Steering Knuckle Layout for Higher Ground Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering knuckles do not allow for increased ground clearance in vehicles without compromising factory steering geometry or requiring extensive modifications to existing suspension components, leading to stress on steering system components and premature wear.

Innovation Solution

A steering knuckle design that includes a vertical arm, upper and lower mounts, and a hub positioned below the lower control arm to increase ground clearance by several inches, while maintaining factory geometry and avoiding irreversible modifications to the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the hub is repositioned to increase ground clearance, then ground clearance is improved, but factory steering geometry is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground clearanceVSAvoidfactory steering geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hub is repositioned not only vertically but also horizontally to position it outside the attachment points of the control arms. This multi-dimensional repositioning allows ground clearance to be increased while maintaining the vertical distance between upper and lower mounts, thereby preserving factory steering geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The hub position is changed from its factory location to a new location outside the control arm attachment points. This parameter change increases ground clearance while the design maintains the same vertical distance between upper and lower mounts, preserving steering geometry parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If existing steering knuckles are used to increase ground clearance, then ground clearance is improved, but stress on steering components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground clearanceVSAvoidstress on steering components

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The design maintains the same vertical distance between upper and lower mounts as factory specifications, which preserves the stress parameters on steering components while still achieving increased ground clearance through horizontal hub repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If existing steering knuckles are modified to increase ground clearance, then ground clearance is improved, but component wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground clearanceVSAvoidcomponent wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By maintaining factory steering geometry parameters (same vertical distance between mounts) while repositioning the hub horizontally, the design reduces abnormal stresses and premature wear on steering components, improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The hub is positioned outside the attachment points of both upper and lower control arms, utilizing horizontal space rather than vertical space. This dimensional change allows ground clearance improvement without compromising component reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Length of moving object

If lift kits are installed to increase ground clearance, then ground clearance is improved, but irreversible modifications are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground clearanceVSAvoidreversibility of modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The steering knuckle is designed as a separate replaceable component that can be installed or removed without permanent modifications to the vehicle frame or suspension system, making the ground clearance increase reversible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The steering knuckle acts as an intermediary component between the control arms and hub assembly, allowing ground clearance adjustment through component replacement rather than permanent structural modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250187660A1Steering knuckle for increasing ground clearance of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 PRASAD VARUN

AI summary

A steering knuckle for increasing ground clearance of a vehicle is disclosed. The steering knuckle includes a vertical arm, an upper mount, a steering arm and a lower mount positioned at the vertical arm. The steering knuckle includes a hub positioned at the bottom of the vertical arm. The upper mount includes an upper control arm. The lower mount includes a lower control arm. The hub mounts outside of attachment points of the upper control arm and the lower control arm in order to keep the same distance between the upper mount and the lower mount, and the steering arm to maintain a factory geometry. The steering knuckle eliminates the stress on suspension components and avoids permanent modifications to the suspension components.