SUSPENSION LINK ELEMENT

Abstract

Relates to a link element, in particular for use in utility vehicles, comprising a first wall region, a second wall region and a third wall region, wherein the link element has a pivot region for pivotable support about a pivot axis, wherein the first wall region and the second wall region extend substantially parallel with a transverse plane, wherein the transverse plane is orthogonal to the pivot axis, wherein the third wall region protrudes along a lateral plane from the first wall region and/or from the second wall region, wherein the lateral plane is orientated perpendicularly to the transverse plane, wherein the third wall region is arranged parallel with the transverse plane eccentrically with respect to the extent of the first wall region and/or the second wall region.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A link element for use in utility vehicles, comprising: a first wall region; a second wall region; and a third wall region; wherein the link element has a pivot region configured for pivotable support about a pivot axis; wherein the first wall region and the second wall region have a main extent which extends substantially parallel with a transverse plane; wherein the transverse plane is orthogonal to the pivot axis; wherein the third wall region protrudes substantially along a lateral plane from at least one of the first wall region and the second wall region; wherein the lateral plane is orientated perpendicularly to the transverse plane; wherein the third wall region is arranged eccentrically with respect to the extent of the at least one on the first wall region and the second wall region; and wherein the third wall region has a recess which extends substantially along the lateral plane.

12. The link element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first wall region extends at a first height parallel with the transverse plane, wherein the second wall region extends parallel with the transverse plane at a second height, wherein the third wall region is arranged on the first wall region at from 0.1 to 0.45 times at least one of the first height and the second height.

13. The link element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the third wall region is arranged on the first wall region at from 0.15 to 0.3 times at least one of the first height and the second height.

14. The link element as claimed in claim 13, wherein the third wall region is arranged on the first wall region at from approximately 0.2 times at least one of the first height and the second height.

15. The link element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the third wall region extends at a third height parallel with the transverse plane, and wherein a ratio of the third height to at least one of the first height and second height is from 0.01 to 0.2.

16. The link element as claimed in claim 15, wherein the ratio of the third height to at least one of the first height and the second height is from 0.05 to 0.15.

17. The link element as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ratio of the third height to at least one of the first height and the second height is from 0.08 to 0.1.

18. The link element as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: an upper side and a lower side and a receiving region configured to fix an axle tube; wherein the upper side and the lower side are arranged on the link element in such a manner that the direction of the force acting from the axle tube on the link element extends substantially from the lower side to the upper side; and wherein the third wall region is arranged nearer the lower side of the link element than the upper side thereof.

19. The link element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the recess has a maximum recess extent parallel with the pivot axis, wherein the first wall region and the second wall region in the region of the maximum recess extent have a mean wall spacing from each other, and wherein a ratio of the maximum recess extent to the mean wall spacing is from 0.4 to 0.9.

20. The link element of claim 19, wherein the ratio of the maximum recess extent to the mean wall spacing is from 0.6 to 0.8.

21. The link element of claim 20, wherein the ratio of the maximum recess extent to the mean wall spacing is from approximately 0.75 to approximately 0.8.

22. The link element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first wall region at least partially has a curvature, wherein a first extent plane is arranged parallel with the transverse plane and such that a first maximum deviation of the first wall region from the first extent plane is minimized, and wherein a ratio of the first maximum deviation to a maximum total extent of the link element parallel with the pivot axis from 0.05 to 0.3.

23. The link element of claim 22, wherein the ratio of the first maximum deviation to the maximum total extent is from 0.1 to 0.3.

24. The link element of claim 23, wherein the ratio of the first maximum deviation to the maximum total extent is from approximately 0.15.

25. The link element as claimed in claim 22, wherein the second wall region partially has a curvature, wherein a second extent plane is arranged parallel with the transverse plane and such that a second maximum deviation of the second wall region from the second extent plane is minimized, and wherein a ratio of the second maximum deviation is to the maximum total extent from 0.05 to 0.3.

26. The link element of claim 25, wherein the ratio of the second maximum deviation to the maximum total extent is from 0.1 to 0.3.

27. The link element of claim 26, wherein the ratio of the second maximum deviation to the maximum total extent is from approximately 0.15.

28. The link element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivot region and the wall regions are integral with one another.

