WO2014040887A1

WO2014040887A1 - Link arm assembly and method for producing a link arm assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2014040887A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/068229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olaf Drewes; Frederik Biewer
Original assignee: Saf-Holland Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-09-13
Filing date: 2013-09-04
Publication date: 2014-03-20
Also published as: DE102012216245A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a link arm assembly and a method for producing same, comprising the steps: providing a coupling unit (2) in a first state and having a base section (22) and a supporting section (24); providing a first support element (42) in a first state and having a first attachment section (43); securing said first attachment section (43) to said supporting section (24); transforming the connection between said coupling unit (2) and first support element (42) into a second state, the second state being characterized by a non-linear progression of the cross-section of at least the first support element (42).

Description

Handlebar unit and method for producing a handlebar unit

The present invention relates to a handlebar unit for commercial vehicles and to a method for manufacturing a handlebar unit.

Handlebar units for use in chassis systems of commercial vehicles are well known from the prior art. In this case, the rigid axle or the steering axis of a commercial vehicle via a link member which is pivotally fixed to the vehicle frame of the commercial vehicle and stored a spring element to increase the traffic safety and comfort of the commercial vehicle. However, it has been shown that a weak point of the chassis system of the commercial vehicle is often the attachment of the vehicle axle to the handlebar element, wherein a lifetime limitation due to failure of the connection of the axle system with the handlebar unit is often the Main cause is. In conventional suspension systems, the link element is fixed by means of a welded connection or a clamping connection on the rigid axle or the steering axle of the utility vehicle, in particular by the locally very high temperature or heat input into the material of the rigid axle and the link element structural changes can occur, which After cooling the respective components lead to thermal stresses and can drastically reduce the life of the respective components. Furthermore, the hitherto known link elements lack variability for use in various commercial vehicles. For example, the air spring holder of a link element is not, or not without great design effort, independently of the rest of the handlebar element or the rest of the mounting area on the vehicle frame of the commercial vehicle interchangeable and it can not be used for a certain trailing arm readily another air spring. Furthermore For example, a trailing arm designed for a certain travel height range can not easily be used for other applications or travel heights. Object of the present invention is to provide a handlebar unit, which in particular is easy to manufacture, while allowing a high variability of their application and at the same time a simple and cost-effective production. This object is achieved by a method for producing a linkage unit according to independent claim 1 and a linkage unit according to independent claim 8. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. A method according to the invention for producing a link unit comprises the steps of: providing a node unit in a first state comprising a base section and a node attachment section; Providing a support member in a first state having a mounting portion; Fixing the attachment portion to the support portion; Forming the composite of node unit and first support element in a second state, wherein the second state is characterized by a non-linear cross-sectional profile of at least the support element. Characteristic of the method for producing a link unit is that in a first state components are to be used, which allow the simplest possible production or possible lent easy assembly. In a second state, the link unit allows in particular for receiving and transmitting large forces and bending moments, as they occur in particular in commercial vehicles on the chassis. In this context, the node unit is preferably a component which has at least one, preferably a plurality of support sections, which are designed to define further elements on the node unit. The support sections are particularly preferred for the use of cost-effective and time-saving fastening methods, such as internal high-pressure forming or friction welding, for fixing the at least one Support element designed. In its first state, the support element has, according to the invention, a fastening section which is particularly preferably designed to be fixed to a corresponding support section by means of a friction welding or a forming process. For this purpose, the support section and the attachment section of the support element preferably have a circular cross-section, which makes it possible, for example, to enable rotational friction welding for the material connection of the support element to the node unit. Alternatively or in addition to producing a material connection between the support element and the node unit, a forming method, which is optionally applied to the support element or the node unit or the support element together with the node unit, can be used. In this case, a positive connection between the attachment portion of the support member and the support portion is preferably prepared, in particular preferably an undercut between see the respective components is formed, which substantially or completely prevents a displacement of the first support member relative to the node unit. The form-fitting connection between the first fastening section and the support section can in particular be cohesively supported by further means, such as, for example, a bond or a solder connection. After the two components, node unit and support element, have been connected to each other, the composite of node unit and support element is transferred to a second state. Preferably, a first state of the node unit and / or the support element is characterized by particularly simple, particularly preferably linear cross-sectional profiles of the two components. Thus, it may be preferred, for example, to form the support element in the first state as a simple cylinder tube, whereby its manufacture and attachment to the node unit is simplified. The second state according to the invention is characterized in particular in that at least the support element has a non-linear cross-sectional profile. This non-linearity of the cross section of the support element relates both to the general main extension of the support element along a preferably curved path and to the wall thicknesses of the support element which change along this path. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape, so for example a elliptical, circular or polygonal cross-section, vary along the main extension direction of the support element. Preferably, the cross section of the support element in the course over different cutting planes along the main extension direction of the support member is formed such that the surface inertia, which results from the respective cross sections optimally to an expected load, such as bending, on the support member during operation of the commercial vehicle, is designed. In this case, the support element is preferably designed as a hollow-body-shaped or tube-like body and, in the second state, in particular preferably has rounded geometries in order to avoid a notch effect in the event of bending or torsional stress. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the fixing of the support element to the node unit and at the same time the forming of the composite of the node unit and the support element in the second state in a step pass, in which preferably mated components are inflated by means of a hydroforming process and so First, the support element is fixed positively to the node unit and then the composite of node unit and support element is further deformed until the desired non-linear cross-sectional profile is set. By means of this simultaneous execution, or execution in short succession of manufacturing steps, the production time can be shortened and costs can be saved.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises an additional step, in which the fastening section is fixed to the support section in a force-locking and / or form-fitting manner by deformation. Thus, it may be particularly preferred that, as an intermediate step of the method according to the invention, the attachment portion of the support element is initially fixed only frictionally on the support portion and is then fixed by a forming process also form-fitting on the support portion. In other words, the fastening portion can be fixed to the support portion by a clamp, but it is particularly preferred to support or reinforce this clamping connection between the mounting portion and the support portion by an additional positive connection, for example by means of an undercut. In a preferred embodiment, a frictional connection can be carried out, for example, by means of an interference fit generated by heating one of the components and subsequent cooling. Furthermore, it may be preferable to carry out the forming by means of rolling or forging, wherein, for example, for widening the preferably inserted into the support portion mounting portion inside rotating rollers or rollers can be used, which preferably widen the attachment portion and thus non-positively and / or positively on the inner wall specify the support section.

