SE528801C2 - Connecting device for a vehicle frame and a wheel axle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining device for joining a vehicle's frame (1) to a wheel suspension (2) for a vehicle. The joining device comprises a V-shaped stay (3) where the V-stay is mounted on the wheel suspension (2) via a bearing (5). The bearing (5) comprises an internal bearing element with an external partly spherical abutment surface and an external bearing element with an internal partly spherical abutment surface, which bearing in a normal position of the vehicle has a centre axis (14, 200) oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to a base on which the vehicle is located. According to the invention the internal bearing element comprises a stopper element (30, 302, 405) which cooperates with a locking portion (33, 401, 401') of the external bearing element and prevents the external bearing element from unintentionally being released from the internal bearing element. The stopper element (30, 302, 405) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centre axis, forms an elongated cross section with a longitudinal direction of the cross section oriented in a direction substantially across the vehicle.

Description

25 A further object is to provide a connection device which is simple both in installation and maintenance and which can be easily monitored for maintenance purposes. It is also an object to provide a device in which the connection can be supplied in a simple manner to be made with the correct tolerances.

These objects have been achieved by the present invention as set forth in the following independent claims, further embodiments of the invention being apparent from the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a vehicle frame and a wheel axle comprising a V-shaped strut (hereinafter referred to as V-strut) arranged between the vehicle frame and the wheel suspension. This is, for example, a normal connecting device for frames and wheel axles for larger vehicles, e.g. trucks. The V-strut is articulated to the frame and connected to the wheel suspension via a bearing. This bearing comprises an inner bearing element with an outer, partly spherically shaped contact surface and an outer bearing element with an inner, partly spherically shaped contact surface, corresponding to a ball bearing. This provides the necessary flexibility in the connection to accommodate yaw movements in the transverse direction and suspension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as well as good power transmission between the V-strut and the wheel axle. In the normal position of the vehicle, the bearing in the connecting device according to the invention has a central axis directed substantially perpendicularly relative to a base on which the vehicle is placed; a so-called vertically oriented ball bearing. The expression "substantially perpendicularly relative" is to be understood as meaning that the central axis of the bearing may also have a small angle in relation to the perpendicular to the base, as described, for example, in the applicant's own patent application SE0400455-2.

The inner bearing element of the bearing is mounted on one end of the center shaft; so-called single-sided mounted bearing.

According to the present invention, the inner bearing element comprises a stop element. This stop element cooperates with a locking portion on the outer bearing element and prevents the outer bearing element from being inadvertently released from the inner bearing element.

The stop element forms in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis an elongated cross-section with a longitudinal direction of the cross-section oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the vehicle. This provides the greatest flexibility in the bearing. Such a design of the stop element has little or no influence on the flexibility of the bearing about an axis transverse to the vehicle, which provides large spring travel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and only a small influence on the flexibility of the bearing about a longitudinal vehicle axis, so that the roll flexibility is minimally limited by the stop element. The stop element will thus, even in the event of play in the bearing, prevent the outer bearing element from being unintentionally released from the inner bearing element, since the stop element is larger than the locking portion and their interaction prevents loosening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged at an end of the inner bearing element opposite a mounting end of the inner bearing element. This stop element has an extension that is greater than a diameter of the inner, partially spherically shaped surface of the outer bearing element, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, i.e. in a plane substantially parallel to a base of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a portion of the outer bearing element through the inner, partially spherically shaped surface forms the locking portion of the outer bearing element. The locking portion can therefore be formed by a portion of the bearing housing, wherein a wear bearing element comprising the partially spherical surface is mounted close to the spherical surface or by an end surface of such a wear bearing element.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the stop element is arranged between the outer, partially spherically shaped contact surface and a mounting end of the inner bearing element. The locking portion of the outer bearing element is formed according to this embodiment by a portion of a bearing housing surrounding the inner spherical surface, the locking portion of the bearing housing having an internal diameter that is smaller than the length of the stop element.

