SE528801C2 - Connecting device for a vehicle frame and a wheel axle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining device for joining a vehicle's frame (1) to a wheel suspension (2) for a vehicle. The joining device comprises a V-shaped stay (3) where the V-stay is mounted on the wheel suspension (2) via a bearing (5). The bearing (5) comprises an internal bearing element with an external partly spherical abutment surface and an external bearing element with an internal partly spherical abutment surface, which bearing in a normal position of the vehicle has a centre axis (14, 200) oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to a base on which the vehicle is located. According to the invention the internal bearing element comprises a stopper element (30, 302, 405) which cooperates with a locking portion (33, 401, 401') of the external bearing element and prevents the external bearing element from unintentionally being released from the internal bearing element. The stopper element (30, 302, 405) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centre axis, forms an elongated cross section with a longitudinal direction of the cross section oriented in a direction substantially across the vehicle.

Description

A further object is to provide a connecting device which is simple both in installation and in terms of maintenance and which can be easily monitored for maintenance purposes. It is also an object to provide a device in which the connection can in a simple manner be made to be made with the right tolerances.

These objects have been achieved with the present invention as set forth in the appended independent claims, wherein further embodiments of the invention will appear from the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a vehicle frame and a wheel axle comprising a V-shaped strut (hereinafter V-struts) arranged between the vehicle tubes and the wheel suspension. This is, for example, a normal connecting device for frames and wheel axles for larger vehicles, e.g. trucks. The V-strut is articulated connected to the frame and connected to the wheel suspension via a bearing. This bearing comprises an inner bearing element with an outer, partially spherically shaped abutment surface and an outer bearing element with an inner, partially spherically shaped abutment surface, corresponding to a ball bearing. This provides the necessary fl flexibility in the connection to accommodate heeling movements in the transverse direction as well as suspension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as well as good power transmission between the V-stay and the wheel axle. In the normal position of the vehicle, the bearing in the connecting device according to the invention has a center axis directed substantially perpendicular to a base on which the vehicle is placed; a so-called vertically oriented ball bearing. The term "substantially perpendicular relative" is to be understood as meaning that the centimeter axis of the bearing can also have a small angle in relation to the perpendicular to the substrate, as described, for example, in the applicant's own patent application SE0400455-2.

The inner bearing member of the bearing is mounted on one end of the center shaft; so-called unilaterally mounted bearing.

According to the present invention, the inner bearing member comprises a stop member. This stop element cooperates with a locking portion on the outer bearing element and prevents the outer bearing element from being inadvertently released from the inner bearing element.

The stop element forms in an plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis an elongate cross-section with a longitudinal direction of the cross-section oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the vehicle. This gives the greatest flability in the warehouse. Such a design of the stop element has little or no effect on the flexibility of the bearing about a transverse axis relative to the vehicle, which gives a large väg airway in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and only a small effect on the bearing fl flexibility around a longitudinal vehicle axis, so that the heeling flexibility is minimally limited by the stop element. The stop element will thus, even in the case of play in the bearing, prevent the outer bearing element from being inadvertently released from the inner bearing element, since the stop element is larger than the locking portion and their cooperation prevents ignition.

In an embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged at one end of the inner bearing element opposite a fastening end of the inner bearing element. This stop element has an extent which is greater than a diameter of the inner, partly spherically shaped surface of the outer bearing element, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, i.e. in a plane substantially parallel to a base of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a portion of the outer bearing member forms the locking portion of the outer bearing member through the inner, partially spherically shaped surface. The locking portion can therefore be formed by a portion of the bearing housing, wherein a wear bearing element comprising the partially spherical surface is mounted close to the spherical surface or by an end surface of such a wear bearing element.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged between the outer, partially spherically shaped abutment surface and a fastening end of the inner bearing element. According to this embodiment, the locking portion of the outer bearing element is formed by a portion of a bearing housing which surrounds the inner spherical surface, the locking portion of the bearing housing having an inner diameter which is smaller than the length of the stop element.

