General Purpose Transport Equipment

Abstract

The axle 1, in particular for a universal transporter frame, comprises an axle arm 2, a power drive unit 5, swivel drive units 6a, 6b, swivel distribution systems 7a, 7b, and travel distribution systems 8a, 8b. A front suspension 3a for a front wheel 4a is rotatably arranged at one end of the axle arm 2. A rear suspension 3b for a rear wheel 4b is rotatably arranged at the other end of the axle arm 2. The front suspension 3a for the front wheel 4a and the rear suspension 3b for the rear wheel 4b are provided with an angle chain transmission 24 including a drive shaft 9 having a longitudinal axis 13, a driven shaft 10 having a longitudinal axis 14, a link chain 11 connecting the drive shaft 9 and the driven shaft 10, and a pulley angle system 12 of the link chain 11 for defining an angle (a) between the longitudinal axis 13 of the drive shaft 9 and the longitudinal axis 14 of the driven shaft 10.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to axles for universal transporter frames. [Background technology]

[0002] Several types of axles are known from practice.

[0003] Rigid axles are known (leaf spring axles, axles with integrated transmission and Panhard rod, De Dion axles), as well as rigid half axles (articulated axles), and independent axles (trapezoidal axles, MacPherson axles, multi-link suspensions), etc.

[0004] The drawbacks of the above mentioned axles are in particular the large amount of unsprung mass and the fact that a large installation space is required.

[0005] Several types of square-gear transmissions are known, such as bevel gears, worm gears, hypoid gears or angular planetary gears.

[0006] A drawback of the prior art gearing is, in particular, the need for a large installation space for the wheel suspension in the frame in order to allow unlimited rotation of the wheel suspension around its longitudinal axis within a range of 360°.

[0007] Another drawback of these known gearings is the high manufacturing costs of the axle suspension sub-components.

[0008] Several types of wheel suspensions that rotate about their longitudinal axis are known, but no manufacturer offers 360° rotation.

[0009] No prior art manufacturer offers an axle that includes an angular chain transmission within the wheel suspension that allows unlimited range of rotation of the wheel suspension about its longitudinal axis through an angle of 360° with a small installation space and inexpensive component manufacturing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a suspension for axle wheels, in particular for universal transport vehicles, which makes it possible to transmit the drive torque by means of an angular chain transmission within an unlimited angular range of 360° around its longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel axle solution, especially for universal transporter frames. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the invention, the above object is achieved in particular by providing an axle for a universal transporter frame, An axle arm; A power drive unit; A slewing drive unit; A swivel distribution system; Travel distribution system and Equipped with A front section suspension for the front wheels is rotatably disposed on one end of the axle arm, A rear section suspension of the rear wheels was achieved by providing an axle that was rotatably disposed at the other end of the axle arm.

[0013] The front suspension and the rear suspension are a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis; a driven shaft having a longitudinal axis; a link chain for connecting the drive shaft and the driven shaft; a pulley angle link chain system for defining an angle between the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft; The angle chain transmission device includes an angle chain transmission device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the axle according to the invention, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft is in particular 90°.

[0015] The pulley angle system is preferably configured to tighten the link chain.

[0016] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, an axle including a portal wheel suspension has been developed which provides unlimited 360° rotation.

[0017] Each portal suspension is fitted with a drive shaft, a driven shaft and a link chain that transmits the drive torque of the drive shaft to the driven shaft and is tensioned by a pulley angle system.

[0018] The axles are mounted on a portal suspension which includes the wheels, the power unit, and the distribution system.

[0019] The distribution system is preferably selected from the group consisting of belts, drive V-belts, toothed belts, transmission chains, gears, and the like.

[0020] The drive unit is preferably selected from the group consisting of an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic motor, an electric motor, etc.

[0021] The solution according to the invention is characterised in particular by the following features: the longitudinal axis of the driving shaft in the gantry wheel suspension forms an angle of, in particular, 90° with the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft in the gantry wheel suspension, The portal wheel suspension, due to its attachment within the axle via a bearing flange, allows unlimited rotation about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft over an angular range of 360°.

[0022] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary axle of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the transfer of drive and turning torques to the front and rear wheels of a portal suspension through a turn distribution system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a simplified exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the transmission of bending and drive torques to the front wheels of a portal suspension; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 3 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pulley angle link chain system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 6 for an exemplary configuration of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, an axle has been developed that includes portal suspensions 3a and 3b for wheels 4a and 4b, providing unlimited 360° rotation.

