NZ615157B2 - Axle suspension and axle lift for a vehicle axle - Google Patents

Abstract

axle suspension for a vehicle axle guided by a trailing arm and also, furthermore, an axle lift for a vehicle axle are proposed. The axle lift includes a force element (11), a pressure transmission means (18, 20) which is movable towards an axle link (5) of the vehicle axle by actuation of the force element, and a bracket (12). The bracket (12) is provided with a supporting means (10) for the force element (11) and the pressure reaction forces acting on the latter and, in addition, for the fastening to a support (2) is provided with a bracket part (31), on which a plug-in or hook connection for engagement in the support (2) is formed. With the aim of being able to fit the bracket (12) in a fixed basic setting on the support (2) with just a few actions, it is proposed that the bracket part (31), at a distance from the plug-in or hook connection thereof, is provided with at least one further connecting means, which is designed for engagement in the support (2). The console bracket (12) is in two parts that can be attached to each other at different configurations. rce element, and a bracket (12). The bracket (12) is provided with a supporting means (10) for the force element (11) and the pressure reaction forces acting on the latter and, in addition, for the fastening to a support (2) is provided with a bracket part (31), on which a plug-in or hook connection for engagement in the support (2) is formed. With the aim of being able to fit the bracket (12) in a fixed basic setting on the support (2) with just a few actions, it is proposed that the bracket part (31), at a distance from the plug-in or hook connection thereof, is provided with at least one further connecting means, which is designed for engagement in the support (2). The console bracket (12) is in two parts that can be attached to each other at different configurations.

Description

AXLE SUSPENSION AND AXLE LIFT FOR A VEHICLE AXLE The invention relates to an axle suspension for a vehicle axle according to the preamble ofpatent claim 1 and an axle lift for a e axle according to the preamble of patent claim 2.

In the axle suspension of an air—suspended vehicle axle according to EP 0 961 726 B1 a diaphragm cylinder operated by compressed air serves as the force element for raising the vehicle axle. This cylinder is ted on a console bracket which is mounted underneath the t of the vehicle axle. The support holds in its two side walls a bearing bolt which defines the pivotal axis for each relevant axle link of the vehicle axle. In order to divert the considerable forces used when lifting the axle to the t the e bracket engages by the arms formed thereon over the side walls of the support wherein the arms are supported inter alia against the g bolt. A part of the forces which occur during lifting of the vehicle axle is therefore transferred to this bolt and thus to parts of the axle suspension which are involved in the dynamic driving process.

From DE 699 17 105 T2 an axle suspension with an axle lift is known in which the force element which is designed here as an air spring is supported on a e bracket which is made up as a whole from three parts. A first console part on which the force element is directly supported is provided with a plug-in connection for engaging in the region of the end wall of the support. Constituent parts of the console brackets are rmore suspension plates on either side of the support wherein the lower ends of the plates are each screwed to the first console bracket part and whose upper ends are suspended from the screw bolt. Also with this embodiment the axle lift is therefore supported inter alia on that bearing bolt which supports the axle link so that at least a part of the forces acting during lifiing of the vehicle axle is also transferred to this bolt and thus to parts of the axle suspension which are involved in the dynamic driving process.

An axle suspension and axle lift without these drawbacks is known from DE 10 2006 044 598 A1. In order to obtain a console bracket which is adjustable over a wide region this t is ed in two parts wherein a first bracket part is a block- shaped pressure member which is screwed between two arms of the second console bracket part and is ted from below against the rod support. A second console bracket part is connectable via corresponding rows of holes in different ons to both the first bracket part and also the support. During assembly of the axle lift, in order to avoid faulty installation, it is necessary to use the correct pairs of holes, i.e. those which match the relevant s geometry. After horizontally inserting the first console bracket part the rows of holes of the second console bracket part have to be brought to overlap the two holes of the side walls of the t. It can thereby happen that the wrong hole is chosen for the connection, and the first e bracket part then no longer engages adequately with the end wall of the support.

There is the danger that this connection subsequently becomes loose h the loads g during driving operation. As a result the axle lift would pivot out of the way and lose its function since the lifting force no longer engages on the site provided for that purpose, and in the worst case scenario the second console bracket part could even shear off.

The axle lift according to DE 10 2006 044 598 A1 operates with a favorable diversion of the pressure reaction forces but up to the final fitting of the axle lift several assembly steps are required, inter alia for tly adjusting and positioning the two console bracket parts.

An aim of the invention is therefore to be able to mount the console bracket of the axle lift with few manual steps in a basic setting on the support. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

At least one of these may be achieved through an axle lift having the features of claim 1.

