Connection unit

Abstract

Connecting unit (6) for a vehicle (21) having air suspension and having two longitudinal side members (4A, 4B) of the frame, wherein the connecting unit (6) - a first air bellows protector (10A) arranged such that it is attached to a first upper part (22A) on a first air bellows (5A), and - comprising a second air bellows protector (10B) arranged such that it is located on a second upper part (22B) on a second air bellows (5B), wherein the first and second air bellows (5A, 5B) are positioned completely under the side supports (4A, 4B) of the frame in the vertical direction of the vehicle, characterized in that the connecting unit (6) further comprises a cross member (11) arranged such that it connects the first air bellows protector (10A) to the second air bellows protector (10B) in the transverse direction in the vehicle (21).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting unit for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The suspension and damping in a vehicle can be achieved using air springs. In this case, the air springs are positioned in conjunction with the wheels to isolate their movement relative to the ground. In a heavy vehicle with, for example, a V-engine, the air springs can be located close to the engine and its oil pan if they are positioned beneath the longitudinal frame members. The term "oil pan" is used here to refer to a lower compartment that collects oil. To protect the air springs from contact with engine components, such as the starter, a cover can be fitted over each spring.

[0003] The space between the wheels is limited vertically by the desired ground clearance and, in the case of the front axle, also by the desired height of the vehicle cabin. Other components, such as the engine, fuel tank, and AdBlue®, also occupy space, and ongoing efforts are underway to achieve more compact space utilization. On the front axle, the air springs are positioned in a space laterally limited by the shock absorbers, steering linkage, and the curved part of the wheels, and internally by the oil pan. This position is unfavorable with respect to the thrust center of the frame's side members, and a strong leverage effect can result. This, combined with the force exerted by the air springs, can cause the frame's side members to twist excessively.The twisting can damage surrounding components, make the vehicle unstable, and cause an uncomfortable feeling.

[0004] One solution to the problem is to make one of the frame's side members torsionally rigid, extending to a first rigid crossmember within the vehicle. However, this solution is heavy and space-consuming. A second solution is to use a separate crossmember, which nowadays is positioned at a certain distance behind the air springs. The separate crossmember solution is also relatively heavy and expensive, as it requires local reinforcement to counteract twisting, as well as a number of bolted connections and various end pieces. A Panhard rod connected between the chassis and the axle can be used, among other things, to prevent lateral axle movement during unwanted twisting of the frame's side members.

[0005] EP 1 826 100 A2 discloses a crossmember for a vehicle with air suspension. The vehicle has air springs positioned outside the frame's side members. The crossmember has a complex design with many different parts and is attached to the frame's side members. A Panhard rod is used to stabilize the vehicle laterally. DE 196 24 242 A1 also discloses a rigid shaft for the lateral control of the frame's side members. The rigid shaft also serves as a mounting for a Panhard rod. This solution also consists of many different parts.

[0006] US 2009 / 0194963 A1 discloses a generic connecting unit for a vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1. DE 10 2012 011 416 A1 discloses a support bracket for a support structure comprising a cross member for a motor vehicle. The support bracket includes a connecting device for the cross member and is designed so that it can be used on both sides of the cross member. A support structure with a cross member and two such support brackets is also disclosed. JP 2002-307920 A discloses a motor vehicle suspension support that is attached to a vehicle body and supports other suspension components, wherein the cross-sectional shape of at least one part of the support body is C-shaped.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to achieve an arrangement for a vehicle which counteracts the twisting of the side members of the frame and which is less complicated than previous solutions.

[0008] The problem is solved by a connecting unit for a vehicle with the features of claim 1. The vehicle has an air suspension and two longitudinal frame members. The connecting unit comprises a first air spring protector arranged to be mounted on a first upper part of a first air spring, and a second air spring protector arranged to be mounted on a second upper part of a second air spring. The first and second air springs are positioned completely beneath the frame members in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The connecting unit further comprises a cross member arranged to connect the first air spring protector to the second air spring protector in the transverse direction within the vehicle.

