WO2023280780A1

WO2023280780A1 - Wheel axle suspension with axle lift

Info

Publication number: WO2023280780A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom SCHRIER; Derk Geert Aalderink
Original assignee: Vdl Weweler B.V.
Priority date: 2021-07-05
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Also published as: BR112023026016A2; CN117677509A; NL2028627B1

Abstract

A wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle, said suspension comprising a mounting plate attached to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis and extending downwardly from the chassis beam. A bearing bracket is mounted to the mounting plate. A trailing arm having a front end portion pivotally mounted to the bearing bracket. An air spring mounted to a rear end portion of the trailing arm and supporting the vehicle chassis. An axle body is attached to the trailing arm. The wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises an axle lift including a support mounted to the mounting plate. The support may alternatively be suspended from the bearing bracket or may be monolithic with the mounting plate. The axle lift furthermore comprises an actuator having an underside mounted to the support and having an upper side facing the trailing arm to act on the trailing arm to lift it.

Description

Title: Wheel axle suspension with axle lift

Many utility vehicles such as trucks, trailers or semi-trailers have multiple axle units to bear the load the vehicle has to carry. It is well known to lift an axle unit if not the full bearing capacity is necessary, for example when a (semi-) trailer is empty or only partly loaded. By lifting the axle unit, the wheels of the axle unit concerned are lifted from the road surface which results in less travelling resistance and tire wear for the vehicle. Also, wear of other components such as axle, brakes, wheel mount, etc. is thus reduced.

Conventional air sprung wheel axle suspensions in general include a carrying bracket mounted to a vehicle chassis, a trailing arm attached to an axle body of the wheel axle, a pivot bolt and corresponding nut as well as an air spring. The trailing arm is at its front end pivotably mounted to the carrying bracket by means of the pivot bolt and a corresponding tensioning nut. In many wheel axle suspension designs the air spring is mounted between a rear portion of the trailing arm and the chassis. However, also other structures are known where the air spring is mounted to the axle body with an additional mounting piece. In any case the air spring is operative between the axle body to compensate for movements of the wheels perpendicular to the road surface.

To be able to lift an axle unit it is known to mount an axle lift to an air sprung wheel axle suspension. A certain type of axle lifts has a support that is mounted to the carrying bracket of the wheel axle suspension. The support is located mostly under the carrying bracket. An actuator, mostly a pneumatic actuator such as a pneumatic bellows is mounted with an underside to the support. An upper side of the actuator is facing the trailing arm to engage it and lift it if desired.

The invention has for an object to provide wheel axle suspensions with an alternative axle lift solution.

According to a first aspect of the invention a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer is provided, said suspension comprising:

- a mounting plate attached to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis and extending downwardly from the chassis beam;

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate; - a trailing arm having a front end portion pivotally mounted to the bearing bracket;

- an air spring mounted to a rear end portion of the trailing arm and supporting the vehicle chassis;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm; wherein the wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises:

- an axle lift including

• a support mounted to the mounting plate; and

• an actuator having an underside mounted to the support and having an upper side facing the trailing arm to act on the trailing arm to lift it.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- a trailing arm having a front end portion pivotally mounted to the bearing bracket;

- an axle lift including:

• a support which is monolithic with the mounting plate; and

A third aspect of the invention relates to a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a mounting plate attached to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis;

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle lift including • a support which is suspended at a suspension point, preferably by a bolt connection, from the bearing bracket wherein the support is supported by the mounting plate in front of the suspension point; and

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis;

- a trailing arm having a front end portion pivotally mounted to the bearing bracket, wherein said front end portion comprises a first eye portion monolithic with the trailing arm and a second separate eye portion which is clamped on the first eye portion by a threaded fastener;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm;

- an axle lift including:

• a support mounted to the bearing bracket; and

• an actuator having an underside mounted to the support and having an upper side facing the trailing arm to act on the trailing arm to lift it;

• a positioning bracket comprising:

> an arm having a first end, which is mounted to the threaded fastener and a second end attached to the upper end of the actuator, and

> an engagement part arranged at the second end of the arm, which engages an underside of the trailing arm.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm; wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises:

- an axle lift including:

• a support connected to the vehicle chassis; and

• an actuator having an underside mounted to the support and having an upper side facing the trailing arm to act on the trailing arm to lift it,

• a cushion block arranged at an upper side of the actuator, said cushion block engaging the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

According to a sixth aspect the invention relates to a wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle lift including:

• a support connected to the vehicle chassis; and

• an actuator having an underside mounted to the support and having an upper side facing the trailing arm to act on the trailing arm to lift it, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein on the upper side of the actuator a clipping means is arranged, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

In the above-mentioned aspects including a mounting plate, the mounting plate may be a flat plate that extends downwardly from the chassis beam. The mounting plate may be supported laterally by a strut beam that extends for example obliquely from the support plate to an overhead chassis beam.

