Frame, in particular of a universal carrier

Abstract

A frame, in particular of a universal carrier, which includes a chassis of the frame, a left axle with two portal suspensions at the ends of the left axle, a right axle with two portal suspensions at the ends of the right axle, and the double-sided stabilizing lever. The double-sided stabilizing lever is pivotally mounted on the chassis of the frame in the transverse direction. The axles are pivotally mounted on the chassis of the frame in the longitudinal direction. The double-sided stabilizing lever is connected to the left axle and the right axle and is arranged between them transversely.

Claims

1. A frame which, in particular of a universal carrier, which frame (1) comprises a chassis (2) of the frame (1), a left axle (3) with first and second portal suspensions (6a, 6b) at respective first and second ends of the left axle (3), a right axle (4) with first and second portal suspensions (6c, 6d) at respective first and second ends of the right axle (4), and a double-sided stabilizing lever (8) wherein the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) is pivotally mounted on the chassis (2) of the frame (1) in a transverse direction at a central mounting portion of the double-sided stabilizing lever, the respective left and right axles (3, 4) are pivotally mounted on the chassis (2) of the frame (1) in a longitudinal direction, and the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) is an elongate structure comprising opposed first and second ends, the first end being directly connected to the left axle (3) at a first end mounting portion of the double-sided stabilizing lever and the second end being directly connected to the right axle (4) at a second end mounting portion of the double-stabilizing lever, the double-sided stabilizing lever being arranged transversely between the left and right axles, wherein the first end mounting portion, the second end mounting portion and the central mounting portion are substantially collinearly disposed along the double-sided stabilizing lever.

2. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) is connected to the chassis (2) of the frame (1) via a first pivot (10), the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) being arranged pivotally about the axis (11) of the first pivot (10).

3. The frame according to claim 2, characterized in that the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) is connected to the left axle (3) by means of a first resilient mounting (9a), wherein the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) is connected to the right axle (4) by means of a second resilient mounting (9b).

4. The frame according to claim 3, characterized in that an axis (12) of a first portal suspension (6a) of the left axle (3) and an axis (13) of a second portal suspension (6b) of the left axle (3) are spaced in the longitudinal direction apart at a distance (L.sub.tL) which is equal to the distance (L.sub.tP) by which an axis (17) of a first portal suspension (6c) of the right axle (4) and an axis (18) of a second portal suspension (6d) of the right axle (4) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

5. The frame according to claim 4, characterized in that the axle (13) of the portal suspension (6b) of a rear wheel (5b) of the left axle (3) is in the longitudinal direction spaced from the center (14) of the first pivot (10) of the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) by a length (b.sub.L) which is the same as the length (b.sub.P) by which the axis (18) of the portal suspension (6d) of the rear wheel (5d) of the right axle (4) is spaced longitudinally from the center (14) of the first pivot (10) of the double-sided stabilizing lever (8).

6. The frame according to claim 5, characterized in that the center (15) of the resilient mounting (9a) of the left axle (3) is laterally spaced from the center (16) of the resilient mounting (9b) of the right axle (4) by a length (d), wherein the center (15) of the resilient mounting (9a) of the left axle (3) is transversely spaced from the center (14) of the first pivot (10) of the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) by a half length (d/2).

7. The frame according to claim 6, characterized in that by raising a front wheel (5a) of the left axle (3) by the height (h) from a basic horizontal plane (XI), the center (14) of the first pivot (10) of the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) lies at a distance (xB) from a horizontal plane (X2) of the respective left and right axles (3, 4), wherein the following equation applies: $\mathrm{xB}=\frac{h\times b}{L_t}$ where xB is the distance (xB) of the center (14) of the first pivot (10) from the horizontal plane (X2) of the left and right axles (3, 4); h is the lift height (h) of the front wheel (5a) from the basic horizontal plane (XI); b is the distance (b.sub.L, b.sub.P) of the axes (13, 18) of the wheel portal suspensions (6a, 6c) of the left and right axles (3, 4) wheels from the center (14) of the first pivot (10); and L is the distance (L.sub.tL, L.sub.tP) of the axes (12, 17) of the portal suspensions (6a, 6c) of the front wheel (5a, 5c) from the axes (13, 18) of the portal suspension (6b, 6d) of the rear wheel (5b, 5d) at the left and right axle (3, 4).

8. The frame according to claim 7, characterized in that by raising the front wheel (5a) of the left axle (3) by the height (h) from the basic horizontal plane (XI), the double-sided stabilizing lever (8) forms an angle (b) with the horizontal plane (X2) of the left and right axles (3, 4), for which the following equation applies: $\sin \beta =\frac{\mathrm{xB}}{d/2}$ where xB is the distance (xB) of the center (14) of the first pivot (10) from the horizontal plane (X2) of the axles (3, 4); and d/2 is the distance (d/2) of the center (15) of the resilient mounting (9a) of the axle (3) from the center (14) of the first pivot (10).

9. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the left axle (3) is pivotally mounted on the chassis (2) of the frame (1) by means of a second center pivot (7a).

10. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the right axle (4) is pivotally mounted on the chassis (2) of the frame (1) by means of a third center pivot (7b).

11. The frame according to claim 1, wherein each of the left and right axles has opposed front and rear wheels, and wherein, with the frame disposed on a level surface with the front and rear wheels of the left and right axles contacting the surface, the double-sided stabilizing lever and the left and right axles are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be further explained on the basis of a non-limiting example of a practical embodiment thereof, the description of which will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a top view of the frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of the frame as it travels off-road from a front view in the straight direction of FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of the frame as it travels off-road from a side view in the longitudinal direction of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) According to the invention, the frame 1, in particular of a universal carrier, has been developed, having longitudinal mountings of axles 3 and 4 on the chassis 2 of the frame 1, wherein the connection of the left axle 3 and right axle 4 is secured by a lateral stabilizing lever 8 which is mounted in the transverse direction.

(8) A preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

(9) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the frame 1, in particular of the universal carrier, comprises the chassis 2 of the frame 1, which may be, for example, a welded sheet metal structure in which the left axle 3 is supported by a center pivot 7a and the right axle 4 is supported by a center pivot 7b which may form for example a welded tubular frame with pivots.

(10) The swivel mounting of the left axle 3 and the right axle 4 can be manufactured for example, by means of nylon bushings located on the chassis 2 of the frame 1 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

(11) At the one end, the left axle 3 has a front wheel 5a portal suspension 6a, at the other end the left axle 3 has a rear wheel 5b portal suspension 6b, wherein the two portal suspensions 6a and 6b can have, for example, an unrestricted 360° rotation via a mounting flange.

(12) At the one end, the right axle 4 has a front wheel 5c portal suspension 6c, at the other end the right axle 4 has a rear wheel 5d portal suspension 6d, and the two portal suspensions 6c and 6d can have, for example, an unrestricted 360° rotation.

(13) In the transverse direction, on the chassis 2 of the frame 1 a double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is mounted, which may be formed, for example, by a pair of metal panels screwed together, to secure the motion transmission from the left axle 3 to the right axle 4 and vice versa.

(14) The double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is connected by a pivot 10 to the chassis 2 of the frame 1. This connection allows a rotation of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 around a nearly horizontal axis 11 of the first pivot 10, ensuring that the frame perfectly follows the terrain while driving.

(15) The resilient mounting 9a of the left axle 3 and the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 as well as the resilient mounting 9b of the right axle 4 and the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 can be formed, for example, by a silent-block.

(16) The solution according to the invention is characterized in particular by the following embodiment:

(17) The double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is mounted in the transverse direction on the chassis 2 of the frame 1 by means of the first pivot 10.

(18) The double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is connected to the left axle 3 by means of a resilient mounting 9a.

(19) The double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is connected to the right axle 4 by means of a resilient mounting 9b.

(20) The left axle 3 is mounted on the chassis 2 of the frame 1 by means of the second center pivot 7a.

(21) The right axle 4 is mounted on the chassis 2 of the frame 1 by means of the third central pivot 7b.

(22) The almost vertical axis 12 of the portal wheel suspension 6a of the left axle 3 and the almost vertical axis 13 of the portal wheel suspension 6b of the left axle 3 are spaced in the longitudinal direction from each other at a length L.sub.dL.

(23) The almost vertical axis 17 of the portal wheel suspension 6c of the right axle 3 and the almost vertical axis 18 of the portal wheel suspension 6d of the right axle 4 are spaced in the longitudinal direction from each other at the same length L.sub.dP.

(24) The almost vertical axis 13 of the portal wheel suspension 6b of the left axle 3 is spaced from the center 14 of the pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 at a length b.sub.L.

(25) The almost vertical axis 18 of the portal wheel suspension 6d of the right axle 4 is spaced from the center 14 of the pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 at the same length b.sub.P.

(26) The centre 15 of the resilient mounting 9a of the left axle 3 is in the transverse direction spaced from the centre 16 of the resilient mounting 9b of the right axle 4 at a length d.

(27) The center 15 of the resilient mounting 9a of the left axle 3 is in the transverse direction spaced from the center 14 of the first pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 at a length d/2.