[0009] Since the connecting unit joins the air springs, it counteracts outward bending of both the air springs and the frame's side members. This increases the torsional stiffness of the air springs and the frame's side members. Because the air springs are positioned beneath the frame's side members, they are easier to access and connect than in other solutions where the air springs are located on the outside of the frame's side members. This allows the connecting unit to be designed to be lighter than previous solutions requiring multiple separate parts, thus also reducing costs. Since this arrangement increases torsional stiffness, a Panhard rod is no longer necessary.

[0010] Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the detailed description.

[0011] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a section view of a vehicle seen from above. Fig. 2 the front suspension of Fig. 1 shows. Fig. 3 shows the connecting unit in its assembled state. Fig. 4 the same view as in Fig. Figure 3 shows, however, one of the longitudinal side supports of the frame has now been removed. Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled connection unit. Fig. Figure 6 shows an exposed, unassembled connecting unit. Fig. 7 the exposed unassembled connecting unit in Fig. 6 from the side.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top-down section of a heavy vehicle 21, such as a truck, bus, or other commercial vehicle. The vehicle 21 has two pairs of front wheels 1A and 1B and two pairs of rear wheels 1C and 1D. The front wheel pairs 1A and 1B are connected by a rigid shaft 2, and a connecting unit 6 is shown above the rigid shaft 2 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The rear wheel pairs 1C and 1D are also connected by a rigid shaft 2, and another connecting unit 6 is shown above the rigid shaft in the vertical direction of the vehicle. However, the vehicle 21 can be equipped with only one connecting unit 6, for example, between the front wheel pairs 1A and 1B. The longitudinal extent of the vehicle is represented by the arrow z in the drawing. The transverse extent of the vehicle is represented by the arrow x in the drawing.

[0013] Fig. Figure 2 shows part of an exposed wheel suspension of the front wheel pairs 1A and 1B of vehicle 21 in Fig. 1. The rigid shaft 2 connects the wheel pairs 1A and 1B. A first air bellows 5A is arranged on the rigid shaft 2 and rigidly connected to it, for example, by a connector 8a. A second air bellows 5B is also arranged on the rigid shaft 2 and rigidly connected to it, for example, by another connector 8B. The vehicle 21 is further equipped with two longitudinal side members 4A and 4B of the frame, which run along the vehicle 21 in the longitudinal direction z of the vehicle. The side members 4A, 4B of the frame can be, for example, U-beams or Z-beams. The side members 4A, 4B of the frame belong to the vehicle frame, to which other components in the vehicle 21 are suspended. The engine 3, for example a V-8 engine, of the vehicle is located between the side supports 4A, 4B of the frame, and the oil pan 8 of the engine is located on its underside.The connecting unit 6 is located between the frame's side members 4A, 4B and the air springs 5A, 5B. The first and second air springs 5A, 5B are thus positioned entirely beneath the frame's side members 4A, 4B in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The connecting unit 6 extends from the first air spring 5A under the engine's oil pan to the second air spring 5B. It can be said that the connecting unit 6 surrounds the lower part of the engine, i.e., the engine's oil pan. The connecting unit 6 extends in the transverse x direction of the vehicle. Thus, the connecting unit 6 has an extension that is parallel to the extension of the rigid shaft in the transverse x direction. A mat 7 made of damping material can be placed between the engine 3 and the connecting unit 6 to prevent noise from the engine 3 from propagating into the surrounding area.The vehicle's vertical extent is represented by y, and the vehicle's lateral extent is represented by x.

