Wheel Suspension Arm Slit Axle Opening Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspension systems for vehicles require complex assembly and disassembly processes, involve multiple components, and often necessitate welding, which complicates production and maintenance, especially when using air suspension systems.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension arm with a joint opening for pivotable attachment to the vehicle frame and an axle opening with a slit for easy clamping onto an axle tube, allowing for simple assembly and disassembly, reduced component count, and pre-applicable anti-corrosion protection and painting, featuring a high-torque clamp with adjustable fits and engagement means for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach trailing arms to the axle tube, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and post-processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical clamping system. The trailing arms are attached to the axle tube through clamping elements that apply mechanical force, eliminating the need for welding operations and associated post-processing such as anti-corrosion treatment and painting after welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces clamping elements as intermediary components between the trailing arms and the axle tube. These clamping elements serve as mediators that create a strong mechanical connection without requiring direct welding between the trailing arms and the axle tube, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If U-shaped steel brackets with multiple screws are used to clamp trailing arms to the rigid axle, then welding is avoided, but the number of components and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping function into the trailing arm structure itself. Instead of using separate U-shaped brackets with multiple screws, the trailing arm is designed with an integrated clamping mechanism that combines the arm and clamping elements into a unified structure, reducing the total number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing arm is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables pivoting motion through the joint opening, and performs the clamping function through the axle opening with interruption. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized clamping components.
3Ease of operation
If the axle opening has a slit interruption, then assembly and disassembly are simplified, but the torque transmission capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The axle opening is segmented by introducing a slit interruption that divides the opening into two opposite sections. This segmentation allows the opening to be flexible for assembly/disassembly while the clamping elements apply force at multiple points to maintain torque transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slit interruption is strategically positioned to allow easy assembly and disassembly while the clamping elements are arranged to apply localized forces at critical points around the axle tube, ensuring that torque transmission capability is maintained despite the interruption in the opening.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel suspension arm, especially a trailing arm (1) for a vehicle. Said wheel suspension arm comprises a link opening (12) for swivelably securing the wheel suspension arm to a vehicle frame and an axle opening (11) for securing an axle element (2) to the wheel suspension arm. Said axle opening (11), on its peripheral edge (11a), comprises at least one discontinuation, such as e.g. a slot (13). The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive wheel suspension arm and to a wheel suspension comprising said wheel suspension arm.