Indexable Sleeve for Wheel Alignment Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current axle alignment systems fail to effectively adjust camber, toe, and thrust, leading to irregular tire wear, especially in vehicles carrying heavy loads and navigating uneven road surfaces, due to the inherent flexing of axles under load and varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sleeve fitted over the axle spindle with a locking mechanism allows for discrete adjustments of wheel alignment by rotating the sleeve relative to the spindle, providing predetermined changes in camber, toe, and thrust through a series of aligned apertures and a removable lock to maintain selected positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the axle stiffness is increased to resolve camber issues, then the camber stability improves, but the manufacturing cost and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a dynamic adjustment mechanism (sleeve and aperture system) that allows the wheel alignment to be adjusted based on operating conditions, rather than relying solely on increasing axle stiffness. This enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions and road surfaces, maintaining camber stability without requiring a heavier or stiffer axle design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the alignment parameters (camber, toe, thrust) by rotating the sleeve to different angular positions, which aligns different aperture pairs to modify the effective wheel alignment. This allows optimization of alignment under different operating conditions without changing the physical structure or material properties of the axle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the axle is designed to be rigid to maintain alignment, then the alignment stability improves, but the weight and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic adjustment capability through the rotatable sleeve mechanism, allowing the system to maintain alignment stability under varying conditions without requiring excessive axle rigidity. The sleeve can be rotated to compensate for alignment changes caused by load-induced flexing or road surface variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides preliminary compensation for alignment deviations by allowing pre-adjustment of the sleeve position to counteract expected alignment changes under load. This prevents alignment instability without requiring the axle to be overly rigid, as the adjustment mechanism compensates for the inherent flexing.
3Measurement precision
If discrete predetermined adjustment positions are provided, then the alignment precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the continuous adjustment range into discrete predetermined positions using multiple aperture pairs positioned at specific angular intervals around the sleeve. This segmentation provides precise, repeatable alignment settings while keeping the mechanism simple - the sleeve itself serves as the adjustment element without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides discrete angular positioning for precision alignment, acts as a locking mechanism through the aperture-pin interface, and allows adjustment of multiple alignment parameters (camber, toe, thrust) simultaneously through a single rotational movement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system for wheel alignment is provided including adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust. A sleeve is fitted over the spindle of an axle. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the spindle provides for adjustments to wheel alignment while a locking feature such as e.g., a pin, is used to maintain the selected position of the sleeve relative to the spindle. The available positions of the sleeve relative to the spindle are predetermined in order to provide for discrete, known adjustments to the alignment of the wheel.