Vehicle Suspension Axle Guide Longitudinal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel alignment systems for commercial vehicle trailers require additional components and complex assembly processes, leading to increased costs, material damage, and maintenance challenges due to the need for eccentric discs and track adjustment plates.
Innovation Solution
A link arrangement with a pivotably mounted axle link on a chassis-fixed support using a hinge pin, where the axle guide carries a spring system and shock absorbers, and adjustment means consisting of contact surfaces on the wishbone and support surfaces, allowing for precise toe adjustment without additional components, leveraging existing manufacturing steps for cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eccentric discs or track adjustment plates are used for wheel alignment, then the wishbone can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, but additional components are required which increase construction complexity, assembly work, and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function from separate additional components (eccentric discs, track adjustment plates) and integrates it directly into the existing wishbone structure through contact surfaces and support surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate alignment components while maintaining the alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wishbone and support are designed to serve multiple functions: the wishbone provides suspension linkage functionality while its contact surfaces enable alignment adjustment; the support provides mounting functionality while its support surfaces enable alignment adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components.
2Ease of operation
If eccentric discs or track adjustment plates are used for adjustment, then the wishbone can be moved, but jerky movements and impact stress are required which cause material damage such as paint flaking, corrosion, and loss of component sharpness
Solution Approach 1:
The lever tool serves dual purposes: it acts as a lever for amplifying adjustment forces and simultaneously as a protective cover for the contact surfaces. This self-service function eliminates the need for separate protective covers while preventing material damage during adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surfaces and support surfaces are designed with appropriate geometry and material properties to distribute and cushion the adjustment forces, preventing impact stress and material damage before they can occur. The lever tool's protective cover also provides beforehand protection during the adjustment process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components like eccentric discs are installed on the wishbone, then alignment adjustment is possible, but assembly work and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the alignment adjustment function with the existing wishbone and support structures by integrating contact surfaces and support surfaces directly into these components. This combining eliminates the need for separate alignment components and reduces assembly work.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever tool serves dual purposes: it acts as a lever for amplifying adjustment forces and simultaneously as a protective cover for the contact surfaces. This self-service function eliminates the need for separate protective covers while preventing material damage during adjustment operations.
4Ease of operation
If conventional alignment methods with additional components are used, then the wishbone can be adjusted, but the construction, assembly, maintenance, and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function from separate additional components (eccentric discs, track adjustment plates) and integrates it directly into the existing wishbone structure through contact surfaces and support surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate alignment components while maintaining the alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wishbone and support are designed to serve multiple functions: the wishbone provides suspension linkage functionality while its contact surfaces enable alignment adjustment; the support provides mounting functionality while its support surfaces enable alignment adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components.
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 solution enables precise track adjustment with fewer components and reduced material wear, simplifying the assembly process while minimizing costs and effort, thereby enhancing the robustness and efficiency of wheel alignment.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting means consisting of at least one contact surface on the wishbone or a component fixed to the wishbone, and at least one support surface fixed to the chassis for applying a lever tool
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide assembly for a vehicle, comprising at least one axle guide (3) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, an axle body fastened to the axle guide (3) transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction, a support (1) fixedly mounted to the chassis for pivotably supporting the axle guide (3) by means of a bolt (4) extending through the support (1) and the axle guide (3) transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction, adjusting means for moving the axle guide (3) relative to the support (1) in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and positioning means for fixing the longitudinal position of the axle guide (3) relative to the support (1). In order to create a guide assembly for a vehicle, comprising at least one axle guide extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which guide assembly enables precise track adjustment even in the case of a simple design requiring few components and at the same is designed to be gentle on materials, the adjusting means, according to the invention, consist of at least one action surface (31, 32) on the axle guide (3) or on a component fixed to the axle guide and at least one chassis-mounted supporting surface (33, 34) for a lever tool (20) to contact. The invention further relates to a method for moving an axle guide (3).