[0014] Fig. Figure 3 shows the connecting unit 6, the side supports 4A, 4B of the frame, the air springs 5A, 5B and the rigid shaft 2, which are connected to other parts of the vehicle in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are exposed. Fig. 4 is the Fig. 3 similarly, with the difference that a side support of the frame has been removed to show a larger part of the connecting unit 6. As can be seen from the drawings, the connecting unit 6 includes a first air bellows protector 10A. The first air bellows protector 10A is arranged on the first air bellows 5A and acts as protection for the first air bellows 5A against external influences, such as contact and impacts from other components. More precisely, the first air bellows protector 10A is attached to a first upper part 22A ( Fig. 5) arranged on the first air bellows 5A. According to one embodiment, the first air bellows protector 10A is designed such that it protects the first upper part 22A ( Fig. 5) completely or partially surrounds. The first air bellows protector 10A can be designed as a cover arranged so that it surrounds the first upper part 22A ( Fig. 5) fits on the first air bellows 5a. The second air bellows protector 10B is arranged on the second air bellows 5B and acts as protection for the second air bellows 5B against external influences, such as contact and impacts from other components. More precisely, the second air bellows protector 10B is attached to a second upper part 22B ( Fig. 5) arranged on the second air bellows 5B. According to one embodiment, the second air bellows protector 10B is designed such that it protects the second upper part 22B ( Fig. 5) completely or partially surrounds. The second air bellows protector 10B can be designed as a cover arranged so that it surrounds the second upper part 22B ( Fig. 5) of the second air bellows 5B fits. The air bellows protectors 10A, 10B can thus be designed so that they fit the outer surface of the corresponding upper part 22A, 22B ( Fig. 5) surrounded by the air bellows 5a, 5B.

[0015] The longitudinal side members 4A and 4B of the frame can be attached to the corresponding air bellows protectors 10A, 10B by means of connectors 18A, 18B, for example one or more screw connectors or bolt connectors ( Fig. Figure 3 shows connector 18A only on one side member 4A of the frame). The air bellows protectors 10A and 10B are thus designed to also serve as the air bellows attachments on the corresponding side members 4A and 4B of the frame. Air bellows protector 10A is therefore designed to attach the air bellows 5A to side member 4A of the frame, and air bellows protector 10B is designed to attach the air bellows 5B to side member 4B of the frame.

[0016] The connecting unit 6 further comprises a cross member 11, which is arranged to connect the first air bellows protector 10A to the second air bellows protector 10B in the transverse direction x of the vehicle 21. Here, the cross member 11 is lowered relative to the first and second air bellows protectors 10A, 10B in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In most embodiments, the cross member 11 is at least partially arranged to be lowered relative to the first and second air bellows protectors 10A, 10B in the vertical direction z of the vehicle. This means that the cross member 11 is lowered relative to the upper surfaces of the first and second air bellows protectors in the vertical direction z of the vehicle. This lowering provides space for the engine's oil pan, and the cross member 11 can have different degrees of lowering to accommodate different vehicles.The cross member 11 is thus arranged such that it is located in the vertical direction of the vehicle below the oil pan of the engine 3 of the vehicle (. Fig. 2) is located when the connecting unit 6 is arranged in the vehicle 21. It can therefore be said that the connecting unit 6 surrounds the lower part of the vehicle's engine, i.e., its oil pan, in the x-direction.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled connecting unit 6. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown. Since the crossbeam 11 in this embodiment has punched-out holes 15A, 15B ( Fig. 6) exhibits only a middle part 14 ( Fig. 6) of the crossbeam 11 is visible in this view. The first air bellows 5A is attached with its underside 23A facing the rigid shaft 2 by a connector 8A, such as a screw connector, with a screw 13A of the first air bellows 5A that is anchored in the rigid shaft 2. The connector 8A may also include a spacer to fit the underside 23A of the first air bellows into the rigid shaft 2. The second air bellows 5B is also attached with its underside 23B facing the rigid shaft 2 by a connector 8B, such as a screw connector, with a screw 13B of the second air bellows 5B that is anchored in the rigid shaft 2. The fastener 8B may also include a spacer to fit the underside 23B of the second air bellows into the rigid shaft 2.

[0018] The first air bellows protector 10A is located here on the first upper part 22A of the first air bellows 5A. The first upper part 22A of the first air bellows 5A can be formed with a raised section, and the first air bellows protector 10A is then designed to follow this raised section. The first air bellows protector 10A also extends a certain distance over the edges of the air bellows 5A to protect the air bellows against external influences. The first air bellows protector 10A is arranged so that it is attached to one of the side supports 4A of the frame by the connector 18A.

