DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE TRACK OF A DRIVE AXLE OF AT LEAST A SINGLE-AXLE ROAD AND / OR OFF-ROAD VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for adjusting the track of a driving axle of at least one-axle, road and / or off-road vehicle, primarily a trailer or self-propelled motor vehicle, consisting of a driving axle arranged transversely to the direction of travel, which has wheels at both ends and a mounted support frame for attaching a loading platform, a cargo space or a work device, wherein the driving axle is connected between the wheels to the support frame arranged above it by load-bearing support elements.

[0002] The direction of travel can refer to either forward or backward movement of the vehicle.

[0003] Not only with vehicles with large or voluminous loading capacities with a center of gravity that shifts upwards with increasing loading height, but also especially with agricultural harvesting vehicles such as towed loader wagons or self-propelled harvesting vehicles or transporters with a loading area that can be loaded at the rear, for example, there is a risk of tipping sideways on slopes, especially when driving along contour lines or the slope to collect feed or when turning on slopes, and furthermore a vehicle width prescribed by road law, which has a decisive effect on the load weight and volume.

[0004] A guided search at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property led to DE-893756 for a motor vehicle with reducible width dimensions, with a body of a width not exceeding the space required by one person, and with seats arranged one behind the other, the front wheels in driving position having a wider track than the pair of wheels having the width of the shell.

[0005] US 2 901 050 A shows a crane girder that adjusts the wheels on both sides with two independent cylinders to widen the track.

[0006] DE 10 2012 024247 A1 reveals a low loader with variable width and track gauge.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the stability of a vehicle subject to road traffic legislation with regard to its suitability for slopes, especially in uneven terrain, or to adapt it to changing driving conditions.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem was solved by the fact that the driving axle, which has wheels that can be driven at the ends, is formed by wheel carriers extending horizontally into the track, which are connected to at least one valve-controlled hydraulic cylinder for changing the track and are laterally and oppositely adjustable by means of articulated support carriers with at least one cross member arranged above them, forming the support frame, and that the support carriers are each articulated approximately to the inside of the wheels on the wheel carriers and are connected to the drive by a pushrod transmission suspended on the cross member, and that the pushrod transmission has a double lever that can be pivoted about an axis arranged in the direction of movement, the ends of which are each connected to the support carriers by pushrods.

[0009] The device is distinguished by the further advantage that, by widening the driving axle, the supporting frame and thus the center of gravity can be lowered and the loading capacity increased.

[0010] The device provides an adjustable, larger contact area for the vehicle on the ground surface to be driven on, increased operational reliability and safety, and increases the driver's confidence in the machines and equipment.

[0011] It is advantageous if the wheel carriers can be adjusted laterally together while driving a vehicle, in order to protect the operation and wear of the vehicle's components.

[0012] It is advantageous if the hydraulic cylinder is mounted inside the wheel carriers in the end areas of the driving axle, so that visibility and accessibility are ensured, among other things, for the maintenance of the equipment and the vehicle.

[0013] Should the device be used with a larger and / or heavier vehicle requiring greater forces to adjust the track, it is recommended that, viewed in the direction of travel F, F', a hydraulic cylinder be arranged parallel to and in front of and behind the driving axle, and that its ends be attached to extended pins on the support beams.

[0014] The device allows for the adjustment of the wheel carriers by means of associated hydraulic cylinders, which are supported at one end on the support frame and are jointly connected to the drive system.

[0015] Advantageously, the support frame is designed by two parallel crossbeams, which simplify the attachment and removal of a structure on / from the support frame by forming a mounting plane.

[0016] It proves advantageous for stiffening the device if the support frame has a triangular cross-section transverse to the direction of movement.

[0017] A particularly robust design can be achieved if the wheel carriers forming the driving axle, together with the support beams and crossbeams, form a spatially trapezoidal adjustable support frame when the track is widened.

[0018] The double lever is expediently mounted pivotably on the underside of the support frame in the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle, and the ends of the levers of the double lever are connected to the support beams by push rods, resulting in favorable functionality of the device for the benefit of driving behavior and the use of identical components.

[0019] For the purpose of economical use, the wheel carriers are connected to a double-acting hydraulic cylinder for valve-controlled adjustability.

[0020] Preferably, the double lever of the pushrod mechanism is pivotably attached to the underside of a crossbeam in the longitudinal center axis of the support frame, to ensure an even distribution of the forces acting on the support beams.

[0021] To stabilize the support frame and to enhance its rigidity, the wheel carriers are each connected at their inner ends to the crossbeam(s) by at least one suspension device.

