DE102009015844A1 - Axle assembly, especially for a bus, has shock absorbers flanking the road wheel wheels at their mountings - Google Patents

Abstract

The axle assembly (10) for a commercial vehicle, and especially a bus, has wheel mountings (14) at the ends connected to a steering mechanism (24,36). Each wheel mounting has at least two spaced shock absorbers (20) located in front of and behind the wheel (12) on the vehicle longitudinal line. The wheel mounting has a C-shape with a center section (16) and two extending legs (18). The shock absorbers are at the ends of the legs.

Description

The The invention relates to an axle arrangement for a commercial vehicle, especially for a bus.

Usually, the rear axles of commercial vehicles and especially of buses are designed as rigid axles with air suspension. An example of such, in the prior art conventional axle assembly is in the DE 2 306 392 disclosed. However, such Starrach arrangements are subject to several disadvantages. In particular, rigid axles have a high unsprung mass. This results in an unfavorable vibration behavior, which reduces the comfort of vehicle occupants. Especially for buses, this is highly undesirable. Due to the axle-mounted differential, the use of rigid axles in rear axle arrangements of buses also leads to a high space requirement, since the differential has to be connected to the transmission of the bus via a cardan shaft. However, such a propeller shaft must be able to function without friction, have a certain minimum length, so that a high distance between the rear axle and usually mounted in the rear of the bus engine is necessary.

Of the The present invention is therefore based on the object, an axle assembly of the type mentioned above to provide the comfort of omnibus passengers increased and has a smaller space requirement than well-known rigid axles.

The The object is achieved by an axle assembly having the features of the claim 1 solved. Such axle assembly for a commercial vehicle, in particular for a bus is based on a respective independent suspension the wheels of the axle assembly, each one over a spring and / or damper assembly supported on the vehicle body Wheel carrier is provided. Each wheel carrier includes while at least two spaced-apart spring and / or damper elements, which in the vehicle longitudinal direction substantially in front or behind arranged the at least one corresponding wheel of the axle assembly are. Furthermore, the respective wheel carrier over a handlebar assembly mounted on a frame of the utility vehicle.

Across from known rigid axles has an axle with independent suspension a number of advantages. In particular, by the independent suspension reduces the unsprung masses of the axle assembly. This is based in essence, that the differential of the axle assembly no longer axle-resistant but rather frame-mounted or rib-proof can not and therefore no longer contributes to the unsprung mass. As a result, coupled Trampelschwingungsformen be avoided and the natural frequency range of the axes of usually from 8.5 Hz shifted to more than 12 Hz. This contributes significantly for the comfort of the vehicle occupants. Furthermore, by an independent suspension the roll track increases and the roll stiffness elevated. This may be due to a rear axle stabilizer be omitted, which further reduces the unsprung masses become. Due to the space gain through the elimination of the PTO shaft between transmission and differential, it is still possible Such axle assembly in conjunction with a continuous lower axle bridge to use, whereby respect of the longitudinal member above the rear axle is clearly gained in space. Also the articulation points of the handlebar assembly can save space in an independent suspension be selected closer to the axle assembly, whereby especially in the area of a trunk of a bus clearly is gained in space.

In Further embodiment of the invention are the spring and / or damper elements in the vehicle transverse direction at least substantially in coverage arranged with the corresponding wheel of the axle assembly. This is in particular by a substantially C-shaped Training the wheel carrier allows which a central area and two curved, projecting from this Has leg. The spring and / or damper elements are arranged at the respective end regions of the legs. These Arrangement of the spring and / or damper elements allows a particularly good suspension of the individually suspended wheel or Wheel pair with double tires.

In Another embodiment of the invention, the link assembly lower link arrangement with longitudinal and transverse link function on, which at the respective end portions of the legs of the C-shaped Wheel carrier is stored. The support points of the lower linkage arrangement are thus substantially in overlap with the spring and / or damper elements. By the combination the longitudinal and transverse link function in the lower arm assembly become particularly efficient longitudinal and lateral forces, and transmitted yaw moments. The lower handlebar assembly is preferably arranged below the wheel carrier.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the central region of the C-shaped wheel carrier extends in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis upwards beyond the legs. In an upper end region of this central region, a respective upper link arrangement is preferably mounted, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is designed as a triangular link. The axle arrangement so overhanging upper Querlen Keranordnung supports and thus transmits advantageous pitching and rolling moments.

In Another embodiment of the invention, the center region of the Radträgers on a passage opening, which allows a connection of the wheels with a differential. This connection preferably takes place via a cardan shaft, which through the passage opening of the respective wheel carrier runs. By connecting the wheels by means of Propeller shafts to the differential, it is possible the differential frame-mounted and thus a significant reduction of unsprung Reach the masses. In the following, the invention and its embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Hereby show:

1 a perspective view of an embodiment of an axle assembly according to the invention and

2 a detailed view of the suspension of a single pair of wheels of the axle assembly 1 ,

One in total with 10 designated axle assembly for the rear axle of a bus comprises two individually suspended pairs of wheels 12 , wherein the suspension via a respectively assigned wheel carrier 14 is realized. The wheel carrier 14 has in the vehicle transverse direction substantially C-shape and has a central region 16 on, at the two curved legs outwards 18 connect the assigned pair of wheels 12 embrace laterally. On the thighs 18 are the wheel carriers 14 over bellows 20 stored on the frame of the bus.

