Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G7/00—Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof
  • B60G7/001—Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
  • B60G11/02—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having leaf springs only
  • B60G11/08—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having leaf springs only arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F1/00—Springs
  • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
  • F16F1/366—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers made of fibre-reinforced plastics, i.e. characterised by their special construction from such materials
  • F16F1/368—Leaf springs
  • F16F1/3683—Attachments or mountings therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
  • B60G2200/10—Independent suspensions
  • B60G2200/14—Independent suspensions with lateral arms
  • B60G2200/142—Independent suspensions with lateral arms with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type
  • B60G2200/1422—Independent suspensions with lateral arms with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type the lateral arm being resilient
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
  • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
  • B60G2202/11—Leaf spring
  • B60G2202/114—Leaf spring transversally arranged
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/70—Materials used in suspensions
  • B60G2206/71—Light weight materials
  • B60G2206/7101—Fiber-reinforced plastics [FRP]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F2224/00—Materials; Material properties
  • F16F2224/02—Materials; Material properties solids
  • F16F2224/0241—Fibre-reinforced plastics [FRP]

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a structure on which is secured a leaf spring suspension composite material.
• Such a suspension assembly is for example presented in the document FR2720337 where a rectilinear blade of composite material forms the two lower suspension arms of a front train of a vehicle, while ensuring the spring function of the suspension.
• the blade has an axis of symmetry aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the central portion of this blade connected to the vehicle structure by four attachment points. These four attachment points are aligned in pairs substantially along two parallel axes, with these two parallel axes oriented along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. These two parallel axes are also symmetrically positioned on either side of the axis of symmetry of the blade.
• Such mounting silentblocs glued on the blade, increases the vertical dimensions of the blade, making its integration under the engine compartment difficult, while increasing the cost of such a blade.
• the object of the invention is therefore to provide a blade having fastening means limiting the vertical volume of the blade, while avoiding such bonded bonds having a manufacturing cost too high.
• the subject of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a structure on which is secured a spring leaf suspension of composite material, the blade comprising at least one first lug, sandwiched in the thickness of the blade and protruding from the blade.
• the first lug cooperates with a corresponding first housing of the structure so as to secure the blade to the vehicle structure.
• the first lug extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
• the blade comprises a second lug, sandwiched in the thickness of the blade, projecting from the blade and substantially aligned with the first lug.
• the second lug cooperates with a second corresponding housing of the structure so as to secure the blade to the vehicle structure.
• the first and second lugs define the two ends of a first pivot axis about which the blade can pivot.
• the large dimension of the blade extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, each end of the blade being connected to a hub carrier supporting a wheel, with the blade having a axis of symmetry aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
• the blade comprises third and fourth lugs cooperating respectively with third and fourth corresponding housing of the structure so as to secure the blade to the vehicle structure.
• the third and fourth lugs respectively define the two ends of a second pivot axis about which the blade can pivot, the first and second pivot axes being positioned symmetrically to said axis of symmetry.
• the blade thus secured to the vehicle structure has a bending deformation between the first and second pivot axes.
• the present invention also relates to a composite spring leaf intended to be secured to the structure of a vehicle comprising at least one of the preceding characteristics, such that the blade comprises at least one less a first lug sandwiched in the thickness of the blade and protruding from the blade.
• the blade has a second lug, sandwiched in the thickness of the blade, projecting from the blade and substantially aligned with the first lug.
• the first and second lugs are formed by the two ends of a rod, the rod passing through the blade.
• Such a blade consists of a superposition of layers of fibers bonded together by a resin, and an insert forming a bearing, sandwiched in the thickness of the blade, between the layers.
• the insert has an opening in which the rod is positioned.
• the insert further comprises an elastomeric sleeve positioned in said opening, forming the connection between the rod and the insert.
• the subject of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a structure, a leaf spring suspension of composite material comprising an opening, and fastening means cooperating with this opening to secure the blade to the structure of the vehicle.
