Mounting arrangement for the chassis level control system of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a mounting arrangement 10 for attaching at least one component 2 of a vehicle's chassis level control system (CLCS). The arrangement 10 comprises a main body 20 and a pair of auxiliary mountings 30. Each auxiliary mounting 30 is detachably coupled to one end of the main body 20. The main body 20 accommodates the component 2, while the auxiliary mountings 30 are detachably coupled to a long element 4 of a chassis 6.

Description

Preamble to the description

[0001] The following description explains the invention and the manner in which it is to be implemented in more detail: Description of the invention; Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the chassis level control of vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a mounting arrangement for a chassis level control system (CLCS) of a vehicle. Background of the invention

[0003] When loading and unloading a vehicle, the loading area must be as horizontal as possible. Otherwise, when loading or unloading relatively heavy goods, such as a pallet, there is a risk that the pallet will roll and be difficult to restrain. Vehicles are usually equipped with a chassis leveling system (CLCS) to adjust the vehicle's inclination relative to the horizontal plane.

[0004] Currently, two or more people are required to assemble a pneumatic CLCS valve along with its bracket on an assembly line, creating a risk of accidents. One person must hold the valve and bracket (approximately 10 to 14 kg) while another uses a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners. To optimize this assembly process, the bracket's weight must be less than 10 kg without affecting its natural frequency. Furthermore, a one-piece design presents the challenge of complicated assembly due to tolerance variations in the frame width.

[0005] Chinese Utility Model No. CN 221188751 U discloses an electric drive bridge control module mounting bracket for the front of a vehicle, including a front support and a rear support, each rigidly connected at both ends longitudinally to a transition bracket. A frame mounting hole is provided on the transition bracket, while the supports are provided with motor mounting and control device mounting holes. A high-voltage cable support is provided with fixed high-voltage cable openings.

[0006] US Patent No. 7,156,421 B2 discloses the frame of a road or off-road truck or tractor comprising two frame rails that are generally parallel to each other. A plurality of composite crossbeams are positioned orthogonally to and connect the frame rails. Each crossbeam comprises two face sheets, a substantially planar core material layer positioned between and connected to the face sheets, and a stiffening element with two bar sections. The ends of each bar section are attached at an angle to opposing frame rails between two adjacent crossbeams, the bar sections forming an “X” across the span between the adjacent crossbeams.

[0007] US Patent No. 8,882,150 B2 discloses a bump stop attached to a main frame of a vehicle chassis frame. The bump stop is bag-shaped with an opening on its inner side facing the width of the vehicle and is shaped to have openings at its top and bottom. The bump stop is attached to an outer surface of the main frame by front and rear mounting plates, which are end plates positioned on the sides of the opening on the inner side facing the width of the vehicle. A contact element that makes contact with an arm is attached to the bump stop such that it is located near a lower opening (116) of the bump stop.

[0008] US Patent Publication No.: US 2022 / 0410686 A1 discloses a vehicle battery pack mounting device for a battery pack mounted under a pair of side rails extending longitudinally along the vehicle. The device has a pair of side surfaces, each oriented longitudinally. The device comprises a battery holder for receiving the battery pack and a frame holder for coupling the side rails and the battery holder.The battery holder comprises a first holder covering the side faces of the battery pack, at least a section of an upper surface continuous with the side faces, and at least a section of a lower surface continuous with the side faces, wherein the first holder has a dimension in the vehicle width direction equal to or greater than the long side of the battery pack, and the second holder covers an end section of the first holder in the width direction coupled to the frame holder.

[0009] US Patent Publication No.: US 2024 / 0246610 A1 discloses a vehicle suspension assembly comprising a suspension slider assembly with a pair of frame members configured to slide onto a vehicle chassis. An axle member is configured to support a pair of wheel assemblies, and a suspension assembly is configured to support the suspension slider assembly on the axle member. However, further development is needed to achieve a simple and cost-effective assembly without compromising mechanical strength.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a mounting arrangement that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, while also improving mechanical strength. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for attaching at least one component of a vehicle's chassis level control system. The arrangement comprises a main body and a pair of auxiliary mounts. The main body accommodates the components of the chassis level control system (CLCS), while each auxiliary mount is detachably coupled to one end of the main body and detachably to a long element of a chassis.

