DE102015216839A1 - Control arm for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transverse link (1) for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a link body (2) formed from an upper half shell (3) and a lower half shell (4), - two chassis parts arranged along a chassis pivot axis (A) side attachment points (5, 6) for a chassis, and - two along a Radträger pivot axis (B) arranged wheel-side attachment points (7, 8) for a wheel carrier. In order to optimize its weight and the production costs while ensuring optimal mechanical properties of a control arm, the invention provides that the wheel-side connection points (7, 8) are arranged at opposite ends of a wheel-side tube (11) rigidly connected to the handlebar body (2) is.

Description

The invention relates to a wishbone for a suspension of a motor vehicle.

In modern motor vehicles, all wheels are via a suspension with the vehicle body, d. H. connected to the body or the chassis of the vehicle. Such a suspension fulfills two main tasks: first, the leadership of the wheel or the wheel, on the other hand, the suspension of the same. The guidance of the wheel carrier is ensured, above all, by more or less horizontally extending links (for example, wishbones or trailing links), via which the wheel carrier is connected to the chassis. One or more wishbones connect here the wheel with vehicle-mounted components of the chassis, z. As a side member, a subframe o. Ä. The main function of the wishbone is to accommodate horizontal (i.e., X-Y plane) forces along with other suspension components. Typically, such a control arm has two chassis-side connection points and one or two wheel-side connection points. The chassis-side connection points, via which an articulated connection, for example by metal-rubber composite bearing, given defined by their arrangement to each other a pivot axis. In the installed state, this normally corresponds to the X-axis (ie the longitudinal axis) of the vehicle or is arranged at an angle to it in the X-Y plane. About this axis takes place during compression of the wheel pivotal movement of the control arm relative to the chassis. The wheel-side connection point or the wheel-side connection points provide for a pivoting of the wheel carrier relative to the wishbone.

In addition to forged wishbones, which are usually made of light metal or steel, such handlebars are known in the art, which are manufactured one or two shell as Blechumformteile. In order to give such a handlebar the necessary strength, the sheet is provided with a profile by means of a suitable forming process (for example drawing), which gives it a shell-like structure. Furthermore, also wishbones are known, which consist at least partially of fiber-reinforced plastic.

Furthermore, modern vehicles have as part of the chassis via stabilizers, the opposite wheels of an axle interconnect, in such a way that (usually via a torsion of the stabilizer) in one-sided compression, a force is transmitted to the opposite wheel, whereby a certain balance occurs and the inclination of the vehicle is reduced. It is common to connect such stabilizers via downwardly extending coupling rods with the respective wishbone.

A special type of wishbones is the lower wishbone of a trapezoidal link rear suspension. There are different requirements for this. On the one hand, it should have a high lateral stiffness in the direction of the Y-axis (transverse axis), on the other hand, a high torsional rigidity should be given around the Y-axis. In addition, of course, a reduction in manufacturing cost is just as desirable as minimizing the weight of the control arm to reduce the overall vehicle weight and fuel consumption associated therewith.

The DE 10 2010 051 884 A1 shows a method for producing a transverse link, which is made of a light metal extruded profile and having a main body with extending therefrom bearing arms. Here, a semifinished product made of a light metal extruded profile is provided with at least three adjacent hollow chambers and the top and bottom of the middle chamber are trimmed, so that the outer chambers form beyond bearing bearing arms. Subsequently, the bearing arms are bent technically processed before connecting ends are formed at their ends. The wishbone may be in particular X-shaped.

The DE 10 2005 036 931 B4 discloses a handlebar for a suspension, comprising two welded together half-shells made of sheet metal and having two connections for attachment of a wheel carrier. In this case, the connections are formed by two outer flat sheet metal tongues, which enclose two inner flat sheet metal tongues. The sheet metal tongues are each formed integrally with one of the half shells. Optionally, the outer and inner sheet metal tongues can be welded together.

In view of the prior art presented, the provision of a control arm, in particular for a rear suspension, which has a low weight with optimum rigidity and is inexpensive to produce, still has room for improvement.

