DE102008045165A1 - Carriage element i.e. axle bearing, for motor vehicle for performing e.g. headlight range regulation, has sensor attached to vehicle body of element, and detecting measurement that is varied by magnetic field of elastomer element - Google Patents

Abstract

The element i.e. axle bearing (3), has a magnetized or magnetizable element i.e. elastomer element, that is directly or indirectly attached to a bearing outer ring (4) of the element. A sensor e.g. hall sensor, is attached to a vehicle body (1) of the element, where the vehicle body is movable against the bearing outer ring of the element. The sensor detects a measurement that is varied by a magnetic field of the elastomer element. The sensor detects magnetic field strength, magnetic flux or magnetic flux density.

Description

The The invention relates to a chassis element for a motor vehicle, in particular an axle box, having the features of the preamble of Claim 1.

to Control of a headlamp leveling and level control as well as Gain an input for the Control of adaptive / active suspension elements is the detection the current "jounce state" of a vehicle necessary. This jounce state can be measured determine the spring travel or compression velocities.

Known Solutions for measuring spring travel see electromechanical Sensors as separate components in front, via brackets be attached to the vehicle body. These sensors are mechanically over Coupling rods hinged, thus the compression movement on the sensor lever transferred to.

The Disadvantages of such solutions are that the Mounting the sensor, the brackets and the coupling rods very is expensive. Furthermore, accommodating such a unit in the Vehicle considerable due to the ever-smaller space Difficulties.

From the publication DE 102 19 533 A1 An arrangement for level detection on a motor vehicle is known. The arrangement comprises at least one stabilizer, each with two stabilizer bearings, via which the stabilizer is rotatably mounted on the body of the vehicle, and means for measuring the angular positions of the stabilizer. The measuring device has a magnet attached to the stabilizer per stabilizer bearing and at least one provided on the stabilizer bearing, arranged in the rotation range of the stabilizer magnet Hall sensor. Furthermore, an evaluation device is provided, which generates signals representing the level of the vehicle from the signals of the Hall sensors.

Furthermore, from the Magazine "Automotive Materials" 02/08, April 2008, 5th year NMN-Verlag, pages 22 ff an article in terms of rubber-metal composite parts known as a signal generator for a vehicle. Accordingly, signal generators can be formed by vulcanizing a layer of a magnetic or magnetizable rubber onto a carrier sheet. In order to make a rubber material magnetic, therefore, a magnetizable material, such as barium or strontium ferrite, must be mixed in powder form. With such a magnetizable rubber, a multipole encoder can then be produced, which can be tapped with the aid of a non-contact sensor system.

The Object of the present invention is to provide a cheap and reliable sensor system, which also requires little installation effort requires a suitable donor for the determination of a To be able to realize vehicle levels.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a suspension element, in particular an axle bearing according to claim 1. Here is in the axle box itself a magnetic sensor system integrated. Advantageous further developments emerge from the dependent claims. In particular it is advantageous if the magnetized or magnetizable element an elastomeric element which is directly on the bearing, for. B. on the bearing rubber or the bearing outer ring, applied or vulcanized. Advantageously, such a component the axle has an additional function, so that the total installation effort can be reduced for the level sensor. Furthermore The magnetic detection system works wear-free.

The The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail, in which show:

1 a schematic diagram of an axle box;

2 vulcanized, magnetised rubber areas as scale on a component in top view and side view

3 a vulcanized, magnetizable rubber portion as a ring on a component in the plan view and the side view;

4 a cross section through an axle bearing according to a first embodiment;

5 a cross section through an axle bearing according to a second embodiment;

6 a cross section through an axle bearing according to a third embodiment and

7 a cross section through an axle bearing according to a fourth embodiment.

The following detailed embodiments represent preferred embodiments of the present invention represents.

In 1 is a vehicle body 1 represented, on which a wishbone 2 with the help of a axlebox 3 is pivotally mounted. The wishbone 2 is here in one piece with the bearing outer shell 4 of the axlebox 3 connected. At the other end is the wishbone 3 swiveling with a wheel 5 connected, so the wheel 5 upon execution of the pivoting movement of the axle guide 2 essentially always vertical.

The wheel 5 has relative to the vehicle body 1 in a rebounded state, a wheel center point level 6 , In the sprung state of the wheel results in a Radmittelpunktsniveauänderung 7 , Between the maximum rebound condition corresponding to the Radmittelpunktniveau 6 and the maximum sprung state corresponding to the wheel center point level 6 minus the wheel center level change 7 performs the wishbone 2 an angle change 8th relative to the center of the axlebox 3 ,

The aim of the present invention is to change the angle 8th For example, for a level control or a headlamp leveling reliably detect, with the corresponding sensors should be easy to manufacture and assemble. According to the present invention, it is therefore provided that, for example, a magnetizable elastomer layer is applied to a chassis bearing (rubber-metal bushing). Likewise, other magnetized or magnetizable elements can be mounted or applied to / on the chassis bearing. With a corresponding sensor, a magnetic field strength, a magnetic flux or a magnetic flux density caused by the magnetized or magnetizable element can then be detected. Suitable sensors are, for example, Hall sensors or GMR (giant magnetic resistance) sensors. In this way, the angle of rotation of the chassis bearing and thus of the corresponding handlebar can be measured. This angle of rotation correlates with the compression travel.

In 2 a magnetic encoder is shown on the left in the plan view and on the right in the side view. On a carrier ring 9 which can be attached, for example, to the bearing outer ring of the journal bearing are magnetized rubber areas 10 vulcanized in a sectoral manner. By the spacing of the individual rubber areas 10 This results in a certain scale that can be tapped by the magnetic field sensor or flux density sensor. For example, the angle of rotation is calculated by summing up pulses.

