FR2839471A1 - Suspension stop for automobile driving wheel comprises upper and lower dishes with spring support and bearing between dishes - Google Patents

Abstract

The suspension stop comprises an upper dish (101) connected to the vehicle chassis. There is a lower dish (100) comprising a spring support (103) and a bearing (102) located between the two dishes. The bearing comprises an upper bearing track (125) and a lower bearing track which comprises an axial tubular extension (117).

Description

l The present invention relates to a suspension stop for wheel s

  driving motor vehicle, and more particularly such a stop comprising an upper cup capable of being connected to the body of the vehicle, a lower cup having a spring support, and a bearing arranged between the upper cup and the lower cup, said bearing comprising an upper raceway associated with the upper cup and a lower raceway associated with the lower cup, at least the lower raceway comprising a

tubular axial extension.

  We know stops of this type, used for example in suspensions of the MACPHERSON type, and described in various

  documents such as FR-A-2811264 or FR-A-2809675.

  The bearings of these wind stops used to transmit the axial and radial forces resulting from the compression of the spring, while allowing the rotation of the spring caused during the turning of the steered wheels or during the variation of

  compression of the spring by winding the turns.

  s Figure 1 illustrates very schematically such a stop in axial section. There is shown in this figure a spring support 1 having a centering surface 2 and a support surface 3 for the suspension o spring 4, a bearing 5 having a lower raceway 6 and an upper raceway 7 for balls 8, an upper cover 9, and a filter unit 10. These wind organs

  generally annular and coaxial with axis 11.

  This assembly is mounted on the body 12 with the periphery of the filter block 10 interposed between the cover 9 and this body, and the rod 13

  of the damper is mounted in the center of the filter unit 10.

  In the second generation suspension stops cited, the spring support 1 is integrated into the lower raceway 6 to form the lower cup, and the cover 9 is integrated into the upper raceway 7 to form the cup

o superior.

  In the cited third generation suspension stops, the

  filter block 10 is further integrated into the upper cup.

  s The problem which arises is that of the bending stiffness of a

  such a stop, essentially from its lower cup.

  Indeed, as shown in Figure 2, the spring 4 does not rest on the surface 3 along a circle 13 but at two points o 14 and 15 so that there is a bending force on the cup lower. Under these conditions, as shown in FIG. 3, when a significant force is applied by the spring 4 to the lower cup, a transverse plane 16 of reference of the stop does not simply move parallel to itself as shown in 17 in

  mixed lines, but curves as shown in 18.

  These repetitive flexions lead in the long run to a rupture of the stop. The lower neck should therefore be rigid enough

to avoid this phenomenon.

  This problem is solved in document FR-A-2 811 264 by including in the lower cup, made of synthetic material, a metal reinforcing insert. This insert ensures

  bending stiffness necessary for the lower cup.

  However, this insert has the drawback of complicating the manufacture of the lower cup and of adding significant weight.

at the stop.

  o The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

  More particularly, the invention aims to provide a suspension stop whose spring support is made entirely of plastic, but whose lower cup nevertheless has the bending stiffness necessary for satisfactory operation. To this end, the invention firstly relates to a suspension stop for a driving wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising o an upper cup capable of being connected to the body of the vehicle, a lower cup comprising a spring support, and a bearing arranged between the upper cup and the lower cup, said bearing comprising an upper race associated with the upper cup and a lower race associated with the lower cup, at least the lower race comprising a tubular axial extension , characterized in combination by the fact that said lower cup is made of plastic material without metal insert and that said lower raceway and its tubular axial extension are dimensioned so as to ensure the bending stiffness of the assembly constituted by the cup

  lower and the lower raceway.

  It will be specified that the terms “lower”, “bottom”, “upper” and “high” are to be taken in reference to the mounting position of the suspension stop on the vehicle for which it is intended. "Inferior" or "towards the teas" therefore means on the side of the spring support, and "higher" or "upwards" means on the side of the means of

mounting to the vehicle body.

