Axle support device for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle
The multi-part axle carrier device simplifies assembly and maintenance of electric drive components in commercial vehicles by allowing separate mounting and painting, and enabling off-vehicle maintenance, thus reducing time and costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/069285
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-10
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-15
AI Technical Summary
The existing assembly and maintenance processes for electric drive components in commercial vehicles, such as trucks, are time-consuming and costly due to the need to disconnect and reconnect the axle carrier assembly and electric drive components during painting and servicing, which involves masking and subsequent disassembly.
A multi-part axle carrier device comprising an axle carrier base body and a detachable component carrier element that allows the drive component to be connected and disconnected away from the vehicle, simplifying assembly, painting, and maintenance by enabling selective insertion and removal of the drive component through a component insertion opening.
This design reduces assembly time and costs by allowing separate mounting of the axle carrier to the vehicle first, painting without masking, and facilitating maintenance off the vehicle, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing labor and material expenses.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025069285_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Axle carrier device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle
[0002] The invention relates to an axle carrier device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such an axle carrier device.
[0003] Motor vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, particularly trucks, typically have an axle carrier assembly that is attached to the vehicle's chassis by means of a spring device, for example, an air spring system. The axle carrier assembly usually has two axle bearing assemblies, on each of which at least one wheel is rotatably mounted about a bearing axis. In an electrically powered commercial vehicle, it is known that a drive component, for example, an electric drive and optionally a drive transmission for the electric drive, is arranged in a drive component mounting space of the axle carrier assembly. A drive element, in particular a drive shaft, exiting from both sides of the electric drive, extends through the axle carrier assembly to drive the electric commercial vehicle, with the drive shaft being effectively connected to the wheels.When mounting the axle carrier and electric drive to the electric commercial vehicle, the electric drive and, optionally, the drive transmission are typically connected to the axle carrier first, before this assembly is mounted to the vehicle. The axle carrier, together with the electric drive and, optionally, the drive transmission, is then mounted to the vehicle's chassis from below. If underbody protection is applied to the vehicle later in the assembly process, the electric drive and, optionally, the drive transmission are usually masked off with tape, which must then be removed after the underbody protection has been applied.Similarly, for example, when servicing the electric drive or the drive transmission, the entire axle carrier assembly, together with the electric drive and optionally the drive transmission, must be removed. Subsequently, the electric drive and optionally the drive transmission are disassembled from the axle carrier assembly to perform maintenance. This is both time-consuming and costly. The invention therefore aims to provide an axle carrier assembly for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such an axle carrier assembly, whereby the aforementioned disadvantages are reduced, or preferably eliminated.
[0004] The problem is solved by providing the present technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the independent claims as well as the preferred embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims and the description.
[0005] The problem is solved, in particular, by providing an axle carrier device for a motor vehicle, especially an electrically powered commercial vehicle, and in particular an electrically powered truck. The axle carrier device comprises an axle carrier base body and a component carrier element. The axle carrier base body partially defines a drive component receiving space, and the axle carrier base body has a component insertion opening to the drive component receiving space. The component carrier element is detachably attached to the axle carrier base body, in particular by screws, and the component carrier element closes the component insertion opening when it is detachably attached to the axle carrier base body, in particular by screws.The component carrier element is designed and configured so that a drive component of the motor vehicle can be connected to it, in particular by bolting. When the component carrier element is detached from the axle carrier body, in particular removed, the component carrier element releases the component insertion opening in such a way that the drive component can be selectively inserted into and removed from the drive component receiving space through the component insertion opening. The axle carrier body is designed such that a drive element, in particular one protruding from both sides of the drive component, can reach through the axle carrier body to the drive of the motor vehicle, especially when the drive component is located in the drive component receiving space.
