Saddle-Mount J-Clamp Assembly for Variable Axle Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle-mounts face challenges in accommodating varying vehicle axle sizes and provide insufficient clamping force, leading to stress and potential damage due to misfitting axles and weak J-Bolts.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a new rocker and mating J-clamp assembly with custom high-strength bolts, replacing traditional J-Bolts, and a ball and socket joint to ensure secure clamping and stability across all axle sizes, along with optional safety chains for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional J-Bolts are used to secure the axle, then the saddle-mount structure is simple, but the clamping force is insufficient and the J-Bolts become the weak link that limit the clamping force of the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is divided into separate components: a rocker component, a J-clamp component, and a straight bolt component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rocker provides leverage, the J-clamp provides clamping surface, and the straight bolt provides securing mechanism - while collectively delivering significantly higher clamping force than a single J-Bolt design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the rocker, J-clamp, and straight bolt into a coordinated clamp assembly system. The rocker and J-clamp work together to create mechanical advantage, while the straight bolt secures both components to the axle, combining multiple functions into a unified clamping system that overcomes the limitations of conventional J-Bolts.
2Reliability
If conventional J-Bolts are used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but misfitting axles cause undue stress on the J-Bolts during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The J-clamp component is designed with specific local features including a curved clamping surface that conforms to the axle shape, and a widened base that distributes stress. These local quality enhancements ensure proper fit and stress distribution for various axle sizes and shapes, preventing the undue stress that plagues conventional J-Bolt designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly allows for adjustment of clamping parameters through the straight bolt mechanism, enabling the system to adapt to different axle diameters and configurations. This parameter adjustability ensures reliable performance across varying axle sizes without causing stress concentrations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed clamp design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate all vehicle axle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a pivotable J-clamp that can rotate about the straight bolt, and an adjustable straight bolt position along the rocker. These dynamic features enable the clamp to adapt to various axle sizes and positions, providing universal compatibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Force
If conventional saddle-mount configurations are used, then the overall structure is simple, but they provide insufficient clamping force on the axle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the clamping function from the traditional integrated saddle-mount design and creates a separate, dedicated clamp assembly. This extracted clamp assembly can be independently optimized for maximum clamping force while the main saddle-mount body remains relatively simple. The clamp assembly acts as a specialized subsystem that provides enhanced clamping capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.