De Dion axis
A De-Dion axle is a type of driven rigid axle in which the differential gear is attached to the car body separately from the axle and connected to the wheels via cardan shafts . In the construction, the constant axle geometry of the rigid axle - the track width does not change during compression - is combined with a lower unsprung mass .
The wheel suspension was invented by Charles-Armand Trépardoux , one of the partners in De Dion, Bouton & Trépardoux . After his departure, the company traded as De Dion-Bouton . Count Albert de Dion patented this design in 1893 .
The differential gear is attached to the chassis. The steering knuckles with the wheels are connected with a rigid tube or profile , so the camber does not change during compression. The drive torque is transmitted via double cardan shafts (drive shafts). Either the axle tube or the drive shafts have sliding joints for length compensation. If the axle tube contains a sliding piece, the track width of the axle changes when the spring moves. Like other rigid axles, the axle tube can also be guided in different ways: lengthways on links , thrust struts or leaf springs, on the side with a triangular link , Watt linkage or Panhard rod . The axle tube can also be attached directly to the frame in an articulated manner, then it is strongly cranked.
De Dion axles require a lot of space, are complex and therefore expensive; they were used earlier and are occasionally still used in racing, sports and luxury vehicles, for example at Ferrari , Lotus , Aston Martin ( DBS ), Lagonda Rapide , Pegaso , Caterham Cars , Alfa Romeo Alfetta / GTV or Maserati . The Rover P6 presented in 1963 and the large Opel KAD B models, Kapitän , Admiral and Diplomat , built from 1969 onwards were also equipped with it.
The manufacturer DAF used them in the small cars DAF 66 , 46 and 77 ( Volvo 343 ) in the 1970s . Like the Alfa Romeo Alfetta , these vehicles have the gearbox on the rear axle ( transaxle design). In recent years there have been De-Dion axles on some all-wheel drive vehicles such as the Softroader Honda HR-V or the all -terrain truck Mowag Duro and the Smart with a rear engine. This axle is also installed in the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles (Citroën C-ZERO and Peugeot iOn are identical) and the e.GO Life .