DE102023200676B3 - Suspension strut, mounting system and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suspension strut (1) for a motor vehicle (2), having a damper (3) for dampening mechanical shocks, a spring (4) for cushioning the mechanical shocks and for returning the damper (3) to an initial position, a suspension strut bearing (5) for mounting the suspension strut (1) on a suspension strut dome (6) of the motor vehicle (2) and a spring plate (7) for providing a lower counter bearing for the spring (4), wherein the suspension strut (1) has a first receptacle (8) for receiving a first support device (9) of an assembly aid (10) and a second receptacle (11) for receiving a second support device (12) of the assembly aid (10), wherein the first receptacle (8) has a first support surface (13) for multi-axial support on a second support surface (14) of the first support device (9). According to the invention, the second receptacle (11) is designed as an elongated hole (15). Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting system (18) for mounting a suspension strut (1) to a suspension strut dome (6) of a motor vehicle (2) and to a motor vehicle (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a spring strut for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting system for mounting a spring strut to a spring strut dome of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 8 and to a motor vehicle with a spring strut.

Axle systems of motor vehicles have spring struts to cushion and dampen mechanical shocks and to compensate for unevenness in the road surface. These are each arranged on a spring strut mount of a vehicle body and fixed to the spring strut mount, in particular via a screw connection. In passenger vehicles, a spring strut is usually assigned to each wheel.

It is known that motor vehicle bodies have so-called strut domes, which are designed as strut mounts. When assembling the strut to the strut dome, which is sometimes also referred to as a "marriage", it is particularly important that the strut is aligned to the strut dome as precisely as possible. Assembly is usually done manually, with alignment of the strut to the strut dome being ensured by means of additional centering devices. Accordingly, for example, precisely fitting fastening holes, centering pins or the like are used to ensure correct alignment of the strut to the strut dome. In more modern assembly systems, the strut is assembled to the strut dome automatically using robots, which also means that the mutual alignment of the strut and strut dome should be automatic and reliable.

From the EN 10 2018 211 525 A1 A suspension strut system with a suspension strut mount and a suspension strut with a suspension strut bearing is known. The suspension strut mount is designed to accommodate the suspension strut. The suspension strut bearing has an alignment device for aligning the suspension strut to the suspension strut mount when assembling. For this purpose, the alignment device has, for example, a centering pin with a conical tip, which can be inserted into a hole in the suspension strut mount. The centering pin also has a shaft area with an external thread in order to secure the suspension strut to the suspension strut mount using a nut. The document EN 10 2020 213 879 A1 discloses an assembly aid device with a linearly spring-mounted first support device and a rigid second support device.

Assembly aids for an automatic marriage of the suspension strut and the body are available from the documents EN 10 2020 210 685 A1 and EN 10 2021 209 202 B3 known. For the alignment and automatic screwing of the spring strut to the spring strut dome, the assembly aid has a first support device that can be compressed in the axial direction against a spring force and a second support device designed to prevent the spring strut from tipping over. The spring strut can be supported at two points via the first support device and the second support device. This is intended to enable a defined pre-positioning of the spring struts in order to ensure the reliable insertion of a first positioning cone of a positioning device into a round hole formed in the spring strut dome and a second positioning cone of the positioning device into an elongated hole formed in the spring strut dome during the joining process.

The suspension strut has an area facing away from the suspension strut dome, which is attached to the axle body with a ball joint. The first support device and the second support device are intended to hold the suspension strut in a defined and statically determined position - according to a statically determined tripod - in relation to the assembly aid before the actual assembly process. For a stress-free positioning of the suspension strut on the assembly aid, a suspension strut plate has an oversized round hole through which the second support device can be passed in order to limit the suspension strut from tipping over. The interaction of the second support device with the round hole provides a "rattle fit" which ensures a limited relative pivoting of the suspension strut to the assembly aid.