The length of the stop element preferably refers to the length in its longitudinal direction in both of these embodiments of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a bearing housing for the outer bearing element has a recess, complementary to the stop element, so that the necessary flexibility in the bearing is achieved. This can be achieved in a number of ways, for example by a cover, attached to the outer bearing element, having a shape that includes a recess or has a shape that, when attached to the outer bearing element 10 15 20 25 30 528 301 forms a space around the stop element; an alternative to a cover is a completely surrounding outer bearing housing with a recess or bore that provides space for the stop element; or that the outer bearing element includes an open bearing housing that does not extend beyond the bearing surface of the outer bearing element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner bearing element is mounted on the wheel suspension, while the outer bearing element is mounted on the V-strut and comprises an enclosing bearing housing designed with or without a cover. The bearing housing can be flexibly connected to the inner bearing element at the end facing the attachment of the inner bearing element, for example by a bellows element. This achieves a virtually shielded bearing, thereby avoiding dirt and dust from entering the bearing and damaging the bearing surfaces. According to a second embodiment, it is also possible here that the inner bearing element is mounted on the V-strut, while the outer bearing element is mounted on the wheel suspension.

The stop element forms a substantially rectangular pin-like stop element. In one embodiment, the stop element also includes rounded surfaces at both ends on the sides not facing the locking portion of the outer bearing element for the greatest possible flexibility in the bearing.

In one embodiment, the recess in the bearing housing of the outer bearing element is formed by a circumferential recess around the central axis. The recess may also be more rectangular in shape. The locking portion of the outer bearing element forms a side portion of this recess for cooperation with the stop element.

The locking portion can in one embodiment be formed by two diametrically opposed portions around the central axis, i.e. not surrounding the entire circumference of the outer bearing element, the bearing housing. It is also possible to imagine more than two locking portions around the circumference. Such a solution is conceivable both when the locking portion is formed by a portion of the bearing housing or the bearing surface.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner bearing element comprises an inner center pin and a ball element comprising the outer, partially spherical 10 15 20 25 30 528 åššlll bearing surface. The stop element is preferably mounted on one end of the center pin, while the ball element is mounted surrounding the center pin and arranged between the stop element and a device for mounting the center pin.

Alternatively, the stop element may be arranged between the ball element and a means for mounting the center pin. When it has been brought into contact with the spherical surface of the inner element, the outer bearing element will never be able to jump off unintentionally, since a movement of the bearing surfaces relative to each other in a direction along the center axis is partly limited by the device for mounting the inner bearing element, and partly limited by the stop element and the locking portion of the outer bearing element.

There are several alternative ways to connect such a preferred embodiment of the bearing according to the invention. One possible solution is to arrange the V-stay in at least two parts along a plane. The dividing plane of the V-stay includes the center axis of the bearing and otherwise extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The two parts of the V-stay form mirror-image parts around the plane.

Alternatively, the outer bearing element may comprise a removable cover adapted to be attached to the outer bearing element over the stop element, whereby a closed bearing can be provided. A further alternative is where the locking portion of the outer bearing element is not circumferential but consists of at least two portions, whereby the stop element can be inserted between the two portions, whereupon the two elements are rotated relative to each other so that the outer and inner bearing elements are locked to each other. A final alternative is an open bearing.

In the case where the V-stay is divided into two or more parts, the parts of the V-stay can, according to one aspect of the invention, be joined by means of an interference fit around the central axis of the bearing. Preferably, force-transmitting elements, such as ball elements or pin elements, are arranged in the connecting device. These have the accuracy and tolerance that is permitted in the connection, whereby a correct connection of the parts forming the V-stay is achieved. The parts to be joined include, according to this aspect, seat recesses in their surface, where the force-transmitting element can be arranged. The recesses normally have a different shape than the force-transmitting units. When the parts are joined, the seat recesses will be deformed, so that they act as tolerance-absorbing, i.e. so that the press fit on the bearing becomes controlling and the seat recesses are deformed more or less as a result of the current diameter of the bearing and bearing bore. Such a connection of parts with 10 15 20 25 30 528 801 force transmission elements in the connection surface can be used in other applications than just connecting V-stays in two or more parts. Alternatively, the load-transmitting units can also be secured in these recesses by means of an adhesive. This method of joining parts, where a force transmission means is used between the parts, can also be used for other types of connections than split V-stays.

A second aspect of the invention is that sensor elements are arranged in the connection of the parts comprising the V-stay. These sensor elements can be arranged in the connection device without the use of external devices other than the actual connection device, thereby achieving a seamless and simple mounting of the sensors. These sensors can read several parameters, e.g. play in the bearing, the connection force, etc.