  Similarly, "interior" means towards the axis of the stop and "exterior"

signifies the opposite of this axis.

  o It will be observed that in document FR-A-2 811 264 specifies, the lower and upper raceways also include axial tubular extensions. These rears, however, play no role in the rigidity of the lower cup. Their only functions are wind centering of the raceways and sealing in cooperation with lips from the bearing cage. By way of example, the raceways of the abutments of suspension of the prior art are typically produced in floors with a thickness of between 0.8 and 1.5 mm. The metal insert of the lower cup has a thickness

between 2 and 3 mm.

  s On the contrary, the lower cup of the stop according to the invention does not include a metal insert, but the thickness of the lower raceway is typically between 1.5 and 2 mm for an axial length of the order of 5 to 15 mm, for example

about 8 mm.

  In a particular embodiment, the raceway

  also includes a tubular axial extension.

  s Also in a particular embodiment, at least one of the axial tubular extensions extends to the inner periphery

of the respective raceway.

  s Also in a particular embodiment, at least one of the axial tubular extensions extends to the external periphery

of the respective raceway.

  At least one of the axial tubular extensions can extend upwards from its connection zone to the rest of the

respective raceway.

  Likewise, at least one of the axial tubular extensions can extend towards the teas from its zone of connection to the rest

s of the respective raceway.

  The upper cup may have a metal insert having a contact surface with the upper raceway, in which case the latter may not have an extension.

tubular axial.

  In a first embodiment, correspond to a second generation stop, the upper cup only comprises a cover but the filter block is made up of an element

separate.

  In a second embodiment, corresponding to a third generation stop, the upper cup comprises a filter block. Wile can also in this case also include a

so ca pot.

  In all cases, the cover may include a lower skirt for

centering a shock stop.

  The cover may also include an inner annular rim

  for the support of said shock stop.

  The upper cup can comprise at least locally an annular radial lip oriented radially inwards and arranged to snap into an annular groove of the lower cup so as to axially secure the

upper and lower cups.

  Also in a particular embodiment, the upper cup has a metal insert of which a generally cylindrical lower part forms a shock stop. In this case, the metal insert and the shock stop constitute a part

s unique.

  As a variant, the metal insert of the upper cup has a generally cylindrical lower end ensuring the

centering of the shock stop.

  Also in a particular embodiment, said metal insert forms a radial fold for the support of said impact stop. The impact stop can be formed by a simple radial stop washer. As a variant, the impact stop comprises an annular part extending radially, and a cylindrical skirt extending

  o axially from the outer edge of the annular part.

  In one particular embodiment, the suspension stop according to the invention comprises an attack stop of any known type, centered in the impact stop, this impact stop being able to be, as mentioned above, reported as an independent element or made in one piece with the metal insert

of the upper cup.

  The suspension spring support may include a projection

  inside or outside centering ring of the spring.

  In a particular embodiment, the upper cup to comprises a sealing lip from material, in contact with

  an outer peripheral surface of the lower cup.

  The upper cup may also include a sealing lip made from material, in contact with a surface.

  s inner periphery of the lower cup.

  We will now describe, by way of nonlimiting examples, particular embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 3 already described illustrate the prior art and the problem underlying the invention. ; - Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of a suspension stopper according to the invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail V of Figure 4; o - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a second embodiment; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a variant in which the spring support is modified; - Figure 8 illustrates in plan view from below the spring support s of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the raceways and their axial extensions; o - Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9 showing a variant on the spring support; FIG. 11 represents another embodiment in which the bearing includes sealing lips; Figure 12 is an enlarged view of detail Xll of Figure 1 1; - Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the stopper and in particular of its upper cup; Figure 14 is a sectional view along the line XIVXIV of Figure 16 of a stop according to ['invention, second generation; Figure 15 is an enlarged view of detail XV of Figure 14; and - Figure 16 is a bottom plan view of the support of

  o spring from the stop of figure 14.

  The suspension stop represented in FIGS. 4 and 5 is essentially composed of a lower cup 100 and an upper cup 101 between which a bearing is arranged.

ball 102.

