DE102022204115A1 - Air spring with a torsion bearing seal - Google Patents

Abstract

Air spring (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first attachment part (2) and a second attachment part (3), an elastomeric rolling bellows (4) being fastened in a pressure-tight manner between the two attachment parts (2; 3), whereby a volume-elastic pressure space ( 5) is limited, wherein the first attachment (2) is rotatably mounted via a torsion bearing (11) relative to a connecting part (9) of the motor vehicle, the torsion bearing (11) being inserted in a bearing receiving ring (10) which is connected to the connecting part ( 9) is connected, wherein a vibration damping element (12) is at least partially provided between the bearing receiving ring (10) and the connecting part (9), the vibration damping element (12) comprising an outer collar (13) which completely covers the torsion bearing (11) on the outside .

Description

The invention relates to an air spring for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Air springs or air suspension struts, which are clamped between a chassis and a body of a motor vehicle and have a rolling bellows, which in turn is fastened between a cover and a rolling piston, are known in a variety of designs. During operation, the air spring is under internal excess pressure and the rolling bellows rolls under load and during spring movements, forming a rolling fold on the outer surface of the rolling piston.

Free-standing air springs, i.e. those without axial guidance through an integrated shock absorber, are often installed on the rear axle of the motor vehicle. Here they are used in the so-called overhead position, so that the rolling piston is connected to the body and the cover to the wheel suspension. Due to kinematic movements of the wheel or the wheel suspension, the cover is rotated relative to the rolling piston. However, this torsion input is disadvantageous for the rolling bellows. The rolling bellows provided with reinforcements can be damaged by excessive torsion, causing the reinforcements to tear.

To counteract this, torsion bearings are provided between the attachment part of the air spring (rolling piston or cover) and the connecting part of the motor vehicle (body or wheel suspension). These torsion bearings are designed, for example, as radial and/or axial bearings and allow the rolling bellows with the rigid attachment to rotate relative to the torsion-mounted attachment.

Such a warehouse is, for example, from the document DE 10 2011 112 130 A1 known. In it, the rolling piston is mounted via a radial bearing opposite a cylindrical bearing pot, which is connected to an axle of the chassis, to compensate for torsion.

As a rule, special seals are provided for such bearings, which are intended to protect the torsion bearing from contamination from the environment. However, over time these seals can become damaged and leak.

It is the object of the invention to provide an air spring with an improved seal for a torsion bearing.

According to the invention, an air spring for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a first attachment and a second attachment, an elastomeric rolling bellows being fastened in a pressure-tight manner between the two attachments, whereby a volume-elastic pressure space is limited, the first attachment being rotatable via a torsion bearing relative to a connecting part of the Motor vehicle is mounted, the torsion bearing being inserted in a bearing receiving ring which is connected to the connecting part, a vibration damping element being at least partially provided between the bearing receiving ring and the connecting part, the vibration damping element comprising an outer collar which completely covers the torsion bearing on the outside.

According to this embodiment, the vibration damping element according to the invention fulfills two functional areas. On the one hand, it dampens the vibrations introduced into the motor vehicle by the air spring, and on the other hand, its outer collar also provides a seal for the torsion bearing. This protects the torsion bearing from environmental influences and a special torsion bearing seal can be dispensed with. This structural design of the vibration damping element with sealing function creates a simplified structure for the rotatable connection of the air spring to the motor vehicle.

The air spring is used in an air suspension system of a motor vehicle.

Preferred embodiments of the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment based on the figures and the subclaims.

• 1 eine Luftfeder gemäß dem Stand der Technik,
• 2 eine Anbindung eines Luftfederanbauteils an einen Anbindungsabschnitt des Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem beispielsgemäßen Vibrationsdämpfungselement mit Abdichtfunktion, und
• 3 das beispielsgemäße Vibrationsdämpfungselement als Einzelteil.

Show it

• 1 an air spring according to the state of the art,
• 2 a connection of an air spring attachment to a connection section of the motor vehicle with an exemplary vibration damping element with a sealing function, and
• 3 the vibration damping element according to the example as an individual part.

The 1 shows a well-known air spring 1 with its essential components in a highly schematic form. A rolling piston 2 serves as the first attachment for connection to a wheel carrier and a cover 2 serves as a second attachment for connection to the vehicle body. This regular installation position of an air spring determines the “top/bottom” orientation. Air spring 1 can also be installed in the overhead position, in which rolling piston 2 with the Vehicle body is connected and cover 3 is connected to the wheel carrier.

An elastomeric rolling bellows 4 is clamped airtight between the cover 3 and the rolling piston 2, whereby a volume-elastic pressure chamber 5 filled with compressed air is limited. Tubular rolling bellows 4 is attached to attachment parts 2, 3 via respective clamping rings 6.

