Steering Idler Axle Fork Structure for Width Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for steering idler axles on large self-propelled vehicles, such as forklift trucks, require complex and costly systems to adjust width for transport, leading to structural weakening and increased assembly/disassembly times, which complicates road transport and on-site reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A steering idler axle design featuring a fork structure with a pivoted wheel holding axis and a king pin that allows for free rotation but not axial translation, combined with thrust bearings to distribute load evenly across the fork structure, enabling simple disassembly and reassembly by folding the axle without compromising structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the axle width is reduced by folding the hub into a housing for road transport, then the vehicle can be transported on public roads, but the bearing structural part of the axle is substantially weakened at the housing position
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is divided into a fixed part and a movable part (hub with wheel). The hub can be rotated and folded into the housing, separating the load-bearing function from the width-reducing function. This segmentation allows the fixed part to maintain structural strength while the movable part provides width adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub is made dynamically adjustable through rotation about the king pin, allowing it to transition between extended (operational) and folded (transport) positions. This dynamic capability enables the axle to adapt its width without permanently compromising the bearing structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic structures are used to vary the width of the vehicle, then the axle width can be adjusted for transport, but the constructive complication of the axle increases and performance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the fixed part telescopic or adjustable, the invention makes the hub (the part that needs to be positioned) rotatable and foldable. This inversion simplifies the overall structure by keeping the bearing housing fixed and simple, while the hub provides the adaptability through rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub serves multiple functions: it supports the wheel during operation and can be folded into the housing for transport. The king pin structure provides both rotational movement for steering and folding capability, reducing the need for separate mechanisms.
3Length of moving object
If the hub is disconnected from the drive means and rotated widely about the king pin to position it in the housing, then the axle width is reduced for transport, but the disassembly and reassembly operations become more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is pre-configured with the king pin connection that allows rotational movement. The coupling between the hub and drive means is designed to be quickly disconnected and reconnected, enabling rapid folding and unfolding operations without complex disassembly procedures.
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
This design simplifies the disassembly and reassembly process, reduces the complexity and cost of width adjustment systems, and ensures structural integrity during load-bearing operations, facilitating easier transport and on-site reassembly while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
The thrust means are disposed to work between said lower end and said lower branch, and between said wheel holding axis and said upper branch, so as to allow said relative rotation, but not axial translation, of said wheel holding axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering idler axle for medium-big self-propelled operating machines, such as big forklift trucks, stacker machines for containers and the like, has a large total width, bigger than the one allowed for free passage on public roads, and comprises, for each steering wheel, a wheel holding axis or hub (2), which is pivoted, by means of a vertical or almost vertical king pin (4), to a fork structure (5) that is situated at each of the ends of the axle support beam. The pin or spindle (4) is fastened to the lower branch or prong (6) of the fork structure (5) by means of a coupling, which enables relative free rotation, but not axial translation, at least upwards, of the pin or spindle. It is also rotatangly coupled, in its median position, with a coupling seat (7), provided in the wheel holding axis or hub (2) and is also rotatangly coupled and without constraints in axial direction with a coaxial housing seat (8), made in the region of the upper prong (9) of the fork structure (5). The king pin (4) is provided with a stepped area (10), protruding outwardly, which is aimed at interacting with a portion of the upper surface of the body (21) of the wheel holding axis or hub (2) which houses the coupling seat (7) provided in the wheel holding axis or hub (2). First thrust means work between a portion of the upper surface of the body of the wheel holding axis or hub (2), situated externally near the coupling seat (7) and a corresponding portion of the lower surface of the upper branch or prong (9). Second thrust means work coaxially between the lower end of the king pin (4) and said lower branch or prong (6).