Axle Support for a Vehicle

Abstract

An axle support for a vehicle has a left longitudinal member for fastening a left wheel suspension, a right longitudinal member for fastening a right wheel suspension, and at least one cross member connecting the longitudinal members. The cross member is formed by two shells placed on top of each other. The two shells are detachably interconnected in a non-destructive manner. At least one component of an axle steering system is installed in the hollow space between the two shells.

Claims

1. An axle support for a vehicle, comprising: a left-hand longitudinal carrier for fastening a left-hand wheel suspension system; a right-hand longitudinal carrier for fastening a right-hand wheel suspension system; and at least one cross member which connects the two longitudinal carriers, wherein the cross member is formed by way of two shells which are placed onto one another forming a cavity, and the two shells are connected to one another such that they can be released without destruction, and at least one constituent part of an axle steering system is installed in the cavity between the two shells.

2. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constituent part of the axle steering system is an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.

3. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a holding device which is fastened to the two longitudinal carriers in the cavity, the constituent part of the axle steering system being fastened to the holding device.

4. The axle support as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a holding device which is fastened to the two longitudinal carriers in the cavity, the constituent part of the axle steering system being fastened to the holding device.

5. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two shells are screwed to one another.

6. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two shells is fixedly connected directly to the two longitudinal carriers.

7. The axle support as claimed in claim 6, wherein both of the two shells are connected in each case directly to the two longitudinal carriers.

8. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross member has an overall length, and each of the two shells extends over at least 80% of the overall length.

9. The axle support as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the two shells extends over 100% of the overall length.

10. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, wherein no wheel control components are fastened to at least one of the two shells.

11. The axle support as claimed in claim 10, wherein no wheel control components are fastened to a lower one of the two shells.

12. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a further cross member; and a plate-shaped shear area, wherein the shear area is connected to the two cross members, and it is possible for the connection to the further cross member to be released without destruction.

13. The axle support as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: an electric machine for driving the vehicle, the electric machine being arranged between the two longitudinal carriers.

14. The axle support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an electric machine for driving the vehicle, the electric machine being arranged between the two longitudinal carriers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an axle support in accordance with the prior art, along with a diagrammatic outline of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an axle support in accordance with the prior art.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the axle support in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The axle support according to the invention includes two longitudinal carriers 2, 3. In each case one wheel suspension system 4 is arranged on the two longitudinal carriers 2, 3. In the wheel suspension system 4, the respective wheel support is connected via wheel control components (links) to the longitudinal carriers 2, 3.

[0024] A plurality of vehicle body attachment points 6 are configured on the longitudinal carriers 2, 3. These vehicle body attachment points 6 serve to fasten the axle support 1 to a vehicle body of the corresponding vehicle.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows two cross members 107, 108 in accordance with the prior art for connecting the two longitudinal carriers 2, 3. FIG. 2 shows a cross section through an axle support in accordance with the prior art.

[0026] According to the invention, at least the rear cross member 107 is replaced by the construction which is shown in FIG. 3. This is indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by way of the components 12 and 14.

[0027] FIGS. 1 and 3 show, furthermore, that the axle support 1 according to the invention has a holding device 9 which is connected by way of its two ends to the longitudinal carriers 2, 3. A constituent part 10 of an axle steering system is seated on the holding device 9. In the specific case, this is a hydraulic actuator of a rear axle steering system.

[0028] As a supplement to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows the construction according to the invention. In accordance with the cross section in FIG. 3, the cross member 107 in accordance with the prior art is replaced by the cross member 7 according to the invention. The cross member 7 is of two-shell construction and therefore includes a first shell 11 and a second shell 12. In the example which is shown, the second shell 12 is arranged below the first shell 11.

[0029] A cavity results between the two shells 11, 12, which cavity is utilized for receiving the holding device 9 with the constituent part 10.

[0030] The two shells 11, 12 are connected to one another via a plurality of screw connections 13 (shown schematically) such that they can be released without destruction.

[0031] It is provided, in particular, to utilize the further cross member 8 according to the invention which is shown in FIG. 3, and to connect said further cross member 8 to the second shell 12 of the cross member 7 via a shear area 14. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the cross member 108 in accordance with the prior art. The cross member 108 can additionally be utilized in the construction according to the invention.

[0032] The shear area 14 is plate-shaped and extends substantially in the horizontal plane. The shear area 14 can also be connected to the second shell 12 in an integrally joined manner. It is decisive that the shear area 14 is advantageously connected to the further cross member 8 such that it can be released without destruction. This results in the possibility of dismantling the second shell 12 together with the shear area 14 during servicing. As a result, both the cavity in the cross member 7 and the intermediate space between the cross member 7 and the further cross member 8 are satisfactorily accessible.

[0033] The space between the two cross members 7, 8 is advantageously utilized for integrating an electric machine 15. The electric machine 15 in turn serves for sole or assisted drive of the vehicle.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0034] 1 Axle support [0035] 2 Left-hand longitudinal carrier [0036] 3 Right-hand longitudinal carrier [0037] 4 Wheel suspension system [0038] 5 Wheel control components (links) [0039] 6 Vehicle body attachment points [0040] 7 Cross member [0041] 8 Further cross member [0042] 9 Holding device [0043] 10 Constituent part [0044] 11, 12 Shells [0045] 13 Screw connection [0046] 14 Shear area [0047] 15 Electric machine [0048] 107 Cross member according to the prior art [0049] 108 Further cross member according to the prior art

[0050] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.