Steerable Axle Ball Socket Joint Z-Axis Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carts pulled behind motorized vehicles face difficulties in navigating tight spaces, particularly during turns, as they tend to cut corners sharply, leading to potential damage to the cart or surrounding objects.
Innovation Solution
A steerable axle with a ball and socket joint that restricts movement along the z-axis, allowing for controlled rotation along the x and y axes, combined with a clevis hitch and rotary sensor for precise tracking of the cart's path, ensuring smoother turns and reduced risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fixed axle is used, then the cart structure is simple and stable, but the cart cannot navigate tight spaces and cuts corners sharply during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed axle into a steerable axle with a ball and socket joint that allows dynamic rotation. The ball member can rotate along x and y axes while being constrained on the z axis, enabling the cart to follow the motorized vehicle's path during turns and navigate tight spaces effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ball member allows free rotation in all directions, then the cart has maximum steering flexibility, but the cart loses control over the rotation axis and may rotate uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different movement properties in different directions. The ball member is designed to rotate freely along x and y axes while being constrained on the z axis through the ball bearing mechanism. This localized differentiation of movement freedom provides both steering flexibility and rotational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball bearing acts as an intermediary element between the ball member and the housing. It allows rotation along x and y axes while preventing rotation along the z axis, thus mediating between the need for steering flexibility and the need for rotational control.
3Measurement precision
If a rotary sensor is added to track the cart's path, then the path tracking precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball shaft serves multiple functions: it connects the ball member to the clevis hitch, transmits rotational motion, and provides a mounting structure for the rotary sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still enabling precise path tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable axle includes a housing defining a ball seat therein, a ball member received within the ball seat and defining a cutout portion to receive a portion of a ball bearing therein, an interstitial space defined by a surface of the ball seat and a surface of the ball member, and a ball bearing disposed within the interstitial space and received into the cutout portion of the ball member. The ball bearing moves within the interstitial space when the ball member rotates along the x or y axis, but is restricted from movement along the z axis. Restriction of movement of the ball bearing along the z axis results in a corresponding restriction of movement of the ball member along the z axis.