JPH06298115A - Integral steering knuckle assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an inexpensive and strong steering knuckle capable of highly reliable connection. CONSTITUTION: This assembly is provided with a flange body 11 for housing a brake assembly 13, a wheel spindle 12 and enlarged bosses 27 and 28 formed at the flange body, a tie-rod arm 16 connected with the flange body, and the bosses are provided with inner holes 24 whose axial directions are made coincident so that a king pin 21 can be accepted. The whole parts of the flange body, the wheel spindle, the tie-rod arm, and the enlarged bosses are formed as an integral strong forged article from a single steel billet. The forged article can be used for a vehicle on the market whose vehicle total weight is at least about 14,000 1bs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a steering knuckle assembly for a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to an integral steering knuckle assembly for heavy duty commercial vehicles such as trucks, in which the tie rod arm is integrally forged with the brake flange, with or without the steering arm. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known to supply a steering knuckle for bearing lubrication in which a tie rod is fastened. This is described in US Pat. No. 1,755,627. It is also known in the prior art to provide a spindle arm integrated with a steering knuckle for suspension as well as an integral brake flange for attachment to a brake backing plate. This is described in US Pat. No. 2,556,767.

Steering knuckles for heavy vehicles such as trucks, in which the steering arm and the tie rod arm are fixed to the steering knuckle by a screw portion and a tightening nut, are generally commercially available. These heavy duty steering knuckles also use a flanged body with individually mounted brake spider components for connection to the brake drum assembly.

The heavy duty automotive industry needs to provide a steering knuckle assembly in which the tie rod arm is integrally formed with the steering knuckle with or without the steering arm.

[0005]

In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering knuckle for a heavy-duty commercial vehicle that can be manufactured at low cost and has high reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integral steering knuckle in which the tie rod arms are integrally forged.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a forged steering knuckle in which the brake flange comprises a knuckle integral with a steering rod arm or tie rod arm.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an integrated steering for a heavy duty commercial vehicle such as a truck in which a flange body is constructed and arranged to house a brake assembly. Configure the knuckle assembly. The wheel spindle extends from the flange body, and the tie rod arm is integrally connected to the flange body. An enlarged boss extends from the flange body on the opposite side of the wheel assembly, and the boss is provided with bores axially aligned with each other for receiving the kingpins. The flange body, the wheel spindle, the tie rod arms and the expansion boss are all formed from a single steel billet as a one piece strong forging. The forging may be used on a commercial vehicle having a total vehicle weight of at least about 14,000 lbs.

According to one feature of the invention, the tie rod arm and the steering arm are integrally connected to the flange body as previously described.

Preferably, the flange body is forged into a brake spider shape.

Also, preferably, the steering arm or the tie rod arm is connected to the flange body through an enlarged boss around the inner hole for the kingpin.

According to another feature of the invention, the wheel spindle is integrally connected to the flange body on the opposite side of the steering arm or tie rod arm. In yet another embodiment, the flange body is substantially flat with an opening therethrough for connecting the brake assembly.

[0013]

The tie rod arm and, in some cases, the steering arm also integrally extend from the flange body provided in the integral steering knuckle assembly for a heavy-duty commercial vehicle such as a truck. The flange body is constructed and arranged to accommodate the brake assembly, and the wheel spindle also extends integrally from the flange body. Further, on the opposite side of the wheel assembly, there is an enlarged boss extending from the flange body, and the boss is provided with an inner hole which is axially aligned with each other so as to receive the kingpin, Since the flange body, wheel spindle, tie rod arm and expansion boss are all formed from a single steel billet as an integral strong forging, the forging can be used on a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of at least about 14,000 lbs. Becomes

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The steering knuckle 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 in which a flange body 11 is provided, from which a general wheel spindle 12 extends.
The flange body 11 in this case is a brake spider 13. On the opposite side, a steering arm 14 and a tie rod arm 16 are formed integrally with the flange body. A typical truck axle is shown at 18, with a collar 19 at the end. The steering knuckle 10 is connected to the axle 18 by a king pin 21 which is inserted through the enlarged bosses 27 and 28 of the steering arm 14 and the tie rod arm 16, respectively. King pin 21 is held in the axle by bolts and washers 25.

As shown in FIG. 2, the enlarged bosses 27 and 28 are formed with openings 24 for receiving the kingpins 21. A lid 23 as shown at 22 in FIG.
Are fastened to the bosses 27 and 28, and the kingpin is enclosed inside. The steering rod 30 is rotatably connected to the steering arm 14 by a bolt 37 and a nut 36 which are inserted into the enlarged boss 33. Similarly, tie rod
31 is rotatably connected to the tie rod arm 16 by a bolt 37 and a nut 36 which are inserted into the enlarged boss 34.

