Axle Assembly Rocker Arm Mounting Without Axle Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axle assemblies for vehicles lack improved mounting and guidance of rocker arms, mechanical stability, and modularity to adapt to different chassis shapes and requirements, particularly in terms of space efficiency and versatility.

Innovation Solution

The axle arrangement eliminates the need for an axle tube by pivotably mounting the rocker arm on the axle bracket or support bracket, allowing for modular design with adjustable components, including a support beam with a flat cross-sectional shape, enabling independent wheel suspension and adaptable mounting options for various spring elements and damping systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an axle tube is used to mount rocker arms, then the rocker arms can be supported, but the mounting and guidance of the rocker arm is insufficient and mechanical stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidaxle tube structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the axle tube from the suspension system by directly mounting the rocker arms to the chassis frame. This removes the unnecessary intermediate component while maintaining proper rocker arm support and guidance through direct attachment points on the chassis, thereby improving mechanical stability without the complexity of the tube structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis frame is given multiple functions: it serves both as the structural backbone of the vehicle and as the direct mounting structure for the rocker arms. This eliminates the need for separate axle tube structures while providing adequate support and guidance for the suspension system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed axle design is used, then structural simplicity is achieved, but adaptability to different chassis shapes and vehicle requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different chassis shapesVSAvoidmodular component system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into independent modular components including separate rocker arms, spring assemblies, and mounting brackets that can be independently selected and configured. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific requirements and easily adapted to different chassis shapes and vehicle types without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates adjustable and variable elements such as positionable mounting points and configurable component arrangements that allow the same basic design to be adapted dynamically to different chassis configurations, vehicle weights, and performance requirements through simple component repositioning or selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If components are fixed in position, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but adjustments for different vehicle requirements cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardized componentsVSAvoidcomponent adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized mounting brackets and attachment points are designed to accommodate multiple configuration options within a single component design. These universal interfaces allow the same manufactured parts to be used across different vehicle types while enabling position and orientation adjustments to meet specific requirements for track width, ride height, and suspension geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3095624B1Axle assembly
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 ALOIS KOBER GMBH
  • EP3095624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3095624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3095624B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an axle assembly (10) for road vehicles (1) with a chassis (2), wherein the axle assembly (10) comprises an axle support (12) and a wheel rocker arm (14) for receiving a vehicle wheel (11) or a wheel brake. The axle support (12) is connected to a support bracket (13), wherein the wheel rocker arm (14) is pivotably mounted on the axle support (12) or on the support bracket (13). The axle support (12) may have a projecting bracket (24) for the pivot bearing (33) of the wheel rocker arm (14).