Asymmetrical Suspension Link Unit for Commercial Vehicle Chassis Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing link units for commercial vehicles require a wide range of geometries due to different track widths and air spring geometries, leading to oversizing, increased weight, and installation space requirements, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A link unit comprising a guide unit and a carrier unit, where both units are separately manufacturable and connectable via corresponding fastening sections, allowing for adjustable fastening positions through orthogonal offsets and asymmetrical designs, enabling versatile use across various chassis geometries while reducing weight and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wide range of geometries for link units is provided to meet different track widths and air spring geometries, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different track widths and air spring geometriesVSAvoidnumber of different link unit geometries required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The link unit is designed with a universal geometry that can accommodate multiple air spring geometries and track widths through a standardized attachment section configuration. The attachment section includes reference planes and offset relationships that enable universal application across different vehicle types without requiring multiple specialized link unit designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the attachment section design, specifically the orthogonal offset between the first reference plane of the guide unit and the second reference plane of the carrier unit. By standardizing this offset relationship, the same link unit geometry can be adapted to different applications through parameter variation rather than geometric redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple attachment points are provided on the air spring attachment area, then adaptability is improved, but weight and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of possible attachment positionsVSAvoidweight of link unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment section is designed with universal multi-functionality, where the standardized reference planes and offset relationships enable the same structural elements to serve multiple attachment purposes. This eliminates the need for additional attachment points while maintaining adaptability across different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple attachment points are provided on the air spring attachment area, then adaptability is improved, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of possible attachment positionsVSAvoidinstallation space requirement of link unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment section employs universal design principles where the same spatial configuration serves multiple attachment functions. The standardized reference planes and offset relationships allow the link unit to maintain compact dimensions while providing adaptability to various mounting configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the link unit is designed to accommodate various geometries, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of chassis geometries that can be accommodatedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The link unit design achieves manufacturing efficiency through universality, where a single standardized geometry can be mass-produced and then adapted to different chassis configurations. This eliminates the need for costly custom manufacturing of multiple specialized link unit types while maintaining the ability to accommodate various geometries through the standardized attachment section design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3027437B1Suspension arm

Publication Date: 2018.06.20 SAF HOLLAND GMBH

Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a steering unit (1) for commercial vehicles, to a chassis system and to a production method for a supporting unit (4), wherein the steering unit (1) comprises a guide unit (2) and a supporting unit (4), wherein the supporting unit (4) has a second fastening portion (42), for fixing on a first fastening portion (22) of the guide unit (2) and a support portion (44) to receive a spring unit, wherein a second plane (E2) is oriented orthogonally with respect to a width of the second fastening portion (42) of the supporting unit (4), and wherein the support portion (44) is formed asymmetrically with respect to the second plane (E2).