DE202014103377U1 - Steering for a torsion beam axle - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for steering a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axis (1), characterized in that a device (11a, 11b) is provided for applying a force acting on the torsion beam axis (1) in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle such that movement of the torsion beam axis (1) about the vertical Motor vehicle axis is effected.

Description

The invention relates to a device for steering a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axle.

A torsion beam axle is a type of rear axle for front-wheel drive vehicles. A torsion beam axle consists essentially of two torsion and bending rigid trailing arms, which are welded by a rotatable, so torsionally soft, but rigid cross member. The cross member typically has a U- or T-shaped profile. In the case of balanced rebounding and rebounding, the crossbeam behaves like a rigid axle, but with one-sided rebounding and rebounding it twists itself and additionally acts like a stabilizer. The motor vehicle wheels are received by wheel carriers, which are usually welded to the rear ends of the trailing arm. About the front ends of the trailing arm, the composite beam axis is connected to the vehicle body.

To improve the driving dynamics, there are various approaches to provide compound beam axles with devices that allow steering of the axle. Steerable torsion beam axles have enormous potential to optimize the motor vehicle guidance, for example by reducing the turning circle. There are approaches to control steering movements by means of actuators attached to the trailing arms ( WO 2004/103802 . DE 10 2010 061 154 A1 ) or on the cross member ( DE 10 2007 055 353 . DE 10 2009 003 832 A1 . DE 10 2012 019 072 ) and can act on pivotally mounted wheel carrier. Another approach is to pull by means of an actuator by transversely to the direction of travel acting on the trailing arm forces the front ends of the trailing arm each to one or the other side ( DE 10 2011 110 697 A1 ). Of particular interest is the execution of the steering of a torsion beam axle as active steering, in which the steering ratio between the steering wheel and wheels can be dynamically changed depending on the driving speed, whereby z. B. the control of the motor vehicle in city traffic, especially when parking, can be facilitated.

Most of these conventional active steering devices are based on additional joint elements which are attached to the beam axis, including complex fasteners, which complicate the overall structure of the twist beam axle and for their safe operation complicated kinematic calculations and additional components are necessary. This is associated with high weight, spatially inefficient shoring and correspondingly high cost of necessary repairs.

It is therefore an object to provide a device over which a torsion beam axle is easily steerable, the steering is simple but efficient, and which can be easily performed as an active steering. Another object is to provide a motor vehicle with a corresponding device.

The first object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1, the second object by a motor vehicle according to claim 14. Further advantageous embodiments, aspects and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the figures and the description.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for steering a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axle. In the device, a device for applying a force acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the beam axis such that a movement of the torsion beam axis about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle is effected, is present.

The device according to the invention has the advantage over conventional steerable beam steering axles that it can be designed such that the axle itself does not need to carry any additional components and is therefore lighter. In addition, it offers the advantage that the device is mechanically robust and can be installed spatially efficiently. Due to its easy installation, space-saving dimensions, good accessibility for repairs and a low need for repairs, it is cost-efficient and thus economical. The device according to the invention is furthermore advantageous because it can easily be combined with an active steering system and the steering action can be controlled by a predetermined force, in particular depending on the vehicle speed, but also on other parameters defining the driving behavior of the motor vehicle.

The device according to the invention is suitable for all sizes of motor vehicles, especially for motor vehicles, and especially for passenger cars.

The device according to the invention may in particular comprise a torsion beam axle with a cross member and associated trailing arms, which are each provided in the vehicle longitudinal direction at their rear ends with a wheel carrier for fastening a motor vehicle wheel and are connected at their front ends respectively via a bearing to the motor vehicle body. Each bearing is relative to the vehicle body by means of the device for applying a vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the Twist-beam axis acting force in the vehicle longitudinal direction displaceable so that a movement of the torsion beam axis is effected about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for applying a force acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the torsion beam axis force comprises actuators, each bearing is connected to an actuator. It is particularly preferred if the actuators are linear actuators. This embodiment is advantageous because the linear movement of the actuators their power via the bearings in a line in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be transmitted to the trailing arm. Preferably, the bearings are relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction are displaced and can be moved accordingly by means of the actuators relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the actuators are mounted parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction on the vehicle body. Depending on the design situation of the motor vehicle or the actuators, they can also be mounted at a different angle to the vehicle longitudinal direction on the motor vehicle body. Preferably, the actuators comprise electromotive actuators. The actuators can also include hydraulic or pneumatic actuators based on other principles of action.

