EP3924636A1

EP3924636A1 - Support element for a helical spring, suspension assembly and suspension device comprising said support element

Info

Publication number: EP3924636A1
Application number: EP20707742.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominique M. DERAM; Caroline A. PODGORSEK
Original assignee: Sogefi Suspensions SA
Current assignee: Sogefi Suspensions SA
Priority date: 2019-02-12
Filing date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2021-12-22
Also published as: CN113423968A; FR3092635A1; FR3092635B1; MX2021009641A; KR20210119430A; WO2020165534A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a support element (10; 110) for a helical spring (90), the support element being configured to be installed on a helical spring cup (3; 4) and comprising an upper surface (21U; 121U) having a groove (21; 121), the groove being curved and capable of receiving an end turn portion (90A) of the helical spring (90), the support element (10; 110) being characterised in that it comprises at least one elastic retaining member (23, 25; 123, 125) configured to retain said end turn portion (90A) in place in the groove (21; 121).

Description

Title of the invention: Support element for a coil spring, suspension assembly and suspension device comprising this support element

Technical area

[0001] This disclosure relates to a support element for a coil spring, and a suspension assembly and a suspension device comprising this support element.

Prior art

In many coil spring suspension devices, a support element (also known by the English name of "spring pad") is arranged between the coil spring and a cup (also known by the English name of "spring seat ”).

[0003] The support element comprises an upper face having a groove, said groove being curved and adapted to receive a portion of the end coil of the helical spring. It is often made of a single component of vulcanized natural rubber. It may optionally include an insert in contact with a portion of the end coil portion of the helical spring, the insert being made of zinc and / or nickel plated steel, or zinc, or aluminum.

A support element of this type tends to reduce the wear of the coating of the end coil portion of the spring, by limiting the relative movement between the support element and the end coil portion of the spring, and by limiting the abrasion of the end turn portion of the spring due to the presence of chippings, sand, salt or dust between the end turn portion and the groove. It also tends to limit the noise generated by the suspension device due to the elasticity of the vulcanized natural rubber. In addition, when present, the insert provides galvanic protection against corrosion of the spring, for which it can be referred to as a galvanic insert or a sacrificial insert.

[0005] The known support element which has just been described, however, has

disadvantages.

[0006] A first drawback concerns the installation of the support element on the helical spring. From an economic and industrial point of view, it is inconvenient for an automobile manufacturer to install the support element on the coil spring on the assembly line of the vehicle comprising the suspension device. There is therefore a tendency to prefer the support element to be installed on the coil spring by the supplier of the coil spring, and for the assembly thus obtained to be delivered as is to the vehicle manufacturer. However, there is a risk that the support element will come loose from the coil spring during storage or transport of the assembly thus obtained, in which case the vehicle manufacturer is forced to reinstall the support element on the coil spring. .

[0007] A second drawback is that the service life of the support element may be insufficient for certain suspension devices that are highly stressed. It may then be necessary to replace the support element during the life of the hanger. However, to replace the support element, it is also necessary to remove the coil spring, which is inconvenient and requires special tools.

[0008] There is therefore a real need for a support element for a helical spring which at least partially overcomes these drawbacks.

Disclosure of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a support element for a helical spring, the support element being configured to be installed on a cup for a helical spring and comprising an upper face having a groove, said groove being curved and suitable for receiving an end turn portion of the helical spring, the support element comprising at least one resilient retaining member configured to hold said end turn portion in place in the groove.

Since the elastic retaining member holds the end coil portion of the coil spring in place in the groove, the risk of the support member coming loose from the coil spring is significantly reduced. The suspension assembly obtained by installing the support member on the coil spring can thus be stored, transported and delivered to an automobile manufacturer, with a low risk of the support member becoming detached from the coil spring.

[0011] In some embodiments, said elastic retaining member is integral with a side wall of the groove. [0012] An elastic retaining member thus arranged makes it relatively simple to put in place the end turn portion of the helical spring in the groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the support member comprises a plurality of resilient retaining members spaced from one another along the groove.

[0014] The end turn portion of the helical spring is then even better

held in place in the groove, further reducing the risk of the backing member detaching from the coil spring.

In some embodiments, said elastic retaining members comprise a plurality of first resilient retaining members disposed on the radially inner side of the groove and a plurality of second resilient retaining members disposed on the radially outer side of the groove.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first elastic members of

support and the second elastic support members are arranged alternately along the groove.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first elastic members of

maintenance are reliefs projecting from the radially inner side wall of the groove.

In some embodiments, at least part of the reliefs has a curved contact surface intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end coil portion of the spring.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the second elastic retaining members comprise a base portion projecting from said upper face of the support element and a projection portion projecting from said base portion towards the groove .

It is thus understood that the second elastic retaining members

act as clips which allow the support element to be clipped onto the end coil of the coil spring.

In some embodiments, at least part of the portions of

projection has a curved contact surface intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end coil portion of the spring. In certain embodiments, the support element consists of a single element made of an elastic material, preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0023] The support element can then be produced at a relatively low cost, for example by injection molding of the elastic material.