[0006] The multi-part design of the axle carrier offers the advantage of separating the load-bearing and drive functions. Furthermore, the multi-part design simplifies assembly. The axle carrier, preferably without the component carrier element, can first be mounted to the vehicle. The vehicle can then be painted in a paint shop. The drive component can be connected to the component carrier element away from the vehicle, in particular by bolting it. After the painting process, the component carrier element can be lifted from below, in particular using a lifting device, especially a pit jack, towards the vehicle and connected to the axle carrier base.Even when maintenance of the drive component is necessary, the component carrier element, together with the drive component attached to it, can be advantageously removed from the axle carrier base body, while the axle carrier base body remains in the vehicle. Maintenance can then be carried out away from the vehicle, with reassembly performed in reverse order. This can advantageously lead to cost savings and a reduction in effort.
[0007] According to a further development of the invention, the axle carrier base body has a first axle bearing device, in particular a left one, for the drive element and a second axle bearing device, in particular a right one, for the drive element. The first axle bearing device and the second axle bearing device are aligned with each other along a bearing axis and, in particular, spaced apart from each other along the bearing axis.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first axle bearing device and the second axle bearing device are designed such that the drive element exiting the drive component can reach through the first axle bearing device and through the second axle bearing device to drive the motor vehicle, in particular when the drive component is arranged in the drive component receiving space.
[0009] In one embodiment, the drive element extends with a first side through the first axle bearing device and with a second side opposite the first side through the second axle bearing device when the drive component is arranged in the drive component receiving space.
[0010] In another embodiment, the drive element comprises two partial drive elements, a first partial drive element and a second partial drive element. In particular, the first partial drive element extends through the first axle bearing device, while the second partial drive element extends through the second axle bearing device.
[0011] In one embodiment, the axle carrier device includes a spring assembly. The spring assembly has, in particular, two spring mounting brackets, each with at least one spring, in particular an air spring system, in particular an air spring bellows. The at least one spring is mounted at a first spring end on one of the two spring mounting brackets and can be mounted at a second spring end opposite the first spring end on the motor vehicle, in particular on the motor vehicle – when the axle carrier device is installed in the motor vehicle as intended.
[0012] In one embodiment, a first spring mounting bracket of the two spring mounting brackets is arranged on the first axle bearing assembly, in particular connected to the first axle bearing assembly, in particular clamped and / or screwed in place, wherein a second spring mounting bracket of the two spring mounting brackets is arranged on the second axle bearing assembly, in particular connected to the second axle bearing assembly, in particular clamped and / or screwed in place. In particular, the axle carrier assembly can be displaced, in particular compressed, relative to the motor vehicle by means of the spring assembly – when the axle carrier assembly is installed in the motor vehicle as intended.
[0013] In another embodiment - i.e., if the two spring mounting brackets are not clamped and / or screwed together - the two spring mounting brackets are formed by the axle carrier body itself, in particular if this is manufactured by means of a forging process or a casting process.
[0014] According to a further development of the invention, the axle carrier body has an axle bearing connection section that connects the first axle bearing device and the second axle bearing device. The first axle bearing device, the second axle bearing device, and the axle bearing connection section partially define the drive component mounting space. Advantageously, this design results in a comparatively low mass.
[0015] In one embodiment, the axle bearing connection section, the first axle bearing device and the second axle bearing device are designed in a bridge-like form, thus forming in particular an axle bridge, wherein the axle bridge in particular “bridges”, in particular “spannes”, the component receiving space.
[0016] In one embodiment, the first axle bearing device limits the drive component receiving space on a first side, in particular the left side, wherein the second axle bearing device limits the drive component receiving space on a second side, in particular the right side, and wherein the axle bearing connection section limits the drive component receiving space on a third side, in particular the upper side. In particular, the component carrier element – when attached to the axle carrier base body, in particular screwed to it – closes, in particular covers, a fourth side of the drive component receiving space opposite the third side, in particular the lower side.
[0017] According to a further development of the invention, the axle bearing connection section has at least one stabilizing connection. In particular, each of these stabilizing connections is configured so that a stabilizing element can be connected to it, and the stabilizing element can be attached to the motor vehicle, in particular by being pivotably mounted. This advantageously stabilizes the position of the axle carrier assembly relative to the motor vehicle, and in particular realizes a predetermined kinematic configuration.
