Axle Guide Support Geometry for Easier Vehicle Axle Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle link supports for vehicle axles face difficulties in assembly due to narrow dimensions and the need for additional assembly steps, such as welding or inserting wear plates, which increase production costs and risk of mechanical interference during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The support base body is designed with expanded edge sections and a sheet metal construction, featuring a larger distance between side walls to facilitate easier insertion of the axle link, and rounded transitions to prevent catching, eliminating the need for oversized inner mounting dimensions and subsequent wear washer insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the inner mounting dimensions of the support are kept narrow, then the support structure remains compact and structurally efficient, but the insertion of the axle guide becomes difficult and requires additional assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support base body is segmented into two distinct regions: a first region with narrow inner mounting dimensions for structural efficiency, and a second region with widened dimensions for easy insertion. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure implements local quality by providing different dimensional characteristics in different regions. The first region maintains narrow dimensions where structural integrity is needed, while the second region provides widened dimensions where insertion ease is required, particularly at the edge sections where the axle guide enters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If wear plates are inserted into the gaps after axle guide insertion, then the axle guide fits more easily during assembly, but additional assembly steps and production costs are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support base body is pre-formed during manufacturing with the second region already widened to provide insertion play. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-assembly interventions such as inserting wear plates or performing additional machining operations to create clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the side walls are positioned close together, then the support structure remains compact and structurally efficient, but the axle guide may get caught or jam during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical interference

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If wear plates are welded to the inside of side walls, then the axle guide insertion is facilitated, but manufacturing costs increase and risk of mechanical interference remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion facilitationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support base body integrates the functions of both the support structure and the insertion facilitation features into a single monolithic component. The second region with widened dimensions is formed as an integral part of the base body, eliminating the need for separate wear plates or additional attachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2495117B2Support for pivotable mounting of the axle guide of a vehicle axle

Publication Date: 2024.06.05 BPW BERGISCHE ACHSEN KG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

The support has opening (15) for forming pivot axis is formed across side walls (7a,7b), such that intermediate axle guide is inserted through bolts. One edge portion (29) extending from lower edge up to rear edge (10) of side wall is extended and is formed as a freely tapering wall portion (30). The wall portions are expanded in the area of edge portions to a mutual spacing (A2) which is greater than the spacing (A1) of side wall portions (28) around the openings.