Control Arm Adhesive Bonding for Lightweight Axle Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handlebar systems for commercial vehicles face challenges with complex and weight-intensive welded or screw connections, which lead to material stresses, increased production costs, and limited design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A handlebar system utilizing adhesive connections between a base body and a holding element, allowing for a cost-effective, weight-optimized, and flexible design, where the base body and holding element can be made of different materials, with varying contact surface sizes and shapes for adaptable fastening options, and incorporating engagement sections for additional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welded or screwed connections are used to secure components of a trailing arm, then the components are firmly connected, but the manufacturing complexity increases and material stresses are caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connection methods (welding and screwing) with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is introduced into a cavity between the trailing arm and axle tube, creating a chemical bond that eliminates the need for complex welding procedures or screw assemblies, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an adhesive as an intermediary substance between the trailing arm and axle tube. This adhesive layer acts as a mediator that bonds the two components together, avoiding direct mechanical or thermal connections and their associated complexities and material stresses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If screw connections are used to secure components, then detachable connections are achieved, but additional material is required increasing weight

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedetachabilityVSAvoidcomponent weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastening function from separate mechanical fasteners (screws and nuts) and integrates it into the adhesive bonding system. The adhesive provides the necessary connection strength without the additional material weight of threaded fasteners, while still allowing for controlled detachment when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If screw connections are used to connect components, then detachable assembly is enabled, but local material cracks can occur reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces screw connections with adhesive bonding to eliminate the localized stress concentrations that occur around screw holes and threads. The distributed adhesive bond prevents material cracks from forming, thereby extending the service life of the components while maintaining assembly flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 adhesive connection provides a strong, lightweight, and cost-effective solution that allows for a wide range of vehicle applications with reduced manufacturing complexity and increased design variability, avoiding the limitations of traditional connections.

Implementation Method 1

the holding element (4) is secured to the base body (2) by means of an adhesive (6) introduced between the contact surface (22) on the base body side and the holding side (42)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4065394B1Control arm system
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 SAF HOLLAND GMBH
  • EP4065394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4065394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control arm system, more particularly for use in utility vehicles, comprising a main body and a retaining element, wherein the main body has a contact surface on the main body side and the retaining element has a contact surface on the retaining side, wherein the main body has, on the first distal end thereof, a mounting region for a swivelling suspension, wherein the contact surface on the main body side is arranged on the end of the main body opposite the first end, wherein the retaining element has a fastening section for securing a spring element, wherein the retaining element can be secured or is secured to the main body by means of an adhesive introduced between the contact surface on the main body side and the contact surface on the retaining side and/or wherein an axle beam is provided with an axle-side contact surface, wherein the main body can be secured or is secured to the axle beam by means of an adhesive introduced between the contact surface on the main body side and the axle-side contact surface, wherein the retaining element can be secured or is secured to the axle beam by means of an adhesive introduced between the contact surface on the retaining side and the axle-side contact surface.