CN103826881B - Axle with receiver for towing - Google Patents

Abstract

A receiver for towing is coupled to a vehicle that includes a frame, a rear axle, and a suspension system coupling the rear axle to the frame. The receiver includes a body defining a cavity sized for receiving a trailing attachment, and a suspension mount rigidly connected to the body. At least a portion of the suspension system is mounted to and supported by the suspension mount.

Description

Axle with receiver for towing

technical field

The invention relates to a towing device suitable for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to tow receivers and couplers coupled to the rear axle of a vehicle.

Background technique

Vehicle axles used for towing in the prior art have many defects in different application occasions, especially poor mechanical performance and complicated structure.

Contents of the invention

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising a frame; a prime mover coupled to the frame for driving the vehicle; a rear axle; and a pair of rear axles mounted to the rear axle for rotation under the influence of the prime mover. wheel. A suspension system is coupled between the rear axle and the vehicle frame and defines a suspension gap therebetween when the suspension system is at rest. The suspension system includes suspension elements that allow relative movement between the rear axle and the frame to increase and decrease suspension clearance in response to movement of the vehicle over rough terrain. The vehicle also includes a tow receiver for receiving an accessory for towing with the vehicle. A portion of the suspension element is mounted to and bears against the tow receiver.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a receiver for towing coupled to a vehicle comprising a frame; a rear axle; and a suspension system coupling the rear axle to the frame. The receiver includes a body defining a cavity sized to receive a towed accessory and a suspension mount rigidly connected to the body. At least a portion of the suspension system is mounted to and supported by the suspension mount.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a rear axle assembly for a vehicle. The rear axle assembly includes a rear axle body and a receiver rigidly coupled to the rear axle body. The receiver includes a receiver body defining a cavity sized to receive a towed accessory, the suspension mount being rigidly connected to the receiver body and supporting a suspension member.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a rear axle and a receiver for towing;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear axle and receiver shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the rear axle and receiver shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the rear axle and receiver shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top view of the rear axle and receiver shown in Figure 1 .

detailed description

Before any embodiments of the invention are described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components mentioned in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 in the form of an off-road vehicle. The vehicle 10 includes a frame 14; a prime mover (shown within the front of the vehicle 10); a powertrain 18; a suspension system 22; four wheels 26 (three shown); The driver console 30 communicates with the seat 34 and the storage area 38 . In other constructions, the vehicle 10 may be arranged differently or may be another type of vehicle. For example, vehicle 10 may be an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), golf cart, or other vehicle, if desired. Typically, a prime mover provides power to vehicle 10 . Powertrain 18 transfers power from a prime mover to wheels 26 to move vehicle 10 over the ground. Steering console 30 allows a user to steer vehicle 10 , control acceleration and braking, and operate various systems of vehicle 10 (eg, lights, horn, etc.). The general arrangement of components common to vehicle 10 does not limit the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5 , the powertrain 18 includes a rear axle 42 . Referring specifically to FIG. 2 , the rear axle 42 includes a left axle housing 46 on the left side of the vehicle 10 , a right axle housing 50 generally on the right side of the vehicle 10 , and a left axle housing 46 and a right axle housing. Differential 54 between housings 50 . The left side axle housing 46 defines a bearing housing 58 at the left end, a flange 62 at the right end arranged to be bolted rigidly to the differential 54 , and between the bearing housing 58 and the flange 62 A hollow cylinder 66 is formed. Left suspension mount 70 is welded to left axle housing 46 between bearing housing 58 and flange 62 . The left suspension mount 70 includes a left lower swing arm bracket 78 and a left vertical shock mount 82 . The interaction of the left side suspension mount 70 with the suspension system 22 will be discussed below. Additionally, the left brake mount 86 is welded to the bearing housing 58 . Left brake mount 86 supports a brake assembly (not shown) as is known in the art.