• a vehicle in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a structure, a leaf spring suspension of composite material comprising an opening, and fastening means cooperating with this opening to secure the blade to the structure of the vehicle.
• this opening which extends in the direction of the thickness of the blade, is mounted sealingly an insert.
• the fastening means pass through the opening bearing on the upper face and on the lower face of said blade.
• fastening means comprise an outer frame enclosing the blade, bordering said opening, and an inner frame secured to the vehicle structure.
• An elastomeric sleeve is interposed between the outer frame and the inner frame holding the two frames together.
• the outer armature is formed of a first cylindrical portion passing through said opening, comprising an outer rim, bearing against the upper or lower face of the blade, an inner rim forming a first bearing surface for the elastomeric sleeve, and a second cylindrical portion, screwed on the first part, bearing against the lower or upper face of the blade and forming a second bearing surface of the elastomeric sleeve.
• the sleeve is locked in translation between these two bearing surfaces.
• the inner frame is formed of a spacer traversed by a screw for securing the inner frame on the vehicle structure, and a flange, projecting from the lateral surface of said inner frame forming two shoulders. The elastomer sleeve being positioned along the inner spacer, trapping the flange, the sleeve is locked in translation bearing against the two shoulders.
• the insert is formed by overmolding inside the opening, sealingly adhering the side wall of said opening.
• the insert is extended radially sealingly along the upper face and the lower face of said blade.
• the radial extension of the insert is formed by overmolding, sealingly adhering said blade.
• the insert is extended radially sealingly along the upper face and the lower face of said blade by means of a peripheral seal, surrounding the opening interposed between the radial extension of the insert and the blade.
• the seal may consist of a bead of adhesive or an O-ring.
• the blade extends in the transverse direction to the vehicle, each end of the blade being connected to a hub carrier supporting a wheel, with the blade having a longitudinal axis.
• symmetry aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having four openings symmetrically positioned in pairs on either side of this axis of symmetry.
• Each opening comprises an insert sealingly covering the side wall of the opening and each opening receives a fixing means for securing the blade to the vehicle structure.
• the present invention also relates to a leaf spring having an opening extending in the direction of the thickness of the blade in which is mounted sealingly an insert. This opening is adapted to cooperate with fastening means for securing the blade to the structure of a vehicle.
• FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a train according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a front view of a blade according to the invention in a bending position
• FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view along the transverse axis of the vehicle, the blade and an insert for securing the blade to the vehicle structure according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the blade and the insert according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a running gear according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a side view of a blade, according to the second embodiment of the invention, in a bending position
• FIG. 7 and 8 are respectively detailed views, in longitudinal section, of the blade having an insert according to the second embodiment of the invention, in a first unstressed position and in a second position in flexion.
• FIG. 1 represents a partial perspective view of a running gear 1 according to the invention.
• the undercarriage here representing a front axle of a motor vehicle, consists of a lower blade 2 forming the two lower suspension arms 21 of the front axle and also forming the spring of the suspension.
• Each lower arm 21 is extended at its free end by a hinge 32 acting as a lower connection point to a wheel pivot 3.
• Each of the two wheel pivots 3 forms the support of one of the two wheels 4 of the front axle of the vehicle (for the sake of clarity, only one of the two wheels 4 is shown).
• Each of the two wheel pivots 3 comprises a lateral protrusion forming an arm 31 serving as a point of attachment to a rack of direction 5.
• the wheel pivots 3 also serve as support, in the upper part, the dampers 6.
• the blade 2 is made of a composite material, essentially formed of fibers, whether glass, carbon or kevlar fibers, forming webs secured together by resin. These plies are positioned parallel to each other to form successive layers piling up along the vertical axis of the vehicle.
• the blade 2 has an axis of symmetry substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
• the blade 2 comprises two inserts 7 sandwiched in the thickness of the blade and positioned symmetrically on either side of its axis of symmetry. These inserts 7 serve as a bearing for two rods 8.
• Each rod 8 protrudes on each side of the insert 7 by forming two lugs 81 and 81 'serving as fixing points of the blade 2 on the vehicle structure, and more particularly, on a front cradle (not shown in this figure).
