Axle arrangement of a vehicle
The multi-link axle arrangement optimizes vehicle installation space by repositioning connection points behind and below the wheel axle, enhancing passenger compartment space and suspension performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/DE2025/100277
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-15
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-18
AI Technical Summary
State-of-the-art vehicle axle arrangements often conflict with vehicle geometry, particularly in modern vehicles with air suspension, restricting available space, especially in the rear seat area and vehicle interior.
A multi-link axle arrangement with specific component connections, including a wheel carrier, control arms, and a stabilizer, where connection points are positioned behind the wheel axle and vertically below it, allowing for efficient use of installation space by relocating components to create more space in the vehicle interior.
The arrangement optimizes installation space above and in front of the wheel carrier, providing increased passenger compartment space and improved suspension kinematics for enhanced ride comfort.
Smart Images

Figure DE2025100277_18092025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Axle arrangement of a vehicle
[0002] Description
[0003] The invention relates to an axle arrangement of a vehicle and a vehicle.
[0004] State-of-the-art vehicle axle arrangements are known which comprise a multitude of interconnected components. For example, multi-link rear axles are known with various connection points on a wheel carrier for the spring, dampers and various control arms, such as wishbones and trailing arms. Starting from the wheel carrier, the spring and dampers usually extend vertically upwards. As a result, these components often conflict with the geometry of the vehicle structure, such as the body. They can also sometimes extend far into the vehicle interior, which often restricts the available space, particularly in the area of the rear row of seats. This problem is particularly exacerbated in modern vehicles, which often feature air suspension, due to the typically large dimensions of the air suspension elements.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an axle arrangement of a vehicle which enables an optimized use of installation space in the axle area and in particular more installation space above the axle area.
[0006] This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.
[0007] The object is thus achieved by an axle arrangement of a vehicle, comprising a wheel carrier, a plurality of control arms, a spring and / or damper element, and a stabilizer. The wheel carrier has a wheel axle, in particular about which a wheel attachable to the wheel carrier can rotate. The plurality of control arms are connected to the wheel carrier. The wheel carrier can be connected, preferably exclusively, via the control arms and the spring and / or damper element to a body of the vehicle and / or to an axle carrier of the vehicle, for example an elastically mounted one. The spring and / or damper element is connected at a first connection point directly to the wheel carrier and / or to one of the plurality of control arms. The first connection point is arranged behind the wheel axle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle and vertically below the wheel axle. The stabilizer is also arranged behind the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel.Most control arms include an upper control arm, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier at an upper connection point. The upper connection point is located above the wheel axle. Furthermore, the upper control arm extends diagonally rearward from the wheel carrier relative to the direction of travel.
[0008] In other words, an axle arrangement is provided which is designed in particular as a multi-link axle, wherein the wheel carrier can be connected to the body and / or to the axle carrier of the vehicle, preferably exclusively, via the links and the spring and / or damper element. The first connection point, which in particular forms a mechanical connection between the spring and / or damper element on the wheel carrier and / or on one of the links, is arranged behind the wheel axle and vertically below the wheel axle. In addition, the stabilizer is arranged behind the wheel axle. In particular, the stabilizer can be arranged completely behind the wheel axle. Alternatively, at least one stabilizer back, which for example forms a transverse connection between the two vehicle sides on one axle of the vehicle, is preferably arranged behind the wheel axle.In addition, the upper connection point of the upper control arm is located above the wheel axle, with the upper control arm extending diagonally backwards in the vehicle.
[0009] The axle arrangement offers the advantage of particularly efficient use of installation space with regard to the body and interior of the vehicle on which the axle arrangement can be installed. Because the first connection point of the spring and / or damper element on the wheel carrier is relocated far down and to the rear, a corresponding connection point, for example on the body side, can also be moved rearward and downward at the other end of the spring and / or damper element. This makes it possible to have an enlarged passenger interior, particularly towards the rear and bottom, in the vehicle on which the axle arrangement can be installed. In particular, more space can be provided in the area above and in front of the wheel carrier.The upper control arm, which extends diagonally rearward, and the stabilizer bar located behind the wheel axle provide particularly reliable, increased space above and in front of the wheel carrier toward the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the special arrangement of the axle assembly components allows for improved space for the installation of additional control arms in the wheel carrier area.
[0010] The axle assembly preferably further comprises an upper wishbone arranged vertically above the wheel axle. In particular, the upper wishbone is arranged substantially parallel to the wheel axle. Preferably, the upper connection point is directly connected to the wheel carrier at an upper connection point, wherein the upper connection point is preferably located substantially at the level of the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel.
