Unitary Retainer Plate for Equalizer Bar Pin Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainer systems for center pins in equalizer bars often lead to bolt overloading due to movement, resulting in loosening or fracturing of bolts, which is not effectively addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A single unitary retainer plate with symmetrical support arms and an arcuate neck portion is designed to securely retain center pins, featuring openings for fasteners that distribute loads and prevent axial and rotational movement, thereby reducing the likelihood of bolt failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two distinct separated retainer plates with bolts are used to retain the center pin, then the center pin can be retained, but bolt overloading occurs due to movement leading to loosening and fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate retainer plates into a single unitary retainer plate with integrated support arms and neck portion. This merging eliminates the interface between separate components, prevents relative movement that causes bolt overloading, and distributes loads more evenly across multiple fastener locations, thereby resolving the bolt failure issue while maintaining retention reliability
2Reliability
If a single unitary retainer plate with multiple support arms is used, then load distribution among fasteners is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer plate is segmented into distinct functional portions including a body, multiple support arms extending from the body, and a neck portion. Each support arm can be independently configured with fastener locations, allowing load distribution across multiple attachment points while maintaining a unified structural design that integrates these segments into a single manufacturable component
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer plate configured to retain a center pin for an equalizer bar comprises a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a first support arm having a first reduced contact portion; a second support arm having a second reduced contact portion; and a neck portion between the first support arm and the second support arm. The retainer plate can be symmetrical about a center vertical axis in an end view thereof, and the first support arm, the second support arm, and the neck portion can define a central concave recess configured to receive the center pin via an opening into the central concave recess defined between the first support arm and the second support arm. The first support arm can have a first set of openings through a thickness of the retainer plate and configured to receive respective fasteners therethrough, and the second support arm can have a second set of openings through the thickness of the retainer plate and configured to receive respective fasteners therethrough.