A tubular type torsion beam is provided. The tubular type torsion beam is manufactured by bending and welding and coupling a plate material. The plate material has a plurality of protrusions disposed on a plurality of side surfaces in a width direction of the vehicle. The torsion beam is manufactured by molding the plate material in a pipe shape by bending the plate material in the width direction and molding the plate material to dispose the plurality of protrusions to contact each other to form a gap between the plurality of side surfaces of the plate material and then welding and coupling the plurality of side surfaces of the plate material.

An axle unit comprising a first suspension arm element and a second suspension arm element, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element can be mounted on a vehicle frame so as to be pivotable about a common pivot axis, wherein the first suspension arm element has a first joining region configured as a recess, and the second suspension arm element has a second joining region configured as a recess, wherein the first joining region and the second joining region are arranged on two opposing sides of an axle tube extending substantially along a tube axis, and wherein the axle tube can be secured by substance bonding in the first and second joining regions to the first and second suspension arm elements.

An axle unit comprising a first suspension arm element and a second suspension arm element, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element can be mounted on a vehicle frame so as to be pivotable about a common pivot axis, wherein the first suspension arm element has a first joining region configured as a recess, and the second suspension arm element has a second joining region configured as a recess, wherein the first joining region and the second joining region are arranged on two opposing sides of an axle tube extending substantially along a tube axis, and wherein the axle tube can be secured by substance bonding in the first and second joining regions to the first and second suspension arm elements.

A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.

A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.

The present invention concerns an axle unit comprising a stub axle and an axle tube, wherein the stub axle has a longitudinal channel which extends inside the stub axle substantially along a stub axis, wherein the stub axle has a transverse channel which extends inside the stub axle substantially transversely to the stub axis and opens to the environment at the outer face of the stub axle, wherein the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel are connected together, wherein the stub axle has a stub joining region to which the hollow-bodied axle tube can be secured.

The present invention concerns an axle unit comprising a stub axle and an axle tube, wherein the stub axle has a longitudinal channel which extends inside the stub axle substantially along a stub axis, wherein the stub axle has a transverse channel which extends inside the stub axle substantially transversely to the stub axis and opens to the environment at the outer face of the stub axle, wherein the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel are connected together, wherein the stub axle has a stub joining region to which the hollow-bodied axle tube can be secured.

A twist axle assembly (20) of a vehicle includes a pair of trailing arms (22) and a twist beam (24) extending along an axis (A) between first and second twist beam ends (26, 28). The twist axle assembly (20) further includes a bushing (38) interconnected to each one of the first and second twist beam ends (26, 28) and a respective trailing arm (22) for establishing a weld-less joint between the twist beam (24) and the trailing arm (24). In an embodiment, the twist beam (24) and bushings (38) are tubular, and the bushings (38) are press-fit or molded onto the respective first or second twist beam ends (36, 38). In a further embodiment, the trailing arms (26) define an orifice (40) aligned on the axis (A), and the tubular bushings (38) are press-fit into the orifices (40) of the trailing arms (26) to establish the weld-less joint.

A twist axle assembly (20) of a vehicle includes a pair of trailing arms (22) and a twist beam (24) extending along an axis (A) between first and second twist beam ends (26, 28). The twist axle assembly (20) further includes a bushing (38) interconnected to each one of the first and second twist beam ends (26, 28) and a respective trailing arm (22) for establishing a weld-less joint between the twist beam (24) and the trailing arm (24). In an embodiment, the twist beam (24) and bushings (38) are tubular, and the bushings (38) are press-fit or molded onto the respective first or second twist beam ends (36, 38). In a further embodiment, the trailing arms (26) define an orifice (40) aligned on the axis (A), and the tubular bushings (38) are press-fit into the orifices (40) of the trailing arms (26) to establish the weld-less joint.

A replacement spindle that can be easily removed for service or replacement. The spindle may have a threaded projection corresponding to a threaded bushing, which may be secured within an axle tube. The spindle may be screwed into place for use, then unscrewed for service or replacement.