[0018] According to a further development of the invention, an axle bearing device, selected from the first axle bearing device and the second axle bearing device, or in particular both axle bearing devices, is connected to the axle carrier body, in particular by welding. This represents a particularly safe design.
[0019] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that an axle carrier element, selected from the axle carrier base body and the component carrier element, is designed as a forged component or as a cast component.
[0020] However, it is also conceivable that the axle carrier element is manufactured in another way, in particular by primary forming or reshaping.
[0021] According to a further development of the invention, the component carrier element has at least one recess, wherein a recess has at least one recess shape selected from a group consisting of: a quadrilateral shape, in particular a rectangular shape and a square shape, a triangular shape and a circular shape, in particular an elliptical shape.
[0022] In one embodiment, the component support element has a plurality of struts, in particular a truss-like structure. Advantageously, this reduces the mass of the component support element compared to a component support element without at least one recess.
[0023] In particular, the component support element is partially flat, specifically designed as a flat plate. A flat plate is relatively easy to manufacture. Furthermore, this design ensures that any forces occurring are distributed evenly.
[0024] In particular, the component carrier element has an axle suspension recess designed such that an axle suspension section of an axle suspension device can be inserted into the axle suspension recess. In particular, the axle suspension recess is partially cylindrical. In particular, the axle suspension recess extends from the first axle bearing device to the second axle bearing device when the component carrier element is connected to the axle carrier base body, in particular by bolting.
[0025] According to a further development of the invention, the axle carrier device has a drive component, wherein the drive component is connected to the component carrier element, in particular screwed on.
[0026] In one embodiment, the drive component is connected to the component carrier element, in particular screwed in such a way that the drive component is removed from the drive component receiving space when the component carrier element is detached from the axle carrier base body, in particular moved away, in particular lowered, and that the drive component is inserted into the drive component receiving space when the component carrier element is arranged on the axle carrier base body as intended, in particular lifted, in particular connected to it, in particular screwed in.
[0027] According to a further development of the invention, the drive component is designed as an electric drive component. In this embodiment, the advantages already described above are realized to a particularly high degree.
[0028] In one embodiment, the electric drive component comprises an electric drive and optionally a drive gearbox for the electric drive. In particular, the drive gearbox is arranged within the component receiving space. It is possible that the electric drive, especially in the direction of travel of the vehicle – when the axle carrier device is installed in the vehicle as intended – and / or against the direction of travel, projects from the drive gearbox, and in particular protrudes partially from the component receiving space.
[0029] The problem is also solved by creating a motor vehicle, in particular an electric commercial vehicle, especially an electric truck, with an axle carrier device according to the invention or an axle carrier device according to one or more of the embodiments described above. In connection with the motor vehicle, the advantages that have already been explained in connection with the axle carrier device become particularly apparent.
[0030] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:
[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an axle carrier device in a first view,
[0032] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the axle carrier device according to Figure 1 in a second view,
[0033] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an axle carrier device,
[0034] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an axle carrier device and
[0035] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle.
[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an axle carrier device 1 in a first view.
[0037] The axle carrier device 1 has an axle carrier base body 3 and a component carrier element 5, which are shown here in the disassembled state.
[0038] The axle carrier body 3 partially delimits a drive component receiving space 7, wherein the axle carrier body 3 has a component insertion opening 9 (shown as dashed lines) leading to the drive component receiving space 7. The component carrier element 5 is detachably attachable to the axle carrier body 3, in particular by screwing, wherein the component carrier element 5 closes the component insertion opening 9 when the component carrier element 5 is detachably attached to the axle carrier body 3, in particular by screwing (see Figure 2).