On the bottom of the thighs 18 the wheel carrier 14 is over rubber buffer 22 or ball joints a lower linkage assembly 24 hinged. The lower handlebar assembly 24 includes, as especially good in 2 to recognize two of the articulation points 22 outgoing, running in the vehicle transverse direction carrier 26 , Which via a running in the vehicle longitudinal direction further carrier 28 are connected. At the corner points where the beams 26 and 28 connected to each other, the lower link assembly 24 additional bearings 30 on, over which the lower handlebar assembly 24 is stored on corresponding rubber buffers or ball joints of the frame of the bus. To further stiffen the lower arm assembly 24 this has an additional truss structure 32 on. Due to the double articulation of the lower handlebar assembly 24 on the frame of the bus over the bearings 30 receives the lower handlebar assembly 24 a longitudinal and wishbone function. It is particularly well suited for supporting longitudinal and lateral forces as well as yawing moments.

In the middle area 16 of the wheel carrier 14 this extends in the vehicle vertical direction upwards. In an upper end area 34 of the middle area 16 is an upper linkage arrangement 36 about a single depository 38 on the wheel carrier 14 stored. The upper handlebar assembly 36 is constructed as a conventional wishbone, the wheel carrier bearing point 38 about two struts 40 . 42 with two frame-side bearings 44 . 48 connected is. The upper handlebar assembly 36 transmits so particularly advantageous pitching and rolling moments between frame and wheel carrier 14 ,

The middle area 16 the wheel carrier 14 also has a passage opening 50 on, through which a propeller shaft 52 runs. The PTO shaft 52 connects the hub 54 of the respective wheel pair 12 with a differential gear 56 , In contrast to known Starrachsanordnungen can due to the articulated connection between differential gear 56 and hubs 54 the differential gear 56 be mounted frame or rippetest. This will cause the unsprung masses of the axle assembly 10 significantly reduced. Due to the ridge-fixed arrangement of the differential gear 56 The need to connect this via a cardan shaft with the manual transmission of the bus continues. Here can in the axle assembly shown 10 a simple rigid shaft can be used. This eliminates the need to maintain a minimum length of the connection between the differential gear and manual transmission. This, in turn, allows the rear axle of the bus to be located closer to the engine, thereby reducing the overhang of the bus backwards over the rear axle. In other words, thus, the wheelbase of the bus can be increased, causing the rear swung less when cornering. Furthermore, in the axle arrangement shown 10 the position of the articulation points 30 . 44 . 48 closer to the wheel carrier 14 be chosen as known rigid axles. As a result, space is saved, in particular in the area of a trunk of the bus.

The axle arrangement 10 continues to point at the thighs 18 the wheel carrier 14 arranged stabilizers 58 on, but due to the increased roll stiffness of the axle assembly 10 if necessary, can also be dispensed with. Further stabilization of the axle arrangement 10 is due to the C-shaped shape of the wheel carrier 14 achieved, in particular the arrangement of the bellows 20 and the articulation points 22 the lower wishbone arrangement next to the pairs of wheels 12 ensures a particularly high stability.

10

Axle

12

pair of wheels

14

wheel carrier

16

mid-range

18

leg

20

suspension bellows

22

rubber buffers

24

lower link arrangement

26 28

carrier

30 38, 44, 48

bearings

32

Truss structure

34

end

36

link arrangement

40 42

pursuit

50

Through opening

52

propeller shaft

54

hub

56

differential gear

58

stabilizers

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 2306392 [0002]

Claims (12)

Axle 10 for a commercial vehicle, in particular for a bus, with respective independent suspension, each one via a spring and / or damper assembly 20 Carrier supported on the vehicle body 14 which has a link arrangement 24 . 36 is stored, with each wheel carrier 14 at least two spaced-apart spring and / or damper elements 20 comprises, which in the vehicle longitudinal direction substantially in front of or behind the at least one corresponding wheel 12 the axle arrangement 10 are arranged. Axle 10 according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring and / or damper elements 20 in the vehicle transverse direction at least substantially in overlap with the corresponding wheel 12 the axle arrangement 10 are arranged. Axle 10 according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wheel carrier 14 essentially C-shaped with a central area 16 and two curved legs protruding therefrom 18 is trained. Axle 10 according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring and / or damper elements 20 at respective end portions of the legs 18 are arranged. Axle 10 according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a lower link arrangement 24 with longitudinal and transverse link function at the respective end portions of the legs 18 is stored. Axle 10 according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower link arrangement 24 a truss structure 32 having. Axle 10 according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lower link arrangement 24 below the wheel carrier 14 is arranged. Axle 10 according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the central region 16 in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis upwards over the legs 18 extends beyond. Axle 10 according to claim 8, characterized in that in an upper end region 34 of the middle section 16 a respective upper link assembly 36 is stored. Axle 10 according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper link arrangement 36 is designed as a wishbone. Axle 10 according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the central region 16 a passage opening 50 having. Axle 10 according to claim 11, characterized in that the wheels 12 via a propeller shaft 52 with a frame-fixed differential 56 are connected, wherein the propeller shaft 52 through the passage opening 50 the respective wheel carrier 14 runs.