Steering knuckle assembly for a vehicle and method for producing the steering knuckle assembly

Abstract

Steering knuckle assembly (1) for a vehicle, - with a rigid axle bridge (2), the axle bridge (2) having a lower and an upper bolt receptacle (5a, 5b), - with a steering knuckle (3) pivotable about a pivot axis (100), wherein the steering knuckle (3) has a lower and an upper bolt section (6a, 6b), wherein the lower bolt section (6a) is pivotably mounted in the lower bolt receptacle (5a) via a lower axle bearing (7a) and the upper bolt section (6b) is pivotably mounted in the upper bolt receptacle (5b) via an upper axle bearing (7b), wherein at least one of the bolt receptacles (5a, 5b) is formed in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100) by a receiving section (18) formed on the axle bridge (2) and by a bearing bracket (17) fastened to the receiving section (18), characterized by a screw cap (25), wherein the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) together form an internal thread (26) into which the screw cap (25) is screwed is.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering knuckle assembly for a vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the steering knuckle assembly.

[0002] One of the well-known steering principles for multi-track vehicles is the steering knuckle, in which each wheel of a steered axle can pivot about its own pivot axis. The knuckle forms the pivoting part, which, in its simplest form, is pivotally connected to a rigid axle via a pivot pin. For this purpose, the pivot pin is mounted on the rigid axle at its upper and lower ends with a rolling bearing, preferably a tapered roller bearing.

[0003] The document DE 10 2017 220 979 A1 discloses a steering knuckle arrangement for a vehicle, with a joint housing, wherein the joint housing has an upper and a lower receiving leg, with an axle body, wherein the axle body is received between the two receiving legs, with a lower and an upper bearing journal, wherein the joint housing is pivotally connected to the axle body via the lower and the upper bearing journal and is pivotable relative to the axle body about a rotation axis, wherein one of the two bearing journals has a bearing journal section which is connected in one piece to the joint housing and wherein the other of the two bearing journals is designed as a separate component.

[0004] The generic US 1 579 472 A discloses an improved reinforcement or strut for reinforcing and securing the axle bolt of a motor vehicle in order to reduce the play between the axle shaft and its bearing, to prevent rattling and vibrations at the front of the vehicle and to prevent flutter of the front wheels.

[0005] CN 1 04 139 800 A discloses a left steering knuckle of a front axle for a construction vehicle and relates to the area of ​​a steering knuckle that is mounted below a left axle head of the front axle of the construction vehicle.

[0006] CN 1 07 719 467 A describes a kingpin locking structure. This consists of an I-beam, a kingpin, and a steering knuckle.

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a steering knuckle arrangement of the type mentioned above, which is characterized by a simple and component-reduced connection between the steering knuckle and the axle bridge.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a steering knuckle assembly having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims, the drawings and / or the description.

[0009] The subject matter of the invention is a steering knuckle assembly designed and / or suitable for a vehicle. Preferably, the steering knuckle assembly implements a steering knuckle system. The steering knuckle assembly is, in particular, a component of a steerable vehicle axle. The steerable vehicle axle can be designed as a front axle or a rear axle. In principle, the steerable vehicle axle can be designed as a driven vehicle axle. However, the steerable vehicle axle is preferably driveless. The vehicle can be, for example, a motor vehicle or a commercial vehicle. Preferably, however, the vehicle is an industrial truck, particularly preferably a four-wheel forklift.

[0010] The steering knuckle assembly comprises a rigid axle bridge. In particular, the axle bridge forms the rigid part of the steerable vehicle axle, which is connected to a vehicle frame. For this purpose, the axle bridge can, for example, have a central fastening section for attaching the axle bridge to the frame. For example, the fastening section is detachably connected and / or connectable to the frame via a screw connection. Optionally, the axle bridge can be connected to the frame via the interposition of a spring and / or damping device.

[0011] The axle bridge has a lower and an upper bolt receptacle. In particular, the lower and / or upper bolt receptacles are formed by a cylindrical opening or cylindrical recess. Preferably, the lower and upper bolt receptacles each form a joint eye. For example, the lower and upper bolt receptacles are fork-shaped on the axle bridge. Particularly preferably, to form the steerable vehicle axle, the axle bridge has the lower and upper bolt receptacles on one side of the vehicle and a further lower and upper bolt receptacle on the other side of the vehicle. Preferably, the bolt receptacles and the axle bridge are formed in one piece, e.g. from a common casting. In particular, the designations “lower” and “upper” refer to a correct installation position in the vehicle.