[0011] Particularly preferably, the spring and / or damper element extends vertically between the upper trailing arm and the upper wishbone. In other words, the spring and / or damper element is located, particularly with respect to the direction of travel, between the upper trailing arm and the upper wishbone. This allows for an optimal arrangement of the components in the upper area of the axle assembly in a particularly simple manner, thus providing increased installation space toward the vehicle interior.
[0012] Preferably, the upper trailing arm and the upper wishbone are jointly formed as a single, in particular one-piece, wishbone. The wishbone can preferably be arranged in the upper region of the axle assembly. In particular, the wishbone is connected to the wheel carrier at the upper connection point above the wheel axle. By combining the upper trailing arm and the upper wishbone together to form the wishbone, a particularly simple, cost-effective, and lightweight construction can be provided, which also requires very little space in the area of the wheel carrier.
[0013] Preferably, the axle assembly further comprises a pendulum support, by means of which the stabilizer is connected to the wheel carrier. The stabilizer is thus indirectly connected to the wheel carrier via the pendulum support. Preferably, the pendulum support extends substantially vertically.
[0014] Preferably, the pendulum support is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a stabilizer connection point, with the stabilizer connection point being located below the wheel axle. This allows for optimal use of the available installation space and / or creates more space for additional components.
[0015] Preferably, the plurality of control arms comprises a camber arm, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a second connection point. The second connection point is arranged behind the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle and vertically below the wheel axle. This means that the second connection point for the camber arm, like the first connection point, is located vertically below the wheel axle and behind the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel. This enables a particularly advantageous arrangement of the control arms of the axle arrangement, wherein a particularly large amount of free space can be provided for the body and / or the passenger compartment in the vertically upper and, with respect to the direction of travel, front area of the axle arrangement.
[0016] Preferably, the first connection point is arranged vertically below the second connection point. This allows for a particularly low connection of the spring and / or damper element to the wheel carrier. In addition to a particularly advantageous geometry with regard to increased space in the vertically upper area above the axle assembly, this also allows for optimal kinematics of the vehicle's suspension and damping to ensure a high level of ride comfort for the occupants.
[0017] The camber arm particularly preferably has a through-opening through which the spring and / or damper element extends. The camber arm can preferably have two legs, which are in particular formed together as a one-piece component, and between which the through-opening is formed. This enables optimal use of the installation space of the axle arrangement, particularly in the lower region of the wheel carrier. In particular, this makes it possible for the first connection point and the second connection point to be located close to one another, wherein the through-opening, which is preferably dimensioned accordingly, can provide a large range of movement for the spring and / or damper element and the camber arm. By having connection points on the wheel carrier located close to one another, a smaller, space-saving geometry of the wheel carrier can also be enabled, for example.
[0018] Further preferably, the plurality of control arms comprises a longitudinal control arm, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a third connection point. The third connection point is arranged vertically below the wheel axle. This further advantageously prevents parts of the axle assembly from protruding significantly upward or forward toward the passenger compartment.
[0019] Preferably, the third connection point is arranged vertically below the first connection point and the second connection point. In particular, the third connection point can thus form the lowest connection point on the wheel carrier. Alternatively, the third connection point is preferably arranged vertically between the first connection point and the second connection point. Alternatively, the third connection point is preferably arranged vertically above the first connection point and the second connection point. This means that the third connection point can form the uppermost of these three connection points on the wheel carrier.
[0020] Particularly preferably, the spring and / or damper element comprises a damper and a spring. Preferably, the damper is directly connected to the wheel carrier at the first connection point. Preferably, the spring is also directly connected to the wheel carrier at the first connection point. In particular, the spring and damper thus form a common spring strut. Alternatively, the spring is preferably indirectly connected to the wheel carrier at a spring connection point. In this case, the spring and damper are arranged independently of one another. Preferably, the spring connection point can be arranged on the camber arm.
[0021] Preferably, the majority of handlebars comprises a total of five handlebars.
[0022] In particular, the axle arrangement is a five-link axle. In particular, two links formed together to form a common wishbone, for example, are also considered two "links."
[0023] Furthermore, the invention leads to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, particularly preferably a passenger car, comprising the described axle arrangement.
[0024] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show:
[0025] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic view of a vehicle with an axle arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
[0026] Figure 2 is a side view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,
[0027] Figure 3 is a further side view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,
[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,
[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective detailed view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1, and
[0030] Figure 6 shows a further perspective detailed view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1.
