Segmented Suspension Mounting Bracket for Fast Vehicle Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supplemental suspension systems for vehicles require substantial disassembly of existing components, increasing installation time and complexity, and lead to a large variety of parts needed due to variations in vehicle structures, resulting in higher costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of mounting bracket assemblies with specific design features, including bracket members with defined mounting surfaces and receiving zones, allows for securement of suspension components on vehicle structures with reduced disassembly and increased compatibility across different vehicle configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known supplemental suspension systems are installed using existing mounting arrangements, then the suspension components can be added to vehicles, but substantial disassembly of existing suspension components is required, significantly increasing installation time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is divided into multiple segments or components that can be independently positioned and attached. This segmentation allows the bracket to be assembled in sections around existing suspension components without requiring complete disassembly, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining adaptability to various vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 2:
A universal mounting bracket serves as an intermediary component that interfaces between the supplemental suspension spring and the vehicle's existing suspension structure. This intermediary element provides a standardized mounting interface that accommodates various vehicle configurations without requiring modification of the original suspension components, thus reducing installation complexity and time
2Adaptability or versatility
If known supplemental suspension systems are installed using existing mounting arrangements, then the suspension components can be added to vehicles, but the level of complexity of the installation increases, potentially exceeding the capability of self-installers
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can be adapted to multiple vehicle types and suspension configurations through standardized interfaces and adjustable features. This universality reduces installation complexity by providing a single, standardized mounting solution that works across different vehicle platforms, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific custom fabrication and making self-installation more feasible
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is pre-configured with integrated mounting features, alignment elements, and attachment mechanisms during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of the mounting hardware eliminates the need for complex on-site fabrication or adjustment procedures, reducing installation complexity to simple assembly operations that can be performed by self-installers without specialized tools or expertise
3Adaptability or versatility
If new components are supplied with supplemental suspension systems, then the supplemental suspension can be mounted on vehicles, but the wide variation in vehicle structures results in the development and inventory of a large number of different parts, leading to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component with standardized dimensions, mounting interfaces, and attachment mechanisms that can accommodate a wide range of vehicle structures and suspension configurations. This single universal design replaces the need to develop and maintain inventories of multiple vehicle-specific bracket variations, thereby reducing the number of different parts required while maintaining broad compatibility across different vehicle platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates adjustable or reconfigurable features that allow it to adapt to different vehicle structures through simple repositioning or reconfiguration rather than requiring different parts. This dynamic adaptability enables a single bracket design to serve multiple vehicle applications, reducing the quantity of different parts needed in the inventory while maintaining compatibility with various vehicle configurations
Data Source
AI summary
Mounting bracket assemblies including first, second and third bracket members. The first bracket member includes first and second mounting surface portions. The first mounting surface portion engaging a suspension component. The second mounting surface portion defining a receiving zone for receiving a vehicle structure and is disposed along a first side of a first central plane of the receiving zone. A second bracket member includes first and second contact surface portions. The second bracket member is disposed along a second side of the first central plane and along a first side of a second central plane of the receiving zone. A third bracket member includes third and fourth contact surface portions. The third bracket member is disposed along the second side of the first central plane and along a second side of the second central plane. Suspension systems, kits and methods are also included.