LANE GUIDANCE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a lane guidance system (10) for guiding and stabilising a vehicle axle along a lane, comprising a Watt linkage arrangement for connecting, in relatively movable manner, the vehicle axle to an underside (x) of a chassis, wherein the Watt linkage arrangement has at least two Watt linkages (20) which correspond in their guide direction (F) and are arranged in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the Watt linkage arrangement has a guide element (30) for guiding the vehicle axle along a straight line in the guide direction (F). According to the invention, the Watt linkages (20) are fastened, by means of their longitudinal ends (22, 24), to the guide element (30) and to the chassis, wherein the guided vehicle axle is a trailer axle (A) of a semitrailer.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A semitrailer comprising a chassis and at least one vehicle axle with a track guidance system (10) for guiding and stabilizing the vehicle axle along a track, wherein the track guidance system (10) has a Watt linkage arrangement for the relatively movable connection of the vehicle axle to an underside (x) of the chassis, wherein the Watt linkage arrangement has at least two Watt rods (20), which correspond in their guidance direction (F) and are arranged in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the Watt linkage arrangement has a guide element (30) for guiding the vehicle axle along a straight line in the guidance direction (F), characterized in that the Watt rods (20) are secured, by means of their longitudinal ends (22, 24), on the guide element (30) and on the chassis, wherein the guided vehicle axle is a trailer axle (A) of the semitrailer.

18. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the guided trailer axle (A) comprises a motor-transmission unit, wherein the motor-transmission unit of the trailer axle (A) is dimensioned in such a way that it forms a smaller auxiliary drive for a larger main drive of a semitrailer tractor.

19. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the Watt rods (20) are arranged spaced apart from one another along their common guidance direction (F), wherein the Watt rods (20) are arranged laterally offset in relation to their common guidance direction (F).

20. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the Watt rods (20) are of adjustable-length design in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the Watt rods (20) have an adjusting element (27) for adjusting their length.

21. The semitrailer as claimed in in claim 17, characterized in that the guide element (30) is of elliptical design, wherein the guide element (30) has a central opening (31).

22. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the elliptical guide element (30) is designed to be widest at the level of the central opening (31), wherein the elliptical guide element (30) has narrow ends (32), which extend in the vertical direction and the guidance direction (H, F).

23. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the inner longitudinal ends (22) of the Watt rods (20) are secured rotatably and pivotably on the narrow ends (32) of the guide element (30) via spherical plain bearings (26), wherein the outer longitudinal ends (24) of the Watt rods (20) are secured rotatably and pivotably on the underside (x) of the chassis via spherical plain bearings (26).

24. The semitrailer as claimed in in claim 17, characterized in that two holding brackets (60) are provided in the region of the outer longitudinal ends (24) of the Watt rods (20), wherein the holding brackets (60) are arranged perpendicularly to the underside (x) of the chassis.

25. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the holding brackets (60) have recesses (62), wherein the recesses (62) are matched in shape to corresponding chassis portions on the underside (x) of the chassis.

26. The semitrailer as claimed in in claim 17, characterized in that an axle bridge (40) for the mechanical support of the trailer axle (A) and for receiving the guide element (30) is provided, wherein the axle bridge (40) has vertical raised portions in the vertical direction (H) on its longitudinal sides.

27. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the guide element

(30) is secured on the axle bridge (40), wherein the guide element (30) is arranged substantially centrally on the axle bridge (40).

28. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the axle bridge (40) has a bearing journal (45), arranged substantially perpendicularly to the trailer axle (A), for the rotatable support of the guide element (30), wherein the bearing journal (45) is arranged in alignment with a vehicle central longitudinal axis.

29. The semitrailer as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that the bearing journal (45) is passed in the longitudinal direction (L) through the vertical raised portions (42) of the axle bridge (40) and through the guide element (30) secured on the axle bridge (40).

30. The semitrailer as claimed in one of claim 26, characterized in that two lateral functional links (50) are fixed in the longitudinal direction (L) on the underside (x) of the chassis, wherein the axle bridge (40) is arranged in the transverse direction (Q) between the lateral functional links (50).

Description

[0031] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a track guidance system according to the invention for a trailer axle in the assembled position;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic isolated illustration of a track guidance system according to the invention for a trailer axle in the disassembled position;

[0034] FIG. 3a shows a schematic front view of a track guidance system according to the invention for a trailer axle in a standard ride height position;

[0035] FIG. 3b shows a schematic front view of a track guidance system according to the invention for a trailer axle in a ride height position raised to the maximum extent;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic oblique view of an alternative (inverse) embodiment of a track guidance system for a trailer axle in the assembled position.