[0012] The steering knuckle assembly comprises a steering knuckle pivotable about a pivot axis. In particular, the steering knuckle is a component of a wheel head, which is designed and / or suitable for receiving and / or supporting a vehicle wheel. The wheel head comprises, among other things, a wheel hub, which is preferably mounted on the steering knuckle. Particularly preferably, the steering knuckle assembly comprises the steering knuckle on one side of the vehicle and another steering knuckle on the other side of the vehicle to form the steerable vehicle axle.

[0013] The steering knuckle has an upper and a lower bolt section, wherein the upper bolt section is pivotally mounted in the upper bolt receptacle via an upper axle bearing and the lower bolt section is pivotally mounted in the lower bolt receptacle via a lower axle bearing. The two bolt sections are arranged axially with respect to the pivot axis between the two bolt receptacles. In other words, the two bolt sections engage from the inside in the associated bolt receptacle. In particular, the two bolt receptacles, the two bolt sections and the two steering knuckle bearings are arranged coaxially to the pivot axis. In principle, the lower and / or upper bolt section can be connected to the steering knuckle in a form-fitting and / or friction-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. However, the steering knuckle and the lower and / or upper bolt section are preferably formed as a single piece, e.g. from a common casting.The steering knuckle bearings can be designed either as a rolling bearing or a plain bearing. Preferably, the steering knuckle bearings are each designed as a tapered roller bearing. Particularly preferably, the two pin receptacles each form a bearing seat for the associated steering knuckle bearing. Optionally, the two pin receptacles each form a sealing seat for a steering knuckle seal. For example, the steering knuckle seal can be secured to the sealing seat of the pin receptacle and bear axially against the steering knuckle to seal the pin receptacle against environmental influences. The steering knuckle seal is preferably designed as a contact seal, preferably an axial shaft seal.

[0014] Within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that at least or exactly one of the bolt receptacles is formed in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis by a receiving section formed on the axle bridge and by a bearing bracket fastened to the receiving section, preferably detachably. In simple terms, at least one of the bolt receptacles is split or formed in two parts. In other words, the bolt receptacle is formed in sections by the bearing bracket and in sections by the receiving section. Preferably, the bearing bracket is formed as a separate component and the receiving section is formed integrally on the axle bridge. In principle, the lower and upper bolt receptacles can be formed in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis by a respective receiving section formed on the axle bridge and by a respective bearing bracket fastened to the receiving section.Preferably, however, one of the bolt receptacles is formed directly or integrally on the axle bridge and the other bolt receptacle is formed by the receiving section formed on the axle bridge and the bearing bracket fastened to the receiving section.

[0015] The advantage of the invention is that the two-part design of at least one of the bolt receptacles enables particularly simple assembly of the steering knuckle to the axle bridge. In particular, the bolt sections can be formed directly on the steering knuckle, eliminating the need for a separate steering knuckle pin. This significantly reduces the variety of parts, parts costs, and assembly and machining effort required for the steering knuckle assembly.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the bearing bracket and the receiving section each form half of the bolt receptacle in the radial direction. In other words, the bearing bracket and the receiving section each form one half of the bolt receptacle. This allows for particularly simple assembly of the associated steering knuckle bearing and / or bolt section, as they can be positioned radially on the receiving section by removing the bearing bracket.

[0017] In a specific development, it is provided that the other bolt receptacle is formed integrally on the axle bridge. Specifically, this means that one bolt receptacle is constructed in two parts and the other in one piece or in one piece. Preferably, the one-piece bolt receptacle is designed to be closed in the axial direction relative to the pivot axis. In other words, the one-piece bolt receptacle is formed by the cylindrical recess. This allows the number of parts of the steering knuckle assembly to be further reduced. The closed design of the one-piece bolt receptacle also protects the bearing seat of the associated steering knuckle bearing from environmental influences, in particular dirt and moisture.

