High-Clearance Vehicle Steering-Suspension Decoupling for Wheel Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines experience uncontrolled steering lock and loss of wheel adherence due to the interaction between suspension and steering systems, leading to handling issues when navigating uneven terrain and curves.
Innovation Solution
A motorized machine design where the steering system is kinematically connected to the suspension system through a slide-type mechanical connection along the axis of the suspension, decoupling suspension movement from steering lock, ensuring wheels remain parallel and maintaining adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the steering system is connected to the suspension system through traditional ball-joint connections, then the suspension can dampen vibrations, but the steering rod is driven vertically causing additional steering lock of the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection between steering and suspension systems into separate functional components: a steering connection means that allows rotational movement for steering control, and a suspension connection means that allows vertical movement for vibration damping. This segmentation prevents the coupling of steering and suspension movements, resolving the technical contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the specialized connection means with rotational and vertical movement capabilities) between the steering rod and the suspension system. This intermediary allows the suspension to move vertically independently while the steering can rotate independently, preventing the vertical suspension movement from causing unwanted steering lock.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suspension system is activated on uneven terrain, then the wheels can adapt to the terrain, but the wheels may no longer be parallel to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement degrees of freedom by providing independent rotational connection for steering and independent vertical connection for suspension. This allows each wheel to adapt vertically to uneven terrain while maintaining parallel alignment through independent steering control, resolving the contradiction between terrain adaptation and wheel alignment stability.
3Device complexity
If the steering rod is connected via ball-joint to the suspension system, then the suspension travel influences the steering lock, but this leads to uncontrolled steering lock and loss of wheel adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection functions by providing separate rotational and vertical movement capabilities through specialized connection means. This prevents the coupling between suspension travel and steering lock that causes uncontrolled steering and loss of adherence, while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
4Device complexity
If the suspension and steering systems are kinematically connected traditionally, then the structure is simple, but the Jeantaud king-pin condition is no longer met during suspension travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement functions by providing independent rotational and vertical connection capabilities. This ensures that the Jeantaud king-pin geometric condition is maintained during steering operations even when suspension is traveling, as the steering rotation is decoupled from vertical suspension movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a motorized machine having a chassis, a suspension system mechanically coupled on the one hand to a wheel of the motorized machine and on the other hand to the chassis, and a steering system configured to transmit the steering to said wheel of the motorized machine through the suspension system, the steering system being in a slide-type mechanical connection with the suspension system along the axis of the suspension system.