EP0000822B1 - Axle assembly for a road vehicle - Google Patents

Axle assembly for a road vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0000822B1
EP0000822B1 EP78300218A EP78300218A EP0000822B1 EP 0000822 B1 EP0000822 B1 EP 0000822B1 EP 78300218 A EP78300218 A EP 78300218A EP 78300218 A EP78300218 A EP 78300218A EP 0000822 B1 EP0000822 B1 EP 0000822B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
arm
spindle
spindles
axle beam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP78300218A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0000822A1 (en
Inventor
Timothy Selwyn Fry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GKN Group Services Ltd
Original Assignee
GKN Group Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GKN Group Services Ltd filed Critical GKN Group Services Ltd
Publication of EP0000822A1 publication Critical patent/EP0000822A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0000822B1 publication Critical patent/EP0000822B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G9/00—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels
    • B60G9/02—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle, e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
    • B60G9/027—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle, e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle the axle having either a triangular, a "T" or "U" shape and being directly articulated with the chassis only by its middle apex, e.g. De Dion suspension
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G21/00—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces
    • B60G21/02—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected
    • B60G21/04—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically
    • B60G21/05—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G9/00—Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B60K17/04—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of gearing
    • B60K17/043—Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B60K17/30—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
    • B60K17/306—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable with a universal joint in the axis of the steering knuckle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D7/00—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings
    • B62D7/06—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins
    • B62D7/08—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings for individually-pivoted wheels, e.g. on king-pins the pivotal axes being situated in a single plane transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
    • B60G2200/30—Rigid axle suspensions
    • B60G2200/314—Rigid axle suspensions with longitudinally arranged arms articulated on the axle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
    • B60G2200/30—Rigid axle suspensions
    • B60G2200/34—Stabilising mechanisms, e.g. for lateral stability
    • B60G2200/343—Stabilising mechanisms, e.g. for lateral stability with an axle suspended by two pivoted rods in "V"-arrangement, the rods being coupled at its apex

