FR2839671A1 - Process for enabling mounting and detachment of motor vehicle suspension system, involves compressing shock absorber in relation to independent support point and translatably/rotationally displacing it w.r.t support point - Google Patents

Abstract

The process for mounting a suspension system having a spring (12) combined with a shock absorber adapted to be engaged in a wheel hub mounting (6), involves compressing (3,3d) the shock absorber in relation to an independent support point for it, and then translatable or rotationally displacing (14,24) it in relation to the support point. The shock absorber is preferably displaced by 40-70 mm in a direction having at least a horizontal component in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber. The translation device includes a base (13) fixed to the compression device (3,3d) and a temporary fixing jaws (44) movable in relation to a plate (15) associated with the support point. An Independent claim is included for a device for enabling mounting and dismantling of the vehicle suspension system.

Description

(10) to extract.

  METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING / DISASSEMBLING A

VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

  The present invention relates to a method and a device for mounting and / or dismounting a suspension strut of a motor vehicle, and in particular for engaging and disengaging the element.

  suspension of a vehicle from the hub carrier.

  o The invention is more particularly applicable to types of suspension comprising a spring / shock absorber assembly, the lower end (close to the carriageway) of the body of the shock absorber forms the pivot of a hub carrier. This is itself associated with a hub on which is

mounted the vehicle wheel.

  In a known manner, the replacement of a shock absorber requires the disassembly and reassembly of the suspension element and of the hub carrier itself, and constitutes a long, complicated and presenting operation.

risks.

  We tend to remedy these drawbacks with specific tools, such as holding rods quick to cooperate with buttonholes of the suspension element or spring compressors equipped with

cups compressing the spring.

  However, not only do these tools require significant physical effort, but each type of vehicle or type of suspension requires

has a tool of its own.

  So we know by the patent application fran, cais n 00 14 958 filed in the name of the present applicant, a process and a device which constitute an important progress in this field and which overcome the disadvantages

mentioned above.

  According to the method and the associated device described in this patent application, the suspension system is compressed by acting directly on the shock absorber and relative to a point of support independent of the suspension system. There is provided a support base, a vertical telescopic upright on which is mounted a horizontal arm whose end

  distal has shock absorber clamping jaws.

  o The extension of the vertical upright causes compression of the shock absorber (and of the associated spring), until the free end of the

  body of the shock absorber is released from the hub carrier.

  This known device gives satisfaction.

  However, certain rear vehicle suspensions raise specific problems such as in particular reduced accessibility and the so-called camber angle formed by the axis of the shock absorber with the vertical (in a vertical plane transverse to the axis of the wheel) . These features o complicate disassembly and reassembly and force the operator to additional mancouvres eVou less convenient compared to those made for a front suspension and most rear suspensions. In this context, the present invention improves the known device mentioned above, by proposing a method as well as a device making it possible to release and engage a suspension element, in particular a rear suspension, under optimal conditions of

  security, while retaining the advantages of said known device.

  To this end, according to the invention, the method for mounting or dismounting a vehicle suspension system comprising a spring combined with a shock absorber capable of being engaged in a hub carrier caliper, said method comprising a step of compression of said shock absorber with respect to has a support point independent of the latter, is characterized in that it comprises a step of displacement in translation relative to said support point. Preferably, the translation is carried out in a direction comprising o at least one horizontal component and located in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the damper, and the displacement in translation is between 5 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 40 and mm. The invention also relates to a device for mounting or dismounting a vehicle suspension system comprising a spring combined with a shock absorber capable of being engaged in a hub-carrier caliper, said device comprising means for compressing said shock absorber with respect to a point of independent support of the latter and means of o temporary fixing on the shock absorber, characterized in that it comprises

  means of displacement in translation relative to said fulcrum.

  Advantageously, the translation means include a base secured to the compression means and temporary fixing means, and movable relative to a plate associated with said fulcrum. The base moves relative to said plate by

  the intermediary of a sliding sole associated with a screw-nut system.

  11 is provided with locking means in position of the base.

  According to another form of implementation, the method of mounting and dismounting a vehicle suspension system comprising a

  spring combined with a shock absorber capable of being engaged in a bracket

  hub, said method comprising a step of temporary fixing directly to the body of the shock absorber and a step of compression of said shock absorber with respect to a fulcrum independent of said system, is characterized in that it comprises an adaptation step angular of said fixing means, with respect to the preset inclination of the body of the shock absorber, about an axis of rotation transverse to the axis

  o of the shock absorber and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

  Preferably, the adaptation step is carried out according to a preset angle value. Advantageously, the adaptation is carried out before the temporary fixing step, by adjustment in rotation, and the inclination is between 0.5

  and 10, preferably between 2 and 6.

