Hollow Vehicle Ground-Contacting Element with Adjustable Connection Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground connection elements for vehicles, such as wheel pivots, require high manufacturing precision and impose stringent dimensional constraints, leading to increased costs and production time due to the need for small clearances and precise assembly to maintain rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A ground connection element comprising two shells assembled through multiple connection zones with adjustable surfaces, allowing for compensation of dimensional variations, and secured by weld beads, specifically using laser welding for enhanced precision and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If small clearances are imposed at the connecting surface between shells to maintain rigidity during crimping, then the rigidity of the hollow body is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection system into multiple independent connection zones distributed around the periphery of the hollow body. Each connection zone can independently accommodate dimensional variations, allowing the overall structure to maintain rigidity without requiring high precision across the entire assembly. This segmentation of the connection function resolves the contradiction by localizing tolerance accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the connection zones by introducing adjustable surfaces with specific angular orientations (e.g., 45 degrees relative to the shell axis). These parameter changes allow the connection zones to absorb dimensional variations through geometric adaptation rather than requiring tight tolerances, thus maintaining rigidity while reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
2Reliability
If strong dimensional constraints are imposed during stamping to ensure small clearances for welding, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection into multiple zones with adjustable surfaces, the invention allows each zone to independently compensate for dimensional variations. This eliminates the need for stringent dimensional constraints during stamping across the entire shell, thereby improving productivity while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed connection zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable surfaces in the connection zones introduce a degree of geometric flexibility that adapts to dimensional variations. This dynamic geometric adaptation allows the assembly process to proceed without requiring tightly controlled stamping parameters, thus improving manufacturing speed while ensuring reliable structural integrity through the self-accommodating connection geometry.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple connection zones with adjustable surfaces are used to compensate for dimensional variations, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses systematic parameter changes by defining adjustable surfaces with specific angular orientations (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the shell axis. This standardized geometric approach simplifies the design process and makes the complex multi-zone connection system easier to manufacture and assemble, offsetting the inherent complexity through regularity and standardization of the geometric parameters.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and time by accommodating variations in shell dimensions while maintaining the rigidity and structural integrity of the hollow body, enabling more efficient and cost-effective production of vehicle ground connection elements.
Implementation Method 1
secured by weld beads, specifically using laser welding for enhanced precision and flexibility
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle ground-contacting element (1) comprising two shell-shaped portions (11, 12) assembled together into at least one first (13a) and one second (13b) contact area such as to form a rigid hollow body, such that the first contact area (13a) is made up of a contact surface (18a) extending a first edge of the first shell (11) and a contact surface (19a) extending a first edge of the second shell (12), said two contact surfaces (18a, 19a) of the first contact area (13a) engaging with one another and extending the first edges in a first direction (X), the second contact areas (13b) being made up of a contact surface (18b) extending a second edge of the first shell (11) and a contact surface (19b) extending a second edge of the second shell (12), said two contact surfaces (18a, 19a) of the second contact area (13b) engaging with one another and extending the second edges in a second direction (Z), the first direction (X) and the second direction (Z) being oriented substantially perpendicular to one another.