[0037] The track guidance system, denoted in general by 10 in FIG. 1, for guiding and stabilizing a trailer axle A (not illustrated in detail) along a track comprises a Watt linkage arrangement, aligned in the transverse direction Q, for the relatively movable connection of the trailer axle A to an underside X of a chassis (not illustrated). This is a driven trailer axle A of a semitrailer truck. The track guidance system 10 is arranged parallel to the driven trailer axle A, wherein the track guidance system is matched to the geometry of a three-axle trailer. The trailer axle A comprises a motor-transmission unit (not shown), wherein the motor-transmission unit of the driven trailer axle A is dimensioned in such a way that it forms a smaller auxiliary drive for a larger main drive of a semitrailer tractor.

[0038] The Watt linkage arrangement has two Watt rods 20, which correspond in their guidance direction and are arranged in the transverse direction Q, and a guide element 30 for guiding the trailer axle A in a straight line along the guidance direction of the Watt rods 20. In this case, the Watt rods 20 are secured by means of their longitudinal ends on the guide element 30 and on the chassis of the trailer. As can be seen, two vertically arranged holding brackets 60 with recesses 62 are provided on the underside X of the chassis, via which recesses the holding brackets 60 are simply mounted in a form-fitting manner and welded onto corresponding chassis portions. The recesses 62 are therefore matched in shape to the corresponding portions of the underside x of the chassis. For mechanical reinforcement, the holding brackets are furthermore provided with a diagonally arranged reinforcing strut 61 and are designed as U profiles.

[0039] As can furthermore be seen, an axle bridge 40 is provided for mechanical support of the trailer axle A and for receiving the guide element 30, wherein the axle bridge 40 has on its longitudinal sides vertical raised portions 42 in the vertical direction H. In this case, the axle bridge is arranged parallel to the trailer axle A, wherein the vertical raised portions 42 have a substantially triangular shape. The guide element 30 is secured substantially centrally on the axle bridge 40 and on the trailer axle A.

[0040] To receive and rotatably support the guide element 30, the axle bridge 40 has a bearing journal 45, which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the trailer axle A and is of cylindrical design, wherein the bearing journal 45 is arranged in alignment with a vehicle central longitudinal axis. In this case, the bearing journal 45 is passed in the longitudinal direction L through the vertical raised portions 42 of the axle bridge 40 and through the guide element 30 secured on the axle bridge 40.

[0041] TWO lateral functional links 50 are fixed in the longitudinal direction L on the underside x of the chassis, wherein the axle bridge 40 is arranged in the transverse direction Q between the lateral functional links 50. In this case, the axle bridge 40 is secured on spring supports 52 of the functional links 50.

[0042] For additional longitudinal and transverse support of the trailer axle A, the axle bridge 40 is provided with a basic body 43, wherein at least two supporting links 44 are provided, which connect the basic body 43 to the underside x of the chassis. In this case, the supporting links 44 extend in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions L, Q, H. In relation to the longitudinal direction L, the axle bridge 40 is arranged between the basic body 43 and the Watt linkage arrangement, wherein the basic body 43 is arranged on the longitudinal side of the axle bridge 40 which faces the guided trailer axle A.

[0043] Referring additionally to FIG. 2 makes it clear that the bearing journal 45 is passed through the guide element 30 via a central opening 31 of the guide element 30 and rotatably supports the guide element 30.

[0044] The guide element 30 is of elliptical design and has narrow ends 32, which extend in the vertical and guidance directions H, F. The Watt rods 20 have inner and outer longitudinal ends 22, 24. In this case, the inner longitudinal ends 22 of the Watt rods 20 are fixed rotatably and pivotably on the narrow ends 32 of the elliptical guide element 30 by means of spherical plain bearings 26. The outer longitudinal ends 24 of the Watt rods 20 are likewise fixed rotatably and pivotably on the holding brackets 60 and thus on the underside x of the chassis by means of spherical plain bearings 26. The supporting links 44 illustrated in FIG. 1 are also secured rotatably and pivotably on the basic body 43 and on the underside x of the chassis by means of similar spherical plain bearings. The spherical plain bearings 26 of the Watt rods 20 lie substantially in a common movement plane.

[0045] As is furthermore illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2, the Watt rods 20 are of adjustable-length design in the transverse direction Q, wherein the Watt rods 20 have an adjusting element 27 for adjusting their length. The adjusting elements 27 are designed as rotary nuts and are arranged centrally on the Watt rods 20, wherein those portions of the Watt rods 20 which are adjacent to the rotary nut are provided with opposing threads (not illustrated).