Particularly preferably, the fastening section is widened after insertion into the support section in order to form an undercut with the internal geometry of the support section. Particularly preferably, the attachment portion is transferred by the expansion at the same time in the second state. In order to simplify the formation of an undercut, corresponding forward or backward jumps are provided, in particular on the fastening section and on the support section, which simplify the creation of a positive connection between the fastening section and the support section. Alternatively preferably, the attachment portion may also be formed as a tubular portion which is slid onto a support portion with a smaller diameter, wherein an inner surface of the attachment portion engages with an outer geometry of the support portion and preferably forms an undercut. Further preferably, the attachment portion is fixed cohesively on the support portion. A cohesive connection between the attachment portion and the support portion may be particularly preferably provided to support a further provided connection between the two sections. Further preferably, a purely cohesive connection between the attachment portion and the support portion may be advantageous. Particularly preferably, the cohesive connection can be produced by means of a rotational friction welding method, wherein the fastening section, which is in particular tubular, rotates relative to the support section a contact surface of the support portion is pressed, wherein a fusion of the material of the fastening portion and / or the support portion takes place and wherein after reducing the rotational speed to a standstill and the cooling of the molten material, the fixing portion is fixed materially on the support portion. Rotationsreibschweißen is particularly preferred because it avoids a high local temperature input into the manufacturing material, as occurs in thermal welding or arc welding, and thus prevents adverse weakening of the structure or the joint of the two components node unit and support element. Advantageously, the attachment portion can also be adhesively secured to the support portion by means of an adhesive or soldered connection, these methods being particularly suitable when the attachment portion is formed from a material having a melting temperature that deviates significantly from the material of the support portion.

