Sliding Coupler Drive Shaft for Automatic Lifting Axle Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decoupling members for lifting axles in work vehicles are complex and expensive, necessitating a cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A drive shaft with a sliding coupler that mechanically couples and uncouples drive shaft members based on the movement of the lifting axle, using a variable length drive shaft that automatically adjusts its length to engage or disengage driving force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex decoupling members with multiple clutches and actuators are used, then the lifting axle can be effectively disengaged and raised, but the construction cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex clutch and actuator mechanisms from the decoupling system and replaces them with a simple sliding coupler that mechanically disconnects the drive shaft from the lifting axle when raised. This removes unnecessary components while maintaining the decoupling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft system automatically couples and decouples itself through the movement of the lifting axle. When the lifting axle is raised, the variable length drive shaft automatically shortens and disengages; when lowered, it automatically extends and re-engages, eliminating the need for external actuators or control systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If a variable length drive shaft with sliding coupler is used, then construction costs are reduced and automatic coupling/decoupling is achieved, but the mechanism requires precise mechanical coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft employs a variable length mechanism with a sliding coupler that dynamically adjusts its length based on the lifting axle position. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain proper mechanical coordination automatically through the lifting motion itself, reducing the need for complex precision control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding coupler mechanism is designed so that the natural lifting and lowering motion of the axle creates the necessary mechanical conditions for coupling and decoupling. The system uses the existing motion potential of the lifting axle to drive the drive shaft length adjustment, eliminating the need for additional energy input or complex control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
This is a drive shaft (32) for a vehicle (10) with a first axle (22) and a second axle (24) that is a lifting axle. The drive shaft (32) includes a first drive shaft member (34) configured to connect to the first axle (22), a second drive shaft member (36) configured to connect to the second axle (24), and a sliding coupler (38) connected between the first drive shaft member (34) and the second drive shaft member (36). The sliding coupler (38) has a first end that couples to the first drive shaft member (34) and a second end with a locking function (66) for mechanically coupling to the inner recess (62) in the second drive shaft member (36) in order to selectively transmit a driving force between the first and second drive shaft members (34, 36).