29. The link element as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: a joint region that includes a recess configured to fix an axle tube in a materially engaging manner; wherein the joint region is located at the end of the link element opposite the pivot region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Additional advantages and features will be appreciated from the following description of selected embodiments with reference to the appended Figures. Naturally, individual features which are disclosed in selected Figures may also be used in embodiments of other Figures unless this is explicitly excluded or is forbidden as a result of technical considerations. In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective partially sectioned view of a preferred embodiment of the link element according to the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the link element according to the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the link element according to the invention; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the link element according to the invention as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The link element 4 shown in a first preferred embodiment in FIG. 1 has a pivot region 3 which is preferably constructed as a bearing eye and which allows pivotable support of the link element 4 about a pivot axis S. In a state adjacent to the pivot region 3, the link element 4 has a first wall region 41, a second wall region 42 and a third wall region 43. The first wall region 41 and the second wall region 42 extend substantially along or parallel with a transverse plane Q which is perpendicular to the pivot axis S. The first wall region 41 and the second wall region are spaced apart from each other, wherein the spacing between the first and second wall regions 41, 42 varies as a result of a preferred curvature of the first wall region 41 and/or the second wall region 42. Preferably, the first and second wall regions 41, 42 are spaced apart from each other by a mean wall spacing B (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4). The third wall region 43 extends substantially along or parallel with a lateral plane L and consequently preferably substantially transversely or preferably perpendicularly to the first wall region 41 and/or the second wall region 42. In the region of the plane of section in FIG. 1, the third wall region 43 has a recess 44. Furthermore, the third wall region 43 is not arranged at half of the height of the first and/or second wall region 41, 42. In other words, the third wall region 43 is arranged at less than half the first height H.sub.1 and/or half the second height H.sub.2 on the first wall region 41 and the second wall region 42 and connected thereto, preferably integrally. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the third wall region 43 is arranged nearer the lower side 46 of the link element 4 than the upper side 45 thereof. There is preferably released above the third wall region 43 and between the first and second wall regions 41, 42 a large structural space for fixing additional components to the link element 4. Furthermore, the link element 4 with this H-like cross-section is adapted in a particularly effective manner to the acting bending moments. The third wall region 43 has a preferred third height H.sub.3 which in other words is the wall thickness thereof or preferably the extent transversely to the lateral plane L. The third height H.sub.3 is preferably approximately 0.09 times the first height H.sub.1 and/or the second height H.sub.2.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the link element 4. In this case, the plane of section is in the region of the link element 4 in which the third wall region has a recess 44 and particularly preferably at the height of the maximum recess extent A. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the recess extent A is at a ratio of approximately from 0.75 to 0.8 to the mean wall spacing B of the first and second wall regions 41, 42 from each other. Preferably, the upper side 45 of the link element 4 is orientated substantially parallel with the lower side 46, wherein in a particularly preferable manner the lateral plane L is not orientated parallel with the upper side 45 and lower side 46 but instead so as to be slightly pivoted. Consequently, the third wall region 43 also preferably extends through an angle of from 1° to 10° in a state pivoted relative to the upper side 45 and/or lower side 46 of the link element 4.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned side view of a preferred embodiment of the link element 4. In a state opposite the pivot region 3, the link element 4 preferably has a receiving region 5 in which an axle tube 2 can be arranged on the link element 4 and in a joint region 6 (broken line) can be welded to the link element 4. In this case, the joint region 6 is preferably constructed as a recess, on the peripheral edge of which a weld seam can be produced between the link element 4 and the axle tube 2.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the link element 4, wherein the preferred curved shape of the first wall region 41 and the second wall region 42 is illustrated. In this case, the first wall region 41 extends substantially along a first extent plane E.sub.1 which is located perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis S and with respect to the first wall region 41 so that the first maximum deviation D.sub.1 or the maximum projection of the first wall region 41 from the first extent plane E.sub.1 is minimized. Similarly, the second wall region 42 extends substantially along a second extent plane E.sub.2 which is located perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis S and with respect to the second wall region 42 so that the second maximum deviation D.sub.2 or the maximum projection of the second wall region 42 from the second extent plane E.sub.2 is minimized. Preferably, the first maximum deviation D.sub.1 is smaller or greater than the second maximum deviation D.sub.2. In other words, consequently, the first and second wall regions 41, 42 are preferably curved to differing extents. The recess 44 of the third wall region 43 has a preferably rounded geometry which differs from the circular form. In a particularly preferred manner, the joint region 6 which is provided in the receiving portion 5 and which is constructed as a recess also has a rounded geometry which differs from the circular form. As a result of the special geometry of the recess 44 of the third wall region 43, in particular the weight of the link element 4 can be reduced because the recess 44 can be adapted in an optimum manner to the forces and moments which are intended to be transmitted and enough supporting material of the third wall region 43 always remains. The link element 4 preferably has a total extent G which is defined as the maximum extent thereof measured parallel with the pivot axis.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0023] 2—Axle tube

[0024] 3—Pivot region

[0025] 4—Link element

[0026] 5—Receiving portion

[0027] 6—Joint region

[0028] 41—First wall region

[0029] 42—Second wall region

[0030] 43—Third wall region

[0031] 44—Recess

[0032] 45—Upper side

[0033] 46—Lower side

[0034] A—Recess extent

[0035] B—Mean wall spacing

[0036] D.sub.1—First maximum deviation

[0037] D.sub.2 —Second maximum deviation

[0038] E.sub.1—First extent plane

[0039] E.sub.2—Second extent plane

[0040] G—Maximum total extent

[0041] H.sub.1—First height

[0042] H.sub.2—Second height

[0043] H.sub.3—Third height

[0044] L—Lateral plane

[0045] Q—Transverse plane

[0046] S—Pivot axis