Integral Suspension Perch Bracket Axle Straddle Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vehicles, such as golf carts, face challenges in effectively retaining axles and distributing suspension loads, leading to inefficiencies and potential instability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an integral suspension perch bracket with a base and upturned flange to secure the axle, featuring U-bolt holes and a spring pin opening, along with downturned legs to straddle the axle and a cutout for axle support, allowing for secure attachment and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional separate perch and bracket systems are used, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but structural stability and load distribution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the perch and bracket into a single integral perch bracket component. The bracket body includes integrated features such as downturned legs that straddle the axle, a base for spring engagement, and upturned flanges for lateral link attachment. This merging eliminates the need for separate perch and bracket assemblies, providing unified structural support while maintaining assembly simplicity through the single-component design.
2Strength
If simple attachment methods are used, then ease of installation is improved, but load-carrying capacity and secure retention are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integral perch bracket is divided into functional segments: a base portion for spring engagement, downturned legs for axle retention, upturned flanges for lateral link attachment, and a bridge portion connecting these elements. Each segment is optimized for its specific function while being formed as a single integrated component. The downturned legs create a straddling configuration that secures the axle, while the upturned flanges provide attachment points for suspension links, distributing loads across multiple engaged points.
3Manufacturing precision
If axial movement of the spring is unrestricted, then ease of assembly is improved, but precise positioning and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring pin that acts as an intermediary element between the spring and the bracket. The spring pin extends through a spring pin aperture in the bracket and engages with the spring, providing precise axial positioning of the spring relative to the bracket. This intermediary mechanism allows the spring to be securely positioned without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, maintaining assembly simplicity while achieving precise positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility cart includes a suspension having an integral perch bracket having a plurality of legs structured to straddle an axle of the utility cart, and can include an opening into which a spring pin (e.g. a pin of a leaf spring) can be inserted. The perch bracket can alternatively include a brake cable attachment feature located on an end of the bracket. In one form the end can extend from one leg and be folded toward an opposing leg. The perch bracket can be cut from sheet stock of material, and stamped into final or near final form. In one embodiment a threaded nut can be attached to the legs of the perch bracket.