[0046] FIGS. 3a and 3b are intended primarily to illustrate the ride height variance of the track guidance system 10. The at least two Watt rods 20 are arranged spaced apart from one another along their common guidance direction F, wherein the Watt rods 20 are arranged laterally offset in relation to their common guidance direction F.

[0047] Here, FIG. 3a schematically shows the position of the track guidance system 10 at a standard ride height of the trailer. In FIG. 3b, a maximum ride height difference of 300 mm in relation to the standard ride height has been set, that is to say the chassis of the trailer has been raised by 300 mm in relation to the standard ride height. As can be seen, the central opening 31 of the guide element 30 and thus also the bearing journal 45 is guided continuously in a straight line on the guide axis or along the guidance direction F and perpendicularly to the underside x of the chassis.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative, inverse variant embodiment of the track guidance system. This differs in some technical partial aspects from the adverse basic embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the bearing journal 45 is secured directly between two chassis rails 74. According to this variant embodiment, there is no need for an axle bridge configuration. Instead of the axle bridge 40 and the holding brackets 60, a crossmember 70 is provided, which provides the support and attachment of the track guidance system 10 or the guide element 30 and Watt rods 20.

[0049] The guide element 30 is secured rotatably on the bearing journal 45. Here, on the one hand, the crossmember 70 receives the bearing journal 45 for the rotatable support of the guide element 30 and, on the other hand, the crossmember 70 is connected via the chassis rails 74 to the underside x of the chassis.

[0050] The crossmember 70 furthermore has a U profile 73 in the region of the support of the bearing journal 45 in order to simplify the mounting of the bearing journal 45. The crossmember 70 is of trapezoidal design and has a trapezoidal recess 71. In this case, the trapezoidal crossmember 70 and the trapezoidal recess 71 are each aligned with their shorter sides in the direction of the roadway.

[0051] To support and accommodate the Watt rods 20, two mounting points 72 are provided for the outer longitudinal ends 24 of the Watt rods 20. As in the adverse embodiment, the inner longitudinal ends 22 of the Watt rods 20 are connected to the guide element 30. In this case, the mounting points 72 at the outer longitudinal ends 24 of the Watt rods 20 are formed on the functional links 50 and at the level of the Watt rods 20. As can be seen, the left-hand mounting point 72 extends in the vertical direction H in order to set the height difference between the two Watt rods 20.

[0052] In the inverse embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the other, above-described, system components are of substantially identical construction. According to the alternative variant embodiment shown in FIG. 4, all the longitudinal ends 22, 24 of the Watt rods 20 are likewise secured rotatably and pivotably by means of spherical plain bearings 26. All the other above-defined configuration details can be transferred to the inverse variant as long as the described attachment via the crossmember 70 and the implementation of a Watt mechanism is preserved.

[0053] The invention is not restricted to one of the above-described embodiments but can be modified in many different ways. Thus, for example, a plurality of Watt rods and/or guide elements in various variant embodiments can be provided. As an alternative, the support for the bearing journal can be provided directly via the chassis, without an axle bridge.

[0054] In general, the track guidance system according to the invention can be used to guide a vehicle axle along a track and relative to an underbody. The system is fundamentally suitable for guiding and stabilizing unilaterally supported running gear assemblies comprising functional links for semitrailers, drawbar trailers, dollies or commercial vehicles. In this case, the system can guide main drive axles, driven trailing axles and driven steering axles inter alia. In particular, the track guidance system according to the invention is provided for guiding and stabilizing driven trailer axles.

[0055] All the features and advantages which emerge from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, may be essential to the invention in themselves or in many different combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0056] X underside of chassis [0057] A trailer axle [0058] longitudinal direction [0059] H vertical direction [0060] Q transverse direction [0061] F (straight-line) guidance direction [0062] 10 track guidance system [0063] 20 Watt rods [0064] 22 inner longitudinal ends [0065] 24 outer longitudinal ends [0066] 26 spherical plain bearings (3D) [0067] 27 adjusting element [0068] 30 guide element [0069] 31 central opening [0070] 32 narrow ends [0071] 40 axle bridge [0072] 42 vertical raised portions [0073] 43 basic body [0074] 44 supporting links [0075] 45 bearing journal [0076] 50 functional links [0077] 52 spring supports [0078] 60 holding brackets [0079] 61 reinforcing strut [0080] 62 recesses [0081] 70 crossmember [0082] 71 recess (crossmember) [0083] 72 mounting points [0084] 73 U profile (bearing journal) [0085] 74 chassis rails