Arch-Shaped Non-Driven Axle for Lifted Trailer Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-driven axles for vehicles and trailers are heavy, increasing overall weight and reducing efficiency, while also requiring complex designs to accommodate driveshafts and lifting mechanisms without interfering with drive axles.
Innovation Solution
A non-driven axle design featuring a central arch-shaped or ring-shaped portion with arm portions and a radially inner portion, which includes a hollow main portion and a suspension bracket to facilitate lifting and clearance for driveshafts, allowing for reduced weight and efficient load distribution without interfering with drive axle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional non-driven axles are installed to increase load capacity, then the vehicle can carry greater loads and distribute weight, but the overall vehicle weight increases significantly reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is divided into separate components: a hub assembly, a brake assembly, and a wheel assembly. These modular segments can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for weight optimization of each component while maintaining overall load capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The axle is designed as a lift axle that can dynamically change its position between loaded and unloaded states. When not needed for load bearing, the axle can be lifted to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency, while still providing load capacity when required
2Adaptability or versatility
If pusher axles are configured to accommodate driveshaft paths with bends, then the axle can coexist with drive axles, but the axle design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accommodating the driveshaft through horizontal bends in the axle structure, the design allows the entire axle assembly to move vertically in the z-dimension. This dimensional change eliminates the need for complex horizontal routing bends while still providing clearance for the driveshaft
3Productivity
If additional non-driven axles are installed to increase tractive effort and load distribution, then vehicle performance improves, but fuel efficiency decreases due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The lift axle enables dynamic weight management where the axle can be raised when full load capacity is not needed, reducing the vehicle's overall weight and improving fuel efficiency. When maximum tractive effort and load distribution are required, the axle is lowered to provide additional support
Data Source
AI summary
A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.