Torsion bar system for a vehicle axle of a two track vehicle

• US 9,434,230 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Joachim, Schindler, Andreas, Isakiewitsch, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): CONDRA, DARLENE P
• Application Number:
  US14/767,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20150367705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/50 having helical, spiral or coil springs, and also torsion-bar springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/025 the mechanical spring being a torsion spring B60G17/0277, B60G21/0553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0551 Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0555 including an actuator inducing vehicle roll
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/18 Multilink suspensions, e.g. elastokinematic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/422 Driving wheels or live axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/134 comprising a transversal torsion bar and/or tube
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/442 Rotary actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/122 Mounting of torsion springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/15 Mounting of subframes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/19 Mounting of transmission differential
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/419 Gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/604 with two parallel beams connected by cross members

Abstract

A torsion bar system for a vehicle axle, in particular a rear axle, of a two-track vehicle, includes first and second rotary actuators, each of which is associated with a vehicle side, for an active suspension control. Each rotary actuator has at least one motor/gear unit with which torques can be generated and transmitted as actuating forces onto a wheel suspension element via an output lever. The motor/gear units of both rotary actuators are arranged in a common housing which is rotationally fixed to the vehicle body. The housing has at least two attachment points for bracing the vehicle body, wherein the attachment points are spaced from one another across a bearing distance, and the housing is mounted on the vehicle body in a rigid assembly via said attachment points.

Claims

1. In combination,

a vehicle body having a subframe comprised of two longitudinal members and at least one cross member which is connected to the longitudinal members, said cross member having an attachment point for a drive component;

and

a torsion bar system for a vehicle axle of a two-track vehicle, said torsion bar system comprising;

first and second rotary actuators, respectively associated with a vehicle side, for an active suspension control, each rotary actuator including at least a motor-gear unit to allow generation of a torque, and an output lever configured to transmit the torque as actuating force onto a wheel suspension element, and

a housing mounted in fixed rotative engagement to the vehicle body and accommodating the motor-gear unit of the first rotary actuator and the motor-gear unit of the second rotary actuator, said housing having for stiffening the vehicle body at least two attachment points which are spaced from one another by a bearing distance and via which the housing is mounted rigidly to the subframe of the vehicle body, said housing being arranged in a vertical direction in alignment entirely below the cross member of the subframe, thereby forming a double support, in which the housing is mounted as an additional crossbeam on the subframe, said attachment point of the cross member for the drive component being arranged in a vehicle transverse direction between the attachment points of the housing.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the vehicle axle is a rear axle.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the rotary actuators comprises a torsion spring element for adjusting a spring rate of the torsion bar system, at least one of the torsion spring elements being arranged within the housing.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the housing has in the vehicle transverse direction lateral housing openings for passage of the output levers, respectively, said housing openings forming pivot points which define a rotation axis of the torsion bar system.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cross member and/or the two longitudinal members have bearing points for fastening the housing with its two attachment points.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cross member provides a first load path via which an operating force is introducible into the longitudinal members of the subframe, said housing providing a second load path via which the operating force is introducible into the longitudinal members.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the subframe has a further cross member which is connected to the longitudinal members so that the subframe has a closed configuration.