[0022] An alternative design for the device is a driving axle with telescopically guided wheel carriers, which are connected to the valve-controlled, double-acting hydraulic cylinder for drive.

[0023] In this simple design, the wheel carriers are tubular for this purpose, and the hydraulic cylinder is attached inside the wheel carriers at the ends of the driving axle.

[0024] It proves to be gentle on the stressed parts of the equipment if the track of the driving axle is changed while driving the vehicle.

[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the cited prior art and the drawing, to which reference is made for all details not mentioned in the description, using several exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention for adjusting the track width of a driving axle of a road and / or off-road vehicle permitted under the road traffic law, Fig. 2 shows the in Fig. 1 The device shown has a widened track of the driving axle, Fig. 3 shows a section through the device according to Fig. 1according to the vertical plane A - A in the longitudinal center axis of a vehicle, Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention for adjusting the track width of a driving axle of a road and / or off-road vehicle permitted under traffic law, Fig. 5 the device according to Fig. 4 with a widened track of the driving axle, Fig. 6 shows a section through the device according to Fig. 4 according to the vertical plane B - B in the vehicle's longitudinal center axis, Fig. 7 a spatial representation of the in Fig. 2 Fig. 8 illustrates the widened device, Fig. 8 shows a side view of an agricultural and / or municipal single-axle trailer, for example a loading wagon, Fig. 9 shows a side view of a self-propelled agricultural and / or municipal motor vehicle, for example a transporter, with the device according to the invention on a tandem rear axle, and Fig. 10 shows a view of the rear of the vehicle shown in the illustration. Fig. 9 depicted vehicle.

[0026] Fig. 1 Figure 1 illustrates a device according to the invention for adjusting the track width of a driving axle 2 of at least a single-axle, road and / or off-road vehicle, as exemplified in the Figures 8 to 10 are shown.

[0027] These are tractor-drawn single- or multi-axle trailers such as loading or harvesting wagons, or self-propelled motor vehicles with a trailing axle, with a built-up loading platform or cargo space for loose goods, for example agricultural crops or general cargo.

[0028] The device 1 is also equally suitable for a vehicle with a mounted manure spreader or slurry tanker.

[0029] The driving axle 2, arranged transversely to the direction of movement F or F', has a wheel 4, 5 at each end, on which the chassis 6 is supported on the ground. For this purpose, the wheels 4, 5 are mounted so as to be freely rotatable or driven by a wheel hub at the ends of the driving axle 2.

[0030] The driving axle 2 assigned to the support frame 6 is formed in two parts from horizontal wheel carriers 7 and 8, which complement each other to form the driving axle and in the middle area between the wheels 4, 5 or oppose each other with the free ends of the wheel carriers 7, 8 or form the driving axle 2, but do not necessarily meet at the narrowest track.

[0031] The wheel carriers 7, 8 are preferably formed between the wheels 4, 5 by identical tubes and form a cavity 9, a hollow axle, in which a valve-controlled, double-acting hydraulic cylinder 10 connects the wheel carriers 7, 8 to the outside and / or inside.

[0032] Of course, in unfavorable installation conditions, each wheel carrier 7, 8 could be assigned its own hydraulic cylinder 10 in the hollow driving axle, both of which are connected to a control valve for the joint control of both wheel carriers 7, 8.

[0033] After Figs. 1 and 2 A cylindrical part 11 of the hydraulic, working or lifting cylinder 10 is firmly connected to the end of the wheel carrier 7 adjacent to the wheel 4 and a piston rod 12 of the hydraulic cylinder 10 is firmly connected to the end of the wheel carrier 8 adjacent to the wheel 5.

[0034] According to Fig. 1 The wheel carriers 7, 8 are pushed together to approximately the middle of the driving axle 2 of the vehicle 3 (which is not fully shown), thus forming a narrow track, for example a track width prescribed by the road traffic law.

[0035] To adjust the track of driving axis 2 to Fig. 1To enable modification or widening, the device 1 has support beams 15, 16 articulated in pairs to parallel crossbeams 13, 14 in the direction of travel F, F', which are pivotably mounted on the driving axle 2 arranged below or on the wheel carriers 7, 8 forming the driving axle 2, respectively, wherein the parallel crossbeams 13, 14 serve to attach a loading bridge or a cargo space or special superstructure (not visible), see also Fig. 3 .