[0024] In this case, the support element can include at least one insert

galvanic contact with part of the end coil portion of the coil spring. The at least one insert can be made of steel plated with zinc and / or nickel, or zinc, or aluminum. The at least one insert may be in the shape of a ring or a ring sector.

In some embodiments, the support element comprises a support portion having said upper face, said groove and said at least one elastic retaining member, and a base portion integral with said portion of support, said base portion being able to be installed on the cup.

In some embodiments, the support portion is made in a

first material, which is elastic, the base portion is made of a second material, which is preferably an organic matrix composite material, and the second material is more rigid than the first material.

As the known support element mentioned above, the support portion tends to reduce the wear of the coating of the end turn portion of the spring, by limiting the relative movement between the cup and the end turn portion of the spring, and by limiting the abrasion of the end turn portion of the spring due to the presence of chippings, sand, salt or dust between the end turn portion and the groove. The bearing portion, being made of the first material, tends to absorb noise due to the elasticity of the first material, such as the known bearing member mentioned above. On the other hand, the base portion provides the mechanical connection between the support element and the cup, and is made of the second material which is more rigid than the first material, and therefore less vulnerable to the associated wear. in contact with the cup. As a result, the support element has a lifespan

increased, while having the same noise damping functions and protection of the coating of the spring than the known support element mentioned above.

In addition, the elasticity of the first material tends to even better hold the end turn portion of the helical spring in place in the groove, and also reduces the risk of chippings, sand, salt or dust which could wear the coating of the end coil portion fit into the groove. As a result, the service life of the coating of the end turn portion is further increased. In addition, it becomes possible not to provide a galvanic insert of the type described above in the support element. Of course, such a galvanic insert can still be provided, if it is desired to further protect the end turn portion against corrosion.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the first material is an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of between 35 and 90, preferably between 55 and 65, more preferably of 60.

In some embodiments, the second material is a polyamide reinforced with glass fibers, the glass fibers being present in an amount of 20% to 60% by total mass of the second material, preferably in an amount of 25% to 55%, more preferably 30% to 50%.

[0031] In some embodiments, the support element is manufactured by

dual-material injection molding of the first material and the second material, the dual-material injection molding comprising injection molding the base portion, then injection molding the bearing portion on the base portion thus injection molded.

[0032] In some embodiments, the base portion includes at least one through hole capable of allowing the first material to pass during the injection molding of the support portion on the base portion.

In certain embodiments, the base portion has a stop element facing the end of the groove which is intended to receive the terminal end of the terminal turn portion of the helical spring. This stop element facilitates the installation of the end turn portion in the groove, and tends to limit the relative displacement between the end turn portion of the helical spring and the bearing portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, the support portion and the base portion have complementary reliefs.

These reliefs make it possible to stiffen the support element, and / or to match the outer shape of the cup.

[0037] In some embodiments, the support portion has at least one wedge configured to cooperate with a central portion of the cup.

[0038] This at least one wedge makes it possible to facilitate the installation of the support element on the cup, and / or to make up for any difference in dimensions between the support portion and the central portion of the cup.

[0039] Preferably, the support portion has a plurality of said wedges, and the wedges are arranged axisymmetrically around the central portion of the cup.

This disclosure further relates to an assembly for suspension of

vehicle comprising a coil spring and at least one support element according to any one of the possibilities mentioned above, an end coil portion of the coil spring being received in the groove of the support element.

[0041] As mentioned earlier, this suspension assembly can be stored, transported, and delivered to an automobile manufacturer, with low risk of the support member becoming detached from the coil spring.

In some embodiments, the vehicle suspension assembly comprises a second support member according to any one of the possibilities mentioned above, and a portion of the other end turn of the helical spring is received in the groove of the second support element.

[0043] This disclosure further relates to a vehicle suspension device, in particular of the MacPherson or pseudo-MacPherson type, comprising a coil spring, an upper cup and a lower cup, in which at least one of the upper cup and the lower cup, of

preferably at least the lower cup, is provided with a support element according to any one of the possibilities mentioned above, a portion of the end turn of the helical spring being received in the groove of the support element.

The aforementioned characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will become apparent on reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of support elements for a helical spring. This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] The accompanying drawings are schematic and are intended above all to illustrate the principles of the invention.

[0046] In these drawings, from one figure (FIG) to another, elements (or parts

of element) identical are identified by the same reference signs.

Brief description of the drawings

[0047] [Fig. 1] FIG 1 is a schematic view of an example of a

suspension which may include a support element in accordance with this presentation.

[0048] [Fig. 2A] FIG 2A is an exploded view of a support element according to a

first example embodiment, together with a cup on which the support element can be installed.

[0049] [Fig. 2B] FIG 2B is a perspective view from below of the element

support and cup of FIG 2A, except that the support member is assembled.

[0050] [Fig. 3A] FIG 3A is a perspective view of the stopper and cup of FIG 2A with the support member installed on the cup.

[0051] [Fig. 3B] FIG 3B is a perspective view similar to FIG 3A, an end turn portion of a helical spring being received in the groove of the support member.

[0052] [Fig. 4A] FIG 4A is a sectional view along IVA-IVA of FIG 3A.

