Steering Axle Vertical Displacement Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Super steering axles for vehicles suffer from undesirable vertical displacement of the bearing structure during steering, leading to height variations of the tractor nose, especially when maneuvering with short radii, and existing solutions are rigid and inadequate in minimizing these displacements.
Innovation Solution
A steering axle design featuring a spherical ball joint and hydrodynamic cylinder with position sensors and a control unit, allowing for adjustable extension to compensate vertical displacement and maintain constant height, while also providing suspension and shock-absorption for improved comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a super steering axle mechanism is used to reduce minimum turning radius, then maneuverability is improved, but vertical displacement of the bearing structure occurs causing height variation of the tractor nose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the connecting rod adjustable in length. The connecting rod can dynamically change its length to compensate for vertical displacements that occur during steering maneuvers. This allows the system to adapt to different steering angles and maintain constant bearing structure height, resolving the contradiction between improved maneuverability and prevention of vertical displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the connecting rod length to compensate for vertical displacement. By adjusting the length parameter of the connecting rod based on steering angle, the system maintains constant height of the bearing structure while allowing the super steering mechanism to provide reduced turning radius and improved maneuverability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid double linkage mechanism is used to compensate vertical displacements, then structural stability is improved, but the mechanism remains rigid and cannot fully avoid displacements during short radius steering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid double linkage into a dynamic system by making the connecting rod length adjustable. This allows the structure to maintain stability through controlled adjustment rather than rigid fixed geometry, enabling the system to fully compensate for vertical displacements even during short radius steering maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to detect the steering angle and a control unit to process this information. The control unit automatically adjusts the connecting rod length based on the detected steering angle, creating a closed-loop system that actively compensates for vertical displacements and maintains bearing structure height.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If connecting rod length is made adjustable to compensate vertical displacement, then height consistency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control with a sensor detecting steering angle and a control unit processing this information to automatically adjust the connecting rod length. This automated feedback system maintains bearing structure height consistency while managing complexity through electronic control rather than complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compensation mechanisms with an electronic control system. The sensor and control unit substitute for elaborate mechanical linkages, using electronic signals to control the hydraulic cylinder that adjusts the connecting rod length, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving height consistency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a hydrodynamic cylinder with sensor and control unit is used to adjust connecting rod length, then vertical displacement compensation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a hydrodynamic cylinder controlled by an electronic system. The hydraulic cylinder provides precise length adjustment of the connecting rod based on electronic control signals, improving vertical displacement compensation while using standardized hydraulic components that can be manufactured and assembled relatively easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control where a sensor detects steering angle, the control unit processes this information, and automatically adjusts the hydrodynamic cylinder to maintain bearing structure height. This automated feedback system improves compensation accuracy while reducing the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms during manufacturing.
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
The solution effectively minimizes vertical displacement and maintains consistent ground height during steering, enhancing maneuverability and comfort by using a hydrodynamic cylinder to adjust for steering angle changes, thereby improving the vehicle's turning radius and running comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an extensible vertical securing member provided by a hydrodynamic cylinder (16) placed as a further connecting rod between the axle body and the bearing structure
Implementation Method 2
an arm (9) perpendicular to the axis X and having at the end opposed to the axle body a spherical ball joint member (10) capable of being received in a ball joint seat (11) firmly connected to the bearing structure of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A steering axle for vehicles includes means for angularly displacing the axle body about a steering axis as a consequence of the relative displacement between the wheel hubs and the axle body, and vertical securing means are provided between the axle body and the bearing structure in order to hold the axle body secured vertically to the bearing structure during the lateral displacement, wherein the vertical securing means comprise an extensible member, the extension of which is correlated to the position of the axle body with respect to the second steering axis.