DE202015100435U1 - Spring pad for a vehicle wheel suspension and vehicle suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

Spring pad for the arrangement between a helical spring (2, 7) of a vehicle wheel suspension and a spring plate (4) supporting the helical spring (2, 7), characterized by a construction comprising at least two material layers (12, 13) differing in their stiffness, wherein the first material layer (12) bears against the spring plate (4) and the second material layer (13) bears against the helical spring (2, 7) and the first material layer (12) has a higher rigidity than the second material layer (13), the second material layer (13 ) has a collar-shaped abutment section (17) at least in sections at its circumference, and the first material layer (12) has a support collar (16) at least in this peripheral section, on which the abutment section (17) is supported in the radial direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a spring pad for a wheel suspension of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a vehicle wheel suspension according to the preamble of claim 7.

Vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, are typically provided with a suspension system to reduce transmission of vibrations from a road surface to the vehicle occupants. Such suspension systems often include one or more shock absorbers, struts and / or springs. A type of spring often used in vehicle suspensions is a helical spring with purely axial force.

There are known special coil springs, which can also generate forces in a lateral direction in addition to the tensile or compressive forces in the axial direction. For example, such springs are used in McPherson struts to reduce the friction on the sliding guides of the shock absorber by means of acting in a lateral direction of the coil spring force. A similar lateral force effect can also be achieved, for example, by a lower spring plate, against which the coil spring is supported on the strut, not concentric with the strut, but with a lateral offset on the shock absorber is mounted.

An application of special coil springs for generating a lateral force effect in addition to an axial force effect of the coil spring on a torsion beam rear axle of a vehicle, for example, in the patent application own application US 2011/0248465 A1 described. The lateral force action of the coil spring is used to compensate for a lateral compliance of the torsion beam axis when driving through curves.

Furthermore, the KR 1020120078871 A a spring pad disposed between a coil spring of a vehicle wheel suspension and a spring plate supporting the coil spring. The spring pad consists of a viscoelastic body, in which a metal plate is embedded to reinforce the body.

From the US 2007/0131501 A1 Further, there is known a spring pad disposed between a coil spring of a vehicle wheel suspension and a spring plate supporting the coil spring, which can distribute eccentric spring forces by a fluid in a circumferential direction of the spring pad so as to reduce the effect of lateral forces generated by the spring. The spring pad is annular and has a fluid cavity completely surrounded by the ring.

In this respect, it requires differently trained and arranged on the vehicle body spring plate to support either a spring with purely axial force or a spring with axial and lateral force on the vehicle body. This leads in particular to a not insignificant increase in manufacturing complexity and the manufacturing cost of a Fahrzeugradaufhängung when both coil springs with substantially purely axial force and coil springs with axial and lateral force should be installed in the same production line or for the same vehicle platform. For both cases, different spring plate must be kept and installed.

Against this background, the present invention seeks to provide a spring pad for arrangement between a coil spring of a Fahrzeugradaufhängung and a coil spring supporting the spring plate and a Fahrzeugradaufhängung, in which both the use of coil springs with substantially pure axial force as well as with axial and lateral Force effect with one and the same spring plate is possible. In addition, the transmission of vibrations between the spring plate and the coil spring and the formation of noise on the coil spring and the spring plate should be well damped and also the coil spring also be protected against corrosion at the contact points between the coil spring and the spring pad.

This object is achieved by a spring pad with the features of claim 1 and by a Fahrzeugradaufhängung with the features of claim 7. Further particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention disclose the respective subclaims.

It should be noted that the features listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner and show further embodiments of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and specifies the invention, in particular in connection with the figures.