[0039] The component carrier element 5 is designed and configured so that a drive component 31 (not shown) of a motor vehicle 11 can be connected to the component carrier element 5, in particular by screwing it in place. The component carrier element 5 releases the component insertion opening 9 when the component carrier element 5 is detached from the axle carrier base body 3, in particular removed, such that the drive component 31 can be selectively inserted into and removed from the drive component receiving space 7 through the component insertion opening 9 – as represented by a double arrow A.The axle carrier body 3 is designed in such a way that a drive element, which in particular emerges from both sides of the drive component 31 and is not shown here, can reach through the axle carrier body 3 to drive the motor vehicle 11, in particular when the drive component 31 is arranged in the drive component receiving space 7.
[0040] The axle carrier body 3 has a first axle bearing device 13.1, in particular a left one, for the drive element and a second axle bearing device 13.2, in particular a right one, for the drive element. The first axle bearing device 13.1 and the second axle bearing device 13.2 are aligned with each other along a bearing axis 15 (shown with dashed lines) and spaced apart from each other, in particular along the bearing axis 15.
[0041] The axle carrier body 3 has an axle bearing connection section 17 that connects the first axle bearing device 13.1 and the second axle bearing device 13.2. The first axle bearing device 13.1, the second axle bearing device 13.2, and the axle bearing connection section 17 partially define the drive component receiving space 7.
[0042] The axle bearing connection section 17 has at least one stabilizing connection 19. In particular, the at least one stabilizing connection 19 is configured such that a stabilizing element (not shown) can be connected to it, wherein the stabilizing element can be attached to the motor vehicle 11, in particular by being pivotably mounted.
[0043] The component support element 5 has a plurality of recesses 21, so that the component support element 5 is structured in a strut-like, in particular truss-like, manner.
[0044] The component support element 5 is planar in some areas, in particular designed as a planar plate 23.
[0045] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the axle carrier device 1 according to Figure 1 in a second view.
[0046] In this context, identical and functionally equivalent elements in all figures are provided with the same reference symbols, so that reference is made to the preceding description in each case.
[0047] In this second view, the component carrier element 5 is connected to the axle carrier base body 3, in particular by bolting. The axle carrier device 1 has two spring connection carriers 25.
[0048] A first spring connection carrier 25.1 of the two spring connection carriers 25 is arranged on the first axle bearing device 13.1, in particular connected to the first axle bearing device 13.1, in particular clamped and / or screwed, wherein a second spring connection carrier 25.2 of the two spring connection carriers 25 is arranged on the second axle bearing device 13.2, in particular connected to the second axle bearing device 13.2, in particular clamped and / or screwed.
[0049] The first axle bearing device 13.1 limits the drive component receiving space 7 on a first side 27.1, in particular the left side, wherein the second axle bearing device 13.2 limits the drive component receiving space 7 on a second side 27.2, in particular the right side, wherein the axle bearing connection section 17 limits the drive component receiving space 7 on a third side 27.3, in particular the upper side.
[0050] In particular, the component carrier element 5 closes, especially covers, - when it is attached to the axle carrier base body 3 as here, especially screwed to it - one of the third page 27.3 opposite, especially the lower, fourth page 27.4 of the drive component receiving space 7.
[0051] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an axle carrier device 1.
[0052] In the second embodiment of the axle carrier device 1, the axle carrier base body 3 and the component carrier element 5 are each formed as a forged component. The two spring connection carriers 25 are formed by the axle carrier base body 3 itself. The first axle bearing device 13.1 and the second axle bearing device 13.2 are welded to the axle carrier base body 3.
[0053] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an axle carrier device 1.
[0054] In the third embodiment of the axle carrier device 1, the axle carrier base body 3 is designed as a cast component. The component carrier element 5, not shown here, can also be designed as a cast component. The two spring connection carriers 25 are formed by the axle carrier base body 3 itself.
[0055] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 11.
[0056] The motor vehicle 11 features the second embodiment of the axle carrier device 1 according to Figure 3. The axle carrier device 1 comprises a spring device 29, a drive component 31, and an axle suspension device 33. The drive component 31 is connected to the component carrier element 5 of the axle carrier device 1, in particular by bolting.