The length of the stop element preferably refers to the length in its longitudinal direction in both of these embodiments of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a bearing housing for the outer bearing element has a recess, complementary to the stop element, so that the necessary ibilbility in the bearing is achieved. This can be achieved in a number of ways, for example by a lid, fastened to the outer bearing element, having a shape comprising a recess or having a mold which, when attached to the outer bearing element 10, forms a space around the stop element; an alternative to a lid is a completely surrounding outer bearing housing with a recess or borehole that provides space for the stop element; or that the outer bearing member comprises an open bearing housing which does not extend beyond the bearing surface of the outer bearing member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner bearing element is mounted on the wheel suspension, while the outer bearing element is mounted on the V-strut and comprises an enclosing bearing housing formed with or without a lid. The bearing housing can be flexibly connected to the inner bearing element at the end facing the attachment of the inner bearing element, for example by a bellows element. This results in a virtually shielded layer, thereby preventing dirt and dust from entering the layer and destroying the layer surfaces. According to a second embodiment, it is also conceivable here that the inner bearing element is mounted on the V-strut, while the outer bearing element is mounted on the wheel suspension.

The stop element forms a substantially rectangular pin-like stop element. In one embodiment, the stop element also comprises rounded surfaces at its two ends on the sides which do not face the locking portion of the outer bearing element for the greatest possible flability in the bearing.

In one embodiment, the recess in the bearing housing of the outer bearing element consists of a circumferential recess around the center axis. The recess can also be more rectangular in shape. The locking portion of the outer bearing element forms a side portion of this recess for co-operation with the stop element.

The locking portion can in one embodiment be formed by two diametrically opposite portions around the center axis, i.e. not circumferentially the entire circumference of the outer bearing element, the bearing housing. One can also imagine fl er than two locking portions around the perimeter. Such a solution is conceivable both when the locking portion is formed by a portion on the bearing housing or the bearing surface.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner bearing member comprises an inner center pin and a ball member comprising the outer, partially spherical 528 abutment surface. The stop element is preferably mounted on one end of the center pin, while the ball element is mounted around the center pin and arranged between the stop element and a device for mounting the center pin.

Alternatively, the stop element can be arranged between the ball element and a means for mounting the center pin. When it has been brought into abutment against the spherical surface of the inner element, the outer bearing element will never be able to jump off unintentionally, since a movement of the bearing surfaces relative to each other in a direction along the center axis is partly limited by the device for mounting the inner bearing element. and the locking portion of the outer bearing member.

There are alternative ways to connect such a preferred embodiment of the bearing according to the invention. One possible solution is to arrange the V-stay in at least two parts along a plane. The division plane of the V-strut comprises the center axis of the bearing and otherwise extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Both parts of the V-strut form mirror-inverted parts around the plane.

Alternatively, the outer bearing element may comprise a removable cover intended to be able to be attached to the outer bearing element over the stop element, whereby a closed bearing can be provided. A further alternative is that where the locking portion of the outer bearing element is not circumferential but consists of at least two portions, whereby the stop element can be inserted between the two portions, after which the two elements are rotated relative to each other so that the outer and inner bearing elements are locked. A final option is an open warehouse.

In the case where the V-strut is divided into two or two parts, the parts of the V-strut can, according to an aspect of the invention, be joined by means of a clamping fitting around the center axis of the bearing. Preferably, force-transmitting elements, such as ball elements or pin elements, are arranged in the connecting device. These have the accuracy and tolerance allowed in the connection, whereby a correct connection of the parts forming the V-strut is achieved. The parts to be joined according to this aspect comprise seat recesses in their surface, where the power transmission element can be arranged. The recesses normally have a different shape than the power transmission units. When the parts are connected, the seat recesses will be deformed, so that they have a tolerance-absorbing effect, i.e. so that the press fit on the bearing becomes controlling and the seat recesses are more or less deformed due to the actual diameter of the bearing and bearing borehole. Such a combination of parts with the force transfer element in the connecting surface can be used in applications other than just to connect V-struts in two or two parts. Alternatively, the laft transfer units can also be attached to these recesses by means of an adhesive. This method of connecting parts, where a force transmitting member is used between the parts, can also be used for other types of connections than split V-struts.

A second aspect of the invention is that sensor elements are arranged in the connection of the parts comprising the V-strut. These sensor elements can be arranged in the dry bonding device without the use of fastening devices other than the current bonding device, whereby a tedious and simple mounting of the sensors is achieved. These sensors can read fl your parameters, e.g. play in the bearing, the bonding force, etc.

