Modular, internal track widening with adjustable angle offset for caster correction and preservation of the original steering roll radius on rigid axles of off-road vehicles

Abstract

Modular track widening device for off-road vehicles with rigid axle (1), characterized in that it consists of two coaxially screwable spacer discs - an inner spacer disc (2) and an outer spacer disc (3) - per side of the vehicle, wherein the spacer discs are mounted further inwards on the axle and an angular offset between the discs is provided by the bore arrangement for caster correction in raised vehicles, and the device is designed in such a way that the original steering roll radius is maintained.

Description

Title of the invention

[0001] Modular, internal track widening with optional angle offset for caster correction and preservation of the original steering roll radius on rigid axles of off-road vehicles Technical Description Technical Area:

[0002] The invention relates to the field of chassis modification in off-road vehicles, in particular the adjustment of the track width and steering geometry in vehicles with rigid axles, such as the Land Rover Defender. State of the art:

[0003] Conventional wheel spacers are mounted externally between the wheel hub and the rim. These solutions lead to a deterioration of the steering geometry, particularly the scrub radius, and negatively affect handling. Additionally, they increase the load on the wheel bearings and swivel bearings. On raised vehicles, the caster angle also changes, resulting in less stable steering and poorer straight-line stability. Technical problem:

[0004] There is a need for a track widening that increases the track width without negatively affecting the steering roll radius, while also allowing caster correction when the vehicle is raised. Solution according to the invention:

[0005] The invention comprises a modular track widening system consisting of two coaxially bolted spacers (2, 3) per side of the vehicle. These are mounted further inwards on the rigid axle (1), not between the hub and the rim. By offsetting the angle between the two spacers (2, 3), the caster angle can be readjusted to the original value on vehicles with a lifted suspension.

[0006] Additionally, a variant is provided in which the angle offset is continuously adjustable via a slotted hole system. For vehicles without a lift kit, a simplified version with only one spacer per side is provided, which is also mounted internally and maintains the steering scrub radius.

[0007] Advantages of the invention: - No negative effects on the steering geometry - Original driving characteristics are retained - Caster correction without additional components - Easy retrofitting for off-road vehicles (however, longer half-shafts (6) are necessary) - Variants for different vehicle configurations Bill of materials Position component Description / Function 1 Rigid axle Central axle element of the vehicle 2 Inner spacer (invention) Part of the modular track widening system, mounted internally. 3 Outer spacer (invention) Coaxially screwed for caster correction 4 screw Connecting element for attaching the spacers 5 axle ball Component of the axle guidance system, e.g., steered rigid axles

Claims

[1] Modular track widening device for off-road vehicles with rigid axle (1), characterized by , that it consists of two coaxially screwable spacer discs - an inner spacer disc (2) and an outer spacer disc (3) - per side of the vehicle, wherein the spacer discs are mounted further inwards on the axle and an angular offset between the discs is provided for caster correction in raised vehicles by means of the bore arrangement, and the device is designed so that the original steering roll radius is maintained. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the spacers (2, 3) have a centering fit which enables a backlash-free and positive-locking connection to the rigid axle (1). [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the angle correction is achieved by a fixedly defined bore arrangement which specifies a fixed geometric alignment of the two spacer discs (2, 3) to each other. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the mounting of the spacers (2, 3) is carried out without modification of the original wheel hub and brake system and is carried out using screws (4). [5] Track widening device for off-road vehicles with rigid axle (1), characterized by that it consists of a single spacer disc per side of the vehicle, which is mounted further inwards on the axle and serves to widen the track without allowing caster correction, the device being designed so that the original steering roll radius is maintained. [6] Device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the angular offset between the two spacer discs (2, 3) is achieved by a slotted hole system, which allows stepless adjustment of the angle for individual caster correction.

Images