DE102022202958B4 - Spring system for an axle construction of a vehicle, bearing body and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spring system (10) for an axle structure of a vehicle (100), comprising a coil spring (11), an additional spring (12), an additional spring holder (13) for holding the additional spring (12), an additional spring contact section (15 ) with an additional spring contact surface (16) for contacting and compressing the additional spring (12) when the axle structure deflects in a deflection direction (R1) from the additional spring holder (13) to the additional spring contact section (15), a bearing body (17) with a Coil spring bearing surface (18) for preloaded storage of the helical spring (11), the helical spring bearing surface (18) being designed in the deflection direction (R1) after the additional spring contact surface (16), and an elastically compressible protective tube (14), which is arranged on the additional spring receptacle (13), the additional spring (12) is at least partially encased and positioned within a spring volume (20) defined by the coil spring (11), the bearing body (17) having a protective tube bearing section (19) for storing and Compressing the protective tube (14) when the axle structure deflects and a venting section (21) for venting a protective tube volume (22) defined by the protective tube (14) when the axle structure deflects. The invention further relates to a bearing body (17) for the spring system (10) and a vehicle (100) with the spring system (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a spring system for an axle construction of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a bearing body for such a spring system and a vehicle with such a spring system.

In order to increase driving comfort and to support coil springs on axle structures of vehicles, especially for absorbing high loads, a so-called additional spring is provided on almost all axle structures on the market. Depending on the axle concept, this can be designed as part of the damper bearing or act as an independent component of the axle.

To protect against mechanical overstress, the prior art usually works on directly reinforcing the additional spring. This can be done through material substitution, material modification, geometry modification, partial reinforcement through additional reinforcement on the relevant components and/or through a change in the load path. In the case of a spring system with an additional spring on an axle construction, the spring travel and the load input should be limited to protect against overstressing of the functional components. A deflection process of the spring system usually leads to an arcuate movement of a handlebar. The handlebar has an additional spring contact section, the purpose of which is to compress the additional spring as the deflection continues. A bellows-shaped protective tube is folded up by the compression or compression process and therefore does not hinder the compression process. The protective tube is usually mounted in a form-fitting manner in the spring system on both end faces of the protective tube. In known systems, a stop for the protective tube is designed in the area of the additional spring contact section. From the German patent application DE 10 2020 200 090 A1 For example, a protective tube with a positive locking element is known, which is or can be attached to a counter positive locking element on an outer peripheral surface of the additional spring contact section. This means that the protective tube can be reliably held in the desired position. Nevertheless, such a positive locking system requires skilled craftsmanship in the manufacture as well as in the installation and/or maintenance of the spring system.

From the FR 2 803 250 A1 a spring system for a motor vehicle with a coil spring, a shock absorber, a receptacle for the shock absorber, a section for contacting and compressing the shock absorber, a bearing body with a support surface for the coil spring and an elastically compressible protective tube which envelops the shock absorber is known.

From the JP 2016 - 188 698 A Another spring system for a motor vehicle with a coil spring and a shock absorber is known. However, when the coil spring is contracted, the damper rod is pushed into the damper main body.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially take into account the problem described above. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to create a simplified yet reliably functioning spring system and a vehicle with such a spring system.

The above task is solved by the patent claims. In particular, the above object is achieved by the spring system according to claim 1, the bearing body according to claim 9 and the vehicle according to claim 10. Further advantages of the invention result from the subclaims, the description and the figures. Features that are described in connection with the spring system naturally also apply in connection with the bearing body according to the invention for the spring system, the vehicle according to the invention with the spring system and vice versa, so that reference is always made to each other with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention and / or can be.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a spring system for an axle structure of a vehicle is proposed. The spring system has a coil spring, an additional spring, an additional spring receptacle for holding the additional spring, and an additional spring contact section with an additional spring contact surface for contacting and compressing the additional spring when the axle structure deflects in a deflection direction from the additional spring receptacle to the additional spring contact section. The spring system also has a bearing body with a coil spring bearing surface for preloaded storage of the coil spring, the coil spring bearing surface being designed in the deflection direction after the additional spring contact surface or further down than the additional spring contact surface. The spring system also includes an elastically compressible protective tube which is arranged on the additional spring receptacle, at least partially envelops the additional spring and is positioned within a spring volume defined by the coil spring. The bearing body further includes a protective tube bearing portion for storing and compressing the protection tube when the axle structure is deflected and a venting section for venting a protective tube volume defined by the protective tube when the axle structure is deflected.

