Annular Axle Connection Structure for Modular Chassis Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial vehicle chassis designs lack variability in mechanical coupling of chassis components, limiting adaptability to different applications and requiring specific connection elements for each component.
Innovation Solution
A chassis with a vehicle axle featuring a central annular connecting element that surrounds the axle line, providing multiple connection surfaces on its outer jacket for attaching various chassis components, such as shock absorbers, stabilizers, and brake consoles, allowing for flexible and adaptable mechanical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate connecting elements are used for different chassis components, then each component can be securely attached, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connecting elements into a single annular connecting element that surrounds the vehicle axle. This ring-shaped structure integrates multiple connection surfaces that can attach different chassis components (shock absorbers, stabilizers, brake consoles) at various positions, thereby reducing the total number of connecting elements while maintaining secure attachment for all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular connecting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides attachment points for shock absorbers, stabilizers, brake consoles, and other chassis components. The ring structure with multiple connection surfaces makes it a universal element that can accommodate various types of chassis components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated connecting elements for each component type.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single basic vehicle axle type is used, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the adaptability to different applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular connecting element introduces configurability to the basic vehicle axle design. By providing multiple connection surfaces at different positions and orientations on the ring structure, the same basic axle can be adapted to different applications by selectively attaching different chassis components to different connection surfaces, making the axle system dynamic and adaptable without requiring multiple axle variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular connecting element transforms a single basic axle design into a universal platform that can serve multiple applications. The ring structure with multiple connection surfaces allows the same axle to be configured for different chassis types and applications by simply changing which components are attached to which connection surfaces, thereby achieving high adaptability without increasing manufacturing complexity of the axle itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connecting surfaces are provided on the annular connecting element, then variability in connecting chassis components is increased, but the manufacturing complexity of the connecting element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular connecting element is designed with multiple distinct connection surfaces segmented around the ring structure. Each connection surface can be independently designed and positioned to accommodate specific chassis components. This segmentation allows for high variability in component attachment while keeping each individual connection surface relatively simple in design, making the overall manufacturing complexity manageable through modular design approaches.
Data Source
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AI summary
A chassis is proposed having a vehicle axle which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and, on the outside of the vehicle, is provided with a wheel hub mounting, said vehicle axle being composed in the longitudinal direction thereof of individual, rigidly interconnected axle portions, and having a connection element (30) which is fastened to the vehicle axle and supports at least one chassis component of the chassis. The connection element (30) is designed as a full ring or partial ring with an inner casing (32) and an outer casing (33), wherein the inner casing (32) is supported at least in individual regions against an axle portion of the vehicle axle, and at least one circumferential portion of the outer casing (33) is provided with a connection surface (34 - 38) for the fastening of the chassis component. The intention is thus to provide a chassis, the vehicle axle of which is particularly variable in respect of the mechanical coupling of various chassis components.