Media interface

Abstract

A media interface (7) for a vehicle axle, the media interface (7) comprising: at least one pneumatic port (9), having an inlet connection (11) configured to receive pressurized air from an air supply line (15), an outlet connection (13) configured to supply the pressurized air to a pneumatic function line (17) of the axle, and a conduit (19) connecting the inlet connection (11) and the outlet connection (13); and at least one attachment point (21) configured for attachment of at least one electrical installation bracket (23) for providing electrical connection between an electrical supply connector (25) and an electrical function connector (27) of the axle.

Description

(0001) The disclosure relates generally to vehicle assembly. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to a media arrangement for a vehicle axle. The disclosure can be applied to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, among other vehicle types. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle.BACKGROUND(0002) Heavy-duty vehicles comprise rear axles provided with pneumatic and electrical functions, such as service brake actuation, parking brake actuation, and differential lock actuation, as well as sensors for wheel speed, brake lining wear, and differential lock position. These functions require routing of multiple pneumatic lines and electrical cables between a vehicle frame and the axle. Due to packaging constraints in the region above the axle, for example around suspension components such as a V-stay, the routing of separate pneumatic and electrical lines may lead to congestion, increased assembly complexity, and exposure to mechanical stress arising from relative movement between the frame and the axle.(0003) In existing installations, pneumatic circuits and electrical harnesses are commonly routed as separate channels along structural members of the chassis and axle. Such distributed routing may require multiple brackets and fastening points, and may result in a less compact installation. Furthermore, when components are mounted in the vicinity of the axle, they are subjected to vibration, debris, moisture, and dynamic loads caused by suspension movement. There is therefore a need for a more compact and robust arrangement for interfacing pneumatic and electrical media between the vehicle frame and the rear axle.SUMMARY(0004) According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a media interface for a vehicle axle, comprising at least one pneumatic port having an inlet connection configured to receive pressurized air from an air supply line, an outlet connection configured to supply the pressurized air to a pneumatic function line of the axle, and a conduit connecting the inlet connection and the outlet connection; and at least one attachment point configured for attachment of at least one electrical installation bracket for providing electrical connection between an electrical supply connector and an electrical function connector of the axle.(0005) The first aspect of the disclosure may seek to provide a compact and robust interface for routing pneumatic and electrical media between a vehicle frame and a vehicle axle. A technical benefit may include that multiple pneumatic and electrical connections can be consolidated in a common unit arranged at the axle, thereby reducing packaging space, simplifying assembly, and improving durability in view of loads arising from relative movement between the frame and the axle.(0006) The present disclosure is based on the insight that routing multiple pneumatic circuits and electrical installations separately along structural members of a vehicle may lead to increased packaging complexity and exposure to mechanical stress, particularly in the region of a rear axle where relative movement between the frame and the axle occurs. The present inventors have further realized that by integrating pneumatic ports and attachment points for electrical installation brackets in a common body configured for mounting at the axle, the interface between frame-mounted supply lines and axle-mounted function lines can be concentrated in a single structural unit, thereby enabling a more compact and mechanically robust installation.(0007) Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the media interface may be formed as a single-piece aluminum body in which the at least one pneumatic port and the at least one attachment point are integrated. A technical benefit may include reduced weight in combination with sufficient structural rigidity and corrosion resistance for axle-mounted installation.(0008) Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the conduit connecting the inlet connection and the outlet connection may be integrally formed within a body of the media interface. A technical benefit may include reduced risk of leakage and improved resistance to vibration, since separate tubing elements and additional sealing interfaces can be avoided.(0009) Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, at least one of the inlet connection and the outlet connection may comprise an internally threaded portion integrally formed in a body of the media interface and configured for direct mounting of a pneumatic connector. A technical benefit may include increased pull-out strength and fatigue resistance at the pneumatic interfaces, which is advantageous for installation on an axle subjected to dynamic loads.(0010) Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the media interface may comprise a plurality of pneumatic ports configured for separate pneumatic circuits including a service brake circuit, a parking brake circuit, and a differential lock circuit. A technical benefit may include consolidation of multiple air circuits in a single unit, thereby reducing packaging space and simplifying routing in the region of the rear axle. (0011) Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the media interface may be configured for mounting directly to the vehicle axle and may comprise at least one fastening interface configured to withstand loads arising from relative movement between a vehicle frame and the vehicle axle. A technical benefit may include improved mechanical robustness and durability when the interface is exposed to vibration and loads resulting from suspension movement during vehicle operation.(0012) The disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and / or accompanying claims may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(0013) Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.