Abstract
Axle adjustment system of a commercial vehicle includes a frame element with a first guide region that includes first guide openings where the first region is attached to an axle and displaces a steering element in an adjustment direction, and an alignable eccentric element with an opening, the arrangement of which relative to the first guide region determines the displacement of the steering element, and a second guide region that includes a second guide opening via which the eccentric element and the frame element are in engagement with one another and in which a pin-like element engages the pin-like element being movable in the second guide opening, when the eccentric element is aligned.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A commercial vehicle trailer, comprising: an axle adjustment system that comprises: a frame element that includes a first guide region that includes a first guide opening, where the first region is configured to be attached to an axle in a mounted state and to displace a steering element in an adjustment direction, and an alignable eccentric element that includes an opening, where the arrangement of the alignable eccentric element in relation to the first guide region determines the displacement of the steering element; and a second guide region that includes a second guide opening via which the eccentric element and the frame element engage with one another and in which a pin-like element engages in the mounted state; wherein the pin-like element is configured to be displaced relative to the second guide region in the second guide opening, when the eccentric element is aligned; wherein the frame element includes a support bracket; and wherein the opening of the eccentric element includes a circular aperture.
17. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the second guide region extends in a circular arc shape.
18. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 17, wherein the circular arc shape has a guide centre.
19. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment system further comprises a reference system for detecting a relative position of the pin-like element within the second guide region.
20. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the eccentric element comprises the second guide region.
21. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the eccentric element is manually and/or motor-driven displaceable.
22. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the first guide region and/or the opening of the eccentric element has a first radius and an outer contour of the eccentric element has a second radius, wherein a first centre of the first guide region and/or of the opening of the eccentric element is spaced by an eccentricity from a second centre of the outer contour, wherein a ratio of the second radius minus the first radius minus the eccentricity to the second radius is in the range of between 0.2 and 0.8.
23. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 22, where the ratio is within a range of between 0.4 and 0.6.
24. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 23, where the ratio is about 0.45.
25. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 22, wherein the first guide region in the eccentric element has a first radius, wherein the second guide region extends in a circular arc shape and has a guide radius, and wherein a first centre of the first guide region is spaced from a guide centre of the circular arc shape by a guide eccentricity, wherein a ratio of the guide radius of the circular arc shape of the second region minus the first radius minus the guide eccentricity to the guide radius of the circular shape of the second region lies in the range between 0.2 and 0.8.
26. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 25, wherein the eccentricity and the guide eccentricity are of equal size and/or wherein the guide centre and the second centre of the outer con-tour are congruent.
27. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the first guide region in the eccentric element has a first radius, wherein the second guide region extends in a circular arc shape and has a guide radius, and wherein a first centre of the first guide region is spaced from a guide centre of the circular arc shape by a guide eccentricity, wherein a ratio of the guide radius of the circular arc shape of the second region minus the first radius minus the guide eccentricity to the guide radius of the circular shape of the second region lies in the range between 0.2 and 0.8.
28. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 27, wherein the ratio is between 0.4 and 0.6.
29. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 28, wherein the ratio is between 0.45 and 0.55.
30. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the steering element has an engagement region which can be brought into engagement, at least in regions, in a form fitting manner with the first guide region in the eccentric element or a fastener.
31. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the second guide region is coated at least in regions.
32. The commercial vehicle trailer according to claim 16, wherein the pin-like element in the mounted state reaches through the eccentric element and protrudes with respect to the eccentric element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Further advantages and features result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the axle adjustment according to the invention with reference to the attached figures. It is understood that individual features of the various embodiments shown may be combined with one another within the scope of the invention. It shows:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a view of a prior art axle adjustment system;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the prior art axle adjustment system shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a first view of an eccentric element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a second view of an eccentric element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a frame element for an axle adjustment system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 6-8 is the system with the eccentric element of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the frame element of FIG. 5 in the mounted state in three different orientations of the eccentric element; and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a frame element for an axle adjustment system according to a second and third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a prior art axle adjustment system. The essential components are a frame element 2, an eccentric element 4 and a steering element 6, whereby the steering element 6 is connected to the frame element 2 via a fastening means 8, for example a bolt or a screw, and the eccentric element 4 is connected to the frame element 2. The eccentric element 4 has an outer contour 44 which is, for example, circular in shape, the circular outer contour 44 having a radius R2. Furthermore, the eccentric element 4 has an opening 42, which is preferably also circular and whose centre is spaced from the centre of the outer contour 44, i.e. the opening 42 is not arranged concentrically to the outer contour 44. Accordingly, the opening 42 is arranged eccentrically to the outer contour 44 of the eccentric element 4. The eccentric element 4 is supported against displacement in the adjustment direction L against two opposing second lug elements 10, which prevent displacement of the eccentric element 4 in the adjustment direction L by means of form-fitting interaction. If the eccentric element 4 is now rotated by an angle of rotation , the opening 42 is displaced in the direction of adjustment L, since the eccentric element 4 is supported by the second lug elements 10 and is thus secured against displacement in the direction of adjustment L. Preferably, the steering element 6 engages or is connected directly or indirectly with the opening 42, whereby the steering element 6 also undergoes a displacement in the adjustment direction L when the opening 42 is displaced in the adjustment direction L. Furthermore, the steering element 6 is preferably secured by a first fastening means 8, which in particular produces a force fit and/or a form fit between the opening 42 and an engagement region 62 of the steering element 6 not shown in FIG. 1, and in this way fixes the steering element 6 to the opening 42. Furthermoreshown with a dashed linea first guide region 22 of the frame element 2 is shown, which serves in particular to prevent the steering element 6 from moving transversely to the adjustment direction L. By determining the position of the opening 42 above the first guide region 22, an extent of the displacement of the steering element 6 in the adjustment direction L is determined. In this case, the first guide region 22 is particularly preferably designed as a first guide opening. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first guide region 22 is a first guide rail.
