Forged Clevis-Ended Suspension Strut Without Welded Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional suspension struts for work machines require welding, which creates wear points susceptible to failure due to wear and tear, necessitating a more robust manufacturing method.
Innovation Solution
A suspension strut composed of one-piece cylindrical inner and outer housings, forged from alloy steel, with integrated fluid reservoirs and check valves, eliminating the need for welding and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional welding processes are used to attach the clevis to the suspension strut, then strong structural connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with a mechanical attachment system using a pre-formed clevis component. The clevis is attached to the suspension strut through mechanical means such as rivets, bolts, or other fasteners, eliminating the need for complex welding operations while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clevis component is pre-formed separately from the suspension strut before final assembly. This preliminary formation allows the clevis to be manufactured independently with optimized geometry, then attached to the strut, simplifying the overall manufacturing process by separating complex operations into distinct, manageable steps.
2Reliability
If welding is used to form the clevis and suspension strut assembly, then structural integrity is maintained, but production time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into two separate components: the suspension strut and the clevis. These components are manufactured independently through separate forming operations, then joined through simple mechanical attachment. This segmentation eliminates time-consuming welding operations while preserving structural integrity through the mechanical connection interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is substituted with mechanical attachment methods such as riveting, bolting, or interlocking features. This substitution dramatically reduces production time while maintaining or even improving reliability, as mechanical attachments can be quickly installed and inspected without the complexities of weld quality control.
3Productivity
If a pre-formed clevis component is used instead of welding, then manufacturing time is reduced, but additional parts and assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-formed clevis component serves multiple functions: it provides the structural connection interface, defines the attachment geometry for the eyelet, and creates the mechanical interlock feature. By consolidating these functions into a single standardized component, the overall system complexity is managed efficiently despite the additional part.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a suspension strut (30) for use on a work machine (1) is provided. The suspension strut (30) may have a forged one piece cylindrical inner housing (32) that includes a hollow rod (36) which forms a circumferential piston (37) at an open end (38) and a lower clevis (39) at a closed end (40) of the hollow rod (36). The suspension strut (30) may further have a forged one piece cylindrical outer housing (31) that includes a hollow barrel (52) having an interior (53) and an exterior surface (54), a closed end (55) that forms an upper clevis (56), an open end (66), and a port (34) on the exterior surface (54) of the hollow barrel (52). Further, the inner and outer housing (32, 31) may be coupled by a disk shaped end cap (65) attached to the open end (66) of the hollow barrel having an inner diameter (68) that is slideably engaged with an outer surface (69) of hollow rod (36).