With few manual steps the console bracket can be fastened on the support in a basic position in which the axle lifting forces are safely transferred. The connection takes place in two regions at a ce from one another. The first connecting means is a plug-in or hook connection which is formed on the console bracket part. The other connecting means, at a distance from this, can consist for example of a rod mounted transversely in the console bracket part. This can be passed h openings located in the side walls of the support in order to fasten on the support.

When fixing the console bracket part first the plug-in or hook connection is brought into engagement with the support for which it is only necessary to move the console bracket part accordingly up to engagement. Further manual steps, thus for example screwing, fixing a securing ring etc. are not required in respect of this first connection.

A load—bearing mounting of the console bracket part is ed in a clearly defined position which allows no other alternative. For mounting only a few manual steps are necessary which moreover take place only at one of these locations, whilst the connection at the other location is already reached by simply pushing in or hooking on the console bracket part.

Of advantage is the separation as regard forces of the axle lift from the chassis components which are involved in the dynamic driving process since the support of the console bracket housing the force element of the axle lift takes place solely on the base body of the t, and not on those parts of the axle suspension which are involved in the dynamic driving process. It is particularly d that a part of the considerable pressure on forces acting on the console bracket part is transferred to the bearing bolt which connects the axle link for pivotal movement to the support.

During the assembly in the basic position which is simple to execute, a further e bracket part on which the force t of the axle lift is supported can already be connected to the first console bracket part. As an ative however it is also possible to fasten the further console bracket part only subsequently on the first console bracket part.

With goods es for which the axle suspension is primarily used, different types of vehicles also e ent driving heights. Driving height means to the technical expert the distance maintained by the valve of the air spring between the underneath of the longitudinal beam of the vehicle, and the center point of the axle.

In the schedule of an axle manufacturer the same axle link is combined with different height supports, air spring bellows as well as differently angled air spring console brackets. The pivotal range, thus the minimal and maximum outlet angle of the link from the support, also s from chassis to chassis. Sometimes this range lies , sometimes it lies lower. As a result of these conditions and for the widest possible useful field the axle lift also has to be adaptable in its dimensions nt for fimctioning.

In order to achieve this adaption through a corresponding arrangement ofthe force element, it is proposed in one configuration that the second console bracket part can be fastened on the first e bracket part in at least two different positions.

For this, a one-piece shaped sheet metal part can be a constituent part of the first console t part and is comprised of two parallel side arms and a web section connecting these to one another on which the plug-in or hook connection is formed.

With this type of construction the side arms of the first console bracket part are each provided with a number of openings for selectively passing through a screw connector with the second console bracket part. In this way the second console bracket part which holds the diaphragm cylinder can be fastened in at least two different positions on the first console bracket part in order to adapt to the relevant required ry of the axle lift.

With a fiirther development it is proposed that a one-piece shaped sheet metal part is a constituent part of the second console bracket part and is comprised of two parallel side arms and a cross wall ting these together and on which the supporting means for the force element is d, and that the side arms are each provided with at least one opening for pushing through the screw connector to the first console bracket part.

For a favorable introduction of the lifting reaction forces acting on the console bracket onto the t it is further proposed that the upper side of the web section is provided with a supporting e for bearing against the underneath side of the support.

With a further development it is proposed that the plug-in or hook connection is formed to engage horizontally into the support wherein the further connection means has ntally no play or at m a play which is lower than this horizontal engagement.

The adjustment of the axle lift to the relevant chassis geometry can be undertaken alternatively or additionally also on the axle link where during operation of the force element its lifting force impacts on the axle link in order to lift this. With further developments of the invention measures are therefore ed to allow a force absorbing member mounted on the axle link for the g force to be fitted simply in more than just one position.

Unless the context y requires otherwise, hout the ption and claims the terms “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense. That is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Further details and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. These show: Figure 1 in a perspective mainly lateral view, parts of an air-sprung axle suspension including a t, as well as an axle link pivotally mounted therein, but without illustrating the axle itself; Figure 2a the area of the support and the axle lift fastened thereon including a first console bracket part of the axle lift mounted underneath; Figure 2b the objects according to Figure 2a with a second console bracket part additionally fastened thereon; Figure 3 a perspective view of the first console bracket part; Figure 4 a second embodiment of an axle link with a force ing member which can be fastened thereon in ent positions; and Figure 5 a filrther embodiment of an axle link with a force absorbing member which can be fastened thereon in different positions.

