Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1998-12-14
2000-12-12
Hurley, Kevin
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
280789, 280124163, B62D 2104, B60G 1146
Patent
active
061587737
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a frame for a vehicle, which frame comprises at least two longitudinal members of composite material, at least one axle supported by suspension members, and a connection device connecting each suspension member to a longitudinal member.
2. Description of the Related Art
The vehicle disclosed concerns a drawn vehicle as well as a self-driving vehicle, both with at least one axle on both ends as with at least one axle on the rear end only.
In particular, the invention concerns, however not exclusively, a trailer with one or more axles on the rear end.
With such frames, the longitudinal members are made of metal, usually steel.
Longitudinal members of steel are relatively heavy, as a result of which also the frame is relatively heavy.
That is why frames with longitudinal members made of aluminum are already used. They are lighter but relatively expensive. In order to offer the same bending strength and torsional strength as steel, aluminum struts must have a larger section.
Recently, frames with longitudinal members of composite material--i.e. synthetic material reinforced with fibres have been experimented.
Such frame is disclosed in the article of GERALD L. MAY: "Composite truck frame rails tested" in AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING, vol. 87, no. 11, November 1979, pages 77-79.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention discloses a frame which does not have the above mentioned and other disadvantages of the prior art, and which has a greater strength than that of the prior art, but is nevertheless relatively light in weight and inexpensive.
This aim of the invention is achieved by a connection device comprising a connecting piece (what is called a trestle) which is inserted with its upper end inside a longitudinal member, whereby two standing side walls of this end are glued to parts of the longitudinal member.
Preferably, the longitudinal members are composed of members comprising two base struts, the upper end of the trestle being inserted between said base struts and glued to both base struts.
According to the invention, the aim is also reached in that the longitudinal members are composed of members comprising two base struts with a U-shaped section, which are directed with their cores to one another and which are connected to one another by at least two smaller connecting struts which are glued to the cores of the above-mentioned base struts.
According to another aspect of the invention, the frame comprises at least one cross member which is made of a composite material and which is glued, for example by the intermediary of a flange or by a thickening, to the longitudinal members with its end and comprises a tubular body made by pulwinding or filament winding.
The frame may comprise at its front portion a plate made of a composite material which is glued to the two longitudinal members and which carries the king pin at the bottom for fastening it to a trailer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiment of a frame according to the invention is described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a truck with a trailer according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows the part which is indicated by F2 in FIG. 1 to a larger scale;
FIG. 3 shows the section according to line 111--111 in FIG. 2 in perspective;
FIG. 4 shows a view according to F4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a section according to line V--V in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 shows a side view of a part of a trailer analogous to that in FIG. 2, but with reference to another embodiment thereof;
FIG. 7 shows a section according to line VII--VII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows a section according to line VIII--VIIIin FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 shows a section analogous to that in FIG. 8, but with reference to another embodiment;
FIG. 10 shows a section according to line X--X in FIG. 1 to a larger scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FI
REFERENCES:
patent: 4596402 (1986-06-01), Raidel
patent: 4718692 (1988-01-01), Raidel
patent: 4906021 (1990-03-01), Rowe et al.
patent: 5393096 (1995-02-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 5476704 (1995-12-01), Kohler
patent: 5649719 (1997-07-01), Wallace et al.
patent: 5868418 (1999-02-01), VanDenberg
"Composite Truck Frame Rails Tested", Gerald L. May, Automotive Engineering, vol. 87, No. 11, Nov. 1979, pp. 77-79.
Groep Stevens International, nv
Hurley Kevin
Jasmin Lynda
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