[0018] In a specific implementation, it is provided that the bearing bracket and the receiving section are non-positively connected to one another in the radial direction via at least one or exactly one, preferably exactly two fastening means. In particular, the bearing bracket is detachably mounted to the receiving section via the at least one fastening means. With exactly one fastening means, the bearing bracket can be fixed to the receiving section on one side via a joint, a positive connection or the like and fixed to the other side via the fastening means. For example, the fastening means can be designed as a separate component. Alternatively, however, the fastening means can also be at least partially integrated into the receiving section or the bearing bracket, e.g. in the form of a threaded bolt. This enables particularly simple assembly of the bearing bracket on the receiving section.

[0019] In one specific embodiment, the fastening means is guided via a fastening means passage formed on the bearing bracket and is screwed into a fastening means receptacle formed on the receiving section. In the simplest case, the fastening means is designed as a screw means, wherein the fastening means passage is designed as a through-hole and the fastening means receptacle is designed as a threaded hole. In particular, the fastening means passage is formed by a screw-on tab formed on the bearing bracket and / or the fastening means receptacle is formed by a screw-on tab formed on the receiving section. Preferably, the bearing bracket has a fastening means passage on each side and the receiving section has a fastening means receptacle on each side, via each of which a fastening means is mounted.This allows for particularly simple and easy-to-install mounting of the bearing bracket. Furthermore, the bearing bracket can be attached to the receiving section using at least one screw with a defined preload.

[0020] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the bearing bracket and the receiving section are centered in the correct position relative to one another via at least one or precisely one centering means. In particular, the centering means has the function of positioning the bearing bracket in the correct position during assembly on the receiving section, so that the bolt receptacle is formed without offset and / or transition when the fastening means is assembled. In principle, the centering means can be formed integrally either on the bearing bracket or on the receiving section, in particular close to or adjacent to the fastening means. Alternatively, the centering means is formed as a separate component. Particularly preferably, the bearing bracket can be centered in exactly one single orientation on the receiving section by the centering means. Particularly preferably, one centering means is provided for each fastening means.The at least one centering device ensures particularly simple and reproducible assembly after disassembly of the bearing bracket, as it simplifies the correct positioning of the bearing bracket on the receiving section. Furthermore, the centering device increases assembly reliability by allowing the bearing bracket to be centered and thus secured on the receiving section in only one orientation.

[0021] In a further development, it is provided that the centering means is accommodated in sections in a centering means receptacle formed on the receiving section and the bearing bracket. In particular, the centering means is accommodated and / or can be accommodated in the centering means receptacles with a precise fit and / or without play, preferably via a transition fit or press fit. Preferably, the centering means is designed as a centering pin and the centering means receptacles are each designed as a centering bore. Particularly preferably, the centering pin is designed as a dowel pin. During assembly, the bearing bracket can thus be pinned in a simple manner, preferably close to at least one fastening means, via the centering pin and thus precisely aligned.

[0022] In a further specific implementation, the bearing bracket and the receiving section each have a flat contact surface, preferably on both sides, via which the bearing bracket and the receiving section lie flat against one another in the radial direction. In particular, the contact surfaces of the bearing bracket and the receiving section are oriented plane-parallel to one another. Preferably, the contact surfaces are designed such that the surfaces are in flat contact at least in sections within the limits of a manufacturing tolerance. According to this implementation, the fastening means feedthrough, in particular the through-hole, is arranged in the contact surface of the bearing bracket and the fastening means receptacle, in particular the threaded hole, is arranged in the contact surface of the receiving section.Alternatively, or optionally in addition, one centering hole is arranged in the contact surface of the bearing bracket and the other centering hole is arranged in the contact surface of the receiving section. This ensures a particularly stable and play-free contact of the bearing bracket with the receiving section.

[0023] According to the invention, the steering knuckle arrangement has a screw cap. In particular, the screw cap serves to cover the split bolt receptacle and / or to apply a bearing clamping force to the steering knuckle bearing. For this purpose, according to the invention, the bearing bracket and the receiving section together form an internal thread into which the screw cap is screwed. In particular, the split bolt receptacle is designed as the cylindrical opening, wherein the screw cap is or will be screwed into the bolt receptacle from the outside. Preferably, the screw cap covers the bolt receptacle completely and / or in a fluid-tight manner. In particular, the split bolt receptacle has a radial shoulder on which an outer ring of the steering knuckle bearing is supported in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis and on which the internal thread is formed in the radial direction or on an inner circumference.A steering knuckle arrangement is thus proposed which is characterized by a simple and compact design.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, the screw cap has an inner collar section, via which the screw cap is and / or can be supported in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis on the axle bearing arranged in the bolt receptacle, preferably the outer ring, in order to apply the bearing clamping force to the steering knuckle bearing, in particular in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis. The steering knuckle bearings are preferably designed as tapered roller bearings, so that the two steering knuckle bearings can be clamped against one another in the axial direction with the bearing clamping force via the inner collar section. The inner collar section is preferably designed as a cylindrical extension aligned in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis. In particular, the inner collar section can have an external thread on its outer circumference, via which the screw cap can be screwed or can be screwed into the internal thread.Thus, a steering knuckle arrangement is proposed in which a desired bearing preload can be achieved in a simple manner by tightening the screw cap.