Known automated assembly systems for mounting a suspension strut on a suspension strut dome have the disadvantage that the relative pivoting of the suspension strut to the assembly aid is not sufficiently limited. Excessive relative pivoting can lead to the alignment cones of the suspension strut bearings not reliably hitting the alignment holes in the suspension strut dome during the joining process (marriage). This results in a limitation of the process reliability (< 98%) of the automatic joining process.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to eliminate or at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above in the automated assembly of a suspension strut on a suspension strut tower of a motor vehicle. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a suspension strut, an assembly system and a motor vehicle which can be easily and cost-effectively assembled. To ensure an improved automated assembly of the suspension strut to the suspension strut dome in a cost-effective manner and/or to avoid tilting of the suspension strut due to the alignment cones missing the alignment holes during joining, thus reducing wear on the suspension strut dome and/or the assembly aid and avoiding rework.

The above object is solved by the patent claims. Accordingly, the object is solved by a suspension strut with the features of independent claim 1, by an assembly system with the features of the independent claim 8 and by a motor vehicle with the features of the independent claim 10. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the suspension strut according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the assembly system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to each other.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a spring strut. The spring strut has a damper for dampening mechanical shocks, a spring for cushioning the mechanical shocks and for returning the damper to an initial position, a spring strut bearing for mounting the spring strut on a spring strut dome of the motor vehicle and a spring plate for providing a lower counter bearing for the spring. The spring strut also has a first receptacle for receiving a first support device of an assembly aid and a second receptacle for receiving a second support device of the assembly aid, wherein the first receptacle has a first support surface for multi-axial support on a second support surface of the first support device. According to the invention, the second receptacle is designed as an elongated hole.

The damper extends along a longitudinal axis and preferably has a damper cylinder in which a damper piston is held so that it can move in translation. The damper is designed to dampen mechanical shocks which can be transmitted to the suspension strut via a wheel of the motor vehicle, for example while driving through potholes, bumps, objects on the road or the like.

The spring preferably extends around the damper. Alternatively, the spring can also be arranged adjacent to the damper. The spring is designed to cushion the mechanical shocks and to return the damper to its starting position. In the context of the invention, a starting position is understood to mean, for example, a relative position of the components of the damper that are translationally movable relative to one another, such as the damper piston and the damper cylinder, which these components have before the mechanical shock is applied. The spring is preferably supported, in particular with a high preload, with a first spring end against the suspension strut bearing and with a second spring end against the spring plate, wherein the suspension strut bearing and the spring plate are each arranged on a different one of the components of the damper that are translationally movable relative to one another, in order to thus provide damping and suspension between the suspension strut bearing and the spring plate.

The suspension strut bearing is designed to mount the suspension strut on the suspension strut tower of the motor vehicle. For fastening, the suspension strut bearing preferably has several, for example three or four, fastening holes, which are preferably designed as through holes. The fastening holes preferably have an internal thread for fastening to the suspension strut tower via fastening bolts. The suspension strut bearing is preferably designed to provide an upper counter bearing for the spring. The spring plate is designed to provide a lower counter bearing for the spring.

The first receptacle is designed to hold the first support device of the assembly aid and for this purpose has the first support surface for multi-axis, for example biaxial, holding, for example by blocking the degrees of freedom X and Y, and for supporting, for example in the Z coordinate direction, on the second support surface of the first support device. According to the invention, multi-axis supporting is understood to mean that a relative pivoting of the spring strut to the first support device is ensured. Preferably, the first support device is designed such that the spring strut can be removed from the first support device in the z direction, i.e. in the vertical direction upwards. The first support surface preferably faces the spring plate. The first support surface is preferably concave in order to prevent the spring strut from slipping sideways off the first support device. The second support surface is preferably convex. Particularly preferably, the first support surface is designed as a ball receptacle for receiving the second support surface. The second support surface is preferably designed as a ball head or a hemispherical head. The first support device is preferably designed to be softly springy in the Z coordinate direction, so that the first support device can be easily compressed by the forces that occur in the Z direction when the spring strut is joined to the spring strut dome. The first support device therefore preferably has no blocked degree of freedom in the Z coordinate direction or at most an end stop. When the spring strut bearing is installed, the support device preferably has a soft Z-negative and Z-positive spring travel that is sufficient for all assembly states.

