Longitudinal control arm unit, axle body and axle connection, especially for commercial vehicles

Abstract

Longitudinal link unit (11) with a receiving unit (14) and a two-part link element (12, 12a, 12b), wherein the longitudinal link unit (11) has a curved link-side connection area (16) and, adjacent to the link-side connection area (16), a link-side mounting area (18), wherein the receiving unit (14) has a curved receiving-side connection area (20), which in a mounted state is arranged opposite the link-side connection area (16), and adjacent to the receiving-side connection area (20) has a receiving-side mounting area (22), wherein a fastening means (24) is provided which is designed to engage at least partially in a link-side and an opposite receiving-side mounting area (18, 22) in a mounted state, wherein the link-side and the opposite receiving-side Connection area (16, 20) each a contour (40,50) for positive locking of an axle (30), wherein a connecting element (60) connects the two steering elements (12, 12a, 12b) to each other.

Description

The present invention relates to a longitudinal control arm unit, an axle body and an axle connection, in particular for commercial vehicles. Axle connections are already known from the prior art and generally relate to the area where an axle of a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle is directly or indirectly fixed to its vehicle frame, for example via a guide link. A common design in this context is the use of U-shaped fasteners with a round cross-section, each with external threads at its ends, which clamp the axle, for example, against the guide link or a leaf spring assembly. In this case, the axle tube is bonded to the guide link or leaf spring assembly. Furthermore, a fastening of a two-part trailing arm is known, which is clamped around a square axle tube using bolts.A disadvantage of the known axle connections is that the contact area between the axle and the fastening element, which contributes to a force-fit connection of the axle connection, is very small, and the forces occurring are predominantly concentrated at isolated points of the axle connection, which means that the axle tube in particular has to withstand high loads. WO 2013 / 164139 A1 relates to a steering element with a clamping element, wherein the steering element has a curved connection area and a fastening area adjacent to the connection area, wherein the clamping element has a curved receiving-side connection area which, in a mounted state, is arranged opposite the connection area and has a receiving-side fastening area adjacent to the connection area, wherein a fastening element is provided which is designed to engage, at least partially, in a steering-side and an opposite fastening area in a mounted state. DE 296 15 286 U1, DE 10 2014 008 408 B4, WO 2014 / 142656 A1 and DE 101 18 696 A1 also deal with longitudinal control arm units which can be fixed to an axle by means of fasteners. The object of the present invention is to provide a longitudinal control arm unit, an axle body and an axle connection which, in the assembled state, has a more uniform moment distribution, so that the load on the individual components, in particular the axle tube, is optimized or reduced. This problem is solved with a longitudinal link unit according to independent claim 1 and with an axle connection according to claim 7. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. According to the invention, a steering element or a longitudinal control arm unit, particularly for commercial vehicles, is provided with a receiving unit. The longitudinal control arm unit has a curved handlebar-side connection area and, adjacent to the handlebar-side connection area, a handlebar-side mounting area. The receiving unit is advantageously designed as a separate or separable element from the longitudinal control arm unit and further comprises a curved receiving-side connection area which, in a mounted state, is or can be arranged opposite the handlebar-side connection area and has a receiving-side mounting area adjacent to the receiving-side connection area.Furthermore, a fastening means is provided which, in a mounted state, engages at least partially, and in particular releasably, in a link-side and opposite mounting-side fastening area, wherein the link-side and opposite mounting-side connection areas each have a contour for positively locking an axle. The term "opposite" here refers to the mounted state of the mounting unit with the trailing arm unit, in which the link-side and mounting-side fastening areas partially touch or are adjacent to each other, while the link-side and mounting-side connection areas are spaced apart from each other to accommodate an axle body between them.In the assembled state, the respective contours of the linkage-side and the opposite mounting-side connection areas partially, and in particular predominantly, form a positive fit against an axis. In the assembled state, an axis between the linkage-side and the opposite mounting-side connection areas is defined by the linkage-side and mounting-side connection areas partially bearing against the outline or circumference of the axis, in particular over more than 50%, preferably over more than 80%. The proposed longitudinal link unit is advantageously designed such that, in the assembled state, it form a positive fit around an axis predominantly, in particular over more than 50%, preferably over more than 80%, of its outline or circumference, thereby achieving a more uniform moment distribution. Preferably, the contour of the mounting-side connection area is designed differently from the contour of