"Motor vehicles" are understood to mean motor-driven land vehicles which are not tied to track guidance, but in particular motor vehicles in the present application.

An "actuator" is a device that converts control commands into mechanical movement and thereby causes an effect, such as in the present application, the force on the trailing arm. An actuator can therefore also be called an effector. If a rectilinear motion is caused by an actuator, it can also be called a linear actuator.

The "vehicle longitudinal direction" is the orientation of the extension of a motor vehicle from the front to the rear end. Front is the front of the vehicle, the rear rear.

The "vehicle transverse direction" is the orientation of the extension of a motor vehicle from the right to the left side and vice versa.

The "vertical axis" is oriented perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction and transverse direction from bottom to top.

The terms "left and right" refer to the sides of the motor vehicle seen from the front, so from the view of the front of the motor vehicle.

It is further preferred that the actuators are configured to be in a central position when no movement of the torsion beam axis about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle is effected, and when the actuators are formed from a relative to the middle position, relative to the vehicle body in Vehicle longitudinal direction and from the position of the other actuator different forward or backward offset position to effect a movement of the twist beam axis about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. The middle position can also be called the central position. The position of the actuators in a middle position or central position is provided for example when driving straight ahead of the motor vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the device, each actuator is designed to be located in a position offset rearward relative to the motor vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction when the respective other actuator is in a forwardly offset relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction to a movement of the torsion beam axis to effect the vertical vehicle axle.

Furthermore, each of the existing at the front ends of the trailing arm bearing preferably comprises sockets. Each socket in a preferred embodiment has an outer metal element, a core of an elastomer, and an inner metal element, respectively. The elastomer may be any material having elastic properties suitable for the bearing, with rubber being particularly preferred. The bushes with rubber as a core material are advantageous because they allow connections from the beam axis to the vehicle body and other elements of the motor vehicle while vibrations of the wheel guide are damped.

It is preferred if each bearing is connected via a holder with the respective actuator. Preferably, each holder is connected directly to the actuator. But it is also possible that the connection of each holder with the respective actuator comprises one or more connecting members.

Each bearing is connected via its socket with the respective holder, wherein the connection preferably consists between the inner metal element of the socket and the holder. Advantageously, the connection is preferably produced via at least one bolt element. The Connection between a holder and the respective actuator can also be made via at least one bolt element. But holder and actuator can also be connected in other ways, eg. B. by a screw connection.

In a further embodiment, the movement of the torsion beam axle about the vertical motor vehicle axle is controlled by a control unit. Preferably, the control unit is connected to the actuators. By the control unit, the actuators can be controlled in dependence on the driving behavior of the motor vehicle defining parameters. By way of example, but not limited to, the motor vehicle speed, the steering angle of the front wheels, the yaw rate or the transverse acceleration of the motor vehicle can be used as parameters for this purpose. The actuators are designed to assume a specific position in each case in accordance with the control commands of the control unit. In this sense, it is preferable if the position of each actuator is controlled by a control unit. Furthermore, a control unit connected to the control unit is provided to detect and evaluate the parameters and to specify positions for the actuators.

The control of the movement of the torsion beam axle by a control unit is advantageous because a movement of the torsion beam about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle can be effected in synchronism with the steering angle of the front wheels, which is particularly useful in terms of active steering, in which the steering action of the Speed is dependent. On the other hand, parameters which act on the stability of the moving motor vehicle can be detected by the control unit and be automatically converted by the control unit into corresponding control commands to influence the steering and stabilizing effect on the motor vehicle.

A second aspect of the invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a device according to the invention. Preferably, therefore, is a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axle with a cross member and associated trailing arms, which are each provided with their rear ends with a wheel carrier for fastening a motor vehicle wheel and which are connected at its front end respectively via a bearing to the vehicle body, in which each camp relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction is displaced so that a movement of the torsion beam axis is effected about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. It is preferred if the bearings are still connected to actuators.

With the aid of the invention, a method for steering a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axle can be realized in which a movement of the torsion beam axle about the vertical motor vehicle axle is effected by applying a force acting on the torsion beam axle in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In particular, in this case the torsion beam axle comprise a cross member and associated trailing arm, which are each provided in the vehicle longitudinal direction at their rear ends with a wheel carrier for fastening a motor vehicle wheel and are connected at their front ends respectively via a bearing with the vehicle body. The force acting in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the torsion beam axle force can then be effected by a displacement of the bearing relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

The method is advantageous because here the steering of the torsion beam axle can be effected with a device which is mechanically robust and can be installed spatially efficient.