The present invention departs from the known spring systems in particular in that the lower stop for the protective tube is no longer designed on the additional spring contact section or by the additional spring contact section, but rather by the bearing body provided for the coil spring. This means that the spring system can be implemented even more easily. There is no need for a separate bearing and/or form-fitting means. This in turn results in logistical advantages in the production of the spring system as well as in the commissioning and/or maintenance of the spring system.

The essence of the invention can be formulated in such a way that the bearing body is developed in a sleeve-shaped manner against the deflection direction in order to also form the protective tube bearing section elevated above the coil spring bearing surface. The desired functions with regard to a stop and/or positive connection for the protective tube as well as flow control are both realized by the bearing body, not by the additional spring contact section.

The spring system is designed for use in a generic axle construction for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle. The coil spring and the additional spring are correspondingly large, so that forces of several 100 kg can be easily absorbed. The additional spring is preferably a stop buffer. Such a stop buffer should be designed in terms of its geometry and material selection so that it has the desired suspension properties. It is desirable if the stop buffer designed as an additional spring and the additional spring contact surface have shapes that correspond to one another at least in some areas. This means that the additional spring can hit and compress as desired. The additional spring can in particular be made of a foamed polyurethane (PUR).

The bearing body also has an outer surface with a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses formed between the projections, with venting passages of the venting section for venting the protective tube volume being designed through the recesses and at least a part of the protective tube bearing section being designed on an end face of the projections.

The ventilation passages are therefore formed by the special shape of the outside and / or outer peripheral surface of the bearing body, while at the same time the protective tube bearing section is still formed. This solution is particularly easy to manufacture, compact and durable. The outer surface contour of the bearing body can, for example, have a star shape when viewed from a cross section of the bearing body. Alternatively, the outer surface contour could extend in a wave-like manner in the circumferential direction. To vent the protective tube volume, the air from the protective tube volume can flow over the outer surface of the bearing body in the area of the recesses. Through openings described above could be additionally designed in the projections.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is when flow conditions in the protective tube volume and through the at least one venting section are adjusted by the number, the shape, the size, the position, the orientation and/or the variance of at least one venting passage. A large number of small venting passages and a small number of larger venting passages can basically form a substantially identical outlet area, but with a large number of small venting passages, more turbulence can arise in the air flowing through, which may negatively influence the air flow. However, turbulence can also be desirable, for example in order to loosen and blow out contamination in the protective tube volume.

If a relatively large outlet area is formed due to the size of the ventilation channels and/or their number, the air cushion to be formed may not be provided with sufficient counterforce, be shorter or not provided at all. Therefore, depending on the expected mechanical loads during compression and/or rebound processes, it must be determined which counterforce should be provided by the air cushion and how long the counterforce should be maintained.

In addition to the number and/or size of the ventilation passages, the flow conditions are also influenced by their shape and/or orientation. The shape affects the geometric shape in all three spatial axes. The orientation describes whether the at least one ventilation passage is inclined at one or each angle of inclination in relation to a central axis of the bearing body and/or the protective tube. Finally, the position of the at least one venting passage can also influence the guidance of the inflowing and/or outflowing air during a spring process in order to specifically release and To promote blowing out dirt and/or particles from the additional spring device.

If several ventilation passages are designed, they do not all have to be designed and/or provided in the same way. The ventilation passages can differ from one another in all of the features explained above in order to specifically adjust the flow volume, the flow direction and/or the flow speed for the respective axle construction.

In order to ensure as much as possible that the protective tube hits the protective tube bearing section in such a way that it can effectively develop a sealing effect in the contact area and the inflow and/or outflow of air only takes place through the venting section and/or the at least one venting passage be advantageous if the protective tube is designed with a funnel-like opening at one end. The funnel-like opening means that the cross section of the protective tube is expanded at the end that meets the protective tube bearing section and its radius reduces as the distance from the protective tube bearing section increases. This allows the fullest possible and most effective stop to be achieved, which is necessary for the elastic compression of the protective tube and the desired flow conditions.

