Axle Cartridge Assembly for Torsion Stub Axle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torsion stub axles are challenging to align and mount on trailers, requiring tedious installation and often result in insufficient ground clearance for maintenance and terrain traversal.
Innovation Solution
An axle cartridge member with laterally opposed bases and an arch that includes a crossbar, designed to receive torsion stub axles, providing alignment and additional ground clearance, and allowing for camber angle adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torsion stub axles are installed to provide independent suspension for two wheel assemblies, then the wheel assemblies can react independently when encountering bumps, but the installation and alignment becomes tedious and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate torsion stub axles into a single integrated axle cartridge assembly. The cartridge member houses both stub axles with their respective wheel assemblies, allowing them to be installed and aligned as one unit rather than separately, thus reducing installation time while maintaining independent suspension capability
Solution Approach 2:
The axle cartridge assembly serves multiple functions: it provides independent suspension for both wheel assemblies, ensures proper alignment through its integrated structure, and facilitates maintenance by allowing the entire assembly to be removed and installed as a single unit
2Reliability
If torsion stub axles are installed to support wheel assemblies, then independent suspension is provided, but insufficient ground clearance is available for maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical spacing within the cartridge member structure to provide adequate ground clearance. The cartridge member is designed with sufficient height to position the wheel assemblies at an appropriate distance from the ground, while maintaining the independent suspension function through the torsion stub axle mechanism
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional alignment methods are used for torsion stub axles, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge member integrates both torsion stub axles and their mounting structures into a single pre-aligned unit. This merging ensures that alignment is maintained during installation, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures while preserving precise alignment of both wheel assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an axle cartridge member for receiving a pair of torsion stub axles. The axle cartridge member includes a pair of laterally opposed bases, with each base defining a cavity therein for receiving an elongated stub housing of the torsion stub axles. The axle cartridge member also includes a pair of axle mounts that each includes a lateral opening extending into the cavity defined in the respective base, and an arch including a crossbar extending at a height above the bases wherein the arch further includes a portion that extends upward from each of the bases at an angle and meets the crossbar that extends generally horizontally between the portions of the arch.