The displacement of the bearings can be done, for example, by means of actuators connected to the bearings. The actuators are preferably in a middle position or central position, if no steering movement is to be effected via the torsion beam axle. The middle position lends itself when, when driving straight ahead of the motor vehicle, no steering movement is to take place via the torsion beam axle or via the rear wheels.

If a steering movement is to take place via the rear wheels, the actuators are preferably displaced into a position offset relative to the vehicle body relative to the vehicle body and from the position of the other actuator in a forward or rearward position, in order to move the torsion beam axle about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle to effect.

Furthermore, it is preferred if an actuator is displaced into a position displaced rearwardly relative to the motor vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction, if the respective other actuator is displaced into a position displaced forward relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction in order to move the torsion beam axle about the vertical motor vehicle axle to effect.

The actuators are thus moved relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the front or to the rear, with an arranged on the one side of the motor vehicle actuator displacement of its associated bearing relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the rear and one on the other Automobile side arranged actuator caused movement of its associated bearing relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction forward movement of the torsion beam axis to cause the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

However, a control movement is also possible if only one of the actuators, is moved and thereby only one of the two bearings is moved. This also causes a movement of the torsion beam about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle. The one-sided movement can z. B. be useful if only a small rotational movement of the twist beam axis should be, or be necessary if one of the actuators should fail. Furthermore, if the actuators are both displaced forwards and backwards in the same direction relative to the central position and relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction, they can also be in different positions relative to one another and thereby cause the torsion beam axis to move about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. Show it:

1 an embodiment of a device according to the invention in plan view, wherein the actuators are in a middle position.

2 the embodiment according to 1 in plan view, wherein the composite beam axis is in a moved position about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle.

An embodiment of the inventive device for steering a motor vehicle is described below with reference to the 1 and 2 described.

The embodiment of the device shown in the figures consists of a torsion beam axle 1 from torsional and rigid trailing arms, which are welded to a rigid, but torsionally soft cross member. At the rear ends of the trailing arm are the wheels 2a respectively. 2 B around a rotation axis 3a . 3b rotatably mounted. For the suspension and damping is the compound axle 1 with spring elements 4a . 4b and with damping elements 5a . 5b connected. The front ends of the trailing arms are bearings 7a . 7b arranged over which the trailing arm and thus the torsion beam axle 1 with the vehicle body 6 are connected. Camps 7a . 7b are with the actuators 11a respectively. 11b connected. The actuator 11a is the camp 7a assigned and the actuator 11b the camp 7b , Every camp 7a . 7b is preferably about holder 9a respectively. 9b with actuator 11a respectively. 11b connected. In the present embodiment, the actuators comprise electromotive actuators. The actuators may alternatively but also include hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. But also actuators with actuators based on other principles of action can be used in principle.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, each bearing 7a . 7b preferably sockets 8a respectively. 8b on. Each socket 8a or 8b Each has an outer metal element, a core of an elastomer and an inner metal element. Every camp 7a . 7b is over the socket 8a respectively. 8b with Holder 9a respectively. 9b connected, wherein the compound preferably between the inner metal element of the socket 8a . 8b and holder 9a respectively. 9b consists. The connection is preferably via at least one bolt element 10a . 10b will be produced. Every holder 9a respectively. 9b is preferably directly with actuator 11a respectively. 11b connected. The connection of each holder 9a . 9b with actuator 11a respectively. 11b but can also each one or more links 12a respectively. 12b include.

In the present embodiment, rubber is used as the core material because it allows connections from the twist beam axle to the vehicle body and other elements of the motor vehicle, while dampening vibration of the wheel guide. But elastomers other than rubber can be used as core material.

As in 1 shown are the actuators 11a . 11b preferably in a middle position when no movement of the Beam axle 1 around the vertical motor vehicle axle is effected. Will a movement of the torsion beam axle 1 causes the vertical vehicle axle, for example, to steer the vehicle to the right, is located actuator 11a in a relative to the vehicle body 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction offset position, and actuator 11b is located in a relative to the vehicle body 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction forward offset position, as in 2 shown.

