CONTROL ARM END

Abstract

An arm end for a trailing arm, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a main body which configures a working volume for an air spring system, the main body having an access region which is designed to provide an access into the working volume, characterized in that a large part of the working volume is configured substantially below the access region.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. An arm end for a trailing arm comprising: a main body which defines a working volume for an air spring system, the main body having an access region configured to provide an access into the working volume; wherein part of the working volume is configured substantially below the access region, the main body includes a closed hollow body, and wherein the hollow body is hydroformed.

15. The arm end as claimed in claim 14, wherein the main body is a closed hollow body.

16. The arm end as claimed in claim 14, wherein the main body includes a lower section opposite the access region, and the lower section is spaced apart from the access region by more than 5 cm.

17. The arm end as defined in claim 16, wherein the lower section is spaced apart from the access region by more than 8 cm.

18. The arm end as defined in claim 17, wherein the lower section is spaced apart from the access region by more than 10 cm.

19. The arm end as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lower section comprises a support face which is configured to arrange the arm end on a trailing arm.

20. The arm end as claimed in claim 14, wherein the main body includes a front section configured as a support or arranging face that includes a substantially horizontal outer wall configured to be arranged on and fastened to a trailing arm.

21. The arm end as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: a valve unit that includes a clamping plate having a multiplicity of valve openings.

22. The arm end as defined in claim 21, wherein the multiplicity of valve openings includes at least four valve opening.

23. The arm end as claimed in claim 21, wherein the valve unit comprises an upper valve flap and a lower valve flap, and wherein the upper and lower flaps are arranged such that different valve openings of the multiplicity of valve openings can be opened and closed.

24. The arm end as claimed in claim 21, wherein the valve unit comprises a guide element configured such that the multiplicity of valve flaps are configured to move along the guide element.

25. The arm end as claimed claim 21, wherein the valve flaps bear against the clamping plate in a basic position such that the valve openings are closed.

26. The arm end as claimed in claim 21, wherein the valve unit comprises a spring element which prestresses the multiplicity of valve flaps.

27. The arm end as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the multiplicity of flaps of the valve flaps includes two blades.

28. A trailing arm for commercial vehicles comprising an arm end as claimed in claim 14.

29. The trailing arm as claimed in claim 28, wherein the trailing arm and the arm end are configured in one piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawing:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an arm end, arranged on a trailing arm;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of an arm end, arranged on a trailing arm;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an arm end, arranged on a trailing arm;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a valve unit;

[0026] FIG. 5a shows one embodiment of a valve unit in a plan view;

[0027] FIG. 5b shows the section A-A which is labeled in FIG. 5a;

[0028] FIG. 6a shows one embodiment of a valve unit in a side view; and

[0029] FIG. 6b shows that embodiment of the valve unit which is known from FIG. 6a, in the case of which the valve flaps are in a different position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an arm end 20 with a main body 22 which is arranged on a trailing arm 10 via a lower section 26. To this end, the lower section 26 is configured partially as a support face 28 and is arranged substantially so as to lie opposite an upper section 25. The upper section 25 comprises a cylindrical section 23 which has an access region 24. A spacing a extends between the upper section 25 and the lower section 26. The trailing arm 10 is arranged via a pivot point D in a vehicle frame/chassis 90. An axle tube is not illustrated which extends along the axial direction A and would be correspondingly arranged in the trailing arm 10. A length l is measured between a front section 30, via which an at least partial arrangement/fastening on the trailing arm 10 can likewise take place, and a rear section 27. The main body 22 has a width b and is of substantially cuboid shape, a working volume which is configured by way of the main body 22 being arranged substantially below the access region 24.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a similar configuration to FIG. 1; here, however, a bearing face 28 which likewise serves for arranging on a trailing arm 10 is arranged offset by an offset x with respect to a lower section 26. A spacing a extends between an upper section 25 and a lower section 26. An air spring system 80 which comprises a spring bellows 80 is arranged on the upper section 25 or an access region (concealed by way of the arrangement of the spring bellows 80). A main body 22 comprises a front section 30, via which an arrangement on the trailing arm 10 likewise takes place at least in regions.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an arm end 20, comprising an access region 24 and a lower section 26 which lies substantially opposite it. In the embodiment which is shown here, the arm end 20 is arranged and fastened, for example welded, on a trailing arm 10 merely via a front section 30. Said figure also shows a projecting length u which is measured between a center of an axle tube (indicated by way of the axial direction A in the present case) and a rear section 27.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a valve unit 60 with an upper valve flap 64 and a lower valve flap 64, and a clamping plate 61 which is arranged in a cylindrical section 23. The clamping plate 61 comprises a plurality of valve openings 62. The valve unit 61 configures an access region 24 or is arranged in the latter. A spring bellows 80 of an air spring system 80 is arranged on the cylindrical section 23.

[0034] FIG. 5a shows a valve unit 60 in a plan view. A clamping plate 61 can be seen, in which an upper valve flap 64 is inserted. A lower valve flap 64 can be seen through the valve openings 62. On its circumference, the clamping plate 61 has a plurality of openings for fastening, for example to a main body of an arm end. A section A-A is described in FIG. 5b.

[0035] FIG. 5b shows the section A-A in FIG. 5a. The arrangement of guide pins 67 in the clamping plate 61 can be seen clearly. Said guide pins 67 prevent rotation of the valve flaps 64, 64. A spring element 66 in the form of a coil spring is arranged around a guide element 65. The guide element 65 is formed by way of a screw which does not have a thread in regions, as a result of which the lower valve flap 64 can slide on the guide element 65. The spring element 66 is supported between a supporting element 68 or a washer 68 and the lower valve flap 64. The two valve flaps 64, 64 are prestressed against one another as a result.

[0036] FIG. 6a shows a valve unit 60 in a side view. A clamping plate 61 is arranged in a main body 22 or in an upper section 25. The two valve flaps 64 and 64 are arranged on a guide element 65 and are prestressed via a prestressing or spring element 66. Guide pins 67 can also be seen. FIG. 6a shows compression, in the case of which a volume of the (air) spring bellows V.sub.80 is reduced, with the result that the lower valve flap 64 is opened counter to the force of the spring element 66 and air flows from a volume V.sub.80 to a working volume V. This is indicated by way of the arrows.

[0037] FIG. 6b shows the embodiment which is known from FIG. 6a, but at a time when the volume of the spring bellows V.sub.80 is increasing again. As a result of the expansion of the spring bellows, opening of the upper valve flap 64 occurs and air flows from the working volume V back into the volume V.sub.80 (see also the arrows here). This also takes place counter to the prestress of the spring element 66.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0038] 10 Trailing arm [0039] 20 Arm end [0040] 22 Main body [0041] 23 Cylindrical section [0042] 24 Access region [0043] 25 Upper section [0044] 26 Lower section [0045] 27 Rear section [0046] 28 Support face [0047] 30 Front section [0048] 60 Valve unit [0049] 61 Clamping plate [0050] 62 Valve opening(s) [0051] 64 Upper valve flap [0052] 64 Lower valve flap [0053] 65 Guide element [0054] 66 Spring element, compression coil spring [0055] 67 Guide pin [0056] 68 Supporting element, washer [0057] 80 Air spring system [0058] 80 (Air) spring bellows [0059] 90 Vehicle frame/chassis [0060] V Working volume [0061] V.sub.80 Spring bellows volume [0062] A Axial direction [0063] D Rotational axis [0064] a Spacing/height [0065] b Width [0066] l Length [0067] x Offset [0068] u Projecting length