[0019] More precisely, the first air bellows protector 10A is 22A by its upper part ( Fig. 6), which faces the lower part of the frame's side support, is connected to the frame's side support 4A by the connector 18A, such as one or more screw connectors or bolted connectors. Similar to the first air bellows protector 10A, the second air bellows protector 10B is arranged on the upper part 22B of the second air bellows 5B. The second upper part 22B may be formed with a raised section, and the second air bellows protector 10B is then designed to follow this raised section. The second air bellows protector 10B also extends a certain distance over the edges of the air bellows 5B to protect the air bellows 5B from external influences. The second air bellows protector 10B is arranged to be attached to the other of the frame's side supports 4B by the connector 18B. The second air bellows protector 10B is here by its upper part 22B ( Fig. 6), which faces the lower part of the second side member of the frame, is connected to the side member 4A of the frame by the connector 18B, such as one or more screw connectors or bolted connectors. The cross member 11 connects the first and second air bellows protectors 10A, 10B to each other and is positioned between the first air bellows 4A and the second air bellows 4B, extending along the vertical axis of the vehicle. The connecting unit 6 is thus torsionally rigid. The first and second air bellows 5A, 5B are held in the transverse x-direction of the vehicle by the connecting unit 6. This counteracts outward rotation of the side members 4A, 4B of the frame.The position of the connecting unit 6 between the two air bellows 5A, 5B, and its attachment to the side supports 4A, 4B of the frame also counteract the twisting of the side supports 4A, 4B of the frame and increase the torsional stiffness of the entire arrangement.

[0020] Fig. Figure 6 shows an exposed connecting unit 6, while Fig. 7 the exposed connecting unit 6 of Fig. Figure 6 shows the side in the x-direction. The upper part 22A on the first air bellows protector 10A is provided with a number of holes for the passage of one or more screws to fasten the air bellows protector 10A between the first upper part 22A on the first air bellows 5A and one of the side supports 4A of the frame. The upper part 22A is shaped according to the form of the first air bellows 5A and has a circular cross-section. The first air bellows protector 10A may have a reinforcement in the form of an upper part 22A with a greater thickness than other parts of the first air bellows protector 10A, or an upper part 22A made of a stronger material than other parts of the first air bellows protector 10A. In this case, the upper part 22A may be welded to other parts of the first air bellows protector 10A.The upper part 22B of the second air bellows protector 10B is provided with a number of holes for the passage of one or more screws to fasten the air bellows protector 10B between the second upper part 22B on the second air bellows 5B and the other side support 4B of the frame. The second air bellows protector 10B may also have a reinforcement in the form of an upper part 22B with a greater thickness than other parts of the second air bellows protector 10B, or an upper part 22B made of a stronger material than other parts of the second air bellows protector 10B. In this case, the upper part 22B may be welded to other parts of the second air bellows protector 10B. The cross member 11 connecting the air bellows protectors 10A and 10B may, according to one embodiment, be designed as a solid unit.According to a further embodiment, the crossbeam 11 can have two or more transverse sections 13A, 13B of the beam that connect the air bellows protectors 10A, 10B. The transverse sections 13A, 13B of the beam can be parallel. One or more elongated central parts 14 for reinforcing the transverse sections 13A, 13B can be formed between the transverse sections 13A, 13B of the beam. The holes 15A, 15B can be formed between the sections 13A, 13B of the beam and / or the central part 14 to reduce the material used for the connecting unit 6. The transverse sections 13A, 13B of the beam and / or the elongated central parts 14 can be arranged with reinforcements to strengthen the connecting unit 6. Holes 16 can be created in the cross member 11 to provide access from below to the engine's oil pan.