According to the invention, a spring pad for the arrangement between a coil spring of a vehicle wheel suspension, in particular a suspension of a motor vehicle, and a spring plate supporting the coil spring, which is preferably formed of metal, one at least two Material layers comprehensive construction. According to the present invention, the at least two material layers differ in particular in their stiffness, wherein the first material layer has a substantially greater rigidity than the second material layer. In other words, the second material layer has a substantially greater elasticity than the first material layer. The first material layer is according to the invention on the spring plate and the second material layer is applied to the coil spring. Furthermore, according to the invention, the second material layer has, at least in sections, a collar-shaped contact section on its circumference and the first material layer has a support collar at least in this peripheral section. At this support collar of the first material layer of the contact portion of the second material layer is supported in the radial direction. In this way, not only an elastic and damped axial force from the coil spring in the spring plate is possible, but also an elastic and damped lateral force introduction. The elasticity and damping of the support of the coil spring on the spring plate both in the axial and in the radial or lateral direction are determined primarily by the material properties and the thickness of the second material layer.

The high elasticity or low rigidity of the second, applied to the coil spring material layer ensures on the one hand good damping of vibrations between the coil spring and the spring plate and protects the coil spring on the other hand from corrosion by abrasion of the spring protection coating at the contact points between the coil spring and the spring pad. The high rigidity of the first, applied to the spring plate material layer allows direct introduction of the forces generated by the coil spring in a connected to the spring plate vehicle body or connected to the spring plate suspension component, such as a strut, a shock absorber, a Radführungslenker, a wheel and the like , Here, the spring pad according to the invention allows both the transmission of forces acting in the axial direction of the coil spring between the coil spring and the spring plate and acting in the lateral direction of the coil spring forces, that is acting in a radial direction of the coil spring forces, since the first, stiffer Material layer reduces the mobility of the second layer of material in the radial direction due to their own rigidity. The first material layer thus has primarily the function to transmit the lateral spring forces in the spring plate.

In order to avoid slippage of the spring pad on the spring plate in the lateral direction, the first, more rigid material layer with respect to the lateral direction is preferably positively connected to the spring plate into engagement, for example by a spring collar on its circumference at least partially formed support collar against which the first Material layer of the spring pad, in particular the support collar of the first layer of material, can support in the radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, the positive connection between the spring plate and the first material layer can also be produced by, for example, a spring plate-side projection, for example a pin, formed on the first, more rigid material layer, which engages in a corresponding recess in the spring plate. Of course, the projection may also be formed on the spring plate and engage in a corresponding, introduced in the first material layer recess. Furthermore, an internal centering of the spring plate can produce a positive connection between the spring plate and the first and / or second material layer.

With the spring pad according to the invention it is therefore possible to support coil springs with substantially purely axial force as well as coil springs with axial and lateral force on one and the same spring plate. By choosing the stiffness or elasticity and / or the thickness of the first or second material layer of the spring pad according to the invention, the desired support and damping behavior of the coil spring-spring assembly in the axial and lateral direction of the coil spring can be influenced and specified in the desired manner. Accordingly, when using coil springs having different power characteristics in one and the same production line or vehicle platform, it is only necessary to select a suitable spring pad and place it between the coil spring and the spring plate, which significantly reduces the manufacturing complexity and manufacturing cost of a vehicle wheel suspension. A adapted to the force effect properties of the coil spring, special spring plate must therefore no longer be kept ready and installed.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a thickness of the first material layer increases or decreases from a peripheral portion to a diametrically opposite peripheral portion. In other words, the voltage applied to the second material layer contact surface of the first material layer with respect to the voltage applied to the spring plate contact surface of the first material layer is not parallel, but inclined. This makes it possible to make the voltage applied to the first layer of material second material layer at a certain angle to the contact surface of the spring plate.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first, more rigid material layer is formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic, with which a high rigidity can be achieved.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second, more elastic material layer is formed of an elastomeric material. As elastomers for the second material layer rubber or polyurethane are preferably used.

A still further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the first material layer is materially bonded to the second material layer. The two layers of material may, for example, be glued or vulcanized together, which ensures a uniform distribution of force over the entire contact surface of the two layers of material. In this way, a uniform application of force is achieved, in particular in the radial direction of the spring pad from one layer of material into the other layer of material.

