Steering Knuckle Assembly Non-Rotatable King Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering knuckle assemblies for heavy-duty vehicles require complex and costly bearing systems for rotation, making maintenance and replacement difficult and costly, and occupy excessive vertical space.
Innovation Solution
A steering knuckle assembly with a non-rotatably mounted king pin in a blind hole, eliminating the need for bearings and utilizing a press fit connection and non-circular cross sections for a stable torque-proof fit, along with a second king pin for rotation, reducing vertical space and material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bearings are mounted on the steering knuckle to facilitate rotation, then rotation is enabled, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bearing component entirely from the steering knuckle assembly. Instead of mounting bearings on the steering knuckle to facilitate rotation, the invention uses a king pin that rotates directly within the knuckle, eliminating the need for separate bearing components and their associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The king pin is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced when worn, rather than using expensive bearings that require complex maintenance. The press-fit king pin acts as a simple rotational element that can be swapped out without specialized tools or procedures.
2Ease of operation
If bearings are mounted on the steering knuckle to facilitate rotation, then rotation is enabled, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing component is completely removed from the assembly, simplifying manufacturing. The king pin is pressed directly into the steering knuckle, eliminating multiple manufacturing steps including bearing installation, sealing, and lubrication systems that would be required with traditional bearing-based designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental approach from using precision-engineered bearings with complex geometries to a simple press-fit king pin with basic cylindrical or slightly tapered geometry, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Ease of operation
If the king pin extends through the steering knuckle, then rotation is facilitated, but vertical space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The king pin is nested within the steering knuckle structure, with its rotational axis aligned vertically through the knuckle body. The king pin extends only as far as necessary to provide rotational functionality, with its ends contained within the knuckle's vertical boundaries, thereby minimizing the overall vertical space occupied by the assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If a press fit connection is used to mount the king pin, then manufacturing cost decreases, but additional fixing elements may be required
Solution Approach 1:
The king pin and its recess in the steering knuckle are designed with asymmetric cross-sectional geometries (such as oval, triangular, or other non-circular shapes) that provide torque-proof engagement. This asymmetric shape prevents rotational slipping of the king pin without requiring additional fixing elements like set screws or retaining rings, maintaining simplicity while ensuring secure mounting.
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 maintenance, reduces manufacturing and transportation costs, and minimizes vertical space, while providing a stable and efficient rotational connection, facilitating easier assembly and reduced vehicle height.
Implementation Method 1
The press fit connection may provide a compressive force between a portion of the steering knuckle delimiting the first blind hole and the first king pin in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The compressive force then fixes the first king pin with respect to the steering knuckle along the rotation axis through friction between the steering knuckle and the first king pin.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering knuckle assembly for a vehicle may have a steering knuckle with a first blind hole formed in a surface of the steering knuckle and a first king pin defining a rotation axis and non-rotatably mounted in the first blind hole.