The invention will now be explained by non-limiting exemplary wear with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows a general device for connecting a vehicle frame and a wheel axle, Fig. 2 shows a section through a vertical ball bearing according to prior art, Figs. 3 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a detail of a connecting device according to the invention in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Figs. Fig. 4 is a cross-section in the cross-direction of the part in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a cross-section of a detail of the connecting device in Fig. 5 of the vehicle. longitudinal and transverse direction, Fig. 8 with the cover removed, shows a top view of the bearing in the connecting device shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 9 shows a cross section of a bearing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle according to a third embodiment of a connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 10 shows a cross section of the bearing in Fig. 9 in the transverse arm of the vehicle, Fig. 11 shows a view of a part of a V-strut which is included in the third embodiment of the invention, Figs. Fig. 12 shows a section in the transverse direction of the vehicle of a fourth embodiment of a detail of the connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 13 shows a section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the fourth embodiment of the bearing in Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is a perspective view of parts of a bearing housing according to the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 12, and Figs. A and B illustrate the principle of connection of two parts by power transmission according to an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a connecting device similar to that in the present invention for connecting a vehicle frame 1 and a wheel axle 2. The connecting device comprises a V-bracket 3 with fastening points 4 for fastening to the frame 1 - normally two-point mounted ball bearings - and a bearing mounting point for mounting to the wheel axle 2, which has wheels connected to its two ends 6 (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a bearing 5 for mounting between a V-bracket with a first leg 7 and a second leg 8 to a wheel axle (not shown) according to prior art. The bearing 5 is a so-called standing ball bearing with a center axle 14 arranged substantially perpendicular to the base of the vehicle, the ball element being attached to the wheel axle at one end. The outer bearing element 10 is mounted on the V-strut and comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 1 forms a closed unit around the bearing and has only one open side facing the wheel axle (downwards in the figure). Inside the housing 11 a spherical bearing surface 12 is arranged. This bearing surface 12 abuts a spherical element 16 on the inner bearing element 15. The bearing surface 12 and the spherical element 16 constitute the wear surfaces of the bearing. The inner bearing element 15 further comprises a shaft 17 for attachment to the shaft, which flange has a projecting pin 18 which has a center axis corresponding to the bearing. The pin 18 has an inner cavity, in which an inner pin 19 is arranged with a substantially T-shaped cross-section. The T-axis of the inner pin 19 abuts against the top of the pin 18 and in the transition between the T-shaped inner pin 19, the pin 18 and the spherical member 16, a clamping ring 20 is provided which locks the spherical member 16 relative to the pin 18. the inner pin 18 is locked in the cavity of the pin 18 by a fastening device 21, e.g. in the form of a screw arranged on the bottom of the T-shape. The fastening device 21 is accessible on the underside of the 17 end 17. Between the housing 11 and the surface 17 a flexible bellows 13 is arranged, so that the bearing is enclosed in a closed unit, so that dirt and dust do not enter the bearing.

In the following explanation of the present invention, elements corresponding to the above description of the prior art will be given corresponding reference numerals or not mentioned. The focus will be on explaining the differences between the present invention in its alternative embodiments relative to the prior art solution described above.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The outer bearing element comprises a housing 100, which has an upper opening 101, where a lid 103 is arranged over the upper opening 101. The lid 103 is attached to the housing 100 by means of, for example, screw devices. In this embodiment, the element comprising the inner bearing surface 12 can be inserted into the housing 100 through the upper opening 101 in the housing 100, a clamping device 102 further being provided for securing the bearing surface in the housing 100.

According to the invention, the lower bearing element comprises a stop element 30.

The stop member 30 is formed as part of the inner pin 19 as an extension or expansion on the inner pin. Because a lid 103 is arranged over the housing 100, the inner pin 19 with the stop element 30 can also be inserted through the upper opening 101 of the housing 100 and fastened to the pin 18 and the surface 17 by means of a fastening device 21 below the surface 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 103 is designed so that the stop member 30 can follow the movements of the ball bearing without the need for unnecessary restrictions on the freedom of movement of the bearing as such, as indicated by the dashed lines 30A and 3GB, which mark two possible positions of the inner bearing member relative to to the outer bearing member relative to movement about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; i.e. a movement about an heeling axle of the vehicle. As shown in this embodiment, the stop member 30 has an elongate design with a longitudinal direction of the stop member disposed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 4. In directions other than the longitudinal direction of the stop member, the stop member 30 is limited and rounded so that it does not build more than necessary around the warehouse. In this embodiment, the locking portion 30 on the outer bearing member is formed by the portion of the outer bearing member which forms the inner, partially spherically shaped surface 12.

