Ram Articulink (update)

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 04/09/2014 at 12:04 • Filed to: howe does it work?

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How does it work?

Any thoughts?

Here is a shot taken from the video and below is the press release that is...not helpful at all. I know how a 3 point axle is setup, but I'm trying to wrap my head around this...what appears to be Virtual Point Pivot addition that they are calling the Articulink.

Anyone have an idea how this link works to increase articulation?

UPDATE: here is a more better picture that I snaked from autoblog

link to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This makes me think this really is a vpp setup

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:15

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I think maybe it's an assist to 'roll' the axle up. I can't describe it well.

Truck Trend says it

incorporates high-movement joints at the control-arm-to-axle mount, allowing for additional flexibility and axle articulation.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:23

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I think what's going on is that the angle of the links is altered a good bit from straight to permit more up/down travel along that angle (articulation) without the binding and resistance you'd otherwise encounter with a four-link. However, being allowed to compress at "wrong" angles is probably what requires that tension member/damper at the top of the rear axle, and the outer locating member, in limiting twist from another angle (but not travel left to right)allows the whole thing to gimbal inwards while unable to twist, thus articulate.

tl;dr: I think it's basically almost like designing it with extra slop, then adding extra tie points to constrain possible movement arcs. Can't watch the video at work, though.

crown victor victoria > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:27

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Articulink goes down, Articulink goes up. You can't explain that.

TJDMAX > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:27

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Which axle are you referring to? The left one (rear) or the right one (front). There is a discussion on Truck Yea right now about what that "5th" link on the rear does. Technically that would make it a 6-Link suspension because on a "4-Link" the trac bar is considered the 5th link.

jsmizira > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:29

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it looks like the anti-roll bars have an device that joins two ends together in what I could only imagine would be splined ends or (god forbid) a teeny tiny clutch.

HammerheadFistpunch > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 04/09/2014 at 12:29

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Thats a thought, using a pillow ball or similar mount under the axle and then adding mini vertical stabilizers for lateral control...i was thinking it was something akin to a vpp, but I couldn't figure out how it would work. Don't worry about the video, this image is all you got from it, it just zooms in on it a little.

HammerheadFistpunch > TJDMAX 04/09/2014 at 12:30

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For the articulink, its the front axle. I know about the 4 bar link discussion, its mine.

HammerheadFistpunch > jsmizira 04/09/2014 at 12:31

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Are you talking about the electronic sway disconnect? it looks like the same unit on the wranglers, its a spline decoupler. not sure exactly how it works though.

TJDMAX > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:35

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oh yea. Well hey there. Sorry i'm terrible at recognizing names. I just start replying. Sorry to interrupt this discussion.

jsmizira > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:36

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yes I was. the catuator looks a lot like the unit thy had on the front axles to substitute for outboard locking hubs.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:37

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Oh, okay. Yeah, the front axle, I think they've effectively permitted twist in the control links but only to a point, and they're set up where they length vary based on what angle they're hitting the axle. IOW, the link keeps it from traveling front to back, but under extension can sort of "stretch" due to the angle it meets the axle at - which is controlled. Effectively, it's a partial lateral control and fore-aft control, but unlike most contemporaries, I think it does roughly fuck all for twist control except secondarily.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:42

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Some sort of advanced friction shock for adjustability?

It's a "Porch-uh" > HammerheadFistpunch 04/09/2014 at 12:43

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I just learned what a Panhard bar was a few weeks ago, so I figure I'll learn about this in 2048 if it's still around.

doodon2whls > TJDMAX 04/09/2014 at 15:21

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Rear Suspension: The four nearly longitudinal trailing arm links attach the rear axle to the body and act as torque reaction links. The 5th lateral link on the rear (panhard bar) controls the lateral motion/forces of the rear axle. BTW, the '6th link' is actually a damper between the top of the 'pig' and frame crossmember to attenuate wheel hop during acceleration. It was first used on the RAM platform when the SRT Team developed the Standard Cab RAM SRT-10. It has since been adapted into other high torque RAM vehicles.

Front Suspension: The front axle is essentially a three link (two leading arms longitudinally and a lateral panhard bar) with some added compliance via the articulink. The usual attachment mechanism from the leading arms to the axle was through high-rate spool bushings, so when the suspension was articulated the left and right leading arms bind and fight one another - effectively trying to twist the axle housing through those attachment bushings. The articulink reduces this torsional rate while still maintaining adequated drive-torque reaction and front suspension caster geometry for proper road manners. This reduced torsional rate allows more articulation. BOOM ! Articulink is born.

themoreyouknow.jpg