The second receptacle is designed to accommodate the second support device of the assembly aid and is designed as an elongated hole for this purpose according to the invention. The elongated hole can be designed as a blind hole, for example. The elongated hole is preferably dimensioned such that the second support device can be inserted into the elongated hole. The second support device can preferably be inserted into the elongated hole such that the second support device can be arranged in the elongated hole without play in the width direction of the elongated hole and can be moved in the length direction of the elongated hole. In comparison to a round hole known from the prior art, the elongated hole limits the relative pivoting of the spring strut to the assembly aid in one direction and allows it to pivot in another direction within defined limits. This takes into account the relatively large pitch tolerance between the two support devices in this process, while at the same time the spring strut assembly is accommodated on the two support devices without play.

A suspension strut according to the invention has the advantage over conventional suspension struts that a degree of freedom for the relative pivoting of the suspension strut to the assembly aid can be eliminated using simple means and in a cost-effective manner in conjunction with an assembly aid for the automated assembly of the suspension strut to a suspension strut dome of a motor vehicle body. By eliminating the degree of freedom, a more precise relative position of the suspension strut to the assembly aid and thus of the suspension strut to the suspension strut dome can be achieved, so that smaller paths can be compensated for during automatic alignment using centering devices. This reduces wear on the centering means and the suspension strut dome. In addition, centering devices of the suspension strut and the suspension strut dome can be brought together better.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, a spring strut can be provided with a first plane spanned by a longitudinal axis and a depth axis of the elongated hole intersecting the first receptacle. The elongated hole has a length direction, a width direction and a depth direction. The longitudinal axis runs in the length direction of the elongated hole. The relative movement of the spring strut to the second support device for the pitch tolerance compensation can be carried out along the longitudinal axis. The depth axis runs in the depth direction of the elongated hole. A device axis of the second support device therefore runs parallel or at least essentially parallel, for example with a deviation angle of +/- 20° to the parallel extension. The longitudinal axis is preferably arranged at right angles to the depth axis. The first plane which intersects the first receptacle is defined by the longitudinal axis and the depth axis. In this way, a defined relative pivoting between the spring strut and the assembly aid is enabled. This has the advantage that the defined arrangement of the spring strut on the assembly aid and thus the automatic alignment of the spring strut to the spring strut dome is improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

According to the invention, it is preferred that the first plane intersects a center point of the first receptacle. According to the invention, a center point is understood to be a hinge point of the first receptacle through which several pivot axes run for pivoting the spring strut relative to the first support device. This has the advantage that the defined arrangement of the spring strut and the assembly aid and thus the automatic alignment of the spring strut to the spring strut dome is further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

The first receptacle is further preferably formed on the suspension strut bearing. The first receptacle is preferably formed as a lateral projection or lateral bulge of the suspension strut bearing. The first receptacle is preferably formed monolithically with a component of the suspension strut bearing, such as a second spring plate formed as an upper counter bearing of the spring. This has the advantage that the manufacturing effort of the suspension strut is reduced using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the suspension strut thus has a particularly compact design and offers a particularly advantageous point of attack for the first support device for supporting the suspension strut.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in a spring strut, the second receptacle can be formed on the spring plate. The spring plate is arranged on the side of the spring that faces away from the spring strut bearing.

Preferably, the second receptacle is formed in the spring plate, for example as a clearance in the spring plate. It can also be provided that the spring plate has a lateral projection or a lateral bulge in the area of the second receptacle in order to compensate or at least partially compensate for any mechanical weakening of the spring strut plate caused by the second receptacle. This has the advantage that the manufacturing effort of the spring strut is reduced using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the spring strut thus has a particularly compact design and offers a particularly advantageous point of attack for the second support device for limiting the relative pivoting of the spring strut to the assembly aid.

