Vehicle Chassis Adjustment Device with Articulated Sliding Pad
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjusting devices for vehicle chassis face issues with high wear and complex assembly due to stringent tolerances and noise problems, particularly in connections using screws or multi-part designs.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device featuring an articulated connection between the connecting element and sliding block, made of low-wear materials like polyacetal or PTFE, with a ball joint design and an elastic joint element, allowing for precise alignment and easy assembly, and incorporating a sensor pulse generator for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sliding block is firmly connected to the spindle without degrees of freedom, then the connection is stable, but the tolerances required are very high and the system wears edges causing constant wear and increasing play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection parameters by introducing an articulated connection with a ball joint and spherical bearing, allowing rotational degrees of freedom. This transforms the rigid connection into a flexible one that accommodates tolerance variations while maintaining stability and reducing edge wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the connection dynamic by allowing the sliding block to rotate relative to the connecting element through the ball joint and spherical bearing. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to dimensional variations and prevents edge wear by distributing contact forces.
2Ease of manufacture
If feather keys are used to connect the sliding block to the spindle, then assembly is possible, but the assembly is very time-consuming and complicated and the connection tends to jam and develop noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct functional elements: the connecting element with ball joint, the spherical bearing, and the sliding block with groove. This segmentation simplifies assembly by allowing each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spherical bearing as an intermediary element between the ball joint and the sliding block. This intermediary facilitates smooth relative movement and prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, eliminating jamming and noise while simplifying the assembly process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sliding block is made of standard materials, then manufacturing is simple, but noise is generated when the sliding block slides on the axial guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the sliding block, combining a metal body with polyacetal (POM) or PTFE lining on the sliding surfaces. This composite approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically reducing noise through the self-lubricating properties of the plastic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the sliding block by using materials with different friction and noise characteristics. The polyacetal or PTFE coating provides low friction and noise reduction while maintaining the structural integrity and manufacturability of the metal base material.
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
The solution reduces wear and assembly complexity, enhances service life, and minimizes noise, while enabling precise adjustments and easy maintenance, making it suitable for various vehicle applications including rear-wheel steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic joint element, allowing for precise alignment and easy assembly
Implementation Method 2
The sliding block is advantageously made of polyacetal (also called polyoxymethylene or POM) or a glass fiber reinforced POM or a high-temperature-resistant material, preferably PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or PTFE or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is an adjustment device (1) for a vehicle chassis, comprising at least one spindle (2), at least one sliding pad (3), an axial guide (5) for the sliding pad (3), and at least one connecting element (4, 17), said connecting element (4) being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spindle (2) and being connected to the sliding pad (3). The adjustment device (1) of the invention is characterized in that an articulation (21) is provided between the connecting element (4) and the sliding pad (3).