Steerable Wheel Suspension With Double-Shear Pivot Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable independent wheel suspensions for agricultural machines face challenges in durability, accuracy of pivot bearing, wear and tear, and effective implementation of suspension, damping, and height adjustment functions.
Innovation Solution
A steerable independent wheel suspension design featuring a support structure with a double-shear pivot connection, guide columns, and a one-piece housing for the steering column and guide columns, incorporating a spring assembly and damping devices, allowing for improved force transmission, moment compensation, and adjustable height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional single-shear pivot connection is used, then the structure is simpler, but the durability is reduced and wear occurs faster
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connection is segmented into a double-shear configuration with two separate shear planes instead of a single shear plane. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress across multiple interfaces, reducing wear at each individual contact point and extending the service life of the pivot connection while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the steering column is mounted externally, then assembly is easier, but the pivot bearing accuracy and dimensional stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column mounting is merged with the support structure by integrating the mounting bearings directly into the support structure housing. This merging eliminates separate mounting components and assembly steps, while the precision-machined bearing surfaces embedded in the support structure ensure high pivot bearing accuracy and dimensional stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate components are used for support structure and housing, then manufacturing is easier, but dimensional accuracy and functional performance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure and housing are merged into a single integrally formed component. This integration eliminates cumulative tolerance errors from multiple assembled parts, ensuring high dimensional accuracy for critical functions such as guide column sliding, wheel hub movement, and pivot bearing alignment. The single-component design maintains ease of manufacture through suitable material selection and forming processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances durability, improves pivot bearing accuracy, delays wear, and enables efficient suspension, damping, and height adjustment functions, providing a more robust and versatile wheel suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
The independent wheel suspension has a spring assembly, preferably a bellows (e.g., an air spring), which resiliently connects the wheel hub to the support device
Implementation Method 2
The independent wheel suspension has a damping device that connects the wheel hub to the support device in a damped manner
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a steerable independent wheel suspension (12) for a mobile agricultural machine (10). A support device (18) serves to pivotally mount the independent wheel suspension (12) on a frame part (28) of the agricultural machine (10). At least one guide column (22) is slidably mounted in the support device (18). A wheel hub (24) is slidably guided along the at least one guide column (22). A support (74) is rigidly connected to the at least one guide column (22) for movement. The support (74) can enable a flexible and improved arrangement of height adjustment devices, damping devices, and suspension devices of the independent wheel suspension (12).