the handlebar-side connection area, wherein, in particular, the handlebar-side connection area and the mounting-side connection area are each designed complementary to a polygonal outline, especially an outline of an arc polygon or of uniform thickness, an axis. In the present case, the contours of the handlebar-side and mounting-side connection areas are not complementary or mirror-symmetrical to each other. Rather, the mounting-side connection area has a different contour than the handlebar-side mounting area. In particular, at least one contour is designed such that it forms an undercut for an axis, i.e., an axis is held by the contour after assembly. Preferably, the contour of the mounting-side connection area and / or the contour of the handlebar-side connection area, particularly in a mounted state, is / are designed such that the contour forms an undercut for a defined axis. In particular, one of the two connection areas can, for example, be designed in two parts and expediently be displaceable or pivotable relative to each other, thereby allowing the contour of the connection area to be adapted to an outline of the axis. Preferably, the linkage-side connection area or the receiver-side connection area is designed as an arc, and the other connection area is designed accordingly as a double arc, in particular as a curved V, especially for the positive locking of the axle body between the two connection areas. This allows the contours of the connection areas to be adapted to the outline of the axle, resulting in a more uniform moment distribution. Preferably, the arc has a radius r1 and the double arc has two radii r2 and r3, where r1 ≥ r2 or r1 ≥ r3, and where, in particular, r2 = r3. Particularly preferably, the arc and the double arc are designed with radii that satisfy r1 = r2 = r3. These can, in particular, enclose or abut an axis with the outline of an arc polygon or of uniform thickness, such as a relaux triangle. Furthermore, it is conceivable to design the arc and the double arc with radii r1, r2, r3 of different sizes, whereby the outline of a polygon of the axis body to be fixed can be positively locked. In particular, it is conceivable to design the radius r1 to be at least 1.5 to 3 times larger than r2 and / or r3. Preferably, the arc and the double arc, in a mounted state, are positively engaged with a polygonal outline of an axle body. The polygonal outline of the axle body can, for example, have 3, 5, or 9 vertices, preferably an odd, finite number of vertices. The arc and the double arc can be arranged particularly easily on such an outline. In particular, the arcs can have vertices on the side that rests against the axle body in the mounted state, or they can have a material that is at least partially deformable, allowing them to adapt to the outline of the axle body. The force applied by the fastener in the assembled state of the link-side connection area acts essentially perpendicular to a radius of curvature of the link-side connection area. This achieves maximum force transmission from the trailing arm assembly to a defined axle body. Preferably, the linkage-side connection area is convex or concave with respect to a coordinate system, and the receiver-side connection area is correspondingly opposite in shape, i.e., concave or convex with respect to the same coordinate system. Depending on the chosen coordinate system, one connection area is convex and the other is concave. This ensures that the axle body can be positively enclosed by both the linkage-side and receiver-side connection areas. Preferably, the longitudinal control arm unit comprises a one-piece or, according to the invention, a two-piece control arm element, wherein a connecting element, in particular a releasable one, especially a bolt connection, a U-bolt connection, a screw connection, a hook connection, or the like, connects the two control arm elements to each other. In a two-piece design of the longitudinal control arm element, different axle bodies, in particular with 3, 5, 7, or 9 corners, with different cross-sectional areas, can then be arranged in a form-fitting manner between the longitudinal control arm element and the receiving element. The axle body is fixed between the longitudinal control arm element and the receiving element by means of the fastening elements in the fastening areas. Preferably, the handlebar-side mounting area has a narrower width, at least in sections, than the receiving-side mounting area, with the fastening element engaging in the receiving-side mounting area and bearing against at least one side of the handlebar-side mounting area. This ensures that the longitudinal control arm assembly is enclosed between the receiving element and the at least one fastening element in the assembled state, and that the handlebar-side mounting area and the receiving-side mounting area are at least partially adjacent to each other. Preferably, the trailing arm assembly and / or the mounting element has a strength of at least 1,000 N / mm² and a tensile strength of 1,300 to 1,600 N / mm². Consequently, the trailing arm assembly and / or the mounting element exhibit high strength, enabling them to absorb moments occurring in the assembled state without being damaged. Instead, the trailing arm assembly and / or the mounting element can transmit the forces to the axle housing. Preferably, the longitudinal control arm unit and / or the mounting element are at least partially made of spring steel. A further aspect of the present invention relates to an axle body for fixing to a trailing arm assembly, in particular to a previously described trailing arm assembly, especially for