In other words, by the device according to the invention a movement of the torsion beam axle 1 to the vertical motor vehicle axle preferably effected by the fact that by the arranged on the one motor vehicle side actuator, for. B. 11a , a shift of the associated camp 7a relative to the vehicle body 6 is caused to the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction and by the arranged on the other side of the motor vehicle actuator 11b a shift of his associated camp 7b relative to the vehicle body 6 is effected in the vehicle longitudinal direction forward. The movement of the torsion beam axle 1 around the vertical vehicle axle causes a control movement over the rear wheels. Of course, can also be actuator 11b to be moved forward and 11a to the rear. Furthermore, only one actuator can be used 11a . 11b be moved forward or backward to a movement of the torsion beam axle 1 to cause the vertical vehicle axle while the other remains in position. Also, both actuators can 11a . 11b be moved in the same direction, but to varying degrees.

Variations and changes of the invention which are obvious to a person skilled in the art fall within the scope of the patent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Beam axle

2a

left wheel

2 B

right wheel

3a

Rotation axis of the left wheel

3b

Rotation axis of the right wheel

4a

left spring element

4b

right spring element

5a

left damper element

5b

right damper element

6

Automotive body

7a

left bearing

7b

right bearing

8a

left socket

8b

right socket

9a

left holder

9b

right holder

10a

left bolt element

10b

right bolt element

11a

left actuator

11b

right actuator

12a

left link

12b

right link

X

Motor vehicle longitudinal axis

Y

Motor vehicle transverse axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2004/103802 [0003]
• DE 102010061154 A1 [0003]
• DE 102007055353 [0003]
• DE 102009003832 A1 [0003]
• DE 102012019072 [0003]
• DE 102011110697 A1 [0003]

Claims (14)

Device for steering a motor vehicle with a torsion beam axle ( 1 ), characterized in that a device ( 11a . 11b ) for applying such in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the torsion beam axle ( 1 ) acting force is present, that a movement of the torsion beam axle ( 1 ) is effected about the vertical vehicle axle. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the torsion beam axle 1 with a cross member and associated trailing arm, which in the vehicle longitudinal direction at their rear ends in each case with a wheel carrier for fastening a motor vehicle wheel ( 2a . 2 B ) and at their front ends each have a bearing ( 7a . 7b ) with the vehicle body ( 6 ), each bearing ( 7a . 7b ) relative to the vehicle body ( 6 ) by means of the device ( 11a . 11b ) for applying a vehicle longitudinal direction to the torsion beam axle ( 1 ) acting force in the vehicle longitudinal direction is displaceable such that a movement of the torsion beam axis ( 1 ) is effected about the vertical vehicle axle. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for applying a vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the torsion beam axis ( 1 ) acting force actuators ( 11a . 11b ), each bearing ( 7a . 7b ) with an actuator ( 11a respectively. 11b ) connected is. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuators ( 11a . 11b ) Are linear actuators. Device according to claim 3 or 4, in which each bearing ( 7a . 7b ) by means of the actuator ( 11a respectively. 11b ) relative to the vehicle body ( 6 ) Is displaceable in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the actuators ( 11a . 11b ) are arranged to be in a middle position, if no movement of the torsion beam axis ( 1 ) about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, and wherein the actuators ( 11a . 11b ) are formed, in a relative to the middle position, relative to the motor vehicle body ( 6 ) in the vehicle longitudinal direction and from the position of the respective other actuator different forward or rearward offset position to a movement of the torsion beam axis ( 1 ) to effect the vertical automobile axle. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, in which each actuator ( 11a . 11b ) is formed in a relative to the vehicle body ( 6 ) in the vehicle longitudinal direction offset position to be located when the other actuator in a relative to the vehicle body ( 6 ) in the vehicle longitudinal direction offset position to a movement of the torsion beam axle ( 1 ) to effect the vertical automobile axle. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which each bearing ( 7a . 7b ) a socket ( 8a respectively. 8b ) each comprising an outer metal member, an elastomeric core and an inner metal member. Device according to one of claims 3 to 8, in which each bearing ( 7a . 7b ) via a holder ( 9a respectively. 9b ) with actuator ( 11a respectively. 11b ) connected is. Device according to claim 9, in which each holder ( 9a . 9b ) directly with actuator ( 11a respectively. 11b ) connected is. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the connection of each holder ( 9a . 9b ) with actuator ( 11a respectively. 11b ) at least one further connecting link ( 12a respectively. 12b ). Device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, in which each bushing ( 8a . 8b ) via at least one bolt element ( 10a respectively. 10b ) with the respective holder ( 9a respectively. 9b ) connected is. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the movement of the torsion-beam axle ( 1 ) is controlled about the vertical vehicle axle by a control unit. Motor vehicle with a device according to one of claims 1-13.

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