DE102017201267A1 - Spring residual voltage device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring rest tensioning device (110, 210) for producing a resilient connection between two objects (128, 130, 228, 230), comprising a helical spring (112, 212) attached to a first (128, 228) of the two objects (12; 128, 130, 228, 230) can be arranged in an operatively connected manner.
According to the invention, the spring residual tension device (110; 210) includes a force transmission element (120; 220) operatively connected to the coil spring (112; 212) and additional spring means (126; 226) connected between the force transmission element (120; 220) and a second (130; 230) of the two objects (128, 130, 228, 230) can be arranged operatively connected. At and below a predetermined spring force (F) exerted by the coil spring (112; 212), the coil spring (112; 212) and the additional spring means (126; 226) are serially connected in series via the force transmission member (120; 220). Above the predetermined spring force, a force exerted on the additional spring means (126; 226) is limited by means of the force transmission element (120; 220).

Description

The invention relates to a spring-tensioning device for producing a resilient connection between two objects according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a helical spring, which can be arranged operatively connected at least on a first of the two objects.

The use of elastic spring elements as a connecting element between a sprung object and an unsprung object for protecting the sprung object against an impact of mechanical shocks acting on the unsprung object is known in the art, particularly in the field of automotive engineering.

In the field of vehicle technology, the sprung object may be formed, for example, by the body of a vehicle and the unsprung object by a wheel of the vehicle. The use of elastic spring elements between the body of the vehicle and the wheels of the ride comfort of vehicle occupants is increased by bumps caused by bumps are not transmitted directly to the body. Furthermore, a required for a power transmission ground contact of the wheels can be ensured even with uneven floors. Uneven ground induced vibrations of the body are damped in a known manner by the use of shock absorbers arranged between the body and wheel axles. The elastic spring elements can be formed by elastic coil springs and be an integral part of the shock absorber.

Already in the GB 191019424 A a suspension fork is described, which has two elastic spring elements, namely a main spring and a balance spring, in the form of coil springs, and is arranged between a rear wheel and a saddle of a motorcycle. The two elastic spring elements are concentrically aligned with the balancing spring disposed between ends of the main spring. The spring elements are mounted between flanges of two cylindrical, mutually telescopically displaceable tubes, that they both against each other in a deflection (ie, a reduction of a distance between the rear wheel and saddle) as well as a rebound (ie, an increase in the distance between the rear wheel and saddle) , Thereby, the main spring can be designed so that it fills an available gap between the rear wheel and the saddle in full length, whereby a sufficient maximum spring force despite compact design can be achieved.

Furthermore, in the prior art, the use of additional spring elements for controlling and stabilizing a dynamic driving behavior of a vehicle is known.

For example, describe the US 2003/0173754 A1 and the derived from it US 2005/0062250 A1 a method for controlling a springback movement and a shock absorber for use on a vehicle for carrying out the method. The shock absorber, which is arranged between a wheel axle as unsprung mass and the body of the vehicle as a sprung mass, has an additional spring element, which is arranged coaxially around a tube of the shock absorber around. During cornering of the vehicle, external suspension spring elements are compressed and internal suspension spring elements are pulled apart. The inboard suspension spring elements thereby exert a lifting force on the body, thereby increasing its tendency to curl. The additional, arranged on the shock absorber spring element counteracts the lifting force in this driving situation to reduce the curl of the body, from a deflection of one inch to a normal ride height of the vehicle to a full rebound of the suspension spring elements.

The US 2007/0164531 A1 describes a device and a method for controlling a rebound by a tension spring which is arranged in a shock absorber. The tension spring is disposed along an axis between a vehicle axle and a body and resists movement of the body directed away from the vehicle axle. A tube encloses a piston which is fitted in sliding and sealing engagement with each other along an axis so as to allow a controlled flow of fluid through passages by which axial movement of the piston relative to the tube is damped. A circular lock ring assembly carried by a shaft within the tube is spaced from the piston. Multi-part shoes carried by the lock ring assembly are configured to mechanically engage the tube and resiliently press against the tube in a frictional engagement. A return coil spring disposed coaxially about the shaft and within the tube seats is held between a bearing of the shaft and the multi-piece shoes to hold the return coil spring between and against the split shoes during the rebounding movement and Resetting helical spring axially with the reciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis back and forth to move. The segmented shoes engage frictionally in the tube during the compression movement to the return coil spring to keep under pressure when the shaft moves the piston away from the lock ring assembly during compression. The lock ring assembly is disposed axially within the tube in proportion to the amount of deflection maintained during movement of the shaft to restrain the return coil spring from moving to its free state.

