Axle Unit

Abstract

The invention concerns an axle unit comprising a stub axle and a tube unit, wherein the stub axle at least in regions is configured rotationally symmetrically about a stub axis and has a channel which extends substantially parallel to the stub axis, wherein the tube unit is configured as a hollow body and extends substantially along a tube axis, wherein the tube unit has a recess running transversely to the tube axis, wherein a line element is provided which can be brought into fluid-tight connection with the channel and passed through the recess of the tube unit. A method for production of an axle unit is also given.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An axle unit, comprising: a stub axle; and a tube unit; wherein the stub axle at least in regions is configured rotationally symmetrically about a stub axis and has a channel which extends substantially parallel to the stub axis; wherein the tube unit comprises a hollow body and extends substantially along a tube axis; wherein the tube unit has a recess running transversely to the tube axis; wherein a line element is configured to be brought into fluid-tight connection with the channel and passed through the recess of the tube unit; wherein the line element includes a hydraulic line; wherein the tube unit has a first joining region which is configured to connect to the stub axle; wherein the first joining region forms an overlap with a stub joining region; and wherein the overlap has an overlap length and the stub axle has a stub length, and wherein a ratio between the overlap length to the stub length is from 0.05 to 0.4.

17. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stub length extends along the stub axis, wherein the tube unit has a tube length along the tube axis, and wherein the ratio of the stub length to the tube length is from 0.1 to 1.2.

18. The axle unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ratio of the stub length to the tube length is 0.2 to 1.

19. The axle unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ratio of the stub length to the tube length is approximately 0.4 to approximately 0.7.

20. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first joining region is configured to be substance-bonded to the stub axle.

21. The axle unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ratio of the overlap length to the stub length is from 0.1 to 0.3.

22. The axle unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the ratio of the overlap length to the stub length is from approximately 0.15 to approximately 0.20.

23. The axle unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein a gap is located in the region of the overlap of the first joining region to the stub joining region, wherein the gap is configured for introduction of an adhesive.

24. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stub axle has a connecting portion with engagement arrangement configured to allow a fluid-tight connection between the line element and the channel.

25. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tube unit includes a material reinforcement in the region of the recess, wherein the material reinforcement has a first wall thickness, and wherein a ratio between the first wall and a mean tube wall thickness is from 1.05 to 3.

26. The axle unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein the ratio of the first wall thickness to the mean tube wall thickness is 1.3 to 2.6.

27. The axle unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein the ratio of the first wall thickness to the mean tube wall thickness is approximately 1.5 to approximately 1.8.

28. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tube unit comprises an axle tube and an intermediate element, wherein the recess and a first joining region are located on the intermediate element, and wherein the intermediate element has a second joining region configured to secure to the axle tube.

29. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the channel is one of a plurality of channels, wherein the recess is one of a plurality of recesses, and wherein the plurality of channels includes at least two channels and the plurality of recesses includes at least two recesses.

30. The axle unit as claimed in claim 29, wherein the plurality of channels includes at least three channels and the plurality of recesses includes at least three recesses.

31. The axle unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein the plurality of channels includes at least four channels and the plurality of recesses includes at least four recesses.

32. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stub axle is one of two stub axles configured to be secured to each side of the tube unit.

33. A method for production of an axle unit: providing a stub axle with a channel, a tube unit and a line element, wherein the tube unit comprises an axle tube and an intermediate element; securing the line element to a connecting portion of the stub axle in order to create a fluid-tight connection between the line element and the channel; guiding the line element through a recess on the tube unit, wherein the recess is provided on the intermediate element; and securing the tube unit to the stub axle, wherein firstly the stub axle is secured to the intermediate element, and wherein then the axle tube is secured to the side of the intermediate element opposite the stub axle.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein a thermal welding process is used to secure the tube unit to the stub axle.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein after providing the stub axle, the intermediate element is secured to the stub axle, wherein then the line element is connected to the channel of the stub axle and guided towards the outside through the recess out of the intermediate element, wherein then the axle tube is secured to the intermediate element.

36. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein friction welding is used to secure the intermediate element to the stub axle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further advantages and features of the present invention arise from the description below with reference to the attached figures. It is understood that individual features shown in the individual embodiments may also be preferred in the alternative embodiments, unless this is explicitly excluded or prevented for technical reasons.