[0053] [Fig. 4B] FIG 4B is a sectional view along IVB-IVB of FIG 3A.

[0054] [Fig. 4C] FIG 4C is a sectional view along IVC-IVC of FIG 3A. [0055] [Fig. 5A] FIG 5A is an exploded view of a support element according to a second exemplary embodiment, together with a cup on which the support element can be installed.

[0056] [Fig. 5B] FIG 5B is a bottom view of the support member and the

cup of FIG 5A, except that the support member is assembled and installed on the cup.

[0057] [Fig. 6A] FIG 6A is a perspective view of the support member and cup of FIG 5B, viewed from above.

[0058] [Fig. 6B] FIG 6B is a perspective view of the support member and cup of FIG 6A, taken from another angle of view.

[0059] [Fig. 6C] FIG 6C is a perspective view similar to FIG 6A, an end coil portion of a helical spring being received in the groove of the support member.

[0060] [Fig. 7A] FIG 7A is a sectional view along VIIA-VIIA of FIG 6A.

[0061] [Fig. 7B] FIG 7B is a sectional view along VIIB-VIIB of FIG 6A.

Description of embodiments

In order to make the invention more concrete, exemplary embodiments are described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is recalled that the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0063] FIG 1 schematically shows a suspension device for

vehicle S may include a support element in accordance with this description.

In the example shown, the suspension device S is a MacPherson type suspension device. In known manner, the suspension device S comprises a shock absorber 1 connected to a wheel R and to a suspension arm B fixed to the chassis H of the vehicle, and the shock absorber 1 cooperates with a helical spring 2. Still in known manner, the helical spring 2 is mounted between the body C of the vehicle and the shock absorber 1, resting at the bottom on a lower cup 3 integral with the shock absorber 1 and at the top on an upper cup 4 fixed to the body C by the bearing bias 5. The shock absorber 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape which passes through the lower cup 3. The balancing and operation of the suspension device S are good. known and are therefore not described in detail here. Reference may be made, for example, to document FR 2 730 673 A1. Although FIG 1 shows a MacPherson-type suspension device S, it can also be a pseudo-MacPherson-type suspension device, in which the suspension arm B is replaced by a wishbone, like this is known. The balancing and operation of such a suspension device are well known and are therefore not described in detail here. Reference may be made, for example, to document FR 2 755 066 A1.

In the suspension device S, a portion of end turn 2A of the

coil spring 2 is received in a support member 10 installed on the upper cup 4, and a portion of the other end turn of the coil spring 2 is received in a support member 1 10 installed on the lower cup 3. However , depending on the configuration and / or the desired characteristics of the suspension device S, one or the other of the support elements 10 or 110 may be omitted.

We will now describe, with the aid of FIGS 2A to 4C, a support element 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. Support element 10 is

particularly suitable for installation in a rear suspension device for a vehicle. As such, FIGS 2A to 4C represent the support element 10 installed on a cup 4 for rear suspension, the cup 4 being of the type having a centering device 4C secured to a substantially flat portion 4P, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

As shown in FIG 3A, the upper face 21 U of the support element 10 has a groove 21. The groove 21 is adapted to receive a portion of end turn 90A of a helical spring 90, as shown. in FIG 3B. To be able to receive the end turn portion 90A, the groove 21 is curved. More specifically, the groove 21 is curved into a propeller arc shape corresponding substantially to the propeller arc described by the end coil portion 90A, as will be best seen in FIGS 3A and 3B.

[0068] In addition, the support element 10 has at least one elastic member of

holding configured to maintain the end turn portion 90A in the groove 21. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the support element 10 has a plurality of elastic holding members 23 and 25. These members retaining elastics 23 and 25 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4C.

The elastic retaining members 23 and 25 are spaced from each other along the groove 21. In the example shown in FIGS 3A to 4C, the elastic retaining members 23 and 25 are arranged alternately on the along the groove 21, that is to say that by moving along the groove 21, we successively encounter an elastic retaining member 23, then an elastic retaining member 25, then an elastic retaining member 23 , etc. It is however possible to arrange the elastic retaining members 23 and 25 differently along the groove 21, without departing from the scope of the present description.

[0070] In addition, the elastic retaining members 23 are arranged on the side

radially inside the groove 21, while the elastic retaining members 25 are arranged on the side radially outside the groove 21. It is however possible to arrange the elastic retaining members 23 and 25 differently on the two sides of the groove 21, without however departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For the purposes of the present disclosure, "radially on the inside", "radially on the inside", "radially on the outside" and "radially on the outside" are understood to be relative to the axis of the arc. helix described by the groove 21. In other words, the side radially inside the groove 21 is the side of the groove 21 which is closest to this axis, and the side radially inside of the groove 21 is the side which is furthest from this axis.

In the following and for convenience, we will talk about the first elastic retaining members 23 and the second elastic retaining members 25.