[0025] In an alternative or optional supplementary specification, it is provided that the screw cap has an outer collar section, wherein the bearing bracket and the receiving section together form a stop surface against which the screw cap rests and / or can be placed with the outer collar section in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis. Put simply, the stop surface forms an end stop for the screw cap. In particular, the stop surface is designed as an annular surface surrounding the pivot axis, which preferably extends in a radial plane of the pivot axis. Preferably, the stop surface is formed on a side of the radial shoulder facing away from the steering knuckle bearing. The inner collar section is preferably designed as a flange or collar aligned in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis.In particular, the outer collar section can have a counter surface on its side facing the stop surface, via which the screw cap rests flatly and / or sealingly against the stop surface in the axial direction. Thus, a screw cap is proposed in which the value of the bearing preload when the screw cap rests against the stop surface can be ensured with sufficient accuracy by controlling the component dimensions.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the steering knuckle assembly comprises a wheel hub. In particular, the wheel hub serves to receive a vehicle wheel, in particular the vehicle rim. The steering knuckle has a wheel hub section on which the wheel hub is mounted so as to be rotatable about a wheel rotation axis via at least or exactly one wheel hub bearing. The wheel hub bearing is preferably designed as a rolling bearing, preferably a tapered roller bearing. In particular, the wheel hub section has a bearing seat for the wheel hub bearing, preferably an inner ring of the rolling bearing. Optionally, the wheel hub section has a threaded area, in particular an external thread for receiving a clamping ring, e.g. a screw nut, in order to secure the wheel hub bearing, in particular the inner ring, in the axial direction with respect to the wheel rotation axis and / or to apply a bearing clamping force to it.Alternatively or optionally, the wheel hub section has a sealing seat for receiving and / or supporting a wheel hub seal. For example, the wheel hub seal can be secured to the wheel hub and engage radially in the sealing seat to seal the wheel hub section against environmental influences. The wheel hub seal is preferably designed as a contact seal, preferably a radial shaft seal.

[0027] According to this design, the two bolt sections and the wheel hub section are formed integrally on the steering knuckle. In other words, the two bolt sections and the wheel hub section are made from a common piece of material, e.g., a single cast. This steering knuckle is characterized by a particularly small number of parts and simple, cost-effective production. The one-piece design combined with the two-part bolt receptacle also significantly reduces assembly effort.

[0028] In a further development, the steering knuckle has a central lubricant bore. In particular, the central lubricant bore extends substantially in the axial direction with respect to the wheel rotation axis. The steering knuckle bearings can be supplied with lubricant from the central lubricant bore via at least or precisely one radial lubricant bore formed in the lower and upper bolt sections. Alternatively or optionally additionally, the wheel hub bearing can be supplied with lubricant from the central lubricant bore via at least or precisely one radial lubricant bore formed in the wheel hub section. In particular, lubricant can be supplied to precisely one lubrication point of the respective steering knuckle bearing and / or wheel hub bearing via the radial lubricant bore.The lubrication point of the steering knuckle bearings can be arranged in the axial direction relative to the pivot axis between the respective bolt section and the bolt receptacle or the screw cap. For example, the lubricant is a lubricating grease. In particular, the radial lubricant bores extend essentially radially relative to the wheel rotation axis. Preferably, the radial lubricant bores are directly adjacent to the axial lubricant bore. This enables a simple lubricant supply to the steering knuckle bearings or the wheel hub bearing.