The second receptacle is preferably designed as a through hole. The second support device can thus be guided through the second receptacle, preferably in such a way that the second support device protrudes from the second receptacle again on a side of the second receptacle facing the suspension strut bearing. This has the advantage that the manufacturing effort for the suspension strut is reduced using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, static overdetermination when arranging the suspension strut on the assembly aid can thus be avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension strut bearing has a centering device for automatically aligning the suspension strut with the suspension strut dome when the suspension strut bearing is brought together with the suspension strut dome. The centering device preferably has one or more, preferably two, centering cones, which are each designed to engage in a centering hole in the suspension strut dome, with one centering hole preferably being designed as a round hole and the other centering hole preferably being designed as an elongated hole. This has the advantage that the alignment of the suspension strut on the suspension strut dome and thus the automatic assembly of the suspension strut on the suspension strut dome is improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an assembly system for mounting a spring strut on a spring strut dome of a motor vehicle. The assembly system has a spring strut and an assembly aid. The assembly aid has a first support device for articulated support of the spring strut via a first receptacle of the spring strut, a second support device for engaging in a second receptacle of the spring strut to limit a relative pivoting of the spring strut to the assembly aid, and an aid base for holding the first support device and the second support device. According to the invention, the spring strut is designed as a spring strut according to the invention, wherein the second support device is designed such that a relative movement of the spring strut to the second support device is limited by a width of the elongated hole in two directions.

The assembly system preferably has further components, such as robots and/or transport devices for transporting a body of the motor vehicle and/or feed devices for feeding components, such as suspension struts according to the invention, wishbones, steering rods, brake disks, bolts or the like. The assembly system is preferably designed for automatic, preferably autonomous, assembly of the suspension strut to the suspension strut dome. The assembly system is preferably designed for mounting axle components to the suspension strut.

To support the alignment of the spring strut to the spring strut dome, the assembly system has the assembly aid. The assembly aid is preferably symmetrical or essentially symmetrical, so that a left-hand and a right-hand spring strut can be mounted to the body at the same time. Thus, preferably two first support devices and two second support devices are provided. In this case, it is preferred that the first support devices and the second support devices are arranged on the same aid base on the aid base. According to the invention, it can also be provided that the assembly system has four first support devices and four second support devices, which are preferably distributed over a front aid base and a rear aid base or are arranged on a common aid base. Thus, four spring struts can be mounted to a body at the same time.

The first support device preferably has a spring device and is designed to be retractable in the z-direction. The first support device preferably has an articulated joint or the like in order to give way laterally, preferably within a limited range, when a defined transverse force is applied. The range preferably corresponds to a maximum possible lateral positional deviation of the spring strut and spring strut dome when they are joined together. In this way, a load on the first support device due to transverse forces and the bending moments resulting from them can be reduced and thus an overload of the first support device can be avoided.

The second support device preferably has a rod-shaped region which can be inserted into the second receptacle or passed through it. The rod-shaped region has a diameter which corresponds to the width of the slot in the second receptacle, so that relative movement is prevented by a positive fit. The second support device preferably also has an articulated joint or the like in order to give way laterally, preferably within a limited range, when a defined transverse force is applied. The range preferably corresponds to a maximum possible lateral positional deviation of the spring strut and spring strut dome when they are joined together. In this way, loading of the second support device by transverse forces and the bending moments resulting from these can be reduced and overloading of the second support device can thus also be avoided.

The assembly system according to the invention results in all the advantages that have already been described for a spring strut according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the assembly system according to the invention has the advantage over conventional assembly systems that, in interaction with the spring strut, a degree of freedom for the relative pivoting of the spring strut to the assembly aid can be eliminated using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. By eliminating the degree of freedom, a more defined relative position of the spring strut to the assembly aid and thus of the spring strut to the spring strut dome can be achieved, so that smaller paths can be compensated for during automatic alignment using centering devices. This reduces wear on the centering means and the spring strut dome. In addition, the centering devices of the spring strut and the spring strut dome can be brought together better.

