Toothed Suspension Arm Joint for Cradle Slip Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension assemblies in vehicles face issues with slippage between the suspension arm and cradle due to high friction, leading to complex assembly processes and increased costs due to the use of washers.
Innovation Solution
A suspension assembly design featuring fixing lugs with teeth that deform the cradle's support surface, secured by screws without nuts, utilizing metallic alloys with varying hardness to prevent slippage and simplify assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If washers are used to ensure high friction and prevent slippage between suspension arm and cradle, then slippage prevention is improved, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the washer component from the assembly. Instead of using a separate washer to create friction, the fixing lug itself is designed with a friction surface that directly contacts the cradle, removing the need for additional parts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining slippage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the friction-generating function previously performed by the washer into the fixing lug structure. The fixing lug now incorporates a friction surface that combines the fastening function with the friction-based slippage prevention function, reducing the number of components needed
2Reliability
If washers are used to prevent slippage, then friction is improved, but assembly time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the washer from the assembly process, the number of steps required during assembly is reduced. Operators no longer need to install separate washers, which directly increases assembly speed and productivity while the friction surface on the fixing lug maintains the necessary friction coefficient
3Reliability
If teeth are added to fixing lugs to deform and secure the cradle, then slippage prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are not distributed throughout the entire fixing lug but are concentrated at the specific location where they are needed - at the interface with the cradle. This localized feature minimizes the impact on manufacturing complexity while providing the necessary securing function through controlled deformation of the cradle material
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 design effectively prevents slippage and simplifies assembly by using teeth to secure the joint to the cradle, reducing operational complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one tooth adapted to deform said support surface of the cradle... the metallic alloy of the bearing surface of the cradle support having a lower hardness than the metallic alloy in which said or said teeth of the fixing lug are formed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a suspension assembly comprising a cradle rigidly attached to the vehicle structure, a suspension arm (2) and a joint rigidly attached to the suspension arm (2), the joint comprising two attachment tabs (31) for rigidly attaching the suspension arm (2) to the cradle, at least one of said attachment tabs (31) comprising at least one toothing (33) bearing against a bearing surface of the cradle, the at least one toothing (33) being suitable for deforming the bearing surface of the cradle.