Figure 1 shows the axle suspension of a goods vehicle trailer or semi—trailer.

Supports 2 are fastened on the left and right underneath the vehicle frame, preferably by welding the upper edge 4 of the support to the underneath of the longitudinal beam of the vehicle frame. An axle link or ng arm 5 for the vehicle axle is mounted for pivotal movement in each support 2, each pivotal about a bolt 6.

Each axle link or trailing arm 5 is formed as a cast part of cast steel or light metal.

The front end of each axle link 5 is formed as an eye in which a rubber bush or a —steel bush is seated. The bolt 6 extends h this bush as well as through the side walls 7a, 7b of the support 2. Air spring bellows of an air suspension formed in the tional way are each fastened at the rear end of the axle links 5 (not shown in the drawing). Such air spring bellows are generally supported from underneath against the vehicle frame.

Each axle link 5 is connected in an axle socket 3 to the axle body of the vehicle axle. The axle body, preferably an axle rod, is designed to pass from the left to the right side of the vehicle and supports at its two ends the wheel bearings of the vehicle wheels.

To adjust the track and forward running of the e axle the supports 2 are 3O provided with adjusting devices 8.

The base body of the t 2 is designed with a ed cross-section and is comprised of the two side walls 7a, 7b which are substantially parallel to one another, and of an end wall 14 which points forwards in the driving direction. The base body of the support 2 is open to the back and underneath. It can be designed in one piece in an ageous technical manufacturing process wherein all its walls, thus the two side walls 7a, 7b and the front end wall 14, are ns of one and the same sheet metal strip. This sheet metal strip of for example steel plate is shaped in a cold shaping process, e. g. in a stamping or ng-bending process into the shaped sheet metal part which is shown in the drawing. A support made from cast material is also conceivable.

The side walls 7a, 7b are provided with holes. The bolt 6 passes through these holes as well as through the front eye of the axle link 5 and thus forms the pivotal axis of the axle link.

In order to lift the air-sprung vehicle axle shown in Figure l in the driving position into its raised on if this axle is not required for the driving operation, an axle lift is provided with a lifting device 9 which is mounted underneath the support 2.

A constituent part of the lifting device 9 is a diaphragm cylinder 11 which is operated by compressed air and which is mounted rigidly on the support 2 by means of a console bracket 12 whose individual parts will be explained in further detail below. The console bracket 12 is ed with a supporting means 10 for fastening the diaphragm cylinder 11. Constituent parts of the ting means 10 are screws 16 which are mounted on either side of an opening 13 on the console bracket and which fasten the diaphragm cylinder rigidly to the console bracket 12.

The axle link 5 of the axle suspension is provided on its underneath with a force absorbing member 15 on which a g surface 15A is formed to take up the lifting force. The force absorbing member 15 is designed here in block fashion. It is hung by a hook from below in an opening of the axle link, and is secured at the same time by a screw.

The diaphragm cylinder 11 is the force element of the axle lift. Its housing is supported rigidly on the console bracket 12 by means of the screw connectors 16.

A part of the diaphragm cylinder 11 hereby projects upwardly ed h an opening 13 in the console bracket. In this region there is an axial guide 19 for a piston rod 18 which passes out from the diaphragm cylinder 11 and is driven by the compressed medium in the diaphragm cylinder. The axial guide 19 can be a plastics bush which guides the piston rod 18 axially over a n part of its length. At its end the piston rod 18 is provided with a roller 20 mounted on an anti—friction bearing.

During actuation of the force element 11 by means of compressed air, through the unit ofpiston rod 18 and roller 20 which together form a force transmission unit, an ly inclined pressurised force is directed against the opposing force absorbing member 15 on the axle link 5. The axle link 5 is thereby pivoted s about the bolt 6, and the axle is raised.

Away from the axle lift operation, the force transmission unit 18, 20 composed of the piston rod and roller, is drawn back towards the diaphragm cylinder 11 whereby the roller 20 has no more contact with the force absorbing member 15 and the axle link 5 can move freely ing to the driving ions.

The rolling surface 15A on the force absorbing member 15, here formed as a block, is designed as an involute curved concave relative to the roller 20. The path of the involute is such that the surface normal of that site at which the roller 20 bears against the rolling surface 15A coincides precisely with the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 18. Through this alignment and geometric ration ofthe component parts involved the result is that no or in any case very slight transverse forces are exerted on the roller 20 and thus on the piston rod 18. Equally it can be advisable to guide the piston rod 18 axially for which the axial guide 19 is fastened on the housing of the diaphragm cylinder close to the exit of the piston 18 out from the housing of the diaphragm cylinder 11.