[0036] So that the trail to Fig. 1The support beams 15, 16, pivotably mounted on the crossbeams 13, 14 adjacent to the inside of the wheels 4, 5, are connected to each other by a pushrod transmission 17 suspended on the crossbeams 13, 14. The crossbeams 15, 16 are pivotally connected between the pivot bearings on the wheel carriers 7, 8 and the crossbeams 13, 14 by means of a pushrod transmission 17 suspended on the crossbeams 13, 14. The latter has a double lever 18 mounted below the crossbeams 13, 14. This double lever 18 is mounted about an axle / shaft 19 parallel to the direction of movement F, F' and preferably arranged in the longitudinal center axis. The pivotable lever ends 20, 21 are each connected to the support beams 15, 16 by pushrods 22, 23, so that when the hydraulic cylinder 10 is actuated, the piston rod 12 is pushed out of the position towards the crossbeams 15, 16. Fig. 1The wheels 4, 5 are moved jointly and uniformly to both sides with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the track by the driven support beams 15, 16 via the pushrod transmission 17.

[0037] For the sake of simplicity, the support brackets 15, 16 are mounted on the wheel carriers 7, 8 in the direction of movement on pins 24, 25, to which the hydraulic cylinder 10 is also attached / clamped at both ends.

[0038] To stabilize the support frame 6 (see also Fig. 3 ) the wheel carriers 7,8 are each provided at their free, inner end with a suspension device 26, 27 for connecting the crossbeams 13, 14 to the wheel carriers 7, 8 forming the driving axle 2.

[0039] The suspension devices 26, 27 are each connected at their upper end to the crossbeams 13, 14 and at their lower end, forming a pivot point, to the free end of the wheel carriers 7, 8. Between the pivot points, the suspension devices 26, 27 have the same length and position within the support frame 6 as the support beams 15, 16 to which they are associated. Due to the position of their connection to the pivot points on the crossbeams 13, 14 and the wheel carriers 7, 8 forming the driving axle 2, the shape of the suspension devices 26, 27 corresponds to an isosceles triangle.

[0040] The pivotable connections of the trailer devices 26, 27 on the one hand to the cross members 13, 14 and on the other hand to the wheel carriers 7, 8 respectively the driving axle 2 were made by means of plug pins 28, 29 which form a joint.

[0041] Fig. 2 The device 1 for a road and / or off-road vehicle 3 with a opposite Fig. 1changed or larger track width. This operating state was achieved during the movement of the driving axle 2 or the vehicle by pushing the piston rod 12 out of the cylindrical part 11 of the hydraulic cylinder 10.

[0042] Both wheels 4 and 5 were moved evenly and simultaneously from the narrow track to both sides, whereby the degree of displacement can be selected and changed by the unseen control valve.

[0043] It is noticeable that with the widening of the track, the height of the crossbeams 13, 14, and thus the loading height, has changed downwards, as have the center of gravity and the tipping moment of the vehicle. As a result, a higher weight and / or a larger quantity can be carried in a similar vehicle, especially a forage harvester, than before. This means that the vehicle exhibits improved ground contour following, particularly off-road, which is no longer necessary on paved roads and does not compromise safety.

[0044] For easier understanding, it shows Fig. 7 which are already in Fig. 2 The widened facility 1 shown in spatial representation.

[0045] The process for changing the track according to Fig. 2 is this in comparison with Fig. 1 It can be easily understood.

[0046] The hydraulic cylinder 10 has triggered the wheel carriers 7, 8, which are arranged symmetrically on the longitudinal center axis or the crossbeams 13, 14, by deflecting the support beams 15, 16 in opposite directions via the pushrod transmission 17, -double lever 18, pushrod 22 and pushrod 23- suspended on the crossbeams 13, 14, acting on both wheels 4, 5.

[0047] An alternative version of the device 1 is shown by the Figs. 4 to 6The technical difference lies essentially in the design of the drive axle 31. This axle is formed from two wheel carriers 32 and 33, each associated with wheels 4 and 5, which are guided telescopically. Two tubes, preferably cylindrical, with different diameters are used for this purpose. The controllable hydraulic cylinder 10 is located within the tubes used as wheel carriers 32 and 33. The cylindrical part 11 of the hydraulic cylinder 10 is preferably located in the tube with the larger inner diameter, corresponding to wheel 4, and the piston rod 12 of the hydraulic cylinder 10 is located in the wheel carrier 33 with the smaller tube diameter, corresponding to wheel 5. The hydraulic cylinder 10 is advantageously attached at its ends within the wheel carriers 32 and 33, or the tubes, as in the embodiment according to [reference to be added]. Figs. 1 to 3 by means of pins 24, 25, which form a pivot axis for the support carriers 15, 16 on the wheel carriers 32, 33 respectively on the driving axle 31.