Similarly, the right side axle housing 50 defines a bearing housing 90 at the right end, a flange 92 at the left end arranged to be rigidly bolted to the differential 54, and a bearing housing 90 and a flange 92 at the left end. Hollow cylinder 96 formed between 92. Right side suspension mount 100 is welded to right side axle housing 50 between bearing housing 90 and flange 92 . The right suspension mount 100 includes a right lower swing arm bracket 104 and a right vertical anti-vibration bracket 108 . The interaction of the right side suspension mount 100 with the suspension system 22 will be discussed below. Additionally, the right brake mount 112 is welded to the bearing housing 90 . The right brake mount 112 supports a brake assembly (not shown) as is known in the art. The specific arrangement of the left axle housing 46 and the right axle housing 50 may vary. For example, the suspension mounts 70, 100 could be altered or omitted. Additionally, the brake mounts 86, 112 may be altered or omitted.

A differential 54 is located between the left axle housing 46 and the right axle housing 50 . The differential 54 includes a differential housing 116; a drive shaft 120 coupled to the rest of the driveline 18 and prime mover to power the rear axle 42; a left shaft 124 coupled to the drive shaft 120 through the left The side axle housing 46 extends and is mounted to the left rear wheel 26; and the right side shaft 128 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ) coupled to the drive shaft 120 extends through the right side axle housing 50 and is mounted to the right rear round 26. The flange 62 of the left axle housing 46 is bolted to the differential housing 116 and the flange 92 of the right axle housing 50 is bolted to the differential housing 116 to form a rigid housing or rear axle for the rear axle 42. Shaft 42 assembly. Drive shaft 120 , left side shaft 124 , right side shaft 128 , and other kinematic components define the kinematic or dynamic assembly of rear axle 42 operating within a rigid assembly. The structure and operation of differentials are well known in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. Any suitable differential can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the left axle housing 46 is longer than the right axle housing 50 such that the differential 54 is offset from the center of the vehicle 10 in the lateral vehicle direction or side-to-side direction.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , the present invention provides a tow receiver 132 coupled to the rigid assembly of the rear axle 42 . The tow receiver 132 includes a main body in the form of a generally square tube 136 , a receiver suspension mount 142 , and support webs 146 that add rigidity and strength to the structure of the tow receiver 132 . The square tube 136 defines an interior profile or cavity 150 that is sized and shaped to receive a common towing component (eg, tow bar, tow bar or coupler, bicycle rack, platform, etc.). Most commonly, the inner profile 150 has a dimension of one quarter inch (11/4") or two inches (2").

The mounting hole 154 is formed through the square tube 136 in a substantially horizontal direction and parallel to the rear axle 42 . The mounting holes 154 are positioned and sized so that an installer can insert and tighten mounting bolts to assemble the rear axle 42 therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the left axle housing 46 is fastened or bolted to the differential 54 . Mounting holes 154 provide access for fasteners, while tow receiver 132 is mounted or positioned (eg, welded) to a rigid assembly of rear axle 42 . This allows an installer or service technician to bolt and unbolt the left axle housing 46 to the differential 54 . In other embodiments, there may be multiple mounting holes 154 .

A pin hole 158 is also formed substantially horizontally through the square tube 136 and is arranged so that a mating hole on the puller assembly can be aligned with the pin hole 158 when the puller assembly is located within the square tube 136, and a drive pin ( not shown) to hold the tow assembly within the tow receiver 132 therethrough.

