or will the pendular part just turn?

tim

Turn, Its the easier than to compress springs.

[Dreadredbeard]

I should have mocked up the spring placement before posting the pictures :S

Both the pendular system and the independent arms will be sprung, something like this:

But... with Legos instead of terrible paint.

I am interested as to how it performs. Will the independent suspension activate or will the pendular part just turn?

tim

[Doc_Brown]

This looks really interesting! keep at it!

[SNIPE]

Hi

How exactually does this work/what do you want it to do.

Edited June 15, 2013 by SNIPE

[Nazgarot]

This being a very unusual solution isn't in fact unique. The Norwegian Moxy dumpers had a design where they used a pendular front chassis (cabin) with a semi independent suspension on the axle to increase ride comfort and offload stress under loading.

When Korean Doosan bought Moxy they continued the design and the new Doosan dumpers come with the same solution, and to western markets they are selling under the Doosan Moxy name. More information can be found here.

Maybe you can get some good ideas from this...

-ED-