MOTOR VEHICLE TRAILER, CHASSIS AXLE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TRAILER AND USE OF THE CHASSIS AXLE AND OF A MATERIAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle trailer with at least one rigid axle with at least one tubular element. The motor vehicle trailer is characterized in that the tubular element has a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa, a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and the tubular element (10) consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material. In addition, a chassis axle as well as the use of a material for a chassis axle is disclosed.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle trailer with at least one chassis axle with at least one tubular element, characterized in that the tubular element has a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa and a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material.

2. Motor vehicle trailer according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element has a notched bar impact work Av at −20° C. of at least 27 J.

3. Chassis axle, in particular for a trailer of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the chassis axle has at least one tubular element with a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa and a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and the tubular element consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material.

4. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one tubular element has a structure, which consists of at least 60% bainite, with the remainder comprising at least one from the group consisting of ferrite, martensite, and retained austenite.

5. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one tubular element consists of a steel material on iron basis, which comprises the following alloying elements in weight percent: TABLE-US-00005 C 0.06-0.15% Mn  1.0-3.0% Si  0.4-2.0% Cr >0.4% and max. 2.0% Nb 0.001-0.1% Al max. 0.25%.sup.  N  0.001-0.1%.

6. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the tubular element has a notched bar impact work Av at −20° C. of at least 27 J.

7. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the tubular element is a hot-formed, in particular seamless, and subsequently air-cooled tubular element.

8. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the chassis axle is a friction welded chassis axle, wherein the tubular element is connected to at least one journal by means of friction welding.

9. Chassis axle according to claim 3, characterized in that the chassis axle is a rigid axle.

10. Use of the chassis axle according to claim 3 in a motor vehicle trailer, wherein the motor vehicle trailer comprises at least one chassis axle with at least one tubular element, characterized in that the tubular element has a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa and a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material.

11. Use of a material for manufacturing a tubular element of a chassis axle for a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer, characterized in that the material is a steel material on iron basis, which comprises the following alloying elements in weight percent: TABLE-US-00006 C 0.06-0.15% Mn  1.0-3.0% Si  0.4-2.0% Cr >0.4% and max. 2.0% Nb 0.001-0.1% Al max. 0.25%.sup.  N  0.001-0.1%.

12. Use according to claim 11, characterized in that the content of niobium is at least 0.01 wt. %.

13. Use according to claim 11, characterized in that as optional alloying elements at least one of the following elements is contained: vanadium, titanium, boron, nickel, molybdenum and aluminium.

14. Use according to claim 11, characterized in that the tubular element is a tubular element of a chassis axle for a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle trailer, characterized in that the chassis axle has at least one tubular element with a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa and a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and the tubular element consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material.

15. Use of a chassis axle for a trailer of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the chassis axle has at least one tubular element with a yield strength Rp0.2 of at least 600 MPa, a tensile strength Rm of at least 850 MPa and a breaking elongation A5 of at least 14% and the tubular element consists of an air-hardening, mainly bainitic material in a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Hereinafter three embodiments of the chassis axle are described with the aid of the attached figures.

[0047] FIG. 1: shows a schematic depiction of the assembly of a chassis axle according to the invention,

[0048] FIG. 2: shows a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0049] FIG. 3: shows a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0050] FIG. 4: shows a trailer with chassis axle according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a chassis axle 1 is schematically shown. In the depicted embodiment, the chassis axle 1 has a tubular element 10, which can also be referred to as an axle tube. The tubular element 10 is preferably a seamless tubular element 10. At each of both ends of the tubular element 10, a journal 11 is provided respectively. The journals 11 are arranged at the ends of the tubular element 10. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the journals 11 are formed by mechanical working of the ends of the tubular element 10 itself, in particular by hot-forming. The journals 11 may for example be drawn-in or rotary swaged ends of the tubular element 10.

[0052] In FIG. 2 a second embodiment of the chassis axle 1 is schematically shown. In the depicted embodiment, the chassis axle 1 has a tubular element 10, which can also be referred to as axle tube. The tubular element 10 is preferably a seamless tube 10. On each of both ends of the tubular element 10 a journal 11 is provided respectively. The journals 11 are arranged at the ends of the tubular element 10. The journals 11 may for example be connected to the tubular element 10 by material closure, in particular friction welding. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the journals 11 are forged journals 11, which are connected to the ends of the tubular element 10 by material closure, for example by friction welding.

[0053] In FIG. 3 a further embodiment of a chassis axle 1 is shown. Also in this embodiment, the chassis axle 1 has a tubular element 10 and at its ends journals 11 are attached. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the journals 11 are connected via connection pieces 12 with the ends of the tubular element and are in particular welded thereto.

[0054] In FIG. 4 an embodiment of a trailer 2 according to the invention is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the trailer 2 has three chassis axles 1. These are designed according to the invention and can for example have one of the designs of the chassis axle 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0055] With the present invention in particular an inexpensive material is disclosed, which has a yield strength of >=600 MPa and a notched bar impact work of >=27 J at −20° C. and which is suitable for manufacturing seamless tubes without subsequent heat treatment.

[0056] The invention has a number of advantages. Firstly, light weight construction potential is given with the present invention, which can for example be used for vehicle trailers or trailer axles. In particular, the wall thickness of the tubular element can be reduced due to the considerably higher yield strength (>=600 MPa) and thereby the weight of the chassis axle can be reduced. Furthermore, the low yield point ratio of for example 0.6-0.7 guarantees a good formability of the material and thus a simple manufacture of the chassis axle.

[0057] The material which is used according to the invention is a high-strength bainitic material, with mainly bainitic structure, with which a good toughness even without subsequent heat treatment can be achieved. Values of Rp0,2>=600 MPa, Rm>=850 MPa, A5>=14% are achieved. The delivery condition therein may be +AR (as rolled). The notched bar impact work may for example be >=27 J at −20° C.

Modifications Of The Preferred Embodiments

[0058] It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0059] 1 chassis axle [0060] 10 tubular element [0061] 11 journal [0062] 12 connection piece [0063] 2 trailer