In the JP 2016-053388 A There is described a shock absorber in which the frictional force acting between a piston and a cylinder varies in accordance with a change of a movement of the piston or a change in a speed of the piston.

The shock absorber includes a cylinder storing a working fluid, a piston member disposed in the cylinder, and a rod for supporting the piston member. The piston part includes a piston base body, a main piston provided on an outer circumferential surface on the other side of the piston base body, a groove disposed on an outer peripheral surface on a side of the piston base body and extending in a direction along a center axis of the cylinder. The shock absorber further includes a follower piston disposed in the groove so as to be movable in the groove in the direction along the center axis of the cylinder, so that a maximum static frictional force acting between the follower piston and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, is greater than a maximum static frictional force acting between the main piston and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder.

In view of the state of the art, the area of producing a resilient connection between two objects still offers room for improvement, in particular in a working range of low relative spring forces of spring means used.

The invention is in particular the object of providing a device for producing a resilient connection between two objects, which can ensure even in a working range of low relative spring forces used spring means maintain their bearing seat, so as to ensure a function of the resilient connection.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a spring restraining device having the features of claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention disclose the dependent subclaims.

It is pointed out that the features listed individually in the following description as well as measures can be combined with one another in any technically expedient manner and show further embodiments of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and specifies the invention, in particular in connection with the figures.

The spring restraining device according to the invention for producing a resilient connection between two objects has a helical spring which can be arranged operatively connected at least to a first of the two objects.

A "helical spring" should be understood in this context, in particular a spring which is formed by a wound in helical spring wire. An outer shape of the helical spring can be cylindrical, conical or barrel-shaped.

The term "operatively connected" should in this context be understood in particular to mean that actively connected objects are connected to one another in such a way that a transmission of a force and / or a torque and / or a torsional moment between the objects is possible. The transmission can take place both by direct contact and indirectly, by an intermediate element.

The spring restraining device according to the invention comprises a force transmission element operatively connected to the helical spring and an additional spring means, which can be arranged in operative connection between the force transmission element and a second of the two objects.

At and below a predetermined spring force exerted by the coil spring, the coil spring and the additional spring means are forcefully arranged in series across the force transmitting member. Above the predetermined spring force, a force exerted on the additional spring means is limited by means of the force transmission element.

In this way it can be ensured that at and below the predetermined spring force, a loss of mechanical contact between the coil spring and at least one of the two objects even in the area exerted by the coil spring spring forces, for example due to certain driving conditions, avoided. This can be achieved without compromising design freedom in coil spring design. The use of a coil spring with force-dependent, different spring constants can be avoided by the invention become. Furthermore, a smooth transition from a spring force exerted by the coil spring close to or equal to zero to a compression load of the coil spring can be achieved.

The terms "first," "second," etc. used in this disclosure are for the purpose of distinction only. In particular, by their use no order or priority of the objects mentioned in connection with these terms should be implied.

The force transmission element can essentially be regarded as rigid in the region of the considered spring forces.

The spring restraining device according to the invention finds particular application in the field of vehicle technology. An application in other fields of technology is also being considered.

Preferably, the force exerted on the additional spring means above the predetermined spring force by means of the force transmission element is limited to substantially the value of the predetermined spring force.

The first of the two objects may be formed by a sprung mass, such as a vehicle body or subframe structure of a vehicle. The second of the two objects may be formed by an unsprung mass, such as a wheel carrier or an associated control arm.

In an advantageous embodiment of the spring restraining device, the predetermined spring force is less than 10% of a maximum exerted by the coil spring spring force. Thereby, a loss of the mechanical contact between the coil spring and at least one of the two objects in a range of low relative spring force exerted by the coil spring, for example, due to certain driving conditions can be avoided, without the function of the coil spring in a range of large relative, of the coil spring affect applied spring force.

In one embodiment, the spring residual tension device comprises a spring block for supporting the coil spring, which is fixedly connected to the power transmission element. The use of spring blocks in resilient connections between two objects is known and used, in particular for metallic objects to avoid noise and to reduce wear. Due to the fixed connection of the spring block with the force transmission element, a reliable power transmission can be ensured at and below the predetermined spring force.

The spring block may preferably be made of an elastomer. The fixed connection between the spring block and the force transmission element can in particular be produced by using an injection molding process in which the spring block is injection-molded onto the force transmission element.

In one embodiment of the spring restraining device, the additional spring means comprises at least one helical spring or at least one leaf spring or at least one plate spring or a combination of at least two different springs from these types of spring. Thereby, the additional spring means can be provided in a simple manner with common in the art, inexpensive components.