[0021] As can be seen from the drawings, the crossbeam 11 has an extension d ( Fig. 6) in the longitudinal direction z of the vehicle, which is at least half the diameter of the first or the second air bellows. The first and the second air bellows may be designed as cylinders, and in this case, they have a diameter extending in the xz-plane of the vehicle. According to one embodiment, the extent d of the cross member is equal to the diameter of one of the cylinders within a certain tolerance. According to another embodiment, the cross member 11 has a shape that narrows slightly towards the center of the cross member 11.

[0022] As shown in the drawings and especially in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the air bellows protectors 10A, 10B have a larger extent on the facing sides 17A, 17B. The air bellows protectors 10A, 10B extend from the corresponding upper part 22A along the side of the corresponding air bellows 5A, 5B ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) in the z-direction of the cross member 11. The first air bellows protector 10A has, viewed from its distal part, a completely or partially inclined downward-facing profile 20A until it meets the cross member 11. The profile 20A can have the same shape on the side opposite the first air bellows protector. Thus, the first air bellows protector 10A is arranged such that, on the side of the first air bellows 10A facing the second air bellows 5B when installed in the vehicle, it completely or partially surrounds the first air bellows 5A. Similarly, the second air bellows protector 10B has, viewed from its distal part, a completely or partially inclined downward-facing profile 20B until it meets the cross member 11.Thus, the second air bellows protector 10B is arranged such that, on the side of the second air bellows 5B that faces the first air bellows 5A when they are mounted in the vehicle, it completely or partially surrounds the first air bellows 5B.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the connecting part 6 is manufactured in one piece. According to another embodiment, which is described in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the crossbeam 11 can be connected to the first air bellows protector 10A with one or more first connectors 24A and / or to the second air bellows 10B with one or more connectors 24B.

[0024] The connecting unit 6 can, for example, be manufactured from bent steel. The connecting unit 6 can be manufactured, for example, by punching the unit 6 out of the steel and subsequently bending the steel to achieve the desired shape.

[0025] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. For this reason, the embodiments mentioned above do not limit the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Connecting unit (6) for a vehicle (21) having an air suspension and having two longitudinal side members (4A, 4B) of the frame, wherein the connecting unit (6) - a first air bellows protector (10A) arranged to be mounted on a first upper part (22A) on a first air bellows (5A), and - a second air bellows protector (10B) arranged to be arranged on a second upper part (22B) on a second air bellows (5B), wherein the first and second air bellows (5A, 5B) are positioned completely under the side members (4A, 4B) of the frame in the vertical direction of the vehicle, characterized by in that the connecting unit (6) further comprises a cross member (11) arranged to connect the first air bellows protector (10A) to the second air bellows protector (10B) in the transverse direction in the vehicle (21). [2] Connecting unit (6) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the connecting unit (6) is made in one piece. [3] Connecting unit (6) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cross member (11) is connected to the first air bellows protector (10A) by a first connector (24A) and / or to the second air bellows protector (10B) by a second connector (24B). [4] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cross member (11) is at least partially arranged so that it is lowered relative to the first and second air bellows protectors (10A, 10B) in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [5] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cross member (11) is arranged so that it is located in the vertical direction under an oil pan on the engine (3) of the vehicle. [6] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first air bellows protector (10A) is arranged so that it is attached to one of the side supports (4A) of the frame and the second air bellows protector (10B) is arranged so that it is attached to the other side support (4B) of the frame. [7] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first air bellows protector (10A) is designed to completely or partially surround the first upper part (22A), and / or the second air bellows protector (10B) is designed to completely or partially surround the second upper part (22B). [8] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first air bellows protector (10A), seen from the distal part of the first air bellows protector, up to the cross member (11), has completely or partially an oblique downward-directed profile (20A), and / or the second air bellows protector (10B), seen from the distal part of the second air bellows protector, up to the cross member (11), has completely or partially an oblique downward-directed profile (20B). [9] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cross member (11) is arranged so that it is located between the first air bellows (4A) and the second air bellows (4B) in the extensions of the first and second air bellows in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [10] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cross member (11) has an extension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle which is at least half as large as the diameter of the first or second air bellows. [11] Connecting unit (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting unit (6) is designed to be torsionally rigid.

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