In the example shown, the first elastic retaining members 23 are reliefs projecting from the radially inner side wall 22 of the groove 21. In other words, the first elastic retaining members 23 protrude from the radially inner side wall 22 towards the radially outer side of the groove 21, as shown more particularly in section in FIG 4B. In addition, the first elastic retaining members 23 have a curved contact surface 23RP intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. The curvature of the 23RP contact surface substantially corresponds to the curvature of the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. In variants (not shown), only some of the elastic retaining members 23 may be reliefs of the type described above.

In the example shown, the second elastic retaining members 25 are integral with the radially outer side wall 24 of the groove 21. More specifically, as shown more particularly in section in FIG 4C, the second elastic retaining members 25 include a base portion 25B and a projection portion 25R. The base portion 25B projects from the upper face 21 U, on the radially outer side of the groove 21. The projection portion 25R projects from the base portion 25B in the direction of the groove 21, in this case in the direction of the groove. radially inner side of the groove 21. In addition, the projection portion 25R has a curved contact surface 25RP intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. The curvature of the contact surface 25RP substantially corresponds to the curvature of the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. It is thus understood that the second elastic retaining members 25 act as clips which allow the support element to be clipped onto the end coil of the helical spring. In variants (no

shown), only some of the second elastic retaining members 25 may be of the type described above.

When the end turn portion 90A is in place in the groove 21

as shown in FIG 3B, the first elastic retaining members 23 tend to hold the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 21 due to their elasticity and the contact between the end turn portion 90A and the contact surface 23RP , and the second elastic retaining members 25 tend to hold the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 21 due to their elasticity and the contact between the end turn portion 90A and the contact surface 25RP. The risk that the support element 10 detaches from the end turn portion 90A is therefore very low.

In some variants (not shown), the support element 10 is

consisting of a single element made of an elastic material. This elastic material can for example be an elastomer, more particularly a thermoplastic elastomer, which may or may not be synthetic. In a particular example, the thermoplastic elastomer is a thermoplastic polyurethane (“Thermoplastic Polyurethane” or TPU in English), optionally expanded. In this case, the support element 10 can comprise at least one insert (not shown). The at least one insert can be made of steel plated with zinc and / or nickel, or zinc, or aluminum. The at least one insert may be in the form of a ring or of a ring sector. In any event, the at least one insert is in contact with part of the end turn portion 90A. As mentioned above in relation to the known support element, the insert provides galvanic protection against corrosion of the spring, and can therefore be qualified as a galvanic insert or a sacrificial insert.

[0076] However, it is preferable that the support element 10 is made in two

elements as will be described below.

[0077] More precisely, in the example shown, the support element 10 comprises a support portion 20 and a base portion 30. The base portion 30 is integral with the support portion 20.

The support portion 20 has the upper face 21 U, the groove 21, and the elastic retaining members 23 and 25 already described above.

The base portion 30 is for its part suitable for being installed on the cup 4.

Thus, as shown more particularly in FIGS 2A and 2B, the base portion 30 has a peripheral portion 35P and a central portion 35C. The central portion 35C has a substantially cylindrical shape making it possible to receive the centralizer 4C of the cup 4. In addition, the central portion 35C has regularly spaced reliefs 38 intended to receive a series of wedges 40. The wedges 40 cooperate with the centralizer 4C. , thus maintaining the support element 10 in contact with the centralizer 4C. In the example shown, the wedges 40 are arranged axisymmetrically around the centralizer 4C. However, it is possible to provide a different arrangement of the wedges 40, without departing from the scope of the present description.

The peripheral portion 35P has a substantially planar lower face intended to come into contact with the portion 4P of the cup 4. The upper face of the peripheral portion 35P is for its part intended to come into contact with the lower face (not referenced) of the bearing portion 20. The upper face of the peripheral portion 35P has the general shape of a ring, and the lower face (not referenced) of the bearing portion 20 has the general shape of a ring. ring sector. On the other hand, the central portion 35C is received in a central portion 29 of substantially cylindrical shape which the bearing portion 20 has.

In the example shown, the base portion 30 has a stop element 39. The stop element 39 faces one end of the groove 21 when the base portion 30 and the bearing portion 20 are in their relative positions shown in FIG 3A. More specifically, the stop element 39 faces the end of the groove 21 which is intended to receive the terminal end 90AT of the end turn portion 90A, in the extension of the direction of the groove 21. As is This will be better appreciated in FIG 3B, when this end of the groove 21 is open as in the example shown, the stop element 39 facilitates the installation of the end turn portion 90A in the groove 21, and tends to prevent the terminal end 90AT from coming out of the groove 21 through this end.

[0082] In a preferred variant, the support portion 20 is made of a first material, which is elastic, and the base portion 30 is made of a second material that is more rigid than the first material. Preferably, the first material is an elastomer, more particularly an elastomer.

thermoplastic, optionally expanded, which may or may not be synthetic, and / or the second material is preferably a composite material with an organic matrix.