As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the flange body 11 is shown in US Pat. No. 3,749,415.
Apertures, such as 39 and 40, are provided for mounting brake discs as shown at 68, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Steering knuckle 11 of the second to fourth embodiments
0, 210 and 310 are shown in FIGS. Similar parts are designated by corresponding numbers plus 100, 200 and 300. Comparison of these embodiments with the embodiment of FIG. 1 does not show the connection with the axle 18. Nor is the connection with the steering or tie rod arms shown.

The steering knuckle 110 will first be described, except that it does not include a steering arm, eg, 14, which connects to a steering rod.
Same as Example 10. This steering knuckle 110
Are used for trucks in pairs with the knuckle 10, with the knuckle 10 on the right and the knuckle 110 on the left. The steering knuckle 110 also shows that the enlarged bosses 127 and 128 can be provided with a circular portion for receiving the kingpin 21.

The steering knuckles 210 and 310 can be used in pairs on the same truck.
Is on the left and the knuckle 310 is on the right. The steering knuckles 210 and 310 differ from the knuckles 10 and 110 in that the flange bodies 211 and 311 are of a standard or conventional type capable of containing brake spider components for connection to a brake drum assembly.

4 to 11 show a forging process of the steering knuckle 10 of the present invention. The first stage is shown in FIG. 4, where the steel billet is heated to the forged state. The next step is shown in FIG. 5 where the heated billet 42 is contacted by a forging roll to form a reduced cross-section as shown at 43. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the back and waste as shown at 46 is formed and can be done by molding the billet 42 on the mold.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the steering arm 14 and the tie rod arm 16 are attached to the flange body.
A roughing step is carried out which forms with 11 and the wheel spindle 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the wheel spindle is molded into the final shape and the enlarged boss 27 and
A finish forging impression is performed in which 28 is provided on the steering arm 14 and the tie rod arm 16. The next step, shown in FIG. 9, is to remove the burr as shown at 47 in FIGS. 7 and 8. At the stage of FIG. 10, the tie rod arm 16 is bent by molding to the illustrated rotational position. The final stage, shown in FIG. 11, is a machine in which the screw 49 is screwed onto the wheel spindle 12, the openings 24 and 52 are formed in the enlarged bosses 27, 28 and 33, 34, and further screw holes such as 26 are formed. It is a processing stage.

The steering knuckles 110, 210 and 310 are also forged as described for the knuckle 10, but in the case of the steering knuckles 110 and 210, forging of rod arms such as 14 is omitted.

An important feature of the present invention is the tie rod arm.
In the case of the integral steering knuckle 10,110,210,310 in which 16,116,216,316 are integrally formed with the flange body 11, it is not necessary to costly machine a separate tie rod arm and connect it to the conventional steering knuckle. This also applies when the steering arms 14 and 314 are integrally forged. Conventional methods require the formation of separate bosses that are machined so that the threaded portions of these tie rod arms or steering arms can be fastened. Furthermore, since a single flange body 11 is provided for connecting to the brake drum assembly, the connection via the intermediate brake spider that has been conventionally used is unnecessary. All of these features are incorporated into an integral steering knuckle assembly forged from a single billet of steel used in heavy duty commercial vehicles such as trucks. This integrated structure
Not only does it provide a robust and reliable connection, but it also reduces the cost of additional components, machining, and the expanding connection bosses that require extra steel to manufacture.

The integrated steering knuckle assembly described above is used in heavy duty commercial vehicles, particularly including trucks and buses of classes 5, 6, 7, and 8. The benefits can also be realized in a commercial vehicle with a total vehicle weight of at least 14,000 lbs.

Steel is the preferred metal used in forging billets into an integral steering knuckle. 14
Although steering arms such as 16 and rod arms such as 16 are shown in a fixed arrangement with respect to the flange body 11, it is clear that they can take on various shapes and angles.

Although the preferred steering knuckles of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that they are not intended to limit the present invention and that various modifications can be made within the spirit of the present invention. Would be obvious.

[0027]

As described above, in the steering knuckle of the present invention, since the tie rod arm is integrally formed with the flange body by casting from a single billet of steel, the tie rod arm is separately formed and joined. Not only does it provide a tougher, more reliable connection than a steering knuckle, it also reduces the cost of additional components, machining, and the expanding connection bosses that require extra steel to manufacture.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single member type knuckle assembly of the present invention connected to an axle as seen from above.

2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the single piece knuckle assembly of FIG. 1 not connected to an axle.

