Method for producing an axle component

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for producing an axle component for a motor vehicle, in which at least two metallic axle parts are joined integrally to one another. The axle component is a twist beam axle, in which lateral trailing arms are connected to each other via a transverse profile. In order to establish a target geometry of the axle component, the heat induced by a welding operation is utilized. The welding operation can be a specifically positioned weld, an additional weld or a blind weld. The heat of welding is utilized in order to achieve a compensation deformation and to compensate for distortion states and/or to align the axle component.

Claims

1. A process of producing an axle component for a motor vehicle, the process comprising: joining integrally at least two metallic axle parts to one another to establish a target geometry of the axle component, wherein heat induced by a welding operation is utilized, wherein the axle component is measured and the welding operation is performed depending on the target geometry of the axle component, and wherein the axle component is measured before the last welding operation, and the target geometry of the axle component is established with the last welding operation.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein during the welding operation, at least one specifically positioned weld and/or at least one additional weld and/or at least one blind weld is/are placed.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein a weld position and/or geometry is/are determined with computer assistance and the specifically positioned weld is placed during assembly of the axle component.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein welding parameters are determined and set in real time during assembly of the axle component.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the metallic axle parts is a wheel carrier and another of the metallic parts is a trailing arm, wherein a camber angle of the axle component is set via at least one specifically positioned additional weld and/or blind weld on the trailing arm.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the additional axle parts is a trailing arm, wherein a toe angle of the axle component is set via a specifically positioned additional weld and/or blind weld, which extends on the trailing arm in the longitudinal direction of the trailing arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For an understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) The disclosure is described below by using drawings, in which:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an axle component in the form of a twist beam axle;

(4) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail from the illustration of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a region of an axle component having a first weld, and

(6) FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a region of an axle component having a second weld.

(7) In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components, even though a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows an axle component in the form of a twist beam axle 1. The twist beam axle 1 is produced from multiple axle parts 2 to 6. Essentially, the twist beam axle 1 has a transverse profile 2, to each end of which a trailing arm 3 is respectively fixed. A wheel carrier 4 is joined to the trailing arms 3, in each case at one end. In addition, spring seats 5 are fixed between the transverse profile 2 and the trailing arms 3. A bearing holder 6 is arranged at the other end of a trailing arm 3.

(9) This is a welded construction, i.e. the axle components, that is to say transverse profile 2, trailing arm 3, wheel carrier 4, spring seat 5 and bearing holder 6, are joined integrally to one another by welding operations.

(10) To establish a target geometry of the axle component 1 or the twist beam axle, the heat induced by a welding operation is utilized.

(11) In FIG. 2, the region B in which additional welds S are placed in order to establish the target geometry of the twist beam axle 1 or to align the axle parts, like the wheel carrier 4 and the trailing arm 3, relative to one another, is illustrated in hatched fashion. In this way, setting of the axle parts relative to each other in conformance with tolerances is carried out. The setting of toe and/or camber angles of the wheel carrier 4 is carried out.

(12) In the procedure illustrated in FIG. 2 for producing the axle component 1, blind welds B are placed during the welding operation. These are arranged on the trailing arm 3 in the region of the end on the wheel carrier side. In principle, the target geometry can also be established by utilizing the heat induced by a welding operation via a specifically positioned weld or an additional weld. The respective weld position and geometry are determined with computer assistance and placed during the assembly of the axle parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 or after the assembly of the axle component 1.

(13) The heat induced by the welding operation is used to achieve a compensatory deformation and to compensate for distortion states and to align the axle component 1 and in this way to comply with the tolerance stipulations and to ensure the target geometry of the axle component 1.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment, by using which it can be seen more clearly that the weld S in the region B extends on the trailing arm 3 parallel to the wheel carrier 4. By means of this weld S extending parallel to the wheel carrier 4, the camber angle of the axle component 4 is intended to be established.

(15) FIG. 4 shows a further region B with a weld S on the trailing arm 3. The weld S or the region B extends in the longitudinal direction of the trailing arm 3. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the trailing arm 3 is curved, since the trailing arm 3 extends obliquely outward in its length section facing the wheel carrier 4, that is to say points away from the transverse profile 2. In this region between the attachment to the transverse profile 2 and the wheel carrier 4 there is at least one weld S opposite to the spring seat 5, on the outer side of the trailing arm 3. Said additional weld S, also in the form of a blind weld, effects a change in the toe angle of the axle component 1.

(16) The aforesaid welds for influencing toe and/or camber angle are located in the vicinity of the wheel carrier 4. Depending on whether toe or camber angle is to be influenced, the aforesaid additional welds S are located in front of or after the wheel carrier in the direction of travel (toe angle) or on the upper side and/or underside of the trailing arm 3 (camber angle).

(17) The foregoing description of some embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.