commercial vehicles, wherein the axle body has a longitudinal section and a cross-sectional outline or perimeter perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X in the form of a polygon, in particular in the form of an arc polygon or polygon of uniform thickness, with curved edge regions. In this context, "cross-sectional outline" refers to the outline of the axle body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the axle body thus has a cross-sectional area, i.e., an outline, perpendicular to its longitudinal axis in the form of a polygon, in particular an arc polygon or polygon of uniform thickness. The axle body as such is preferably designed as a hollow body. It is also conceivable to design the axle body at least partially or even completely as a solid body, in particular as a solid body. Preferably, the polygon has n vertices, where n is a finite, odd natural number greater than or equal to 3, in particular n = 3, 5, 7, 9. The cross-sectional area or outline of the axis body is preferably designed as a Reuleaux polygon, most preferably as a Reuleaux triangle. For example, the Reuleaux triangle has the smallest area, while a circle, for which n approaches infinity, has the largest area. However, a cross-sectional area in the form of a circle is not included in the present teaching and is therefore excluded. Thus, with increasing n, the area of ​​each Reuleaux polygon increases, reaching the area of ​​a circle, i.e., πr², as n approaches infinity. Therefore, by using an arc polygon or a polygon of uniform thickness with finite n, preferably n = 3, material can be saved. Preferably, the polygon has rounded corners, particularly in the form of circular arcs. In a polygon, especially an arc polygon or one of uniform thickness, with rounded corners, the corners are therefore also designed as circular arcs. This allows for even better positive locking and moment distribution. Preferably, the curved edge regions of the axle body have a radius redge and the rounded corners of the axle body have a radius rcorner, where rcorner < redge, in particular redge is 5-100 times, preferably 10-30 times, larger than rcorner. The rounded corners prevent the connection area or the receiving area from being damaged by sharp corners during and after assembly. The rounded edge regions can, however, be integrated into the respective contour of the connection areas, for example, into the arc and the double arc, which is designed, in particular, as an undercut for the axle body. Another aspect concerns an axle connection with a trailing arm unit and mounting unit, as previously described, and an axle body, also as previously described. The interaction of the described trailing arm unit with its mounting unit and the described axle body provides an axle connection, with two mounting-side and two link-side attachment points. In the assembled state, these points secure the axle body in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X, both in front of and behind the axle body. In particular, the described axle body is positively locked to the trailing arm unit in the assembled state, resulting in a more even distribution of moments from the trailing arm unit to the axle body. Preferably, the axle connection has at least two fastening means, which, in the assembled state, are arranged in a fastening area in front of and behind the axle body, wherein, in particular, at least one mounting area on the receiving side and one on the linkage side engage each other or are adjacent to each other in the assembled state. The fastening means can be designed as a U-bolt, a screw connection, a hook connection, or the like; in particular, the fastening means is designed as a releasable or adjustable fastening means. The proposed axle connection, particularly for commercial vehicles, which comprises the trailing arm unit and a mounting element, is described in detail below by the interaction of the trailing arm unit and the axle housing. The trailing arm unit has a curved link-side connection area and, adjacent to this link-side connection area, a link-side mounting area. Furthermore, the mounting element has a curved mounting-side connection area, which is arranged opposite the trailing arm-side connection area, and a mounting-side mounting area. A fastening element is also provided, which engages in one link-side and one opposite mounting-side mounting area, at least partially securing these to each other in the assembled state in order to fix an axle housing to the axle connection.As proposed, the axle body has a cross-sectional outline perpendicular to its longitudinal axis in the form of a polygon, such as a polygon of constant width or an arc polygon, and the mounting-side and trailing-link-side connection areas are each partially complementary to a contour of the axle body's outline in order to positively lock the axle body to the axle connection. A geometry of the axle body that differs from the prior art thus enables the axle to be fixed to the proposed trailing-link unit by positive locking. As proposed, the axle body has a cross-sectional area along its longitudinal axis that is designed as a polygon, an arc polygon, or a polygon of constant width. A polygon of constant width is a curve of constant width whose closed line always touches all four sides in any position within a suitable square.An equilateral triangle with circular segments instead of straight legs is, for example, the simplest of all uniformly sized triangles and is also called a Reuleaux triangle. A further advantage of the modified geometry of the axle body is that the moments occurring at the axle connection can be distributed