The invention has for its object to optimize its weight and the production costs while ensuring optimum mechanical properties of a control arm.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a wishbone with the features of claim 1, wherein the dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

It should be noted that the features listed in the following description as well as measures in any technically meaningful way can be combined with each other and show other embodiments of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and specifies the invention, in particular in connection with the figures.

The invention provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. As motor vehicles in particular cars or trucks come into question. This may in particular be a rear suspension. In particular, it may be a lower wishbone.

The wishbone has a handlebar body formed from an upper half shell and a lower half shell. This corresponds to the two-shell construction known in the prior art, wherein the two half-shells normally consist of sheet steel, although a construction of fiber-reinforced plastic or a light metal such as aluminum would be conceivable. The link body formed by the half shells is usually flat or flat, d. H. it extends in one plane (eg in the XY plane) and has a significantly smaller extent transversely thereto (eg along the Z axis).

The half shells more or less completely enclose an inner cavity of the handlebar, wherein normally each of the half shells has a peripheral flange. In principle, they can be connected to one another by various positive, non-positive and / or integral connection methods, the connection being rigid in any case. A common type of connection with half shells made of sheet metal is the edge welding of the same. It is understood that the term "half shells" is not to be construed as meaning that each of the two shells occupies half the surface of the control arm or the like, but rather that these together form a shell of the handlebar body. The "upper / lower half-shell" position information refers to the position of the transverse link in which, as known in the art, it extends approximately within the XY-plane, one of the half-shells in the direction of the Z-axis above and the others are below.

The wishbone has two chassis-side attachment points for a chassis arranged along a chassis pivot axis, and two wheel-side attachment points for a wheel carrier arranged along a wheel pivot axis. The connection points mentioned are points or areas at which directly or indirectly a connection to the wheel carrier or chassis can be produced or where in the installed state the corresponding connection is made. Such a connection point can, for. B. be given by a bearing bush, a bearing pin, a ball joint receptacle or the like. Overall, the wishbone thus has four connection points. It can also be said that the respective attachment points define the course of the respective pivot axis.

The chassis-side connection points are used for pivotal connection to the chassis of the vehicle, including a subframe of the vehicle. The wishbone is connected via these attachment points with the chassis or subframe in such a way that it can pivot about the chassis pivot axis. This normally runs within the X-Y plane, but not necessarily parallel to the X-axis (longitudinal axis) of the vehicle. The wheel-side connection points serve for pivotal connection to the wheel carrier. The wheel carrier can be mounted over it so that it is pivotable about the wheel carrier pivot axis relative to the transverse link. Normally, the chassis pivot axis and the wheel carrier pivot axis are in one plane with respect to the control arm. Possibly. can in horizontal position of the control arm, the wheel carrier pivot axis parallel to the X-axis. The two pivot axes can be parallel or at an angle to each other.

According to the invention it is provided that the wheel-side connection points are arranged at opposite ends of a wheel-side tube, which is rigidly connected to the handlebar body. The tube is preferably made in one piece, but may also be formed from interconnected segment shells. The tube may also be formed only from a segment shell, so that the tube is open on one side, either towards the wheel or away from the wheel. The rigid connection ensures that the forces acting on the pipe are further introduced into the handlebar body. Here, it is also preferably provided that the power flow from the wheel-side connection points over the pipe to the handlebar body runs. The tube here forms a very stable structure, which contributes to the stabilization of the wishbone. This is especially true for forces acting transversely to the direction of the pipe or resulting torques. Preferably, the wheel-side tube is connected to at least a majority of its length with the handlebar body. It may in principle have a polygonal, oval or other cross section, but typically the cross section is circular. It is in this case a standard component that is inexpensive to manufacture. Normally, the tube is made of sheet steel, although other materials such as light metals or fiber reinforced plastic come into question. In particular, the tube can also contribute to distributing stresses in local forces which may occur locally at only one of the wheel-side connection points, and thus to prevent excessive local load on the handlebar body. Overall, the forces acting on the wheel-side attachment points are absorbed primarily by the tube and thus act in a more uniform manner on the handlebar body. Normally, the tube is oriented at a relatively large angle to the Y-axis, possibly even at right angles thereto. As a result, the torsional rigidity of the control arm about the Y-axis is also improved. The wishbone is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The rigid connection of the wheel-side tube to the handlebar body can be realized in different ways. This includes in principle all conceivable positive, non-positive and / or material connections. In particular, when both the half-shells and the wheel-side tube made of steel, a connection can be made by welding. It is particularly preferred that the wheel-side tube is welded to both half-shells. Thus, on the one hand, the tube with two half-shells connected materially, on the other hand, the two half-shells on the tube again particularly securely connected. It is created in the connecting region of the three elements a particularly stable composite.

