Pivotable Rear-Axle Chassis for Tight-Turning Commercial Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional commercial vehicle chassis designs restrict maneuvering capability, particularly in vehicles with large wheelbases, making it difficult to meet turning circle requirements and compromising driving comfort.
Innovation Solution
The chassis incorporates an adjusting device that allows the rear vehicle axle to pivot relative to the vehicle frame around a pivot axis, enabling improved steering through translational movements and hydraulic or mechanical mechanisms, with integrated drive devices and gas springs for enhanced maneuverability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional commercial vehicle chassis designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but maneuvering capability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The rear axle is designed to be pivotable relative to the vehicle frame, transforming from a static to a dynamic configuration. The adjusting device enables the rear axle to change its angular position around a pivot axis, allowing the vehicle to adapt its chassis geometry for improved maneuvering in different driving situations
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis is divided into separable functional components: the vehicle frame, the pivotable rear axle, and the adjusting device. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables the rear axle to be adjusted without affecting the entire chassis structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If large wheelbase is used, then vehicle stability is improved, but turning circle requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable rear axle allows the vehicle to dynamically adjust its effective wheelbase during turning maneuvers. By pivoting the rear axle relative to the frame, the vehicle can reduce its turning radius while maintaining the benefits of a longer wheelbase for straight-line stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the chassis by altering the angular position of the rear axle. This parameter change enables the vehicle to transition between different operational states: stable cruising with aligned axles and agile turning with pivoted rear axle
3Adaptability or versatility
If pivotable rear axle is implemented, then maneuvering capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic actuators to pivot the rear axle. This approach provides smooth, controlled movement with high force multiplication, enabling precise cornering capability while keeping the actuator size manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with more compact hydraulic or pneumatic actuation. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components, simplifies the adjusting device, and improves reliability while maintaining enhanced cornering capability
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
The solution enhances the maneuvering capability and driving comfort of commercial vehicles by allowing for precise cornering and direction changes, meeting stringent turning circle requirements while reducing production effort and costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one component, designed as a gas spring and/or as a fluid damper, by means of which the vehicle axle can be or is supported, in particular directly, on the vehicle frame
Implementation Method 2
at least one component, designed as a gas spring and/or as a fluid damper, by means of which the vehicle axle can be or is supported, in particular directly, on the vehicle frame
Data Source
AI summary
A chassis for a commercial vehicle includes a vehicle axle by means of which at least two vehicle wheels of the commercial vehicle, the wheels being rotatable around a respective wheel rotational axis, can be supported on a vehicle frame of the commercial vehicle. At least one adjusting device is provided so that the vehicle axle is mounted to pivot relative to the vehicle frame around a pivot axis running oblique or perpendicular to the respective wheel rotational axis to achieve cornering or changes of direction of the commercial vehicle.