over a larger area of ​​the axle body, thereby reducing the load on the axle body. The proposed polygon, arc polygon, or uniformly sized triangle has an odd number of vertices. Preferably, the uniformly sized or arc polygon has n vertices, where n is a finite, odd natural number greater than or equal to 3, in particular n is 3, 5, 7, or 9. More preferably, the uniformly sized or arc polygon has rounded vertices, in particular in the form of circular arcs. Preferably, the contours of the receiving-side connection area and the link-side connection area are designed differently for the positive locking of the axle body. The different design of the two connection areas means that the two contours are correspondingly complementary to the contour of the cross-sectional area of ​​the uniform thickness or arc polygon used, to which they are or will be attached. The contour of the receiving-side application area and the contour of the link-side connection area can thus be brought into a positive locking position against the outline of the axle body, particularly in the assembled state. The link-side connection area or the receiver-side connection area is particularly preferably curved, while the receiver-side connection area or the longitudinal link-side connection area is correspondingly V-shaped, particularly as a curved V or as a double arc, for the positive locking of the axle body between the two connection areas. The link-side and receiver-side connection areas are particularly preferably designed with regard to the use of an axle body with a cross-sectional area in the form of a Reuleaux triangle. It is understood that when using a Reuleaux polygon or another polygon with n vertices, where n is preferably 5, 7, or 9, the link-side connection area and the receiver-side connection area are adapted to the contour of the Reuleaux polygon or polygon to be connected.This means that the linkage-side connection area and the receiver-side connection area together have n-2 to n arcs. The n-2 to n arcs are thus distributed across the linkage-side connection area and the receiver-side connection area. The design of the linkage-side connection area and the receiver-side connection area with a number of arcs corresponding to the number of n vertices of the polygon, arc polygon, or constant thickness used allows for a positive-locking connection of the axle body between the two connection areas. Preferably, the longitudinal link-side connection area is convexly or concavely curved with respect to a coordinate system, and the receiving-side connection area is correspondingly concavely or convexly curved with respect to the coordinate system. Due to the convex or concave design of the two connection areas, the axle body can therefore be positively engaged between them. Preferably, two mounting areas on the receiving side and two on the trailing arm side are provided, which, in the assembled state, surround the axle body substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis on opposite sides of the outline, i.e., in front of and behind the outline of the axle body. Furthermore, in the assembled state, a mounting area on the receiving side and a trailing arm-side mounting area are arranged opposite each other on one side of the outline, i.e., in front of and / or behind the axle body. In the assembled state, the trailing arm unit and the receiving element abut each other in the two mounting areas. This allows the axle body to be positively engaged between the trailing arm unit, which comprises at least one trailing arm element, and the receiving element. The axle connection has at least two fastening means, each arranged in a separate fastening area when assembled. In particular, at least one mounting-side and one link-side fastening area engage with each other when assembled. The fastening means thus connect the trailing arm assembly and the mounting element to the axle body, so that the axle body is positively locked between the trailing arm assembly and the mounting element. The two fastening means can be designed as a nut-and-bolt connection, a U-bolt, a hook connection, a bolt connection, or another known connection. Preferably, the trailing arm unit comprises a trailing arm element which, according to the invention, is designed in two parts, wherein a connecting element, in particular a bolt connection, a U-shaped bracket connection, or a hook connection, connects the two trailing arm elements to each other. A connection of the two- or multi-part embodiment of the trailing arm unit enables flexible enclosure of the axle body. With a two-part design of the linkage element, different axle bodies, in particular with n=3 or n=5, etc., with different cross-sectional areas or outlines, can then be arranged in a form-fitting manner between the trailing arm unit and the receiving element. The axle body is fixed between the trailing arm element and the receiving element by means of the fastening elements in the fastening areas. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the axle connection according to the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. Individual features of the various embodiments can be combined with one another within the scope of the invention. Figures 1a-c show an axle connection in side view (Fig. 1a), in top view (Fig. 1b), and in perspective view (Fig. 1c); Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the axle connection in side view (Fig. 2a), in top view (Fig. 2b), and in perspective view (Fig. 2c); Figure 3 shows another axle connection in side view (Fig. 3a), in top view (Fig. 3b), and in perspective view (Fig. 3c). Figures 1a to c show a first embodiment of a trailing arm unit (11) and an axle body 30, which together form an axle connection 10 for a commercial vehicle. The axle connection 10 is shown in a side view in Figure 1a, in a top view in Figure 1b, and in a perspective view in Figure 1c. The axle connection 10 according to Figures 1a to c comprises a trailing arm element 12 and a receiving element 14. The trailing arm element 12 has a curved link-side connection area 16. A link-side mounting area 18 adjoins the link-side connection area 16. Similarly, the receiving element 14 has a curved receiving-side connection area 20, to which a receiving-side mounting area 22 adjoins. Furthermore, the axle connection 10 has a fastening element 24 which engages in a handlebar-side and in an opposite mounting-side fastening area 18, 22.In the assembled state, the fastening element 24 forces the trailing arm-side and receiving-side mounting areas 18, 22 against each other to fix an axle body 30 to the axle connection 10. The axle body 30 has an outline 32 perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X in the form of a polygon 34, in particular in the form of a polygon of uniform thickness or arc polygon 34. The polygon or arc polygon or polygon of uniform thickness 34 has a closed contour 36, which forms the outline 32. The trailing arm element 12 and the receiving element 14 each also have a contour 40, 50, which allows a positive-locking engagement of the axle body 30 with the axle connection 10. This means that the contour 40 of the longitudinal control arm unit 11 is complementary to part of the contour 36 of the outline 32 of the axle body 30, while the receiving contour 50 is complementary to another part of the contour 36 of the outline 32 of the axle body 30. The two mounting-side and two handlebar-side mounting areas 18, 22 are arranged on opposite sides in the assembled state such that they at least partially abut each other. During assembly, at least one fastener 24, preferably two fasteners 24, are arranged in each mounting area 18, 22, so that at least one mounting-side and at least one handlebar-side mounting area 18, 22 abut each other in the assembled state. Preferably, both mounting areas 18, 22 abut each other on opposite sides. However, it is also conceivable, as shown for example in Fig. 3b, that only one mounting-side and one handlebar-side mounting area 18, 22 actually abut each other in the assembled state, while another mounting-side and one handlebar-side mounting area 18, 22 are spaced apart.The fastening elements 24 are designed as a nut-and-bolt connection. Such a nut-and-bolt connection allows the trailing arm element 12 and the mounting element 14 to be positively forged onto the axle body 30. This creates a fixed connection between the trailing arm element 12, the mounting element 14, and the axle body 30, which is releasable and adjustable if necessary. It is also conceivable to design the fastening element 24 as another connection known from the prior art, such as a bolt connection, an interlocking hook connection, a U-bolt connection, or the like. In the assembled state of the fastening element 24, an applied force on the link-side connection area 20 acts essentially perpendicular to a radius of curvature of the link-side connection area 20. While Figures 1a to c show a longitudinal control arm unit 11 designed as a one-piece longitudinal control arm element 12, Figures 2a to c and 3a to c each show a two-piece longitudinal control arm element 12a, 12b. In the two-piece design of the control arm element 12a, 12b, the longitudinal control arm element 12a is preferably made of spring steel. The control arm element 12b behind the axle housing 30 can, for example, be made of a different material. In particular, various options can be provided for attaching an air spring bellows 55, which will not be discussed in further detail. The connection of the two-piece longitudinal control arm element 12a and 12b is effected by a bolted connection 60, as shown in Figure 2.In a two-part design of the longitudinal control arm element 12a, 12b, when assembling the axle connection 10, the longitudinal control arm unit 11 with its control arm elements 12a and 12b can first be adapted to the contour 36 of the axle body 30, so that the longitudinal control arm element 12a, 12b as a whole has a longitudinal control arm contour 40, i.e., a contour 40 of the longitudinal control arm-side connection area, which allows a positive-locking connection to the axle body 30. The longitudinal control arm unit has, for example, an undercut for the axle body 30, which holds the axle body 30. Subsequently, the receiving element 14 can be brought into contact with the axle body 30. Subsequent fixing of the longitudinal control arm element 12a, 12b and the receiving element 14 is then carried out by means of the arrangement of the fastening means 24 in the fastening areas 22, 18, as is also possible with a one-piece embodiment of the longitudinal control arm element 12.By positively locking the longitudinal control arm unit 11, the receiving element 14, and the axle body 30, any moments occurring can be distributed more evenly from the longitudinal control arm unit 11 to the surface of the axle body, thereby reducing the load on the axle body 30. A difference between Figures 2a and 3a is that in Figure 2a, the axle body 30 rests on the receiving element 14, while in Figure 3a, the axle body 30 rests on the longitudinal control arm element 12, particularly at the transition between the longitudinal control arm element 12a and the longitudinal control arm element 12b. The longitudinal control arm elements 12a and 12b are connected