Wheel Suspension for a Wheel of an Axle of a Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A wheel suspension for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle. A wheel hub, which is rotatably mounted in a wheel carrier, can be driven by an electric drive engine. The wheel carrier is rotatably mounted by at least one link about a pivot axis on the vehicle body. The electric drive engine and the link are rigidly connected to one another.

Claims

1. A wheel suspension for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle comprising: a wheel hub, which is rotatably mounted in a wheel carrier, can be driven via an electric drive motor, and wherein the wheel carrier is rotatably mounted by at least one link about a pivot axis on the motor vehicle body, wherein the electric drive motor and the link are rigidly connected to one another.

2. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the link and the electric drive motor are rigidly connected to one another by a force-fitting, form-fitting and material-fitting connection.

3. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive engine is integrated in the link.

4. The wheel suspension according to claim 3, wherein the housing of the electric drive motor and the link form an integral structural unit that is made of the same material.

5. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive motor is positioned in such a way that viewed from the pivot axis and in a longitudinal direction of the link, the distance (A) of the center of gravity of the electric drive engine from the pivot axis, relative to the entire link length (L) of the link is: $0.Math.\frac{A}{L}.Math.0,5.$

6. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the link is rotatably mounted by chassis bearings on the vehicle body, wherein the chassis bearings are arranged at the electric drive motor or at the link.

7. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive motor is connected with an operative connection to the wheel hub via a drive shaft in a manner that is resistant to bending.

8. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the link and the electric drive motor are formed from different materials.

9. The wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the wheel carrier is formed as an integral component of the link.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Further advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments illustrate in the drawings.

[0015] The drawings show the following:

[0016] FIG. 1 a top view of a link of a wheel suspension according to the invention,

[0017] FIG. 2 the link of FIG. 1 in a partial sectional illustration;

[0018] FIG. 3 the link of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an oblique view from above;

[0019] FIG. 4 a top view of another link of a wheel suspension according to the invention, and

[0020] FIG. 5 the link of FIG. 4 in a front view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 shows a link 10 of a wheel suspension, not shown further here, for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle driven by means of a single drive.

[0022] The illustrated link 10 of the wheel suspension is a part of a link assembly, by means of a wheel rim 12 and wheel carrier 16 carrying a brake disk 14 are rotatably mounted by means of chassis bearings 18-1 and 18-2 about a pivot axis S on the motor vehicle motor vehicle body 20. The wheel carrier 16 illustrated in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 is in this case designed as an integral component of the link 10.

[0023] The individual drive associated with the wheel is in the present case designed in the form of an electric drive engine 22, which is operatively connected to a wheel hub 26 so as to be resistant to bending by means of a drive shaft 24 that is connected to drive engine 22. The wheel hub 26 is in this case preferably formed on a wheel bearing 28 pressed into the wheel carrier 16, in particular on the inner ring of the wheel bearing 28. The wheel hub can be designed so as to be pivotable with respect to the wheel carrier 16 in a manner not shown in detail here, see for example DE 10 2011 121 262 or DE 10 2010 012 115.

[0024] As shown further in FIG. 1 through 3, the electric drive engine 22 is in this case rigidly connected to the link 10. In the present case, the electric drive engine 22 is integrated in the link 10, i.e. the housing of the electric drive motor, which is designated as a whole by the reference number 22, and the link 10 for a structural unit that made in one piece and from the same material.

[0025] In addition, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the electric drive engine 22 is positioned in such a way so that the moment of inertia SP of the electric drive motor 22 is located in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis S, and so that with a rebound movement in and out of the link 10 about the pivot axis S, the moment of inertia of the electric drive engine 22 will remain as small as possible.

[0026] A particularly advantageous feature of the rigid connection of the electric drive engine 22 to the link 10 is that a particularly space-saving arrangement is provided, which is easy to package and which has a positive effect on the driving dynamics as a result of the rigid design of the link.

[0027] A further advantage of the integrated arrangement of the drive motor 22 in the link 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 is that the surface of the housing of the electric drive motor has been greatly increased, which results in improved passive cooling.

[0028] The embodiment of the link 10 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 substantially corresponds to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 through 3. This means that also according to this embodiment, the electric drive motor 22 is arranged so that it is integrated in the link 10, which is to say that the housing that is designated as a whole by the reference number 22 and the link 10 form a structural unit made in one piece from the same material.

[0029] As can be further seen in particular in FIG. 4, the link 10 is designed in the present case as a triangular link, which is mounted on the wheel carrier so as to be pivotable via an outer bearing point 30, not shown here, which is to say that the link 10 and the wheel carrier are designed as two separate components according to this embodiment.