Adjustable Suspension Arm Wrap for Axle Tube Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shell designs for connecting trailing arms to axle tubes face challenges with diameter tolerances, leading to gaps and potential heat damage during welding, which affects durability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A shell with a compensating section that adjusts its inner diameter through adjustable gaps and projections, allowing it to fit securely on axle tubes of varying diameters without direct welding on the axle tube, thereby minimizing heat input and ensuring a gap-free connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the shell has a fixed inner diameter, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different axle tube diameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner diameter consistencyVSAvoidadaptability to different axle tube diameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shell transitions from a static fixed-diameter structure to a dynamic adjustable-diameter structure through the compensating section with movable segments and projections that allow the inner diameter to be adjusted to match different axle tube diameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inner diameter parameter of the shell is made variable through the compensating section mechanism, allowing the diameter to be changed according to the specific axle tube being installed, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the shell is welded directly to the axle tube, then the connection strength is improved, but the heat input to the axle tube increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidheat damage to axle tube
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shell acts as an intermediary component between the trailing arm and the axle tube, allowing the trailing arm to be welded to the shell rather than directly to the axle tube. This intermediate connection protects the axle tube from direct heat exposure while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into three separate components (axle tube, shell, trailing arm) rather than a direct two-component weld, which allows the welding process to be isolated from the axle tube and performed on the shell instead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the shell is made rigid, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate diameter variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of diameter variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is segmented into multiple sections with movable projections that can adjust independently, allowing the overall structure to remain stable while locally adapting to different diameter requirements through the compensating section mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3013601B1Wrap
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 SAF HOLLAND GMBH
  • EP3013601B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3013601B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3013601B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A wrap (20) for attaching a suspension arm to an axle tube, having a substantially tubular cross-section which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and which has an outer contour (24) and an inner contour (22), wherein the inner contour (22) has an internal diameter (Di), and wherein the wrap (20) has at least one compensation portion (40) which extends substantially along a longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the at least one compensation portion (40) is designed to modify the internal diameter (Di) by way of different adjustments.