Fig. 5 shows a connecting device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen, the connecting device comprises a first leg 7 and a second leg 8 on the V-strut, which at one end comprises frame mounting points 4 and at the other common end a bearing 5 for mounting against the wheel axle. The outer bearing element of the bearing 5 comprises, as in the first embodiment, a housing 100 with a lid 103. From the inner bearing element one can see the sealing surface 17 and the bellows which apparently connect the outer bearing element to the inner bearing element.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a cross section of the bearing 5 according to the second embodiment in a transverse direction to the vehicle in Fig. 6 and in a longitudinal direction in Fig. 7. This bearing is very similar to the bearing shown in the first embodiment. with housing 100 and lid 103. The difference in this form of exhaust lies in the fact that the bearing, in a plane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (as shown in Fig. 7), has been given an angle α to a normal n to the surface of the vehicle. The term mainly normal relative to the basis shall in this application be understood to include such a construction. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a bearing corresponding to that of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the lid having been removed from the housing. It can be seen here that the stop element 30 has the shape of an elongate element with its longitudinal direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The stop element 30 is further provided with two portions 31, 32 which are deflected relative to two planes, parallel to a base and a transverse plane of the vehicle, so that the stop element 30 tapers towards the two ends of the stop element 30 and thus does not take up more space than necessary. and thus does not restrict the freedom of movement of the bearing more than necessary. The surface of the stop element 30 facing the locking portion 33 (Fig. 6) of the outer bearing element is not deflected.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show two cross-sections of a bearing according to a third embodiment of the present invention in the longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, the V-strut is composed of two elements 300, which form mirror-inverted embodiments of each other, as shown in Fig. 11. At their ends, the parts of the V-strut have a half bearing housing 305, 306. These bearing housing halves 305, 306 are designed so that in the assembled position they form an enclosure around the bearing with an opening facing downwards towards the fl end surface 17. This means that the housing forms a complete enclosure without the use of a lid as in the other, previous embodiments. Since the housing is divided into two halves in a plane comprising the center axis, the inner pin 19 in the embodiment shown can be formed with a stop element 302, which consists of a substantially cylindrical pin with a substantially circular cross-section, which stop element 302 is welded to the top of the inner pin 19. The two bearing housing halves 305, 306 are provided with an end recess 308 at each end of the stop member 302, so that the ends of the stop member 302, which themselves comprise deflected portions 309, are prevented from restricting the freedom of movement of the bearing. The bearing housing halves 305, 306 are provided with openings 307 for connecting the bearing housing halves. Figs. 15A and 15B. The power transmitting units 51, for example balls, are arranged in seat recesses 50, 50 ”in the connecting surfaces of the two parts to be joined. The seat recesses 50, 50, 501 are identical and opposite seat recesses and are slightly deformed by the power transmission unit 51 when the parts are joined, as shown in Fig. 15B. These power transmission units can be designed with the tolerance allowed when operating the halves. The power transmission units and the seat committees therefore function as control and tolerance-absorbing means. The power transmission units can also be attached to one or both halves of the seat recess. Furthermore, sensors can be arranged in these or other recesses when joining the parts, the bearing housing halves, or alternatively the V-rod halves. In the case of such a solution, no other fastening devices are required for SE1150161118. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show sections of a fourth variant of a bearing used in a dry bonding device according to the invention; a section in the transverse direction of the vehicle in Fig. 12 and in its longitudinal direction in Fig. 13. This bearing differs from the other exhaust shapes with respect to a number of elements. First, the stop member 405 in this embodiment is arranged between a device for attaching the inner bearing element to the outer surface 17 and the ball member 16 of the inner bearing member 16. The bearing housing 400 of the outer bearing member comprises a locking portion 401, 401 and the flange surface 17, as a hook-shaped element. The bearing housing 400 consists of a housing without a lid, corresponding to the third embodiment. The stop element in 405 may, for example, be formed as a part of the pin 18 projecting upwards from the surface 17, or alternatively the stop element 405 may be constituted by a pin inserted in a bore in the pin 18. In this embodiment the pin 18 has a bore along the center axis internal threads 404 in a portion of the borehole facing away from the surface 17.