Combinations of the different aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims.

The different aspects of the invention will be described in detail in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of a wheel axle suspension according to a first aspect of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a side elevational view of the wheel axle suspension of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 shows a view in perspective of another embodiment of a wheel axle suspension according to a first aspect of the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a view in perspective of an axle lift of the wheel axle suspension of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 illustrates in an exploded view the mounting of an axle lift support of the axle lift of Fig.

4,

Fig. 6 illustrates in an exploded view an alternative mounting of an axle lift support for an axle lift of Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 illustrates in an exploded view another alternative mounting of an axle lift support for an axle lift of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 shows in a view in perspective an embodiment of an axle lift similar to the axle lift of Fig. 4, having an alternative axle lift support,

Fig. 9 illustrates in an exploded view the mounting of the axle lift of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B show in a view in perspective from above and from below, respectively, another embodiment of an axle lift for a wheel axle suspension according to the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 11 A and Fig. 11 B show in a view in perspective an embodiment of a wheel axle suspension according to a second aspect of the invention,

Fig. 12A -12D show how an axle lift is mounted to a trailing arm according to a sixth aspect of the invention,

Fig. 13A and 13B illustrate in a view in perspective an axle lift support of the axle lift of Fig. 12 according, which is mounted to the chassis according to a third aspect of the invention,

Fig. 14A shows in a view in perspective an axle lift for a wheel axle suspension according to a fourth aspect of the invention,

Fig. 14B illustrates in a side elevational view the mounting of the axle lift of Fig. 14A,

Fig. 14C shows a cross section according to the line B-B indicated in Fig. 14B, illustrating a fifth aspect of the invention,

Fig. 15A shows in a view in perspective an axle lift for a wheel axle suspension according to the fourth aspect of the invention,

Fig. 15B illustrates in a view in perspective the mounting of the axle lift of Fig. 15A,

Fig. 16 shows in a view in perspective another axle lift for a wheel axle suspension according to the fifth aspect of the invention, and

Fig. 17 shows in a view in perspective an embodiment of an axle lift according to a third aspect of the invention.

In Figs 1 and 2 is shown one side of an axle unit of an air sprung wheel axle suspension 1 for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer. Each axle unit has two of such sides, each on one lateral side of the vehicle chassis. The wheel axle suspension 1 acts between a wheel axle and a vehicle chassis. In Figs 1 and 2 an overhead chassis beam 2 of the chassis and an axle body 3 of the wheel axle are visible.

The air sprung wheel axle suspension comprises a trailing arm 4 and an air spring 5. In the specific embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2, the trailing arm 4 has a separate front arm part 4A and rear arm part 4B, which are connected with each other and clamped against the axle body 3. The air spring 5 is mounted on an air spring mounting portion 41 of the rear arm part 4B of the trailing arm 4. An upper end of the air spring 5 supports and is preferably connected to the chassis beam 2. It is noted here that a two-part trailing arm is not essential for the invention; also other embodiments, such as for example with an integrally formed trailing arm, i.e. the entire trailing arm including the air spring mounting portion formed in one piece, are envisaged.

Furthermore, it is noted that in the embodiments shown in the figures the axle body is clamped directly against an attachment portion of the trailing arm. However, it is also possible to have a trailing arm wherein the axle body is not directly engaging the trailing arm, but against an intermediary part, such as a so-called axle pad. In either way the axle body is attached to the trailing arm.

The wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises a bearing bracket 6. In this specific embodiment the bearing bracket 6 has two side plates 7, which are attached to a chassis mounting plate 8 and are clamped together. In the figures 1 and 2 only one of the side plates 7 of the bearing bracket 6 is visible. The front arm part 4A of the trailing arm 4 has a front end portion 42 which is pivotally received and mounted in the bearing bracket 6.

The chassis mounting plate 8 is a generally flat plate which has an upper end that is attached, preferably welded, to the chassis beam 2. Preferably a strut beam 10 is attached, preferably welded to the mounting plate 8, as is shown in Fig. 5, which strut beam 10 may extend transversely and upwardly, as is shown in Fig. 5, and be attached to an overhead chassis part. The strut beam 10 provides lateral support to the mounting plate 8 and thus to the bearing bracket 6. Thus, lateral forces on the wheel axle can be guided into the chassis.

The wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises an axle lift 9, which is adapted to lift the wheel axle such that the wheels do not touch the road surface anymore. This may be done on a vehicle having multiple rear axles, such as for example semi-trailer having two or three rear axles, when the vehicle is not (fully) loaded. Lifting the wheels from the road surface results, in less travelling resistance and tire wear for the vehicle. Also, wear of other components such as axle, brakes, wheel mount, etc. is thus reduced.

The axle lift 9 comprises an axle lift support 91 , an actuator 92 and in this particular embodiment a positioning bracket 93. The positioning bracket 93 keeps the upper end of the actuator 92 at a certain predefined path, which prevents that loads in longitudinal and transverse direction of the trailing arm 4 are born by the actuator 92. The support 91 in this embodiment comprises a plate 94 having a region provided with mounting holes to mount the plate against the mounting plate 8 by bolt/nut connections. At another end of the plate a support platform 95 is formed, which extends substantially perpendicular to the plate 94, and which is adapted to mount the actuator 92 to.

The actuator 92 is a bellows type pneumatic actuator, which may be operated by pressurized air to provide the necessary lifting force. The actuator 92 has an underside 92A which mounted to the support platform 95 of the support 91.

The positioning bracket 93 comprises two arms 96, which have a first end 97 that is pivotally mounted to the support 91. At a second end of the arms 96 a spacer 98 is arranged which has an underside attached to an upper side of the actuator, and which spacer has an upper side where a cushioning block 99, in particular a rubber block is arranged to engage the underside of the trailing arm.

In Fig. 3 is shown a similar wheel axle suspension. In this figure the axle body, the rear arm part and the air spring are omitted, but these are the same as shown in Fig.1.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the axle lift 9 is slightly different from the one shown in Figs 1 and 2. The axle lift 9 is shown separately in Fig. 4. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the support 91 is attached to the mounting plate by a pair of bolt/nut combinations, wherein the upper bolt 100 is also used to mount the first ends of the arms 96 of the positioning bracket 93. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4 however, the arms 96 of the positioning bracket 93 are pivotally connected to the support 91, but not to the mounting plate 8. A separate pivot bolt 103 is used to mount the positioning bracket 93 to the support 91. The support 91 is mounted to the mounting plate 8 by means of two mounting bolts extending through holes 101 and 102 in the support 91. This embodiment has the advantage that the axle lift 9 can be entirely preassembled before it is delivered and mounted to the vehicle chassis. Between the first ends of the respective arms 96 of the positioning bracket 93 and the support plate 8 spacer bushings 104, 105 are provided which are coaxial with the pivot bolt 103. Such bushings 104, 105 are also found in the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein they are arranged coaxially with the bolt 100.

The support 91 of the axle lift of Fig. 4 can be mounted by two bolt nut combinations as shown in Fig. 5, in which is visible that two threaded bolts 106 and 107, respectively, extend through the bores 101 and 102, respectively, of the support and through bores 81 and 82, respectively of the mounting plate 8. Nuts 108 and 109 are respectively screwed on the bolts 106 and 107.

In Fig. 6 an alternative for the attachment by the two bolts 106, 107 is shown. In this alternative the axle lift support 91 is provided with a stud 110, which has a shank and a head with a larger diameter than the stud shank. This could be characterised as a mushroom shape. The mounting plate 8 has a keyhole shaped opening, with a larger diameter opening portion which is slightly larger than the diameter of the stud head, and a smaller diameter portion, which a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the stud shank. The stud 110 can be hooked in the opening 111 such that the support 91 suspends from the mounting plate. The support 91 can be fixed to the mounting plate by a bolt 107 and nut 109 extending through hole 102 in the support and hole 82 in the mounting plate which are aligned.

In Fig. 7 is shown another alternative for the attachment of the support to the mounting plate 8. In this embodiment the axle lift support 91 is provided with two studs, of which only the upper stud 110 is visible in Fig. 7, and the mounting plate 8 is provided with two complementary keyhole shaped openings 111, 112. This embodiment of the axle lift support 91 is easily suspended from the mounting plate 8 and will remain in position based on its weight. The support 91 can only be decoupled from the mounting plate 8 if it is able to be moved straight upwards.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a similar axle lift 9 as in the Figs. 1-4. However, this axle lift is mounted with one bolt to the mounting plate. The mounting plate 8 has a bore 113. The support 91 is provided with a bore 115 to be aligned with the bore 113 in the mounting plate 8. A bolt 115 is inserted to the aligned bores 113 and 115 and tightened by means of a nut 116.

