DE102019110974A1 - Suspension strut support assembly for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a strut support bearing arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a guide ring (2) for at least indirect accommodation of a bearing spring (3) coming into contact at the end face on an underside (4) of the guide ring (2), as well as a guide ring (2) on a top (5) covering cap ring (6) for fastening the strut support bearing arrangement (1) to a body (7) of the motor vehicle, a bearing element being arranged spatially between the guide ring (2) and the cap ring (6), with a bearing element on the underside (4) of the guide ring (2) a spring support (8) for receiving the suspension spring (3) is arranged, consisting of a first component (9a) for homogenizing a force curve and a wear-resistant second component (9b), the first component (9a ) is arranged at least partially between the second component (9b) and the guide ring (2). The invention also relates to a suspension strut comprising such a suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1).

Description

The invention relates to a strut support bearing arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a guide ring for at least indirect accommodation of a suspension spring coming into contact at the end face on an underside of the guide ring, as well as a cap ring covering the guide ring on an upper side for fastening the suspension strut support bearing arrangement to a body of the motor vehicle. A bearing element is arranged spatially between the guide ring and the cap ring. The invention further relates to a suspension strut comprising such a suspension strut support bearing arrangement.

A spring end or the last spring turn of a suspension spring has a hollow position due to the manufacturing process. A hollow position is an area between the last spring coil of the suspension spring and a guide ring on which the suspension spring comes to rest at least indirectly, in which there is no contact between the spring coil and the guide ring and thus no forces are transmitted. In other words, the suspension spring does not rest evenly on the guide ring, and consequently the distribution of the supporting forces on the circumference of the guide ring is uneven and stress peaks occur. This leads to deformation of the guide ring and of the other bearing components, as a result of which the service life of the strut support bearing arrangement is impaired. In addition, sealing the deformed components and in particular the bearing of the suspension strut support bearing arrangement is comparatively complex.

From the DE 10 2010 25 372 A1 shows a suspension strut slide bearing with a cup-shaped cap which has an edge that runs around a central axis of the suspension strut slide bearing. An element is arranged around the central axis of the strut slide bearing which has an elastic sealing lip which interacts in a dragging manner with the circumferential edge of the cap. The element serves as a spring support, the material of which encloses a reinforcement and, together with the sealing lip, forms a one-piece component.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a suspension strut support bearing arrangement in such a way that the service life is improved.

A suspension strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a guide ring for at least indirect reception of a suspension spring coming into contact at the end face on an underside of the guide ring, as well as a cap ring covering the guide ring on an upper side for fastening the suspension strut support bearing arrangement to a body of the motor vehicle, with spatial between the guide ring and A bearing element is arranged on the cap ring, a spring support for receiving the bearing spring being arranged on the underside of the guide ring, consisting of a first component for homogenizing a force profile and a wear-resistant second component, the first component at least partially between the second component and the guide ring is arranged. Due to the different components of the spring pad, an even load distribution or load transfer from the suspension spring to the guide ring is achieved. In other words, by means of the components mentioned or the spring support, a spring force compensation takes place through the spring support.

The spring support is preferably integrated in the guide ring or firmly connected to it, the spring support thus being designed as a multi-component component consisting of the guide ring and the first and second components. A multi-component component is to be understood as a component consisting of at least two or more materials with different properties.

The spring pad is preferably made by means of a multi-component injection molding process or by means of vulcanization or by means of additive manufacturing, e.g. 3D printed made. In other words, the two components and the first component with the guide ring are connected in one piece, preferably with a form fit, by the respective manufacturing process. Furthermore, a non-positive connection can be formed between the individual components and between the first component and the guide ring. Alternatively, it is conceivable to make the first component detachable from the second component in order to simplify maintenance of the strut support bearing arrangement and to make it more cost-effective.

The cap ring and the guide ring are preferably made of a material with high rigidity to ensure a comparatively long service life. In contrast, the first component is made of a material with better elastic properties than the cap ring, the guide ring and the second component. The first component of the spring pad is preferably a so-called soft component and essentially serves to compensate and evenly distribute the forces coming from the suspension spring. As a result, the elastic soft component is deformed and thereby creates a larger contact surface for the suspension spring on the spring support, so that the forces are evenly directed into the guide ring. The second component consists of a harder and, in particular, more wear-resistant material than the first component in order to be able to move in the contact area between the Support spring and the guide ring to reduce or inhibit wear.