Definitions

  • This invention relates to axle assemblies for road vehicles.
  • a vehicle suspension system including a connecting member or axle beam universally pivotally connected at its centre to a link itself connected to the vehicle structure for swinging movement.
  • a connecting member or axle beam At each end of the axle beam is connected, for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, a housing which itself carries a stub axle for the wheel.
  • a radius arm is rigidly connected to the housing, and pivoted to the vehicle frame.
  • This suspension system is stated to be of simple construction whilst effectively taking up side loads on the wheels and maintaining the wheel track at an unchanging angle to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle. Whilst achieving these aims, however, there are certain disadvantages in that the path of movement of each wheel is arcuate, which means that the pitch centre of the vehicle, i.e. the instantaneous point about which the vehicle is moving angularly in pitch, is displaced with suspension movement and this can produce an unpredictable and uncomfortable motion in the vehicle. Further, the attitude of the vehicle is changed by forces arising during braking, and it is among the objects of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.
  • an axle assembly for a road vehicle comprising an axle beam having oppositely disposed limbs, means constraining the centre of the axle beam to translatory movement in a place extending fore and aft of the vehicle while permitting universal pivoting of the axle beam, aligned spindles received in the end portions of the limbs of the axle beam and an arm carried by each spindle extending generally upwardly therefrom, to provide for pivotal movement of the arm about the spindle axis, the arm carrying a hub, characterised by an upper and lower radius rod on each side of the vehicle, the lower radius rod on each side of the vehicle being pivotally connected to the arm or to the limb adjacent the spindle on that side and the upper radius rod being pivotally connected to the arm on that side at its upper end remote from the spindle, the radius rods extending generally fore and aft of the vehicle and their other ends being pivotally connected to the vehicle structure.
  • Each arm may extend inboardly of the vehicle chassis and at an inclination to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.
  • the spindle, the arm and a further vertical link may form a triangular arrangement.
  • the hubs can be driven by shafts extending between them and gearboxes on hubs carried by the spindles.
  • the gearboxes (which may be of any desired ratio) will normally contain bevel gears so that the hubs can be driven from shafts extending generally longitudinally of the vehicle.
  • the hubs are driven from separate shafts connected to a differential final drive, the shaft extending, for example, obliquely to the centre line of the vehicle.
  • the hubs may be steered.
  • the spindles on which the hubs are mounted may be hollow and may have control rods located therein, the control rods being connected to track rods which pass out of the spindles through slots in the walls thereof and which are connected to the hubs by steering arms. Steering is effected by moving control rods longitudinally within the spindle.
  • the control rods may project inwardly from the spindles and be controlled by separate quadrants or pinions so as to leave a clear space between the limbs of the axle beam in which the engine and/or gearbox of the vehicle can be accommodated.
  • the hollow spindles may form cylinders for pistons and be connected to a source of hydraulic fluid so as to provide a power steering arrangement.
  • the axle assembly comprises an axle beam 10 of V-shape having, at its ends, aligned bores 11 which contain bearings.
  • the bores are slotted at 12 and are arranged to extend transversely of the vehicle.
  • each spindle Received in the bearings in each bore 11 is a spindle 13, each spindle being slotted at 14 and being hollow.
  • the inner end of each spindle is connected to a vertical link 15 and a triangulat- ing arm 16 extends from the outer end of the spindle to the link 15.
  • each spindle has a bush 17 in which is received a king pin 18.
  • Mounted on the king pin 18 at each end of the axle is a channel-section steering arm 19.
  • the trailing end of the arm 19 is connected to a pin 20 at the outer end of a track rod 21.
  • the inner ends 23 of the track rod pass through the slots 12 at the ends of the axle beam and through the slots 14 in the spindles 13.
  • control rod 22 Slidable within the bore in each spindle 13 is a control rod 22 and to these control rods are pivoted the inner ends 23 of the track rods 21. Transverse movement of the control rods 22 will cause steering movement of the steering arms 19 via the track rods.
  • One way of moving the control rods 22 is by forming them as racks at 24 and engaging these racks with separate quadrants 25 driven by shafts 26 journalled in lugs on the axle beam.
  • a space is provided between the inner ends thereof to give clearance, for example, to an engine or other item of equipment on the vehicle.
  • the control rods 22 could be connected or formed as a single rod controlled by a single quadrant. Instead of quadrants, pinions could be used or levers could be provided on the ends of the control rods connected via ball joints to control means.
  • the axle assembly is located by a V-shaped link 27 having arms 28 connected together at an apex which is connected via a universal joint 29 to the apex of the axle beam 10.
