Leaf Spring Guide Device for Articulated Vehicle Supply Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing leaf spring devices used for guiding supply lines in articulated vehicle transitions are prone to damage due to excessive stress and deformation during vehicle movements, leading to a reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

The spring device comprises two leaf spring segments connected by a hinge joint with a vertical pivot axis at the zenith, along with a prestressing element such as a leaf spring bridge or tension cable, allowing for greater freedom of movement and maintaining an outwardly arched position to absorb deformation energy and reduce stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single leaf spring is used to guide supply lines in articulated vehicle transitions, then the structure is simple, but the spring is subjected to excessive stress and deformation during vehicle movements, leading to reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single leaf spring is divided into two separate leaf spring segments (21, 22) connected by a hinge joint device (30). This segmentation allows each segment to independently absorb deformation energy, reducing the stress on any single component and preventing breakage while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the leaf spring is stiffened by a support beam at the zenith to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but the spring is subjected to considerable stress that can cause breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge joint device (30) with vertical pivot axis replaces the rigid support beam connection, allowing the leaf spring segments to dynamically adjust their position during vehicle movements. This dynamic connection maintains structural stability while accommodating deformation through controlled rotation, preventing stress concentration that would lead to breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the leaf spring is made more flexible to absorb deformation, then stress is reduced, but the structural stability and ability to maintain shape is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidshape maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the leaf spring into two segments connected by a hinge joint, the system achieves both flexibility and shape maintenance. Each segment can flex independently to absorb deformation energy, while the hinge joint ensures the segments remain properly positioned, maintaining the overall structural shape during vehicle movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design significantly reduces the load on the spring device at the point of greatest deformation, preventing damage and increasing the service life of the leaf spring by allowing it to absorb deformation energy and maintain its shape during vehicle movements.

Implementation Method 1

the leaf spring segments are connected at their other free ends by at least one hinge joint device with a vertical pivot axis in the installed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

The leaf spring segments are provided with at least one prestressing element to hold them in an outwardly curved position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3210803B1Connection between two vehicle sections with jointed couplings
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 HUBNER GMBH
  • EP3210803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3210803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3210803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transition between two articulated vehicle parts (3, 4), wherein a guide device for supply lines running in the roof area of ​​the vehicle parts (3, 4) is provided, wherein the guide device comprises a spring device (20) for guiding the supply lines, wherein line carriers (27a - 27g) are arranged on the spring device (20), wherein the spring device (20) comprises at least two leaf spring segments (21, 22), each of which is attached at one end to the front face of the corresponding vehicle part (3, 4), wherein the leaf spring segments (21, 22) are connected to each other at their other free ends by at least one hinge joint device (30) with a vertical pivot axis.