The mounting plate 8 has a front edge 83. In the front edge 83 a recess 84 is formed. The recess 84 is adapted to receive partially the spacer bushing 104, which surrounds the pivot bolt 103 pivotally connecting the positioning bracket 93 to the axle lift support 91. The spacer bushing 104 that is received in the recess 84, shown in Fig. 8, maintains the support 91 in position and blocks the rotation of the support 91 when the actuator is operated, and the support remains in position.

An embodiment as shown in Figs 8 and 9 in which the recess 84 is also envisaged. The bushing 104 is then simply resting against the front edge 83. Figs. 10A and 10B show an embodiment of an axle lift 209 having a support 291. The support 291 comprises two support plates 292 and 293, respectively. In a mounted state the support plates 292 and 293 each have a mounting zone 292A, 293A, each arranged on opposite sides of a mounting plate 8 (e.g. shown in Fig. 5). The mounting plate 8 is sandwiched between mounting zones 292A, 293A of the support plates 292 and 293 and clamped together by bolts 106, 107 and nuts 108, 109. The bolts 106, 107 extend through aligned openings in the support plates 292, 293 and in the mounting plate 8 (like openings 81, 82 shown in Fig. 5). At the other end of the support plates 292, 293 a platform portion 294 and 295, respectively, is formed, provided with a bore to mount the underside of the actuator 92 against the platform portions 294, 295.

At the upper side of the actuator 92 a rubber cushioning block 299 is arranged, as is visible in Fig. 10A. The cushioning block 299 has a width that is smaller than the length. The width of the cushioning block 299 is such that it fits inside a channel shaped profile of an arm portion of the trailing arm, wherein the channel shaped profile has a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use. The cushion block 299, engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably engages on an inside surface of the top wall. This will be further elucidated referring to another embodiment shown in Fig. 14A-14C.

Along either lateral side of the cushioning block 299 a clipping element 298 is arranged, which is adapted to cooperate with a protrusion on a lateral side of the trailing arm. The respective lateral walls of the channel profiled section of the trailing arm extend thus through the space between the respective clipping element 298 and the cushion block 299. The clipping elements 298 interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm. The clipping means will be further elucidated with reference to the embodiment in Fig. 12.

In Figs. 11A and 11 B is shown a part of a wheel axle suspension, wherein the axle lift support and the chassis mounting plate are integrated in one part. The mounting plate is indicated by reference numeral 308. An axle lift support 391 is monolithically formed with the mounting plate 308. A bearing bracket 306 having two lateral plates 307 are mounted to either side of the mounting plate 308 by means of bolt/nut connections 310.

In this embodiment the trailing arm does not have a channel shaped profile. The trailing arm 4 has a so called “hammerhead” configuration 43 at the front end portion 42, as can be seen in Fig. 11 B. The lateral plates 307 of the bearing bracket 306 have a receiving recess configured to receive a part of the hammerhead configuration 43. In particular, the respective lateral plates 307 of the bearing bracket 306 comprise a journal housing 311. The receiving recess is defined by said journal housing 311. The journal housing 311 bulges out with respect to the main plane of the lateral plate 307 in a direction away from the trailing arm, i.e. outwards, as can be seen in Fig. 11 A. The hammerhead configuration 43 comprises journal portions 44 extending laterally from the front end portion 42 of the trailing arm. The journal portions 44 are, in a mounted state of the suspension, received and supported in the respective receiving recesses formed by the journal housings 311 , such that the front end portion 42 of the trailing arm 4 is able to pivot with respect to the bearing bracket 306.

The actuator 392 has an underside 392A which is mounted to a platform portion 395 of the axle lift support 391. Clipping elements 398 are arranged on an upper side of the actuator 392. The clipping elements 398 are adapted to cooperate with a protrusion on a lateral side of the trailing arm 4. The clipping means will be further elucidated with reference to the embodiment in Fig. 12.