Preferably, bearing elements for connection to the wheel carrier are arranged on the wheel-side connection points, which allow a pivoting movement about the wheel carrier pivot axis, which runs through the wheel-side tube. The bearing elements may, for example, be designed as rubber-metal bearings, ball joints, pivot bearings or ball bearings or parts thereof. You can z. B. comprise a sleeve which is rotatably mounted on an axis. A part of the bearing elements may be rigidly connected to the wheel carrier in the assembled state. In any case, the bearing elements allow a total pivotal movement of the wheel carrier and the control arm relative to each other about the Radträger pivot axis. This runs through the wheel-side tube, for example, along the axis of symmetry of the same.

It is possible that the bearing elements are individually attached to the wheel-side tube. According to another embodiment, the bearing elements are connected to each other via a guided through the pipe connection arrangement. That is, at least the connection arrangement serves to secure the bearing elements at opposite ends of the tube relative to one another and in position relative to the tube. It is conceivable that the connection arrangement still allows a certain relative movement, so the bearing elements leaves a margin. Possibly. However, the connection assembly can brace the bearing elements but also against the wheel-side tube, with a screw and a nut exert a force that pulls the bearing elements against the pipe and thus secures in position.

Said embodiment can be realized in a simple manner, that the screw is covered by the wheel-side tube. Here, the head of the screw may abut against a bearing member at one end of the wheel-side pipe while the nut is abutting against a bearing member at the other end of the wheel-side pipe. Of course, in the prior art known elements such as washers or the like may be interposed. The fact that here the bearing elements are secured on both sides of the wheel-side tube by a single screw and associated nut, the number of parts is kept low and the assembly is simplified.

On the one hand to ensure the position of the screw in the operating state and on the other hand to facilitate the insertion of the screw in the wheel-side tube during assembly, it is preferred that the wheel-side tube has a centering element for centering the screw. As a centering can serve, for example, a cap which is up or inserted on or in one end of the wheel-side tube and having a (central) opening for passing the screw. In particular, the centering element can be arranged at least partially in the wheel-side tube. It may extend along the entire length of the tube or only along part of it. There may also be several centering elements. Of course, if the centering element is located within the wheel-side tube, its outer dimension will be matched to the inner dimension of the tube and it will have a recess in the interior adapted to the outer dimensions of the screw.

According to one embodiment, chassis-side pipes, which are rigidly connected to the half-shells, are arranged on the chassis-side connection points. These tubes can, as known in the art in the case of transverse links, serve to accommodate rubber-metal bearings which are pressed into them. As already known in the art, the tubes mentioned can be designed in particular cylindrically. The axes of symmetry of the tubes need not be aligned parallel to the chassis pivot axis, but may be at an angle to this.

Optionally, it can be provided that a stabilizer, the suspension of a wheel in known manner with the suspension of the opposite wheel connects, at least indirectly connected to the wishbone. For this purpose, a holder for at least indirect connection of a stabilizer is rigidly connected to the handlebar body according to one embodiment. Normally, it is provided that acts on the corresponding support a downwardly extending coupling rod, which in turn is connected to the stabilizer. The holder may be designed as a sheet metal part having a bore. The sheet metal part may in this case in particular run parallel to the direction in which the main force components act on the part of the stabilizer, ie, for. B. approximately perpendicular.

