Axle Mounting Unit Form-Fit Securing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle mounting units require frequent maintenance due to clamping connections that can fail, posing a risk of injury from flying parts during mechanical failure or component separation.
Innovation Solution
An axle mounting unit featuring a surrounding element with legs, an end element, and a form-fit securing device that prevents displacement of parts in case of mechanical failure, using a U-bracket design with a securing device that limits movement through positive locking, reducing the need for external securing devices and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamping connections are used to fix the axle to the control arm, then the connection can be initially secure, but maintenance effort increases and safety decreases due to retightening requirements and risk of sudden release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-tensioning the clamping connection through a permanent deformation process during assembly. The clamping element is plastically deformed to create a preloaded state that maintains constant connection force without requiring subsequent maintenance retightening, thus resolving the contradiction between initial security and maintenance effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable clamping element that is designed for single-use installation. The clamping element undergoes permanent deformation during assembly and cannot be reused, eliminating maintenance requirements while ensuring reliable connection. This approach trades the reusability of traditional clamping elements for eliminated maintenance and improved safety
2Reliability
If clamping connections are used to secure the axle mounting unit, then initial fixation is achieved, but harmful factors increase due to stored deformation energy that can cause flying parts upon release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dangerous stored deformation energy from the system by designing the clamping element to permanently deform during assembly rather than elastically storing energy. The plastic deformation process dissipates energy permanently, preventing the accumulation of dangerous elastic strain energy that could cause flying parts upon sudden release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful elastic deformation into beneficial plastic deformation. By permanently deforming the clamping element during assembly, the energy that would otherwise be stored as dangerous elastic potential energy is instead dissipated through plastic work, creating a secure connection without the risk of sudden energy release
Data Source
AI summary
An axle mounting unit for commercial vehicles a surrounding element, an end element, at least one fastening element and a securing device, configured for mounting a first chassis part that comprises an axle, with a second chassis part that comprises a control arm, wherein a surrounding element is arranged on the first chassis part, an end element is arranged on the second chassis part, wherein the surrounding element has at least two legs extending in a leg direction, the end element extends between the two legs, the fastening element braces the end element with the surrounding element, the securing device creates a form-fit securing device that limits and/or prevents a displacement of the separated part in the leg direction in a positive-locking manner in the event of mechanical failure.