[0029] Another subject matter of the invention relates to a method for producing the steering knuckle assembly as already described above, wherein a bearing bracket blank of the bearing bracket and an axle bridge blank of the axle bridge are provided, in a pre-assembly step the bearing bracket blank is mounted on a receiving section of the axle bridge blank, and in a post-processing step the bearing bracket blank and the receiving section of the axle bridge blank are machined together to form the bolt receptacle. In particular, the bearing bracket blank and the axle bridge blank can initially be produced by means of a forging and / or casting process. Preferably, the bearing bracket blank and the axle bridge blank have tolerance-related oversizes compared to the finished bearing bracket and the finished axle bridge, particularly in the area of ​​the bolt receptacle.In particular, in the pre-assembly step, the bearing bracket blank is correctly aligned with the receiving section of the axle bridge blank via the at least one centering means and fixed to the receiving section via the at least one fastening means. For example, the outer side of the bearing bracket blank and / or the axle bridge blank can be fully preformed or no longer machined in the post-processing step, which is why the bearing bracket blank or the axle bridge blank can also be referred to as a semi-finished part. A method is thus proposed in which the bearing bracket and at least the receiving section of the axle bridge are finished together after alignment and screwing on. This enables particularly precise production of the bolt receptacle.

[0030] In a further specification, it is provided that in the post-processing step, the bearing bracket blank and the receiving section of the axle bridge blank are machined together to form the internal thread and / or the stop surface for the screw cap. Preferably, the bearing bracket blank and the receiving section are machined by milling and / or turning in the post-processing step. In particular, the bearing bracket and the axle bridge are finished after the post-processing step. In particular, the bolt receptacle, the internal thread, and / or the stop surface are machined simultaneously in the post-processing step. Thus, all two-part surfaces of the bearing bracket blank and the axle bridge blank are machined while the bearing bracket blank is mounted on the axle bridge blank and correctly aligned.

[0031] Further embodiments, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. These show: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a steering knuckle assembly of a steering axle as an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the steering knuckle arrangement from Fig. 1.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a steering knuckle assembly 1 for a steerable axle of a vehicle. For example, the vehicle axle is a front axle or a rear axle. The vehicle can be, for example, an industrial truck, such as a four-wheel forklift.

[0033] The steering knuckle assembly 1 comprises an axle bridge 2 (shown only in sections), a steering knuckle 3, and a wheel hub 4. The steering knuckle 3 and the wheel hub 4 are pivotable relative to the axle bridge 2 about a pivot axis 100 during a steering operation of the vehicle, wherein the axle bridge 2 remains stationary and the wheel hub 4 rotates relative to the steering knuckle 3 about a wheel rotation axis 101 during driving operation. For example, the wheel hub 4 serves to accommodate a vehicle wheel (not shown). To form the steerable vehicle axle, the axle bridge 2 preferably has a steering knuckle 3 and a wheel hub 4 on each side.

[0034] The axle bridge 2 has, in particular on each side of the vehicle, a lower and an upper bolt receptacle 5a, 5b, which are aligned coaxially with the pivot axis 100. The lower bolt receptacle 5a is formed in two parts, and the upper bolt receptacle 5b is formed in one piece or integrally with the axle bridge 2. The lower bolt receptacle 5a is formed as a cylindrical opening open in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100, and the upper bolt receptacle 5b is formed as a cylindrical recess closed in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100.

[0035] The steering knuckle 3 has a lower and an upper bolt section 6a, 6b, wherein the lower bolt section 6a is received in the lower bolt receptacle 5a via a lower steering knuckle bearing 7a coaxially to the pivot axis 100, and the upper bolt section 6b is received in the upper bolt receptacle 5b via an upper steering knuckle bearing 7b coaxially to the pivot axis 100. The two bolt sections 6a, 6b are formed integrally on the steering knuckle 3, in particular from a common casting.

[0036] The two bolt sections 6a, 6b engage from the inside in the two bolt receptacles 5a, 5b in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100 and are supported in the radial and axial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100 via the respective steering knuckle bearings 7a, 7b. For this purpose, the two steering knuckle bearings 7a, 7b are each designed as a tapered roller bearing. For this purpose, the two bolt receptacles 5a, 5b each form a bearing seat 9a, 9b for the steering knuckle bearings 7a, 7b, wherein the bearing seat 9a of the lower bolt receptacle 5a is delimited in the axial direction by a lower axial support surface 11a and the upper bearing seat 9b of the upper bolt receptacle 5b is delimited in the opposite axial direction by an upper axial support surface 11b, on which an outer ring of the respective steering knuckle bearing 7a, 7b is supported or can be supported.

