# US 9,517,657 B2 · Axle link coupling unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,657 B2 - Document ID: US9517657B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/424,296 - Filed: 2013-09-04 - Published: 2015-11-12 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-13 - Assignees: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH - Applicants: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH - Inventors: Olaf Drewes; Frederik Biewer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517657B2 ## CPC - B60B 35/02: Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque - B60G 7/00: Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof (means for maintaining substantially constant wheel camber during suspension movement B60G3/26; {articulations for wheels B60G5/00; leaf spring attaching means B60G11/10, B60G11/12; trailing arm twist beam axle attaching means B60G21/052; articulations in general F16C}) - B60G 9/003: {the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device} - B60G 21/051: {Trailing arm twist beam axles} - B60G 2204/43: Fittings, brackets or knuckles - B60G 2206/20: Constructional features of semi-rigid axles, e.g. twist beam type axles - B60G 2206/30: Constructional features of rigid axles - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract An axle link junction unit includes a base section and an attachment section, the base section comprising a hollow body at least in transitions into the attachment section along an attachment axis, the attachment section non-detachably fixing a support element to the axle link junction unit, wherein a second attachment section is arranged coaxially with respect to the first attachment section and is situated opposite the first attachment section, and wherein a third attachment section extends substantially along a second attachment axis and a fourth attachment section extends substantially along a third attachment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axle link junction unit for use in utility vehicles, comprising: a base section; and an attachment section; wherein the base section is formed at least partially as a hollow body and transitions into the attachment section along an attachment axis; wherein the attachment section non-detachably fixes a support element to the axle link junction unit, wherein the support element comprises at least one of an axle element and a link element; wherein a second attachment section is arranged coaxially with respect to the first attachment section and is situated opposite the first attachment section; and wherein a third attachment section extends substantially along a second attachment axis and a fourth attachment section extends substantially along a third attachment axis; and wherein the attachment section has an outwardly facing abutment surface configured to abut the support element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein the attachment section includes a multiplicity of outwardly facing abutment surfaces, and wherein the abutment surfaces are arranged offset with respect to one another along the attachment axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein, in a first state of the axle link junction unit, the outwardly facing abutment surface is rotationally symmetrical about the attachment axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein the attachment section includes an inwardly facing abutment surface which, in a second state of the support element is configured to abut the support element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein the attachment section includes at least one of a projection and a recess transverse with respect to the attachment axis that positively locks the support element to the axle link junction unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, further comprising: having a first support section, wherein, in a first and/or second state of the axle link junction unit, the first support section comprises an attachment region for a pneumatic spring of a utility vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein the axle link junction unit comprises two half-shells. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein the second attachment section extends along a first attachment axis, and wherein the first and second attachment sections are configured to fix an axle tube and an axle stub of a utility vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The axle link junction unit of claim 8, wherein the first attachment axis is substantially perpendicular to the second and third attachment axes, and wherein the third and fourth attachment sections are configured to fix elements of a longitudinal link. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The axle link junction unit of claim 9, wherein an angle between the second attachment axis and the third attachment axis is between 90° and 270°. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axle link junction unit of claim 10, wherein the angle between the second attachment axis and the third attachment axis is between 135° and 225°. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The axle link junction unit of claim 11, wherein the angle between the second attachment axis and the third attachment axis is between 160° and 220°. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The axle link junction unit of claim 9, wherein the first attachment section has an extent perpendicular to the first attachment axis that is in a first ratio from 0.7 to 1.5. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The axle link junction unit of claim 13, wherein the first ratio is from 0.9 to 1.4. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The axle link junction unit of claim 14, wherein the first ratio is from 1.1 to 1.3. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The axle link junction unit of claim 9, wherein the second attachment section has an extent perpendicular to the first attachment axis that is in a second ratio from 0.7 to 1.5. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The axle link junction unit of claim 16, wherein the second ratio is from 0.09 to 1.4. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The axle link junction unit of claim 17, wherein the second ratio is from 1.1 to 1.3. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The axle link junction unit of claim 1, wherein, in a second state of the axle link junction unit, the attachment section and the base section have a polygonal cross section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The axle link junction unit of claim 19, wherein the attachment section and the base section have a rectangular cross section.