Eccentric Plate Chassis Suspension for Fine Pin Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chassis suspension systems face challenges in achieving continuous fine adjustment of bearing pins within bearing blocks with minimal assembly effort and easy disassembly, often requiring complex manufacturing processes, limited angular positioning, and inaccessible screw connections.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an eccentric element that is simply plugged onto the bearing pin, allowing for precise alignment through a rotating pin connection with the bearing block, utilizing a polygonal peripheral contour for easy tool engagement and high force transfer, and clamping elements for secure positioning without welding, enabling easy adjustment and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an eccentric element with lugs is used for bearing pin adjustment, then the bearing pin can be positioned in a desired location, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and welding is required to fix the eccentric element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing pin positioning precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the adjustment mechanism into separate functional components: the eccentric element with polygonal contour for positioning, the bearing pin with threaded end for actuation, and the elongated hole for guidance. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex lug structures and welding, as each component is simpler and can be manufactured independently with standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the welding step from the assembly process by designing a purely mechanical connection system. The eccentric element is held in the elongated hole without welding, and the bearing pin is secured through threading and clamping, eliminating the need for welding operations and associated corrosion protection repairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the eccentric element is welded to the frame to maintain position, then the angular position is permanently fixed, but correction requires significant assembly effort and welding destroys corrosion protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position stabilityVSAvoidposition correction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a dynamically adjustable system where the bearing pin can be easily removed and repositioned along the elongated hole by loosening and retightening the clamping elements. The eccentric element itself remains fixed in the elongated hole through mechanical retention, providing stable positioning without permanent welding, allowing simple corrections without assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a screw is used to tighten the bearing pin from the mounting side, then the screw connection can be easily accessed, but the screw cannot move freely when resting on the lugs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew tightening accessibilityVSAvoidscrew movement restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the lugs from the design, replacing them with a polygonal contour on the eccentric element. This eliminates the interference between the screw and lugs, allowing the bearing pin to be freely tightened from the mounting side without movement restrictions, while the polygonal contour provides the necessary positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hexagonal plates are used for positioning, then nine different angular positions are achievable, but the device complexity increases with four stops and limited continuous adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position varietyVSAvoidnumber of stops and plates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the discrete nine-position system with a continuous adjustment mechanism. The bearing pin can be positioned at any location along the elongated hole by rotating the eccentric element to any angle, providing infinite positional variability instead of nine fixed positions, while eliminating the need for multiple plates and stops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positioning parameter from discrete angular steps (nine fixed positions) to continuous angular rotation combined with linear displacement along the elongated hole. This allows the bearing pin to achieve any position within the elongated hole's length, providing continuous fine adjustment instead of limited discrete positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for precise and continuous adjustment of the bearing pin with reduced assembly effort and minimal material usage, maintaining alignment without welding, reducing corrosion risks and simplifying the manufacturing process while enabling easy removal and reinstallation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one eccentric element (16) which is placed on the outer surfaces of the legs (14) from the outside and has a rotary pin (18) on its side facing the legs (14), which is inserted into a pivot bearing (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4005834B1Chassis suspension with eccentric adjusting element
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 GIGANT - TRENKAMP & GEHLE
  • EP4005834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4005834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4005834B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a chassis suspension (2) of a commercial vehicle (4) with a bearing block (8) arranged on a frame (6) of the commercial vehicle (4), a chassis part (10) pivotably held in the bearing block (8) by a bearing bolt (12) and a device for adjusting the spatial position of the bearing bolt (12) in the elongated hole (22) with at least one eccentric element (16).In order to enable stepless fine adjustment of a bearing bolt in a bearing block, it is proposed that the eccentric element (16) is designed as a plate which has a flat bearing surface on its side (A) facing away from the bearing block (8) for the clamping element (24, 26) arranged there, the non-circular circumferential contour (32) of the at least one eccentric element (16) is polygonal, a tool (36) can be positively engaged at the corners (34) of the circumferential contour (32), and the eccentric element (16) is movable around the pivot pin (18) with the tool (36) applied to the eccentric element (16) when the clamping elements (24, 26) are not yet clamped.