[0048] Should it turn out that, when using device 1, a greater hydraulic force is required to adjust the track due to a larger and / or heavier vehicle, and the driving axle 2 is not suitable for installing a larger hydraulic cylinder 10, a hydraulic cylinder 10 parallel to the driving axle 2 can be arranged outside and in the direction of travel F, F' in front of and behind it, as shown in the Fig. 1, 2 , 4, 5 and 7 as can be seen on the extended pins 24, 25 of the support brackets 15, 16.

[0049] The facilities allow the track width to be widened from 2.33 m to 3.13 m or from 2.55 m to 3.35 m.

[0050] The Figs. 8 to 10 Two application examples for the proposed setup are shown.

[0051] This shows Fig. 8a side view of a single-axle trailer 36 that can be attached to a tractor, a loading wagon for taking up mown crops at the front.

[0052] Fig. 9 A side view of a self-driving vehicle, also called a van, with a tandem rear axle, which, as in Fig. 10 evident from the execution Figs. 1 to 3 This corresponds to a pickup truck located at the rear for receiving the feed.

Claims

1. Device (1) for adjusting the track of a driving axle (2, 31) of an on-road and / or off-road vehicle (3) with at least one axle, primarily a trailer or a self-propelled motor vehicle, consisting of a driving axle (2, 31) which is arranged transversely with respect to the direction of travel (F, F') and has wheels (4, 5) at both ends and an assembled load-bearing frame (6) for fastening a superstructure, preferably a load bed, a luggage compartment or an implement, wherein the driving axle (2, 31) is connected between the wheels (4, 5) by load-bearing supporting elements to the load-bearing frame (6) arranged above it, wherein the driving axle (2, 31) which has drivable wheels (4, 5) at the ends is formed by wheel supports (7, 8; 32, 33) which are connected to at least one valve-controlled hydraulic cylinder (10) for track change and are laterally and oppositely adjustable by articulated support beams (15, 16) with at least one transverse beam (13, 14) arranged above them so as to form the load-bearing frame (6), characterized in that the support beams (15, 16) are each articulated on the wheel supports (7, 8) closely to the inner side of the wheels (4, 5) and are drive-connected by a push-rod mechanism (17) suspended on the transverse beam (13, 14), and in that the push-rod mechanism (17) has a double lever (18) which can be swivelled about an axis (19) arranged in the direction of travel (F, F') and the lever ends (20, 21) of which are each connected by push rods (22, 23) to the support beams (15, 16).

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wheel supports (7, 8) or the wheels (4, 5) are jointly laterally adjustable.

3. Device according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (10) is fastened within the wheel supports (7, 8) in the end regions of the driving axle (2, 31).

4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, as viewed in the direction of travel (F, F'), in each case one hydraulic cylinder (10) is arranged parallel and in front of and behind the driving axle 2 and connected to the ends of extended locking pins (24, 25) of the support beams (15, 16).

5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each wheel support (7, 8) is assigned a hydraulic cylinder (10), which hydraulic cylinders are supported on the wheel support (7, 8) on the one side and on the load-bearing frame (6) on the other side.

6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the load-bearing frame (6) is formed by two parallel transverse beams (13, 14), on which the support beams (15, 16) are articulated.

7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the transverse beams (13, 14) form a fastening plane for the vehicle superstructure.

8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the load-bearing frame (6) has a triangular cross section transversely with respect to the direction of travel (F, F').

9. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the wheel supports (7, 8) forming the driving axle (2, 31) form a spatially trapezoidally adjustable load-bearing frame (6) with the support beams (15, 16) and the transverse beams (13, 14) in the case of a widened track.

10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the double lever (18) is pivotably fastened to the underside of a transverse beam (13, 14), preferably in the longitudinal centre axis of the load-bearing frame (6).

11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the wheel supports (7, 8) are connected in each case at the inner ends by one of the suspension apparatuses (26, 27), serving for the stabilization of the load-bearing frame (69), to the transverse beam / beams (13, 14).

12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the link-like suspension apparatuses (26, 27) have the length and parallel position of the support beams (15, 16).

13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the driving axle (31) is formed by telescopically guided wheel supports (32, 33) which are drive-connected to the valve-controlled, double-acting hydraulic cylinder (10).

14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the wheel supports (32, 33) are of tubular form, and the hydraulic cylinder (10) is fastened in the end regions of the driving axle (31) within the wheel supports (32, 33).

15. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the track of the driving axle (2, 31) is adjustable while the vehicle (3) is travelling.