FR2658128A1 - COMBINED REAR STEERING AXLE, FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. - Google Patents

Abstract

In a combined rear steering axle for motor vehicles, the average longitudinal region (8) of a spacer (2) comprises two parallel profiled branches (9) and a frame (10) joining these branches (9). The end regions (4) of the spacer (2) have, between said branches (9), a configuration of U-shaped cross-section with a flat chord (11) whose end face, notched, surrounds longitudinal oscillating arms (3 ) about 120degree to 180degree.

Description

COMBINED REAR STEERING AXLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

  The present invention relates to a combined rear steering axle, for motor vehicles, consisting of

  two longitudinal tubular swing arms and a

  height rod substantially V-shaped, interposed by welding between said oscillating arms.

  A combined rear steering axle of this type is part of

  part of the state of the art, from patent DE-C-27 35 939.

  In this case, the spacer is configured in V on all its

  length The straight profiled branches, describing reci-

  about an angle of about 450, are connected to each other,

  in the vicinity of the top of the spacer, by a transition zone

  concave curvature with respect to the curved region of the som

  as well as the profiled branches, the end faces of the spacer are notched so that they surround, on approximately 1800, the adjacent longitudinal tubular oscillating arms The free ends of the profiled branches are then substantially in the passing vertical planes by the longitudinal axes of said arms, while the region

  concave curvature of the apex is attached to these arms, sensitive-

  ment in the horizontal plane passing through said longitu-

dinals.

  Sheet metal gussets configured as clogs are incorporated

  porous, by welding, in the connection areas of the spacer

  with the longitudinal swing arms Moldings are trans-

  inwardly stamped inward, in the region of the

  puts the spacer, in front of the tips of the branches of the gus-

  sheet metal sets which are welded to said spacer In the area of the point of maximum rigidity, these moldings have for objects

  to exert a kind of wave breaking effect, and to influence

  favorably look the tensions in the connection area.

  As a result of the conditions set out above, as well as

  the measure consisting in that the plane passing through the bisecting

  trice of the spacer, coincides with the horizontal plane which

  goes through the longitudinal axes of the swing arms

  the known type of embodiment suffers from the drawback

  consisting of the fact that the center of thrust of such an axle

  combined rear rector is obviously firmly stationed, and in that a variation of this center of thrust is

  not possible This also results in pre-

  blies imposed on the rest of the design of the structure of the

  vehicle, in particular on the move.

  Another disadvantage results from the fact that the branches

  spacer profiles, relatively free of rigidi-

  tee, are offset from each other in a more or less strong way when the longitudinal swing arms undergo a twist, around their longitudinal axis, under the effect of

  forces induced following the imposition of a charge by the

  wheel housing midpoint This results in large bending and bending stresses, thus generated in the vicinity of the fastening of the spacer with the longitudinal oscillating arms, which consequently implies a

  decrease in the longevity of said connections between the

tretoise and arms.

  The object of the invention is to produce the combined rear steering axle, described in the introduction, in such a way that the longevity of the connections between the spacer and the longitudinal oscillating arms is significantly improved without harming

  properties of behavior on the move.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the average longitudinal region of the spacer is formed by two profiled branches extending parallel

  to each other, as well as a frame configured in roof

  re and connecting these profiled branches, the extreme regions of

  the spacer being configured respectively, between the branches

  parallel profiles, in a U-shaped cross section

  having a flat member whose end face is interchangeable

  created in accordance with the contour of the swing arm longitu-

  adjacent dinal, and surrounds said swing arms on a sec-

  between about 1200 and 180.

  Because the member of the spacer, configured in the roof, is deformed into plane members in the extreme regions adjacent to the longitudinal oscillating arms, the torques induced in said arms from the wheel housings can no longer be translate into a noticeable mutual offset of the profiled branches, not very resistant to

  bending, of said extreme regions configured in U The branches

  On the other hand, they are relieved of the effect exerted by the torques and, therefore, the constraints of

  bulging and bending generated in the vicinity of the solidarisa-

  tions of the spacer with the arms are considerably re-

  picks, which significantly increases the longevity of the combined rear steering axle, also when it undergoes

  lasting constraints The rectilinear members of the

  extreme U-shaped regions of the spacer absorb almost unique-

  the torques induced in the swinging arms,

  then pass on the latter, through the said

  extreme U-shaped gions on the frame configured on the roof and rigid in bending in the middle longitudinal region

of the spacer.

  The advantageous properties of the axle according to the

  vention, set out above, are obtained independently of the

  makes the longitudinal tubular swing arms present

  try a circular ring-shaped section, a section

  flattened oval or rectangular section with rounded edges.

