Eccentric Disc Positioning via Ramp-Like Bevels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustment devices for motor vehicle control arms and tie rods face challenges in precise assembly, particularly due to poor visibility and accessibility, leading to potential functional impairments and damage during the assembly of eccentric discs.

Innovation Solution

The use of ramp-like insertion bevels on guides ensures exact positioning of eccentric discs between parallel guides when the screw bolt is tightened, preventing damage and enabling error-free assembly, even in difficult-to-see areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the eccentric disc is manually positioned between the guides during assembly, then the assembly can be completed, but the positioning precision is poor and may cause functional impairments or damage to the guides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of eccentric discVSAvoidassembly difficulty in difficult-to-see areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide surfaces are pre-formed with ramp-like insertion bevels that automatically guide the eccentric disc into the correct position during assembly. This preliminary preparation of the guide structure eliminates the need for manual positioning adjustments and ensures precise seating of the eccentric disc between the guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the screw bolt is tightened without proper positioning of the eccentric disc, then assembly speed increases, but damage to the guides may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoiddamage to guides
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp-like insertion bevels on the guide surfaces act as a protective mechanism that is prepared in advance. These bevels cushion and guide the eccentric disc into proper position before the screw bolt is fully tightened, preventing direct impact damage to the guides while allowing rapid assembly without complex positioning steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If the eccentric disc is manually positioned with high precision, then assembly accuracy is improved, but the assembly time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of eccentric discVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide surfaces with ramp-like insertion bevels are designed to self-position the eccentric disc during assembly. The geometry of the bevels automatically guides the disc into the correct location without requiring manual measurement or adjustment, achieving high positioning accuracy while maintaining fast assembly throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution simplifies and ensures error-free assembly, reduces manufacturing time, and ensures safe and reliable adjustability of vehicle axles by preventing damage to guides and allowing precise positioning of eccentric discs.

Implementation Method 1

the parallel guides of at least one pair of guides are designed with ramp-like insertion bevels, on which the relevant eccentric disc can slide when the screw bolt is tightened and is thus positioned exactly between the parallel guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRamp-like insertion bevels: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP2783947B1Setting device for adjusting a steering arm or a tie rod on a motor vehicle, and axle support with at least one such adjustment device
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 AUDI AG
  • EP2783947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2783947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783947B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The setting structure has check rail or tie rod that is connected with inclusion legs through oblong holes using a bolt. The parallel guides are formed at both sides of the oblong holes of the inclusion legs. A torque-proof eccentric disc is rotatably connected between the parallel guides using the bolt. The ramp-like bevels are formed in the parallel guides. The eccentric disc is exactly positioned between the parallel guides during slippage when tightening the bolt.