WO2024112304A1

WO2024112304A1 - A traverse with adjustable width

Info

Publication number: WO2024112304A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/051373
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yasin KARAGOZ
Original assignee: Turkiye'nin Otomobili Girisim Grubu Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-11-22
Filing date: 2023-11-22
Publication date: 2024-05-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a traverse (1) with adjustable width by means of a worm gear based on the requested vehicle track width.

Description

A TRAVERSE WITH ADJUSTABLE WIDTH

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a traverse with adjustable width by means of a worm gear based on the requested vehicle track width.

Background of the Invention

Traverses are used in the front and rear suspensions, which are a sub-system of the chassis system, in vehicles. Traverse is also called as engine cradle and it is the basic part which carries many components, including the engine whereon many parts of the axle module are mounted. In addition to its carrier functions, the traverse also provides the connection of the axle module with the vehicle body and it is the basic member which establishes the connection between the wheel group and the body. Therefore, it affects the vehicle track width directly.

Today, vehicle manufacturers determine the width value of vehicle track as a target in the development process of a new vehicle. The class and the size targets of a vehicle are the main factors in determining this value. According to the track width value determined, the clearance between the tires and the geometries and the basic dimensions of the parts connected to the tire take form. Traverse is connected to the tire by means of axon and wishbone and it is directly affected by a change made in the distance between the tires. Therefore, tasks of designing, manufacturing and verifying a new traverse occur when the width of vehicle track changes. Due to the fact that traverse is one of the most basic components of the vehicle and one of the largest parts in terms of volume, the processes of design, manufacture and verification impose a serious burden in terms of both time and cost. Reproduction of one of the largest parts of the vehicle in terms of size such as traverse according to the vehicle track width in each new vehicle model, leads to serious loss of time, money and resource for vehicle manufacturers. Therefore, today there is need for a traverse solution which can overcome the above-stated problems and the width of which can be easily adjusted on the vehicle.

The Chinese utility model document no. CN216733813U, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a balance rod with adjustable length used in vehicle suspensions. In the said invention, the balance rod with adjustable length has a fixed and a movable cylinder and it is provided to control the length of the balance rod by enabling the movable cylinder to move relative to fixed cylinder upon connecting the fixed cylinder to the movable cylinder. It is provided to adjust the vehicle according to a correct suspension width by enabling the movable cylinder to move on a fixed cylinder by means of a sealing ring located between the fixed and movable cylinders of the balance rod with adjustable length. Thereby, the production cost of factories is reduced and the user experience is enhanced.

The International patent document no. W02016058060A1, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a wheel suspension with adjustable vehicle track width. In the said invention, it is provided to change the wheel width of wheels which are connected by means of actuators included in the vehicle body. In the said invention, actuators which enable to adjust the wheel width are hydraulic or electromagnetic cylinders. The cylinders consist of at least one piston and body and they enable to change the vehicle wheel track by controlling the extension or shortening of the actuator. In the invention, there is a control module which enables to control change of the wheel width by means of cylinders and it is possible to change the vehicle wheel track manually based on predetermined track widths or to change it automatically by means of algorithms used based on the steering position and the speed of the vehicle. In addition, camber angle of wheels can be changed and it is provided to increate the vehicle’s road handling. Wheel suspension comprising a frame suitable for connection to a body of a vehicle and comprising a first and second wheel which together define a track width, and wherein the first wheel is connected to the frame via a first set of actuators and wherein the second wheel is connected to the frame via a second set of actuators such that by means of operating the actuators the track width is adjustable between a narrow track, characterized in that the first set of actuators overlaps in the transverse direction of the vehicle with the second set of actuators.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realize a travers whereby it is provided to adjust the width of traverse rods based on the requested vehicle track width by making transverse adjustment by means of a worm adjusting screw and a lock nut enabling to fix the worm adjusting screw.