  The lower cup 100 is formed by a spring support 103 s for the spring 104 of the suspension and there is associated with it a lower race track 105 for the balls 106 constitute the

bearing 102.

  The spring support 103 is a generally annular part o molded in a thermoplastic material of polyamide type. This support 103 comprises an annular body 107 of generally rectangular section with, on its upper side, two cylindrical projections 108 and 109 and, on its lower side, a projection

cylindrical 110.

  On its outer side with respect to the axis 111, the cylindrical projection 1 10 is connected to the body 107 by a toric surface. Thus, the outer face 112 of the projection 110 forms a centering surface for the spring 104, and the lower face 113 of the body 107 forms

  o a bearing surface for this same spring.

  The lower race 105 is constituted by a stamped sheet washer having, at its inner periphery, a radial crown 114 bearing on the edge of the cylindrical projection 109 and, in its radially median zone, another axial crown 115 bearing on the edge of the cylindrical projection 108. The crowns 114 and 115 wind in axially offset and wind planes connected by a central toric crown 116 forming the rolling track of the balls 106. The cylindrical projection so 108 has an axial dimension lower than the cylindrical projection 109 so that the raceway 116 is oriented towards the

up and out.

  Finally, the raceway 105 has at its outer periphery an axial extension 117 oriented towards the teas and capable of ensuring the centering of the raceway 105 in

  cooperation with the external face of the cylindrical projection 108.

  It will be seen below that the axial extension 117 also participates in the

  stiffening of the lower cup.

  The upper cup 101 consists essentially of an annular block 113 made of rubber overmoulded on an annular reinforcement insert 119, and it is associated with a raceway

  upper 125 for the balls 106 constitute the bearing 102.

  The inner periphery of the annular block 118 is provided with a metal socket 120 for receiving the end of the rod.

the shock absorber of the suspension.

  The upper cup 101 forms an external peripheral flange 121 oriented towards the teas, the lower edge of which forms an annular radial lip 122 oriented radially inwards and arranged to snap into an annular groove 123 formed in the external cylindrical face of the body 107 of the spring support 103. The lower cups are thus secured axially

and higher 101.

  The upper raceway 125 is also produced under

  the shape of a stamped sheet metal washer.

  At its radially outer periphery, the raceway 125 o has an O-ring portion 126 forming the upper raceway for the balls 106. A radial part of the raceway 125 is connected to the O-ring portion 126 from its inner side. Finally, a tubular axial extension 128 is connected to

  the interior of the radial part 127.

  The toric 126, radial 127 and axial 128 parts are respectively supported on toric, radial and cylindrical surfaces of the annular block 118 which connect the inner surface of the flange 121 to the outer surface of the body of the

this annular block.

  o The track 126 of the track 125 is oriented inward and towards the teas so as to cooperate with

  track 116 of track 105.

  The metal insert 119 is annular and has an outer part included in the flange 121. This outer part is connected to a cylindrical inner part 130 molded into the body of the annular block 118. This part 130 forms, at the level of the lower part. of this annular block, an annular radial fold 131 for the support of a shock stop 132. The lower end o 133 of the part 130 ensures the centering of this shock stop 132. The shock stop 132 comprises, made of a single piece, an annular part 132 'extending radially, and a cylindrical skirt 134 extending axially towards the teas from the edge

exterior of part 132 '.

  It will be observed that, as a variant, the impact stop 132 could be produced in one piece with the metal insert 119. Such a

  o embodiment is shown in Figure 13.

  Finally, in known manner, an attack stop 135 at its end housed in the shock stop 132 and a bellows 136 for protecting the shock absorber at its upper end wedged between the

  top of the attack stop 133 and the shock stop 132.

  The spring support 103 is therefore made entirely of plastic material without metal insert. On the other hand, the raceways 105 and 125 are dimensioned so that their axial tubular extensions 117 and 128 respectively, provide sufficient rigidity for the stopper and in particular for its lower cup. Typically, the thickness of the sheet in which the bearings form can be between 1.5 and 2 mm and the extensions 117 and 128 can extend axially over a

length of the order of 8 mm.

