Vehicle Axle Mounting Arrangement for Chassis Twist Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural tractors with suspended front and rigid rear axles experience chassis twisting due to uneven loading, which existing axle mounting arrangements fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle chassis design featuring upper and lower pivotal mounting means for both axles, aligned to reduce twisting forces, combined with damping systems for controlled vertical and roll movements, and electric propulsion with motors beneath raised chassis regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If both front and rear axles are suspended, then vehicle stability and ride comfort are improved, but chassis twisting due to uneven loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The axle mounting system is divided into separate upper and lower pivotal mounting means, with each end of the chassis having independent mounting points. This segmentation allows the force vectors from each axle to be independently aligned with their respective chassis ends, preventing cumulative twisting effects while maintaining suspension benefits at both axles.
2Ease of operation
If upper pivotal mounting means is used for suspension, then ride comfort is improved, but complex force vectors are applied to the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arrangement transitions from a single-plane connection to a three-dimensional configuration with upper and lower pivotal points. This spatial arrangement allows the force vectors to be directed along aligned lines of action between corresponding ends of the chassis, converting complex multidirectional forces into simpler, aligned force paths that reduce chassis twisting.
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
Significantly reduces chassis loading effects by aligning force vectors and providing independent control of axle movements, enhancing stability and maneuverability with four-wheel steering capability.
Implementation Method 1
first damping means acting between the chassis and the upper pivotal mounting means to control vertical movement of each axle relative to the chassis
Implementation Method 2
second damping means acting between the upper pivotal mounting means and the axle to provide independent control of the roll movement of the axle relative to the chassis
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a chassis (11) with front and rear axles (12, 13) suspended from the chassis for vertical and roll movement relative to the chassis. The axles are each mounted on the chassis via an upper pivotal mounting means in the form of an upper pair of arms (12a, 13a) which is pivoted on the chassis for vertical pivoting movement relative thereto and which carry an axle support (15, 16) on which the axle (12, 13) is free to pivot in the roll mode. A second lower pair of pivoting arms (12b, 13b) also connect each axle (12, 13) to the chassis to control fore and aft movement of the axle relative to the chassis. The line of action of the forces (F1-F4) applied to the chassis (11) by the upper arms (12a, 13a) at one end of the chassis are be substantially aligned with the line of action of the forces applied to the chassis by the lower arms (12b, 13b) at the other end of the chassis to reduce and tendency for the chassis to be twisted by these forces. A first damping means (19) acts between the chassis (11) and the upper pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) to control vertical movement of the axle relative to the chassis, and a second damping means acts between the upper pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) and the axle (12,13) to provide independent control of the roll movement of the axle relative to the chassis.