Interchangeable Mounting Plate for Adjustable Wheel Suspension Track Width
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel support systems for vehicles require costly and bulky modifications to suspension arms and brake disc caliper fixing devices to accommodate varying track widths, limiting flexibility in assembly lines and spare parts management.
Innovation Solution
A wheel support system featuring a plate with a central support part of adjustable thickness, interposed between the suspension arm and the rotation guide member, allowing for interchangeable plates to define different track widths without altering the suspension arm or caliper fixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suspension arm or caliper fixing device is modified to accommodate different track widths, then the track width can be adjusted for different vehicle models, but the design and production cost increases and assembly line flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is segmented into a standard suspension arm and a replaceable positioning plate. The positioning plate is further divided into a central part with thickness determining track width and lateral parts for caliper support. This segmentation allows the suspension arm to remain standardized while the positioning plate varies to accommodate different track widths.
Solution Approach 2:
The standard suspension arm design serves multiple vehicle models with different track widths by using different positioning plates. The lateral parts of the positioning plate provide universal caliper support while the central part's varying thickness adapts the track width, making the suspension arm universally applicable across multiple models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different suspension arms or caliper fixing devices are produced for different track widths, then the correct track can be achieved, but the production and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the caliper fixing function (lateral parts of positioning plate) from the track width determination function (central part thickness). This allows the lateral parts to remain standardized while only the central part thickness varies, reducing the total number of different components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A single standard suspension arm design with different positioning plates serves multiple vehicle models. The positioning plates with different central part thicknesses provide track width variation while maintaining universal compatibility with the same suspension arm and caliper mounting system.
3Manufacturing precision
If the suspension arm design is optimized for a specific track width, then the performance for that track is maximized, but the flexibility to accommodate other track widths is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The track width is adjusted by changing the thickness parameter of the central part of the positioning plate, while all other design parameters of the suspension arm and caliper fixing system remain constant. This allows precise track width definition for different models without compromising manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized suspension arm and caliper fixing device design can be used across multiple vehicle models with different track widths by simply changing the positioning plate's central part thickness, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving model range coverage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable positioning plates with different thicknesses are used, then the track width can be adjusted without modifying the suspension arm, but the assembly procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning plate is designed as a separate, self-contained component with integrated central and lateral parts. This segmentation allows the plate to be pre-manufactured with the correct thickness and then simply installed as a unit, simplifying the assembly process despite the variety of thickness options.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning plate serves dual functions: defining track width through its central part thickness and supporting the caliper through its lateral parts. This universal design allows a single component to handle both functions, reducing assembly complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Wheel carrier system for a vehicle axial assembly comprising a suspension arm (66), a brake calliper (12) and a member (24) for guiding the rotation of a brake disc associated with the wheel. The system comprises a mounting plate (10) provided on the one hand with a central part (32) that supports the rotational guidance member (24), which part is interposed between the suspension arm (66) and the rotational guidance member (24), is fixed removably to the suspension arm and has a predetermined thickness (E1) in the direction of the axis of the rotational guidance member and defines the guage width of the axial assembly and, on the other hand, with at least one lateral part (50) that supports the calliper. The mounting plate can be replaced with another mounting plate, the central part (32) of which has a different predetermined thickness (E2) in order to define an axial assembly with a different gauge width.