  It will further be observed that the original diameter of the row of balls 106 is greater than or equal to the original diameter of the support coil of the spring 104. This arrangement, as well as the orientation of the rolling tracks, ensure good stability at the suspension stop. o We also observe that the stop is devoid of friction sealing means, the sealing being ensured by the reduced clearance between the lip 122 and the groove 123 on the one hand, and between the projection

  and the annular block 118 on the other hand.

  The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIGS. 4

  and 5 essentially on two points.

  First, the upper cup 101 no longer includes a metal insert here. The annular block 118 in rubber is here o molded onto a plastic cover 150. The latter substantially resumes the shapes of the upper cup of the previous embodiment as regards the reception of the raceway 125 on the one hand, and hooking and sealing

  with spring support 103 on the other hand.

  The cover 150 also forms an inner annular rim 131 's and a lower skirt 133' so that it also provides in its

  lower part, centering and support of the shock stop 132.

  Alternatively, the annular rim and the skirt could form themselves

  same the shock stop and thus ensure the housing of the end

o the attack stop.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, vibration filtration is partially exerted by the lower cup. To this end, the bearing area of the spring 104 is provided with a coating.

s in rubber 151.

  It will be observed that such a provision is favorable to the

  functioning of the bearing since it is less stressed.

  In addition, a smaller thickness of rubber is necessary

  o at the level of the upper cup.

  The embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 differs from that of

  Figures 4 and 5 by the spring support 160.

  s The centering of the spring 104 is carried out here, not by its interior, but by its exterior by means of a projection 161 extending

  axially towards the teas from the body of the spring support 160.

  This lip is connected to the body of the support 160 by a surface

  toroidal following the shape of the upper coil of the spring 104.

  It will be observed that the projection 161 is locally interrupted at 162 on a part of the periphery of the support 160 to allow

  radial expansions of the spring due to its compression.

  Finally, a stop 163 is provided at one of the peripheral ends of the projection 161 for the end of the turn.

upper of the spring.

  s Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the raceways. Here, the upper raceway 170 at its axial or tubular extension 171 formed at its radially outer periphery and the lower raceway 172 at its axial tubular extension

  173 formed at its radially inner part.

  We will observe that in all the embodiments represented,

  s the axial extensions of the two wind tracks always directed towards the teas from their connection zones directly to the rest of the running path. In variants not shown, one or other of these extensions

  axial, or both, could be directed upward.

  Likewise, the two axial extensions are always shown formed one at the radially outer periphery and the other at the radially inner periphery of the respective raceway, but the two axial extensions could both be formed inside or all two outside their raceway. If we now refer to Figure 10, we are flying a mode of

  realization combining the variants of Figures 7 and 9.

  The centering of the spring 104 is done as in FIG. 7 by its

  exterior using a projection 161.

  Upper 170 and lower 172 raceways wind

as shown in Figure 9.

  The embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 is similar to that of

s Figures 4 and 5.

  However, the annular reinforcement insert 180 is here entirely overmolded by the material of the annular rubber block 181. The impact stop is here constituted by a simple radial washer of o stop 181 'so that the attack stop 182 is in direct contact on a cylindrical surface with the rubber of

  overmolding of the lower part of the metal insert 180.

  In addition, two sealing lips are provided here for the protection

of the bearing.

  A first sealing lip 184 comes from material from the outer peripheral flange 185 of the upper cup. The lip 184 comes into contact on the external periphery of the support of

spring 185.

  Likewise, a second sealing lip 186 comes from material from the body of the upper cup to come into contact.

  on the inner periphery of the spring support 185.

  Of course, depending on the case, only one of the sealing lips 184

and 186 could be predicted.

  There is shown in FIG. 13 an embodiment in which the metal insert 190 from the upper cup to its lower face is not covered so that the upper race 191 is

  directly in contact with the insert.