Particularly preferably, the attachment portion has an excess in the first state relative to the support portion, so that after merging the attachment portion with the support portion of the resulting overlap region is fluid-tight. If the fastening section can be inserted into the support section or the support section can be inserted into the fastening section, it is preferred that the component which corresponds with its outer geometry to the internal geometry of the respective other component has an oversize to the component into which it is inserted , This design proves to be advantageous if, after pushing the components together, a hydroforming method is to be used in which a fluid under high pressure is pressed into the cavity formed by the two components in order to expand at least one of the two components and, for example, thereby to create a positive connection between the two components. Preferably, the fluid-tightness of the overlapping zone of the components can also be supported by means of a material-locking connection, for example by introducing a solder or by a corresponding adhesive. In a further preferred embodiment, the support element is pushed through the node unit and then fixed by means of a forming process at the node unit, wherein the support element preferably engages with a respective attachment portion in a respective support portion. Particularly preferably, in order to increase the production speed, preferably the axis of the utility vehicle with the stub axle fixed thereto can be pushed through the node unit and subsequently fixed to the node unit by means of a forming process. Alternatively, preferably, the node unit may have at least one inner abutment portion, on which the support element is applied with a correspondingly corresponding abutment geometry and, for example, by means of a Rotationsreibschweiß- procedure on the investment geometry or the investment section is determined. Furthermore, it may be preferred that along the main extension direction of the shaft member or the support member, a plurality of abutment portions are provided so that the support member is fixed via a plurality of attachment points on the node unit, in particular the transmission of bending moments from the support member to the node unit the present lever arms results in smaller forces. Particularly preferably, a first support element is pushed through the node unit and secured to at least one support portion of the node unit, wherein a second support element is provided, which is determined by means of a friction welding at a further support portion of the node unit. This preferred embodiment makes it possible to combine the advantage of the better power transmission of a continuous first support element with the advantages of simply fixing at least one further support element to the node unit by means of friction welding, which are possible with particularly low production costs. In a simple manner, the first support element designed as axle tube with stub axle and a second support element designed, for example, as an air spring carrier can be fixed to the nodal unit with little manufacturing effort and short production time. Particularly preferably, the support element is in particular in the attachment portion in the first state rotationally symmetrical or has a rotationally symmetrical cross-section. The rotational symmetry relates in particular to a fastening axis along which the support element is pressed against the nodal unit and about which rotates the support member when using a preferred rotary friction welding process. The rotational symmetry preferably ensures an avoidance of imbalances, which can lead to dangerous vibrations during Rotationsreibschweißens. Furthermore, according to the invention, a handlebar unit is provided for use in commercial vehicles, which comprises a node unit and a support element, wherein the node unit and the support element are joined together in a first state and in a second state, the composite of node unit and support element, at least in the region of the support element along a fastening axis non-linear cross-sectional profile has. In this case, the nodal unit is preferably hollow-body-shaped at least in some areas and has at least one support section on which the support element is secured by its attachment section. In the second state, the node unit is preferably designed such that a torque or force transmission of support elements fixed to the node unit can be particularly favorable and result in a particularly low load on the material of the node unit. As preferred support elements, for example, elements of a trailing arm of a commercial vehicle or elements of the rigid or the steering axis of a commercial vehicle and a stub axle element come into question. Further preferably, further fastening sections can be formed on the node unit directly or integrally, on which further elements of the chassis of a commercial vehicle can be fixed, such as a brake carrier or a connection section for the shock absorber of a commercial vehicle. Further preferably, the support element is fixed by friction welding to the node unit. In this case, rotational friction welding is particularly preferably used, in which the components to be welded are pressed relative to each other in a rotating manner against each other. Is advantageous in rotary friction welding, That no additional tools or materials are needed in the welding zone to produce a high weld quality. Characteristic of this preferred embodiment of the link unit is that the contact zone between the first support member and the node unit is a surface along which the material of the two components is fused together. Compared to thermal welding, high thermal stress is less likely to occur and the risk of scaling or burns on the material is low. Furthermore, the friction welding is characterized in that different materials can be welded together, with particular preference, manufacturing materials can be used with different melting temperatures. As an alternative possibilities of a cohesive connection between the support element and the node unit to form an adhesive bond or a connection may be provided by means of a solder, these cohesive compounds particularly preferably connect different manufacturing materials of the support member and the node unit together.