According to another example of the sensor of the magnetic sensor system will be accordingly 3 suggested that on the carrier ring 9 a complete ring of magnetizable rubber is vulcanized. The ring is then magnetized sector-like, for example, so that magnetically seen again the structure of 2 results. Advantageous to the closed ring 11 is that it can be magnetized as needed (eg, resolution).

For example, the rubber areas 10 or the rubber ring 11 be manufactured and used according to the aforementioned article from the magazine "Automotive Materials". Accordingly, signal generators can be implemented as a so-called multipole encoder. A multipole encoder usually consists of a metal carrier with a vulcanized magnetic elastomer layer with magnetic pole pairs. To produce the elastomer layer, for example, ferrite powder is added as an additive to the rubber or elastomer. The ferrite powder is just as magnetic in the initial state as rubber. It is then magnetized by electrical pulses at high voltage or current.

In 4 a first embodiment of a journal bearing according to the invention is shown in cross section. The center of the axle box forms a shaft 12 , With her or the vehicle body 1 is a bearing bush 13 (also called bearing axis) firmly connected. The bearing bush 13 is from an elastomeric ring 14 surrounded in a known manner. Likewise surrounds the bearing outer ring in a known manner 4 the elastomer ring 14 , The wishbone 2 is outside of the bearing outer ring 4 appropriate.

At the bearing outer ring 4 is a flange-type carrier 15 attached. This carrier 15 has the same function as the carrier 9 in the 2 and 3 , On it is a magnetized or magnetizable rubber layer 10 . 11 according to the 2 respectively 3 vulcanized. Alternatively, the carrier 15 for the rubber layer 10 . 11 also directly on the wishbone 2 rotatably attached.

The rubber layer is a magnetic sensor 16 axially opposite, magnetic field changes, changes in magnetic flux or changes in magnetic flux density caused by the rubber layer 15 detected. As mentioned, a Hall sensor or a GMR sensor is suitable as the sensor.

In the 5 to 7 Further embodiments of rubber-metal axle bearings according to the invention are shown as sensors for determining, for example, the vehicle level. Those components that of the example of 4 correspond, are each provided with the same reference numerals. In this regard, therefore, the description of 4 directed.

In the second embodiment according to 5 is not a special carrier for the rubber layer 10 . 11 used. Rather, the magnetizable or magnetized rubber layer 10 . 11 directly on the bearing outer ring 4 vulcanized. As a result, the assembly can be further simplified because of an additional part, namely the carrier 15 , can be dispensed with.

Alternatively to the example of 5 is in accordance with the third embodiment 6 the magnetized or magnetizable rubber layer 10 . 11 not on the bearing outer ring 4 but directly on the wishbone 2 vulcanized. For this purpose, has the wishbone 2 which in the examples has been previously shown in semi-circular cross-section, a planar annular surface coaxial with the shaft 12 , This Achslenkerfläche serves as a carrier for the rubber layer 10 . 11 , so that even here can be dispensed with a carrier as a separate component.

A fourth embodiment of an axle bearing according to the invention is in 7 shown. Here is the rubber layer 10 . 11 directly on the bearing elastomer 14 applied or formed in one piece with this. As a result, the bearing can be manufactured or assembled more cost-effectively, since only one vulcanization process is necessary, namely that of the bearing elastomer, into which, for example, some ferrite powder is added in the outer region in order to obtain a magnetizable elastomer.

The used in the chassis axle bearings so according to the invention provided with an additional function. This is the installation effort significantly reduced for the level sensor, namely on the installation of a Hall sensor or corresponding sensor in Area of the rubber bush. Another advantage of the invention Solution is that the sensors opposite previously used sensors completely wear-free is. To a wear as before on the sensor lever axis and the ball joints of the connecting rods can not here come.

1

vehicle body

2

wishbone

3

Achslager

4

Outer bearing shell

5

wheel

6

Radmittelpunktniveau

7

Radmittelpunktniveauänderung

8th

angle change

9

support ring

10

rubber area

11

rubber ring

12

wave

13

bearing bush

14

elastomer ring

15

carrier

16

sensor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10219533 A1 [0005]

Cited non-patent literature

• - Journal "Automotive Materials" 02/08, April 2008, 5th year NMN-Verlag, pages 22 ff [0006]

Claims (7)

Suspension element for a motor vehicle, in particular an axle bearing ( 3 ), wherein the chassis element is movable in dependence on a jounce state of the motor vehicle, characterized by - a magnetized or magnetizable element ( 10 . 11 ), directly or indirectly on a first component ( 4 ) of the chassis element is attached, and - a sensor ( 16 ), which is located opposite one of the first component ( 4 ) movable second component ( 1 . 13 ) of the chassis element is mounted, for detecting a by the magnetic field of the element ( 10 . 11 ) variable size. Suspension element according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor ( 16 ) is designed to detect a magnetic field strength, a magnetic flux or a magnetic flux density. Suspension element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetized or magnetizable element ( 10 . 11 ) is an elastomeric element, which is vulcanized annularly on a support. Suspension element according to claim 3, characterized in that the carrier is a bearing outer ring ( 4 ), a wishbone ( 2 ), a bearing elastomer ( 14 ) or an attached element ( 15 ). Vehicle with a chassis element according to a of the preceding claims. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor ( 16 ) is used as an encoder for an in-vehicle headlamp leveling and / or level control. Using the with a suspension element after a of claims 1 to 4 detected variable Size for carrying out a light beam and / or leveling.