The invention will now be explained by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows a general device for connecting a vehicle frame and a wheel axle, Fig. 2 shows a section through a vertical ball bearing according to the prior art, Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a detail of a connecting device according to the invention in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Fig. 4 is a cross-section in the transverse direction of the detail in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show cross-sections of a detail of the connecting device in Fig. 5 in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle, Fig. 8, with the cover removed, shows a top view of the bearing in the connecting device shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a bearing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle according to a third embodiment of a connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of the bearing in Fig. 9 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, Fig. 11 shows a view of a part of a V-stay included in the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 shows a section in the transverse direction of the vehicle of a fourth embodiment of a detail of the connecting device according to the invention, Fig. 13 shows a section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the fourth embodiment of the bearing in Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is a perspective view of parts of a bearing housing according to the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 A and B illustrate the principle of connecting two parts by force transmission according to an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a connecting device similar to that of the present invention for connecting a vehicle frame 1 and a wheel axle 2. The connecting device comprises a V-stay 3 with attachment points 4 for attachment to the frame 1 - normally two-point mounted ball bearings - and a bearing mounting point for mounting to the wheel axle 2, which has wheels connected to both ends 6 (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a bearing 5 for mounting between a V-stay with a first leg 7 and a second leg 8 to a wheel axle (not shown) according to prior art. The bearing 5 is a so-called vertical ball bearing with a center axis 14 arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to the vehicle's base, the ball element being fixed to the wheel axle at one end. The outer bearing element 10 is mounted on the V-stay and comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 forms a closed unit around the bearing and has only one open side facing the wheel axle (downwards in the figure). Inside the housing 11 a spherical bearing surface 12 is arranged. This bearing surface 12 abuts against a spherical element 16 on the inner bearing element 15. The bearing surface 12 and the spherical element 16 constitute the wear surfaces of the bearing. The inner bearing element 15 further comprises a flange 17 for attachment to the shaft, which flange has a projecting pin 18 having a central axis corresponding to the bearing. The pin 18 has an inner cavity in which an inner pin 19 is arranged with a substantially T-shaped cross-section. The T-flange of the inner pin 19 abuts against the top of the pin 18 and in the transition between the T-shaped inner pin 19, the pin 18 and the spherical element 16 a clamping ring 20 is arranged, which locks the spherical element 16 relative to the pin 18. The inner pin 18 is locked in the cavity in the pin 18 by a fastening device 21, e.g. in the form of a screw arranged on the bottom of the T-shape. The fastening device 21 is accessible on the underside of the flange 17. Between the housing 11 and the flange surface 17, a flexible bellows 13 is arranged, so that the bearing is enclosed in a closed unit, so that dirt and dust do not enter the bearing.

In the following explanation of the present invention, elements that have equivalents in the above description of the prior art will be given corresponding reference numerals or not mentioned. The focus will be on explaining the differences between the present invention in its alternative embodiments in relation to the above-described prior art solution.

In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The outer bearing element comprises a housing 100, which has an upper opening 101, where a cover 103 is arranged over the upper opening 101. The cover 103 is attached to the housing 100 by means of, for example, screw devices. In this embodiment, the element comprising the inner bearing surface 12 can be inserted into the housing 100 through the upper opening 101 in the housing 100, wherein further a clamping device 102 is arranged to secure the bearing surface in the housing 100.

According to the invention, the third bearing element comprises a stop element 30.

The stop element 30 is formed as part of the inner pin 19 as an extension or enlargement of the inner pin. By providing a cover 103 over the housing 100 10 15 20 25 30, the inner pin 19 with the stop element 30 can also be inserted through the upper opening 101 of the housing 100 and secured to the pin 18 and the flange surface 17 by means of a securing device 21 below the flange surface 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 103 is designed so that the stop element 30 can follow the movements of the ball bearing without unnecessary restrictions being placed on the freedom of movement of the bearing as such, as indicated by the dashed lines 30A and 3GB, which mark two possible positions of the inner bearing element relative to the outer bearing element relative to movement about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; i.e., movement about a yaw axis of the vehicle. As shown in this embodiment, the stop element 30 has a design that is elongated with a longitudinal direction of the stop element arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 4. In directions other than the longitudinal direction of the stop element, the stop element 30 is limited and rounded so that it does not build more than necessary around the bearing. In this embodiment, the locking portion 30 on the outer bearing element is formed by the portion of the outer bearing element that forms the inner, partially spherically shaped surface 12.