[0057] The spring assembly 29 comprises, in particular, two spring mounting brackets 25, each with two springs 35, in particular two air spring bellows. The two springs 35 are each mounted at a first spring end 37.1 on a spring mounting bracket 25 of the two spring mounting brackets 25 and at a second spring end 37.2 opposite the first spring end 37.1 on the motor vehicle 11, in particular on a chassis 10 of the motor vehicle 11. The component carrier element 5 has an axle suspension recess 39, which is designed such that an axle suspension section 41 of an axle suspension device 33 is inserted into the axle suspension recess 39. In particular, the axle suspension recess 39 is partially cylindrical. In particular, the axle suspension recess 39 extends from the first axle bearing device 13.1 to the second axle bearing device 13.2.
[0058] Reference symbol list
[0059] Axle carrier device
[0060] Axle carrier base body
[0061] Component carrier element
[0062] Drive component mounting space, component insertion opening, chassis
[0063] motor vehicle
[0064] Axle bearing device, first axle bearing device, second axle bearing device, bearing axle
[0065] Axle bearing connection section
[0066] Stabilization link
[0067] Exclusion
[0068] plate
[0069] Spring mounting bracket first spring mounting bracket second spring mounting bracket first side second side third side fourth side
[0070] Spring device
[0071] drive component
[0072] axle suspension device
[0073] spring first spring end second spring end
[0074] Axle suspension recess 41 Axle suspension section
Claims
Patent claims 1. Axle carrier device (1) for a motor vehicle (11), wherein the axle carrier device (1) comprises an axle carrier base body (3) and a component carrier element (5), wherein - the axle carrier base body (3) partially defines a drive component receiving space (7), wherein the axle carrier base body (3) has a component insertion opening (9) to the drive component receiving space (7), wherein - the component carrier element (5) is detachably attached to the axle carrier base body (3), wherein the component carrier element (5) closes the component insertion opening (9) when the component carrier element (5) is detachably attached to the axle carrier base body (3), wherein the component carrier element (5) is designed and configured so that a drive component (31) of the motor vehicle (11) can be connected to the component carrier element (5), wherein - the component carrier element (5) releases the component insertion opening (9) in such a way, when the component carrier element (5) is detached from the axle carrier base body (3), that the drive component (31) can be selectively arranged through the component insertion opening (9) into the drive component receiving space (7) and can be removed from the drive component receiving space (7), wherein - the axle carrier body (3) is designed in such a way that a drive element exiting from the drive component (31) can pass through the axle carrier body (3) to drive the motor vehicle (11).
2. Axle carrier device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein - the axle carrier body (3) has a first axle bearing device (13.1) for the drive element and a second axle bearing device (13.2) for the drive element, wherein - the first axle bearing device (13.1) and the second axle bearing device (13.2) are arranged aligned with each other and spaced apart from each other along a bearing axis (15).
3. Axle carrier device (1) according to claim 2, wherein - the axle carrier body (3) has an axle bearing connection section (17) that connects the first axle bearing device (13.1) and the second axle bearing device (13.2) together, wherein - the first axle bearing device (13.1), the second axle bearing device (13.2) and the axle bearing connecting section (17) partially limit the drive component receiving space (7).
4. Axle carrier device (1) according to claim 3, wherein - the axle bearing connection section (17) has at least one stabilizing connection (19).
5. Axle carrier device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein - an axle bearing device (13), selected from the first axle bearing device (13.1) and the second axle bearing device (13.2), is connected to the axle carrier base body (3).
6. Axle carrier device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - an axle carrier element, selected from the axle carrier base body (3) and the component carrier element (5), is designed as a forged component or as a cast component.
7. Axle carrier device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the component carrier element (5) has at least one recess (21), wherein - a recess (21) has at least one recess shape selected from a group consisting of: a square shape, a triangle shape and a circle shape.
8. Axle carrier device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the axle carrier device (1) has a drive component (31), wherein - the drive component (31) is connected to the component carrier element (5).
9. Axle carrier device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive component (31) is designed as an electric drive component (31).
10. Motor vehicle (11) with an axle carrier device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.