EP2836379A1

EP2836379A1 - Vehicle wheel bracket and production method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2836379A1
Application number: EP13720440.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gilles Berthias
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
Current assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2012-04-10
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Also published as: FR2989050B1; CN104470734A; FR2989050A1; WO2013153308A1

Abstract

The method involves the following combination of steps: given that each connection is represented by a functional connection point, placing the various functional connection points (D, M, A0, O, F) relative to one another in a single planar reference system; for each functional connection point (D, M, A0, O, F), defining at least one cavity designed for the passage of the connecting means; determining the design of a section, known as the "extrudable envelope section" of a profile section that can be obtained by extrusion, said extrudable envelope section surrounding all of the cavities and separating said cavities from one another; determining an optimal direction of extrusion; extruding an extrusion substance in said optimal direction of extrusion in order to form a profile section having a section identical to the extrudable envelope section; and cutting the profile section to obtain the components with multiple mechanical connections. The invention also relates to motor vehicles, motor vehicle wheel pivots, and the production of motor vehicle wheel pivots.

Description

VEHICLE WHEEL SUPPORT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a complex mechanical multi-link piece, for example a method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel pivot, in particular a motor vehicle. It also relates to a vehicle wheel pivot obtained by such a method and a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, equipped with at least one such wheel pivot.

Conventionally, most current vehicles are equipped with wheel pivots made of cast iron or aluminum by a casting process.

We have already sought to reduce the weight of the wheel pivots of motor vehicles and, therefore, to reduce the cost of these wheel pivots.

By way of example, the document GB 2 299 556 describes a method of producing a wheel pivot by an extrusion operation of aluminum or aluminum alloy and by a plane cutting operation, these operations being followed by different drilling phases of transverse holes for the braking device, coaxial and orthogonal holes for fixing the suspension.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a multi-mechanical link part, for example a vehicle wheel pivot, which is of simple design and construction, which is suitable for manufacture in large series, with high rates.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved method, which makes it possible to improve the mechanical characteristics of the material used, and consequently makes it possible to substantially reduce the volume of material necessary to perform the pivot function. To achieve these aims, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a multi-mechanical link piece, for example a vehicle wheel pivot for example, said piece of complex shape ensuring the connection with a plurality of other parts, and this method, new, comprises the following steps, taken in combination:

each link being represented by a link functional point, the different link functional points are placed relative to one another in the same plane reference,

for each link functional point, a cavity adapted to the passage of the means of the link is defined,

the pattern of a section, called the "extrudable envelope section", is then determined of a profile that can be obtained by extrusion, said extrudable envelope section enveloping all the cavities and separating said cavities relative to one another,

an optimum extrusion direction is determined, and the extrusion is carried out according to said optimum extrusion direction of an extrusion material to form a profile having a section identical to said extrudable envelope section, and

- The section is then cut to obtain the parts with multiple mechanical connections.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, machining and cutting are then performed on the "raw" extrusion and cutting parts to obtain more finite parts, cut and lightened.

According to a particular application of the invention, the multiple mechanical link piece is a motor vehicle wheel pivot, and the optimum extrusion direction is the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing corresponding to said wheel pivot.

In this particular case of application of the invention also, the different functional points of connection may be the following: pivot / triangle connection point, pivot / steering linkage connection point, pivot / damper connection point, shock absorber attachment point on the vehicle body, reference point of the rocket axis in the wheel support plane, d-point application of the braking force and fixing point of the speed sensor of the wheel.

Still in the case of a motor vehicle wheel pivot, the extrusion material is a metallic material, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the extrusion material may be a composite material.

The machining and finishing cuts mentioned above can be carried out according to one of the following methods: sawing, laser cutting, cutting with water under pressure. In the case where the multi-link piece is a motor vehicle wheel pivot, the finishing machining includes rotary tool machining of the pivot wheel bearing housing.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle wheel pivot, in particular a wheel pin on the front axle of a motor vehicle, which is obtained by a method according to that described above in outline.

The present invention finally relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one such wheel pivot on its front axle.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear in the following description of an example of embodiment, not limiting the object and scope of the present patent application, accompanied by drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle wheel pin, on which there is shown schematically, various mechanical connection points of the pivot,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the extrudable envelope section of the wheel pivot of FIG. 1, which section is determined according to the method of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a section section identical to the extrudable envelope section of FIG. 2, which profile is obtained by an extrusion operation in accordance with the method of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the section of FIG. 3 sectioned to obtain the unit wheel pivots, according to the method of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views showing the front face of a wheel pivot of FIG. 4, on which various machining and finishing cuts have been made, in particular the cutting of the fastening of the brake caliper, and

- Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the rear face of the wheel pin of Figure 6, on which other machining and finishing cuts have been made.

Referring to the drawing of Figure 1, there is shown an example of a piece of complex shape with multiple mechanical connections, namely a wheel pinion front wheel of a motor vehicle.