The holder may be connected to one of the half-shells or both. There may be a non-positive, positive and / or material connection. Preferably, the holder is welded to the handlebar body. According to one embodiment, the holder is partially arranged between the half-shells and welded thereto. This means that a recess is provided in the connecting region of the two half-shells, through which the holder protrudes from the inside to the outside. By the inner part of the holder, an improved system can be achieved on the half-shells, so that the connection is more stable overall.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the chassis pivot axis and the wheel carrier pivot axis run towards each other towards the front. D. h., The two pivot axes do not run parallel to each other (and, for example, parallel to the X-axis of the vehicle), but at an angle, in such a way that the distance between the (extended imaginary) pivot axes forward, d. H. decreases towards the front of the vehicle. Usually, the two pivot axes extend in a plane so that they intersect in a point lying in front of the control arm.

It should be noted again that the connection to the chassis can also be done via a subframe.

Further advantageous details and effects of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the figures. Show it

1 a perspective view of a control arm according to the invention;

2 a plan view of the control arm 1 ;

3 a sectional view taken along the line III-III in 2 ; such as

4 a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in 2 ,

In the different figures, equivalent parts are always provided with the same reference numerals with respect to their function, so that these are usually described only once.

1 shows a perspective view of a lower wishbone 1 For a rear suspension of a motor vehicle, for example. A car. In the drawing, the vehicle axles are in the installed position of the control arm 1 shown, wherein the X-axis points to the rear of the motor vehicle. The wishbone 1 includes a handlebar body 2 that made an upper half shell 3 and a lower half shell 4 consists. The two half shells 3 . 4 are manufactured as sheet metal parts and joined together by welding. The overall structure of the control arm 1 is flat or flat and extends predominantly in the XY plane.

On the handlebar body are a total of four connection points 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th arranged. On the one hand, there are two chassis-side connection points 5 . 6 provided on each of which a chassis-side metal tube 9 . 10 with both half shells 3 . 4 is welded. Through the chassis-side connection points 5 . 6 runs a chassis pivot axis A. Each of the chassis-side metal tubes 9 . 10 is here at an arm section 2.1 . 2.2 of the handlebar body 2 connected. The cross sections of the metal pipes 9 . 10 are each circular and their axes of symmetry are at an angle to the chassis pivot axis A. In the assembled state, bushings or ball joints in the respective metal tubes 9 . 10 be pressed, whereby a pivotal connection to a chassis of the motor vehicle is possible. The connection can be done here, for example, to a subframe.

Furthermore, at a wheel-side connection side 18 two wheel-side connection points 7 . 8th provided at one of the connection points 5 . 6 opposite side of the handlebar body 2 are arranged. They are located at the ends of a wheel-side, preferably one-piece tube 11 that with both half shells 3 . 4 is welded and extends in the direction of the X-axis, in particular from the top view in FIG 2 becomes clear. The pipe 11 also has a circular cross-section, and is preferably formed from a metal, hereinafter also the name metal tube 11 is selected. The metal pipe 11 has a width which is at least the width of the wheel-side connection side 18 equivalent. In 1 it can be seen that the metal tube 11 the wheel-side connection side 18 each slightly overhanged on both sides.

In the field of wheel-side connection points 7 . 8th are a first bearing element 12 and a second bearing element 13 on the wheel-side metal tube 11 arranged. About the bearing elements 12 . 13 is the wishbone 1 in the assembled state mounted on a (not shown) wheel carrier, that a pivoting about a Radträger-pivot axis B is given. As in 1 and 2 can be seen, the pivot axes A, B are not parallel to each other, but run forward to each other. As in particular from the sectional view in 4 it can be seen sitting said bearing elements 12 . 13 on the shaft of a long bolt 14 on, passing through the metal tube 11 passed through. On the end of the long screw 14 is a mother 15 screwed. By the long screw 14 and the mother 15 are the bearing elements 12 . 13 with each other and with the wheel-side metal tube 11 connected.