The console bracket 12 of the axle lift is designed in two parts. It consists essentially of a first e t part 31 and a second console bracket part 41.

The first console bracket part 31 is fastened directly on the support 2 in a non- changeable position, and transfers the on forces which are connected with lifting to this support. On the other hand the second console bracket part on which the supporting means 10 of the diaphragm cylinder 11 and thus of the force element of the axle lift are located, is fastened on the first console bracket part 31, and thus only indirectly on the support.

The construction and fastening of the console bracket parts will be explained in further detail below with reference to Figures 2a, 2b and 3.

The first console t part 31 consists essentially of a shaped sheet metal part 32 and an axially secured rod 33 which is only indicated along its center line in Figure 2a. The console bracket part 31 is connected to the support 2 at two sites located ntally at a distance fiom one another. As a front tion in the driving direction, a plug-in connection or hook connection 36A serves for engaging in the end wall 14 of the support. The connection 36A is thus shaped so that it engages through simple keyed connection in a pondingly shaped structure in the support 2, namely here in an opening in the lower region of the end wall 14 of the support.

The shaped sheet metal part 32 of the console bracket part 31 is comprised of two side arms 35 which in the assembled state are mounted outside on the side walls 7a, 7b of the support, and of a web section 36 which connects these two. The plug-in or hook connection 36A which s ntally in the opening in the support 2 is located on the web section 36.

The web section 36 extends transversely through beneath the support 2 wherein its upper side serves as the t face which is supported from below against the support 2, and thus diverts the major part of the pressure reaction forces which occur during lifting of the axle, in a direct route into the support 2. As an _10_ alternative the pressure reaction forces can also be introduced into the support 2 ively or predominantly via the plug-in and hook connection 36A and/or via the other tion at a distance rom.

At the rear end of the shaped sheet metal part 32 its side arms 35 are each provided with a bore 34 which aligns flush with the bore 34 in each other side arm 35. The bores 34 are arranged so that when the console t part 31 is fitted they align flush with the bores 24 in the side walls 7a, 7b of the support 2. The rod 33 which is a constituent part of the console bracket part 31 is passed through these in total four bores 24, 34 and is axially secured. For axial securing, the rod 33 is provided at its one end with an enlarged head, and at its other end with a ring groove on which a securing clip 37 (Figure 1) can be fitted.

Fastening the first console bracket part 31 on the support 2 is carried out by moving the console bracket part forwards until the plug-in and hook connection 36A formed at the front passes into the opening in the end wall 14 of the support 2.

Then possibly by slightly lifting the sheet metal shaped part 32 whose bores 34 are brought to overlap with the bores 24 of the support, the rod 33 is passed through and secured axially by means of the securing clip 37. The front ting means in the form of the plug-in or hook connection can then no longer be loosened since the rear connecting means spaced horizontally from the front connecting means and in the form of the rod 33 prevent this. For this purpose the correspondingly small tolerance of the rod 33 and bores 24, 34 are required. The horizontal play which is possible there is less than the ntal engagement of the plug-in or hook connection 36A at the front on the console bracket part 31.

Alternatively the plug-in and hook connection can also take place in the side walls 7a, 7b of the t 2. It is likewise vable that the other connection, arranged at a distance, serves only to secure several plug-in or hook connections, 3O and undertakes no function supporting the console bracket.

According to Figure 2b, the other console bracket part 41 also consists substantially of a one-piece shaped sheet metal part 42 which is comprised of two side arms 45 parallel to one another, and a cross wall 36 ting these together, wherein the diaphragm cylinder 11 is supported on this cross wall 46 by means of the screw connections 16.

In order to adjust the second console bracket part 41 in relation to the first console bracket part 31 the side arms 35 are each provided with a pattern of holes. Screws 49 can be selectively pushed through these holes 39 (Figure 1) in order thus to be able to fasten the second e bracket part on the first console bracket part in one of several optional available positions and to adapt the path of movement of the axle lift to the relevant chassis geometry.

Constituent parts of the second console bracket part 41 are through-guides 44 serving as studs on both side arms 45 which always engage in an oblong hole 38 in the relevant side arm 35 of the first console bracket part 31. The oblong holes 38 are not straight but follow an arc whose reference center point coincides approximately with the bolt 6. ing the axle lift can be d out subsequently and dually by the vehicle manufacturer after the first console bracket part 31 has been first mounted on the support 2 in its non-variable basic position. atively the possibility exists of connecting the two console brackets parts 31, 41 in a specific relative position which is suitable for the relevant type of chassis prior to attaching the axle lifi on the support. The thus prepared console bracket comprising the two e bracket parts 31, 41 is then fastened as a unit eath the support 2 t the risk of an accidental faulty fitting.

