Axle Unit

Abstract

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.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. 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 are configured to 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; wherein the axle tube is secured by substance bonding in the first and second joining regions to the first and second suspension arm elements; wherein the first joining region and the second joining region are arranged offset to each other relative to the tube axis, wherein the first joining region has a first axial extension parallel to the tube axis; wherein the second joining region has a second axial extension parallel to the tube axis; wherein a first joint center is defined centrally to the first axial extension and perpendicular to the tube axis; wherein a second joint center is defined centrally to the second axial extension and perpendicular to the tube axis; and wherein the first joint center is spaced from the second joint center by an offset.

14. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element are configured as separate components.

15. The axle unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first joining region is arranged closer to the center of the axle tube than the second joining region.

16. The axle unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein the offset is 0.05 to 0.4 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

17. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the offset is 0.07 to 0.2 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

18. The axle unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the offset is approximately 0.07 to approximately 0.1 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

19. The axle unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the first joining region and the second joining region has a peripheral face, wherein the peripheral face has a central length, and wherein a ratio of the central length to a circumference of the axle tube in the area of the first joining region and the second joining region is 0.4 to 1.3.

20. The axle unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ratio of the central length to the circumference of the axle tube is 0.6 to 1.

21. The axle unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the ratio of the central length to the circumference of the axle tube is 0.85 to 0.95.

22. The axle unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein a length of the first axial extension is equal to a length of the second axial extension.

23. The axle unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein the axle tube has a pressure half and a tension half, wherein the first joining region is located in the pressure half and wherein the second joining region is located in the tension half.

24. The axle unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element form an overlap their ends of the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element opposite the pivot axis.

25. The axle unit as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element form two overlaps, wherein the overlaps lie substantially opposite each other relative to the tube axis.

26. The axle unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein a carrier element is configured to be secured by form fit and force fit to at least one of the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element.

27. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first joining region is arranged closer to the center of the axle tube than the second joining region.

28. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the offset is 0.05 to 0.4 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

29. The axle unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein the offset is 0.07 to 0.2 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

30. The axle unit as claimed in claim 29, wherein the offset is approximately 0.07 to approximately 0.1 times an outer diameter of the axle tube in the region of the first and second suspension arm elements.

31. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the first joining region and the second joining region has a peripheral face, wherein the peripheral face has a central length, and wherein a ratio of the central length to a circumference of the axle tube in the area of the first joining region and the second joining region is 0.4 to 1.3.

32. The axle unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the ratio of the central length to the circumference of the axle tube is 0.6 to 1.

33. The axle unit as claimed in claim 32, wherein the ratio of the central length to the circumference of the axle tube is 0.85 to 0.95.

34. The axle unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein a length of the first axial extension is equal to a length of the second axial extension.

35. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the axle tube has a pressure half and a tension half, wherein the first joining region is located in the pressure half and wherein the second joining region is located in the tension half.

36. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element form an overlap their ends of the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element opposite the pivot axis.

37. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element form two overlaps, wherein the overlaps lie substantially opposite each other relative to the tube axis.

38. The axle unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein a carrier element is configured to be secured by form fit and force fit to at least one of the first suspension arm element and the second suspension arm element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further advantages and features of the present invention arise from the description below of selected embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the first suspension arm element;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention; and