[0031] A preferred embodiment of an axle assembly 1 of a vehicle 100 is described below. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 6. Identical or functionally identical components are always provided with the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic perspective view of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car.
[0032] The vehicle 100 comprises an axle arrangement 1 according to the invention on each side of its rear wheel axle 20 in the direction of travel. The axle arrangements 1 are preferably designed and arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100.
[0033] Details of the axle arrangement 1 according to the invention are shown in Figures 2 to 6 and are described below.
[0034] The axle arrangement 1 is a multi-link rear axle, which has a plurality of links 3, namely in detail five links 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.
[0035] Part of the axle arrangement 1 is also a wheel carrier 2, which is designed to be connected to a wheel 105 of the vehicle 100.
[0036] Furthermore, the axle arrangement 1 comprises a spring and / or damper element 4, which has a damper 41 and a spring 42.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, damper 41 and spring 42 are integrated into a single component, which can also be referred to, for example, as a spring strut. In an alternative (not shown) embodiment, the spring and / or damper element 4 can also be separated, i.e., damper 41 and spring 42 can be arranged as separate components at different positions.
[0038] The wheel carrier 2 of the axle assembly 1 is connected to a body 50 of the vehicle 100 exclusively via the control arms 3 and the spring and / or damper element 4. This means that, in particular, there is no direct mechanically fixed connection between the wheel carrier 2 and the body 50.
[0039] The arrangement and construction of the elements of the axle assembly 1 are specifically designed to create the greatest possible space in the area toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100, i.e., in the direction of travel 101 in front of and in the vertical direction 102 above the axle assembly 1. In particular, more installation space can be generated on the body 50 in the area of the rear row of seats of the vehicle 100. This can create greater comfort for the occupants of the vehicle 100. In particular, greater freedom for flexible seating configurations of the seats of the vehicle 100 can also be enabled.
[0040] This is achieved by the design of the axle arrangement 1 according to the invention described below.
[0041] The plurality of control arms 3 and the spring and / or damper element 4 are each directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 via a separate connection point. Preferably, the connection is articulated, i.e., with a permitted rotation about a respective axis. Preferably, all of these rotation axes are arranged substantially horizontally.
[0042] In the axle arrangement 1, the spring and / or damper element 4 is connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a first connection point 11, wherein the first connection point 11 is arranged behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to a direction of travel 101 and below the wheel axle 20 in the vertical direction 102.
[0043] This allows the spring and / or damper element 4 to be connected to the wheel carrier 2 as low as possible, whereby its necessary installation space upwards in the direction of the passenger compartment and in particular starting from the wheel axle 20 can be kept particularly small.
[0044] Furthermore, the axle arrangement 1 comprises an upper longitudinal arm 33 and an upper transverse arm 34. The upper longitudinal arm 33 and the upper transverse arm 34 are jointly formed as a triangular arm 36.
[0045] The wishbone 36 is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at an upper connection point 14, wherein the upper connection point 14 is arranged above the wheel axle 20 (see Figures 2 to 4). In particular, the upper connection point 14 is located substantially at the level of the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101. The upper wishbone 34 extends substantially parallel to the wheel axle 20.
[0046] The upper longitudinal control arm 33 extends from the upper connection point 14, in particular essentially in a horizontal plane, obliquely rearward with respect to the direction of travel 101.
[0047] The spring and / or damper element 4 extends substantially vertically upwards and between the upper wishbone 34 and the upper longitudinal arm 33.
[0048] Furthermore, the plurality of control arms 3 includes a lower longitudinal control arm 32, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a third connection point 13. The third connection point 13 is arranged vertically below the wheel axle 20.
[0049] In detail, the third connection point 13 is arranged in the vertical direction 102 below the first connection point 11 (see in particular Figures 2 and 4 to 6).
[0050] The lower longitudinal control arm 32 extends diagonally forward with respect to the direction of travel 101.
[0051] In addition, the axle assembly 1 can comprise a central wishbone 35, which is arranged in the vertical direction 102 essentially at the level of the wheel axle 20 and is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2. The central wishbone 35 can be arranged behind the wheel axle 20 in the direction of travel 101 (see in particular Figure 3). Furthermore, the central wishbone 35 extends in particular essentially transversely to the direction of travel 101.
[0052] The axle arrangement 1 further comprises a stabilizer 6. The stabilizer 6 is arranged completely behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101.
[0053] The stabilizer 6 is connected to the wheel carrier 2 by means of a pendulum support 7.