Particularly preferably, the node unit in the first state, a first link portion, wherein the first link portion in the first and / or in the second state of the handlebar unit is preferably designed as a mounting area for an air spring of the utility vehicle. In order to simplify the manufacture of the handlebar unit and, in particular, to make it more time-saving, it may be preferred that individual handlebar sections are already formed integrally with the nodal unit and only require a transformation from the first to the second state in the further course of production of the handlebar unit. In this case, it makes sense, in particular, to already form the holding area or fastening area for an air spring of a commercial vehicle integrally with the node unit, since this does not particularly restrict the manageability of the node unit. In particular, it may be preferable to produce the node unit with an integrally formed, first link section by means of a casting method, wherein for the support section particularly complicated or complex geometries can be selected, which would otherwise be produced by a later forming process only with great effort. Alternatively or additionally preferred may be at the Node unit and the stub axle of the vehicle axle of a commercial vehicle to be integrally formed.

Further preferably, in addition to a first support element, a second Stützele- ment is provided, which is fixed to the node unit and which preferably forms a portion of a trailing arm of a commercial vehicle in the first state. In this case, the second support element may be, for example, the lever arm of a trailing arm of a utility vehicle which extends between the node unit and a bearing block connected to the frame of the utility vehicle.

Further preferably, the first support member is formed of a different material than the node unit and / or the second support member. In particular, when using a friction welding or forming process, which in turn can be supported by a material connection by means of solder or adhesive bond, it is possible to use different materials for the production of the handlebar unit. In particular, it may be preferred in this case that parts of the handlebar unit are formed from aluminum, wherein only the heavily loaded parts such as the node unit or the stub axle are formed of a stronger steel. In addition, preferably composite materials, such as a carbon fiber composite material, are used, which can be cured, for example, only after setting on the node unit and the transfer to the second state and thus enters into a permanent connection with the node unit.

It is understood that further advantages and features of the method according to the invention can find application in the handlebar unit according to the invention and vice versa. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. It is understood that individual features described in the figures both for the method according to the invention and for the handlebar unit according to the invention are also suitable for other purposes. ferred embodiments may find application, if not explicitly denied.

Show it:

Fig. 1 a-c views of a steering unit according to the invention, in particular

Represent process steps for producing the linkage unit according to the invention,

2a-b are sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the support element according to the invention and the node unit,

3a-c are sectional views of a preferred embodiment of the link unit according to the invention, which illustrate in particular steps of a manufacturing method for the link unit according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the node unit according to the invention, and

Fig. 5 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the link unit according to the invention in the second state.

