This application claims priority from German patent application serial no. 10 2019 209 351.5 filed Jun. 27, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a steering axle for an industrial truck. Moreover, the invention relates to an industrial truck having the steering axle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a known practice of steering the wheels on an axle of four-wheel forklift trucks by means of a hydraulic or electric steering device. In this case, the wheels are coupled to one another in terms of motion via a steering rod, wherein steering movement is transmitted to the steering rod via the steering device, e.g. a steering actuator. For this purpose, the steering rod is usually arranged at least partially in a housing of the steering actuator and is connected to the latter in terms of drive.

Document DE 10 2009 002 934 A1, which is probably the closest prior art, discloses a steerable vehicle axle for a commercial vehicle having an axle beam, at each of the ends of which an axle head that can be steered via a track rod is mounted, wherein the track rod can be moved by means of at least one drive, wherein at least one electric motor having at least one transmission is provided as the drive, thus enabling the electric motor to be arranged offset or at a predetermined angle relative to the track rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem addressed by the invention is that of creating a steering axle of the type stated at the outset which is distinguished by a robust configuration. Another problem addressed by the invention is that of proposing an industrial truck having the steering axle.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a steering axle having the features of the independent claim(s) and by an industrial truck having the features of the independent claim(s). Advantageous configurations will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and/or the description.

The invention relates to a steering axle which is designed and/or suitable for an industrial truck. In particular, the steering axle is designed as a steered front or rear axle of the industrial truck. As an option, the steering axle can be designed as a driven axle, wherein a driving torque of a driving machine, e.g. an internal combustion engine and/or electric motor, of the industrial truck can be transmitted and/or is transmitted to the vehicle wheels of the steering axle. More specifically, the steering axle can be designed as a swing axle.

The steering axle comprises an axle beam, which defines a main axis. In particular, the main axis is defined by a longitudinal axis of the axle beam. In particular, the axle beam forms the rigid part of the steering axle, which is connected to a frame of the industrial truck. For this purpose, the axle beam can have a central fastening section for fastening the axle beam on the frame, for example. For example, the fastening section is and/or can be connected detachably to the frame by means of a screwed joint.

The steering axle has a first and a second wheel carrier, wherein the first and the second wheel carrier are arranged pivotably on the axle beam. In particular, the two wheel carriers serve to receive respective vehicle wheels. The two wheel carriers are preferably mounted pivotably on the axle beam by means of respective pivot joints. As a particular preference, the two wheel carriers are each arranged at one axial end of the axle beam in relation to the main axis.

The steering axle has a steering rod, wherein the steering rod is connected in articulated fashion to the two wheel carriers in order to transmit a steering movement. In particular, the two wheel carriers are each attached to one end of the steering rod by means of a steering arm. In principle, the steering rod can be mechanically coupled to a steering wheel of the industrial truck in order to transmit the steering movement. However, the steering movement is preferably transmitted electronically or hydraulically from the steering wheel to the track rod. It is thereby possible to implement a “steer-by-wire” steering system without any mechanical connection to the steering wheel. In particular, the steering rod and the axle beam are arranged coaxially and/or concentrically with one another in relation to the main axis.

The steering axle has a steering actuator, which is designed and/or is suitable for producing the steering movement. In principle, the steering actuator can be designed as a hydraulic steering drive or preferably as an electrically actuable steering drive. The steering actuator has an actuator housing. In particular, the steering rod is arranged and/or can be arranged at least partially in the actuator housing in such a way that the steering actuator is coupled and/or can be coupled to the steering rod in terms of drive. In particular, the steering rod can be moved in an axial direction with respect to the main axis, relative to the actuator housing, in order to implement the steering movement, wherein the actuator housing remains fixed on the axle beam.

The actuator housing has at least one or precisely one guide section, which is designed and/or is suitable for passing the steering rod through the actuator housing. The steering rod is preferably guided into the actuator housing in the axial direction in relation to the main axis by means of the guide section. The at least one guide section is preferably designed as an elongate and/or cylindrical opening which passes through the actuator housing in the axial direction in relation to the main axis. In principle, the steering rod can be guided into the actuator housing by means of precisely one guide section. However, the actuator housing preferably has precisely two guide sections, wherein the steering rod is guided into and out of the actuator housing in the axial direction in relation to the main axis by means of the two guide sections. The two guide sections are preferably arranged coaxially with one another in relation to the main axis.

