DRIVABLE AXLE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A drivable axle for a vehicle, in particular a rigid axle. The drivable axle has an axle body designed to accommodate an axle shaft and a receiving structure for receiving a vehicle element which is integrated into a drive-train of the vehicle. The receiving structure is connected to the axle body and is designed to receive a drive unit of the vehicle and has openings for connection to the axle shaft. The receiving structure has at least one fixing area for fixing the drive unit to the receiving structure.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A drivable axle (1) for a vehicle comprising: an axle body (5) being configured to receive an axle shaft, and a receiving structure (8) for receiving a vehicle element (2) for integration into a drive-train, the receiving structure (8) being connected to the axle body (5), the receiving structure (8) being configured to receive a drive unit (2) of the vehicle and having openings (9) for connection to the axle shaft, and the receiving structure (8) having at least one fixing area (3) for fixing the drive unit (2) to the receiving structure (8).

16. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the receiving structure (8) is arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the axle body (5).

17. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the receiving structure (8) is connected to the axle body (5) with at least one of interlock and by friction force.

18. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the fixing area (3) comprises at least one damping element (10).

19. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein a fixing element (6) is provided for an additional interlocked connection of the receiving structure (8) with the drive unit (2), in order to create a closed power flow from the drive unit (2) to the axle shaft.

20. The drivable axle according to claim 19, wherein the fixing element (6) is in a form of a U-shaped bracket.

21. The drivable axle according to claim 19, wherein the fixing element (6) is detachably connected to the receiving structure (8).

22. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the receiving structure (8) is essentially of a trough-shaped form.

23. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the drivable axle (1) comprises a spring device (4) for a sprung suspension of the vehicle.

24. The drivable axle according to claim 23, wherein the spring device (4) comprises one or more leaf springs.

25. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the receiving structure (8) is configured to receive an electric motor (2).

26. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the fixing area (3) comprises at least one screwing element (7) for securing the drive unit (2) to the receiving structure (8).

27. The drivable axle according to claim 15, wherein the receiving structure (8) has at least one stiffening rib (11).

28. The drivable axle according to claim 27, wherein the at least one stiffening rib (11) extends both parallel and perpendicular to the axle body (5).

29. The drivable axle according to claim 27, wherein the at least one stiffening rib (11) is essentially star shaped.

30. A drive mechanism for a vehicle comprising: a drivable axle (1) according to claim 15, and a drive unit (2) which is connected to the receiving structure (8) of the drivable axle (1) in order to drive the vehicle.

31. The drive mechanism according to claim 30, wherein the drive unit (2) is an electric motor.

32. A drivable rigid axle (1) for a vehicle comprising: an axle body (5) being configured to receive an axle shaft; a receiving structure (8) for receiving a drive unit of a drive-train of the vehicle therein, the receiving structure (8) being trough shaped and having axially opposite openings to facilitate connection between the axle shaft and the drive unit (2); the receiving structure being rigidly secured to the axle body and having at least one fixing area; and the drive unit being releasably fixed, via the at least one fixing area, to the receiving structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The drawings show, in schematic form:

[0029] FIG. 1: A drivable axle with a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2: The drivable axle according to FIG. 1 without its drive unit;

[0031] FIG. 3: A drivable axle with a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4: The drivable axle according to FIG. 3 without its drive unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a drivable axle with a drive unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the drivable axle according to FIG. 1 without the drive unit in FIG. 1.

[0034] In detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a drivable axle 1 in the form of a rigid axle. The drivable axle 1 in this case comprises a two-part axle body 5 which is made as a hollow cylinder. In the middle of the two-part axle body 5 is arranged a trough-shaped, supporting receiving structure 8, which serves to accommodate an electric motor 2. The electric motor 2 is connected by screwing areas 3 to the receiving structure 8. Furthermore, a U-shaped bracket 6 tilted relative to the receiving structure 8 is provided, which once the electric motor 2 has been fixed in the receiving structure 8, is also fixed by means of a screw joint 7 and provides added security for the electric motor 2. By virtue of the bracket 6, on the one hand a closed power flow from the electric motor 2 to an axle shaft in the axle body 5 and a maximum resistance torque can be ensured. For noise-damping purposes, damping elements 10 such as rubber elements can be arranged on the screwing areas 3.

[0035] On its outside, the receiving structure 8 also comprises stiffening ribs 11, which in the area of the transition between the axle body 5 and the receiving structure 8 extend in a star shape, i.e. radially outward, and which in the area of the extension of the receiving structure 8 parallel to the extension direction of the axle body 5 also run parallel to the latter. The receiving structure 8 itself has inside it on the respective ends, i.e. on the sides where the receiving structure 8 is connected to the axle body 5, openings 9 that correspond to openings of the axle body 5. Through these a connection of the electric motor 2 and an axle shaft arranged in the axle body 5 for driving the vehicle is made possible.

[0036] Furthermore, the drivable axle 1 has leaf springs 4, which are arranged perpendicularly to the extension direction of the axle body 5. These springs are then connected to the body of the vehicle. Alternatively, multi-link guiding of the drivable axle 1 is also possible. Likewise, the drivable axle 1 can be provided with a Panhard rod and a longitudinal control arm.

[0037] In FIG. 3 a drivable axle with a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, and in FIG. 4 the drivable axle according to FIG. 3 is shown without the drive unit of FIG. 3.

[0038] In detail, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a drivable axle 1 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. As in the case of the drivable axle 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drivable axle 1 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a receiving structure 8 with an essentially flat bottom area 8a. Instead of the detachably arranged bracket 6, in this case in addition to the already present sidewalls a further sidewall is provided; thus, the receiving structure 8 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 now has two sidewalls 8b, which extend parallel to the axis of the axle body 5. In this case, these extend perpendicularly to the axle body 5, but are longer or higher than the sidewalls 8b of the drivable axle 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. In other words, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4 an electric motor is arranged “deeper” inside the receiving structure 8, which enables it to be fixed even more reliably. In particular the sidewalls 8b are designed such that the electric motor 2, in its extension perpendicular to the axle body 5, is essentially surrounded over at least half its length by the receiving structure 8. In this case the sidewalls 8b are formed by struts or by large openings that extend over the full axial length in the two sidewalls 8b. This results in savings of material and therefore costs. In that respect the receiving structure 8 of FIGS. 3 and 4 forms a three-sided retainer.

[0039] As a whole, the receiving structure 8 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is made integrally, as one piece. As also in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiving structure 8 has stiffening ribs 11 which are of convex shape. Likewise, the receiving structure 8 can preferably be provided with damping elements, particularly in the form of soft and/or hard rubber mountings, in its four screwing areas 3 arranged symmetrically on the receiving structure 8.

[0040] In summery, at least one of the embodiments of the invention has at least one of the following advantages:

[0041] simple implementation [0042] inexpensive implementation [0043] smaller fitting space occupancy [0044] low weight [0045] reduced noise emission.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred example embodiments, it is not limited thereto but rather, can be modified in many ways.

INDEXES

[0047] 1 Drivable axle [0048] 2 Drive unit [0049] 3 Fixing area [0050] 4 Leaf spring [0051] 5 Axle body [0052] 6 Fixing element [0053] 7 Screw joint [0054] 8 Receiving structure [0055] 8a Bottom area [0056] 8b Sidewall [0057] 9 Openings [0058] 10 Damping element [0059] 11 Stiffening element