[0030] A handling aid 45 is preferably provided on the front side of the eccentric element 4, which is designed, for example, as a projection or handle or as a recess for a hand crank, in particular a hand crank that can be inserted into a recess. The handling aid 45 makes it particularly easy for the user to turn the eccentric element 4 relative to the frame element 2 and thus determine the position of the opening 42 relative to the first guide opening.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the sectional view of the preferred embodiment already indicated in FIG. 1. In particular, it can be clearly seen that the fastening means 8 reaches through the first guide region 22 of the frame element 2 as well as through the opening 42 of the eccentric element 4 and through the engagement region 62 of the steering element 6 and fixes these parts or units to each other, for example form fitting and/or force fitting. In this preferred embodiment, the engagement region 62 of the steering element 6 and also the opening 42 of the eccentric element 4 is designed as a recess or bore, whereby in particular a circular or cylindrical geometry is preferably provided, in which in turn a cylindrical body, such as for example a bolt or a screw, can engage. By means of the dashed lines, the position of the centre of the opening 42 relative to the position of the centre of the outer contour 44 is also shown. This position or offset in the adjustment direction L is indicated by the letter x. Furthermore, in this embodiment the lug element 10 is made in one piece with the frame element 2 as a projection, whereby in particular preferably two lug elements 10 are provided which lie opposite each other in the adjustment direction L and which secure the eccentric element 4 against displacement both in the positive and in the negative adjustment direction L. The fastening means 8 is preferably designed as a screw, whereby a nut is provided opposite the screw head, i.e. shown on the upper side in the figure, which creates a force-fitting connection between the elements or units penetrated by the screw. In particular, it is preferred that washers not shown in the figure are used in order to allow the steering element 6 to pivot relative to the frame element 2 even when a force-fitting connection exists, the washers sliding against each other during this process.
[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an eccentric element 4 in a perspective view (FIG. 3) and in a top view (see FIG. 4) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the eccentric element 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the eccentric element 4 of FIGS. 3 and 4 has a second guide region 32 next to the opening 42. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second guide region 32 is formed as an arcuate elongated hole which preferably extends over an angle range between 45 and 180, particularly preferably between 60 and 150. In particular, it is provided that the eccentric element 4 is disc-shaped and/or that the second guide region 32 is designed as a second guide opening, the general course of which preferably runs concentrically to the outer contour 44.
[0033] The second guide region 32 serves in particular for mounting the eccentric element 4 on the frame element 2. For this purpose, a pin-like element 31 engages in the second guide region 32, in particular in the form of a second guide opening. This makes it advantageously possible to dispense with the guide elements 10 which, in the prior art embodiments, serve to secure the eccentric element 4 against displacement in the positive and negative adjustment direction L. This object is now fulfilled by the second guide region. This object is now fulfilled by the second guide region 32 together with the pin-like element 31 which engages in the second guide region 32.
[0034] It is particularly preferred that the eccentric element 4 has a reference system 30, for example in the form of a scale, by means of which the user can determine in which position the eccentric element 4 is in the mounted state. This is particularly advantageous because, if the eccentric element 4 is appropriately dimensioned, the first guide region 22 is covered so that the user does not have a clear view of the first guide region 22. Accordingly, the reference system 30 serves as an orientation aid to determine the extent of the adjustment or the position in the first guide region 22. Furthermore, it is possible to document changes by means of the reference system 30.
[0035] Furthermore, it is evident from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the handling aid 45 is a recess or recess in the eccentric element 4, into which a corresponding crank element can be inserted if required, in order to simplify the alignment or displacement of the eccentric element 4 during operation.