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The axle unit shown in FIG. 1 has a first suspension arm element 42 and a second suspension arm element 44. The first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 can be secured or are secured to the frame of a truck, preferably via a bearing block, so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 3. At its end opposite the pivot axis 3, the first suspension arm element 42 has a first joining region 43. At its end opposite the pivot axis 3, the second suspension arm element 44 has a second joining region 45. The second joining region 45 and the first joining region 43 surround, at least in regions, an axle tube 2 arranged between the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44. The first joining region 43 and the second joining region 45 are preferably configured as recesses on the respective suspension arm elements 42, 44. Advantageously, the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 form an overlap 47 at their ends opposite the pivot axis 3. In the region of the overlap 47, the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 are preferably welded together.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1. The uncut axle tube 2 in this view advantageously has a pressure half 22 and a tension half 24. Furthermore, preferably, the first suspension arm element 42 is arranged with its first joining region 43 preferably on the pressure half 22 of the axle tube 2. Particularly preferably, the first joining region 43 is welded to the axle tube 2 exclusively in the pressure half 22. The second joining region 45 of the second suspension arm element 44 is advantageously welded to the axle tube 2 in the tension half 24 thereof. Furthermore, the first joining region 43 has a first axial extension L.sub.43 and a first joint center M.sub.43 centrally to this first axial extension L.sub.43. Furthermore, the second joining region 45 has a second axial extension L.sub.45 and a second joint center M.sub.45 centrally to this second axial extension L.sub.45. Particularly preferably, the first joining region 43 and the second joining region 45 are arranged offset to each other by an offset V which is preferably measured parallel to the tube axis R. The offset V is here measured in particular between the first joint center M.sub.43 and the second joint center M.sub.45. Preferably, the offset V stands in a ratio of 0.8 to the outer diameter D of the axle tube 2 in the region of the first joining region and the second joining region. Furthermore, preferably, the first joining region 43 is arranged closer to the axial center of the axle tube 2 than the second joining region 45. At the same time, preferably the outer edges of the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 are arranged at the same height relative to the tube axis R. Advantageously, therefore, the first joining region 43 is not arranged centrally on the first suspension arm element 42. Furthermore, preferably, the second joining region 45 is not arranged centrally on the second suspension arm element 44.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the first suspension arm element 42. In particular, the form of the first joining region 43 can be seen, which is configured preferably as a recess on the first suspension arm element 42, and on its inside has a peripheral face 5. The peripheral face 5 preferably has a central length K which stands in a ratio of preferably 0.85-0.95 to the circumference U of the axle tube 2 in the area of the first joining region 43.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the axle unit according to the invention. In particular, a pivot bearing is provided which is secured to a bearing block of the truck frame and mounts the first and second suspension arm elements 42, 44 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 3. The first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 are thus preferably secured to the frame of the truck so as to be pivotable about same pivot axis. The first joining region 43 and the second joining region 45 are partially covered by a carrier element 7. The carrier element 7 serves in particular to mount an air spring and is preferably attached by form fit to the first suspension arm element 42 and/or to the second suspension arm element 44. To create the form-fit connection between the carrier element 7 and the first suspension arm element 42 and/or the second suspension arm element 44, particularly preferably a connection by means of bolts or screws is provided. The advantage of this embodiment is that the carrier element 7 can easily be detached from the axle unit. Preferably, the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44 form an overlap 47. The overlap protects the axle tube 2 against contact with molten weld material when a weld connection is produced between the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44. Thus a material weakness of the axle tube 2 outside the first joining region 43 and the second joining region 45 can be avoided. In this way, the service life of the axle unit and the maximum forces and moments which can be transmitted through the axle tube 2 can be increased significantly.

[0027] The preferred embodiment of the axle unit shown in FIG. 5 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in particular by a second overlap 47 which lies substantially opposite the overlap 47 facing away from the pivot axis 3 (shown on the right in the figure) in relation to the tube axis R. Particularly preferably, the overlaps 47 are intersected by a plane running through the tube axis (shown as a dotted line). The advantages of the second overlap 47 correspond to the advantages provided by the single overlap described above. The space formed between the first suspension arm element 42 and the second suspension arm element 44, on the left of the overlap 47 pointing towards the pivot axis 3, may particularly preferably be used for arrangement of further systems of the axle unit, such as brake cylinders or lines, wherein these are protected from eddying foreign bodies by the first and/or the second suspension arm element. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in the region of the overlap 47 shown on the right, the first suspension arm element 42 overlaps the second suspension arm element 44 on the side facing away from the axle tube 2, whereas in the region of the overlap 47 shown on the left, the second suspension arm element 44 overlaps the first suspension arm element 42 on the side facing away from the axle tube 2. The suspension arm elements 42, 44 may therefore be pushed against each other in one direction along the plane shown in dotted lines, wherein the axle tube 2 itself positions the suspension arm elements 42, 44 relative to each other in this direction and achieves a secure contact of the suspension arm elements 42, 44 on the axle tube 2. The direction in which the suspension arm elements 42, 44 can be moved relative to each other, in order then to be positioned relative to each other by insertion of the axle tube, may be reversed if, alternatively and preferably, the first suspension arm element 42 overlaps the second suspension arm element 44 on the side facing towards the pivot axis 3, while the second suspension arm element 44 overlaps the first suspension arm element 42 on the side facing away from the pivot axis 3.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, as an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it is preferred if the first suspension arm element 42 overlaps the second suspension arm element 44 on both sides of the axle tube 2 in the region of two overlaps 47. In this way, the positioning of the suspension arm elements 42, 44 relative to each other can be improved, and the weld connection between the suspension arm elements 42, 44 and the axle tube 2 is easier to produce. In this embodiment, the first suspension arm element 42 carries the greater proportion of the force and moment transmission from and to the axle tube 2. As an alternative to the bilateral overlap by the first suspension arm element 42, the second suspension arm element 44 may overlap the first suspension arm element 42 on both sides in order to transmit the greater proportion of forces and bending moments from the axle tube 2 via the second suspension arm element 44.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] 2 Axle tube

[0030] 3 Pivot axis

[0031] 5 Peripheral face

[0032] 7 Carrier element

[0033] 22 Pressure half

[0034] 24 Tension half

[0035] 42 First suspension arm element

[0036] 43 First joining region

[0037] 44 Second suspension arm element

[0038] 45 Second joining region

[0039] 47 Overlap

[0040] D Outer diameter

[0041] K Central length

[0042] L.sub.43 First axial extension

[0043] L.sub.45 Second axial extension

[0044] M.sub.43 First joint center

[0045] M.sub.45 Second joint center

[0046] R Tube axis

[0047] U Circumference

[0048] V Offset