In the ends of the wheel-side metal tube 11 are caps 16 pressed, each having central openings through which the long screw 14 passed through. The caps 16 can be made of metal, for example. They serve, on the one hand, the interior of the metal tube 11 To protect against the ingress of dirt, on the other hand they form stops for the bearing elements 12 . 13 , Finally, they serve as centering elements, which center the long screw 14 enable.

Optional could be in the interior 11.1 of the metal pipe 11 another, for. B. cylindrical centering or filling material may be provided.

To allow the connection of a (not shown) stabilizer is laterally on the handlebar body 2 a bracket 17 arranged, which also as a coupling rod holder 17 can be designated. This consists of a substantially flat sheet metal part, which has a greater thickness than the sheet metal of the half-shells 3 . 4 , In operation, a coupling rod, which in turn is connected to the stabilizer, engages in a bore 17.1 the coupling rod holder 17 one. The orientation of the coupling rod holder 17 This corresponds essentially to the main direction of the forces to be expected from the coupling rod. To a particularly secure connection of the coupling rod holder 17 with the handlebar body 2 to ensure the former is through a recess into the interior of the handlebar body 2 between the half-shells 3 . 4 led into it. This is in the sectional view in 3 recognizable. In addition, the coupling rod holder 17 with both half shells 3 . 4 welded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 wishbone

2

 arm body

2.1, 2.2

 arm

3

 upper half shell

4

 lower half shell

5, 6

 Chassis-side connection point

7, 8

 wheel-side connection point

9, 10

 Chassis-side metal tube

11

 wheel-side tube

11.1

 inner space

12, 13

 bearing element

14

 long screw

15

 mother

16

 cap

17

 bracket

17.1

 drilling

18

 wheel-side connection side

A

 Chassis pivot axis

B

 Wheel support pivot axis

X

 X axis

Y

 Y-axis

Z

 Z-axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010051884 A1 [0006]
• DE 102005036931 B4 [0007]

Claims (10)

Wishbone ( 1 ) for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with - one of an upper half shell ( 3 ) and a lower half shell ( 4 ) formed handlebar body ( 2 ), - two chassis-side connection points arranged along a chassis pivot axis (A) ( 5 . 6 ) for a chassis, and - two wheel-side connection points arranged along a wheel pivot axis (B) ( 7 . 8th ) for a wheel carrier, characterized in that the wheel-side connection points ( 7 . 8th ) at opposite ends of a wheel-side tube ( 11 ) are arranged, which is rigid with the handlebar body ( 2 ) connected is. Wishbone according to claim 1, characterized in that the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) with both shells ( 3 . 4 ) is welded. Wishbone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the wheel-side connection points ( 7 . 8th ) Bearing elements ( 12 . 13 ) are arranged for connection to the wheel carrier, which allow a pivoting movement about the Radträger-pivot axis (B), which by the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) runs. Wishbone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by bearing elements ( 12 . 13 ), which via a through the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) guided connection arrangement ( 14 . 15 ) are interconnected. Wishbone according to claim 4, characterized in that the connection arrangement ( 14 . 15 ) one through the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) guided screw ( 14 ) as well as a mother ( 15 ) having. Wishbone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) a centering element ( 16 ) having. Wishbone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the chassis-side connection points ( 5 . 6 ) Chassis-side pipes ( 9 . 10 ) are arranged rigidly with the half-shells ( 3 . 4 ), and which are arranged at an angle to the chassis pivot axis (A). Transverse link according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a holder ( 17 ), which rigidly with the handlebar body ( 2 ), so that a stabilizer at least indirectly with the handlebar body ( 2 ) is connectable. Wishbone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel-side tube ( 11 ) is made in one piece, and has at least one width which at least one width of a wheel-side connection side ( 18 ) corresponds. Wishbone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis pivot axis (A) and the wheel carrier pivot axis (B) to run towards one another in front.

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