[0029] The drawings show:

[0030] FIG. 1 a partially cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 a partially cutaway view of a further preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 3A-3C the steps of a preferred variant of the method according to the invention for production of an axle unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the axle unit according to the invention has a tube unit 1 and preferably two stub axles 6 attached to the tube unit. The stub axles 6 are preferably configured identically, wherein in the description below, reference is made to one stub axle 6 only. The stub axle 6 has a stub length I, wherein the stub length I is measured substantially along or parallel to the stub axis S. When the axle unit is in the assembled state, the stub axis S is aligned preferably co-linear to a tube axis R, as shown in the figure. The tube unit 1 extends substantially along the tube axis R and is preferably configured, at least in regions, rotationally symmetrically about the tube axis R. The stub axle 6 preferably has a stub joining region 63 which, at least in portions, is inserted in the first joining region 12 of the tube unit 1. Furthermore, the stub axle 6 preferably has two channels 62, indicated merely diagrammatically in the figure, which extend inside the stub axle 6 along the stub axis S. On the side of the stub axle 6 facing the tube unit 1, each channel 62 has a connecting portion 66 which serves to secure a line element 8. The line element 8 is here connected fluid-tightly to the channel 62. In the figure, four line elements 8 are shown, wherein the reference numeral has been shown for one only. The line elements 8 are each guided out of the tube unit 1 through a respective recess or bore 7 transversely to the tube axis R. By the arrangement of the connecting portion 66 at the end face of the stub axle 6 pointing towards the inside, it is possible to significantly increase its strength since no bores need be made in the stub axle 6 transversely to the stub axis S. Particularly preferably, the tube unit 1 has a tube length k which is measured substantially along or parallel to the tube axis R. Furthermore, it is clear that a gap remains between the stub joining region 63 and the first joining region 12, wherein to support the weld seam (also clearly marked) between the tube unit 1 and the stub axle 6, in addition an adhesive may be provided in this gap which increases the strength of the connection of the stub axle and the tube unit.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the tube unit 1, wherein this has a material reinforcement 11 on the left side of a first joining region 12 and adjacent thereto, and a recess or bore 7 in the region of the material reinforcement 11. Furthermore, the first wall thickness w.sub.M is marked in the region of the material reinforcement 11, which extends substantially transversely or preferably perpendicularly to the tube axis R. The first wall thickness w.sub.M is greater than the mean wall thickness w.sub.R of the tube unit 1 in the regions lying on the right in the figure, which are not shown completely. Furthermore, it can be seen that the stub axle 6 may be pushed with its stub joining region 63 into the first joining region 12, wherein an overlap with an overlap length a is formed.

[0035] FIG. 3A shows the preferably first step of the production method for production of an axle unit, wherein a stub axle 6 and a tube unit 1 are provided and wherein a line element 8 is secured to the stub axle and guided into the tube unit 1 through the recess or bore 7. In the present preferred example, the tube unit 1 consists of an intermediate element 4 and an axle tube 2, wherein firstly the intermediate element 4 is secured to the stub axle 6. On its left side, the intermediate piece 4 has a first joining region 12, in which the stub axle 6 is inserted with its stub joining region 63. The stub joining region has a joint length f which is substantially equal to the extension of the first joining region 12 along the tube axis R.

[0036] FIG. 3B shows the next method step of the preferred method for production of an axle unit, wherein the intermediate element 4 has been secured to the stub axle 6 by means of a weld connection. The axle tube 2 is inserted in a second joining region 43 of the intermediate element 4.

[0037] FIG. 3C shows the preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention after completion of the last method step of the preferred method for production of the axle unit. Finally, the axle tube has been secured to the intermediate element 4 by means of a weld connection.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0038] 1 Tube unit

[0039] 2 Axle tube

[0040] 4 Intermediate element

[0041] 6 Stub axle

[0042] 7 Recess

[0043] 8 Line element

[0044] 11 Material reinforcement

[0045] 12 First joining region

[0046] 43 Second joining region

[0047] 62 Channel

[0048] 63 Stub joining region

[0049] 64 First connecting portion

[0050] 66 Second connecting portion

[0051] 68 Fixing portion

[0052] a Overlap length

[0053] f Joint length

[0054] k Tube length

[0055] I Stub length

[0056] R Tube axis

[0057] S Stub axis