Articulated Vehicle Joint Elastomer Damping for Load Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulated vehicle joints are unable to effectively absorb and transmit larger rolling and pitching movements, leading to excessive loads on the chassis and joints, particularly when negotiating curves or uneven terrain, due to the limited elasticity of traditional rubber-metal bearings.
Innovation Solution
The joint arrangement incorporates elastomer bodies distributed over the circumference of the pitching body, which is braced in a housing sleeve, allowing for damped pitching movements and reduced loads on the chassis and joints, while lateral dampers and elastomer cushions on the roll joint body absorb rolling movements, enabling the transmission of larger angles without damaging the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rubber-metal bearings are used to absorb rolling and pitching movements, then the joint can handle small movements (up to 10 degrees), but the bearings cannot effectively absorb larger movements, leading to excessive loads on the chassis and joints
Solution Approach 1:
The joint arrangement is divided into separate functional components: a pitch joint body for pitching movements and a roll joint body for rolling movements, with distinct bearing arrangements for each type of movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the pitch bearing to handle pitching movements while the roll bearing handles rolling movements, thereby distributing and reducing the loads on the chassis and joints.
Solution Approach 2:
A housing sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the pitch joint body and roll joint body, and houses the pitch bearing. This intermediary structure allows the pitch bearing to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the housing, while still enabling the roll joint body to rotate freely for rolling movements. The housing sleeve mediates between the fixed mounting structure and the moving joint components, reducing stress transmission to the chassis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If larger rolling and pitching movements are transmitted through traditional joint arrangements, then the joint can negotiate curves and uneven terrain, but the chassis and joints are subjected to damaging loads
Solution Approach 1:
The joint arrangement employs dynamic movement capabilities through the roll joint body that can rotate about a vertical axis for rolling movements, while the pitch joint body handles pitching movements. The housing sleeve allows the roll joint body to rotate freely, enabling the vehicle to dynamically adapt to curve negotiation and uneven terrain. This dynamic design permits larger movement angles without transmitting damaging loads to the chassis, as the joint itself absorbs the movement stresses.
3Force
If the pitch bearing is mounted in a fixed position, then the bearing can support the fifth wheel load, but the bearing cannot accommodate rolling movements without excessive loading
Solution Approach 1:
The joint arrangement merges the functions of pitch and roll joints into a single integrated structure. The housing sleeve contains the pitch bearing for supporting fifth wheel loads, while the roll joint body mounted within the housing sleeve provides rolling movement capability. The pitch joint body and roll joint body are connected to allow both pitching and rolling movements to occur simultaneously or independently. This merging of functions allows the bearing to support vertical loads while accommodating rolling movements through the roll joint body's rotation, without excessive loading on the bearing.
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 configuration reduces the loads on the vehicle chassis and joints, allowing for the use of smaller and less expensive bearings, as the joint only needs to bear the fifth wheel load, and enables the transmission of both pitching and rolling movements with reduced stress, resulting in a more compact and durable joint design.
Implementation Method 1
the pitching body has elastomer bodies distributed over its circumference, with which the pitching body is braced in the housing sleeve
Implementation Method 2
allowing for damped pitching movements
Implementation Method 3
elastomer cushions on the roll joint body absorb rolling movements
Implementation Method 4
absorb rolling movements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The joint (10,100) comprises an articulated joint which is connected by a joint assembly for transmission of pitch or roll movements at vehicle part. The articulated joint encloses two joint segments which are connected swiveling with one another around a vertical axle. The joints segment are connected with the vehicle parts by joint assembly.