A wheel suspension according to the invention for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprises a spring plate and a helical spring supported against the spring plate. Between the spring plate and the coil spring according to the invention, a spring pad is inserted or arranged according to one of the above-described embodiments. With regard to the advantages, effects and properties of the suspension designed in this way, reference is made to the above-described advantages, effects and properties of the spring pad according to the invention, which can be applied analogously to the wheel suspension according to the invention.

In a further preferred embodiment of the suspension according to the invention, the coil spring generates a force effect both in the axial direction of the coil spring and in the lateral direction of the coil spring.

The 1 and 2 show two differently shaped suspensions according to the prior art. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this drawing show schematically:

3 a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suspension according to the invention with a spring pad according to the invention,

4 a perspective view of another embodiment of a spring pad according to the invention and

5 a perspective view of the spring pad 4 in an exploded view.

In the different figures, equivalent parts are always provided with the same reference numerals with respect to their function, so that these are usually described only once.

Depending on their axial deflection, conventional coil springs produce tensile or compressive forces that act essentially in the direction of their longitudinal axis. A partial cross-sectional view of a Fahrzeugradaufhängung 1 according to the prior art with such a coil spring 2 is exemplary in 1 shown. The coil spring 2 generates depending on their axial deflection a force Fz, which is aligned substantially only along its longitudinal axis. Between the coil spring 2 and one with a vehicle body 3 of in 1 not shown vehicle associated spring plate 4 is a spring pad 5 arranged or inserted. The spring pad 5 is usually formed of an elastomeric material, for example rubber or polyurethane, primarily to transfer vibrations between the coil spring 2 and the spring plate 4 and the generation of noise at the contact points between the coil spring 2 and the spring plate 4 to dampen and the coil spring 2 from corrosion due to abrasion of the coil spring 2 applied protective coating on the spring plate 4 to protect. About the spring pad 5 is the one of the coil spring 2 generated axial spring force Fz in the spring plate 4 and ultimately in the vehicle body 3 initiated.

A partial cross-sectional view of a second vehicle suspension 6 in the prior art is exemplary in 2 shown. The suspension 6 includes a coil spring 7 At one with the vehicle body 3 connected spring plate 8th on which the coil spring 7 supported, both a force Fz in the axial direction and a force Fy in one to the longitudinal axis of the coil spring 7 generated lateral direction. Since the between the coil spring 7 and the spring plate 8th inserted spring pad 5 As already mentioned above, it is formed from an elastomer material which, due to its elasticity, does not initiate the lateral force Fy into the spring plate 8th is suitable, the in 2 illustrated spring plate 8th for receiving the lateral force Fy in a peripheral portion on the right side of a lateral support 9 on, against which the spring pad 5 can support in the radial / lateral direction. Consequently, the lateral force Fy over the spring pad 5 in the lateral support 9 of the spring plate 8th and ultimately in the vehicle body 3 be initiated. As in 2 to recognize further is, is the spring plate 8th the suspension 6 in comparison to the spring plate 4 the suspension 1 out 1 at a certain angle relative to the horizontal hired on the vehicle body 3 arranged.

As described above with reference to the 1 and 2 shown wheel suspensions 1 and 6 has been carried out according to the prior art, it requires differently trained and on the vehicle body 3 arranged spring plate 4 respectively. 8th to either a spring 2 with purely axial force or a spring 7 with axial and lateral force on the vehicle body 3 support and effectively protect against corrosion. This leads in particular to a not insignificant increase in the manufacturing complexity and the manufacturing cost of a Fahrzeugradaufhängung when both coil springs with substantially pure axial force and coil springs with axial and lateral force should be installed in the same production line or for the same vehicle platform. For both cases, different spring plate must be kept and installed.