  Additional relief of the profiled branches of the spacer results from the fact that, in the end regions of this spacer, configured in a U, the profiled branches preferably have a concave shortening in an arc

  of circle, along a length of the corresponding spacer felt

  as much as the diameter of a longitudinal swing arm; and

  that their length is advantageously dimensioned, near

  swims from their end faces, to correspond to the fifth of their initial length in the middle longitudinal region

  of the spacer This means that only relatively small sections

  the modest length of the profiled branches of the re-

  extreme U-shaped regions continue to be welded to the oscil-

  longitudinal lants, substantially in the vertical planes passing

  health by the longitudinal axes of these arms.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the longitudinal plane, passing through the bisector of the spacer, is provided with inclination relative to the

  plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the oscillating arms

  gitudinal, the plane member of the extreme U-shaped regions of

  the spacer can be arranged at an angle of 900 relative to

  shaped branches, or in relation to the longitudinal axis

  nal of said arms In this case, because the plane longitudi-

  nal passing through the bisector of the spacer is deflected, by a certain angle, with respect to the horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the arms, the center of thrust is shifted up or down depending on the position of incorporation

  spacer In this embodiment, the possibility

  Lity is also offered to arrange the flat members of the end regions in U, or at right angles to their

  profiled branches, either at right angles to the plane ho-

  horizontally passing through the longitudinal axes of the arms In the latter case, the flat members are angularly deviated, relative to their profiled branches, from the angle whose plane passing through the bisector of the spacer is also angularly deviated by relation to the plane passing through the axes

longitudinal of the arms.

  Finally, in another advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the axle is provided with sheet metal gussets in the form of a shoe between the longitudinal oscillating arms and the spacer, the extent of the U-shaped end regions, measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer is preferably dimensioned greater than the length of the branches of said sheet gussets which are fixed to said end regions in U. Therefore, the end regions in U are dimensioned more

  as long as the adjacent branches of the Der-

  the tips of these gussets, the extreme U-shaped regions then merge smoothly into the V-shaped configuration of the middle longitudinal region. Thus, the joining of the sheet metal gussets is guaranteed exclusively in the vicinity of the extreme U-shaped regions. much more

  torsionally rigid, comprising a sheet metal gusset and a

  extreme U-shaped part of the spacer, relieves the bonding

  gussets that are threatened in the presence of rotational couples

  Induced tion It is then possible that the branches of the gus-

  sheet metal sets which are parallel to the spacer are, tota-

  partially or partially welded edge to edge on the flat members

  nes The spacer is sufficiently relieved of the dy-

namics of torsion and bending.

  The invention will now be described in more detail by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the connection of the spacer of a combined rear steering axle , with a longitudinal swing arm; Figure 2 is a cross section along line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross section along line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross section along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, not illustrating the sheet metal gusset

  FIG. 5 is an illustration corresponding to the figure

  gure 4, in the presence of a tubular swing arm longitudi-

  nal of rectangular shape; FIG. 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1, not illustrating the sheet metal gusset and

  showing the situation in which the spacer undergoes a

  handles twist; and Figure 7 is a cross section corresponding to

  another embodiment, according to line VI-VI of the figure

  gure 1, not illustrating the sheet metal gusset and showing the

  tuation in which the spacer undergoes a twist.

  In FIG. 1, the reference 1 designates one half of a

  combined rear steering axle fitted to a passenger car.

  The combined rear steering axle 1 includes a

  height rod 2 which is inserted, by welding, between two os-

  longitudinal tubular lugs 3 (see also FIG. 4) Not only does the spacer 2 join the two arms 3, but it also fulfills, among other things, the function of a torsion spring when, for example, the two arms 3 are offset from each other All forces (especially

  torsional and bending forces) must then be passed on

  tees, in the spacer 2, via the solidarisa-

  between this spacer 2 and the arms 3.

  In order to reinforce the connections between the spacer 2 and the longitudinal oscillating arms 3, a sheet metal gusset 5 in the form of a shoe is inserted, by welding, between each

  arm 3 and an adjacent end region 4 of the spacer 2.

