Toe adjustment mechanism for vehicles with independent suspension

Abstract

The invention is particularly related to a system that eliminates machining works on the system, as the angled spring bracket which can more easily meet the maximum Fh levels and forces applied by the road to the chassis allows Toe adjustment in the related systems and is designed to feature the products used in standard bolt catalogs.

Description

[0001] TOE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES WITH INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a system that connects to the spring bracket of a carrier structure, ensures the movement of the carrier system and allows Toe adjustment of the wheel in suspensions that move independently of each other.

[0004] The invention is particularly related to a system that eliminates machining works on the system, as the angled spring bracket which can more easily meet the maximum Fh levels and forces applied by the road to the chassis allows Toe adjustment in the related systems and is designed to feature the products used in standard bolt catalogs.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] The current systems today are used on semi-trailers with independent suspension, whose minimum Fh and maximum Fh level differences are lower than those of semitrailers such as glass carriers.

[0007] In Figure-1 and Figure-2, sample images of the systems used in the state of the art are given. In the current system, the suspension journal shaft has to be coupled to the upper surface of the spring bracket, which causes the Fh level of the suspension to remain at a certain level. When it is desired to increase the Fh level further, the suspension swing arm hits the spring bracket. Also, since the Toe adjustment mechanism system used in the current system consists of parts produced by machining process, the labor costs and manufacturing times increase.

[0008] As a result of a related research, the application entitled “A suspension height adjustment mechanism” numbered GB2470632A was found. The system features a solution created for the purpose of adjusting the suspension height and does not contain a solution related to Toe adjustment.

[0009] In the related research, the application entitled “A method for Toe angle adjustment and a Toe angle adjusting apparatus” numbered EP0319837A2 was found. The system offers a solution developed to determine the optimal Toe angle. As a result, due to above-mentioned negativities, and drawbacks of the existing solutions on the subject matter, an improvement was needed in related technical field.

[0010] Object of the Invention

[0011] The invention is inspired by the current situations and aims to solve the above- mentioned issues and challenges.

[0012] The main object of the invention is to develop a system that connects to the spring bracket of a carrier structure, ensures the movement of the carrier system and allows Toe adjustment of the wheel in suspensions that move independently of each other.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to design a system that reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating machining works.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to create a system that offers the possibility of Toe adjustment in semi-trailers with independent suspension where a wider Fh height is desired.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to create a system that offers the possibility of designing and manufacturing spring brackets that are more durable and diverse than existing systems.

[0016] In order to fulfill the objects described above, the invention is designed as a system that allows Toe adjustment on semi-trailers with independent suspension. According to this, the system comprises:

[0017] • a suspension swing that contains equipment such as axle, wheel, shock absorber, air bellows and brake bellows on it and transfers the Toe angle to the wheels,

[0018] • the journal mechanism that carries the mentioned suspension swing, can be positioned according to the Toe adjustment, and allows the suspension system to rotate around its central axis,

[0019] • locking nut that allows the adjusted Toe angle of the journal to be kept at a constant value,

[0020] • the adjustment bracket for spring bracket, to which the locking nut is coupled, which gives the Toe adjustment to the system via the said journal mechanism,

[0021] • the coupling bracket for spring bracket, to which the said journal mechanism is coupled and which houses the said spring bracket adjustment bracket on it, • the adjustment bolt that allows adjusting the journal mechanism Toe angle via the said spring bracket adjustment bracket.

[0022] Structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly through the images provided below and by references made to these images; and therefore, it is required to make evaluations by considering these images and detailed explanations.

[0023] The Figures that will Help for the Invention to be Understood

[0024] Figure-1 is an image of the adjustment mechanism used in the current technique.

[0025] Figure-2 is an image of the independent suspension and toe adjustment mechanism used in the current technique.

[0026] Figure-3 is the illustration of the system.

[0027] Figure-4 is another illustration of the system.

[0028] Figure-5 is a 3D sample image of the system.

[0029] Description of Part References

[0030] 1. Coupling bracket of spring bracket

[0031] 2. Adjustment bracket of spring bracket

[0032] 3. Adjustment bolt

[0033] 4. Locking nut

[0034] 5. Journal mechanism

[0035] 6. Suspension swing

[0036] T: Parts that require production with machining (metal cutting)

[0037] MK: Spring lever

[0038] UB: Upper zone AB: Lower zone

[0039] M: Journal

[0040] MS: Journal mechanism and suspension system

[0041] AG: Vehicle body

[0042] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] In this detailed explanation, the preferred configurations of the system that is the subject of the invention are explained only for a better understanding of the subject.

[0044] The invention is a system that allows Toe adjustment on semi-trailers with independent suspension. Figure-3 and Figure-4 provide the images of the system. Accordingly, the system contains the suspension swing (6), which carries the equipment such as axle, wheel, suspension, air bellows and brake bellows and which transfers the Toe angle to the wheels; the journal mechanism (5), which carries the said suspension swing (6), can be positioned according to the Toe angle, and provides the suspension system with the ability to turn around its axis; the locking nut (4), which allows the adjusted Toe angle of the adjusted journal mechanism (5) to be kept at same level; the adjustment bracket (2) of spring bracket, which provides the Toe angle adjustment over the said journal mechanism (5) and to which the locking nut (5) is coupled; the coupling bracket (1) for spring bracket, to which the said journal mechanism (5) is coupled and which carries the said adjustment bracket (2); the adjusting nut (3), which allows for journal mechanism (5) Toe angle adjustment via the said adjustment bracket (2).

[0045] The general working principle of the invention is as follow: adjusting the Toe angle with the adjustment bolt (3) mounted on the spring bracket adjustment bracket (1) of the journal mechanism (5) coupled to the spring bracket coupling bracket (2), and securing it with the locking nut (4) when it is brought to the desired size, ensuring that the same Toe angle is transferred to the wheels via the suspension swing (6). In accordance with this working principle, the journal mechanism (5) is coupled to the spring bracket coupling bracket (1) by a bolted connection so that it can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the connection surface center. The spring bracket adjustment bracket (2) contains 2 adjustment bolts (3) on the right and left of the center axis of rotation. These adjustment bolts (3) are turned to the right or left on their central axis, allowing the journal mechanism (5) to rotate in or out directions according to the Toe angle. One of the issues to be considered here is that one of the adjustment bolts (3) must be rotated in the opposite direction of the other.

[0046] After the wheels reach the desired Toe angle by means of the journal mechanism (5) and the suspension swing (6) connected to it, the system is tightened and fixed by means of locking nuts (4), and the current angle is preserved.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system that allows Toe adjustment on semi-trailers with independent suspension, characterized by comprising:• a suspension swing (6) that contains equipment such as axle, wheel, shock absorber, air bellows and brake bellows on it and transfers the Toe angle to the wheels,• the journal mechanism (5) that carries the mentioned suspension swing (6), can be positioned according to the Toe adjustment, and allows the suspension system to rotate around its central axis,• locking nut (4) that allows the adjusted Toe angle of the journal (5) to be kept at a constant value,• the adjustment bracket for spring bracket (2), to which the locking nut (4) is coupled, which gives the Toe adjustment to the system via the said journal mechanism (5),• The coupling bracket (1) for spring bracket, to which the said journal mechanism (5) is coupled and which houses the said spring bracket adjustment bracket (2) on it,• the adjustment bolt (3) that allows adjusting the journal mechanism (5) Toe angle via the said spring bracket adjustment bracket (2).

2. The system according to Claim-1 , characterized int that the spring bracket adjustment bracket (2) comprises 2 adjustment bolts (3) on the right and left of the center axis of rotation.

Images