The assembly aid preferably has a third support device for supporting the suspension strut. The third support device is preferably designed to be rigid in the z-direction or at least less flexible than the first support device. The third support device is preferably designed as a support block for supporting an axle component, such as a wishbone, a wheel bearing or the like, of an axle assembly having the suspension strut. The third support device is preferably arranged on the aid base. This has the advantage that the alignment of the suspension strut on the assembly aid and thus the automatic assembly of the suspension strut on the suspension strut dome is improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a spring strut tower on which a spring strut according to the invention is arranged. The spring strut tower is preferably formed on a body of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle also preferably has three or four spring struts according to the invention, each of which is arranged and held on a different spring strut tower of the motor vehicle. The spring struts are preferably attached to the spring strut towers via bolts.

The motor vehicle according to the invention offers all the advantages that have already been described for a suspension strut according to the first aspect of the invention and for an assembly system according to the second aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the motor vehicle according to the invention has the advantage over conventional motor vehicles that the suspension strut is mounted on the suspension strut dome using simple means and in a cost-effective manner via an automatic assembly process. The interaction of the assembly aid with the suspension strut eliminates a degree of freedom for the relative pivoting of the suspension strut to the assembly aid. By eliminating the degree of freedom, a more precise relative position of the suspension strut to the assembly aid and thus of the suspension strut to the suspension strut dome can be achieved, so that smaller distances can be compensated for during automatic alignment using centering devices. This reduces wear on the centering means and the suspension strut dome. In addition, this reduces transverse forces acting on the first support device and second support device, so that wear on the assembly aid is also reduced when the suspension strut is assembled.

• 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Montagesystem nach dem Stand der Technik,
• 2 in einer Draufsicht das Montagesystem nach dem Stand der Technik aus 1,
• 3 in einer Draufsicht das Montagesystem nach dem Stand der Technik aus 1 mit angedeuteten Relativpositionen,
• 4 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Montagesystem gemäß einer bevorzugten ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 5 in einer Draufsicht das Montagesystem aus 4,
• 6 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Montagesystem gemäß einer bevorzugten zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 7 in einer Seitenansicht ein Montagesystem gemäß einer bevorzugten dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 8 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Montagesystem gemäß einer bevorzugten vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 9 in einer Seitenansicht das Montagesystem aus 8,
• 10 in einer weiteren Seitenansicht das Montagesystem aus 8,
• 11 in einer Schnittdarstellung eine Detailansicht aus 10,
• 12 eine weitere Detailansicht aus 10,
• 13 in einer Seitenansicht ein Montagesystem gemäß einer bevorzugten fünften Ausführungsform der Erfindung, und
• 14 in einer Seitenansicht eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugs.

A suspension strut according to the invention, a mounting system according to the invention and a motor vehicle according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. They each show schematically:

• 1 in a perspective view a mounting system according to the state of the art,
• 2 in a top view the mounting system according to the state of the art 1 ,
• 3 in a top view the mounting system according to the state of the art 1 with indicated relative positions,
• 4 in a perspective view a mounting system according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention,
• 5 in a top view the mounting system 4 ,
• 6 in a perspective view a mounting system according to a preferred second embodiment of the invention,
• 7 in a side view a mounting system according to a preferred third embodiment of the invention,
• 8th in a perspective view a mounting system according to a preferred fourth embodiment of the invention,
• 9 in a side view the mounting system 8th ,
• 10 in another side view the mounting system 8th ,
• 11 in a sectional view a detailed view of 10 ,
• 12 another detailed view 10 ,
• 13 in a side view a mounting system according to a preferred fifth embodiment of the invention, and
• 14 in a side view a preferred embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

Elements with the same function and mode of operation are in the 1 - 14 each provided with the same reference symbols.

In 1 a mounting system 18 according to the prior art is shown schematically in a perspective view. The mounting system 18 has a spring strut 1 and an assembly aid 10. The assembly aid 10 has an aid base 19 on which a first support device 9 and a second support device 12 are arranged. The first support device 9 and the second support device 12 are designed like a lance. The first support device 9 is designed to be compressible in the z-direction, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the first support device 9, and preferably has a return spring 29 (cf. 7 ) and/or an articulated joint 30 (cf. 7 ) on.