The receiver pendant mount 142 is welded to the square tube 136 and includes a flat bottom portion 162, a left receiver pendant mount 166 or mount, and a right receiver pendant mount 170 or mount. The left receiver suspension mount 166 is arranged at an oblique angle of 56 degrees with respect to the fore-aft direction and includes two protrusions projecting upward from the flat bottom portion 162 . The right receiver suspension mount 170 is disposed at an inclined angle of 56 degrees toward opposite sides of the vehicle 10 with respect to the fore-aft direction, and includes two protrusions projecting upward from the flat bottom portion 162 . Left receiver suspension mount 166 and right receiver suspension mount 170 are sized to receive components of the suspension system 22, as will be discussed further below. Each of the illustrated left receiver suspension mount 166 and right receiver suspension mount 170 is formed by a protrusion protruding from the flat bottom portion 162 . A hole is formed in the protrusion and is sized to receive a fastener for coupling a suspension element or assembly thereto. In other embodiments, the angles of the left receiver suspension mount 166 and the right receiver suspension mount 170 may be different, as desired. For example, any angle between zero and 180 degrees is contemplated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tow receiver 132 is welded to the left axle housing 46 and is located approximately in the center of the vehicle 10 in a side-to-side direction. Square tube 136 and support web 146 are welded to left axle housing 46 . In other embodiments, the right axle housing 50 may be longer than the left axle housing 46 such that the tow receiver 132 is welded to the right axle housing 50 and centered on the vehicle in a side-to-side direction. 10 on. In still other embodiments, the tow receiver 132 may be positioned differently (eg, not within the center of the vehicle 10 ).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the suspension system 22 includes a left lower swing arm rotatably coupled to a left lower swing arm bracket 78 and a right lower swing arm rotatably coupled to a right lower swing arm bracket 104 ( not shown), a left vertical shock absorber (not shown) coupled to left vertical shock mount 82, a right vertical shock mount (not shown) coupled to right vertical shock mount 108, rotatably coupled to The left lateral swing arm 174 of the left receiver suspension mount 166 and the right lateral swing arm 178 are rotatably coupled to the right receiver suspension mount 170 . Left lateral swing arm 174 and right lateral swing arm 178 are supported by left receiver suspension mount 166 and right receiver suspension mount 170 respectively such that left lateral swing arm 174 rests against left receiver suspension mount 166 and right receiver suspension mount 170 respectively. Mount 166, and the right lateral swing arm 178 bear against the receiver suspension mount 170 on the right. The components of the suspension system 22 cooperate to support the frame 14 of the vehicle 10 over the rear axle 42 as is known in the art.

The specific arrangement of suspension system 22 may vary, if desired. In turn, the receiver suspension mount 142 is adaptable to accommodate and support the suspension system 22 . For example, the present invention may be applied to a three-link suspension system in which the receiver suspension mount 142 is connected to a single suspension link, member or shock. Additional arrangements include Panha rods or Watt linkages attached to the receiver suspension mount 142 using a Hotchkiss style leaf spring suspension system.

The suspension system 22 couples the rear axle 42 to the frame 14 and defines a suspension gap between the rear axle 42 and the frame 14 when the suspension system 22 is at rest. Suspension system 22 includes suspension elements (e.g., left lateral swing arm 174) that allow relative motion between rear axle 42 and frame 14 to increase and decrease in response to movement of vehicle 10 over uneven ground or terrain. Reduce suspension gap.

The invention provides, inter alia, mass-minimizing drag features and a support structure for the suspension. The present invention provides for the integration of a tow interface in the form of a tow receiver into a structure that positions and supports a rigid assembly of the rear axle 42 assembly relative to the vehicle frame 14 . A strong structure is desirable for both the suspension mounting bracket and the towing system. By welding the receiver suspension mount 142 to the receiver tube 136, the strength of the receiver serves a dual purpose. The present invention provides a standard tow interface so that it can be used with industry standard tow assemblies, but also provides a tow interface that reduces mass and reduces assembly complexity.

Various features and advantages of the invention are defined in the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. a vehicle, comprising:

Vehicle frame；

It is connected to described vehicle frame to drive prime mover of vehicle；

Rear axle；

Be installed to rear axle so as under the influence of prime mover rotate pair of rear wheels；

Suspension system, rear axle is connected to vehicle frame by it, and when suspension system remains static at rear axle and Limiting levitation gap between vehicle frame, suspension system includes swing arm, and it allows the phase between rear axle and vehicle frame To motion to increase in the movement being uneven on road surface in response to vehicle and reducing levitation gap；

For receiving the towing receptor of adnexa, in order to pull with vehicle, one end peace of described swing arm Install to described towing receptor so that described swing arm entirety is positioned at top and when described suspension system Receptor is pulled described in breasting when system remains static.

Vehicle the most according to claim 1, wherein, described towing receptor is rigidly coupled to Rear axle is also positioned in rear axle intracardiac in the vehicle lateral direction.

Vehicle the most according to claim 1, wherein, described towing receptor includes the side of being formed as The main body of shape pipe and the protuberance protruded from described main body, described swing arm is installed to described protuberance.

Vehicle the most according to claim 1, wherein, rear axle includes rigidity assembly and in rigidity Moving component in assembly, towing receptor is welded to rigidity assembly.

Vehicle the most according to claim 1, wherein, described swing arm is the first swing arm, institute State suspension system and also include the second swing arm；

Wherein, described towing receptor includes the first suspension type mounting and the second suspension type mounting；And

Wherein, described first swing arm is installed to the first suspension type mounting and is propped up by described first suspension type mounting Support, and the second swing arm is installed to the second suspension type mounting and is supported by described second suspension type mounting.