to each other by means of a connecting element 60, such as a bolted connection. The connecting element 60 can also be designed as a hook connection, a screw connection, a U-bolt connection, or another known connection. The connecting element 60 is essentially arranged such that it rests against a planar contour 36 of the outline 32, i.e., not against a rounded corner of the contour 36 of the axle body 32. According to Fig. 3a, with respect to the XYZ coordinate system, the axle body 30 is arranged parallel to the Y direction, i.e., on the longitudinal control arm element 12. According to Fig. 2a, the axle body 30 is arranged parallel to the Y direction on the receiving element 14. In both Fig. 2a and Fig. 3b, the connecting element 60 is arranged on the non-angular region of the outline 32. Figures 1a to 3c each show an axle body 30, which has an outline 32 in the form of a Reuleaux triangle. The Reuleaux triangle has three vertices, i.e., n = 3. Furthermore, the vertices of the Reuleaux triangle are rounded, i.e., the vertices themselves are formed as arcs. The contours 40, 50 of the longitudinal control arm element and the receiving element 14, respectively, are complementary to the contour 32 of the axle body 30, i.e., the contour 36 of the polygon of constant thickness or arc polygon. It is also conceivable that the axle body 30 has an outline 32 in the form of an n-gon, where n = 5, 7, or 9. In such a case, the contours 40, 50 of the longitudinal control arm element 12, 12a, 12b or of the receiving element 14 are adapted accordingly, i.e., the contours 40, 50 have a correspondingly larger number of corners, in particular rounded corners.Preferably, the curved edge regions of the axle body have a radius redge and the rounded corners of the axle body have a radius rcorner, where rcorner < redge, in particular redge is 5-100 times larger than rcorner. As shown in Figs. 1a to 3c, when using a Reuleaux triangle, i.e., n=3, the receiving element 14 is formed with a V-shaped contour 50 in the outline 32 of the axle body 30, while the longitudinal control arm element contour 40 is arc-shaped. Reference symbol list: 10 Axle connection 11 Trailing arm unit 12 Control arm element 12a Control arm element 12b Control arm element 14 Mounting element 16 Control arm-side connection area 18 Control arm-side mounting area 20 Mounting arm-side connection area 22 Mounting arm-side mounting area 24 Mounting element 30 Axle body 32 Outline 34 Polygon 36 Outline contour 40 Trailing arm-side connection area contour 50 Mounting arm-side connection area contour 55 Air spring bellows 60 Connecting element X Longitudinal axis of axle body YY Direction Corner radius Edge radius

Claims

Longitudinal link unit (11) with a receiving unit (14) and a two-part link element (12, 12a, 12b), wherein the longitudinal link unit (11) has a curved link-side connection area (16) and, adjacent to the link-side connection area (16), a link-side mounting area (18), wherein the receiving unit (14) has a curved receiving-side connection area (20), which in a mounted state is arranged opposite the link-side connection area (16), and adjacent to the receiving-side connection area (20) has a receiving-side mounting area (22), wherein a fastening means (24) is provided which is designed to engage at least partially in a link-side and an opposite receiving-side mounting area (18, 22) in a mounted state, wherein the link-side and the opposite receiving-side Connection area (16, 20) each a contour (40,50) for positive locking of an axle (30), wherein a connecting element (60) connects the two steering elements (12, 12a, 12b) to each other. Longitudinal link unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the contour (50) of the receiving-side connection area is designed differently from the contour (40) of the link-side connection area (16). Longitudinal link unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contour (50) of the receiving-side connection area and / or the contour (40) of the link-side connection area (16) is / are designed to form an undercut for a defined axis (30). Longitudinal link unit (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the link-side connection area (16) or the receiving-side connection area (20) is designed as an arc, and the other connection area (20, 16) is designed as a double arc. Longitudinal link unit (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means (60) is releasable. Longitudinal control arm unit (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control arm-side mounting area (18) has at least partially a smaller width than the opposite receiving-side mounting area (22) in the mounted state. Axle connection (10) with a longitudinal control arm unit (11) according to one of claims 1 - 6 and an axle body, wherein the axle body (30) has a longitudinal section and has a cross-sectional outline (32) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (X) in the form of an arc polygon or of uniform thickness with curved edge regions, wherein two receiving-side and two control arm-side mounting areas (18, 22) are provided, which in the assembled state fix the axle body (30) in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (X) in front of and behind the axle body (30). Axis connection (10) according to claim 7, wherein the polygon (34) has n vertices, where n is a finite, odd natural number greater than or equal to 3. Axis connection (10) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the curved edge regions have a radius r edge and the rounded corners have a radius r corner, where r corner < r edge.

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