Vehicle Raking Assembly Reversible Steering Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting the front wheel assembly rake and trail angles on vehicles often result in permanent modifications, inadequate strength, and rigidity issues, leading to unpredictable performance and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle raking assembly comprising an upper member, a lower member, a frame fixation member, and a central member with noncircular locking interfaces, providing enhanced strength and rigidity while allowing reversible adjustment of the steering rake angle without permanently altering the vehicle's original geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If permanent modification of the vehicle frame is employed to adjust the front assembly, then the rake angle can be altered, but the resale value and ability to further modify the vehicle are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The raking assembly is divided into separate components including an upper member, lower member, and central member that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the assembly to be removed and installed without permanent frame modification, preserving the vehicle's original structure while enabling rake angle adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The raking assembly acts as an intermediary component between the steering shaft and the frame. It provides the necessary rake angle adjustment through its geometric design while the frame itself remains unmodified. The assembly can be detached when removal is desired, maintaining the vehicle's original state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reversible adjustment methods are used to modify the front assembly, then the original geometry can be restored, but the strength and rigidity are insufficient to resist applied loads
Solution Approach 1:
The upper member, lower member, and central member are merged into a single integrated raking assembly that functions as one structural unit. This merging provides the necessary strength and rigidity to resist loads while maintaining reversibility through the attachment and detachment of the complete assembly rather than individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The raking assembly utilizes composite construction with the upper member, lower member, and central member forming a composite structural system. This composite design distributes loads effectively across multiple components while maintaining the ability to remove and reinstall the entire assembly for reversible adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If conventional bolted connections are used to join assembly components, then the assembly can be disassembled, but the locking or fixing features are too small and inadequately fitted to provide sufficient resistance to loads
Solution Approach 1:
The central member incorporates localized locking features with specific geometric profiles that engage with corresponding features in the upper and lower members. These localized quality enhancements provide sufficient load resistance at critical interfaces while maintaining the overall simplicity of the bolted connection system for easy assembly and disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle raking assembly is provided. The assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, a frame fixation member configured to extend through a neck portion of a vehicle frame, and a central member disposed between the upper member and the lower member. The central member includes a central member aperture configured for a steering shaft to extend therethrough.