The bearing portion 20, being made of the first material, tends to absorb noise due to the elasticity of the first material, such as the known bearing element mentioned above. On the other hand, the base portion 30 provides the mechanical connection between the support element 10 and the cup 4, and is made of the second material which is more rigid than the first material, and therefore less vulnerable to wear associated with contact with the cup 4. The result is that the support element 10 has an increased service life, while having the same functions of damping noise and protecting the coating of the spring as the element. known support mentioned earlier. It will be noted that the support element 10 can be manufactured by bi-material injection molding of the first material and of the second material mentioned above. More concretely, the bearing element 10 can be manufactured by first injection molding the base portion 30, and then by injection molding the bearing portion 20 on the base portion 30. These two steps injection molding processes can be performed within the same injection mold. Alternatively, the injection molding of the base portion 30 can be performed in a first mold, and then the molded base portion 30 may be moved into a second mold in which the injection molding portion of the portion is then carried out. 'support 20.

In addition, the elasticity of the first material tends to keep the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 21 even better, and also reduces the risk of chippings, sand, salt or dust which could wear the coating of the end turn portion 90A fit into the groove 21. As a result, the life of the coating is further increased. In addition, it becomes possible not to provide a galvanic insert of the type described above in the support element 10. Of course, such a galvanic insert can still be provided, if it is desired to protect further. further the end turn portion 90A against corrosion.

In addition, when the wedges 40 are an integral part of the bearing portion 20, and are therefore made of the first material that the bearing portion 20 as in the example shown, the wedges 40 make it possible to catch up with the 'possible difference in dimensions between the bearing portion 20 and the centering device 4C. Such a difference in dimensions may result from the fact that the cup 4 is produced by stamping a sheet, which leads to much larger dimensional tolerances for the cup 4 than for the support element 10.

Optionally, the base portion 30 has one or more holes

through 37. In the example shown, several through holes 37 are provided in the peripheral portion 35P of the base portion 30, as will be seen better in FIGS 2A and 2B. The through holes 37 are suitable for allowing the first material to pass during the molding of the bearing portion 20 on the base portion 30. It is therefore understood that after the molding of the bearing portion 20, a layer (not shown) of first material covers the underside (that is to say the face opposite to the bearing portion 20) of the base portion 30. As will be better understood by referring to FIG 2B, this layer of first material is interposed between the portion flat 4P of the cup 4 and the peripheral portion 35P of the base portion 30, and makes it possible to make up for any difference in dimensions between the base portion 30 and the flat portion 4P. As mentioned above, such a difference in dimensions may result from the fact that the cup 4 is produced by stamping a sheet, which leads to much larger dimensional tolerances for the cup 4 than for the support element 10.

In a particularly preferred example, the support portion 20 is made of an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane ("Thermoplastic Polyurethane" or TPU), and / or the base portion 30 is made of a fiber reinforced polyamide. of glasses.

The expanded thermoplastic polyurethane has a Shore A hardness.

between 35 and 90, preferably between 55 and 65, plus

preferably 60. This gives the bearing portion 20 sufficient elasticity to "accompany" the end turn 90A held in the groove 21 during the successive contractions and relaxations of the helical spring 90. This "support" of the end turn 90A tends to further reduce the risk that chippings, sand, salt or dust which could wear out the coating of the end turn portion 90A enter the groove 21. As a result, the service life of the coating is still increased.

As is known, a thermoplastic polyurethane is obtained from the

copolymerization of a composition comprising an isocyanate and an alcohol, the copolymerization leading to the formation of a block copolymer, the blocks being polyisocyanate blocks, which are rigid, and polyol blocks, which are flexible. The polyols may be of the polyether type or of the polyester type, the latter type being preferred from the point of view of the mechanical strength of the bearing portion 20. The composition may optionally comprise a coloring agent, for example black, in order to standardize the appearance of the bearing portion 20. Preferably, the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane is obtained from a composition of the above-mentioned type and further comprising a diisocyanate crosslinking agent and a physical expanding agent. The diisocyanate crosslinking agent tends to crosslink the blocks of the copolymer, which significantly improves the fatigue and creep resistance of the bearing portion 20, and also to allow adhesion of the bearing portion 20 to the base portion 30. as will be described later. The physical expansive agent leads to the formation of microspheres under the effect of heat during the molding of the bearing portion 20, which improves the mechanical strength of the bearing portion 20.

The diisocyanate crosslinking agent is preferably present in an amount of 10% by total weight of the composition. Preferably, this diisocyanate crosslinker is diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate (also known under the name of 4,4′-MDI). This proportion and the choice of diisocyanate crosslinking agent very significantly improve the fatigue and creep resistance of the support portion 20.

The glass fiber reinforced polyamide has 20% to 60% by total mass of the glass fiber reinforced polyamide (the limits of 20% and 60% being included in this range). This gives the base portion 30 excellent mechanical strength, both in terms of fatigue alone and in fatigue combined with thermal aging. The glass fibers are preferably present in an amount of 25% to 55% by total mass of the glass fiber reinforced polyamide, more preferably in an amount of 30% to 50% by total mass of the glass fiber reinforced polyamide (the terminals 25% and 55% and 30% and 50% being respectively included in these ranges). The polyamide can be PA 6 (polycaprolactam) or PA 6.6 (polyhexamethylene adipamide), the latter being preferred from the point of view of the heat resistance of the base portion 30.

