Removable Axle Box for All-Terrain Vehicle Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-terrain vehicles with multiple driving axles face difficulties in rapidly replacing a defective steering axle with an operational axle from another vehicle, especially in scenarios where multiple vehicles are present in the same area, such as in a fleet, due to complex and time-consuming disassembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design features a removable and interchangeable axle box system secured to the floor using damping means and suspension elements with elastic torque return, allowing for easy swapping of axles between identical vehicles, including connecting rods for steering control integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axles are permanently fixed to the chassis with rigid mounting, then structural stability and vibration transmission are improved, but the ability to quickly replace defective axles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly is divided into separable components: the axle box can be independently removed from the chassis, and the axle can be independently removed from the axle box. This segmentation allows quick replacement of defective axles while maintaining structural stability through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic removable connection. The axle box is designed with removable mounting means that allow it to be securely fixed during operation but easily detached when maintenance is needed, enabling rapid axle replacement without permanent fixation.
2Ease of operation
If axles are designed with complex suspension and steering mechanisms, then vehicle performance and control are improved, but the complexity of disassembly and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex suspension arms, steering mechanisms, and braking assemblies are all segmented as separate removable components attached to the axle box. This allows the entire axle assembly to be replaced as a unit or with individual components, simplifying maintenance while maintaining full vehicle control performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The axle box is designed as a universal mounting platform that can accommodate various suspension configurations (parallel arms, Y-shaped arms), steering mechanisms, and braking assemblies. This multi-functional design allows different complex mechanisms to be integrated into a standardized removable unit, reducing overall disassembly complexity.
3Reliability
If axles are securely mounted to eliminate vibrations, then structural stability is improved, but the ease of quick replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system provides dynamic security: during normal operation, the damping means securely eliminate vibrations; during maintenance, the removable mounting means allow quick detachment. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between secure mounting and easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable mounting means act as an intermediary between the chassis and the axle box, providing vibration damping during operation while enabling quick separation during maintenance. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by serving dual functions at different operational states.
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 simplifies the replacement process, reduces vibration transmission, and enables quick transformation of axles between operational and non-operational states, facilitating the repair of damaged vehicles and maintaining vehicle efficiency with reduced assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
damping means, such as for example stacked washers of elastomeric material, which has the advantage of eliminating the vibrations and the causes of resonance which are usually transmitted to the vehicle structure through the drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
the articulation of the branches will be done by means of an elastic suspension bearing with torque return in torsion
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 3a~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an all-terrain vehicle comprising a structure supporting a floor and at least two identical live axles (1), each of the latter having two rolling assemblies each with brake means (35) and a hub (36) supporting a wheel (37), suspension elements (7a, 7b) connecting each rolling assembly to an element fixed to the structure, orientation means (39, 40, 41) for pivoting each rolling assembly relative to the suspension elements (7a, 7b) about an approximately vertical axis under the action of a steering control (38), and an axle assembly (9) able to transfer the motive power supplied by a transmission shaft (11) to the vehicle wheels (37) via the rolling assemblies. This vehicle is characterized in that each axle (1) comprises a box (3) detachably mounted to the floor, to which box the suspension elements (7a, 7b) are pivoted, and to which the axle assembly (9) of the vehicle is connected.