In Fig. 5 a connecting device according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown.

As can be seen, the connecting device comprises a first leg 7 and a second leg 8 of the V-stay, which at one end comprises frame attachment points 4 and at the other common end a bearing 5 for mounting against the wheel axle. The outer bearing element of the bearing 5 comprises, as in the first embodiment, a housing 100 with a cover 103. Of the inner bearing element, the surface 17 and the bellows which flexibly connect the outer bearing element with the inner bearing element can be seen.

In Fig. 6 and 7 cross-sections of the bearing 5 according to the second embodiment are shown in a transverse direction to the vehicle in Fig. 6 and in a longitudinal direction in Fig. 7. This bearing is very similar to the bearing shown in the first embodiment with housing 100 and cover 103. The difference in this embodiment lies in the fact that the bearing, in a plane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (as shown in Fig. 7), has been given an angle α to a normal n to the vehicle's base. The expression substantially normal to the base shall in this application be understood to include such a construction. 10 15 20 25 30 528 801 10 l Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a bearing corresponding to that in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the cover having been removed from the housing. It can be seen here that the stop element 30 has the shape of an elongated element with its longitudinal direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The stop element 30 is further provided with two portions 31, 32 which are deflected relative to two planes, parallel to a base and a transverse plane of the vehicle, so that the stop element 30 tapers towards the two ends of the stop element 30 and thus does not take up more space than necessary and thus does not restrict the freedom of movement of the bearing more than necessary. The surface of the stop element 30 which faces the locking portion 33 of the outer bearing element (Fig. 6) is not deflected.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 show two cross-sections of a bearing according to a third embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, the V-stay is composed of two elements 300, which form mirror images of each other, as shown in Fig. 11. At their ends, the parts of the V-stay have a half bearing housing 305, 306. These bearing housing halves 305, 306 are designed so that when they are in the assembled position they form an enclosure around the bearing with an opening facing downwards towards the flange surface 17. This means that the housing forms a complete enclosure without the use of a cover as in the other, previous embodiments. Since the housing is divided into two halves in a plane comprising the central axis, the inner pin 19 in the illustrated embodiment can be formed with a stop element 302, which consists of a substantially cylindrical pin with a substantially circular cross-section, which stop element 302 is welded to the top of the inner pin 19. The two bearing housing halves 305, 306 are provided with an end recess 308 at each end of the stop element 302, so that the ends of the stop element 302, which itself includes bent portions 309, are prevented from restricting the freedom of movement of the bearing. The bearing housing halves 305, 306 are provided with openings 307 for connecting the bearing housing halves in the connecting surface of the two halves, or in other connecting surfaces, there may be devices for placing force transfer elements in the form of ball elements or pins (not shown in the figure), which will be explained with reference to Fig. 15A and 15B. The force transfer units 51, for example balls, are arranged in seat recesses 50, 50" in the connecting surfaces of the two parts to be joined. The seat recesses 50, 50" 10 15 20 25 30 528 801 ll are identical and opposite seat recesses and are slightly deformed by the force transfer unit 51 when the parts are joined, as shown in Fig. 15B. These power transmission units can be designed with the tolerance allowed when assembling the halves. The power transmission units and the seat projections therefore function as guiding and tolerance absorbing members. The power transmission units can also be attached to one or both halves of the seat recess. Furthermore, sensors can be arranged in these or other recesses when the parts, the bearing housing halves, or alternatively the V-stay halves are brought together. In such a solution, no other fastening devices are needed for SE1150161118. 1 Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show sections of a fourth variant of a bearing used in a tie-rod connection device according to the invention; a section in the transverse direction of the vehicle in Fig. 12 and in its longitudinal direction in Fig. 13. This bearing differs from the other embodiments with respect to a plurality of elements. Firstly, the stop element 405 in this embodiment is arranged between a device for fastening the inner bearing element to the flange surface 17 and the ball element 16 of the inner bearing element. The bearing housing 400 of the outer bearing element includes a locking portion 401, 401" extending downwards and in between the stop element 405 and the flange surface 17, as a hook-shaped element. The bearing housing 400 consists of a housing without a cover, corresponding to the third embodiment. The stop element in 405 may, for example, be formed as a part of the pin 18 projecting upwardly from the flange surface 17, or alternatively the stop element 405 may consist of a pin inserted into a bore in the pin 18. The pin 18 has in this embodiment a bore along the central axis - with internal threads 404 in a portion of the bore which faces away from the flange surface 17.