[0025] Each portal suspension 3 a and 3 b houses a drive shaft 9 , a driven shaft 10 and an angle chain transmission 24 comprising a link chain 11 .

[0026] A drive chain 11 transmits the drive torque from the drive shaft 9 to the driven shaft 10 , the link chain 11 being tensioned by a pulley angle system 12 .

[0027] On the axle 1, portal suspensions 3a and 3b are provided, which include wheels 4a and 4b, power drive units 5, slewing drive units 6a and 6b, slewing distribution systems 7a and 7b, and traction distribution systems 8a and 8b.

[0028] The pivoting distribution systems 7a, 7b and the traveling distribution systems 8a, 8b are preferably selected from the group consisting of belts, V-belts, toothed belts, transmission chains, gearing, and the like.

[0029] The drive units 5, 6a and 6b are preferably selected from the group consisting of internal combustion engines, hydraulic motors, electric motors, etc.

[0030] The solution according to the invention is characterised in particular by the following features for each portal suspension 3a and 3b: In principle, the vertical longitudinal axis 13 of the drive shaft 9 in the gantry wheel suspensions 3a and 3b forms an angle of, in particular, 90° with the horizontal axis 14 of the driven shaft 10, The portal wheel suspensions 3a and 3b, by virtue of their mounting in the axle 1 via the bearing flanges 23, allow in principle unlimited rotation of the drive shaft 9 about the longitudinal axis 13 over an angular range of 360°.

[0031] For purposes of clarity, the general and technical terms used in the specification and claims to describe the features of the present invention should be understood to have the following meanings. - the drive unit is generally a device, such as an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic motor, an electric motor, etc., for providing drive torque to the axle and wheel suspension; The distribution system represents a mechanical element for providing the transmission of the drive torque, selected from the group consisting of belts, drive V-belts, toothed belts, transmission chains, gearing, etc.

[0032] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the axle 1 of a particular universal transport vehicle has an arm 2 of the axle 1, which may be, for example, a welded housing, in which: A slewing drive unit 6a for the front wheels 4a, Swivel drive unit 6b for rear wheel 4a, Power Unit 5 is attached.

[0034] These units can be, for example, electric motors, hydraulic motors, etc.

[0035] The front suspension 3a and the rear suspension 3b allow unlimited 360° rotation by means of a torque distribution system 7a and 7b, which may be, for example, a chain and belt torque distribution system.

[0036] The drive torque for the travel of the front wheels 4a is further distributed to the driven shaft 10 of the front wheels 4a by the travel distribution system 8a of the front wheels 4a.

[0037] On the arm 2 of the axle 1, a front section suspension 3a is mounted at one end and a rear section suspension 3b is mounted at the other end, both of which are provided with bearing flanges 23, where their mounting on the axle 1 provides unlimited 360° rotation around the longitudinal axis 13 of the drive shaft 9.

[0038] Each portal suspension 3a and 3b is provided with an angular chain transmission 24 including a drive shaft 9 and a driven shaft 10, which transmits the drive torque from a power drive unit 5, for example formed by a hydraulic motor, by means of a link chain 11.

[0039] A substantially vertical longitudinal axis 13 of the drive shaft 9 makes an angle α of 90° with a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis 14 of the driven shaft 10 .

[0040] A link chain 11 , which transmits the drive torque from the drive shaft 9 to the driven shaft 10 , is tensioned by a pulley angle system 12 .

[0041] The pulley angle system 12 according to the invention is formed, for example, by a pair of tension levers 15 including pulleys 16 mounted in the portal suspensions 3a and 3b by means of pins 19, said tension levers 15 allowing a rotational movement.

[0042] The pulley angle system 12 of the link chain 11 includes a pair of wedges 22 which bear against the mounting pin 18 of the tension lever 15 .

[0043] Each wedge 22 housed in the guide bar 21 is secured by one tension spring 20 engaged in the respective portal suspension 3a, 3b.

[0044] The tension lever 15 with the pulley 16 further comprises a positioning compression spring 17 which determines the tension of the link chain 11. The tension lever 15 is connected by a pin 19 to the given portal suspension 3a and 3b.

[0045] When the link chain 11 is released, one of the tension wedges 22 housed in the guide bar 21 is lowered by the force of one of the compression springs 20. The mounting pin 18 transmits the above movement and tilts the tension lever 15 to tension the link chain 11 and create an optimal tension clearance of the link chain 11.