The protective tube is preferably designed like a bellows, in particular like a bellows. In this case, the funnel-shaped design of an end of the protective tube facing the protective tube bearing section can be achieved by cutting a last fold of the bellows-like protective tube.

In order to prevent dirt, snow and the like from penetrating through the venting section into the spring volume and/or causing a blockage there, the venting section and/or at least one venting passage of the venting section can be designed with dirt protection against penetrating dirt. In order not to impair the function of the ventilation section, the dirt protection can have a valve and/or a flap which is designed and arranged in such a way that it opens outwards into the surroundings of the protective tube volume when outflowing air flows against it, and remains closed when incoming air hits them. This can be achieved, for example, by a skin formed with a plastic, a corresponding cover and/or a correspondingly shaped pivoting wing, which remains closed when air flows in and opens when air flows out and allows the air flow to escape. Alternatively or additionally, air-permeable fillers can be designed to filter dirt in and/or on the ventilation section. Such an air-permeable filler can be felt.

The cleaning effect described can also be achieved with brushes or brushes that are arranged in or on the ventilation section.

The coil spring bearing surface is preferably designed in the shape of a groove. This allows the coil spring to be positioned stably in the spring system. The protective tube is preferably positioned completely within the spring volume. This means that the coil spring surrounds or runs around the protective tube in its circumferential direction, preferably over the entire height of the protective tube. The spring system according to the invention is preferably configured without guidance by a piston rod, i.e. without a piston rod guide.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for the protective tube bearing section in a spring system to be designed as an integral and/or monolithic component of the bearing body. This means that the protective tube bearing section is not manufactured as an additional and/or separate component, but in particular as part of the bearing body, so to speak from a single casting. This means that the protective tube bearing section can be made available particularly easily and also with a high level of stability and longevity.

Furthermore, in a spring system according to the invention it is possible for the venting section to be designed in and/or on the protective tube bearing section. This means that the venting section, for example in the form of at least one venting passage and/or a venting passage opening, preferably begins directly at the protective tube bearing section. The protective tube bearing section can therefore form the initial contour of the vent section. This means that the system consisting of a ventilation section and a protective tube storage section is made available in a particularly compact manner.

Furthermore, in a spring system according to the present invention, it is possible for the venting section to have a plurality of venting passages which are designed on an (imaginary) circular path around the additional spring contact section, the circular path running coaxially to the coil spring bearing surface. This means that the circular path extends through the ventilation passages. In other words, the venting passages are arranged in a ring shape, with the respective venting passage not having a ring shape. This allows particularly uniform ventilation and correspondingly uniform cleaning of the protective tube volume can be achieved. In addition, a homogeneous air cushion can be generated in the protective tube volume when the axle structure is deflected.

According to a further embodiment variant of the present invention, it is possible for the protective tube bearing section in a spring system to be designed in a collar shape on an end section of the bearing body facing the protective tube. Due to the collar shape, the bearing body can be designed to be relatively material-saving, while the desired protective tube bearing section can still be formed, in which the venting section can also be integrated. The collar shape also makes it possible for the vent section to be designed particularly easily in the area of the protective tube bearing section, for example in the form of at least one through opening through a collar section of the bearing body.

In a spring system according to the invention, it is also possible for the coil spring bearing surface to be designed as an integral and/or monolithic component of the bearing body. This means that the bearing body can be or will be made from a single cast including the coil spring bearing surface and the protective tube contact section. This allows the protective tube contact section and the coil spring bearing surface to be provided in a simple, compact and stable manner.