[0037] Furthermore, the two bolt sections 6a, 6b are each sealed from the respective bolt receptacle 5a, 5b by a respective steering knuckle seal 8a, 8b. For example, the steering knuckle seals 8a, 8b can each be formed by an axial shaft seal. For this purpose, the two bolt receptacles 5a, 5b each form a sealing seat 10a, 10b for the steering knuckle seals 8a, 8b. The steering knuckle seals 8a, 8b are each secured to the corresponding sealing seat 10a, 10b and rest axially against the steering knuckle 3 with respect to the pivot axis 100.

[0038] The steering knuckle 3 has a wheel hub section 12, wherein the wheel hub 4 is rotatably mounted on the wheel hub section 12 coaxially to a wheel rotation axis 101 via a wheel hub bearing 13. The wheel hub section 12, together with the two bolt sections 6a, 6b, is formed integrally on the steering knuckle 3, in particular from a common casting. The wheel hub 4 is supported on the wheel hub section 12 in the radial and axial directions with respect to the pivot axis 100 via the wheel hub bearing 13. For this purpose, the wheel hub bearing 13 is designed as a double-row tapered roller bearing. For this purpose, the wheel hub section 12 forms a bearing seat 9c for the wheel hub bearing 13, wherein the bearing seat 9c of the wheel hub section 12 is limited in the axial direction with respect to the wheel rotation axis 10 by an axial support surface 11c, on which an inner ring of the wheel hub bearing 13 is supported or can be supported.

[0039] Furthermore, the wheel hub 4 is sealed from the wheel hub section 12 by a wheel hub seal 14. For example, the wheel hub seal 14 can be formed by a radial shaft seal. For this purpose, the wheel hub section 12 forms a sealing seat 10c for the wheel hub seal 14, wherein the wheel hub seal 14 is fixed to the wheel hub 4 and bears against the sealing seat 10c in a sealing manner radially with respect to the wheel rotation axis 101.

[0040] The steering knuckle assembly 1 has a clamping ring 15 designed as a screw nut, which is mounted over a threaded portion 16 formed on the wheel hub section 12 to fix at least one inner ring of the wheel hub bearing 13 to the axial support surface 11c of the steering knuckle 3. For example, the clamping ring 15 can be screwed onto the threaded portion 16 for this purpose.

[0041] In order to be able to mount the one-piece steering knuckle 3 on the axle bridge 2, the lower bolt receptacle 5a is designed in two parts and the upper bolt receptacle 5b in one part. For this purpose, the steering knuckle assembly 1 has a separate bearing bracket 17 and a receiving section 18 formed on the axle bridge 2, as shown in Fig. 2, which are firmly connected to one another in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100 via two fastening means 19a, 19b and together form the lower bolt receptacle 5a. In simplified form, the lower bolt receptacle 5a is divided into two parts in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100, and the upper bolt receptacle 5b is formed directly in one piece on the axle bridge 2.

[0042] The bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 each form, for example, half of the lower bolt receptacle 5a, so that at least the lower steering knuckle bearing 7a can be radially inserted into the receiving section 18 during assembly of the steering knuckle 3 by removing the bearing bracket 17. For this purpose, the bearing bracket 17 is detachably mounted on the receiving section 18, with the two fastening means 19a, 19b each being designed as a screw means.

[0043] As in Fig. 2, the bearing bracket 17 has on both sides a fastening means passage 20 designed as a through-bore and the receiving section 18 has on each side a fastening means receptacle 21 designed as a threaded bore, wherein the respective associated fastening means 19a, 19b is guided over the fastening means passage 20 and screwed into the fastening means receptacle 21.

[0044] The bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 each have a flat contact surface 22a, 22b on both sides, via which the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 bear flatly against one another in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis 100. For example, the contact surfaces 22a, 22b extend parallel to one another and / or in a common plane.

[0045] As in Fig. As schematically indicated in Figure 2, the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 are centered relative to one another in the correct position by means of each fastening means 19a, 19b via a centering means 23. For this purpose, the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 each have a centering means receptacle 24a, 24b on both sides, which are arranged in pairs opposite one another or in alignment with one another. The centering means 23 is designed, for example, as a centering pin, in particular a dowel pin, wherein the centering means receptacles 24a, 24b are each designed as a centering bore into which the centering pin is inserted with a precise fit and / or with a force fit.