3 is an end view of the steering knuckle shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a heating billet.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a steel billet after a forging roll.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a steel billet on which a rear portion and a rough land are formed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a steering knuckle according to the present invention in a rough striking stage in which a steering arm and the like are formed together with a flange body and a wheel spindle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the steering knuckle of the present invention when forging is completed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the steering knuckle of the present invention after deburring.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the steering knuckle of the present invention when the tie rod arm is bent to finish the tie rod mold.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the steering knuckle of the present invention at the machining stage.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a steering knuckle showing a second embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1, but with no axle or other steering or tie rods connected.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a steering knuckle showing a third embodiment similar to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a steering knuckle showing a fourth embodiment similar to that of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Integrated steering knuckle assembly 11 Flange body 12 Wheel spindle 14 Steering arm 16 Tie rod arm 21 King pin 24 Inner hole 27, 28 Enlarged boss 42 Steel billet

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A flange body constructed and arranged to accommodate a brake assembly, a wheel spindle extending from the flange body, a tie rod arm connected to the flange body, and a wheel assembly of the wheel assembly. On the opposite side, there is an enlarged boss extending from the flange body, and the boss is provided with an inner hole that axially coincides with each other so as to receive the king pin, and the flange body and the wheel. The spindle, tie rod arm, and expansion boss are all formed from a single steel billet as a one-piece, strong forging that has a gross vehicle weight of at least about 14,000.
An integrated steering knuckle for heavy-duty commercial vehicles such as trucks, which can be used for lbs commercial vehicles. 2. The steering knuckle according to claim 1, wherein the flange body is formed by a brake spider. 3. The steering knuckle according to claim 1, wherein the flange body is adapted to accommodate the brake spider. 4. A flange body constructed and arranged to house a brake assembly, a wheel spindle extending from the flange body, a steering arm, a tie rod arm, and both the steering arm and the tie rod arm. An inner hole formed in the inner wall of the flange body, the wheel spindle, the steering arm, and the tie rod arm are all made of a single steel. An integrated steering for heavy-duty commercial vehicles such as trucks, characterized in that it is formed from a billet as a one-piece strong forging, which can be used in commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of at least about 14,000 lbs. knuckle. 5. The steering knuckle according to claim 4, wherein the steering arm and the tie rod arm are connected to the flange body through an enlarged boss around the inner hole. 6. The steering arm and the tie rod arm have an enlarged boss at the end opposite to the side of the flange body, and the boss is provided with an inner hole for connecting to the steering and the tie rod link mechanism. The steering knuckle according to claim 4, wherein. 7. The steering knuckle according to claim 4, wherein the wheel spindle is connected to the flange body on the opposite side of the steering arm and the tie rod arm. 8. The steering knuckle according to claim 4, wherein the flange body is substantially flat and has an opening for connecting to the brake assembly. 9. The steering knuckle according to claim 4, wherein the steering knuckle is forged from steel. 10. A one-piece steering knuckle assembly for a heavy duty commercial vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of at least 14,000 lbs, the first and second substantially flat sides configured and arranged to receive a brake assembly. A flange body having a portion, a wheel spindle extending from a first side portion of the flange body, a second side portion of the flange body opposite to the wheel spindle side, and a kingpin Upper and lower expansion bosses each provided with an inner hole that axially coincides with each other so as to be receivable, and after extending from the lower expansion boss away from the second side portion of the flange body, A tie rod arm provided substantially parallel to the flange body, the flange body, the wheel spindle, the tie rod arm and the expansion. A steering knuckle characterized in that all of the large bosses are formed from a single steel billet as an integrated strong forged product. 11. The steering knuckle according to claim 10, wherein the flange body is formed by a brake spider. 12. The steering knuckle according to claim 10, wherein the flange body is adapted to accommodate the brake spider. 13. A one-piece steering knuckle assembly for a heavy duty commercial vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of at least 14,000 lbs, constructed and arranged to receive a brake assembly, the first and second substantially flat sides. A flange body having a portion, a wheel spindle extending from the first side portion of the flange body, and a second side portion of the flange body opposite to the wheel spindle side and capable of receiving a kingpin Upper and lower expansion bosses each having an inner hole in which axial directions are aligned with each other, and a steering arm extending from the upper expansion boss away from the second side portion of the flange body, It is provided so as to extend from the lower expansion boss away from the second side portion of the flange body and then to be substantially parallel to the flange body. A steering knuckle having a tie rod arm, wherein the flange body, the wheel spindle, the tie rod arm, and the expansion boss are all formed as an integral strong forged product from a single steel billet. 14. The steering arm and the tie rod arm have a further enlarged boss at the end opposite to the flange body side, and the boss is provided with an inner hole for connecting to the steering and the tie rod link mechanism. 14. The steering knuckle according to claim 13, wherein 15. The steering knuckle according to claim 13, wherein the wheel spindle is connected to the flange body on the opposite side of the steering arm and the tie rod arm. 16. The steering knuckle of claim 13, wherein the flange body is substantially flat and has an opening for connection with a brake assembly.