These internal threads 404 cooperate with external threads on a screw element 403 instead of the internal pin in the other embodiments. The head of the screw element 404 abuts against a bearing element 402, which cooperates with a clamping ring 20, the pin 18 and the ball element 16 to hold the ball element 16 in the correct position.

As best seen in Fig. 14, which shows individual elements of the outer bearing element of the bearing shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the bearing housing 400 includes a locking portion 401, 401°, which is divided into two parts, one part 401 being shown in Fig. 14 and both parts 401 and 401" being shown in Fig. 12. With such a design of the locking portion 401, 401" the inner bearing element with the stop element can be inserted into the outer bearing element with the stop element in the space between the locking portions 401, 401 ", after which these are rotated relative to each other and the stop element and the locking portion cooperate to prevent the bearing elements from being released from each other by a movement along the central axis.

The present invention has now been explained by means of non-limiting examples. Several variants and modifications of these embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Variants of the different embodiments can be used for all embodiments. For example, a split V-stay can be used for fixing the ball element with a screw connection in the bore or a coupling arrangement under the flange surface. Alternatively, it can have an angled center axis. The split V-stay can also have a common cover, the stop element can have shapes other than rectangular, such as pin-shaped, almost triangular in cross-section, etc.

Claims (12)

10 15 20 25 30 5 2 8 8 t] 1 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Connecting device for connecting a vehicle frame (1) to a wheel suspension (2) for a vehicle, the connecting device comprising a V-shaped bracket (3) mounted on the wheel suspension (2) via a bearing (5), which bearing (5) comprises an inner bearing element with an outer, partially spherical abutment surface and an outer bearing element with an inner, partially spherical abutment surface, which bearing in a normal position for the vehicle has a center axis (14, 200) oriented substantially perpendicular to a substrate on which the vehicle is located, characterized in that the inner bearing element comprises a stop element (30, 302, 405), which cooperates with a locking portion (33, 401, 401 ") on the outer bearing element and prevents the outer bearing element from inadvertently released from the inner bearing member, the stop member (30, 302, 405), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, forming an elongate cross-section with a longitudinal direction of the cross section oriented in one direction mainly in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element is arranged at one end of the inner bearing element opposite a fastening end for the inner bearing element, which stop element (30, 302) has a greater extent than a diameter of the inner, partially spherical the surface in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center axis, a portion of the outer bearing member forming the locking portion through the inner, partially spherical surface. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element (405) is arranged between the outer, partially spherical abutment surface and a fastening end of the inner bearing element and the locking portion (401, 401 ') of the outer bearing element is formed by a portion of a bearing housing, which portion has an inner diameter which is smaller than the length of the stop element. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bearing housing for the outer bearing element comprises a recess complementary to the stop element (30, 302, 405), whereby the necessary flexibility is achieved in the bearing. 10 15 20 25 30 14 Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner bearing element is mounted on a wheel suspension according to fl And the outer bearing element is mounted on the V-strut, forming a circumferential bearing housing, and alternatively an fl removable bellows 13 is arranged between the bearing housing and a yta end surface. on the inner bearing element. Connecting device according to one of Claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the recess in the bearing housing consists of a recess which surrounds around the center axis. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 2 or 4-6, characterized in that the inner bearing element comprises an inner center pin and a ball element comprising the outer, partially spherical abutment surface, the stop element being mounted at one end of the center pin and the ball element being mounted around the center pin and located between the stop member and an attachment device for the center pin. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the V-strut is divided into at least two parts along a plane. Connecting device according to a claim 8, characterized in that the two parts form mirror-inverted parts around the plane. Connecting device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the parts of the V-strut are connected with a claw fitting around the center axis, power transmission elements 51, for example ball elements or pin elements, being arranged in the connection. Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one power transmission element (51) is arranged in a seat recess (50, 51 °) in the connecting surfaces of the parts, which seat recess (50, 50 °) is deformed when connecting the parts. Connecting device according to one of Claims 8 to 1, characterized in that sensor elements are arranged in the connection of the parts comprising the V-strut.