Furthermore, rolling bellows 4 is enclosed by a sleeve-shaped outer guide 7, which is used as a support corset, particularly in thin-walled rolling bellows, in order to counteract the high internal pressure in the pressure chamber 5. Outer guide 7 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the air spring 1. During dynamic driving, the thread-reinforced rolling bellows 4 rolls up and down on the outer wall of the rolling piston 2, forming a rolling fold 8.

The 2 shows a detail of the connection of rolling piston 2 to a fastening section of the motor vehicle. The fastening section includes an attachment 9, which has a head 18 and a contact surface 19 for connecting one of the attachments of the air spring. In this case for rolling piston 2. Attachment 9 can be either a fastening section of the body or the wheel carrier of the motor vehicle.

A bearing receiving ring 10 is pushed or pressed concentrically onto head 18. Bearing receiving ring 10 is L-shaped in cross section with two legs. One leg rests on the head 18. The other leg rests on contact surface 19. A torsion bearing 11 is inserted into the bearing receiving ring 10, on which the rolling piston 2 is supported. Torsion bearing 11 is, for example, a roller bearing and is arranged in the axial direction between bearing receiving ring 10 and rolling piston 2. Rolling piston 2 is rotatably mounted relative to attachment 9 by torsion bearings 11.

In order to reduce the entry of vibrations into the body, a vibration damping element 12 is provided, which is arranged between the attachment 9 and the bearing receiving ring 10. Vibration damping element 12 rests with an end face 15 on contact surface 19 of attachment 9 and is pushed with an inner collar 14 onto head 18 of attachment 9.

To protect torsion bearing 11, vibration damping element 12 includes an outer collar 13, which completely covers torsion bearing 11 on the outside. This protects torsion bearing 11 from environmental influences such as water, dust and dirt. In addition, a special torsion bearing seal can be dispensed with.

Furthermore, at least one locking means 16 is provided on the inside of the outer collar 12, which engages in a receiving groove 17 of the first attachment 2. Locking means 16 will be discussed in the following 3 discussed in more detail.

The 3 shows only vibration damping element 12 in a perspective view. The internal inner collar 14 and the external outer collar 13 with its locking means 16 are illustrated. Inner collar 14 and outer collar 13 are connected to one another by end face 15. It is clear from the figure that vibration damping element 12 is placed over bearing receiving ring 10 and torsion bearing 11. In addition, the locking means 16 is T-shaped in cross section and is partly embedded or vulcanized into the vibration damping element 12.

Only one locking means has been provided with the reference number 16. As can be seen from the figure, for example, several locking means 16 are distributed in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from one another on the inside of outer collar 13.

Locking means 16 form a positive connection with the receiving groove 17, so that a torsion bearing seal that cannot be pulled off is created. Locking means 16 have the function of holding the package consisting of rolling piston 2, torsion bearing 11 and bearing receiving ring 10 together. In addition, locking means with their connection to the rolling piston 2 make it more difficult for foreign particles to enter the torsion bearing 11.

Reference symbol list

1

Air spring

2

first attachment/rolling piston

3

second attachment/lid

4

Rolling bellows

5

Pressure room

6

Clamping ring

7

Exterior tour

8th

Roll fold

9

connection part

10

Bearing retaining ring

11

Torsion bearing

12

Vibration dampening element

13

Outer collar

14

Inner collar

15

face

16

Rest means

17

receiving groove

18

Head

19

investment area

L

Longitudinal axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011112130 A1 [0005]

Claims (5)

Air spring (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first attachment part (2) and a second attachment part (3), an elastomeric rolling bellows (4) being fastened in a pressure-tight manner between the two attachment parts (2; 3), whereby a volume-elastic pressure space ( 5) is limited, wherein the first attachment (2) is rotatably mounted via a torsion bearing (11) relative to a connecting part (9) of the motor vehicle, the torsion bearing (11) being inserted in a bearing receiving ring (10) which is connected to the connecting part ( 9) is connected, wherein a vibration damping element (12) is at least partially provided between the bearing receiving ring (10) and the connecting part (9), characterized in that the vibration damping element (12) comprises an outer collar (13), which the torsion bearing (11) completely covered on the outside. Air spring (1). Claim 1 , characterized in that one or more locking means (16) are provided on the inside of the outer collar (12), which engage in a receiving groove (17) of the first attachment part (2). Air spring (1). Claim 2 , characterized in that the locking means (16) are distributed in the circumferential direction and arranged at a distance from one another on the outer collar (12). Air spring (1). Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the locking means (16) are at least partially embedded or vulcanized into the outer collar (12). Air spring (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the vibration damping element (12) is made of rubber.

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