These internal threads 404 cooperate with external threads on a screw element 403 instead of the inner pin in the other embodiments. The skull of the shield member 404 abuts a bearing member 402 which cooperates with a clamping ring 20, the pin 18 and the ball member 16 to hold the ball member 16 in the proper position.

As best seen in Fig. 14, which shows individual elements of it in Figs. 12 and 13, the bearing housing 400 comprises a locking portion 401, 401 °, which is divided into two parts, one part 401 being shown in Fig. 14 and both parts 401 and 401 being shown in Fig. 12. With such design of the locking portion 401, 401 ", the inner bearing element with the stop element can be inserted into the outer bearing element with the stop element in the space between the locking portions 401, 401", after which these are rotated relative to each other and the stop element and the locking portion cooperate to prevent the bearing elements from being released. apart by a movement along the center axis.

The present invention has now been explained with non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Several variants and modifications of these embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Variants of the different embodiments can be used for all the embodiments. Eg. For example, a split V-bracket can be used to fasten the ball element with a screw attachment in the borehole or assembly under the end surface. Alternatively, it may have an angled center axis. The divided V-strut can also have a common lid, the stop element can have shapes other than rectangular, such as the pin lining, almost triangular shape in cross section, etc.

Claims (12)

10 15 20 25 30 5 2 8 8 t] 1 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Connecting device for connecting a vehicle frame (1) to a wheel suspension (2) for a vehicle, the connecting device comprising a V-shaped bracket (3) mounted on the wheel suspension (2) via a bearing (5), which bearing (5) comprises an inner bearing element with an outer, partially spherical abutment surface and an outer bearing element with an inner, partially spherical abutment surface, which bearing in a normal position for the vehicle has a center axis (14, 200) oriented substantially perpendicular to a substrate on which the vehicle is located, characterized in that the inner bearing element comprises a stop element (30, 302, 405), which cooperates with a locking portion (33, 401, 401 ") on the outer bearing element and prevents the outer bearing element from inadvertently released from the inner bearing member, the stop member (30, 302, 405), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, forming an elongate cross-section with a longitudinal direction of the cross section oriented in one direction mainly in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element is arranged at one end of the inner bearing element opposite a fastening end for the inner bearing element, which stop element (30, 302) has a greater extent than a diameter of the inner, partially spherical the surface in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, a portion of the outer bearing member forming the locking portion through the inner, partially spherical surface. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element (405) is arranged between the outer, partially spherical abutment surface and a fastening end of the inner bearing element and the locking portion (401, 401 ') of the outer bearing element is formed by a portion of a bearing housing, which portion has an inner diameter which is smaller than the length of the stop element. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bearing housing for the outer bearing element comprises a recess complementary to the stop element (30, 302, 405), whereby the necessary flexibility is achieved in the bearing. 10 15 20 25 30 14 Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner bearing element is mounted on a wheel suspension according to fl And the outer bearing element is mounted on the V-strut, forming a circumferential bearing housing, and alternatively an fl removable bellows 13 is arranged between the bearing housing and a yta end surface. on the inner bearing element. Connecting device according to one of Claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the recess in the bearing housing consists of a recess which surrounds around the center axis. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 2 or 4-6, characterized in that the inner bearing element comprises an inner center pin and a ball element comprising the outer, partially spherical abutment surface, the stop element being mounted at one end of the center pin and the ball element being mounted around the center pin and located between the stop member and an attachment device for the center pin. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the V-strut is divided into at least two parts along a plane. Connecting device according to a claim 8, characterized in that the two parts form mirror-inverted parts around the plane. Connecting device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the parts of the V-strut are connected with a claw fitting around the center axis, power transmission elements 51, for example ball elements or pin elements, being arranged in the connection. Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one power transmission element (51) is arranged in a seat recess (50, 51 °) in the connecting surfaces of the parts, which seat recess (50, 50 °) is deformed when connecting the parts. Connecting device according to one of Claims 8 to 1, characterized in that sensor elements are arranged in the connection of the parts comprising the V-strut.