  • the other ends 30 of the V-shaped link are connected via universal joints to parts of the vehicle chassis.
  • the link thus locates the axle beam transversely of the vehicle.
  • lower radius rods 31 which are connected via universal joints to the lower ends of the links 15 adjacent to the spindles 13.
  • the radius rods 31 are connected either to the links 15 or to the ends of the axle beam via universal joints at locations adjacent to the spindles.
  • the upper radius rods are indicated at 32 and are connected via universal joints to the upper ends of the arms 16, in the present example via the links 15.
  • the links 15 could be omitted in which case the rods 32 would be connected directly to the arms 16.
  • the radius rods control the pitch centre of the axle assembly and take torque reaction from braking.
  • each king pin 18 Mounted on each king pin 18 is a driven hub 33. Each hub is driven via a shaft 34. Each shaft extends between the hub 33 and a bevel gearbox 35 mounted on link 15. There is a constant velocity universal joint 36 at the outer end of each shaft. The shafts 34 pass through holes in the arms 16.
  • the hubs may include epicyclic hub reduction gears and will carry road wheels.
  • the bevel gearboxes 35 are driven via longitudinal shafts, one of which is indicated at 37.
  • the gearboxes 35 could be omitted and the hubs driven by shafts whose inner ends are connected to a differential final drive mechanism.
  • FIG. 3 shows a non-steered axle.
  • a V-shaped axle beam 50 which at its end has bearings 51.
  • a spindle 52 In each bearing is mounted a spindle 52.
  • an oblique arm 54 At the outer end of each spindle is secured an oblique arm 54 which is triangulated with the spindle by means of a vertical link 53.
  • Upper and lower radius rods 55 and 56 are provided on each side extending longitudinally of the vehicle and controlling the pitch centre.
  • the radius rods 56 are connected to the links 53 or to the axle beam 50 adjacent to the spindles 52 whereas the radius rods 55 are connected to the upper ends of the arms 54 via the links 53.
  • Hubs 59 are mounted on the arms 54.
  • a V-shaped link is connected to the apex of the axle axle beam by means of a universal joint 57 and the ends of the link 60 are connected at 58 to the vehicle chassis via universal joints.
  • the links 53 may be omitted and the radius rods 55 connected directly to the upper ends of the arms 54.
  • the axle may be sprung by spring legs acting on the axle beam 10 or 50.
  • the line of action of each spring will pass through the line between the universal joint 29 or 57 and the plan centre line of each wheel carried by the axle. Where centre point steering is provided this centre line is coincident with the pivot axis of the hub in Figure 1.
  • the steering axle could be steered by means of a generally vertical telescopic shaft having one end on the transverse axis through the universal joint 29 with the shaft extending perpendicular to said transverse axis.
  • One could have a bevel steering box at the upper end of this telescopic shaft.
  • the lower end of the shaft should preferably be on the transverse axis through the universal joint 29 but may be slightly off said . axis and would be connected, in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, to the quadrants 25.
  • axle beam is connected by way of a ball (universal) joint 40 to a block 41 slideable longitudinally within a member 42 by suitable bearings, e.g. ball bearings 43.
  • the member 42 is secured to the chassis of the vehicle with the direction of sliding of the block 41 extending longitudinally of the vehicle, thereby constraining the axle beam against movement laterally of the vehicle.
  • the axle beam is, however, still capable of the universal pivoting movement about its centre as in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3.
  • an axle assembly comprising a de Dion tube 250, links 251 in vee formation universally pivotally connected by universal joint 252 to the centre of the de Dion tube 250, and upwardly extending arms 256 pivotally connected to the ends of the de Dion tube.
  • the arms 256 are supported by two pairs of radius rods 261, the rods of each pair being provided at the upper and lower ends of the arms 256 and the wheel supports 257 being between the points of attachment of the radius rods 261.
  • the radius rods are universally pivotally connected to the body or chassis of the vehicle and to the arms 256, to allow for rolling motion of the de Dion tube 250 about universal joint 252.
  • the linkage of Figure 5 may also be applied to axle assemblies incorporating steerable wheels, and/or wheels which are driven, e.g. from universally jointed shafts mounted on the body or chassis of the vehicle between the wheels.
  • the axle assembly may be sprung by springs operating on the axle beam.
  • hubs of the axle assembly are steered by track rods 21 connected to control rods slidable within the bores of spindles 13, the hubs may be steered by other means.
  • a conventional steering rack could be employed, connected by conventional track rods directly to the steering arms.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
EP78300218A 1977-08-13 1978-07-31 Axle assembly for a road vehicle Expired EP0000822B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB3407877 1977-08-13
GB3407877 1977-08-13
GB593778 1978-02-15
GB593778 1978-02-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0000822A1 EP0000822A1 (en) 1979-02-21
EP0000822B1 true EP0000822B1 (en) 1981-11-11