• a cylindrical opening 71 is formed in the insert 7.
• An elastomeric sleeve 9 is positioned in the opening 71, surrounding the rod 8.
• the two inserts 7 delimit the blade 2 in three parts: a first central part 22 extended on each side by two lateral parts forming the two lower arms 21 of the front axle 1.
• Figure 2 shows a front view of the blade 2 in the bending position.
• the two rods 8, which are integral with the vehicle structure, constitute rotation axes around which pivots each insert 7 corresponding. During this bending, the linear distance between the two inserts 7 is shortened. This distance variation is compensated for by the presence of the elastomer sleeves 9.
• FIG. 3 represents a partial sectional view, along the longitudinal axis of the blade 2 and one of the two inserts 7.
• the internal structure of the blade 2 which consists of an overlay fiber plies 23 joined together by a resin 24.
• the insert 7 is sandwiched between fiber plies 23.
• the oval profile of this insert 7 is adapted to adapt to the rigidity of the fiber plies 23, allowing these plies 23 to follow the profile of the insert 7, not creating an excess of resin 24 around the insert 7.
• FIG. 4 represents a partial cross-sectional view of the blade 2, of one of the inserts 7 and of part of the front cradle 10 of the vehicle comprising housings 1 1 and 1 1 'cooperating respectively with the first and second lugs 81 and 81 ', solidarisant the blade 2 to the vehicle structure.
• the elastomer sleeves 9 and the rod 8 are more particularly visible.
• This rod 8 has, in its central part, a section of larger diameter forming two shoulders on each side of this central part, against which are positioned in abutment. the two elastomer sleeves 9.
• inserts 7 in the blade 2 are carried out during the manufacture of the blade 2.
• a blade 2 is produced by stacking of layers of fibers 23 positioned in a mold, each layer being positioned one after the other. while being impregnated with resin 24.
• the inserts 7 are positioned in the mold, and covered with the other half of the plies 23.
• Such an assembly makes it possible not to pierce the blade 2, retaining integrally the mechanical characteristics of such a blade 2, and keeping intact the resin surrounding the fibers of the blade 2.
• FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a running gear 101.
• the undercarriage 101 here representing a front axle of a motor vehicle, consists of a lower blade 102 forming the two lower suspension arms 121 of the front axle and also forming the spring of the suspension and the anti-roll bar.
• Each lower arm 121 is extended at its free end by a hinge 122 serving as a lower connection point to a wheel pivot 103.
• Each of the two wheel pivots 103 forms the support of one of the two wheels 104 of the front axle of the vehicle ( for the sake of clarity, only one of the two wheels 104 is shown).
• Each of the two wheel pivots 103 comprises a lateral protuberance forming an arm 131 serving as a point of attachment to a steering rack 105.
• the wheel pivots 103 also serve as a support, in the upper part, to the dampers 106.
• the blade 102 is made of a composite material, essentially formed of fibers, whether glass, carbon or Kevlar fibers, interconnected by resin. These fibers are oriented mainly in the longitudinal direction of the blade.
• the blade 102 has a axis of symmetry aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
• the blade 102 has four openings 107 positioned two by two symmetrically on either side of this axis of symmetry.
• a bearing 108 is positioned in each of the four openings 107.
• the four bearings 108 are secured to the vehicle structure, and more particularly to a front cradle 1 10 (only part of the front cradle 1 10 and two bearings 108 are shown).
• the four openings 107 delimit the blade 102 in three parts: a first central portion 122 extended on each side by two lateral portions forming the two lower arms 121 of the front axle 101.
• the openings 107 comprise inserts 109, more particularly visible in FIG. 102, forming zones of protection of the fibers of the blade 102 emerging along the lateral walls of the openings 107.
• the blade 102 represented in bending, comprises, in each of the openings 107, an insert 109.