The suspension strut 1 has a damper 3, a spring 4, a suspension strut bearing 5 and a spring plate 7. The suspension strut bearing 5 and the spring plate 7 are arranged on elements of the damper 3 that can be moved in translation relative to one another, such as a piston and a cylinder. The spring 4 is arranged between the suspension strut bearing 5 and the spring plate 7 and is preferably preloaded against them. Various components of an axle assembly, such as a steering knuckle 24 with a brake disk 25, a wishbone 26, a steering rod 27 and a coupling rod 28, are arranged on the suspension strut 1.

The suspension strut bearing 5 has a first receptacle 8, which is articulated on the first support device 9. The first receptacle 8 extends like a flange in the radial direction away from a center point of the suspension strut bearing 5. On an upper side facing away from the damper 3, the suspension strut bearing 5 has a centering device 17 with two centering cones 22 for aligning the suspension strut 1 with a suspension strut dome 6 (see. 13 ) of a motor vehicle 2 (cf. 14 ) on.

The spring plate 7 has a second receptacle 11, which is designed as a through hole 16 and as a round hole 21. An end section of the second support device 12 protrudes from below through the second receptacle 11 and has an outer diameter that is significantly smaller than the diameter of the round hole 21, so that a so-called "rattle fit" is provided in which the spring strut 1 is held pivotably in several directions relative to the second support device 12. This arrangement makes it difficult to align the spring strut 1 with the spring strut dome 6.

2 shows the mounting system 18 according to the state of the art 1 schematically in a top view. In 3 The mounting system 18 is made according to the state of the art 1 with indicated relative positions schematically shown in a top view. In these views, the second receptacle 11, designed as a round hole 21 and as a through hole 16, with the end section of the second support device 12 arranged therein is clearly visible. The first receptacle 8 is placed on the first support device 9. To attach the spring strut 1 to the spring strut dome 6, several fastening holes 31 with internal threads are formed in the spring strut bearing 5. As can be seen from 3 As is particularly evident, the centering cones 22 have such a high position variance due to the degrees of freedom of the spring strut 1 arranged on the assembly aid 10 that aligning the spring strut 1 on the spring strut dome 6 is difficult.

4 shows a mounting system 18 according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention schematically in a perspective view. The mounting system 18 has a suspension strut 1 and an assembly aid 10. The assembly aid 10 has an aid base 19 on which a first support device 9, a second support device 12 and a third support device 20 are arranged. The first support device 9 and the second support device 12 are lance-shaped. The third support device 20 is cylindrical and preferably designed as a rigid support. In this preferred first embodiment, the suspension strut 1 is directly or alternatively via a handlebar 27 held on the suspension strut 1 on the third Support device 20 is supported. The first support device 9 is designed to be compressible in the z-direction, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the first support device 9, and preferably has a return spring 29 (cf. 7 ) and/or an articulated joint 30 (cf. 7 ) on.

The suspension strut 1 has a damper 3, a spring 4, a suspension strut bearing 5 and a spring plate 7. The suspension strut bearing 5 and the spring plate 7 are arranged on elements of the damper 3 that can be moved in translation relative to one another, such as a piston and a cylinder. The spring 4 is arranged between the suspension strut bearing 5 and the spring plate 7 and is preferably preloaded against them. Various components of an axle assembly, such as a steering knuckle 24 with a brake disk 25, a wishbone 26, the steering rod 27 and a coupling rod 28, are arranged on the suspension strut 1.

The suspension strut bearing 5 has a first receptacle 8, which is articulated on the first support device 9. The first receptacle 8 extends like a flange in the radial direction away from a center point of the suspension strut bearing 5. On an upper side facing away from the damper 3, the suspension strut bearing 5 has a centering device 17 with two centering cones 22 for aligning the suspension strut 1 with a suspension strut dome 6 (see. 13 ) of a motor vehicle 2 (cf. 14 ) on.