Family

ID=26240266

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP78300218A Expired EP0000822B1 (en) 1977-08-13 1978-07-31 Axle assembly for a road vehicle

Country Status (19)

Country Link
US (1) US4223910A (it)
EP (1) EP0000822B1 (it)
JP (1) JPS5433425A (it)
AU (1) AU527998B2 (it)
BR (1) BR7805156A (it)
CA (1) CA1095543A (it)
CS (1) CS213347B2 (it)
DD (1) DD138172A5 (it)
DE (1) DE2861313D1 (it)
DK (1) DK356278A (it)
ES (1) ES472504A1 (it)
HU (1) HU178232B (it)
IE (1) IE47164B1 (it)
IT (1) IT1160589B (it)
MX (1) MX146494A (it)
PH (1) PH15962A (it)
PL (1) PL208987A1 (it)
TR (1) TR20471A (it)
ZA (1) ZA784375B (it)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE7812148L (sv) * 1977-11-30 1979-05-31 Mo Avtomobilno Dorozhnyj Inst Transportfordon
EP0067606A1 (en) * 1981-06-11 1982-12-22 GKN Group Services Limited Steering of vehicles
US4705128A (en) * 1984-03-05 1987-11-10 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Independent wheel suspension system having a differential pivotable about two axes
JPH0712767B2 (ja) * 1989-09-04 1995-02-15 本田技研工業株式会社 車両用懸架装置
JP2525297B2 (ja) * 1991-06-21 1996-08-14 村田機械株式会社 移載装置
US6533299B2 (en) * 2000-11-29 2003-03-18 Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, Llc Drive axle air suspension
US6966612B2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-11-22 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Tag axle assembly
US7837203B1 (en) 2007-01-29 2010-11-23 Vantage Mobility International, Llc Wheelchair converted vehicle having independent rear suspension and method of manufacturing
DE102007007439A1 (de) * 2007-02-15 2008-08-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Achse eines zweispurigen Fahrzeugs mit einem torsionsweichen Verbundlenker
DE102012212475A1 (de) * 2012-07-17 2014-05-22 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Angetriebene Achse eines zweispurigen Fahrzeugs
WO2019046531A1 (en) 2017-08-30 2019-03-07 Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, Llc TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL AXLE
DE102019111714A1 (de) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Universität Siegen Hinterachse für ein zweispuriges Fahrzeug und zweispuriges Fahrzeug mit einer Hinterachse

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1856831A (en) * 1928-12-24 1932-05-03 Guy Sydney Slater Front wheel drive system for motor vehicles
US1890766A (en) * 1929-01-31 1932-12-13 Adams Frank John Mounting the steered wheels of road vehicles
US2255365A (en) * 1939-09-02 1941-09-09 Lucas Vaccaro Vehicle wheel mounting
FR933999A (fr) * 1946-09-19 1948-05-07 Roue motrice avant pour véhicule à moteur
US2634986A (en) * 1950-01-20 1953-04-14 Ernest C Mcdaniel Front wheel dolly for trailers
US2988160A (en) * 1955-12-29 1961-06-13 Frederick J Hooven Vehicle rear axle guiding system
GB814306A (en) * 1955-12-29 1959-06-03 Engineering Res & Applic Ltd Improvements in or relating to suspension means for the rear-wheels of a motor car
DE1274899B (de) * 1958-06-21 1968-08-08 Daimler Benz Ag Aufhaengung eines Achsquertraegers fuer Einzelradaufhaengung eines Kraftfahrzeuges
US2994396A (en) * 1959-09-21 1961-08-01 Gen Motors Corp Suspension and steering assembly
GB1299150A (en) * 1970-08-13 1972-12-06 Gen Motors Corp Motor vehicle suspension systems
DE2247043A1 (de) * 1972-09-26 1974-04-04 Volkswagenwerk Ag Achse fuer kraftfahrzeuge
DE2402324A1 (de) * 1974-01-18 1975-07-31 Opel Adam Ag Teilabhaengige radaufhaengung fuer kraftfahrzeuge
JPS5225319A (en) * 1975-08-15 1977-02-25 Mazda Motor Corp Asymmetrical rear suspension of automobiles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES472504A1 (es) 1979-03-16
DK356278A (da) 1979-02-14
AU3871278A (en) 1980-02-14
EP0000822A1 (en) 1979-02-21
IE47164B1 (en) 1984-01-11
CS213347B2 (en) 1982-04-09
ZA784375B (en) 1979-07-25
IE781586L (en) 1979-02-13
CA1095543A (en) 1981-02-10
PH15962A (en) 1983-05-04
MX146494A (es) 1982-07-02
BR7805156A (pt) 1979-05-08
DD138172A5 (de) 1979-10-17
HU178232B (en) 1982-04-28
IT7868901A0 (it) 1978-08-11
JPS5433425A (en) 1979-03-12
AU527998B2 (en) 1983-03-31
US4223910A (en) 1980-09-23
TR20471A (tr) 1981-07-01
PL208987A1 (pl) 1979-07-02
IT1160589B (it) 1987-03-11
DE2861313D1 (en) 1982-01-14

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