In Fig. 12A and 12 C is shown a front part 4a of a trailing arm 4 having a front end portion with a hammerhead configuration as described with reference to Figs. 11 A and 11 B. An axle lift 409 having an axle lift support 491 and a pneumatic actuator 492 has an underside which is attached to a platform portion 495 of the axle lift support 491. The actuator 492 has an upper side on which clipping elements 498 are arranged and mounted to the upper side of the actuator by screw bolts 499. The upper ends of the clipping elements 498 are interconnected by a bridge portion 497. On either lateral side of the front trailing arm part 4A a protrusion 45 is formed, as can be seen in Fig. 12B. The clipping elements 498 are adapted to grip around said protrusions 45, as is visible in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 12D along line A-A indicated in Fig. 12C. In the mounted state the clipping elements 498 and the protrusions 45 on the trailing arm part 4A thus interlock at least in the longitudinal direction of the trailing arm. A clamping force will also fix the clipping elements 498 in the height direction to the trailing arm. However, the bridge portion 497 provides an additional feature to warrant that the clipping elements 498 maintain connected to the trailing arm at the protrusions 45. Because the clipping elements are attached to the upper side of the actuator, the upper side of the actuator remains fixed to the trailing arm. A cushion block is not present in this particular embodiment. In embodiments described in the above with reference to Fig. 10A and Figs.

11 A and 11 B there are provided clipping elements which are similar to the ones shown in Fig. 12; although some modifications may be possible they have at least the same function and have essentially the same construction.

In Figs. 13A and 13B is illustrated how the axle lift 409 of Figs. 12A-12D is mounted to the vehicle. In particular is shown that the bearing bracket, indicated by reference numeral 406, has two lateral plates 407. The bearing bracket 406 is mounted to a mounting plate 408. The mounting plate 408 has an upper end 408C attached to the chassis. The lateral plates 407 of the bearing bracket 406 are mounted to either side of the mounting plate 408 by bolt/nut connections 410.

The respective lateral plates 407 of the bearing bracket 406 comprise a journal housing 411.

A receiving recess is defined by said journal housing 411. The journal housing 411 bulges out with respect to the main plane of the lateral plate 407 in a direction away from the trailing arm, i.e. outwards. The hammerhead configuration 43, comprises journal portions 44 (see Figs 12A and 12B) extending laterally from the front end portion 42 of the trailing arm. The journal portions 44 are, in a mounted state of the suspension, received and supported in the respective receiving recesses formed by the journal housings 411 , such that the front end portion 42 of the trailing arm 4 is able to pivot with respect to the bearing bracket 406.

On a lower end of the lateral plates 407 of the bearing bracket 406 a mounting extension 412 is formed. This mounting extension 412 is preferably formed in one piece, i.e. monolithically with the lateral plate 407 of the bearing bracket 406. The mounting extension 412 may have the form of an ear in which a bore 413 is provided.

The axle lift support 491 has a mounting bore 401, which can be positioned between the mounting extensions 412 of the lateral plates 407 of the bearing bracket 406 and aligned with the bores 413, such that a mounting bolt 402 can be inserted through the aligned bores 413 (2x) and 401. With the bolt 402 and a nut 403 the axle lift support 491 is suspended from the bearing bracket 406. The support 491 is thus suspended from a suspension point defined by the bearing bracket 406.

The axle lift support 491 has a portion 491 A in front of the bolt 402, thus in front of the suspension point, which abuts a front edge portion 408B of the mounting plate 408, as is shown in Fig. 13A. The axle lift support 491 is thus a sort of lever arm which is supported at the front edge portion 408B of the mounting plate, such that forces by the actuator are absorbed and the lever arm remains stationary. In Fig. 14A-14C another embodiment is illustrated, wherein an axle lift 520 is shown which can be mounted to a bearing bracket. The bearing bracket, which is not shown, is adapted to pivotally mount a front end portion 505 of a trailing arm 504, wherein said front arm portion 505 comprises an eyelet 506. In this particular embodiment, the eyelet 506 is formed by a first portion 507 which is monolithic with the trailing arm 504 and a second portion 508 positioned opposite the first part 507 and being clamped together therewith by one or more tightening bolts, in this specific embodiment a U-bolt 509.

The trailing arm 504 has an arm portion 510 adjoining the front end portion 505, which arm portion 510 has channel shaped profile as can be seen in Fig. 14C which shows a cross section along the section line B-B indicated in Fig. 14B. The channel shaped profile has a top wall 511 , two opposing lateral walls 512, and an open side 513 opposite the top wall 511 and facing downwardly in use.

The axle lift 520 is shown separately in Fig. 14A. The axle lift 520 comprises a support 521 having two mounting arms 522 with mounting bores 523 which can be bolted to a bearing bracket. The axle lift 520 furthermore comprises a pneumatic actuator 525, with an underside 525A that is mounted to a platform portion 524 of the support. The actuator 525 has an upper side 525B.