Preferably, the coil spring and the further spring unit are arranged coaxially, whereby a uniform force distribution can be achieved in a simple manner.

In one embodiment of the spring restraining device, the additional spring means consists for the most part of steel or a fiber-reinforced composite material, for example of glass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic such as epoxy or polyester resin. By "for the most part" should be understood in this context in particular to more than 50 vol.%, Preferably to more than 70 vol.%, And, more preferably, to more than 90 vol.%. The term should also include that the additional spring means completely, d. H. to 100%, consists of said material.

The material for the additional suspension means can be selected according to various aspects, for example, for cost or weight reasons.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the force transmission element has a guide element which serves for mechanical guidance of the force transmission element at and below the predetermined spring force exerted by the helical spring. Thereby, an exact, reversible movement of the force transmission element in this region of the spring force, in which the coil spring and the additional suspension means are arranged in series in force, can be achieved.

In particular, it can be provided that the guide element of the force transmission element cooperates with a corresponding guide element of the second object in order to prevent the To achieve leadership of the power transmission element in the considered range of the spring force.

Preferably, the movement of the force transmission element can be provided in this region of the spring force parallel to a central axis of the coil spring.

In one embodiment of the spring restraining device, the force transmission element is designed in the form of a cylindrical pot. As a result, a power transmission of the respective prevailing spring forces can be achieved in a structurally particularly simple manner. A symmetrical power transmission of the prevailing spring forces can be achieved if a center axis of the cylindrical pot coincides with the central axis of the coil spring.

If the guide element is formed by at least part of an inner or outer surface of the cylindrical pot, the mechanical guidance can be brought about by a design of the guide element with a corresponding guide element of the second object in a structurally particularly simple manner.

In one embodiment of the spring restraining device, the force transmitting element consists for the most part of metal, for example of steel, whereby the considered spring forces can be transmitted in a simple manner without substantial deformation of the force transmission element. Preferably, the force transmission element is produced by means of a deep-drawing process.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Federrestspannungsvorrichtung in einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht,
• 2 eine alternative erfindungsgemäße Federrestspannungsvorrichtung in der gleichen Ansicht, und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einiger Komponenten der Federrestspannungsvorrichtung gemäß der 1 in einer Betriebssituation oberhalb der vorbestimmten Federkraft (oben) und in einer Betriebssituation unterhalb der vorbestimmten Federkraft (unten).

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims and the following description of the figures. Show it:

• 1 a spring restraining device according to the invention in a sectional side view,
• 2 an alternative spring restraining device according to the invention in the same view, and
• 3 a schematic representation of some components of the spring tension device according to the 1 in an operating situation above the predetermined spring force (above) and in an operating situation below the predetermined spring force (below).

In the different figures to an embodiment, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why they are usually described only once.

1 shows a spring restraining device according to the invention 110 for producing a resilient connection between two objects 128 . 130 in a sectioned side view. The first 128 of the two objects 128 . 130 is formed by a subframe structure of the body of a vehicle. The second 130 of the two objects 128 . 130 is formed by a wheel carrier of the vehicle. The first object 128 is thus sprung, the second object 130 is unsprung.

The spring rest tension device according to the invention 110 comprises a coil spring designed as a helical compression spring 112 made of steel whose outer shape is cylindrical. The coil spring 112 is by means of a first spring block 116 arranged operatively connected to the subframe structure of the body. The first spring block 116 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a recessed step, at which the coil spring 112 is supported by a combination of form and friction. The first spring block 116 is made entirely of an elastomer and serves to prevent noise and reduce wear.

The spring residual tension device 110 has another, second spring block 118 for supporting the coil spring 112 with an end facing away from the subframe structure on the wheel carrier of the vehicle. Furthermore, the spring residual tension device includes 110 a trained in the form of a cylindrical pot power transmission element 120 , which was produced by means of a deep-drawing process of a steel element and a at an upper end of the cylindrical pot perpendicular angled, circumferential projection 122 having. The power transmission element 120 is in the embodiment too 1 with the opening of the pot in the direction of the wheel carrier 130 arranged.

The second spring block 118 is also completely made of an elastomer and is by means of an injection molding process to the circumferential projection 122 of the power transmission element 120 injected and thus firmly connected by material connection with this. The coil spring 112 is by means of the second spring block 118 with the overhang 122 of the power transmission element 120 operatively connected.