  In this case, on the one hand, the thickness of the raceway can be reduced to be, for example typically around 1.5 mm, and, on the other hand, the tubular axial extension of the raceway is eliminated. Indeed, the direct contact of the raceway 191 with the metal insert 190 can in this case give

  sufficient rigidity to the upper cup.

  On the other hand, the lower raceway is of the same type

than those described above.

  With regard to the metallic insert 190, it will further be observed that its generally cylindrical lower part 192 performs the function of impact stop. The attack stopper 193 is then

  directly centered by ['insert 190.

  Finally, FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrate a second generation suspension stop in which the upper cup 200 only comprises a cover 201, the filter block being constituted

of a separate set.

  The lower cup 202 comprises, as previously, an annular groove 203 at its outer periphery in which hooks 204 of the cover 200 engage for the purpose of the

  axial connection of the lower cup 202 and the cover 200.

  Of course, the characteristics of the different modes of

  realization described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (22)

  1. Suspension stop for a driving wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising an upper cup (101) capable of being connected to the vehicle body, a lower cup (100) comprising a spring support (103), and a bearing (102 ) disposed between the upper cup and the lower cup, said bearing comprising an upper raceway (125; 170) associated with the upper cup and a lower raceway o (105; 172) associated with the lower cup, at least the lower raceway comprising a tubular axial extension (117; 173), characterized in combination by the fact that said lower cup is made of plastic material without metal insert and that said lower raceway and its tubular axial extension are dimensioned so as to ensure the bending stiffness of the assembly constituted by the lower cup and the path lower bearing.   o 2. Suspension stop according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper raceway comprises a   tubular axial extension (128; 171).   3. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 and 2, characterized by the fact that at least one (128; 173) of the tubular axial extensions remains at the periphery   inside of the respective raceway.   4. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that at least one (117; 171) of the axial tubular extensions extends to the external periphery of the respective raceway.   5. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the axial tubular extensions extends upwards from its zone of   connection to the rest of the respective raceway. s   6. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the axial tubular extensions extends towards the teas from its zone of   connection to the rest of the respective raceway.   7. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 and 3 to 6, characterized in that the upper cup has a metal insert (190) having a contact surface with the upper race (191), the latter   not having a tubular axial extension.   8. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the upper cup includes a cover (150; 201).   9. Suspension stop according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (150) comprises a lower skirt (133 ')   for centering a shock stop (132).   s 10. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   8 and 9, characterized in that the cover (150) has an inner annular rim (131 ') for the support of said stop shock (132).   o 11. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 10, characterized by the fact that the upper cup   includes a filter block (1 1 8; 1 81).   12. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 11, characterized in that the upper cup (101;) comprises at least locally an annular radial lip (122; 204) oriented radially inwards and arranged to snap into an annular groove (123; 203 ) of the lower cup (100; 202).   13. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, 11 and 12, characterized in that the upper cup has a metal insert (190), part of which   lower (192) generally cylindrical in the form of a shock stop.   14. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, 11 and 12, characterized by the fact that the upper cup (101) has a metal insert (119), a generally cylindrical lower end (133) of which provides the   centering of a shock stop (132; 181 ').   15. Suspension stop according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that said metal insert (119) forms a radial fold   (131) for the support of said shock stop (132).   16. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   14 and 15, characterized by the fact that the impact stop is   formed by a radial thrust washer (181 ').   17. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   14 and 15, characterized in that the impact stop (132) comprises an annular part (132 ') extending radially, and a cylindrical skirt (134) extending axially from the   outer edge of the annular part (133). '   18. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   13 to 17, characterized by the fact that it includes a stop   attack (135) centered in the shock stop.   19. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 18, characterized in that said spring support (103) (104) comprises an annular projection (110) for interior centering of the spring (104).   o 20. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 to 18, characterized in that said spring support (103) (104) comprises an annular projection (110) for centering outside of the spring (104).   s 21. Suspension stop according to any one of the claims   1 to 20, characterized in that the upper cup comprises a sealing lip (184) made of material, in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the lower cup.   22. Suspension stop according to any one of claims   1 to 21, characterized in that the upper cup has a sealing lip (186) made of material, in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cup