Detailed Description of the Invention

“A Traverse with Adjustable Width” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inventive traverse with adjustable width.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connection detail in the inventive traverse with adjustable width.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Traverse

2. Rod

3. Adjusting member 4. Connecting member

The inventive traverse (1) with adjustable width based on the requested vehicle track width comprises at least two traverse rods (2) which have a certain distance between thereof and whereon connection holes used at least for connection purposes are located; at least one adjusting member (3) which is connected to the connection holes located on the traverse rods (2) from both ends thereof in order to adjust the distance between the traverse rods (2) based on the value of requested vehicle track width, and enables to adjust the vehicle track width by reducing or increasing the distance between the traverse rods (2) via the motion in the connection holes; and at least two connecting members (4) which are used for fixing the position of the adjusting member (3) in the traverse rods (2), upon the vehicle track width is adjusted in a desired value.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the traverse (1) is created by combining two horizontal rods (2) by means of an adjusting screw (3) and fixing the connecting members (4) and the adjusting screw (3). The traverse rods (2) are interconnected by means of two adjusting members (3). The connection holes, where the ends of the adjusting member (3) of the traverse rods (2) are connected, are internal screws. Upon the adjusting member (3) is rotated inside the internal screw, the vehicle track width is adjusted due to the distance between the rods (2).

The adjusting member (3) included in the inventive traverse (1) is a worm gear where its two ends can make a rotary motion in the connection holes included in the rods (2). The adjusting member (3), which is used as adjusting screw, comprises one connecting member on two ends of it. The adjusting member (3) is fixed upon the connecting members (4) located on its two ends rest against the traverse rods (2), after its position in the connection holes is adjusted to the desired value of the vehicle track width.

The connecting member (4) included in the inventive traverse (1) is a lock nut making a rotary motion on the adjusting member (3). Upon the distance remaining between the rods (2) is adjusted by the adjusting member (3), the connecting member (4) rests against the rods (2) by being tightened towards the rods (2) and ensures that the distance between the rods (2) remains fixed.

In the inventive traverse (1), the distance between the rods (2) is determined by the adjusting member (3) which is a worm gear enabling to make the transverse adjustment and then the requested track width is determined by fixing the position of the rods (2) to each other by means of the connecting member (4), which is a lock nut. In the inventive traverse (1), since the transverse width of the traverse rods (2) is taken into an adjustable status, vehicle manufacturers can change the width of the traverse (1) easily according to the track width that may change when they will manufacture vehicle in different vehicle track widths in different classes. Thereby, vehicle manufacturers do not have to enter in the process of a new traverse (1) design, manufacturing and verification in each new vehicle model. On the other hand, due to the fact that the height, i.e. width of the traverse (1) can be adjusted horizontally, it is possible to meet this requirement without any extra development costs and impact in terms of time when a requirement occurs for trying a traverse (1) in a different with in the vehicle development process.

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “Traverse (1) with Adjustable Width”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

1. A traverse (1) with adjustable width based on the requested vehicle track width, characterized by at least two traverse rods (2) which have a certain distance between thereof and whereon connection holes used at least for connection purposes are located; at least one adjusting member (3) which is connected to the connection holes located on the traverse rods (2) from both ends thereof in order to adjust the distance between the traverse rods (2) based on the value of requested vehicle track width, and enables to adjust the vehicle track width by reducing or increasing the distance between the traverse rods (2) via the motion in the connection holes; and at least two connecting members (4) which are used for fixing the position of the adjusting member (3) in the traverse rods (2), upon the vehicle track width is adjusted in a desired value.

2. A traverse (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the traverse rods (2) wherein the connection holes, where the ends of the adjusting member (3) are connected, are internal screws.

3. A traverse (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the adjusting member (3) which is a worm gear where its two ends can make a rotary motion in the connection holes included in the rods (2).

4. A traverse (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the adjusting member (3) which is fixed upon the connecting members (4) located on its two ends rest against the traverse rods (2), after its position in the connection holes is adjusted to the desired value of the vehicle track width.

5. A traverse (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the connecting member (4) which is a lock nut making a rotary motion on the adjusting member (3).

6. A traverse (1) according to any of the preceding claims; characterized by the connecting member (4) which rests against the rods (2) by being tightened towards the rods (2) upon the distance remaining between the rods (2) is adjusted by the adjusting member (3), and ensures that the distance between the rods (2) remains fixed.