AXLE COMPONENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AXLE

Abstract

An axle component for a motor vehicle axle is disclosed having rim holes for the insertion of a rubber-metal bearing. The upper and lower collars of the two rim holes are oriented in the same direction. An outwardly oriented collar is set back into the interior space in relation to an outer wall of the axle component.

Claims

1. An axle component for a motor vehicle axle, comprising: an upper wall and a lower wall forming a hollow interior space; at least one bearing receptacle formed by a pair of opposing rim holes through the upper and lower walls; each rim hole having a respective collar formed by an edge of the wall and to accommodate a rubber-metal bearing to be received therewithin; wherein the collars of the rim holes are oriented in a same direction (R) as the insertion direction of the rubber-metal bearing; and, wherein the lower collar is oriented outward with respect to the interior space of the axle component an includes an inclined portion being partially set back into the interior space of the axle component in relation to an outer wall of the axle component.

2. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein said axle component is formed integrally of same material, and wherein said axle component is formed in a shell-type construction.

3. The axle component as in claim 2, wherein the material is steel alloy or a light metal alloy.

4. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein the outwardly oriented collar has a wave shape bordering the latter on the outside, and/or wherein the outer border region of the outwardly oriented collar is drawn over into the interior space of the axle component.

5. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein a rounded edge is formed on each collar, wherein the two rounded edges are arranged oriented in the direction (R) with respect to a pressing-in direction of the rubber-metal bearing.

6. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein an inside diameter of the collar is designed to be smaller than the outside diameter of the rubber-metal bearing being introduced.

7. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein said axle component is designed in cross section as an open hollow profile or is designed as a closed hollow profile.

8. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein the collars are spaced apart from each other.

9. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein said axle component is a link.

10. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein at least one single bonded bearing is inserted or wherein at least one rubber-metal bearing with an outer bearing sleeve is inserted.

11. The axle component as in claim 1, wherein the axle component is an axle carrier as a welded component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a link as a rod-type link in a side view and an axle carrier in a perspective view;

[0021] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a cross section according to intersecting line A-A and inserted bearing sleeve known from the prior art;

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a rubber-metal bearing inserted according to the invention according to intersecting line A-A;

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a pressing-in operation according to the invention according to intersecting line A-A; and

[0024] FIG. 5 a single bonded rubber-metal bearing inserted according to the invention according to intersecting line A-A.

[0025] In the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar components even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1a shows a link 100 of the type in question in a rod-type form. The link 1 has an elongate extent and a respective bearing receptacle 2 at its respective ends for receiving a rubber-metal bearing (not illustrated specifically). FIG. 1b illustrates an axle carrier 20 of the type in question. The axle carrier has two longitudinal frame parts 21 each oriented laterally in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, and transverse bridges 22 connecting said longitudinal frame parts. The longitudinal frame parts 21 and transverse bridges 22 are coupled to one another in each case via weld seams 23. The longitudinal frame parts 21 and/or transverse bridges 22 can be produced as extruded profile or as formed sheet-metal components. In particular, however, they are produced as hollow components and have corresponding bearing receptacles for coupling to rubber-metal bearings (not illustrated specifically). FIGS. 2a and b, 3 and 4 each show a cross-sectional view according to the intersecting line A-A from FIGS. 1a and b.

[0027] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a variant embodiment, known in each case from the prior art, of a rubber-metal bearing 5 inserted into an axle component 1. FIG. 2a illustrates a receiving sleeve 3 with an encircling weld seam 4 in each case. A rubber-metal bearing 5 is pressed into the receiving sleeve 3 itself. The rubber-metal bearing 5 here has an outer bearing sleeve 6 which is pressed into the receiving sleeve 3.

[0028] FIG. 2b illustrates the axle component 1 with two rim holes 7 pointing toward each other. Each rim hole 7 has a collar 8, wherein the collars 8, 8.1 are oriented pointing toward each other. The outer bearing sleeve 6 of the rubber-metal bearing 5 is pressed into the rim holes 7. During the pressing-in operation which is undertaken from the top downward with respect to the plane of the image damage to or tilting of the bearing sleeve 6 may occur in the region of an edge 9.

[0029] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For this purpose, it is provided that the link 1 likewise has two rim holes 7, 7.1. However, the lower rim hole 7.1 with respect to the plane of the image has an outwardly 11 oriented collar 8.1 which is set back in relation to an outer wall 12 of the axle component 1 into an interior space 13. A wave shape 14 is formed which is drawn over inward such that an outer edge 15 ends flat with the outer wall 12 and/or is set back in relation thereto. The width B of the axle component 1 is therefore not increased. The two collars 8, 8.1 are oriented in the same direction R.

[0030] The further advantage according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In the pressing-in direction 16 of the rubber-metal bearing 5, a rounded edge 17 is therefore formed in the region of the upper rim hole 7 with respect to the plane of the image. However, a rounded edge 17.1 is also formed on the lower rim hole 7.1 with respect to the plane of the image. The outer circumferential surface 10 of the outer bearing sleeve 6 is therefore centered in each case because of the rounded edge 17, 17.1. An inside diameter 18.1 of the collar 8.1 is preferably designed to be smaller than or equal to an outside diameter 19 of the outer bearing sleeve 6.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. A rubber-metal bearing as a single bonded bearing 5.1 is inserted here. The rubber layer or elastomer layer 24 therefore lies with its outer circumferential surface 25 directly against the inner circumferential surface 26 of the collars 8, 8.1. Damage to the elastomer material during the pressing-in operation is avoided by the identical orientation of the two collars 8, 8.1, in particular of the rounded edges 17, 17.1.

[0032] The foregoing description of some embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. Further, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.