The spring plate 7 has a second receptacle 11, which is designed as a through hole 16 and as an elongated hole 15. The elongated hole 15 has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis L, a width extension along a width axis B and a depth extension along a depth axis T. An end section of the second support device 12 protrudes from below through the second receptacle 11 and has an outer diameter that is significantly smaller than the longitudinal extension of the elongated hole 15 along the longitudinal axis L, and which corresponds to the width extension of the elongated hole 15 along the width axis B, so that the second support device 12 is arranged in the second receptacle 11 without play in the direction of the width axis B. The spring strut is thus held pivotably in one direction relative to the second support device 12. This arrangement significantly improves the alignment of the spring strut 1 to the spring strut dome 6.

In 5 the mounting system 18 is made of 4 shown schematically in a top view. In this view, the second receptacle 11, designed as an elongated hole 15 and as a through hole 16, with the end section of the second support device 12 arranged therein, is clearly visible. The first receptacle 8 is placed on the first support device 9. To fasten the spring strut 1 to the spring strut dome 6, several fastening holes 31 with internal threads are formed in the spring strut bearing 5. Due to the play-free guidance of the second support device 12 in the elongated hole 15, the centering cones 22 have a significantly smaller position variance than in the prior art due to the only one degree of freedom for pivoting the spring strut 1 arranged on the assembly aid 10, so that aligning the spring strut 1 on the spring strut dome 6 is made considerably easier. It can also be seen that a surface spanned by the longitudinal axis L and the depth axis T, which in this view runs perpendicularly through the plane of the drawing, intersects a center of the first receptacle 8. This improves the uniaxial relative pivoting of the spring strut 1 to the assembly aid 10.

In 6 a mounting system 18 according to a preferred second embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in a perspective view. The preferred second embodiment of the invention differs from the preferred first embodiment of the invention in the position of the third support device 20. The third support device 20 supports the steering knuckle 24. The in 5 The plan view shown can therefore also apply to the second embodiment of the invention.

7 shows a mounting system 18 according to a preferred third embodiment of the invention schematically in a side view. The preferred third embodiment of the invention differs from the preferred first embodiment of the invention in the position of the third support device 20. The third support device 20 supports the damper 3 of the spring strut 1. The 5 The top view shown can therefore also be applicable to the third embodiment of the invention. In this view, the first receptacle 8 is shown broken open, so that a concave first support surface 13 of the first receptacle 8 can be seen. A convex, for example hemispherical, second support surface 14 of the first support device 9 is pressed against the first support surface 13, so that the spring strut 1 is supported in an articulated manner on the first support device 9. To provide a counterforce against the spring strut 1, the first support device 9 has a return spring 29. To avoid overloading due to high transverse forces, the first support device 9 has an articulated joint 30. In the situation shown, the centering cones 22 engage in centering holes 23 of the spring strut dome 6, so that when the spring strut 1 and spring strut dome 6 are further assembled, the spring strut 1 is automatically aligned with the spring strut dome 6.

8th shows a mounting system 18 according to a preferred fourth embodiment of the invention schematically in a perspective view.

9 shows the mounting system 18 in a side view. The preferred fourth embodiment of the invention differs from the preferred first embodiment of the invention in the position of the third support device 20. The third support device 20 supports the wishbone 26.

In 10 is a mounting system 18 made of 8th shown in another side view. In this view, the Z supports of the spring strut 1 by the first support device 9 and the third support device 20 as well as the anti-pivot device of the spring strut 1 by the second support device 12 are highlighted.

11 shows a detailed view of 10 schematically in a sectional view. In this view, the interaction of the first support device 9 with the suspension strut bearing 5 is shown. The second support surface 14 of the first support device 9 contacts the first support surface 13 of the first receptacle 8 of the suspension strut bearing 5 in a linear or ring-shaped manner. In this way, the suspension strut 1 is supported in the Z direction, with a limited relative pivoting of the suspension strut bearing 5 to the first support device 9 being permitted. Due to the flexibility, for example a spring-loaded flexibility, of the first support device 9 in the Z direction, a limited movement of the suspension strut bearing 5 in the Z direction is ensured by the introduction of an external force.