In the following, features of individual support sections 24 and support elements 42, as well as these respectively associated geometries for better orientation in the drawings with small letters a, b, c, d are to be marked. As far as a feature refers to all existing support sections 24, or support members 42, this label is unnecessary and will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 a to c show schematically the production sequence for a handlebar unit according to the invention. In this case, in a first step of the production method, a node unit 2, a first support element 42a and a third support element 42c are provided, which are intended to be joined together in the course of the further method to form a linkage unit according to the invention. According to the invention, the node unit 2 has a base section 22 on which, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a first link section 28 and a second link section 32 are formed integrally or integrally. Furthermore, the node unit 2 preferably has a first attachment portion 24a and a third attachment portion 24c. The first link section 28 is particularly preferably designed plate-shaped and suitable for supporting an air spring of a commercial vehicle. The second link section 32 of the node unit 2 is particularly preferably designed as a stub axle section, the wheel bearing of a vehicle grade of the commercial vehicle to be mounted on the link unit being particularly preferably storable on the second link section 32. The first attachment portion 24a is preferably aligned along a first attachment axis Bi opposite the second link portion 32 and aligned coaxially therewith. In this case, the first fastening section 24a is particularly preferably designed to connect the rigid axle or the steering axle of a commercial vehicle to the node unit 2. The first support element 42a is particularly preferably the rigid axle or steering axle of a commercial vehicle, is particularly preferably hollow-body-shaped or tubular, or has a hollow cylindrical shape and has a first attachment section 43a, which essentially corresponds to the first support section 24a of the node unit 2. For the preferred implementation of a rotary friction welding method, the first support element 42a is pressed against the first support section 24a of the node unit 2 in a rotational manner about the first attachment axis Bi along the first attachment axis Bi. The third support member 42c has a first attachment portion 43c which is provided to be fixed to the third support portion 24c of the node unit 2 by a friction welding method. In FIG. 1a, the third support element 42c is shown in its preferred first state, in which it preferably has a simple tubular geometry and, in particular, is formed essentially rotationally symmetrical about a second attachment axis B ₂ in its first attachment section 43c. The third support member 42c is preferably pressed around the second attachment axis B _{2 in} rotation along the second attachment axis B ₂ against a third support portion 24c of the node unit 2, forming a friction weld between the third support portion 24c and the first attachment portion 43c of the third support member 42c , Fig. 1b shows the linkage unit according to the invention, still in the first state, after completion of the friction welding process for fixing the first support member 42a and the third support member 42c. In the present case, the first state is preferably characterized in that the linkage unit and in particular the support elements 42a to be fixed to the node unit 2, 42c have easy to be manufactured or processed cross-sectional geometry. In the present example, the first support element 42a and the third support element 42c in the first state are preferably characterized by a simple, hollow-body-shaped or tubular cross-section formed essentially rotationally symmetrically around the respective attachment axis Bi, B ₂ . FIG. 1 c shows the handlebar unit already shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in the second state, with the third support element 42c preferably being in a non-linear or substantially non-rotationally symmetrical manner about the second fastening axis B ₂ by means of a forming process extending form was brought. The non-linear cross-sectional profile of the third support element 42c is in particular designed to transmit forces and bending moments which are to be transmitted by the third support element 42c to a further unit of the undercarriage by means of a particularly favorable, ie low-voltage, voltage characteristic from the node unit 2 via the third support element 42c - to transmit mens. The non-linear cross-sectional profile is preferably produced by means of a hydroforming process, wherein in addition to the third support member 42c preferably further support elements and / or the node unit 2 can be deformed such that a favorable Biegemoment- and power transmission can be ensured by the handlebar unit.

As an alternative or in addition to the friction welding method illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a link unit according to the invention can preferably also be produced by means of a forming method and a form fit produced between the node unit 2 and a support element 42. Advantageously, for this purpose it is not necessary to use circular or rotationally symmetrical cross-sections, but elliptical, polygonal or other cross-sections deviating from the circular shape can also be used for the fastening region 43 of the support element 42. In this case, the third supporting element 42c shown in FIG. 1c, for example, may in particular be already reshaped into its second state, subsequently fixed to the nodal unit 2 by means of a hydroforming process, with a positive fit between the first fastening section 43c and the third supporting section 24c. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show schematically a preferred sequence of such a forming process for producing a positive fit. In this case, a first support element 42a is preferably introduced into the first fastening section 24a of the node unit 2, wherein particularly preferably the first support section 24a of the node unit 2 has a first projection 29a. Preferably, the first attachment portion 43a of the first support member 42a forms an undercut with the projection 29a of the first support portion 24a after reshaping or expansion. Particularly preferably, the form-fitting connection produced in this way can be reinforced by an adhesive or a solder connection.