[0012] The main body has a slot at each end, and each auxiliary bracket is formed with a U-flange which can be detachably coupled to a corresponding slot in the main body during assembly.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the slots are not symmetrical and the auxiliary supports are mirror images of each other. The main body further comprises support flange sections located closer to the respective ends of the main body for attaching the component. Preferably, each support flange section includes two mounting holes for attaching the component. Most preferably, the mounting holes are configured such that the distance between one of the mounting holes and a corresponding side edge, and the distance between the other mounting hole and a corresponding side edge, are in a predefined ratio.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, each auxiliary support is formed with an upper flange. Preferably, each upper flange is formed in one piece by bending an upper section of the respective auxiliary support. Each auxiliary support has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge, and each upper flange has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge. Most preferably, each auxiliary support further comprises an inner support, wherein the longitudinal edge of each upper flange is embedded between the longitudinal edge of the corresponding auxiliary support and the inner support during assembly.

[0015] These and other aspects of the embodiments described herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that while the following descriptions specify preferred embodiments and numerous details thereof, they serve for illustration and not as limitations. Numerous changes and modifications to the scope of the embodiments described herein may be made without altering their scope, and the embodiments described herein include all such modifications. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The aforementioned and other features of the embodiments will become clearer from the following detailed description of the embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numbers refer to identical elements. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective rear view of a mounting arrangement mounted on a chassis according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of the mounting arrangement of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of one end of the mounting assembly of Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the mounting arrangement properly mounted on the chassis according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of the mounting arrangement when incorrectly mounted on the chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting arrangement in a lower perspective according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a perspective front view of the mounting arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a front view of one end of the mounting assembly of Fig. 7. Fig. Figure 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the mounting arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example serves to illustrate the subject matter and does not constitute a limitation. Various changes and modifications that would be obvious to a person skilled in the art in the field of the invention are considered to be pertaining to the spirit, scope, and consideration of the invention.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective rear view of a mounting arrangement on a chassis according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement 10 comprises a main body 20 and a pair of auxiliary mounts 30, wherein the arrangement 10 is applicable for mounting at least one component 2, such as a pneumatic valve, of a vehicle's chassis level control system (CLCS). Preferably, the arrangement 10 is mounted on a chassis in the inverted position. The main body 20 is able to receive the component 2 as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 2 shown, while each auxiliary support 30 is detachably coupled to one end of the main body 20 and detachably coupled to a long element 4 of the chassis 6, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0019] In one embodiment, the main body 20 and the auxiliary supports 30 are made of a rigid material, such as metal, an alloy, etc., preferably alloy steel. In another embodiment, both the main body 20 and the auxiliary supports 30 are manufactured as a single-piece component, as shown in Fig. The components shown in Figure 6 are manufactured by any suitable conventional methods, such as cutting, punching, bending, etc. It is understood that the assembly of the components of the arrangement 10 with respect to each other and with respect to the chassis 6 may include all conventional assembly methods such as threaded fastening, riveting, and the like.

[0020] The main body 20 has a slot 22 at each end. Each auxiliary bracket 30 is formed with a U-flange 32 which can be detachably coupled to a corresponding slot 22 during assembly, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows that the U-flanges 32 facilitate the mounting of the main body 20 to the auxiliary supports 30 by simply hanging the main body 20 over the U-flanges 32. Thus, the present invention enables easy mounting of the arrangement 10 on the chassis 6 without requiring a second person to lift or carry the main body 20 during assembly.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, each slot 22 has a tapered side 23, wherein the tapered side 23 guides the corresponding U-flange 32 so that it slides along angled edges during assembly. This enables the present invention to provide stable positioning and easy alignment of each end of the main body 20 with respect to the corresponding auxiliary support 30 during assembly.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the slots 22 are not symmetrical to each other, with one of the slots being longer than the other slot 22, so that the main body 20 is parallel to a horizontal surface only when it is properly assembled, as shown in Fig. 4 shown, and is inclined when mounted upside down, as in Fig. 5 shown. In this way, the present invention always ensures a proper arrangement of the arrangement 10 in relation to the chassis 6.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary supports 30 are shaped as mirror images of each other, which reduces manufacturing costs and time. In another preferred embodiment, each auxiliary support 30 is formed with an upper flange 34 which, in the assembled state, is located far from the longitudinal axis of the arrangement 10 compared to the underside of the auxiliary support 30, thereby improving the stiffness of the arrangement 10 while avoiding the need for a flange on the underside of the auxiliary support 30. Preferably, each upper flange 34 is formed in one piece by bending an upper section of the respective auxiliary support 30, thus avoiding welding and simultaneously increasing the stiffness of the arrangement 10, which in turn prevents stress concentration between each upper flange 34 and the remaining section of the corresponding auxiliary support 30.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, each auxiliary support 30 has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge 30a and each upper flange 34 has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge 34a, as shown in Fig. Figure 8. Preferably, each auxiliary support 30 further comprises an inner support 38, wherein the longitudinal edge 34a of each upper flange 34 is embedded during assembly between the longitudinal edge 30a of the corresponding auxiliary support 30 and the inner support 38, as shown in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates this. In this way, the present invention enables a gradual increase in the number of layers from the ends of the main body 20 to the longitudinal edges 30a of the auxiliary supports 30, which facilitates a uniform distribution of stress across the ends of the arrangement 10. Furthermore, the embedded ends of the arrangement 10 reduce stress without increasing the thickness of the auxiliary supports 30.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the upper section of each inner support 38 is thinner or narrower than the lower section. Since each upper flange 34 provides additional stiffness to the arrangement 10, the amount of material required to manufacture the inner support 38 is reduced, which in turn lowers the manufacturing costs and the overall weight of the arrangement 10 and minimizes the possibility of deformation. Furthermore, the length “x” of the overlap between the ends of the main body 20 and the corresponding auxiliary supports 30 can be minimized without affecting the load-bearing capacity of the arrangement 10.