[0054] The pendulum support 7 is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a stabilizer connection point 17 and extends essentially vertically upwards from the stabilizer connection point 17 (see Figures 2 to 4). The stabilizer connection point 17 can be arranged in the vertical direction 102 below the wheel axle 20.
[0055] In particular, the stabilizer 6 is arranged substantially completely above the wheel axle 20.
[0056] Furthermore, the plurality of links 3 comprises a camber link 31, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a second connection point 12. The second connection point 12 is located behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101 and below the wheel axle in the vertical direction 102.
[0057] 20 (see Figures 2 and 5).
[0058] The camber arm 31 extends essentially parallel to the wheel axis 20 or slightly diagonally to the rear (see Figures 2 and 3).
[0059] The second connection point 12 is arranged vertically above the first connection point 11, that is, between the first connection point 11 and the wheel axle 20.
[0060] The camber arm 31 has a through-opening 21 through which the spring and / or damper element 4 extends in the vertical direction (see in particular Figure 6).
[0061] In detail, the camber arm 31 has two legs 31a, between which the through-opening 21 is formed and which are formed together as a one-piece component. In particular, the through-opening
[0062] 21 is sufficiently dimensioned to allow the spring and / or damper element 4 and the camber arm 31 sufficient freedom of movement in all possible twisting of the axle arrangement 1.
[0063] List of reference symbols:
[0064] 1 axle arrangement
[0065] 2 wheel carriers
[0066] 3 majority of handlebars
[0067] 4 Spring and / or damper element
[0068] 6 Stabilizer
[0069] 7 pendulum support
[0070] 11 first connection point
[0071] 12 second connection point
[0072] 13 third connection point
[0073] 14 upper connection point
[0074] 17 Stabilizer connection point
[0075] 20 axle arrangement
[0076] 21 Passage opening
[0077] 31 camber handlebars
[0078] 31a Leg
[0079] 32 lower trailing arm
[0080] 33 upper trailing arm
[0081] 34 upper wishbone
[0082] 35 wishbones
[0083] 36 wishbones
[0084] 41 dampers
[0085] 42 spring
[0086] 50 body
[0087] 100 vehicles
[0088] 101 Direction of travel 102 Vertical direction
[0089] 105 bikes
Claims
Patent claims:
1. Axle arrangement of a vehicle (100), comprising: a wheel carrier (2) having a wheel axle (20), a plurality of control arms (3) connected to the wheel carrier (2), a spring and / or damper element (4), and a stabilizer (6), wherein the wheel carrier (2) can be connected, in particular exclusively, via the control arms (3) and the spring and / or damper element (4) to a body (50) and / or to an axle carrier of the vehicle (100), wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) is connected at a first connection point (11) directly to the wheel carrier (2) and / or to one of the control arms (3), wherein the first connection point (11) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to a direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100) and below the wheel axle (20) in the vertical direction (102), wherein the stabilizer (6) is arranged with respect to the direction of travel (101) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20), wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises an upper link (33),which is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2) at an upper connection point (14), wherein the upper connection point (14) is arranged above the wheel axle (20), and wherein the upper link (33) extends obliquely rearward from the wheel carrier (2) with respect to the direction of travel (101).
2. Axle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an upper wishbone (34) which is arranged in the vertical direction (102) above the wheel axle (20).
3. Axle arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) extends in the vertical direction (102) between the upper longitudinal arm (33) and the upper transverse arm (34).
4. Axle arrangement according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the upper longitudinal arm (33) and the upper transverse arm (34) are formed together as a triangular arm (36).
5. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pendulum support (7) by means of which the stabilizer (6) is connected to the wheel carrier (2).
6. Axle arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pendulum support (7) is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at a stabilizer connection point (17), and wherein the stabilizer connection point (17) is arranged in the vertical direction (102) below the wheel axle (102), and in particular with respect to the direction of travel (101) behind the wheel axle (20).
7. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises a camber link (31) which is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at a second connection point (12), and wherein the second connection point (12) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to the direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100) and below the wheel axle (20) in the vertical direction (102), in particular wherein the first connection point (11) is arranged vertically below the second connection point (12).
8. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of control arms (3) comprises a longitudinal control arm (32) which is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at a third connection point (13), and wherein the third connection point (13) is arranged in the vertical direction (102) below the wheel axle (20).
9. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) comprises a damper (41) and a spring (42), wherein the damper (41) is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at the first connection point (11), and wherein the spring (42) is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at the first connection point (11) or is connected indirectly to the wheel carrier (2) at a spring connection point.
10. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises a total of five links (31, 32, 33, 34, 35).
11. Vehicle comprising an axle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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