Curved Trailing Arm Axle Connection for Torque Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle connections in commercial vehicles have a small contact surface area, leading to uneven torque distribution and high loads on individual components, particularly the axle tube, due to isolated points of force application.
Innovation Solution
A trailing arm unit with a curved connection area and a receiving unit featuring complementary contours for positive locking of the axle, ensuring a form-fitting arrangement that encloses the axle body, thereby distributing torque more evenly and reducing load on individual components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening elements with round cross-section are used to connect the axle tube to the trailing arm, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the contact surface area is very small leading to high loads on individual components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional round cross-section fastening elements with U-shaped fastening elements having an oval cross-section. This curved geometry provides a larger contact surface area with the axle tube while maintaining structural simplicity. The oval shape allows for improved torque distribution across the connection interface, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and high load bearing capacity.
2Strength
If U-shaped fastening elements with oval cross-section are used to increase contact surface area, then the load distribution is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped fastening element is designed as a separate component that can be manufactured independently and then assembled to the trailing arm. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing of each component using standard processes, while the overall assembly achieves the desired torque distribution. The fastening element's oval cross-section is achieved through conventional forming processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the axle tube is firmly bonded to the trailing arm, then the connection is rigid and stable, but the contact surface remains small concentrating forces at isolated points
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped fastening element acts as an intermediary component between the trailing arm and the axle tube. This mediator provides a larger contact surface area that distributes forces evenly across the connection interface. The fastening element maintains rigid connection stability through its U-shape geometry and attachment to the trailing arm, while simultaneously providing the needed surface area to reduce point loading on the axle tube.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Longitudinal link unit (11), particularly for commercial vehicles, with a receiving unit (14), wherein the longitudinal link unit (11) has a curved handlebar-side connection area (16) and, adjacent to the handlebar-side connection area (16), a handlebar-side mounting area (18), wherein the receiving unit (14) has a curved receiving-side connection area (20), which in a mounted state is arranged opposite the handlebar-side connection area (16), and adjacent to the receiving-side connection area (20) has a receiving-side mounting area (22), wherein a fastening means (24) is provided which is designed to engage at least partially, in particular releasably, in a mounted state into a handlebar-side and an opposite receiving-side mounting area (18, 22), wherein the handlebar-side and the opposite receiving-side connection area (16, 20) each have a contour (40,50) for positive locking of an axis (30).