Centralized Air Bellows Lifting Device for Heavy Vehicle Axles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting devices for additional vehicle axles require multiple air bellows positioned around the chassis, leading to complexity, increased weight, and cost due to the need for bearing elements extending downwards, which obstruct the drive shaft and result in a high construction height.

Innovation Solution

A centralized air bellows system resting on a chassis cross-strut, connected via a rocker bar and traction means to the axle body, allowing for a single air bellows to lift the axle body while maintaining compactness and simplicity by eliminating the need for additional bearing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple air bellows are positioned around the chassis to lift the axle body, then the lifting function is achieved, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoidnumber of air bellows and bearing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air bellows into a single centralized air bellows positioned in the middle of the chassis. This single air bellows integrates the lifting function that previously required multiple distributed bellows, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining the lifting capability through a unified pneumatic actuation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized air bellows serves multiple functions: it provides the lifting force, acts as a bearing support element, and eliminates the need for separate bearing elements extending downwards from the chassis. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the structural arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If bearing elements extend downwards from the chassis to support air bellows, then the air bellows can be positioned to lift the axle, but the construction height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bellows positioningVSAvoidconstruction height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending bearing elements downwards from the chassis to support air bellows (traditional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the air bellows upwards from the chassis middle area. The air bellows extends vertically to connect with the axle body, eliminating the need for downward extensions and reducing construction height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If air bellows are positioned at each axle end to lift the lever, then the lifting function is achieved, but the weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxle lifting capabilityVSAvoidlifting device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple air bellows positioned at each axle end into a single centralized air bellows located in the middle of the chassis. This consolidation reduces the total weight of the lifting device while maintaining the axial lifting capability through a single pneumatic actuator that can lift the entire axle body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple air bellows and bearing elements are used, then the lifting function is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air bellows and bearing elements into a single centralized air bellows system, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. This simplification directly reduces manufacturing costs while preserving the lifting function through a more economical unified design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration reduces complexity and weight, allows for a more compact design, and provides space for the drive shaft, enhancing the lifting device's efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The additional axle is lifted by means of a pneumatically driven air bellows which rests on the vehicle chassis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2308745B1Lifting device for an additional axle of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2012.06.27 IVECO MAGIRUS AG

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AI summary

The invention concerns a lifting device (10) for an additional axle (12) of a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, with an air bellows (30) resting on the vehicle chassis for lifting axle body (70). A single air bellows (30) rests on a first chassis cross-strut (16) in the middle of the vehicle chassis relative to the lateral direction of the vehicle, and lifting device (10) further comprises traction means for connecting the upper part of air bellows (30) with axle body (70), and a rocker bar (34) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which rests with one end (36) on air bellows (30) and whose other end (38) is connected to the chassis by means of a joint element (40) such that it can be pivoted around a horizontal axis.