This is where the invention by a spring pad for arrangement between a coil spring of a Fahrzeugradaufhängung and a coil spring supporting spring plate and a Fahrzeugradaufhängung is shown, in which both the use of coil springs with substantially purely axial force and axial and lateral force with a and the same spring plate is possible. In addition, the invention aims to ensure that the transmission of vibrations between the spring plate and the coil spring and the formation of noise on the coil spring and the spring plate are well damped and also the coil spring is also protected from corrosion at the contact points between the coil spring and the spring pad ,

3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suspension according to the invention 10 with a spring pad according to the invention 11 As can be seen, the spring pad shown comprises 11 a two-layer construction, wherein a first layer of material 12 on the spring plate 4 (is essentially the same as in 1 shown spring plate 4 ) and a second layer of material 13 on the coil spring 7 (essentially corresponds to in 2 shown coil spring 7 ) is applied, in the illustrated embodiment of the suspension 10 Both axial forces Fz and lateral forces Fy can produce. The first material layer 12 the spring pad 11 has a much greater rigidity than the second material layer 13 , In particular, the first material layer 12 the in 3 illustrated spring pad 11 made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and thus has a high rigidity, whereas the second material layer 13 is formed of an elastomer, for example rubber or polyurethane, and compared to the first material layer 12 is characterized by a high elasticity. Both material layers 12 and 13 are in the embodiment shown by means of vulcanization cohesively connected.

As in further 3 can be seen, the spring plate points 4 in the illustrated embodiment in a peripheral portion shown on the right side of a support collar 14 on. This serves for the radial support of the first material layer 12 and provides in the radial direction a positive connection between the first material layer 12 and the spring plate 4 ago. The support collar 14 can fully on the spring plate 4 be formed or only in sections on the circumference of the spring plate 4 , Alternatively, the positive connection between the spring plate 4 and the first material layer 12 also be made, for example, by a spring plate side projection, for example a pin, on the first, more rigid material layer 12 is formed, which in a corresponding recess in the spring plate 4 engages (not shown). Of course, the projection could also be on the spring plate 4 be formed and in a corresponding, in the first layer of material 12 engaged recess engage.

In 3 is further to recognize that the first and the second material layer 12 . 13 by means of an internal centering 15 of the spring plate 4 against lateral slippage on the spring plate 4 are secured. The inner centering 15 represents another type of positive connection between the first and second material layers 12 . 13 and the spring plate 4 in the radial direction of the spring plate 4 represents.

In addition, the first material layer 12 essentially in the same peripheral portion of the support collar 14 of the spring plate 4 also a support collar 16 on, against the second layer of material 13 the spring pad according to the invention 11 is supported in the radial direction. Also the support collar 16 can fully cover the first layer of material 12 be formed or only in sections on the circumference of the first material layer 12 ,

Furthermore is 3 to see that the last turn of the coil spring 7 that is, the one turn of the coil spring 7 attached to the second material layer 13 abuts, circumferentially partially of the second material layer 13 is enclosed. This will cause the coil spring 7 especially in the region of the contact points between the coil spring 7 and the second material layer 13 particularly well protected against corrosion, since no foreign particles, for example dirt and sand particles and the like, between the second layer 13 and the last turn of the coil spring 7 can penetrate.

In particular, the second material layer 13 for the elastic and damped transmission of the lateral forces Fy of the helical spring 7 on the first material layer 12 at least in the area of the support collar 16 the first material layer 12 a collar-shaped contact section 17 between the second material layer 13 in contact winding of the coil spring 7 and the support collar 16 the first material layer 12 on. The collar-shaped contact section 17 is here arranged and configured such that the of the coil spring 7 generated lateral force Fy of the with the second material layer 13 in contact winding of the coil spring 7 first in the investment section 17 is initiated, from this to the support collar 16 the first material layer 12 is transferred and ultimately from the first layer of material 12 by means of the already described positive connection in the spring plate 4 and thus introduced into the vehicle body of the vehicle.

Further, in the cross-sectional view of 3 to recognize how a thickness of the first material layer 12 decreases from a peripheral portion on the left side of the image to a diametrically opposite peripheral portion on the right side of the image, whereby the second material layer 13 opposite the spring plate 4 is employed or inclined at a certain angle. In this way, the known essentially from the prior art spring plate 4 obtained by means of a conventional spring pad ( 1 ) can be used for receiving a coil spring with purely axial force, even for receiving coil springs 7 are used, which in addition to an axial force effect Fz also have a lateral force effect Fy. Accordingly, one and the same spring plate 4 be used both for the use of coil spring with purely axial force as well as coil springs with both axial and lateral force.