3a, 3b and 3c show a preferred embodiment of the link unit according to the invention, in which a first support element 42a, a third support element 42c and a fourth support element 42d are fixed to the node unit 2. Fig. 3a shows the node unit 2 according to the invention, which has four support portions 24a, b, c, d and is formed substantially hollow body-shaped. The hollow body-shaped design of the nodal unit 2 serves, in particular, to increase the area moment of inertia in selected cross sections of the nodal unit 2, which in turn hold the stress values occurring in the material of the nodal unit 2 below the strengths that can be achieved by the production material of the nodal unit when the bending moments or forces are present. The first and second support sections 24a, 24b preferably have, in particular, projections 29a, 29b which, as illustrated, preferably project inwards and, in particular, may have rounded geometries

(not shown). The third and the fourth support section 24c, 24d may preferably have both an end portion facing away from the support portion 22 abutment portion, as well as a preferably funnel-shaped or bevelled geometry, which is particularly preferably designed for producing a Reibschweißver- federation with a support member 42. 3b shows a preferred further method step of producing a linkage unit according to the invention, wherein a first support element 42a is pushed through the node unit 2, wherein a first attachment section 43a of the first support element 42a is disposed opposite to the first support portion 24a of the node unit 2, and a second attachment portion 44a of the first support member 42a is disposed opposite to the second support portion 24b of the node unit 2. The third and the fourth support element 42 c, 42 d are preferably rotated about a fastening axis against a respective corresponding third and fourth support portion 24 c, 24 d of the node unit 2 and finally pressed against the node unit 2, wherein a partial fusion of the material of the node unit. 2 and / or the support member 42c, 42d occurs. 3c shows the link unit according to the invention after carrying out the friction welding method and the forming of the first support element 42a. The first support element 42a has been particularly preferably expanded by means of a hydroforming process, wherein before and behind the node unit, in the figure left or right of the node unit 2, holding jaws or holding elements are shown, which an expansion of the first support member 42a outside the Prevent node unit 2. By the preferred hydroforming method, the outer wall of the first support member 42a is preferably pressed against the inner wall of the first support portion 24a, the second support portion 24b and the base portion 22 of the node unit 2. Preferably, the first and second attachment portions 43a, 44a, of the first support member 42a respectively form undercuts with the projections 29a, 29b of the node unit 2. The first support element 42a is secured in this way preferably against displacement relative to the node unit 2. The third support element 42c and the fourth support element 42d are particularly preferably materially connected to the node unit 2, wherein the welds between the third and the fourth support portion 24c, 24d and the respectively correspondingly provided first fixing portions 43c, 43d of the third and the fourth support member 42c , 42d are shown in bold in the figure. Preferably, in this and in the embodiments of the previous figures, the first support member 42a of the axle body of a commercial vehicle, the second support member 42b formed as a stub axle, the third support member 42c substantially as axle trailing arm and the fourth support member 42d at least partially as a holding area for the Air spring formed a commercial vehicle. 4 shows a perspective view of the node unit 2 with preferably four support sections 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d. The first support portion 24a and the second support portion 24b are preferably rotationally symmetrical or substantially rotationally symmetrical about the first attachment axis Bi. The third support portion 24c is formed substantially rotationally symmetrical about the second attachment axis B ₂ and the fourth support portion 24d is preferably rotationally symmetrical about the third attachment axis B ₃ formed. As shown in the figure, protrusions 29 (ad) (29c and 29d hidden in FIG. 4) may be provided at the respective support portions 24, which are not necessarily continuous, that is, annularly formed around the respective attachment axis B. must, but for example, can be designed as teeth or noses. It can be achieved in this way that both a rotation about the respective attachment axis B and a displacement along the respective attachment axis B relative to the support portion 24 (ad) can be achieved by a positive determination of a node to be determined on the node unit support element. The support sections 24 each have an outwardly facing abutment surface 242 (ad), wherein in the illustrated perspective view the second and the fourth abutment surface 242b and 242d are covered. Furthermore, a plurality of individual tooth-like inwardly or outwardly projecting abutment surfaces 242 are preferably provided on the respective support section 24. Furthermore, at least one of the support sections 24 (ad) preferably has an inwardly-facing abutment surface 244 (ad) which serves to abut a corresponding surface of the respective attachment region 43 (ad) around a support element 42 (ad) in a form-fitting manner on the node unit 2 set. The second attachment axis B ₂ and the third attachment axis B ₃ are preferably not collinear or aligned parallel to each other, but form an angle a, which is particularly preferably less than 180 °.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the steering unit according to the invention in side view and in the preferred second state. In this case, a third support element 42c is particularly preferably curved and fixed on the third support section 24c of the node unit 2, and a fourth support element 42d is particularly preferred as a holding region for the air spring of a commercial vehicle (ge). shown in broken lines). In this case, the third support section 24c and the fourth support section 24d of the node unit 2 are preferably both offset from one another in the vertical direction and also rotated relative to one another, or angled at the node unit 2. The third support element 42c has, at its end shown on the left in the figure, a holding region with which it can be fixed rotatably to, for example, the bearing block of a commercial vehicle chassis. Particularly preferably, the holding region of the third support element 42c can likewise be fixed to the third support element 42c by means of a forming or friction welding process according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 - node unit