(28) By raising the front wheel 5a of the left axle 3 by the height h, the position of the center 14 of the first pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 is changed by the distance xB for which the following equations applies:

(29) $\mathrm{xB}=\frac{h\times b}{L_t}$
where xB is the distance xB of the center 14 of the first pivot 10 from the horizontal plane X2 of the axles 3, 4; h is the lift height h of the front wheel 5a of the left axle from the basic horizontal plane X1; b is the distance b.sub.L, of the axis 13 of the wheel portal suspension 6b of the left axle 3 wheel from the center 14 of the first pivot 10, and the distance b.sub.P of the axis 18 of the wheel portal suspension 6d of the right axle 4 wheel, respectively, from the centre 14 of the first pivot 10; and L.sub.t is the distance L.sub.tL of the axis 12 of the portal suspension 6a of the front wheel 5a from the axis 13 portal suspension 6b of the rear wheel 5b at the left axle 3, and the distance L.sub.tP of the axis 17 of the portal suspension of the front wheel 5c from the axis 18 of the portal suspension 6d of the rear wheel 5d at the right axle 4, respectively.

(30) This movement of the left axle 3 is transmitted via the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 to the right axle 4 and the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 rotates around the first pivot 10 by an angle β for which the following equations applies:

(31) $\sin \beta =\frac{\mathrm{xB}}{d/2}$
where xB is the distance xB of the center 14 of the first pivot from the horizontal plane X2 of the axles 3 and 4; and d/2 is the distance d/2 of the center 15 of the resilient mounting 9a of the axle 3 from the center 14 of the first pivot 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(32) According to the present invention, a frame, in particular of a universal carrier, has been developed with two axles pivotally mounted on the frame chassis, each axle being provided with two portal suspensions which allow a rotation about its vertical axis over a 360° angle, wherein the movement from one axle to another is secured by means of a pivot of a double-sided stabilizing lever.

(33) The invention has solved a perfect copying of the terrain while driving the frame, with a minimum transmission of axle movement to the carrier chassis.

(34) The frame, especially of the universal carrier, is characterized by a low number of unsprung masses as well as by simple and inexpensive production of the frame parts.

(35) This design does not require expensive damping elements and numerous frame control components.

(36) The frame can be used especially for all wheeled and tracked vehicles.

(37) The frame, in particular of the universal carrier, according to the invention finds application, for example, in devices for trimming grass or shrubbery areas, for maintaining road edges, railway embankments, river banks or for maintenance of difficult access terrains, both on flats and on slopes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(38) 1—frame 2—chassis 2 of the frame 3—left axle 4—right axle 5a—front wheel 5a of the left axle 3 5b—rear wheel 5b of the left axle 3 5c—front wheel 5c of the right axle 4 5d—rear wheel 5d of the right axle 4 6a—portal suspension 6a of the front wheel 5a of the left axle 3 6b—portal suspension 6b of the rear wheel 5b of the left axle 3 6c—portal suspension 6c of the front wheel 5c of the right axle 4 6d—portal suspension 6c of the rear wheel 5d of the right axle 4 7a—the second centre pivot 7a of the left axle 3 7b—the third centre pivot 7b of the right axle 4 8—double-sided stabilizing lever 9a—resilient mounting 9a of the left axle 3 and the two-sided stabilizing lever 8 9b—resilient mounting 9b of the right axle 4 and the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 10—the first pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 11—axis 11 of the first pivot 10 11—axis 12 of the portal suspension 6a of the front wheel 5a of the left axle 3 13—axis 13 of the portal suspension 6b of the rear wheel 5b of the left axle 3 14—center 14 of the first pivot 10 of the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 15—center 15 of the resilient mounting 9a of the left axle 3 and the two-sided stabilizing lever 8 16—center 16 of the resilient mounting 9b of the right axle 4 and the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 17—axis 17 of the portal suspension 6c of the front wheel 5c of the right axle 4 18—axis 18 of the portal suspension 6d of the rear wheel 5d of the right axle 4 L.sub.t—distance L.sub.tL of the axis 12 of the portal suspension 6a of the front wheel 5a from the axis 13 of the portal suspension 6b of the rear wheel 5b of the left axle 3, and the distance L.sub.tP of the axis 17 of the portal suspension 6c of the front wheel 5c from the axis 18 of the portal suspension 6d of the rear wheel 5d of the right axle 4, respectively. b—distance b.sub.L of the axis 13 of the wheel portal suspension 6b of the left axle 3 wheel from the center 14 of the first pivot 10, and the distance b.sub.P of the axis 18 of the wheel portal suspension 6d of the right axle 4 wheel 5d, respectively, from the centre 14 of the first pivot 10; d—distance d from the center 15 of the resilient mounting 6a of the left axle 3 from the centre 16 of the resilient mounting 9b of the right axle 4 d/2—distance d/2 of the center 15 of the resilient mounting 9a of the axle 3 from the center 14 of the first pivot 10 X1—basic horizontal plane X2—horizontal plane of the axles 3, 4 xB—distance xB of the center 14 of the first pivot 10 from the horizontal plane X2 of the axles 3, 4 when changing the lift height h of the front wheel 5a of the left axle 3 β—angle β between the double-sided stabilizing lever 8 and the horizontal plane X2 of the axles 3, 4 when changing the lift height h of the front wheel 5a of the left axle 3