A positioning bracket 526 has an arm having a first end 526A, which is mounted to the U-bolt 509 which has two threaded shanks which extend through bores 528 in the first end 526A of the arm. The first end 526A of the arm of the positioning bracket 526 is positioned against the nuts 503 which tighten the U-bolt 509. The arm of the positioning bracket 526 is thus locked in position in transverse and longitudinal direction by the ends of the shanks of the U-bolt.

The upper side 525B of the actuator 525 is attached to a second end 526B of the positioning bracket 526. A cushioning block 527 is located at the upper side of the actuator 525, which cushioning block is attached to the second end 526B of the arm of the positioning bracket.

The positioning bracket 526 keeps the upper end of the actuator 525 at a certain predefined path, which prevents that loads in longitudinal and transverse direction of the trailing arm 504 are born by the actuator 525.

The cushioning block 527 is made of rubber but may alternatively be made of another suitable material such as an elastomer or plastic material. The cushioning block 527 is attached to the portion 526B of the positioning bracket 526. The cushioning block 527 is dimensioned such that it fits in the channel shaped profile of the trailing arm as is shown in Fig 14C. The advantage of this construction is that the force of the axle lift on the trailing arm, when the actuator 525 is operated is not applied to an underside of the trailing arm, which is the most heavily loaded section of the trailing arm, but engages on the inner side of the less heavily loaded top wall 511 of the channel-shaped profile as can be clearly seen in Fig. 10B.

In Figs. 15A and 15B is shown a similar axle lift, although in this axle lift the cushion block is mounted on a spacer on top of the actuator and the cushion block is adapted to engage the underside of the trailing arm.

A front end portion 605 of a trailing arm 604 comprises an eyelet 606. In this particular embodiment, the eyelet 606 is formed by a first portion 607 which is monolithic with the trailing arm 604 and a second portion 608 positioned opposite the first part 607 and being clamped together therewith by two tightening bolts 609 and 610.

In Fig. 15A the axle lift 620 is shown separately.

The axle lift 620 comprises a support 621 having two mounting arms 622 with mounting bores 623 which can be bolted to a bearing bracket. On the inner side of each of the arms 622, coaxial with the mounting bores 623, a spacer ring 630 is provided, which maintains the distance between the respective arms 622 and the respective lateral plates of the bearing bracket.

The axle lift 620 furthermore comprises a pneumatic actuator 625, with an underside 625A that is mounted to a platform portion 624 of the support 621. The actuator 625 has an upper side 625B.

A positioning bracket 626 has an arm having a first end 626A, which is mounted to the bolt 609, which has a threaded shank extending through bore 628 in the first end 626A of the arm. The first end 626A of the arm of the positioning bracket 626 can be positioned against the nut 603 which tightens the bolt 609. The arm of the positioning bracket 626 is thus locked in position in transverse and longitudinal direction by the end of the shank of the bolt 609.

The upper side 625B of the actuator 625 is attached to a second end 626B of the positioning bracket 626. At the second end 626B a pair of spacer arms 629 is formed which carry a rubber cushion block 627 spaced apart from the upper side of the actuator 625. The space between the upper side of the actuator 625 and the cushion block provides in some vehicle configurations more space for other components, e.g. for a brake booster. The positioning bracket 626 keeps the upper end of the actuator 625 at a certain predefined path, which prevents that loads in longitudinal and transverse direction of the trailing arm 604 are born by the actuator 625.

Fig. 16 shows an axle lift which is similar to the one in Fig. 14A, hence the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 14, and for a description of those parts referral is made to the above description. However, in this axle lift there is no positioning bracket present and the cushion block 527 is mounted directly on the upper side 525B of the actuator 525.

Furthermore, clipping elements 598 are arranged on top of the actuator flanking the cushion block 527. The clipping elements 598 are, like the clipping elements 298 or 498 shown for example in Fig. 10A and Figs. 12A-D, adapted to cooperate with protrusions (see Figs 12B and 12D) which are formed on lateral sides of the trailing arm, such that the upper side 525B of the actuator 525 holds on to the trailing arm.

In Fig. 17 illustrated how an axle lift 709 is mounted to the vehicle. In particular is shown that the bearing bracket in this embodiment, indicated by reference numeral 706 has two lateral plates 707 (only one is visible). The bearing bracket 706 is mounted to a mounting plate 708. The mounting plate 708 has an upper end 708C attached to the chassis. The lateral plates 707 of the bearing bracket 706 are mounted to either side of the mounting plate 708 by bolt/nut connections 710.

