Adjustable Spring Seat Spacers for Vehicle Ride Height Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket modifications to vehicle suspension systems, such as raising or lowering ride height, often require complex adjustments and additional components, leading to increased labor and cost, and existing solutions face issues with locking mechanisms and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of spring seat spacers between the lower spring seat plate and mount allows for easy adjustment of ride height by altering the position of the coil spring, enabling bolt-on installation and modification without replacing other suspension components, using spacers of varying thickness and design to fine-tune the height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If aftermarket suspension components are used to raise or lower ride height, then ride height adjustment is achieved, but device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into modular components including the strut assembly, spring seat, and adjustable shims. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of ride height by simply adding or removing shims from the spring seat, without requiring modification of the entire suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjustable shims are introduced as intermediary elements between the spring seat and the coil spring. These shims act as a mediator that enables precise ride height adjustment by varying their thickness, thereby changing the distance between the spring seat and spring without requiring complex mechanical modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing adjustment mechanisms like ring gears are used, then ride height can be modified, but reliability decreases due to locking issues and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The shims are pre-configured with specific thicknesses during manufacturing, allowing for precise and reliable ride height adjustment. The shims are designed with features such as recesses and protrusions that enable them to be pre-assembled in the correct orientation and position, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shims are designed as simple, inexpensive, replaceable components rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. If a shim becomes worn or damaged, it can be easily replaced without affecting the overall reliability of the suspension system, unlike permanent adjustment mechanisms that may fail catastrophically.
3Measurement precision
If precise ride height adjustment is achieved through multiple components, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ride height is adjusted by changing the thickness parameter of the shims rather than modifying the geometry or configuration of complex mechanical components. By selecting shims with different predetermined thicknesses, precise ride height adjustment is achieved through a simple parameter change that does not increase system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes methods and apparatus for easily adjusting a shock and strut assembly to modify the ride height of a vehicle by providing one or more spacers to be placed between the lower spring seat mount and the spring seat plate that rests upon it in order to raise the ride height of a vehicle. Embodiments include a unique location for a lower spring seat mount. The position of the lower spring seat mount may be lowered to reduce the ride height of the vehicle, and one or more spacers may be inserted above the lower spring seat mount to raise the ride height of the vehicle.