Adjustable Spring Mounting Assembly Axle Alignment Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles and trailers often suffer from axle alignment issues due to factors like unbalanced loading, faulty spring hangers, and poor quality control, leading to misalignment, which causes tire tracking problems, reduced fuel economy, premature wear, and potential tire blowouts, as well as vibrations affecting RV components.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spring mounting assembly comprising a first adjustment plate with a receiver, an elongated axle alignment slot, and alignment correction inserts with specific apertures that can be aligned to correct axle alignment, allowing for height and alignment adjustments to ensure proper axle positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fixed spring mounting assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but axle alignment cannot be adjusted leading to misalignment problems
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mounting assembly transitions from a fixed structure to an adjustable dynamic structure. The adjustment plate with multiple apertures and the alignment correction insert with selectable apertures enable the assembly to be reconfigured for different alignment requirements, allowing the system to adapt to various axle alignment needs while maintaining proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the spring mounting points through selectable apertures in the adjustment plate and alignment correction insert. By selecting different aperture combinations, the horizontal and vertical positions of the spring mounting can be adjusted, enabling precise control over axle alignment parameters without requiring a completely different assembly design.
2Measurement precision
If adjustable components are added to correct alignment, then axle alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment correction function is segmented into separate modular components: the adjustment plate with height adjustment apertures and the alignment correction insert with multiple alignment apertures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling flexible combination to achieve the desired alignment precision without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment plate and alignment correction insert serve multiple functions: they provide both height adjustment and horizontal alignment correction, replace multiple separate adjustment mechanisms, and can be used with different spring and axle configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each adjustment type.
3Reliability
If misalignment is not corrected, then the structure remains simple, but tire wear, fuel economy, and component life are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment correction insert and adjustment plate are designed to be pre-installed on the spring hanger bracket before final assembly. The preliminary positioning through selectable apertures allows alignment to be established in advance, ensuring proper axle alignment is built into the assembly from the start rather than requiring complex post-installation adjustments or corrections.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable spring mounting assembly includes an adjustment plate, including a receiver, an elongated axle alignment slot and at least one height adjustment aperture, and an alignment correction insert received and held in said receiver. The alignment correction insert includes a plurality of alignment correction apertures wherein a selected one of the plurality of alignment apertures is aligned with the elongated axle alignment slot to correct axle alignment of the vehicle.