Tandem Axle Equalizer with Damping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems for tandem axle vehicles face challenges in balancing loads and reducing oscillations, particularly when the vehicle is not loaded, leading to adverse effects on tire wear and potential spring breakage, as existing equalizer designs are not adaptable to various configurations and cannot be easily retrofitted.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable equalizer device with a damping mechanism that transfers additional loads between axles, incorporating an equalizer body and a damping device with fixed and pivotable ends, allowing for load equalization and damping of movements, which can be adapted to various equalizer designs and provided as a retrofit kit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional equalizer designs are used, then the suspension system can handle heavy loads, but oscillations increase and cause adverse effects on tire wear and spring breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A damping device is introduced as an intermediary element between the equalizer body and the frame. This damping device includes a damper mounted to the frame and a link connecting the equalizer body to the damper, allowing the damping device to mediate and control the oscillations and forces transmitted between the equalizer and the frame, thereby reducing harmful oscillations while maintaining load handling capacity
2Strength
If leaf springs are compressed to handle heavy loads, then weight capacity increases, but the springs rebound causing axle kickback and oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device converts the harmful rebound energy of the compressed leaf springs into beneficial damping forces. When the springs compress and rebound, the damping device absorbs and dissipates the excessive energy through controlled resistance, transforming the harmful kickback and oscillations into a controlled, damped motion that protects the suspension system while maintaining heavy load capacity
3Reliability
If a damping device with multiple components is added, then oscillation control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into distinct functional components: a damper mounted to the frame and a link connecting the equalizer body to the damper. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a system, making the complex oscillation control function modular and easier to implement and maintain
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 effectively balances loads between tandem axles, reduces oscillations, and provides a smoother ride by damping movements, enhancing the stability and longevity of the suspension system across different load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an internal shock plate is moved against the internal elastomeric shock absorber, causing deformation of the elastomeric shock absorber. According to the Fenton and Fenton et al patents, this deformation of the elastomeric shock absorber absorbs or dampens the harsh shocks or vibrations
Implementation Method 2
an internal shock plate is moved against the internal elastomeric shock absorber, causing deformation of the elastomeric shock absorber. This deformation of the elastomeric shock absorber absorbs or dampens the harsh shocks or vibrations
Implementation Method 3
the equalizer body is adaptable to pivoting to transfer a portion of an additional load carried on the forward axle through one of the pair of forward springs to the rearward axle through one of the pair of rearward springs, thereby substantially equalizing load between the forward axle and the rearward axle
Data Source
AI summary
An equalizer device for a suspension system of a vehicle having a tandem axle has an equalizer body adapted to cooperate with springs of a suspension system. A damping device has a first end that is pivotably mounted in a fixed location relative to the equalizer body and a second end that is pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame. The equalizer body is adaptable to pivoting to transfer a portion of an additional load carried on a forward axle through springs mounted thereon to springs of a rearward axle, thereby substantially equalizing load between the forward axle and the rearward axle. The damping device is adaptable to pivoting in response to pivoting of the equalizer body and dampens movement of the equalizer body when the equalizer body is pivoting to transfer the additional load.