• Each insert 109 covers in a leaktight manner the lateral surface of the corresponding opening 107, and extends on each of the two
• Each insert 109 may be obtained by overmoulding into an aperture 107, or may also consist of one or more cylindrical pieces slipped and / or glued into the apertures 107.
• the axis of the apertures 107 inclines following the inclination of the lateral portions 121 of the blade 102.
• the bending of the central portion 122 of the blade 102 changes the distance between the openings 107 positioned symmetrically on either side of the axis of symmetry of the blade 102.
• the bearings 108, rigidly secured to the front cradle 1 10, must be sufficiently flexible to be able to follow the movements of the blade 102 and compensate for the variation in distance between the openings 107 positioned symmetrically on either side of the axis of symmetry of the blade 102.
• FIGS. 7 and 8 show detailed views of one of the bearings 108 positioned in one of the openings 107 of the blade 102, in a first position of the unstressed blade 102 and in a second bending position of the blade 102, respectively.
• the bearing 108 consists of an inner frame 81 rigidly secured to the front cradle 1 10 by means of a screw 1 1 1, and a frame 182.
• An elastomeric sleeve 1 12 is interposed between the inner frame 181 and the outer frame 182.
• Such a sleeve 1 12 is essentially made of rubber, allowing it to elastically deform.
• the outer armature 182 consists of two parts that grip the insert 109 of the blade 102.
• the first part 183 of the outer frame 182, preferably of cylindrical shape, has on its outer lateral surface, at a first of these two ends, a thread 184 for its assembly with the second portion 185 of the outer frame 182, forming a clamping ring.
• the clamping ring 185 having a cylindrical shape, has on its inner side surface, at a first of these two ends, a corresponding thread for its assembly.
• the second end of the first portion 183 of the outer frame 182 has a T-shaped profile, forming an outer rim 186 and an inner rim 187.
• the insert 109 is supported along the outer lateral surface of the first portion 183 of the outer frame 182, between the outer edge 186 of the first portion 183 of the outer frame 182 and the end edge 188 of the ring 185, forming a shoulder.
• the length of the spacing of the outer reinforcement 182, between the outer edge 186 and the end edge 188 of the clamping ring 185, is determined so as to limit the pressure exerted laterally by the outer reinforcement 182 on the lateral sides. of the insert 109.
• the insert 109 may be damaged, no longer sealing the fibers of the blade 102 opening onto the lateral edges of the openings 107.
• the second end of the clamping ring 185 forms an inner flange 189.
• the resilient sleeve 1 12 is laterally locked in the outer frame 182, between the inner flange 187 of the first portion 183 of the outer frame 182 and the inner flange 189 of the clamping ring 185.
• the inner armature 181 forms a spacer, traversed by the screw 1 1 1.
• the inner frame 181 has on its outer lateral surface a collar 190, covered on both sides by the elastomeric sleeve 1 12. Each of the two lateral faces of the flange 190 forms a shoulder laterally locking the elastic sleeve 1 12 in position.
• the bearing 108 When mounting the blade 102 on the structure 1 10 of the vehicle, the bearing 108 is previously secured in the opening 107 of the blade 102, the assembly being positioned on the structure 1 10 of the vehicle, allowing the establishment screws 1 1 1 solidarisant the blade 102 in position.
• the first portion 183 of the outer reinforcement 182 is positioned in the opening 107.
• the sleeve 1 12, in which the inner reinforcement 181 is previously positioned, is translated into the first portion 183 of the outer frame 182, abutting against the inner rim 187.
• the clamping ring 185 is screwed onto the second portion 183, forming both an inner shoulder, holding the sleeve in position, and an outer shoulder holding the bearing 108 in position in the opening 107.
• the outer armature can also be made in one part: the flanges bearing on the upper and lower face of the blade can be obtained by crimping. Such crimping can be achieved once the outer armature positioned in the opening of the blade.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=44170125

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Families Citing this family (11)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2011
  • 2011-03-25 EP EP11720134A patent/EP2552718A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-03-25 WO PCT/FR2011/050663 patent/WO2011124814A1/fr active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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