[0046] The pulley angle system 12 of the link chain 11 is equipped with a compression spring 17 on a tension lever 15 , which ensures optimal tensioning of the link chain 11 . [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] According to the invention, an axle has been developed, on both ends of which portal suspensions are arranged, which, by means of their mounting via bearing flanges and slewing drive units, allow unlimited rotation of the drive shafts around their longitudinal axes within an angular range of 360°.

[0048] The axle further includes a power drive unit that distributes drive torque across the distribution system to the drive shaft.

[0049] Each portal suspension is equipped with an angular chain transmission including a drive shaft and a driven shaft spaced at an angle of 90° to each other, and the drive torque is transmitted by a link chain including a tension system.

[0050] The present invention solves the problem of small installation space for the axle by using an angle chain transmission in the portal suspension of the wheels, and therefore the use of low-cost components.

[0051] The present invention has solved the problem of unlimited rotation of the portal wheel suspension on the axle within an angular range of 360°.

[0052] The angular chain transmission axle in the wheel suspension according to the invention is applied, for example, to the frame of a motor vehicle or a general purpose transport vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 axle 2 Arm 2 of Axle 1 3a Forward suspension system 3b Rear suspension system 4a Front wheels 4a of the front section suspension 3a 4b Rear wheel 4b of rear suspension system 3b 5 Power Drive Unit 6a Swivel drive unit 6a for front wheel 4a 6b Swivel drive unit 6a for rear wheel 4b 7a Turn distribution system 7a for front wheels 4a 7b Swivel distribution system 7b for rear wheels 4b 8a Front wheel 4a traction distribution system 8a 8b Rear wheel 4b travel distribution system 8b 9 Drive shaft 10 Driven shaft 11 Link Chain 12 Link chain 11 pulley angle system 12 13 Longitudinal axis 13 of drive shaft 9 14 Longitudinal axis 14 of driven shaft 10 15 Tension lever 16 Pulley 17 Compression spring 18 Mounting pin 19 pin 20. Tension spring 21 Information Bar 22 Wedge 23 Bearing flange 24 Angle chain transmission device α the angle α between the longitudinal axis 13 of the drive shaft 9 and the longitudinal axis 14 of the driven shaft 10

Claims

1. An arm (2); A front wheel (4a) disposed at the front end of the arm (2); A rear wheel (4b) disposed at the rear end of the arm (2); A front member (3a) for the front wheel (4a), A rear member (3b) for the rear wheel (4b), A universal transport device comprising a power drive unit (5), a steering drive unit (6a, 6b), a steering transmission system (7a, 7b) and a drive transmission system (8a, 8b) arranged in the arm (2), The front member (3a) and the rear member (3b) are provided with an angular chain transmission device (24) through which a driving torque from the power drive unit (5) is transmitted, The angle chain transmission device (24) is a drive shaft (9) having a longitudinal axis (13); a driven shaft (10) having a longitudinal axis (14); a link chain (11) for connecting the drive shaft (9) and the driven shaft (10); a pulley angle system (12) of said link chain (11) for defining an angle (α) between said longitudinal axis (13) of said drive shaft (9) and said longitudinal axis (14) of said driven shaft (10); Equipped with the front member (3a) and the rear member (3b) are rotatable about the longitudinal axis (13) of the drive shaft (9) by the steering drive units (6a, 6b) via the steering transmission systems (7a, 7b); The power drive unit (5) is connected to the drive transmission system (8a, 8b) and transmits a drive torque via the drive transmission system (8a, 8b), the drive shaft (9), the link chain (11) and the driven shaft (10) to drive the front wheels (4a) and the rear wheels (4b). A general-purpose conveying device.

2. 2. A universal transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) between the longitudinal axis (13) of the drive shaft (9) and the longitudinal axis (14) of the driven shaft (10) is 90°.

3. The pulley angle system (12) adapted to tighten the link chain (11), a pair of pull levers (15) with pulleys (16) attached to the front member (3a) and the rear member (3b) by pins (19); a pair of wedges (22) that press against the mounting pin (18) of the tension lever (15); Each of the wedges (22) housed in the guide bar (21) is secured by a tension spring (20) engaged with each of the front member (3a) and the rear member (3b); 2. A universal transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension lever (15), connected by the pin (19) to the front member (3a) and to the rear member (3b), is provided with a positioning compression spring (17) which determines the tension of the link chain (11).

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