Vehicle Height Adjustment Device with Shock-Protective Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for adjusting vehicle body height, such as those using ball screw drives, are negatively affected by shocks absorbed by the wheels, leading to wear on the movement thread components, particularly the balls and their raceways, which compromises the reliability and longevity of the height adjustment mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movement thread featuring two threaded parts that engage actively, supported by a locking mechanism with switchable form locks and a ballpoint pen principle, allowing for axial displacement and positive locking between components, thereby protecting the movement thread from shocks and ensuring precise height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a ball screw drive is used for height adjustment, then continuous and precise height adjustment is achieved, but the movement thread components are subjected to shock loads from road impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment system is segmented into two functional parts: a locking mechanism that handles shock loads and a movement thread that provides precise adjustment. The locking mechanism engages at discrete positions to bear impact forces, while the ball screw drive operates only during controlled adjustment phases, separating the shock absorption function from the precision adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as a pre-positioned protective element that engages before shock loads can damage the movement thread. By providing predetermined locking positions along the adjustment range, the system cushions against upcoming shock loads from road impacts, preventing them from reaching the vulnerable ball screw components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle body is lowered to reduce air resistance, then fuel consumption is reduced, but ground clearance is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment system enables dynamic adaptation of vehicle body height based on operating conditions. The control system can automatically adjust the height by actuating the ball screw drive, allowing the vehicle to transition between low-position (fuel-efficient) and high-position (ground clearance) states as needed, making the system adaptable to varying road and traffic conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple locking positions are provided along the adjustment path, then the movement thread is protected at multiple points, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary protective element between the road shocks and the movement thread. By positioning locking mechanisms at critical points along the adjustment path, the system provides targeted protection where shock loads are most likely to occur, rather than uniformly protecting the entire adjustment range, thus optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity.
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 relieves the movement thread from impact shocks, providing reliable and precise height adjustment with reduced wear, enabling efficient operation across varying loading states and road conditions, while allowing for multiple adjustment positions and improved vehicle handling.
Implementation Method 1
a ball screw drive (16), which can convert a rotational movement into an axial displacement of the spindle (7) in relation to the spindle nut (8)
Implementation Method 2
switchable form locks (23) which mechanically bridge the active engagement of the movement thread (4) at least once between the upper and the lower adjustment position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for adjusting the height of a vehicle body, comprising a movement thread (4) which is arranged between vehicle body and a wheel carrier and shifts two components (2, 3) which are shiftable in relation to each other between an upper and a lower adjustment position, wherein the movement thread (4) is provided with two threaded portions which are rotatable relative to each other, are formed from a spindle (7) and a spindle nut (3) and are in operative engagement with each other, wherein the one threaded portion is accommodated on one component in a manner fixed axially and rotationally driven by a rotary drive (6), and the other threaded portion is accommodated on the other component non-rotatably and in an axially shiftable manner. In order to protect the movement thread (4), in particular the operative engagement, against high mechanical loads, a switchable locking means (18) spanning the operative engagement of the threaded portions (A, B) of the movement thread (4) is provided.