[0046] The fastening means passage 20 and the centering means receptacle 24a are inserted adjacent to one another on both sides into the contact surface 22a of the bearing bracket 17, and the fastening means receptacle 21 and the centering means receptacle 24b are inserted adjacent to one another on both sides into the contact surface 22b of the receiving section 18. During assembly of the bearing bracket 17, it is thus precisely aligned via a centering means 23 near a respective fastening means 19a, 19b, so that the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 are aligned at the separation point of the lower bolt receptacle 5a without any protrusion and / or offset.

[0047] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the steering knuckle assembly 1 has a screw cap 25, which serves to cover the lower bolt receptacle 5a and to adjust a bearing clamping force. For this purpose, the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 together form an internal thread 26 into which the screw cap 25 is screwed. Furthermore, the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 together form a stop surface 27, against which the screw cap 25 rests axially with respect to the pivot axis 100.

[0048] The axial support surface 11a of the lower bolt receptacle 5a, the internal thread 26, and the axial stop surface 27 are arranged on a shoulder 28 directed radially inward with respect to the pivot axis 100, which is formed on the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18. The internal thread 26 is arranged on the inner circumference, and the axial support surface 11a and the axial stop surface 27 are arranged on the opposite end faces. The support surface 11a and the stop surface 27 are thus each to be understood as an annular surface encircling the pivot axis 100.

[0049] The screw cap 25 has an inner and an outer collar section 29a, 29b, wherein the screw cap 25 is supported or can be supported in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis 100 via the inner collar section 29a on the outer ring of the lower steering knuckle bearing 7a and via the inner collar section 29b on the shoulder 28. The inner collar section 29a is designed as an axially aligned cylindrical shoulder, which has on its outer circumference an external thread 30 engaging with the internal thread 26. The outer collar section 29b is designed as a radially aligned flange shoulder, which has on one axial end face a counter surface 31 interacting with the stop surface 27.

[0050] During assembly, the screw cap 25 can clamp the two steering knuckle bearings 7a, 7b against each other with a bearing clamping force directed axially relative to the pivot axis, whereby a desired bearing preload is achieved by tightening the screw cap 25. For this purpose, the screw cap 25 can come into contact with the stop surface 27 with the outer collar portion 29b, in particular the counter surface 30, when a specified bearing clamping force is reached. Thus, the magnitude of the bearing clamping force or the bearing preload can be ensured with sufficient accuracy by controlling the component dimensions.

[0051] As in Fig.1, the steering knuckle 3 has a central lubricant bore 32a, wherein the two steering knuckle bearings 7a, 7b can be supplied with lubricant from the central lubricant bore 32a via a radial lubricant bore 32b formed in the lower and upper bolt sections 6a, 6b. The central lubricant bore 32a can be designed as a bore arranged coaxially to the wheel rotation axis 101, and the radial lubricant bore 32b can be designed as a through-bore running coaxially to the pivot axis 100, into which the central lubricant bore 32a opens. For example, a lubricant, e.g., a lubricating grease, can thus be supplied via the central lubricant bore 32a and distributed via the radial lubricant bore 32b to a lubrication point arranged between the bolt sections 6a, 6b and the respectively associated bolt receptacle 5a, 5b.

[0052] As part of a manufacturing process, the bore halves of the lower bolt receptacle 5a are machined together to create a common cylindrical receiving bore, the two thread halves of the internal thread 26 are machined together to create a common threaded area, and the two surface halves of the support surface 11a and the stop surface 27 are machined together to create a common annular surface after a bearing bracket blank (not shown) has been aligned and screwed onto a axle bridge blank (not shown). The machining of all two-part surfaces of the bearing bracket blank and the axle bridge blank thus takes place while the bearing bracket blank is already screwed onto the axle bridge blank and centered. After the machining, the bearing bracket 17 and the receiving section 18 of the axle bridge 2 are finished. Reference symbol 1 Steering knuckle arrangement 2 axle bridge 3 steering knuckles 4 Wheel hub 5a, b bolt holders 6a, b bolt sections 7a, b Steering knuckle bearing 8a, b Steering knuckle seal 9a-c bearing seat 10a-c sealing seat 11a-c Support surfaces 12 Wheel hub section 13 wheel hub bearings 14 Wheel hub seal 15 clamping ring 16 thread range 17 bearing brackets 18 Recording section 19a, b Fasteners 20 Fastener feedthrough 21 Fastener holder 22a, b contact surfaces 23 Centering devices 24a, b Centering device holders 25 screw caps 26 internal threads 27 Stop surface 28 paragraph 29a, b collar sections 30 external threads 31 Counter surface 32a, b Lubrication holes 100 swivel axis 101 Wheel rotation axis