In addition, it is possible for the venting section to have at least one through opening through the bearing body for venting a protective tube volume defined by the protective tube. The at least one through opening can thus be provided in a particularly stable manner. The through opening can be understood to mean a through opening produced directly during a manufacturing process of the bearing body, or a through hole that is subsequently machined in. The through opening can therefore be at least partially cylindrical. The ventilation section preferably has several such through openings. The through openings can, as explained in further detail above, be arranged on a circular path or in a corresponding ring shape.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a bearing body for a spring system as described above. The bearing body has a coil spring bearing surface for preloaded storage of the coil spring, the coil spring bearing surface being designed in the deflection direction after the additional spring contact surface or further down than the additional spring contact surface. The bearing body also has a protective tube bearing section for storing and compressing the protective tube when the axle structure is deflected and a venting section for venting a protective tube volume defined by the protective tube when the axle structure is deflected. The bearing body further has an outer surface with a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses formed between the projections, with venting passages of the venting section for venting the protective tube volume being designed through the recesses and at least a part of the protective tube bearing section being formed on an end face of the projections. The bearing body according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the spring system according to the invention.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle and/or road vehicle such as a car, a truck or a bus, with an axle construction and a spring system as described above for cushioning the axle construction. The vehicle according to the invention therefore also brings with it the advantages described above.

Further measures improving the invention result from the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are shown schematically in the figures. All features and/or advantages arising from the claims, the description or the figures, including constructive details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both individually and in the various combinations.

• 1 ein Federsystem gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung,
• 2 eine Schraubenfeder für ein erfindungsgemäßes Federsystem,
• 3 einen Lagerkörper für ein erfindungsgemäßes Federsystem gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• 4 einen Lagerkörper für ein erfindungsgemäßes Federsystem gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform,
• 5 eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Schutzrohr-Lagerabschnitt gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• 6 eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Schutzrohr-Lagerabschnitt gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform, und
• 7 ein Fahrzeug mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Federsystem.

They show schematically:

• 1 a spring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
• 2 a coil spring for a spring system according to the invention,
• 3 a bearing body for a spring system according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 4 a bearing body for a spring system according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
• 5 a top view of a protective tube bearing section according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 6 a top view of a protective tube bearing section according to the invention according to a second embodiment, and
• 7 a vehicle with a spring system according to the invention.

Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

1 shows a spring system 10 for an axle construction of an in 7 illustrated vehicle 100 according to a first embodiment. The spring system 10 has an additional spring 12, an additional spring receptacle 13 for holding the additional spring 12 and an additional spring contact section 15. The additional spring contact section 15 has an additional spring contact surface 16 for contacting and compressing the additional spring 12 when the axle structure deflects in a deflection direction R1 from the additional spring receptacle 13 to the additional spring contact section 15. The spring system 10 also has a coil spring 11, which is only in 2 is shown. The coil spring 11 defines an in 1 and 2 indicated spring volume 20, within which a protective tube 14 is located. This in 1 Protective tube 14 shown is designed in the form of a bellows and can be correspondingly elastically compressed. The protective tube 14 is arranged on the additional spring receptacle 13 and encloses the additional spring 12. In other words, the additional spring 12 is arranged within a protective tube volume 22. The spring system 10 shown also has a bearing body 17 with a coil spring bearing surface 18 for preloaded storage of the coil spring 11, the coil spring bearing surface 18 being designed in the deflection direction R1 after the additional spring contact surface 16 or further down than the additional spring contact surface . The bearing body 17 also has a protective tube bearing section 19 for storing and compressing the protective tube 14 when the axle structure is deflected and a venting section 21 for venting the protective tube volume 22 when the axle structure is deflected. This in 1 Spring system 10 shown is shown in an operating state in which the bearing body 17 is or was deflected by a generic handlebar (not shown).

3 shows the bearing body 17 of the in 1 Spring system shown in further detail. That's how it is 3 In particular, it can be seen that the protective tube bearing section 19 is designed as an integral and monolithic part of the bearing body 17. The coil spring bearing surface 18 is also designed as an integral and monolithic part of the bearing body 17. The ventilation section 21 is designed in the protective tube storage section 19. The venting section 21 has a plurality of through openings 24 through the bearing body 17 for venting the protective tube volume 22.

In 4 a bearing body 17 is shown according to a second embodiment. The bearing body 17 shown is characterized in particular in that the protective tube bearing section 19 is designed in a collar shape on an end section of the bearing body 17 facing the protective tube 14. Through the correspondingly formed collar of the bearing body, several through openings extend along the deflection direction R1 or parallel to the deflection direction R1.

5 shows a top view of a protective tube bearing section 19 of the in 4 shown bearing body 17. In the bearing body 17, through openings 24 are therefore designed, which extend in the deflection direction R1 or essentially along a gravitational direction with respect to a stationary vehicle 100 through the bearing body 17 and in particular through the collar. The through openings 24 are ring-shaped and therefore designed on a circular path around the additional spring contact section 15.