The guide ring and the second component are preferably formed from an identical material and thus have a higher rigidity compared to the first component. This reduces the number of different materials and thus has a positive effect on the manufacturing costs of the strut support bearing arrangement.

The guide ring, the first component and / or the second component preferably have a circumferential thickness that varies, at least in sections, in order to compensate for load peaks. In other words, the spring pad is adapted to the spring profile of the suspension spring and / or the force distribution in the suspension spring contact in terms of both material and design in such a way that the guide ring of the strut support bearing arrangement is loaded as evenly as possible over the entire spring contact and the circumference of the axial contact surface of the spring pad. As a result, all components of the suspension strut support bearing arrangement arranged in the force flow behind the guide ring are also evenly loaded, whereby force peaks are reduced and the service life of the suspension strut support bearing arrangement is improved as a result.

In areas of the spring support where force peaks occur, the strength of the first component is increased locally, so that the suspension spring with the last spring turn has a larger volume of the softer or more elastic material of the first component in this area as a result of an elastic deformation with a larger area comes to rest on the spring pad. As a result of the components that are matched to one another in terms of shape and strength, a uniform introduction of force into the guide ring takes place. The optimized distribution of forces reduces the deformations in the strut support bearing arrangement, which has a positive effect on the service life and the sealing function for sealing the bearing element.

The spring pad thus fulfills a double function. On the one hand, by means of the first component, it achieves a damping effect with associated noise decoupling. On the other hand, a spatial deformation of the suspension spring and the guide ring as a result of a load on the suspension spring is compensated. The advantage here is that the suspension strut support bearing arrangement does not have to be oversized and thus manufacturing costs can be reduced due to the lower cost of materials.

In addition or as an alternative, the second component is arranged in segments on the circumference of the spring support. The second component can be arranged, in particular, in the areas of the spring support where increased wear is to be expected. In the intermediate areas where the second component is not provided, force peaks can be reduced and introduced into the guide ring in a homogenized manner via the first component.

The bearing element is preferably designed as a ball bearing, the ball bearing being arranged spatially between radial legs of the guide ring and the cap ring. Alternatively, the bearing element is designed as a slide bearing, the slide bearing in particular comprising an axially extending first section for radially supporting the guide ring against the cap ring and a radially extending section for axially supporting the guide ring against the cap ring.

A suspension strut according to the invention is arranged in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising several axles, at the ends of which a suspension strut is arranged, which is fastened between a body and a wheel suspension and has a strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention.

• 1a eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Federbeinstützlageranordnung,
• 1b eine Detailschnittdarstellung der Federbeinstützlageranordnung gemäß 1a,
• 2a eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Federbeinstützlageranordnung,
• 2b eine Detailschnittdarstellung der Federbeinstützlageranordnung gemäß 2a,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Abwicklung eines Führungsrings sowie einer ersten und zweiten Komponente der erfindungsgemäßen Federbeinstützlageranordnung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung der Abwicklung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung der Abwicklung gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 6a eine schematische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Federbeinstützlageranordnung, und
• 6b eine Detailschnittdarstellung der Federbeinstützlageranordnung gemäß 6a.

Further measures improving the invention are shown in more detail below together with the description of three preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. It shows

• 1a a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention,
• 1b a detailed sectional view of the strut support bearing arrangement according to 1a ,
• 2a a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention,
• 2 B a detailed sectional view of the strut support bearing arrangement according to 2a ,
• 3 a schematic representation of a development of a guide ring and a first and second component of the suspension strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 4th a schematic representation of the processing according to a second embodiment,
• 5 a schematic representation of the processing according to a third embodiment,
• 6a a schematic view of a third embodiment of the strut support bearing arrangement according to the invention, and
• 6b a detailed sectional view of the strut support bearing arrangement according to 6a .