Claims

[1] Steering knuckle assembly (1) for a vehicle, - with a rigid axle bridge (2), the axle bridge (2) having a lower and an upper bolt receptacle (5a, 5b), - with a steering knuckle (3) pivotable about a pivot axis (100), wherein the steering knuckle (3) has a lower and an upper bolt section (6a, 6b), wherein the lower bolt section (6a) is pivotably mounted in the lower bolt receptacle (5a) via a lower axle bearing (7a) and the upper bolt section (6b) is pivotably mounted in the upper bolt receptacle (5b) via an upper axle bearing (7b), wherein at least one of the bolt receptacles (5a, 5b) is formed in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100) by a receiving section (18) formed on the axle bridge (2) and by a bearing bracket (17) fastened to the receiving section (18). characterized bya screw cap (25), wherein the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) together form an internal thread (26) into which the screw cap (25) is screwed. [2] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) each form half of the bolt receptacle (5a, 5b) in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100). [3] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the other bolt receptacle (5a, 5b) is formed integrally on the axle bridge (2). [4] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) are non-positively connected to one another in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100) via at least one fastening means (19a, 19b). [5] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the at least one fastening means (19a, 19b) is guided over at least one fastening means passage (20) formed on the bearing bracket (17) and is fixed in at least one fastening means receptacle (21) formed on the receiving section (18). [6] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) are centered in the correct position relative to one another via at least one centering means (23). [7] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the at least one centering means (23) is received in sections in at least one centering means receptacle (24a, 24b) formed on the receiving section (18) and at least one on the bearing bracket (17). [8] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 7, if dependent on claim 5, characterized byin that the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) each have at least one flat contact surface (22a, 22b) via which the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving section (18) lie flat against one another in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100), wherein the fastening means lead-through (20) and the fastening means receptacle (21) and / or the centering means receptacles (24a, 24b) are arranged in the respective contact surface (22a, 22b). [9] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the screw cap (25) has an inner collar section (29a) via which the screw cap (25) is supported in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100) on the axle journal bearing (7a, 7b) arranged in the bolt receptacle (5a, 5b) in order to apply a bearing clamping force to the axle journal bearing (7a, 7b). [10] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat the screw cap (25) has an outer collar portion (29b), wherein the bearing bracket (17) and the receiving portion (18) together form a stop surface (27) against which the screw cap (25) rests with the outer collar portion (29a) in the axial direction with respect to the pivot axis (100). [11] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a wheel hub (4), wherein the steering knuckle (3) has a wheel hub section (12) on which the wheel hub (4) is mounted rotatably about a wheel rotation axis (101) via at least one wheel hub bearing (13), wherein the two bolt sections (6a, 6b) and the wheel hub section (12) are formed integrally on the steering knuckle (3). [12] Steering knuckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the steering knuckle (3) has a central lubricant bore (32a), wherein the steering knuckle bearings (7a, 7b) can be supplied with lubricant from the central lubricant bore (32a) via at least one radial lubricant bore (32b) formed in the lower and upper bolt section (6a, 6b) and / or the wheel hub bearing (13) can be supplied with lubricant from the central lubricant bore (32a) via at least one radial lubricant bore formed in the wheel hub section (12). [13] Method for producing the steering knuckle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - a bearing bracket blank of the bearing bracket (17) and an axle bridge blank of the axle bridge (2) are provided, - in a pre-assembly step, the bearing bracket blank is mounted on a receiving section of the axle bridge blank; - in a post-processing step, the bearing bracket blank and the receiving section of the axle bridge blank are machined together to form the bolt receptacle (5a, 5b). [14] Method according to claim 13, characterized by that in the post-processing step, the bearing bracket blank and the receiving section of the axle bridge blank are machined together to form an internal thread (26) and / or a stop surface (27).

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