Suspension Camber Adjuster With Snap-Locked Eccentric Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suspension adjusting devices for motor vehicles are difficult to assemble and disassemble due to their inaccessible innermost ends, necessitating complex maneuvers in confined spaces, which limits the placement of other vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
The head assembly of the adjusting device is removably mounted on the stem, allowing insertion and assembly from the most accessible side, with a locking assembly using an elastic member to secure the eccentric element in place, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly without requiring access from the rear side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the head assembly is formed as one piece with the stem, then the structural integrity and rigidity are improved, but the assembly and disassembly operations become difficult due to inaccessible innermost ends
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is divided into separate components: the stem and the head assembly itself. The stem can be inserted through the suspension arm from the accessible outer side, while the head assembly is then mounted onto the protruding stem end from the same accessible side. This segmentation allows assembly operations to be performed from the outer accessible side rather than requiring access to the innermost end, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the stem is inserted from the rear side to position the head assembly at the innermost end, then the camber angle adjustment function is achieved, but the operational complexity increases due to confined space maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the stem from the rear side to position the head assembly at the innermost end, the invention inverts the sequence: the stem is inserted from the accessible outer side first, and then the head assembly is mounted onto the stem's outer end. This inversion of the assembly sequence eliminates the need for complex rear-side maneuvers while achieving the same functional result, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining camber angle adjustment capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the tightening assembly is positioned at the innermost end, then the compactness is improved, but the accessibility for tightening operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening assembly is extracted from the innermost end position and relocated to the outer end of the stem, which is accessible from the outer side. This extraction allows the tightening operations to be performed easily from the accessible outer side while the head assembly remains at the innermost end for compactness. The stem acts as a connector that bridges the accessible outer position and the compact inner position, resolving the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.
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 the assembly and disassembly process by enabling the operator to mount and dismount the device from a more accessible location, reducing operational complexity and allowing for better component placement around the suspension.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of an elastic member of the locking assembly, for example a clip, snap engages into a locking seat of the stem
Implementation Method 2
Both head and tightening assemblies have respective eccentric elements, which engage abutment portions of the respective brackets. By rotating the stem around its axis, the eccentric elements act as cams on the brackets. This causes a sliding of the stem within the slots of the brackets
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for adjusting the camber angle for a suspension (100) of a motor vehicle comprising a stem (2). A tightening assembly (4) is tightened on a first end portion (21) of the stem (2), against a first wall (123) of a suspension (100). A head assembly (3), on a second end portion (22) of the stem (2), abuts against a second wall (124) of the suspension (100). In the head assembly (3), a first eccentric element (5a), removably mounted on the stem (2), is configured to act as a cam on a first abutment portion (125) of the suspension (100). The head assembly (3) is characterized in that it comprises a locking assembly (6), configured to prevent the removal of the first eccentric element (5a). The locking assembly (6) comprises an elastic member (61) snap engageable in a locking seat (24) of the second end portion (22) of the stem (2).