Rigid Axle Air-Suspension Module With Tool-Free Latching Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-suspension modules for rigid axles of cargo trucks face challenges during piggyback transport, where the air-bellows can buckle upon loading, losing spring action and risking damage, and the cumbersome screw connection for mounting complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
An air-suspension module with a latching body and recess on the air-bellows mount and supporting body, respectively, allows for a form-locking latching engagement that secures the supporting body to the air-bellows mount without tools, preventing liftoff and simplifying the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the supporting body is permanently connected to the air-bellows mount using screw connections, then the connection strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of installation and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a coupling projection on the supporting body and a coupling recess on the air-bellows mount, allowing the components to be divided and reassembled easily while maintaining strong connection when engaged
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling projection and recess are designed to self-align and self-engage during installation, eliminating the need for tools or complex screw fastening procedures, thereby improving ease of installation while maintaining connection strength
2Reliability
If the supporting body rests on the air-bellows mount without permanent connection to allow liftoff during piggyback transport, then the risk of air-bellows buckling is reduced, but the reliability of connection and positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent screw connection to a dynamic coupling mechanism that can engage and disengage as needed, allowing the supporting body to be securely connected during normal operation yet easily separated during piggyback transport to prevent air-bellows buckling
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling projection and recess enable temporary discarding of the connection during piggyback transport, with the ability to recover and re-establish the connection quickly upon return to service, maintaining both air-bellows reliability and connection stability
3Ease of manufacture
If the coupling projection and coupling recess are designed for tool-free engagement, then the ease of installation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling projection and recess are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide inherent alignment features, guiding the components into proper engagement without requiring high manufacturing precision or specialized installation tools
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling surfaces are designed with complementary shapes and tolerances that create an equipotential engagement state, where the components naturally settle into a stable, precisely positioned connection without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing
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 latching engagement ensures secure positioning and alignment of the supporting body and air-bellows mount, eliminating the need for screw connections and preventing unintentional liftoff, thus enhancing the operational reliability and ease of installation of the air-suspension module.
Implementation Method 1
one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body has a latching body and the respectively other component of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body has a latching recess such that in the operational state of the air-suspension module the latching body is in form-locking latching engagement with the latching recess
Implementation Method 2
the air-bellows module having an air-suspension bellows designed to change its shape in suspension operation
Implementation Method 3
one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body has a coupling projection protruding along a virtual projection path, which in the operational state of the air-suspension module engages with a coupling recess formed on the respectively other component
Data Source
AI summary
An air-suspension module for a rigid axle including an air-bellows mount and an air-bellows module supported on the air-bellows mount in the operational state of the air-suspension module, the air-bellows module having an air-suspension bellows designed to change its shape and a supporting body connected to the air-suspension bellows, one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a coupling projection protruding along a virtual projection path, which engages with a coupling recess formed at the respectively other component along the projection path, a translatory relative movement of the supporting body being physically limited relative to the air-bellows mount, orthogonally with respect to the projection path and in a direction along the projection path; one of the components of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a latching body and the respectively other component of the air-bellows mount and the supporting body having a latching recess such that the latching body is in a form-locking latching engagement with the latching recess, so that a translatory relative movement of the supporting body relative to the air-bellows mount is physically limited in the two opposite directions along the projection path.