Commercial Vehicle Axle Eccentric Adjustment Without Fastening Lugs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle adjustment systems for commercial vehicles are susceptible to dirt, corrosion, and damage, and require complex assembly processes, compromising operational safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An axle adjustment system featuring a frame element with guide regions and an eccentric element, secured by a pin-like element engaging in a second guide region, eliminating the need for fastening lugs and allowing for a more economical, space-efficient, and intuitive adjustment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spindle or threaded rod is used for axle adjustment, then the adjustment mechanism can be implemented, but the system becomes susceptible to dirt, corrosion, and damage requiring complex assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to dirt, corrosion, and damageVSAvoidnumber of assembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the vulnerable spindle or threaded rod from the adjustment mechanism and replaces it with an eccentric element system. This extraction eliminates the components that are susceptible to dirt, corrosion, and damage while reducing assembly complexity to basic mounting steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a threaded rod that requires threading and complex assembly, the patent inverts the approach by using an eccentric element with contours that engage with guide regions. This inversion simplifies the mechanism to basic mounting and rotation operations, eliminating vulnerable threaded components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If fastening lugs or lug elements are used to secure the eccentric element, then the eccentric element is secured against displacement, but the system weight increases and design freedom is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring against displacementVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastening lugs or lug elements from the system and replaces them with a pin-like element engaging in a guide region. This removal eliminates unnecessary weight while maintaining the securing function through the simplified pin-g guide region interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If fastening lugs or lug elements are used to secure the eccentric element, then the eccentric element is secured against displacement, but the system occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring against displacementVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the space-consuming fastening lugs or lug elements and replaces them with a compact pin-like element and guide region configuration. This extraction significantly reduces the space required for mounting and securing the eccentric element while maintaining displacement prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If fastening lugs or lug elements are used to secure the eccentric element, then the eccentric element is secured against displacement, but the design freedom is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring against displacementVSAvoiddesign freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the restrictive fastening lugs or lug elements and replaces them with a flexible pin-like element and guide region system. This removal provides design freedom to optimize the eccentric element and frame element configurations without being constrained by lug element positioning and attachment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The system provides a secure, lightweight, and efficient axle adjustment mechanism that simplifies the adjustment process, reduces complexity, and enhances design freedom while ensuring precise alignment of the steering element relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.

Implementation Method 1

a pin-like element engages in a second guide region, in particular in order to secure the eccentric element against displacements in the direction of adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 2

an alignable eccentric element with an opening, the arrangement of which in relation to the first guide region determines the displacement of the steering element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentUS12565069B2Axis adjustment system, eccentric element for such a system and method of axis adjustment

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SAF HOLLAND GMBH

AI summary

Axle adjustment system of a commercial vehicle includes a frame element with a first guide region that includes first guide openings where the first region is attached to an axle and displaces a steering element in an adjustment direction, and an alignable eccentric element with an opening, the arrangement of which relative to the first guide region determines the displacement of the steering element, and a second guide region that includes a second guide opening via which the eccentric element and the frame element are in engagement with one another and in which a pin-like element engages the pin-like element being movable in the second guide opening, when the eccentric element is aligned.