4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a spring pad according to the invention 18 represents. 5 make the same spring pad 18 in an exploded view. In the in the 4 and 5 shown embodiment of the spring pad 18 are the two layers of material 12 and 13 not materially connected to each other, but in the installed state only against each other.

In the same peripheral portion of both the first material layer 12 as well as the second material layer 13 are the support collar 16 the first material layer 12 as well as the collar-shaped contact section 17 the second material layer 13 clearly visible.

The spring pad according to the invention and the vehicle wheel suspension according to the invention were explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. However, the above-described spring pad according to the invention as well as the vehicle wheel suspension according to the invention are not limited to the embodiment disclosed herein, but also encompass equally acting further embodiments. Thus, the spring pad according to the invention, for example, at only one coil spring end between the coil spring and a spring plate, which may be connected for example with a suspension component or a vehicle body, inserted or arranged or at both coil spring ends between the coil spring and a respective spring plate. Furthermore, the suspension according to the invention is not limited to the use of a helical spring which generates both an axial force effect and a lateral force effect. Rather, the suspension of the invention can also use a helical spring, which essentially produces a purely axial force effect.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring pad according to the invention is used in a wheel suspension of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a spring plate and a supported against the spring plate coil spring, wherein the spring pad is inserted or arranged between the coil spring and the spring plate. The helical spring can either generate a substantially purely axial force effect or an axial force effect as well as a lateral force effect.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Wheel suspension according to the prior art

2

 Coil spring with purely axial force effect

3

 vehicle body

4

 spring plate

5

 Spring pad

6

 Wheel suspension according to the prior art

7

 Coil spring with axial and lateral force effect

8th

 spring plate

9

Lateral support of 8th

10

 Arm

11

 Spring pad

12

 First material layer

13

 Second material layer

14

Support collar of 4

15

Internal centering of 4

16

Support collar of 12

17

Collar-shaped contact section of 13

18

 Spring pad

Fy

Force action in the lateral direction of 7

Fz

Force in the axial direction of 2 and 7

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2011/0248465 A1 [0004]
• KR 1020120078871 A [0005]
• US 2007/0131501 A1 [0006]

Claims (8)

Spring pad for arrangement between a coil spring ( 2 . 7 ) a vehicle wheel suspension and a coil spring ( 2 . 7 ) supporting spring plate ( 4 ), characterized by at least two different in their stiffness material layers ( 12 . 13 ) comprehensive structure, wherein the first material layer ( 12 ) on the spring plate ( 4 ) and the second material layer ( 13 ) on the coil spring ( 2 . 7 ) and the first material layer ( 12 ) has a higher rigidity than the second material layer ( 13 ), wherein the second material layer ( 13 ) at least in sections at its periphery a collar-shaped contact portion ( 17 ) and the first material layer ( 12 ) at least in this peripheral portion a support collar ( 16 ), on which the abutment section ( 17 ) is supported in the radial direction. Spring pad according to claim 1, characterized in that a thickness of the first material layer ( 12 ) increases or decreases from a peripheral portion to a diametrically opposite peripheral portion. Spring pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer ( 12 ) is formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic. Spring pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second material layer ( 13 ) is formed of an elastomeric material. Spring pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer ( 12 ) with the second material layer ( 13 ) is integrally connected. Spring pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer ( 12 ) with respect to a lateral direction with the spring plate ( 4 ) is positively engaged. Wheel suspension for a vehicle with a spring plate ( 4 ) and one against the spring plate ( 4 ) supported coil spring ( 2 . 7 ), characterized in that between the spring plate ( 4 ) and the coil spring ( 2 . 7 ) a spring pad ( 11 ) is inserted according to one of the preceding claims. Wheel suspension according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the helical spring ( 7 ) produces a force action in the axial direction (Fz) and a force action in the lateral direction (Fy).

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