22 - Basic section

24a. .d - support section

28 - first link section

29a. .d - lead

32 - second handlebar section

42a. .d - support element

43a. .d - first attachment section

44a. .d - second attachment section

α - angle

B-I ..3 - fixing axis

Claims

claims

Method for producing a handlebar unit, comprising the steps:

a) providing a node unit (2) in a first state, comprising a base section (22) and a support section (24),

b) providing a first support element (42) in a first state, comprising a fixing section (43),

c) fixing the attachment section (43) to the support section (24), d) reshaping the assembly of node unit (2) and first support element (42) into a second state,

wherein the second state is characterized by a non-linear cross-sectional profile of at least the first support element (42).

Method according to claim 1,

wherein the attachment portion (43) on the support portion (24) is determined by forming non-positively and / or positively.

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the mounting portion (43) is widened after insertion into the support portion (24) to form an undercut with the internal geometry of the support portion (24).

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the attachment portion (43) is firmly bonded to the support portion (24).

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the attachment portion (43) in the first state with respect to the support portion (24) has an oversize, so that after merging the first attachment portion (43) with the support portion (24) of the resulting overlap region is fluid-tight. Method according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the support element (42) is pushed through the node unit (2) and then fixed by means of a forming process on the node unit (2),

wherein the support element (42) preferably engages in each case with a fastening portion (43a, 44a) in a respective support portion (24a, 24b).

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein a first support member (42a) is pushed through the node unit (2) and fixed to at least one support portion (24a, 24b), and

wherein a second support member (42c, 42d) is provided, which is fixed by means of a friction welding method to another support portion (24c, 24d) of the node unit (2).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the support element (42), in particular in the attachment portion (43), in the first state has a rotationally symmetrical cross section, and wherein the support element (42) is preferably fixed by means of rotational friction welding on the support portion (24).

Handlebar unit for use in commercial vehicles, comprising a node unit (2) and a support element (42),

wherein the node unit (2) and the support element (42) are assembled in a first state and in a second state, the composite of node unit (2) and support element (42) has a, along a mounting axis (B) non-linear cross-sectional profile.

Handlebar unit according to claim 9,

wherein the support member (42) is fixed by friction welding to the node unit (2).

1 1. Handlebar unit according to one of claims 9 or 10,

wherein the node unit (2) in the first state has a first link portion (28), and

wherein the first link portion (28) in the first and / or second state of the link unit preferably as a mounting area for an air spring of

Commercial vehicle is designed.

12. handlebar unit according to one of claims 9 to 1 1,

wherein a first support member (42a) projects through the node unit (2) and is fixed to at least one support portion (24a, 24b) of the node unit (2).

13. Handlebar unit according to one of claims 9 to 12,

wherein a second support element (42b, 42c or 42d) is provided, which is fixed to the node unit (2) and which preferably forms in the second state a portion of a trailing arm of a commercial vehicle chassis.

14. Handlebar unit according to one of claims 9 to 13,

wherein the first support member (42a) is formed of a different material than the node unit (2) and / or the second support member (42b, 42c or 42d).