The wheel carrier 130 is with a cylindrical pin 132 provided, the size of the pot shape of the power transmission element 120 is adjusted. The power transmission element 120 is arranged so that the pin 132 partly from the power transmission element 120 is enclosed. A centerline of the cylindrical pin 132 is congruent with a midline 114 the coil spring 112 and a cylinder axis of the power transmission element 120 ,

The spring residual tension device 110 also has an additional suspension means 126 on that between the power transmission element 120 namely, its bottom and the wheel carrier 130 is arranged operatively connected. The additional spring means 126 includes a steel coil spring with a cylindrical outer shape. A centerline of additional suspension means 126 is congruent with the midline 114 the coil spring 112 ,

The 1 shows the spring residual tension device 110 in a state above a predetermined one, from the coil spring 112 applied spring force F in which part of the bodywork of the vehicle is the coil spring 112 the spring residual tension device 110 loaded with its weight on the subframe structure to pressure. At the same time, the bottom of the coil spring is loaded 112 against the second object 130 pressed force transmission element 120 the additional spring means 126 on pressure, leaving the power transmission element 120 through a through the additional spring means 126 applied spring force is loaded in the opposite direction.

The predetermined spring force is determined by the spring force caused by the additional spring means 126 in the in the 1 shown state is exercised. The coil spring 112 and the additional suspension means 126 are designed so that the predetermined spring force less than 10%, preferably 5%, a maximum of the coil spring 112 exercisable spring force amounts. In the state above the predetermined spring force changes even with a change in the load of the coil spring 112 through the body, the load of the additional suspension means 126 not, so that above the predetermined spring force by means of the force transmission element 120 one on the additional suspension means 126 applied force is limited, namely to the predetermined spring force.

In the upper part of the 3 are some components of the spring residual tension device 110 according to the 1 shown schematically in the state above the predetermined spring force. When the of the coil spring 112 maximum spring force exerted, for example, to 8 kN, the predetermined spring force is 400 N. One of the subframe structure on the coil spring 112 applied force K for example, 4 kN is from the coil spring 112 compensated with a spring force at the same height. At the same time exercises the additional spring means 126 a force equal to the predetermined spring force on the coil spring 112 out, also from the coil spring 112 must be compensated, so that the coil spring 112 with a spring force F of 4.4 kN is applied. The coil spring 112 exercises over the second spring block 118 a force of 4 kN on the wheel.

Depending on the driving conditions of the vehicle, that of the subframe structure on the coil spring 112 applied force K vary. Sinks on the coil spring 112 applied force K down to the predetermined spring force of 400 N, for example, by the centrifugal force when cornering, then by the coil spring 112 applied spring force F by that of the additional spring means 126 applied spring force just compensated. In this situation, the coil spring exercises 112 over the second spring block 118 no force on the wheel carrier. The on the coil spring 112 applied force K is via the power transmission element 120 and the additional suspension means 126 introduced into the wheel carrier.

Sinks on the coil spring 112 applied force K to below the predetermined spring force of 400 N, then outweighs that of the additional spring means 126 applied spring force, and the power transmission element 120 is from the additional spring means 126 Pressed away from the wheel carrier in the positive z-direction, leaving the second spring block 118 is no longer in contact with the wheel carrier. At and below the predetermined spring force are the coil spring 112 and the additional suspension means 126 over the power transmission element 120 arranged serially in series. This condition is in the lower part of the 3 shown.

During the movement of the power transmission element 120 in the positive z-direction is a part of the inner surface of the cylindrical pot, so the cylindrically shaped power transmission element 120 as a guide element 124 that with a corresponding guide element 136 , which is formed by a lateral surface of the cylindrical pin, cooperates for the mechanical guidance of the movement.

2 shows an alternative spring restraining device according to the invention 210 in the same view as 1 in a state of a manufactured resilient connection between the same objects 228 . 230 as in 1 , wherein the embodiment of the wheel carrier 230 is slightly changed compared to the first embodiment.

The alternative spring restraining device according to the invention 210 includes a coil spring 212 , a first spring block 216 and an additional suspension means 226 which are identical to those of the first embodiment. The coil spring 212 is in the same way by means of the first spring block 216 arranged operatively connected to the subframe structure of the body.

The spring residual tension device 210 has another, second spring block 218 for supporting the coil spring 212 with an end facing away from the subframe structure on the wheel carrier of the vehicle. Furthermore, the spring residual tension device includes 210 a trained in the form of a cylindrical pot power transmission element 220 , which was produced by means of a deep-drawing process from a steel plate and a at an upper end of the cylindrical pot perpendicular angled, circumferential projection 222 having. In contrast to the first embodiment, the force transmission element 220 with the bottom of the pot in the direction of the wheel carrier 230 arranged.