In the context of the invention, it is proposed that the steering actuator has at least one or precisely one sliding bearing device, which is designed and/or is suitable for the radial support of the steering rod on the at least one or precisely one guide section. In particular, the sliding bearing device has the function of guiding transverse forces acting on the steering rod into the actuator housing and, at the same time, ensuring axial guidance of the steering rod by means of sliding bearing support. The sliding bearing support is preferably implemented by means of solid body friction, also referred to as dry friction. For this purpose, the sliding bearing device is preferably manufactured from a low-friction, in particular self-lubricating, material. For example, the sliding bearing device can comprise a lead and/or tin and/or copper and/or brass and/or aluminium alloy. As an alternative, the sliding bearing device can be manufactured from an industrial ceramic or can be coated therewith. As an option, provision can be made for the sliding bearing device to be at least partially hardened or fully hardened. More specifically, the steering actuator can have two of the sliding bearing devices, wherein each sliding bearing device is assigned to or arranged in a respective guide section.

The advantage of the invention consists, in particular, in that, by means of the sliding bearing device, transverse force support is implemented for the steering rod, on the one hand allowing transverse forces acting on the steering rod to be introduced into the actuator housing and, on the other hand, reducing or preventing deformation of the steering rod. Thus, a steering axle is proposed which is distinguished by a particularly robust configuration. Through the use of the sliding bearing device, it is furthermore possible to ensure steering operation, especially in the case of high transverse forces, since the steering rod can furthermore be moved smoothly in the axial direction by virtue of the sliding bearing support. Thus, the operational reliability and life of the steering actuator can be improved since the forces that have to be applied to implement the steering movement can be significantly reduced.

In a preferred configuration of the invention, the sliding bearing device is designed as a slide bush. The slide bush preferably forms a contour which matches that of the steering rod. In particular, the slide bush has a cylindrical shape. As a particular preference, the slide bush is designed as a cylindrical sleeve. More specifically, the slide bush has an elongate, in particular tubular, structural shape, wherein an axial overall length of the slide bush is preferably greater than a diameter of the slide bush. In relation to the main axis, the slide bush is arranged coaxially and/or concentrically in the guide section. The slide bush preferably rests in the radial direction over an area, in particular over the full area, of a radial outer side against a radially inner side of the guide section.

It is thus one consideration of the invention to propose a sliding bearing device which is distinguished by a particularly simple and low-cost configuration.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the sliding bearing device is arranged in the guide section in a manner secure against loss by means of a positive joint. In particular, the sliding bearing device is supported positively on the guide section in the radial and/or axial direction in relation to the main axis. Alternatively or as an optional additional measure, the sliding bearing device is arranged in the guide section in a manner secure against loss by means of a non-positive joint. The sliding bearing device is preferably arranged in the guide section by means of an interference fit. The sliding bearing device is preferably pressed into the guide section.

Thus, the sliding bearing device proposed is one which can be installed in the guide section in a particularly simple and rapid manner. Moreover, it is ensured that the sliding bearing device is held firmly in the guide section.

In a preferred specific embodiment, it is envisaged that the steering rod has an axial overall length, wherein at least or precisely 10% of the axial overall length of the steering rod is supported by the sliding bearing device. In particular, more than 10%, preferably more than 20%, more specifically more than 30%, of the axial overall length of the steering rod is supported by the sliding bearing device. Alternatively or as an optional additional measure, less than 40%, preferably less than 25%, more specifically less than 15%, of the axial overall length of the steering rod is supported by the sliding bearing device. As a particular preference, the sliding bearing device, in particular the slide bush, has an axial overall length which corresponds to the percentage of the axial overall length of the steering rod which is supported by the sliding bearing device.

It is thus one consideration of the invention to propose a steering axle which is distinguished by particularly stable support of the steering rod, wherein any loads which occur can be distributed particularly well by virtue of the elongate support for the steering rod.

