Air Spring Fastening Positioning Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in precisely positioning and fixing different air springs to a shared trailing arm unit or vehicle frame of commercial vehicles, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for customized designs.

Innovation Solution

An air spring attachment system featuring a positioning element with engagement sections and a guide link unit, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure fastening of the air spring relative to the trailing arm unit and frame, using a combination of engagement and fastening sections to accommodate various air spring sizes and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If different air springs are to be used on a frame with a specific geometric configuration, then the air spring can be precisely positioned on the frame and guide arm assembly, but the guide arm assembly and the interface on the frame must each be specifically designed, which significantly increases the manufacturing effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide arm assembly is designed with a universal mounting system that can accommodate different air spring types and sizes through adjustable positioning elements and multiple engagement sections, eliminating the need for custom-designed assemblies for each air spring variant

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be dynamically positioned and secured in multiple configurations, allowing the same guide arm assembly to adapt to different air spring geometries without requiring redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If different air springs are to be used on one and the same commercial vehicle, then the guide arm assembly and the interface on the frame must each be specifically designed, but this significantly increases the manufacturing effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair spring compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A universal mounting interface is provided on the frame that can accommodate multiple air spring types through a standardized connection system with adjustable positioning elements, allowing one design to serve multiple functions across different vehicle configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is divided into modular components including a positioning element with separate engagement sections, allowing independent adjustment and configuration to match different air spring requirements without redesigning the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2812199B1Air spring fastening
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SAF HOLLAND GMBH
  • EP2812199B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2812199B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2812199B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to an air spring fastening, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a positioning element, a radius arm unit, and an air spring unit, wherein the radius arm unit and the air spring unit each have a fastening section, wherein the positioning element has a first engagement section that can be brought into engagement with a first fastening section in order to secure the positioning element against displacement in a positioning plane relative to the first fastening section, wherein the positioning element has at least one second engagement section that runs transversely to the positioning plane and is arranged eccentrically in relation to the positioning plane on the positioning element, wherein a second fastening section can be fixed transversely to the positioning plane in alignment with the second engagement section by means of at least one engagement means in order to fix the second fastening section in a certain installation position in relation to the first fastening section by fixing the positioning element in a certain rotation position relative to the first fastening section.