[0026] In one embodiment, the main body 20 further comprises a support flange section 24 adjoining each end of the main body 20 for mounting the component 2. Since the support flange sections 24 adjoin the respective ends of the main body 20, the natural frequency of the arrangement 10 is increased. Preferably, each support flange section 24 comprises two mounting holes 26 for mounting the component 2. Preferably, the mounting holes 26 are configured such that the distance between each of the mounting holes 26 and a side edge of the corresponding support flange section 24 is in a predefined ratio with respect to a distance “y” between the two mounting holes 26. This configuration further increases the natural frequency while simultaneously reducing the overall weight of the arrangement 10.

[0027] The most preferred mounting hole 26 is located closer to the auxiliary support 30, at a distance of 0.2y to 0.35y from the corresponding side edge, while the other mounting hole 26 is located at a distance of 0.1y to 0.25y from the corresponding side edge. The purpose of this arrangement is to move the mass of the components 2 attached to the main body 20 towards the auxiliary support 30 in order to improve the natural frequency. In other words, adding mass by adding components 2 to the center of the main body 20 decreases the natural frequency, and therefore moving the mass towards the respective ends of the main body 20 improves the natural frequency. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 221188751 U

[0005] US 7,156,421 B2

[0006] US 8,882,150 B2

[0007] US 2022 / 0410686 A1

[0008] US 2024 / 0246610 A1

[0009]

Claims

[1] Mounting arrangement (10) for fastening at least one component (2) of a vehicle chassis level control system (CLCS), comprising: a) a main body (20) to accommodate the component (2); and b) an auxiliary support (30) which is detachably coupled to each end of the main body (20) and detachably coupled to a long element (4) of a chassis (6), characterized by , that: - the main body (20) has a slot (22) at each end of the main body (20); and - each auxiliary support (30) is formed with a U-flange (32) which can be detachably coupled with a corresponding slot (22) during assembly. [2] Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the slots (22) are not symmetrical. [3] Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein each slot (22) is provided with a tapered side (23). [4] Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (20) further comprises a plurality of support flange sections (24) located closer to the respective ends of the main body (20) to secure the component (2). [5] Arrangement (10) according to claim 4, wherein each support flange section (24) has at least two mounting holes (26) for fastening the component (2). [6] Arrangement (10) according to claim 5, wherein the mounting holes (26) are configured such that a distance between one of the mounting holes (26) and a corresponding side edge and a distance between the other mounting hole (26) and a corresponding side edge are in a predefined ratio. [7] Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein each auxiliary support (30) is formed with an upper flange (34). [8] Arrangement (10) according to claim 5, wherein each upper flange (34) is formed in one piece by bending an upper section of the respective auxiliary support (30). [9] Arrangement (10) according to claim 8, wherein each auxiliary support (30) has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge (30a) and each upper flange (34) has a right-angle bent longitudinal edge (34a). [10] Arrangement (10) according to claim 9, wherein each auxiliary support (30) further comprises an inner support (38), wherein the longitudinal edge (34a) of each upper flange (34) is embedded during assembly between the longitudinal edge (30a) of the corresponding auxiliary support (30) and the inner support (38).

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