It is particularly preferable that the support portion 20 is made of the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane described above and that the base portion 30 is made of the glass fiber reinforced polyamide described above. Indeed, this combination leads to excellent mechanical strength of the bearing portion 10. In addition, when the bearing element 10 is manufactured by bi-material injection molding as mentioned above, the diisocyanate crosslinking agent promotes a adhesion in situ (i.e. within the mold injection) of the thermoplastic polyurethane expanded from the support portion 20 to the polyamide of the base portion 30, during the molding of the bearing portion 20 on the base portion 30. Thus, after the bi-material injection molding, the bearing portion 20 adheres very strongly to the base portion 30. The bearing portion 20 and the base portion 30 are then integral, due both to their complementary shapes and this chemical adhesion.

We will now describe, with the aid of FIGS 5A to 7B, a support element 110 according to a second exemplary embodiment. The support element 1 10 is

particularly suitable for being installed in a front suspension device for a vehicle, which may in particular be a suspension device of the type

MacPherson or nickname MacPherson. As such, FIGS. 5A to 7B represent the support element 110 installed on a cup 3 for front suspension, the cup 3 being of the type having a substantially cylindrical central portion 3C integral with a substantially planar portion 3P, as shown in FIGS 5A and 5B.

As shown in FIG 6A and 6B, the upper face 121 U of

the support element 110 has a groove 121. Like the groove 21 of the first embodiment, the groove 121 is curved and adapted to receive a portion of end turn 90A of a helical spring 90, as shown in FIG. 6C.

In addition, like the support element 10 of the first embodiment, the support element 110 has at least one elastic retaining member configured to hold the end turn portion 90A in the groove 121.

More precisely, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the support element 110 has a plurality of elastic retaining members 123 and 125. These elastic retaining members 123 and 125 will now be described in more detail in se referring to FIGS 6A to 7B.

As in the first embodiment, the elastic retaining members 123 and 125 are spaced from each other along the groove 121. The elastic retaining members 123 and 125 can be arranged alternately along the groove 121 as in the first exemplary embodiment. However, in the example shown here, two elastic retaining members 123 follow one another, and an additional retaining element 135 is arranged between these two elastic retaining members 123 along the groove 121. It is however possible to arrange the elastic retaining members 123 and 125 again differently along the groove 121, without however departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The additional retaining element 135 bears on a complementary support portion 3B1 (see FIG. 5A and 6A) carried by the cup 3. The additional retaining element 135 tends to maintain the end turn 90A of the helical spring 90 in the groove. 121.

In addition, the elastic retaining members 123 are arranged on the side

radially inside the groove 121, while the elastic retaining members 125 are disposed on the side radially outside the groove 121. It is however possible to arrange the elastic retaining members 123 and 125 differently on the two sides of the groove 121, without however departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For the purposes of the present disclosure, "radially on the inside", "radially on the inside", "radially on the outside" and "radially on the outside" are understood to be relative to the axis of the arc. helix described by the groove 121. In other words, the side radially inside the groove 121 is the side of the groove 121 which is closest to this axis, and the side radially inside of the groove 121 is the side which is furthest from this axis.

[0100] In the following and for convenience, we will speak of the first elastic retaining members 123 and the second elastic retaining members 125.

In the example shown, the first elastic retaining members 123 are reliefs projecting from the radially inner side wall 122 of the groove 121, as in the first exemplary embodiment. In other words, the first elastic retaining members 123 protrude from the radially inner side wall 122 towards the radially outer side of the groove 121, as shown more particularly in perspective in FIGS 6B and 7A. In addition, the first elastic retaining members 123 have a curved contact surface 123RP intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. The curvature of the contact surface 123RP substantially corresponds to the curvature of the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. In variants (not shown), only some of the elastic retaining members 123 may be reliefs of the type described above. [0102] In the example shown, the second elastic retaining members 125 are integral with the radially outer side wall 124 of the groove 121. More specifically, as shown more particularly in section in FIG 7B, the second elastic retaining members 125 include a base portion 125B and a projection portion 125R. The base portion 125B projects from the upper face 121 U, on the radially outer side of the groove 121. The projection portion 125R projects from the base portion 125B in the direction of the groove 121, in this case in the direction of the radially inner side of the groove 121. In addition, the projection portion 125R has a curved contact surface 125RP, and intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. The curvature of the contact surface 125RP substantially corresponds to the curvature of the outer surface of the end turn portion 90A. It will thus be understood that the second elastic retaining members 125 act as clips which allow the support element to be clipped onto the end turn of the helical spring. In variants (not shown), only some of the second elastic retaining members 125 may be of the type described above.

[0103] When the end turn portion 90A is in place in the groove 121 as shown in FIG 6C, the first elastic retaining members 123 tend to keep the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 121 due to their elasticity and of the contact between the end turn portion 90A and the contact surface 123RP, and the second resilient retaining members 125 tend to hold the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 121 due to their elasticity and the contact between the end turn portion 90A and the contact surface 125RP. The risk that the support element 110 detaches from the end turn portion 90A is therefore very low.