The front end portion of the trailing arm 4 is able to pivot with respect to the bearing bracket 706.

On a lower end of the lateral plates 707 of the bearing bracket a mounting extension 712 is formed. This mounting extension 712 is preferably formed in one piece, i.e. monolithically with the lateral plate 707. The mounting extension 712 may have the form of an ear in which a bore is provided.

The axle lift support 791 has a mounting bore, which can be positioned between the mounting extensions 712 of the lateral plates 707 of the bearing bracket 706 and aligned with the bores in the mounting extensions 712, such that a mounting bolt 702 can be inserted through the aligned bores. With the bolt 702 and a nut the axle lift support 791 is suspended from the bearing bracket 706. The support 791 is thus suspended from a suspension point defined by the bearing bracket 706. The axle lift support 791 has a portion 791 A in front of the bolt 702, thus in front of the suspension point, which abuts at least a front edge portion 708B of the mounting plate 708, as is shown in Fig. 17.

The support 791 furthermore comprises mounting arm 720, which is monolithically formed with the support 791 and which extends rearwardly from the front edge 791 B of the axle lift support 791 along the lateral plate 707 of the bearing bracket 706. The mounting arm 702 intersects the pivot axis of the trailing arm 4 in the bearing bracket 706. At an end portion of the mounting arm 720 a bore is provided which colinear with the pivot axis of the trailing arm 4.

The axle lift 709 has an actuator 792, preferably a pneumatic actuator, having an underside which is mounted on platform portion of the support 791 as is described for other embodiments as well.

The upper side of the actuator 792 is connected to a positioning bracket 793. The positioning bracket 793 has a bracket arm 794 which is at an end remote from the actuator 792 pivotally connected to the mounting arm 702. The positioning bracket 793 keeps the upper end of the actuator 792 at a certain predefined path, which prevents that loads in longitudinal and transverse direction of the trailing arm 4 are born by the actuator 792. The pivot axis 796 of the positioning bracket 793 and the pivot axis of the trailing arm 4 are coaxial, whereby the cushion block (not visible in the figure), which is mounted on the positioning bracket on top of the actuator 792 performs the same curved movement as the underside of the trailing arm 4 it engages. Thereby, when the actuator is operated by pressurized air, the cushion block on top of the actuator 792 and the underside of the trailing arm 4 will make the same circular movement and will thus not shift relative to each other which prevents rubbing and friction. Thereby the cushion block will not be prone to wear due to rubbing between the trailing arm 4 and the cushion block.

Claims

1. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm; characterised in that the wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises:

- an axle lift including:

• a support mounted to the mounting plate; and

2. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is a flat plate that extends downwardly from the chassis beam.

3. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 2, wherein the support comprises a plate that is arranged flat against the mounting plate and connected thereto.

4. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support plate and mounting plate are connected by at least one bolted connection including a screw bolt and nut.

5. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein the support has at least one hooking member, and wherein the mounting plate has at least one corresponding hooking opening formed in it, wherein the hooking member is adapted to be hooked in the hooking opening to suspend the support plate from the mounting plate.

6. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 5, wherein the hooking opening has a keyhole shape and the hooking member is a substantially mushroom shaped stud.

7. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 2, wherein the support has two plates which are each arranged on an opposite side of the mounting plate, wherein the plates of the support are preferably connected to each other and to the mounting plate by a bolt and nut connection, preferably two bolt and nut connections.

8. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein the actuator has an engagement part mounted on the upper side of the actuator.

9. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 8, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on upper side of the actuator comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

10. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the upper side of the actuator comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

11. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the axle lift comprises a positioning bracket comprising:

• an arm having a first end, which is pivotally mounted to the mounting plate and a second end attached to the upper end of the actuator, and

• an engagement part arranged at the second end of the arm, which engages an underside of the trailing arm.

12. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the axle lift comprises a positioning bracket comprising:

• an arm having a first end, which is pivotally mounted to the support and a second end attached to the upper end of the actuator, and

13. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the axle lift comprises a positioning bracket comprising:

• an arm having a first end, which is pivotally mounted to the support and to the mounting plate, and a second end attached to the upper end of the actuator, and • an engagement part arranged at the second end of the arm, which engages an underside of the trailing arm.

14. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 11-13, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on the second end of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

15. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 11-14, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the second side of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

16. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 13 as far as it depends on claim 3, wherein the support is connected to the mounting plate by two or more bolt/nut connections, one of the bolt/nut connections also pivotally mounts the first end of the arm of the positioning bracket.

17. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle lift including:

• a support which is monolithic with the mounting plate; and

18. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 17, wherein the mounting plate is a flat plate that extends downwardly from the chassis beam.

19. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 17-18, wherein the actuator has an engagement part mounted on the upper side of the actuator.

20. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 19, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on upper side of the actuator comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

21. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the upper side of the actuator comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

22. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 17-18, wherein the axle lift comprises a positioning bracket comprising:

23. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 22, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on the second end of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

24. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 22 or 23, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the second side of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

25. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a mounting plate attached to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis;

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle lift including

• a support which is suspended at a suspension point, preferably by a bolt connection, from the bearing bracket wherein the support is supported by the mounting plate in front of the suspension point; and

26. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 25, wherein the mounting plate is a flat plate that extends downwardly from the chassis beam.

27. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the support has a front portion located in front of the suspension point, said front portion being in abutment with the mounting plate.

28. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the preceding claims 25-27, wherein the actuator has an engagement part mounted on the upper side of the actuator.

29. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 28, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on upper side of the actuator comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

30. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the upper side of the actuator comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

31. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 25-27, wherein the support furthermore comprises a mounting arm, preferably monolithic with the support, said mounting arm extending rearwardly from the front edge of the axle lift support along a lateral plate of the bearing bracket, wherein the mounting arm intersects the pivot axis of the trailing arm in the bearing bracket, and wherein at an end portion of the mounting arm a bore is provided which is aligned with the pivot axis of the trailing arm, wherein the upper side of the actuator is connected to a positioning bracket having a bracket arm which is at an end remote from the actuator pivotally connected to the mounting arm such that the pivot axis of the positioning bracket and the pivot axis of the trailing arm coincide.

32. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing bracket comprises a pair of opposing spaced apart lateral plates, wherein preferably each lateral plate of the bearing bracket is mounted to opposite sides of the mounting plate.

33. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 32, wherein the trailing arm has a hammerhead configuration at the front end portion, and wherein at least one of the lateral plates of the bearing bracket has a receiving recess configured to receive a part of the hammerhead configuration, wherein said hammerhead configuration, in a mounted state of the suspension, is received and supported in the receiving recess, such that the front end portion of the trailing arm is able to pivot with respect to the bearing bracket.

34. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 33, wherein the respective lateral plates of the bearing bracket comprise a journal housing, and wherein the receiving recess is defined by said journal housing, wherein, preferably, the journal housing bulges out with respect to the main plane of the lateral plate in a direction away from the trailing arm, i.e. outwards.

35. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to an overhead chassis beam of a vehicle chassis;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm;

- an axle lift including:

• a support mounted to the bearing bracket; and

• a positioning bracket comprising:

36. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 35, wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the engagement part on the second end of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises a cushion block which engages the trailing arm inside the channel shaped profile, preferably on an inside surface of the top wall.

37. Wheel axle suspension according to any of the claims 35-36, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein the engagement part on the second side of the arm of the positioning bracket comprises clipping means, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

38. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an air spring mounted to a rear end portion of the trailing arm and supporting the vehicle chassis; - an axle body attached to the trailing arm; wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises:

- an axle lift including:

• a support connected to the vehicle chassis; and

39. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 38, wherein the cushion block is mounted directly on the upper side of the actuator.

40. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 38, wherein the axle lift furthermore comprises a positioning bracket comprising an arm having a first end, which is pivotally mounted and a second end attached to the upper end of the actuator, and wherein the cushion block is arranged at the second end of the arm.

41. Wheel axle suspension according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the trailing arm has lateral sides and has a protrusion on each lateral side, and wherein on the upper side of the actuator or on the second end of the arm of positioning bracket a clipping means is arranged, adapted to interlock with the protrusions on the lateral sides of the trailing arm to fix the upper side of the actuator with the trailing arm.

42. Wheel axle suspension for a utility vehicle such as a truck, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said suspension comprising:

- a bearing bracket mounted to the mounting plate;

- an axle body attached to the trailing arm; wherein the trailing arm has an arm portion, preferably a spring portion, comprising a channel shaped profile having a top wall, two opposing lateral walls, and an open side opposite the top wall and facing downwardly in use, and wherein the wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises: - an axle lift including:

• a support connected to the vehicle chassis; and

43. Axle lift apparently to be used in wheel axle suspension according to any of the preceding claims.