[0036] In the top view of the eccentric element 4 shown in FIG. 4, the first radius R1 of the opening 42 and the second radius R2 of the outer contour 44 are drawn. The first radius and the second radius extend respectively from the first centre of the opening 42 and the second centre M2 of the eccentric element 4. In particular, it is intended that the first centre M1 is offset by an eccentricity E relative to the second centre M2. In particular, it has been shown to be advantageous if a ratio of (R2-R1-E) to R2 lies in a range between 0.2 and 0.8, and particularly preferably between 0.4 and 0.6. In the FIG. 4 shown, it should be noted that the diameters are drawn which are each formed from two radii. In particular, it is intended that the first centre M1 is offset by a guide eccentricity FE with respect to the guide centre M3, which can also be referred to as the guide centre. In FIG. 4, the second guide region 32 is formed as an elongated hole extending in the shape of an circular arc, the circular arc having a guide centre M3. The circular arc has a guide radius R3.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a frame element 2 for a system 1 for axle adjustment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the frame element 2 shown is a support bracket which is provided for supporting a steering element 6. The steering element 6, which is pivotably mounted on the support bracket, is preferably mounted about an axis, the position of which is determined by means of the axle adjustment system 1. The frame element 2 shown here comprises two side surfaces running essentially parallel to each other, each of which has openings 22 in order to mount the steering element 6 on the support bracket or frame element. It is preferably provided that only one of the side walls has a first guide region 22 in the form of an elongated hole, while the other side surface has a round opening that does not allow any displacement in the adjustment direction L, so that a displacement at the first guide region 22 clearly determines the alignment of the axle. In particular, an inclined position of the steering element 6 can be realised in this way with the system 1 for axle adjustment, or a corresponding inclined position can be compensated for. In particular, a pin-like element 31 is provided on the side surface, in particular the side surface with the first guide region 22 formed as an elongated hole, which is intended to pass through the second guide region 32 of the eccentric element 4 in the mounted state. Compared to the prior art embodiments of the system 1 for axle adjustment (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the link elements 10 can be advantageously dispensed with and instead the comparatively small-dimensioned pin-like element 31 serves as a substitute for the link elements 10. This also allows weight to be saved in an advantageous manner.
[0038] FIGS. 6 to 8 show the system 1 for axis adjustment with an eccentric element 4 from FIGS. 3 and 4 and a frame element 2 from FIG. 5 in the mounted state. FIGS. 6 to 8 show the respective orientations of the eccentric element 4. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a central position in which the eccentric element 4 is aligned or oriented in such a way that the opening 42 of the eccentric element 4, viewed in the adjustment direction L, is arranged in a centre of the first guide region 22. In contrast, in FIG. 6, the eccentric element 4 is arranged such that the opening 42 abuts a first end of the first guide region 22, while in FIG. 8, the eccentric element 4 is oriented such that the first opening 42 is arranged above a second end of the first guide region 22. Correspondingly, the second guide region 32, i.e. the elongated hole in the shape of a circular arc, is aligned with the orientation of the opening 42 above the first guide region 22, in particular in such a way that in the position of FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 the pin-like element 31 comes into abutment with the ends of the elongated hole of the second guide region 32.
[0039] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the pin-like element 31 not only reaches through the second guide region 32, but also protrudes with respect to the eccentric element 4. This advantageously allows the eccentric element 4 to be additionally fixed to the frame element 2 via the pin-like element 31, for example by means of a corresponding nut. In particular, the eccentric element 4 is clamped to the frame element 2 via the pin-like element 31.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows two frame elements 2 according to a second and third embodiment of the present invention. They are characterised by the fact that the pin-like element 31 is formed by reshaping a side wall of the frame element. For example, in the left-hand embodiment a sleeve-shaped or cylindrical projection is punched or stamped out and in the right-hand side a tab is formed by a bending process in such a way that the tab runs obliquely to the outer wall or side wall of the frame element 2. This makes it particularly easy to form the pin-like element 31 on the frame element 2.
REFERENCE LIST
[0041] 1 system [0042] 2 frame element [0043] 4 eccentric element [0044] 6 steering element [0045] 8 fastening means [0046] 10 lug element [0047] 22 first guide section [0048] 30 reference system [0049] 31 pin-like element [0050] 32 second guide region [0051] 42 opening [0052] 44 outer contour [0053] 45 handling aid [0054] 62 engagement region [0055] E eccentricity [0056] FE guide eccentricity [0057] R1 first radius [0058] R2 second radius [0059] R3 guide radius [0060] angle of twist [0061] L adjustment direction [0062] M1 first centre [0063] M2 second centre [0064] M3 guide centre