(0014) FIG. 1 is an exemplary vehicle according to an example.(0015) FIG. 2 is an exemplary media interface according to an example.DETAILED DESCRIPTION(0016) The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the disclosed technology with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.(0017) Fig. 1 is an exemplary vehicle combination 1 according to an example. Referring to Fig. 1, the exemplary vehicle combination 1 comprises a first vehicle 3 and a second vehicle 5 coupled to the first vehicle 3. The first vehicle 3 may be a heavy-duty vehicle, such as a truck, and may comprise a vehicle frame and at least one rear axle configured to support and drive one or more wheels. The rear axle is provided with pneumatic and electrical functions, including brake actuation and differential lock actuation, and may further comprise sensors configured to monitor operational parameters of the axle.(0018) Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary media interface 7 according to an example. The media interface 7 comprises at least one pneumatic port 9, an inlet connection 11, an outlet connection 13, a conduit 19, at least one attachment point 21, at least one electrical installation bracket 23, an electrical supply connector 25, and an electrical function connector 27. The media interface 7 is configured to be mounted at a vehicle axle for interfacing pneumatic and electrical media between a vehicle frame and the axle.(0019) In the illustrated example, the inlet connection 11 is configured to receive pressurized air from an air supply line 15 extending from the vehicle frame, and the outlet connection 13 is configured to supply the pressurized air to a pneumatic function line 17 of the axle. The conduit 19 extends between the inlet connection 11 and the outlet connection 13 within the media interface 7. The attachment point 21 is configured to support the electrical installation bracket 23 such that the electrical supply connector 25 is electrically connected to the electrical function connector 27 of the axle.(0020) In some examples, the media interface 7 may be formed as a single-piece aluminum body in which the at least one pneumatic port 9 and the at least one attachment point 21 are integrated. Forming the media interface 7 as a single-piece component may provide a combination of low weight and sufficient structural rigidity for mounting at the axle. The aluminum material may further provide resistance to corrosion in a vehicle operating environment.(0021) In some examples, the conduit 19 may be formed in the body of the media interface 7, for example as at least one internal bore or channel extending between the inlet connection 11 and the outlet connection 13. The conduit 19 may be formed during extrusion of the body and / or by subsequent machining operations. Forming the conduit 19 in the body may reduce the number of separate components and sealing interfaces compared to arrangements using external tubing.(0022) In some examples, at least one of the inlet connection 11 and the outlet connection 13 may comprise an internally threaded portion formed directly in the body of the media interface 7 for mounting of a pneumatic connector. Forming the threaded portion in the aluminum body may provide increased pull-out strength and resistance to fatigue loads compared to insert-based or plastic interface solutions.(0023) In some examples, the media interface 7 may comprise at least one fastening interface configured for mounting the media interface 7 directly to the axle. The fastening interface may comprise one or more through-holes or threaded mounting holes formed in the body of the media interface 7. By mounting the media interface 7 directly to the axle, the media interface 7 may move together with the axle and thereby accommodate relative movement between the axle and the vehicle frame.(0024) It is to be understood that the media interface 7 is not limited to the examples described above and illustrated in the drawings. The skilled person will recognize that modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. The arrangement and number of pneumatic ports 9 and attachment points 21 may be adapted to different axle configurations and vehicle applications without departing from the general concept of integrating pneumatic and electrical media in a common body mounted at the axle. (0025) It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.(0026) Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.(0027) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.(0028) It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A media interface (7) for a vehicle axle, the media interface (7) comprising:at least one pneumatic port (9), having an inlet connection (11) configured to receive pressurized air from an air supply line (15), an outlet connection (13) configured to supply the pressurized air to a pneumatic function line (17) of the axle, and a conduit (19) connecting the inlet connection (11) and the outlet connection (13); andat least one attachment point (21) configured for attachment of at least one electrical installation bracket (23) for providing electrical connection between an electrical supply connector (25) and an electrical function connector (27) of the axle.

2. The media interface (7) according to claim 1, wherein the media interface (7) is formed as a single-piece aluminum body in which the at least one pneumatic port (9) and the at least one attachment point (21) are integrated.

3. The media interface (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conduit (19) is integrally fonned within a body of the media interface (7).

4. The media interface (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the inlet connection (11) and the outlet connection (13) comprises an internally threaded portion integrally formed in a body of the media interface (7) and configured for direct mounting of a pneumatic connector.

5. The media interface (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of pneumatic ports (9) configured for separate pneumatic circuits including a service brake circuit, a parking brake circuit, and a differential lock circuit.

6. The media interface (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the media interface (7) is configured for mounting directly to the vehicle axle and comprises at least one fastening interface configured to withstand loads arising from relative movement between a vehicle frame and the vehicle axle.