Adapting the axle lifi and more particularly its movement path to the relevant chassis geometry can however also take place on the sides of the axle link, which is shown in two different embodiments in Figures 4 and 5. ing to Figure 4 the force absorbing member 15 mounted underneath the axle link 5 is provided with one arm 52 each on either side of the axle link 5. This comprises structures which permit fitting at different heights, here three different heights. The structures consist in slits 53 open on one side as well as bores 54 in the arms 52. These are selectively connectable with a ponding stud 55 or a bore 56 of the axle link 5 in order thus to adjust the on ofthe rolling face 15A which is formed on the force absorbing member 15 so that during operation of the axle lift an alignment with the force transmission unit consisting of the piston rod 18 and roller 20 is set. The force absorbing member 15 is thus always arranged in an extension of the active direction of the force element 11.

With the embodiment according to Figure 5, the force absorbing member 15 is ed in two parts comprising a base element 60 which can be screwed to the axle link 5 only in one position, and a block 61 which is adjustable in several positions relative to the base element 60 and on which the rolling face 15A is formed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS ONUI-BUJN Support Axle socket Edge Axle link (trailing arm) Bolt Side wall 7b Side wall Adjusting device Lifling device Supporting means 11 Force element, diaphragm cylinder 12 Console bracket 13 Opening 14 End wall Force absorbing means 15A g surface 16 Screw 18 Piston rod 19 Axial guide for piston rod Roller 24 Bore 31 First console bracket part 32 Shaped sheet metal part 33 Rod 34 Bore Side arm 36 Web n 36A Plug-in or hook connection 37 Securing clip 38 Oblong hole 39 Hole n 41 Second console bracket part 42 Shaped sheet metal part 44 Through-guides 45 Side arm 46 Cross wall 49 Screw 52 Arm 53 Slit 54 Bore 55 Stud 56 Bore 60 Base element 61 Block PATENT

Claims (10)

1. Axle lift for a vehicle axle, comprising a force element, a pressure transmission means which is movable by actuation of the force element 5 against an axle link of the vehicle axle, as well as a console bracket which is provided with a supporting means for the force element and the re reaction forces acting on same, and which furthermore for fastening on a support which consists of two side walls and an end wall pointing in the drive direction and ting the side walls together, is provided with a 10 console bracket part on which a n or hook tion is formed for engaging in the t, wherein the console bracket part is provided spaced from its plug-in or hook connection with at least one further connecting means which is formed for engaging in the support, wherein the support is fixed on each vehicle side underneath a vehicle chassis; and 15 wherein the console bracket part is a first console bracket part of the console bracket, wherein a second console bracket part of the console can be fastened on the first console bracket part, and wherein the force element is supported on the second console t part; and wherein the second console bracket part can be fastened on the first console bracket part in at 20 least two different ons.

2. The axle lift as claimed in claim 1 wherein a constituent part of the first console bracket part is a one-piece shaped sheet metal part which is comprised of two parallel side arms and one web section which connects 25 these together and on which the plug-in or hook connection is formed, and wherein the side arms are each provided with a number of openings for ively pushing through a screw connection with the second console bracket part. 30

3. The axle lift as d in claim 2 wherein a constituent part of the second console bracket part is a one-piece shaped sheet metal part which is sed of two parallel side arms and a cross wall which connects these together and on which the ting means for the force element is located, and wherein the side arms are each provided with at least one opening for pushing through the screw connection with the first console bracket part.

4. The axle lift as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the upper side of the web section is provided with a support face for bearing against the underneath of the support. 10

5. The axle lift as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the console bracket part can be locked by the further connecting means at least vertically ve to the t.

6. The axle lift as claimed in claim 5 wherein the further connecting means is 15 a rod which is mounted transversely in the console bracket part for passing through openings in the side walls of the support.

7. The axle lift as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the plug-in or hook connection is designed for horizontal ment, and wherein the 20 further connecting means has ntally no play or at most a play which is less than this horizontal engagement.

8. Axle lift as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 comprising a force absorbing member which can be fastened on the axle link in an extension 25 to the active direction of the force element.

9. Axle lift as claimed in claim 8 comprising connecting means formed on the force absorbing member and with which the force absorbing member can be fastened on the axle guide rod in at least two ent ons.

10. Axle lift for a vehicle axle as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.