6 shows a top view of a protective tube bearing section 19 according to a second embodiment. Like facing 6 To see, the bearing body 17 has an outer surface 25 with a plurality of projections 26 and a plurality of depressions 27 formed between the projections 26. The outer surface contour is star-shaped when viewed from above. Through the depressions 27, ventilation passages 23 of the ventilation section 21 are designed for venting the protective tube volume 22, which can be flowed over by escaping air from the protective tube volume 22.

In 7 A vehicle is shown in the form of a car, which has several spring systems 10 for cushioning the respective axle structures, as explained in detail above.

In addition to the embodiments shown, the invention allows for further design principles. This means that the invention should not be considered limited to the exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures.

Reference symbol list

10

Spring system

11

Coil spring

12

Additional spring

13

Additional spring holder

14

protective tube

15

Additional spring contact section

16

Additional spring contact surface

17

bearing body

18

Coil spring bearing surface

19

Protective tube bearing section

20

Spring volume

21

vent section

22

Protection tube volume

23

vent passage

24

Passage opening

25

external surface

26

head Start

27

deepening

R1

Compression direction

100

vehicle

Claims (9)

Spring system (10) for an axle construction of a vehicle (100), comprising: - a coil spring (11), - an additional spring (12), - an additional spring holder (13) for holding the additional spring (12), - an additional spring contact section (15 ) with an additional spring contact surface (16) for contacting and compressing the additional spring (12) when the axle structure deflects in a deflection direction (R1) from the additional spring holder (13) to the additional spring contact section (15), - a bearing body (17). a coil spring bearing surface (18) for preloaded storage of the coil spring (11), the coil spring bearing surface (18) being designed in the deflection direction (R1) after the additional spring contact surface (16), and - an elastically compressible protective tube (14) , which is arranged on the additional spring receptacle (13), at least partially envelops the additional spring (12) and is positioned within a spring volume (20) defined by the coil spring (11), the bearing body (17) having a protective tube bearing section (19). Storage and compression of the protective tube (14) when the axle structure is deflected and a venting section (21) for venting a protective tube volume (22) defined by the protective tube (14) when the axle structure is deflected, characterized in that the bearing body (17) has an outer surface ( 25) with a plurality of projections (26) and a plurality of recesses (27) designed between the projections (26), wherein venting passages (23) of the venting section (21) for venting the protective tube volume (22) are designed through the recesses (27) and on at least part of the protective tube bearing section (19) is designed on an end face of the projections (26). Spring system (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the protective tube bearing section (19) is designed as an integral and / or monolithic part of the bearing body (17). Spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting section (21) is designed in and/or on the protective tube bearing section (19). Spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting section (21) has a plurality of venting passages (23) which are designed on a circular path around the additional spring contact section (15), the circular path being coaxial with the coil spring bearing surface ( 18) runs. Spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective tube bearing section (19) is designed in a collar shape on an end section of the bearing body (17) facing the protective tube (14). Spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the helical spring bearing surface (18) is designed as an integral and/or monolithic component of the bearing body (17). Spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting section (21) has at least one through opening (24) through the bearing body (17) for venting a protective tube volume (22) defined by the protective tube (14). Bearing body (17) for a spring system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, having a helical spring bearing surface (18) for preloaded storage of the helical spring (11), the helical spring bearing surface (18) in the spring direction (R1) after the additional spring -Contact surface (16) is designed, a protective tube bearing section (19) for storing and compressing the protective tube (14) when the axle structure is deflected and a venting section (21) for venting a protective tube volume (22) defined by the protective tube (14) during deflection the axle construction, characterized in that the bearing body has an outer surface (25) with a plurality of projections (26) and a plurality of depressions (27) formed between the projections (26), ventilation passages (23) of the ventilation section (21) being formed through the depressions (27). ) to vent the protective tube volume (22). are designed and at least part of the protective tube bearing section (19) is designed on one end face of the projections (26). Vehicle (100) with an axle construction and a spring system (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 to cushion the axle construction.

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