According to the 1a to 2 B and 6a and 6b is a strut support bearing assembly according to the invention 1 for a - not shown and described here - spring strut of a motor vehicle shown schematically, the in the area of the wheel suspension of the motor vehicle between a - also not shown here - wheel and a body 7th is arranged. The body 7th is only in 1a shown, the other exemplary embodiments being carried out analogously.

The strut support bearing assembly 1 includes a guide ring 2 with a spring pad 8th , the spring pad 8th at a bottom 4th of the guide ring 2 for receiving one on the front of the spring support 8th suspension spring coming to the system 3 is attached. In other words, the suspension spring is supported 3 on an outer surface of the spring pad 8th on the underside of the body 4th the spring pad 8th axially.

The strut support bearing assembly also includes 1 on the guide ring 2 at a top 5 covering cap ring 6 for fastening the strut support bearing assembly 1 on the body 7th of the motor vehicle, being spatially between the guide ring 2 and the cap ring 6 a bearing element is arranged.

The spring pad 8th consists of a first component 9a for homogenizing a force distribution and a wear-resistant second component 9b , where the first component 9a at least partially between the second component 9b and the guide ring 2 is arranged. The spring pad 8th In the present case, it is manufactured using a multi-component injection molding process.

The guide ring 2 is made of a material with a high rigidity, the guide ring 2 and the second component 9b are formed from an identical material. The first component 9a is, on the other hand, from a compared to the second component 9b formed elastic or softer material that is designed to have a larger contact surface of the suspension spring on the spring support 8th to create and thus a uniform introduction of force into the guide ring 2 to realize.

After the 1a and 1b is the bearing element as a ball bearing 11 formed, the ball bearing 11 spatially between radial legs 13 , 14th of the guide ring 2 and the cap ring 6 is arranged. The spring pad 8th is after 1b designed such that the first component 9a over the entire circumference of the bottom 4th of the guide ring 2 with the guide ring 2 connected is. On an outer jacket surface 20th the first component 9a is again the second component 9b arranged, the second component 9b in the present case the entire outer surface area 20th the first component 9a covered.

After the 2a and 2 B is the bearing element 10 as a plain bearing 12 formed, the plain bearing 12 an axially extending first portion 12a for radial support of the guide ring 2 opposite the cap ring 6 and a radially extending portion 12b for axial support of the guide ring 2 opposite the cap ring 6 includes. The spring pad 8th is analogous to the 1a and 1b educated.

The 3 to 5 each show a schematic development of the guide ring 2 as well as the first and second component 9a , 9b , whereby the settlements are all related to an identical, exemplary force curve. The force distribution results from the production-related design of the suspension spring 3 in the area of the suspension strut support bearing assembly 1 last spring turn of the suspension spring coming to rest 3 .

According to 3 the guide ring 2 a varying thickness around the circumference of the guide ring 2 on. The second component 9b in contrast, has a constant strength. Thus, the space between the guide ring 2 and the second component 9b from the first component 9a filled out. In a first area 15th In the present case, a high force is applied from the suspension spring 3 on the spring pad 8th on, hence the first component 9a in the first area 15th is formed stronger or thicker or with a larger volume. In a second area 16 is a so-called hollow position of the suspension spring 3 formed, being in this area 16 only a comparatively small force in the spring pad 8th is transmitted. In a third area 17th comes the suspension spring 3 also on the spring pad 8th to the system and there transfers a force to the spring support 8th . A fourth area 18th again points one to the second area 16 similarly designed shape, with only a small force being transmitted here, too. In other words is the first component 9a in the first and third area 15th , 17th Depending on the loads acting, it is more strongly developed than in the second and fourth areas 16 , 18th . Due to the specific shape of the adjacent surfaces, in particular in the first and third areas 15th , 17th created a larger contact surface, whereby the forces are homogenized. This results in a Optimized force distribution and the associated reduction in stress peaks.