The second spring block 218 is also completely made of an elastomer and is by means of an injection molding process to the circumferential projection 222 of the power transmission element 220 injected and thus firmly connected by material connection with this. The second spring block 218 has a recessed step, which is used to hold the coil spring 212 at the end facing away from the auxiliary frame structure by means of a combined form and frictional engagement is used. The coil spring 212 is thus on the second spring block 218 with the overhang 222 of the power transmission element 220 operatively connected.

The wheel carrier is with a cylindrical recess 234 provided for partially receiving the power transmission element 220 , That is, the bottom and a part of the cylindrical lateral surface is used. A centerline of the cylindrical recess is true with a centerline 214 the coil spring 212 and a cylinder axis of the power transmission element 220 match.

The additional spring means 226 is between the power transmission element 220 namely the bottom of the power transmission element 120 and the wheel carrier operatively connected. A centerline of additional suspension means 226 agrees with the midline 214 the coil spring 212 match.

The 2 shows an alternative spring restraining device according to the invention 210 in a state above the predetermined spring force exerted by the coil spring 210, in which part of the body of the vehicle is the coil spring 212 the spring residual tension device 210 loaded with its weight on the subframe structure to pressure. At the same time, the bottom of the coil spring is loaded 212 against the second object 230 pressed force transmission element 220 the additional spring means 226 on pressure, leaving the power transmission element 220 through a through the additional spring means 226 applied spring force is loaded in the opposite direction.

The force ratios correspond to those of the first embodiment. In this respect, the execution applies to 3 in the embodiment too 2 corresponding.

Sinks on the coil spring 212 applied force to below the predetermined spring force of 400 N, then outweighs that of the additional spring means 226 applied spring force, and the power transmission element 220 is from the additional spring means 226 Pressed away from the wheel carrier in the positive z-direction, leaving the second spring block 218 no longer in contact with the wheel carrier 230 located. At and below the predetermined spring force are the coil spring 212 and the additional suspension means 226 over the power transmission element 220 arranged serially in series.

During the movement of the power transmission element 220 in the positive z-direction is a part of the outer surface of the power transmission element 220 as a guide element 224 that with a corresponding guide element 236 , which of a lateral surface of the cylindrical recess 234 is formed, cooperates for mechanical guidance of the movement.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

110, 210

Spring residual voltage device

112, 212

coil spring

114, 214

center line

116, 216

spring block

118, 218

spring block

120, 220

Power transmission element

122, 222

projection

124, 224

guide element

126, 226

additional spring means

128, 228

Subframe structure (first object)

130, 230

Wheel carrier (second object)

132

spigot

234

recess

136, 236

corresponding guide element

F

Spring force of the coil spring

K

force

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

• GB 191019424 A [0004]
• US 2003/0173754 A1 [0006]
• US 2005/0062250 A1 [0006]
• US 2007/0164531 A1 [0007]
• JP 2016053388 A [0008]

Claims (9)

A spring residual tension device (110; 210) for providing a resilient connection between two objects (128,130; 228,230) comprising a coil spring (112; 212) disposed on at least a first one (128,228) of the two objects (128,130 228, 230), characterized by a force transmitting member (120; 220) operatively connected to the coil spring (112; 212), and additional spring means (126; 226) connected between the force transmitting member (120; second (130; 230) of the two objects (128, 130; 228, 230) being operatively engageable, wherein at and below a predetermined spring force (F) exerted by the coil spring (112; 212), the coil spring (112; 212) and the additional spring means (126; 226) are serially connected in series via the force transmitting member (120; 220), and wherein above the predetermined spring force by means of the force transmitting member (120; agent (126; 226) applied force is limited. Spring residual tension device (110; 210) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the predetermined spring force is less than 10% of a maximum spring force exerted by the coil spring (112; 212). Spring residual tension device (110; 210) according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized by a spring block (118; 218) for supporting the coil spring (112; 212) fixedly connected to the power transmission element (120; 220). Spring restraining device (110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional spring means (126; 226) comprises at least one helical spring or at least one leaf spring or at least one disc spring or a combination of at least two different springs of these spring types. Spring restraining device (110; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional spring means (126; 226) consists for the most part of steel or a fiber-reinforced composite material. A spring restraining device (110; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmitting member (120; 220) includes a guide member (124; 224) disposed at and below the predetermined spring force (112; 212) exerted by the coil spring (112; 212). F) for mechanical guidance of the force transmission element (120, 220). Spring restraining device (110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmission element (120; 220) is designed in the form of a cylindrical pot. Spring residual tension device (110; 210) according to Claim 6 or 7 characterized in that the guide member (124; 224) is formed by at least part of an inner or outer surface of the cylindrical pot. Spring restraining device (110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmission element (120; 220) consists for the most part of metal.

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