[0104] In some variants (not shown), the support element 110 is

consisting of a single element made of an elastic material. This elastic material may for example be an elastomer, more particularly a thermoplastic elastomer, which may or may not be synthetic. In a particular example, the thermoplastic elastomer is a thermoplastic polyurethane ("Thermoplastic Polyurethane" or TPU in English), optionally expanded.

In this case, the support element 110 may comprise at least one insert (not represented). The at least one insert can be made of steel plated with zinc and / or nickel, or zinc, or aluminum. The at least one insert may be in the form of a ring or of a ring sector. In any event, the at least one insert is in contact with part of the end turn portion 90A. As mentioned above in relation to the known support element, the insert provides galvanic protection against corrosion of the spring, and can therefore be qualified as a galvanic insert or a sacrificial insert.

[0105] However, it is preferable that the support element 110 is made in two parts, as in the first embodiment.

[0106] More specifically, in the example shown, the support element 1 10

includes a support portion 120 and a base portion 130.

[0107] The support portion 120 has the upper face 121 U, the groove 121, and the elastic retaining members 123 and 125 already described above.

[0108] The base portion 130 is itself suitable for being installed on the cup 3. Thus, as shown more particularly in FIG 5A, the base portion 130 has a substantially planar portion 130P. The portion 130P has an inner face 130PC intended to come into contact with an outer wall of the central portion 3C of the cup 3. In addition, the portion 130P has a shape substantially in a ring sector, so that the lower face ( not referenced) of the base portion 130 intended to come into contact with the peripheral portion 3P of the cup 3 has the general shape of a ring sector. On the other hand, the upper face 130P1 of the portion 130P also has the general shape of a ring sector, like the lower face (not referenced) of the support portion 120.

[0109] The base portion 130 and the support portion 120 have complementary reliefs. In the example shown, these reliefs are in the form of two series of three tabs 136 carried by the base portion 130, and two series of three recessed reliefs 126 carried by the support portion 120. As this is best seen in FIGS 5A, 7A and 7B, the reliefs 126 are complementary to the tongues 136, so that the tongues 136 are received in the reliefs 126 when the base portion 130 and the support portion 120 are in their relative positions shown in these FIGS. Reliefs 126 and the tongues 136 tend to stiffen the support element 1 10. More precisely, as will be better appreciated in FIG 6C, the reliefs 126 and the tongues 136 tend to stiffen the side wall 122 against the force lateral exerted by the end turn portion 90A. In addition, as shown in FIG 5A, the tabs 136 can match the outer shape of the central portion 3C of the cup 3.

[01 10] Note that the flat portion 130P of the base portion 130 can carry at least one lug 134A received in a through hole 3a (see FIG 5A)

corresponding that carries the flat portion 3P of the cup 3. The cooperation between the lug 134A and the through hole 3a can facilitate the alignment of the support element 110 relative to the cup 3.

[01 11] In the example shown, the base portion 130 has a stop element 139 similar to the stop element 39 of the first embodiment. More specifically, the stopper member 139 faces one end of the groove 121 when the base portion 130 and the support portion 120 are in their relative positions shown in FIGs 6A and 6C. More specifically, the stopper element 139 faces the end of the groove 121 which is intended to receive the end end 90AT of the end turn portion 90A, in the

extension of the direction of the groove 121. As will be better appreciated in FIG 6C, when this end of the groove 121 is open as in the example shown, the stop member 139 facilitates the installation of the end turn portion 90A in the groove 121, and tends to prevent the terminal end 90AT from leaving the groove 121 by this end.

[01 12] In a preferred variant, the support portion 120 is made of a first material, which is elastic, and the base portion 130 is made of a second material that is more rigid than the first material. Preferably, the first material is an elastomer, more particularly an elastomer.

[01 13] The support portion 120, being made of the first material, tends to absorb noise due to the elasticity of the first material, such as the known support element previously mentioned. On the other hand, the base portion 130 provides the mechanical connection between the support element 110 and the cup 3, and is made of the second material which is more rigid than the first material, and therefore less vulnerable to wear related to contact with the cup 3. The result is that the support element 1 10 has an increased service life, while having the same functions of damping noise and protecting the coating of the spring as the known support element mentioned above.

[01 14] Note that, like the support element 10 of the first example of

embodiment, the support element 110 can be manufactured by bi-material injection molding of the first material and the second material mentioned above.

More concretely, the support element 110 can be manufactured by first injection molding the base portion 130, and then by injection molding the bearing portion 120 on the base portion 130. These two steps injection molding processes can be performed within the same injection mold. Alternatively, the injection molding of the base portion 130 may be performed in a first mold, then the molded base portion 130 may be moved into a second mold in which the injection molding portion of the portion is then performed. 'support 120.

[01 15] In addition, the elasticity of the first material tends to even better hold the end turn portion 90A in place in the groove 121, and also reduces the risk of chippings, sand, salt or dust which could wear the coating of the end turn portion 90A fit into the groove 121. As a result, the life of the coating is further increased. In addition, it becomes possible not to provide a galvanic insert of the type described above in the support element 1 10. Of course, such a galvanic insert can still be provided, if it is desired to protect. even more the end turn portion 90A against corrosion.