Vehicle the most according to claim 1, wherein, described rear axle includes rigidity assembly and just Moving component in property assembly；

Wherein, described towing receptor includes the rectangular tube for receiving adnexa, for supporting described swing The receptor suspension type mounting of arm and for increasing the support webs of intensity to towing receptor；And

Wherein, rectangular tube is welded to the rigidity assembly of rear axle, and described receptor suspension type mounting is welded to square Manage, and support webs is welded between rectangular tube and rear axle rigidity assembly.

Vehicle the most according to claim 6, wherein, described towing receptor limits hole, described Hole is for providing the securing member on rear axle rigidity assembly to pass in and out.

8., for a kind of receptor being connected to vehicle of towing, described vehicle includes vehicle frame；Rear axle； With rear axle is connected to the suspension system of vehicle frame, described receptor includes:

Limiting the main body of cavity, described cavity has the size for receiving towing adnexa, described main body bag Include the first surface being configured to towards described rear axle and be configured to the second surface of the most described rear axle；And

Being rigidly connected to the suspension type mounting of the described second surface of described main body, described suspension type mounting includes From two juts of the described second surface projection of described main body, said two jut is configured to receive With the swing arm supporting described suspension system.

Receptor the most according to claim 8, wherein, described main body is rigidly fixed to rear axle.

Receptor the most according to claim 8, wherein, described main body is welded to rear axle.

11. receptors according to claim 8, wherein, said two jut is first group two Individual protuberance, and described suspension type mounting also includes second group of two protuberance, dashes forward for described second group two Go out portion and be configured to the second swing arm receiving suspension system to support by the described rear axle of described main body Described second swing arm.

12. receptors according to claim 11, wherein, described main body includes limiting cavity Pipe, described pipe is configured to arrange transverse to rear axle；

Wherein, described first group of two protuberance are arranged with angle of inclination relative to pipe；And

Wherein, described second group of two protuberance are arranged with angle of inclination relative to pipe.

13. receptors according to claim 8, wherein, described main body includes the side limiting cavity Shape pipe, described receptor also includes the support webs for increasing intensity to receptor.

14. 1 kinds of hind axle assemblies being suitable to vehicle, described hind axle assembly includes:

Rear axle main body；And

Being rigidly coupled to the receptor of described rear axle main body, described receptor includes the reception limiting cavity Device main body and suspension type mounting, described cavity has the size for receiving towing adnexa, described receptor Main body include towards described rear axle main body first surface and the second surface of the most described rear axle main body, Described suspension type mounting is rigidly connected to the described second surface of described receptor main body, described suspension type mounting Including two juts, these two juts are from the described second surface projection of described main body, described projection Portion is configured to receive swing arm to support the described swing arm in described rear axle main body.

15. hind axle assemblies according to claim 14, wherein, described receptor is welded to rear axle Main body.

16. hind axle assemblies according to claim 14, wherein, described rear axle main body includes rigidity Assembly and the moving component in rigidity assembly；

Wherein, described receptor main body includes the rectangular tube for receiving towing adnexa；And

Wherein, rectangular tube is welded to the rigidity assembly of rear axle main body, and suspension type mounting is welded to rectangular tube, with And support webs is welded between the rigidity assembly of rectangular tube and rear axle main body.

17. hind axle assemblies according to claim 14, wherein, described receptor main body limits hole, Described hole is passed in and out by receptor main body for the securing member of rear axle main body.

18. hind axle assemblies according to claim 14, wherein, described rear axle main body includes first Housing, the second housing and there is the differential mechanism being rigidly fastened between the first housing and the second housing The differential mechanism of main body, the first housing, the second housing and differential mechanism main body limit the rigidity assembly of rear axle main body；

Wherein, described rear axle main body also includes the drive shaft being at least partially situated in differential mechanism, at least portion Ground is divided to be positioned at the first axle of the first housing, the second axle being at least partially situated in the second housing；

Wherein, described receptor main body is welded to the rigidity assembly of rear axle main body；And

Wherein, described receptor main body limits hole, and described hole is passed through to receive for the securing member of rigidity assembly Device main body passes in and out.