In 12 is another detailed view from 10 shown schematically. In this view, the interaction of the third support device 20 with the wishbone 26 is shown.

The third support device 20 acts directly against the wishbone 26 and thus provides a support, preferably a rigid support, of the wishbone 26 in the Z direction.

In 13 an assembly system 18 according to a preferred fifth embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in a side view. The assembly system 18 has an assembly robot 32 for fastening the suspension strut 1 to the suspension strut dome 6 by means of a bolt connection. The assembly system 18 also has an additional lifting device 33 for lifting the axle components arranged on the suspension strut 1.

14 shows a preferred embodiment of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention schematically in a side view. The motor vehicle 2 has a body in which several spring strut domes 6 are formed, to each of which a spring strut 1 according to the invention is held, in particular by fastening bolts.

List of reference symbols

1

Suspension strut

2

Motor vehicle

3

mute

4

Feather

5

Strut bearing

6

Suspension strut tower

7

Spring plate

8th

first recording

9

first support device

10

Assembly aids

11

second recording

12

second support device

13

first support surface

14

second support surface

15

Long hole

16

Through hole

17

Centering device

18

Mounting system

19

Aids base

20

third support device

21

Round hole

22

Centering cone

23

Center hole

24

Steering knuckle

25

Brake disc

26

Wishbone

27

Handlebar

28

Coupling rod

29

Return spring

30

Articulated joint

31

Mounting hole

32

Assembly robot

33

Lifting device

B

Width axis

L

Longitudinal axis

T

Depth axis

Claims (10)

Suspension strut (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising a damper (3) for dampening mechanical shocks, a spring (4) for cushioning the mechanical shocks and for returning the damper (3) to an initial position, a suspension strut bearing (5) for mounting the suspension strut (1) on a suspension strut dome (6) of the motor vehicle (2) and a spring plate (7) for providing a lower counter bearing for the spring (4), wherein the suspension strut (1) has a first receptacle (8) for receiving a first support device (9) of an assembly aid (10) and a second receptacle (11) for receiving a second support device (12) of the assembly aid (10), wherein the first receptacle (8) has a first support surface (13) for multi-axial support on a second support surface (14) of the first support device (9), characterized in that the second receptacle (11) is designed as an elongated hole (15). Suspension strut (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that a first plane spanned by a longitudinal axis (L) and a depth axis (T) of the elongated hole (15) intersects the first receptacle (8). Suspension strut (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the first plane intersects a center point of the first receptacle (8). Suspension strut (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first receptacle (8) is formed on the suspension strut bearing (5). Suspension strut (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second receptacle (11) is formed on the spring plate (7). Suspension strut (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second receptacle (11) is designed as a through hole (16). Suspension strut (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suspension strut bearing (5) has a centering device (17) for the automatic relative alignment of the suspension strut (1) with the suspension strut dome (6) when the suspension strut bearing (5) is brought together with the suspension strut dome (6). Mounting system (18) for mounting a spring strut (1) on a spring strut dome (6) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a spring strut (1) and an assembly aid (10) with a first support device (9) for articulated support of the spring strut (1) via a first receptacle (8) of the spring strut (1), a second support device (12) for engaging in a second receptacle (11) of the spring strut (1) to limit a relative pivoting of the spring strut (1) to the assembly aid (10) and an aid base (19) for holding the first support device (9) and the second support device (12), characterized in that the spring strut (1) is designed as a spring strut (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second support device (12) is designed such that a relative movement of the spring strut (1) to the second support device (12) is limited by a width of the elongated hole (15) in two directions. Mounting system (18) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the assembly aid (10) has a third support device (20) for supporting the spring strut (1). Motor vehicle (2), comprising a spring strut tower (6), characterized in that a spring strut (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 is arranged.

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