In another preferred implementation, it is envisaged that the steering axle is accommodated with a small radial clearance in the sliding bearing device. In particular, the steering rod is arranged in the sliding bearing device in such a way that, in a no-load state, the steering rod is spaced apart slightly from the sliding bearing device and, in a loaded state, is supported in some section or sections on the sliding bearing device. As a particular preference, a uniform gap, in particular an annular gap, is formed between the sliding bearing device and the steering rod in a no-load state. In particular, the steering rod is arranged with a radial clearance of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, more specifically less than 0.1 mm, relative to the sliding bearing device. Alternatively or as an optional additional measure, the steering rod is arranged with a radial clearance of more than 0.05 mm, preferably more than 0.25 mm, more specifically more than 0.75 mm, relative to the sliding bearing device.

It is thus one consideration of the invention to propose a steering axle which is distinguished, especially at low loads, by particularly smooth guidance of the steering rod, while, at the same time, only very slight deformation of the steering rod is permissible at higher loads.

In another preferred specific embodiment, it is envisaged that the actuator housing has a first and a second housing section, wherein the steering rod is supported on at least one or precisely one of the two housing sections via the sliding bearing device. In particular, the first and the second housing section are designed as two separate housing parts, which are connected to one another positively and/or nonpositively and/or frictionally and/or materially. The two housing sections can be designed as two half shells, which are supported on one another in the radial or in the axial direction in relation to the main axis. In particular, at least one of the two housing sections has the guide section. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the two housing sections to define the guide section jointly. More specifically, both housing sections each have a guide section, wherein one or both guide sections receives a respective sliding bearing device. The two housing sections preferably jointly define a housing interior, in particular a cylindrical housing interior, wherein the steering rod is guided at least partially by the two housing sections, in particular the housing interior, in the axial direction in relation to the main axis. The first and/or the second housing section are preferably arranged coaxially with one another in relation to the main axis.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the steering actuator has an electric motor and a transmission device. The electric motor can be arranged and/or aligned coaxially and/or concentrically and/or radially and/or axially parallel with respect to the steering rod in relation to the main axis. In order to transmit the steering movement, the electric motor is connected in terms of transmission to the steering rod via the transmission device. In particular, the electric motor is connected in terms of transmission to the steering rod via at least one or precisely one transmission stage. At least the transmission device is preferably arranged in the actuator housing. In particular, the transmission device is accommodated in the first and/or the second housing section. In principle, the transmission device is designed, for example, as a bevel wheel transmission or a worm gear, thus enabling the electric motor to be arranged at an angle to the steering rod and/or lengthwise with respect to the direction of travel of the industrial truck. As an alternative, the transmission device can be designed as a spur gear mechanism, for example. Thus, the electric motor can be aligned parallel to the steering rod and/or transversely to the direction of travel of the industrial truck.

In another preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the steering rod is designed as a threaded spindle. In particular, the steering rod has a ball screw thread or a trapezoidal thread or the like as the threaded section. The transmission device has a spindle nut, which is in engagement with the threaded section of the steering rod designed as a threaded spindle. In particular, the spindle nut is arranged coaxially and/or concentrically with respect to the steering rod. As an option, a plurality of rolling elements, in particular balls, can be arranged between the steering rod and the threaded spindle. The electric motor is connected to the spindle nut in terms of transmission, wherein, during transmission of the steering movement by the electric motor, the spindle nut is rotated around the main axis, with the result that a translational movement of the steering rod is performed and the two wheel carriers are pivoted.

In a preferred specific embodiment, it is envisaged that a first steering rod section of the steering rod is supported on one of the two housing sections in the radial direction via the sliding bearing device. In particular, the housing section has the guide section, wherein the first steering rod section is a section of the steering rod which is guided by the guide section. A second steering rod section is supported on the other housing section in the radial direction via the spindle nut. Alternatively or as an optional additional measure, the second steering rod section is supported on the other housing section in the radial direction via a further sliding bearing device, in particular a further guide section. In particular, the second steering rod section is a section of the steering rod which is guided by the spindle nut and/or the further guide section.

It is thus one consideration of the invention to propose a steering axle which is distinguished by multiple support of the steering rod on the actuator housing.

Another subject of the invention relates to an industrial truck having the steering axle as already described above. The industrial truck is designed as a four-wheel forklift truck. In particular, electromechanical steering is implemented by the steering axle. In the case of the proposed electrically actuated steering of the steering axle, the steering movements can preferably be implemented by the electric motor.

