Vehicle Suspension Height Adjustment via Rotating Support Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for adjusting the height of a vehicle's wheel suspension are often complex, costly, and require significant space, making them inefficient and expensive to implement, especially when retrofitted to conventional systems.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a support ring disc with a helical adjustment spring and an axial bearing, allowing for rotational movement to adjust the spring plate's position, which is supported by the disc and can be fixed axially, enabling a compact, mechanically simple, and cost-effective height adjustment mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional height adjustment devices are used, then height adjustment function is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the height adjustment function into two independent components: a rotatable support ring disc that controls axial position and a resilient element that provides the adjustment force. This segmentation simplifies each component's design while maintaining the overall adjustment function, reducing device complexity without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element automatically provides the adjustment force needed for height adjustment without requiring additional actuators or power sources. The system uses the inherent elasticity of the resilient element to self-generate the necessary mechanical force, simplifying the device structure while ensuring reliable adjustment operation
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional height adjustment devices are used, then height adjustment is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows easy adjustment of the resilient element's preloading force and the support ring disc's rotational position, enabling simple parameter changes to achieve different height adjustment precision levels. This flexibility allows the same basic structure to meet various precision requirements without increasing manufacturing complexity or cost
3Volume of moving object
If conventional height adjustment devices are used, then height adjustment function is achieved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring disc is designed to be rotatable within the housing, and the resilient element is nested within the assembly, allowing compact arrangement of components. This nesting approach minimizes the device volume while maintaining full height adjustment operational capability through rotation of the support ring disc
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
The solution provides a robust, space-saving, and inexpensive method for height adjustment, suitable for various wheel suspension designs, including retrofits, with a wide range of adjustment variants and reduced wear due to uniform force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an axial bearing which, in a functional installed state in a spring strut or in a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, is arranged on the side of the annular support disk facing away from the supporting surface and supports the annular support disk in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
an adjusting spring (11) designed as a helical spring with an initial coil, an end coil and at least one middle coil in between
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to: a device (10) for height adjustment of a wheel suspension of a vehicle, wherein the wheel suspension comprises a main spring (103) held between two spring plates (101, 102) and at least one of the spring plates (102) is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the spring; a suspension strut comprising a device of this type; and a vehicle comprising a device of this type, wherein, in order to adjust the adjustable spring plates (102) in the longitudinal direction of the spring, the device (10) comprises a support ring disc (12A) and at least one adjustment spring (11) designed as a coil spring, having a starting coil, an end coil and at least one middle coil there-between, wherein the support ring disc (12A) has a support surface (18) on one side with at least one opening in the support surface (18), and wherein the adjustment spring (11) passes through the opening in the support ring disc (12A) in such a way that a first spring section (11A) of the adjustment spring (11) is located with at least the starting coil on one side of the support surface (18) of the support ring disc (12A), and a second spring section (11B) of the adjustment spring (11) is located with at least the end coil on the side facing away from the support surface (18).