Integrated Steering Knuckle for Tighter Heavy Vehicle Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering knuckles with disc brakes limit the turning radius of vehicles due to the radial extension of brake components, which can foul with suspension members and hinder agile maneuvering, especially in heavy commercial vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A steering knuckle design with an increased outer diameter stub axle, integrated brake components, and a compact disc brake assembly that reduces the distance between the wheel center and the knuckle body, allowing for a shorter turning radius and improved mechanical strength, enabling the integration of brake parts into the knuckle body for reduced radial extension and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional disc brake assembly with sliding calliper is used, then the braking function is provided, but the brake components extend radially outwardly from the wheel vertical turning axis, increasing the turning radius and causing fouling with suspension members
Solution Approach 1:
The brake carrier is integrated with the knuckle body to form a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate brake carrier and knuckle body, reducing the radial extension of brake components from the wheel vertical turning axis and preventing fouling with suspension members during turning operations
2Strength
If the outer diameter of the stub axle is increased to improve mechanical strength, then the structural integrity is enhanced, but the radial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the brake carrier with the knuckle body, the design allows for optimized load distribution and structural reinforcement. The unified structure provides enhanced mechanical strength through the combined geometry and material distribution, eliminating the need for an oversized stub axle while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The integration shifts the structural reinforcement from a radial dimension (larger stub axle diameter) to a dimensional optimization within the knuckle body geometry itself, allowing strength enhancement without increasing radial space requirements
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for the brake assembly, then the braking function is provided, but the number of components and mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake carrier is merged with the knuckle body to form a single integrated component. This reduces the total number of separate parts in the brake assembly, simplifies mounting procedures, and eliminates the need for separate fasteners and alignment procedures while maintaining all necessary braking functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated knuckle body-brake carrier assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural support for the wheel assembly, houses the brake mechanism, and enables the braking function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a steering knuckle (100) for a non driven or individually driven wheel (10) of a heavy commercial vehicle, comprising - a knuckle body (102), - at least one support section (110) for a king pin (20) at one side of a main portion (104) of the knuckle body (102), the support section (110) comprising two ears (112, 114) spaced apart by a clearance (116), the ears (112, 114) being provided for holding the king pin (20), a stub axle (120) protruding from the main portion (104) of the knuckle body (102) on a side of the main portion (104) opposite of the support section (110) and having a main extension (L120) arranged transversal to a centre axis (118) through the ears (112, 114), wherein the stub axle (120) has an outer diameter (d120) at the main portion (104) of the knuckle body (102) which is least 60%, preferably 65%, more preferably 70% the clearance (116).