Reinforcing unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10046614-B2
Application number	US-201615132814-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2016
Priority date	Apr 20, 2015
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

Relates to a reinforcing unit and a running gear system with a reinforcing unit, comprising a first shell element and a second shell element, wherein the first shell element and the second shell element each comprise an engagement region on the tube side and an engagement region on the link side, wherein the first shell element and the second shell element each comprise a flange portion, wherein between the flange portion of the first shell element and the flange portion of the second shell element a tensile force can be established, which presses the first and the second shell element against an axle tube in such a manner that the reinforcing unit can be non-positively fixed on the axle tube, wherein the engagement region on the link side can be brought into engagement with a link unit.

First claim

The listing of claims is as follows:

1. A reinforcing unit, comprising:
a first shell element; and
a second shell element;
wherein the first shell element and the second shell element each comprise an engagement region on a tube side and an engagement region on a link side;
wherein the first shell element and the second shell element each comprise a flange portion;
wherein between the flange portion of the first shell element and the flange portion of the second shell element a tensile force is applied that presses the first and the second shell elements against an axle tube such that the reinforcing unit is non-positively fixed on the axle tube; and
wherein the engagement region on the link side is brought into engagement with a link unit.

2. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first shell element and the second shell element in the respective engagement region on the tube side are configured to be preloaded against the axle tube, and wherein the reinforcing unit is configured to be secured against displacement relative to the axle tube along an axial direction.

3. The reinforcing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the link unit comprises a collar, wherein the engagement region on the link side is configured to be brought into non-positive engagement with the collar, and wherein the engagement region on the link side is configured to press the collar against the axle tube.

4. The reinforcing unit according to claim 3 , wherein a connection between the flange portions is detachable, and wherein a plurality of bolts are configured to exert a tensile force between two flange portions located opposite one another.

5. The reinforcing unit according to claim 4 , wherein the shell elements in the region of the flange portions have a greater stiffness than in the remaining regions and are configured to engage at least one of the axle tube and the link unit.

6. The reinforcing unit according to claim 5 , wherein the engagement region on the tube side has a greater extent along the axial direction than the engagement region on the link side.

7. The reinforcing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is a multiple of at least three times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

8. The reinforcing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is 2 to 3.5 times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

9. The reinforcing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is 4 to 6 times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

10. The reinforcing unit according to claim 6 , wherein the engagement region on the link side transversely to the axial direction has a mean radial extent which is greater than the mean radial extent of the engagement region on the tube side transversely to the axial direction.

11. The reinforcing unit according to claim 3 , wherein the collar has a mean radial extent transversely to the axial direction that is greater than the mean radial extent of the engagement region on the link side in a stress-free state of the reinforcing unit.

12. The reinforcing unit according to claim 11 , wherein the engagement region on at least one of the tube side and the engagement region on the link side comprises a semi-cylindrical-shape.

13. The reinforcing unit according to claim 12 , wherein the engagement region on the link side has a local irregularity, and wherein in the region of the local irregularity a pressure force exerted by the engagement region on the link side on the link unit differs from the mean value of a pressure force over the contact area between the engagement region on the link side and the link unit.

14. The reinforcing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement region on the tube side has a greater extent along the axial direction than the engagement region on the link side.

15. The reinforcing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is a multiple of at least three times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

16. The reinforcing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is 2 to 3.5 times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

17. The reinforcing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the extent of the engagement region on the tube side along the axial direction is 4 to 6 times the extent of the engagement region on the link side.

18. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement region on the link side is configured to be brought into non-positive engagement with a collar of the link unit, and wherein the engagement region on the link side is configured to press the collar against the axle tube.

19. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the connection of the flange portions is detachable, and wherein a plurality of bolts are configured to exert a tensile force between two flange portions located opposite one another.

20. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the shell elements in the region of the flange portions have a greater stiffness than in the remaining regions and are configured to engage at least one of the axle tube and the link unit.

21. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement region on the link side transversely to the axial direction has a mean radial extent which is greater than the mean radial extent of the engagement region on the tube side transversely to the axial direction.

22. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement region on at least one of the tube side and the engagement region on the link side comprises a semi-cylindrical shape.

23. The reinforcing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement region on the link side has a local irregularity, and wherein in the region of the local irregularity a pressure force exerted by the engagement region on the link side on the link unit differs from the mean value of a pressure force over the contact area between the engagement region on the link side and the link unit.

24. A running gear system, comprising:
the axle tube; and
the link unit;
wherein the axle tube is fixed on the link unit;
wherein on two sides of the link unit a reinforcing unit according to claim 1 is configured to be fixed to the connecting region between the axle tube and the link unit.

25. The running gear system according to claim 24 , wherein the engagement region on the link side can be brought into non-positive engagement with a collar of the link unit, wherein the collar is provided on an intermediate element, and wherein the intermediate element is arranged between the axle tube and a trailing arm of the link unit.

26. The running gear system according to claim 25 , wherein at least one reinforcing unit is arranged on a combination of axle tube and link unit such that the flange portions are arranged adjacent to a connecting portion of the intermediate element with the axle tube.

Assignees

• Saf Holland Gmbh

Inventors

• Borde Florian
• Spielmann Rolf
• Seitz Roman

Classifications

• B60G2204/148

  on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle · CPC title

• B60G2204/4306

  Bracket or knuckle for rigid axles, e.g. for clamping · CPC title

• B60G2206/012

  Hollow or tubular elements · CPC title

• B60G7/001

  Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60B35/08

  of closed hollow section · CPC title