This wheel pivot on front axle provides, in a conventional manner, the connection with different elements and mechanical parts of the vehicle. Thus, it provides the connection between the wheel bearing, the triangle, the carrier element, the steering rack, the brake caliper, the beams and the wheel speed sensors of the ABS system (meaning "Anti Blocking System" ) or ESP (meaning "Electronic Stability Program").

The characteristic connection points illustrated in FIG. 1 are the following:

- in D: pivot / triangle connection point.

- in M: Point of connection pivot / connecting rod of direction.

- in K: pivot / damper connection point. - in C: Point of attachment of the shock absorber on the vehicle body.

- in AO: Reference point of the rocket axis in the support plane of the wheel.

- in 0: point of application of the braking force.

- F: Fixing point of the wheel speed sensor.

According to the principle of the present invention and as represented in the drawing of FIG. 2, various functional points of connection are placed, for example the functional points of connection D, M, AO, 0, F, with respect to each other in the same plane reference, and for each link functional point mentioned, at least one cavity is defined adapted to the passage of the means of the connection. In this way, the design of the extrudable envelope section S _E mentioned above, which is the section of a profile that will be obtained by extrusion, is then determined.

Extrusion of a profile P _E of identical section to the extrudable envelope section S _{E is then carried out} , which profile is shown, schematically, in the drawing of FIG. 3. The extrusion is carried out in a given direction, already mentioned under the expression "optimal extrusion direction" D _E , which is the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing corresponding to the wheel pivot.

The P _E profile is preferably made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Alternatively, it can be made of composite material.

According to the following step of the method, shown schematically in the drawing of FIG. 4, the profile P _E of section S _E is cut transversely to the direction D _E and at regular intervals along its length to obtain the wheel pivots collectively referenced 10.

Referring to the drawings of Figures 5 to 7, is then carried out various machining and cutting on the wheel pivots 10, rough extrusion and cutting, to obtain finer wheel pivots, cut and lightened. It is obvious that, in a strategy oriented exclusively to a decrease of cost, these machining and cuts can not be realized. Conversely, they will be realized if one is in a strategy oriented towards the weight reduction of the wheel pivots.

These machining and finishing cuts, which allow to cut off and lighten the rough extrusion and cutting pivots, comprise on the front face of the pivot 10:

complex cutting (in two planes) of the surface referenced 11,

the simple cut (only one plane) of the surface 12, the finishing machining of the brake caliper fixing surfaces 13 and 14.

Finally, other machining and finishing cuts are made on the rear face of the pivot 10. Thus:

complex cutting of the rear face 15, 19,

- The cutting of the surface 16 around the steering lever,

the production, by rotating tool, of the wheel bearing housing 17, and

- drilling holes 20.

The manufacturing method described above, in one application example, has many advantages, among which the following advantages:

the extrusion method makes it possible to obtain higher coin output rates than the conventional foundry processes, because once the section of the profile has been determined, the latter is produced "at the kilometer" and cut at a high rate at the adequate length,

machining and finishing cuttings are not essential, which makes it possible, when they are not made on the "raw" extrusion parts, after cutting, to have a very economical version of the process.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a multi-mechanical link piece, a vehicle wheel pivot for example, said part providing the connection with a plurality of other parts, characterized by the following steps, taken in combination:

each link being represented by a link functional point, the different link functional points (D, M, A 0, 0, F) are placed relative to one another in the same plane reference,

for each link functional point (D, M, A 0, O, F), at least one cavity adapted to the passage of the means of the link is defined,

the pattern of a section, called the "extrudable envelope section" (S _E ), of a profile that can be obtained by extrusion is then determined, said extrudable envelope section (S _E ) enveloping all the cavities and separating said cavities in relation to each other,

an optimum extrusion direction (D _E ) is determined, and

the extrusion is carried out, according to said optimum extrusion direction (D _E ), of an extrusion material to form a profile (P _E ) having a section identical to said extrudable envelope section (S _E ), and

the section (P _E ) is then cut to obtain the pieces (10) with multiple mechanical connections.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that machining and finishing cuts are then performed on the parts (10) cut to obtain cut and lightened parts.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the complex shaped part is a motor vehicle wheel pivot, and the optimal extrusion direction (D _E ) is the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel bearing corresponding to said wheel pivot.

4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the various functional points of connection are chosen from the following functional points: pivot / triangle connection point (D), pivot connection point / direction rod (M), point of contact. Pivot / damper connection (K), shock absorber mounting point on the vehicle body (C), reference point of the spindle axis in the wheel support plane (AO), application point the braking force (0) and fixing point of the wheel speed sensor (F).

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the extrusion material is a metal material, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the extrusion material is a composite material.

7. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said machining and finishing cuts can be made by one of the following methods: sawing, laser cutting, cutting with water under pressure.

8. The method of claim 3, characterized in that said machining and finishing cutouts comprise a rotary tool finishing machining wheel bearing housing (17) of the wheel pivot.

9. Vehicle wheel pivot, in particular of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it is a wheel pin on the front axle of the vehicle and in that said wheel pivot on front axle is obtained by a method according to the any of claims 3 to 8.

10. Vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one wheel pivot according to the preceding claim.