  The longitudinal swing arms 3 are connected by a

  end to housings 6 of wheels and, by the other extremi-

  tee, to rubber pads 7 for articulation

on the body.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the spacer 2 is

  provided, in an average longitudinal region 8, with two branches

  profiled ches 9 extending parallel to each other

  profiled branches 9 are connected to each other by the inter-

  medial of a frame 10 of the V-shaped roof type The

  tretoise 2 is configured as a U in the extreme regions 4

  (Figures 1 and 2), so that a flat member 11 is now

  but provided between the two parallel profiled branches 9 La

  length of each extreme region 4 configured in U is dimension

  sectioned in such a way that a branch 12 of the sheet metal gusset 5, extending parallel to the spacer 2, can be at least partially welded edge to edge on the flat member 11 of the end region 4 in U. An end face 13 of the flat member 11 is notched in the vicinity of the longitudinal oscillating arm 3, in accordance with the contour of the latter (see also FIG. 4),

  said plane member 11 then surrounding said arm 3 on

around 1800.

  As also shown in FIG. 1, the profiled branches 9 are shortened in the end regions 4 in a U of the spacer 2 The length of the shortening corresponds

  substantially the diameter of a longitudinal swing arm 3.

  Said shortening has a concave curvilinear shape designated by 14 Thus, in the vicinity of end faces 16 of the profiled branches 9, extending substantially in the plane

  vertical passing through a longitudinal axis 15 of arm 3, the length

  the length of said profiled branches is dimensioned substantially equal to one fifth of their initial length in the region

  longitudinal longitudinal 8 of the spacer 2.

  The embodiment described above is distinguished by the fact that induced rotation torques in the arms

  longitudinal oscillating 3 (the center of rotation is material-

  read by a point 17 in the rubber pad 7), following the imposition of a load through the housings

  6 of wheels, are absorbed by the spacer 2 thanks to the soli-

  special design of this spacer 2 with said

  arm 3, without the profiled branches 9 then being mutual-

slightly offset.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment provided with a

  longitudinal swing arm 3 'of rectangular configuration.

  Here again, it can be seen that the planar member 11, in the re-

  extreme part 4 in U of the spacer 2, surrounds the arm 3 'on

around 1800.

  Figure 6 shows that a bisector 18 of the spacer 2 extends with inclination, at an angle a, relative to the plane

  passing through the longitudinal axis 15 of the longitudi-

  nal 3 In this case, the flat member 11 of the extreme region

  U-shaped is arranged at an angle 6 of 900 relative to the branches

profiled panels 9.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 7, in which the spacer 2 has also undergone a twist of the angle a, the planar member 11 of the end region 4 in U is however

  arranged at a right angle V 'to the longitudinal axis

  nal 15 of the longitudinal swing arm 3.

  In both the embodiment of FIG. 6 and that of FIG. 7, the center of thrust is shifted downwards out of the horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axis 15

  longitudinal swing arms 3.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be

  made to the axle described and shown, without leaving the

dre of 1 invention.

Claims (4)

-R E V E N D I C A T I O N S-   1 Combined rear steering axle, for motor vehicles   mobile, consisting of two long tubular swing arms   gitudinal (3; 3 ') and a cross-section (2)   substantially V-shaped, welded between the   so-called swing arms (3; 3 '), axle characterized in that the middle longitudinal region (8) of the spacer (2)   is formed by two profiled branches (9) extending parallel   together, as well as a frame (10) con fi   curved in the roof and connecting these profiled branches (9), the end regions (4) of the spacer (2) being respectively configured, between the parallel profiled branches (9), in a U-shaped cross section having a flat member (11 ) whose end face (13) is notched in accordance with the contour of the adjacent longitudinal swing arm (3   3 '), and surrounds said swing arms (3; 3') on a sec-   tor between approximately 120 and 180.   2 steering axle according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the end regions (4) of the spacer (2), configured as a U, the profiled branches (9) have a concave shortening in an arc of a circle, over a length of the spacer (2) corresponding substantially to the diameter of a longitudinal oscillating arm (3; 3 '), and their length is dimensioned, in the vicinity of their end faces (16), to correspond substantially to the fifth of their length   initial in the middle longitudinal region (8) of the height rod (2).   3 steering axle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal plane, passing through the bisector (18) of the spacer (2), is provided with inclination of an angle (a) relative to the plane passing through the longitudinal axis (15) of the longitudinal swing arms (3; 3 '), axle characterized in that the planar member (11) of the end U-shaped regions (4) of the spacer (2) is arranged at an angle (S ;   6 ') of 90 relative to the profiled branches (9), or relative   port to the longitudinal axis (15) of the longitudi- nals (3; 3 ').   4 Steering axle according to any one of the claims   tions i to 3, fitted with sheet metal gussets (5) in the form of a hoof between the longitudinal oscillating arms (3; 3 ') and the spacer (2), axle characterized in that the extent of the end regions U-shaped (4), measured in the longitudinal direction   of the spacer (2), is dimensioned larger than the long   of branches (12) of said sheet metal gussets (5) which are   attached to said extreme U-shaped regions (4).