[01 16] Optionally, the base portion 130 has one or more holes

through (not shown), preferably in its substantially planar portion 130P. The through hole (s) are able to allow the first material to pass during the molding of the support portion 120 on the base portion 130. It is therefore understood that after the molding of the support portion 120, a layer ( not shown) of first material covers the lower face (i.e. the face opposite to the bearing portion 120) of the base portion 130. As will be better understood by referring to FIG 5A, this layer of first material is interposed between the flat portion 3P of the cup 3 and the flat portion 130P of the base portion 130, and makes it possible to make up for any difference in dimensions between the base portion 130 and the flat portion 3P. As mentioned

previously, such a difference in dimensions may result from the fact that the cup 4 is produced by stamping a sheet, which leads to tolerances

much larger dimensions for the cup 4 than for the support element 10.

[01 17] In a particularly preferred example, the support portion 120 is made of an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane ("Thermoplastic Polyurethane" or TPU), and / or the base portion 130 is made of a polyamide reinforced with glass fibers.

[01 18] The expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and the polyamide reinforced with glass fibers may be identical to those described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment. It is particularly preferable that the support portion 120 is made of the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane described above and that the base portion 130 is made of the glass fiber reinforced polyamide described above.

[01 19] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual characteristics of the different illustrated / mentioned embodiments can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and the drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0120] In particular, it should be noted that the support elements described here can generally be installed in any other type of suspension device comprising a coil spring and a cup supporting the coil spring.

Claims

[Claim 1] A bearing member (10; 110) for a coil spring (90), the bearing member configured to be installed on a coil spring cup (3; 4) and comprising an upper face (21U ; 121U) having a groove (21; 121), said groove being curved and adapted to receive a portion of end turn (90A) of the helical spring (90),

the bearing element (10; 110) being characterized in that it comprises at least one elastic retaining member (23, 25; 123, 125) configured to hold said end turn portion (90A) in place in the throat (21; 121).

[Claim 2] A support element (10; 110) according to claim 1, wherein said elastic retaining member is integral with a side wall of the groove (21; 121).

[Claim 3] A bearing member (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of resilient retaining members (23, 25; 123, 125) spaced from each other along the groove (21 ; 121).

[Claim 4] A bearing member (10; 110) according to claim 3, wherein said resilient retaining members comprise a plurality of first resilient retaining members (23; 123) disposed on the radially inner side of the groove (21; 121) and a plurality of second elastic retaining members (25; 125) arranged on the radially outer side of the groove (21; 121), the first elastic retaining members (23; 123) and the second elastic retaining members (25 ; 125) being preferably arranged alternately along the groove (21; 121).

[Claim 5] A bearing member (10; 110) according to claim 4, wherein the first elastic retaining members (23; 123) are reliefs projecting from the radially inner side wall (22; 122) of the groove. (21; 121).

[Claim 6] A bearing member (10; 110) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second resilient retaining members (25; 125) comprise a base portion (25B; 125B) projecting from said said upper face (21U; 121U) of the support member (10; 110) and a projection portion (25R; 125R) projecting from said base portion (25B; 125B) towards the groove (21; 121) ).

[Claim 7] Support element according to any one of

claims 1 to 6, which support element consists of a single element made of an elastic material, preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[Claim 8] A bearing element (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a bearing portion (20; 120) having said upper face (21U; 121U), said groove (21; 121) and said at least one elastic retaining member (23, 25; 123, 125), and a base portion (30; 130) integral with said bearing portion (20; 120), said base portion (30; 130) being able to be installed on the cup (3; 4).

[Claim 9] A bearing element (10; 110) according to claim 8, wherein the bearing portion (20; 120) is made of a first material, which is elastic, preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer, the portion base (30; 130) is made of a second material, which is preferably an organic matrix composite material, and the second material is more rigid than the first material.

[Claim 10] A backing member (10; 110) according to claim 9, wherein the first material is an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of between 35 and 90, preferably between 55 and 65, more preferably of 60.

[Claim 11] A bearing element (10; 110) according to claim 9 or 10, in which the second material is a polyamide reinforced with glass fibers, the glass fibers being present in an amount of 20% to 60% by mass total of the second material, preferably 25% to 55%, more preferably 30% to 50%.

[Claim 12] A bearing member (10; 110) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the base portion (30; 130) has a stop member (39; 139) facing the end. end of the groove (21; 121) which is intended to receive the terminal end (90AT) of the terminal coil portion (90A) of the coil spring (90).

[Claim 13] A support element (10; 110) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the support portion (20; 120) and the base portion (30; 130) have reliefs complementary (126, 136).

[Claim 14] A vehicle suspension assembly comprising a coil spring (90) and at least one support member (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a terminal coil portion of the coil spring being received in the groove of the support element (10; 110). [Claim 15] A vehicle suspension device (S), in particular of the MacPherson or pseudo-MacPherson type, comprising a coil spring (90), an upper cup and a lower cup, characterized in that at least one of the cup upper and the lower cup, preferably at least the lower cup, is provided with a support element (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, an end coil portion (90A) of the helical spring (90) being received in the groove (21; 121) of the support element (10; 110).