Air Spring Suspension Axle Alignment via Locating Strap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The diversity between steel spring and air spring suspension systems in truck vehicles leads to a lack of commonality in parts, increasing manufacturing complexity and costs due to the need for unique components and different assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
An air spring suspension system that utilizes identical or similar parts to those in steel spring systems, featuring a trailing arm and resiliently flexible locating straps to maintain axle alignment and cushion road-induced forces, allowing for common assembly steps and reduced part inventory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air spring suspension system uses unique components different from steel spring systems, then the suspension can provide proper axle alignment, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase due to lack of parts commonality
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides suspension cushioning through the air spring element and simultaneously maintains axle alignment through the integrated alignment plate and locating strap mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components required in traditional steel spring systems, enabling parts commonality between different suspension types while maintaining proper axle alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment plate is merged with the air spring assembly structure, and the locating strap is integrated into the same assembly. This combining of alignment functions with the suspension element creates a unified component that can be used across both air spring and steel spring suspension systems, reducing the total number of unique parts and simplifying manufacturing.
2Reliability
If an air spring suspension system uses unique components different from steel spring systems, then the suspension can maintain proper axle alignment, but manufacturing costs increase due to different assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The aligned air spring assembly serves as a universal component that can be installed in both air spring and steel spring suspension systems with the same assembly procedure. The integrated alignment plate and locating strap mechanism ensures proper axle alignment is achieved through a single assembly process, eliminating the need for separate alignment operations required in traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment plate and locating strap are pre-integrated into the air spring assembly during manufacturing, ensuring that axle alignment is established before installation. This preliminary action of pre-aligning components allows for straightforward installation in the final assembly step, reducing the complexity and number of assembly operations required.
3Reliability
If steel spring leaves are used for suspension, then proper axle alignment is maintained through front-rear mounting brackets, but parts commonality with air spring systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment plate integrates the functions of front and rear mounting brackets into a single component that works with the air spring assembly. The locating strap provides the necessary connection and alignment function that previously required separate bracket components. This merging reduces the number of unique parts from multiple brackets and straps to a single integrated alignment plate assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment plate serves as a universal replacement for the combination of front and rear mounting brackets used in steel spring systems. It provides both suspension mounting and axle alignment functions in a single component that can be used across different suspension system types, reducing the total quantity of unique parts required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables manufacturing economies by allowing for the use of fewer unique parts and common assembly steps, while maintaining proper axle alignment and effectively cushioning road forces, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
Proper alignment of the axle to the undercarriage is maintained by resiliently flexible locating straps
Implementation Method 2
A right air spring is disposed between the undercarriage and the distal end of the right trailing arm beyond the axle
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system suspends an axle from a vehicle undercarriage. A mounting mounts a trailing arm for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis passing through a proximal end of the trailing arm perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel while the vehicle is being steered in a straight line. An air spring is disposed between the undercarriage and a distal end of the trailing arm. A fastening holds fast together the middle of a resiliently flexible locating strap, the middle of the trailing arm, and the axle. A front locating bracket and a rear locating bracket fastened to the undercarriage respectively locate the front end of the locating strap horizontally in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis about which the trailing arm pivots and the rear end of the locating strap horizontally in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis about which the trailing arm pivots.