4th in an alternative embodiment, assumes the same force acting on the spring support 8th from, being in contrast to 3 here the guide ring 2 is formed with a constant thickness and the second component 9b has a changing or varying strength. An outside surface 19th the second component 9b is just trained. Analogous to 3 becomes the space between the guide ring 2 and the second component 9b from the first component 9a filled out. In this case, the effect is also achieved that larger loads or voltage peaks in the first and third area 15th , 17th by the first component formed therein to be stronger or with a larger volume 9a and the resulting larger contact surface on the guide ring 2 be degraded or homogenized in order to optimize a force distribution.

Also 5 achieves the same effect, in which case the guide ring 2 and the first component 9a a constant strength and the second component 9b have a varying strength. The present is the outer surface 19th the second component 9b essentially to the geometry of the spring coil of the suspension spring 3 customized. In other words, it is the outer surface 19th unevenly formed, being of the first component 9a in the first and third area 15th , 17th Stress peaks are homogenized and as a uniform force in the guide ring 2 to get redirected.

Since the 3 to 5 The developments shown refer to a merely exemplary force curve, resulting from the uneven outer shape, it is of course conceivable that the surfaces of the guide ring that lie against one another 2 as well as the components 9a , 9b Any design or can be matched in shape and strength to the specific force distribution from the suspension spring 3 to meet. Each of the in the 3 to 5 Embodiments described is based on the various embodiments of the strut support bearing assembly 1 after the 1a , 1b , 2a , 2 B , 6a and 6b easily applicable.

After the 6a and 6b is the bearing element 10 also as a plain bearing 12 with the axially extending first portion 12a and the radially extending portion 12b educated. The difference to the second embodiment according to 2a and 2 B essentially consists of the second component 9b segmented on the circumference of the spring pad 8th is arranged. In other words, there are several second components 9b distributed around the circumference of the spring pad 8th or on the outer peripheral surface 20th the first component 9a arranged. It also shows 6b more precisely that the second component 9b in the first component 9a is integrated, with consequently only part of the outer circumferential surface 20th the first component 9a with the second component 9b is covered or the second component 9b only in part of the outer circumferential surface 20th the first component 9a is integrated.

List of reference symbols

1

Strut support bearing assembly

2

Guide ring

3

Suspension spring

4th

bottom

5

Top

6th

Cap ring

7th

body

8th

Spring pad

9a, 9b

component

10

bearings

11

ball-bearing

12a, 12b

Section of the plain bearing

13th

Radial leg of the guide ring

14th

Radial leg of the cap ring

15th

First area

16

Second area

17th

Third area

18th

Fourth area

19th

Outer surface of the second component

20th

External surface of the first component

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 10201025372 A1 [0003]

Claims (9)

Suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a guide ring (2) for at least indirect accommodation of a bearing spring (3) coming into contact at the end face on an underside (4) of the guide ring (2), as well as a guide ring (2) on an upper side ( 5) covering cap ring (6) for fastening the strut support bearing arrangement (1) to a body (7) of the motor vehicle, a bearing element being arranged spatially between the guide ring (2) and the cap ring (6), characterized in that on the underside ( 4) of the guide ring (2) a spring support (8) for receiving the suspension spring (3) is arranged, consisting of a first component (9a) for homogenizing a force curve and a wear-resistant second component (9b), the first component (9a) is arranged at least partially between the second component (9b) and the guide ring (2). Strut support bearing assembly (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the bearing element is designed as a ball bearing (11), the ball bearing (11) being arranged spatially between radial legs (8, 9) of the guide ring (2) and the cap ring (6). Strut support bearing assembly (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the bearing element is designed as a sliding bearing (10). Strut support bearing assembly (1) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the sliding bearing (10) has an axially extending first section (12a) for radially supporting the guide ring (2) against the cap ring (6) and a radially extending section (12b) for axially supporting the guide ring (2) includes opposite the cap ring (6). Suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring support (8) is produced by means of multi-component injection molding processes or by means of vulcanization or by means of additive manufacturing. Suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide ring (2) and the second component (9b) are formed from an identical material. Suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second component (9b) is arranged in segments on the circumference of the spring support (8). Strut support bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide ring (2), the first component (9a) and / or the second component (9b) have a varying thickness all around at least in sections. Suspension strut for a motor vehicle, comprising a suspension strut support bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th .

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