Torsion axle assembly with connection node component

1. A torsion axle assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a torsion axle cross beam having a first end and a second end;

a first trailing arm and a second trailing arm, each trailing arm having a first end and a second end, the second end of each of the respective trailing arms configured to be coupled to one of the first end and second end of the torsion axle cross beam;

at least one connection node component including:

a torsion axle cross beam interface configured to couple the at least one connection node component and the torsion axle cross beam;

a trailing arm interface configured to couple the at least one connection node component and one of the first trailing arm and second trailing arm;

a rear wheel hub attachment feature configured to couple the at least one connection node component to a vehicle wheel hub;

a spring seat configured to receive a coil spring; and

wherein the at least one connection node component is formed as a single unitary piece and is configured to couple the torsion axle cross beam, one of the first and the second trailing arms, and the vehicle wheel hub.

2. The torsion axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one connection node component comprises a first connection node component positioned at the torsion axle beam first end and a second connection node component positioned at the torsion axle cross beam second end.

3. The torsion axle assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a first plurality of retention features and a first plurality of fastening features, wherein the second end of the first trailing arm is secured to the first connection node component at the first connection node component trailing arm interface and the second end of the second trailing arm is secured to the second connection node component at the second connection node component trailing arm interface with the first plurality of retention features and the first plurality of fastening features.

4. The torsion axle of claim 3 , wherein the first plurality of retention features is a plurality of bolts and the first plurality of fastening features is a plurality of nuts.

5. The torsion axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection node component further comprises a track bar fitting for receiving a track bar.

6. The torsion axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection node component is formed by casting.

7. The torsion axle assembly of claim 6 , wherein the connection node component is formed of cast iron.

8. The torsion axle assembly of claim 6 , wherein the connection node component is formed of cast nodular iron.

9. The torsion axle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the torsion axle cross beam and the at least one connection node component are coupled at the torsion axle cross beam interface by a magnetic arc weld.

10. The torsion axle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first plurality of retention features, a first plurality of fastening features, a second plurality of retention features, and a second plurality of fastening features, wherein the torsion axle cross beam and the at least one connection node component are coupled at the torsion axle cross beam interface with the second plurality of retention features and the second plurality of fastening features.

11. The torsion axle assembly of claim 10 wherein the second plurality of retention features is a plurality of bolts and the second the plurality of fastening features is a plurality of nuts.

12. A torsion axle rear suspension for an automotive vehicle having a vehicle frame, the torsion axle rear suspension comprising:

a torsion axle assembly including:

a torsion axle cross beam having a first end and a second end;

a first trailing arm and a second trailing arm coupled to the torsion axle cross beam at each of the first end and second end, each trailing arm having a first end and a second end, the second end of each of the respective trailing arms configured to be coupled to one of the first end and the second end of the torsion axle cross beam;

at least one connection node component including:

a torsion axle cross beam interface configured to couple the at least one connection node component and the torsion axle cross beam;

a trailing arm interface configured to couple the at least one connection node component and one of the first trailing arm and second trailing arm;

rear wheel hub attachment feature configured to couple the at least one connection node component and a rear wheel hub;

a spring seat configured to receive a coil spring;

a track bar fitting for receiving a track bar;

wherein the track bar has a first end and a second end, the track bar first end configured to be coupled to the torsion axle assembly at the track bar fitting of the at least one connection node component; and

wherein the at least one connection node component is formed as a single unitary piece and is configured to couple the torsion axle cross beam, one of the first and second trailing arms, and the rear wheel hub of the vehicle.

13. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 12 , wherein the at least one connection node component comprises a first connection node component positioned at the torsion axle beam first end and a second connection node component positioned at the torsion axle cross beam second end.

14. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 13 , wherein the second end of the first trailing arm is bolted to the first connection node component at the second connection node component trailing arm interface and the second end of the second trailing arm is bolted to the second connection node component at the second connection node component trailing arm interface.

15. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 13 , wherein the track bar first end is coupled to the first connection node component at the first connection node component track bar fitting and the track bar second end is coupled to the vehicle frame.

16. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 13 , further comprising a first coil spring and a second coil spring, the first coil spring disposed upon the first connection node component spring seat and the second coil spring disposed upon the second connection node component spring seat.

17. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 12 , wherein the at least one connection node component is formed by casting.

18. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 12 , wherein the at least one connection node component is from of nodular cast iron.

19. The torsion axle rear suspension of claim 12 , wherein the torsion axle cross beam is formed of spring steel.