Adjustable Bearing Inner Core for Compact Wheel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment mechanisms for vehicle wheel alignment are component-intensive, expensive, and difficult to assemble in limited space, often requiring complex welded structures.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment unit with a rubber-metal bearing and an adjustable spacer element that allows for relative adjustment of connecting axes, enabling translational deflection of the bearing position without increasing installation space, using a spacer element that moves linearly along a guide rail or inner core to adjust toe and/or camber angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms with multiple components are used, then adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment mechanism directly into the bearing structure itself. The bearing includes an adjustable inner core with guide rails and spacer elements that integrate the adjustment function into the bearing component, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment components (spacer elements, guide rails) are nested within the bearing structure. The inner core contains guide rails, and spacer elements are positioned within these guide rails, creating a compact nested arrangement that achieves precise adjustment without increasing external dimensions or device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional adjustment devices are installed, then wheel alignment adjustment is enabled, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the bearing structure, so the bearing itself provides both support and adjustment functions. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate adjustment devices, significantly reducing the installation space required while maintaining full adjustment capability for wheel alignment parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
All adjustment components are nested within the bearing's internal structure. The guide rails are formed within the inner core, and spacer elements are positioned within these guide rails, creating a compact nested configuration that fits within the existing bearing installation space without requiring additional volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for adjustment, then adjustment functionality is achieved, but assembly complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (bearing support, guidance, adjustment) into a single integrated bearing structure. The inner core with guide rails and the spacer elements work together as one assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby simplifying production and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, guides the adjustment movement through integrated guide rails, and enables precise position adjustment via spacer elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adjustment unit (10) comprising a bearing (11) which has an inner core (12) that is formed with a passage (18) extending in the longitudinal direction of the inner core (12). The passage (18) is equipped with a spacing element (20) which has an opening (22) for receiving a bearing pin (24), wherein the opening (22) extends along a longitudinal axis which defines the attachment axis (A) of the bearing (11), and the attachment axis (A) and the bearing axis (L) can be adjusted relative to each other by adjusting the spacing element (20). The invention is characterized in that the spacing element (20) is movably mounted in the direction of extension of the passage (18), and when the bearing (11) is installed, the spacing element (20) is axially adjusted along the attachment axis (A) and produces a translational deflection of the inner core (12) transversely to the attachment axis (A).