  The invention further relates to a device, for the implementation of said o process variant, capable of allowing the mounting and dismounting of a vehicle suspension system comprising a spring combined with a damper capable of being engaged in a hub holder caliper, said device comprising means for temporary fixing on the shock absorber and compression means for said system, characterized in that it comprises means for angular adaptation of said fixing means, relative to the inclination of the body of the shock absorber, about an axis of rotation transverse to the axis of the shock absorber and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. n / a The wind adaptation means fixed according to a predetermined angle value, and moreover they include means of adjustment in rotation according to an inclination between 0.5 and 10, preferably between 2 and 6 According to yet another variant , the device comprises on the one hand means of displacement in translation relative to said fulcrum, and on the other hand means of angular adaptation of said fixing means, relative to the inclination to said system, around an axis of rotation transverse to the axis of the shock absorber and parallel to the longitudinal axis

of the vehicle.

  Advantageously, the compression means of the wind damper mounted on the base with at least one degree of freedom of rotation

in a vertical plane.

  The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows,

  ra pporta nt a exempl e of real isation ill u stratif ma is not im itative, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device known by the o patent application fran, cais n 00 14958; - Figure 2 is a side view of the device according to the invention associated with a suspension assembly; s - Figures 3A and 3B show the support base of the device of Figure 2, respectively in perspective and in section; - Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show the means of displacement in translation respectively in perspective, in side view and in section; Figure 5 shows the device of Figure 2 in the first stages of disassembly; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 2 in the rear disassembly phases; - Figures 7 and 8 show side views of variants of the device

  Figure 2, each provided with a means of tilting the amount.

  o Throughout the description, the terms "proximal" and "distal" define

  an element being respectively close to and away from the ground or from the surface where the device according to the invention rests. The term "height" is a measure of distance from the ground. Similarly, the concepts of "superior" and "inferior" indicate respectively

  Distance and proximity to the ground in a vertical direction.

  In addition, the described wind suspension systems of known type and include a spring associated with a shock absorber (cartridge, monobloc

crimped, or other).

  FIG. 1 represents, in perspective of quarter-trots, an embodiment of the device 1 of the type known by the patent application fran, cais

n 00 14958.

  The device 1 comprises, in its lower part, a base 2 having substantially a shape of KH >> seen from above which is associated with a substantially vertical upright 3 perpendicular to the base 2. The distal end of the amount 3 is fixed (by welding by example) has an arm 4 substantially perpendicular to said upright 3 and comprising jaws 44 and 45 which are quick to grip the body of the shock absorber (not shown). The upright 3 is cylindrical and of the telescopic type comprising an inner tube 3b, hollow and substantially cylindrical, mounted concentrically in an outer tube 3c of complementary shape. The inner 3b and outer 3c tubes extend in a direction X,

  substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the base 2.

  The external tube 3c has, at its proximal end, an external thread capable of cooperating with the internal thread of a nut.

  o 3d maneuver, of substantially cylindrical shape.

  The inner tube 3b has padres of diametrically opposite holes and cooperating with a pin 3e allowing adjustment of approach to the height position of the outer tube 3c, and therefore of the total height of the upright 3; l The proximal end of the inner tube 3b is linked to the base 2 by means of securing either fixed or movable in rotation by a ball joint

  or in pivoting along a substantially horizontal axis (not shown).

  Additional details concerning the device of FIG. 1

  can be found in the French patent application, cais n 00 14958.

  Figure 2 shows a side view of a device of the invention in place and associated with a vehicle suspension system (the latter being only very partially shown). Common or similar items to

  those of FIG. 1 bear the same references.

  The device of the invention comprises a vertical upright 3 and a transverse arm 4 provided with jaws 44, 45 at its distal end. The device rests, via a support assembly described later, on the ground 5 or any other support surface, flat and

  substantially horizontal, such as the platform of an elevating bridge.

  The suspension system shown diagrammatically includes in known manner a U-shaped bracket 6 on which is mounted for rotation a wheel block 7 of the vehicle. At each upper 6A and lower 6B end of the caliper 6, a set of lower suspension arms 8A and upper 8B respectively is mounted for rotation. The upper end of the caliper 6 is provided with a housing capable of receiving the lower end 9 o of a damper arm 10 11 cooperating with a suspension spring 12. The jaws 44, 45 are quick to tighten the body 10 of the damper 11. With reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the device is integral with a support assembly of generally elongated shape and comprising three elements, namely a fixing base 13 resting on a sole 14 sliding, itself based on a fixed support plate 15 suitable for

rest on the ground.

  o The base 13 comprises two parts arranged facing each other: a shoe 16 and a holding element 17 The concept of "rear" indicates a position remote from the suspension system, and the concept of '<< before >> a position near or towards said

s suspension system.

  With reference to FIG. 3B, the upright 3 passes through the retaining element 17 by a trout The proximal end of the upright 3 (on the side opposite the arm 4) is provided with a ball joint 18 disposed in a complementary housing, defined by two recesses provided respectively on the shoe 16 and the holding element 17, in the rear part of the base 13 The upright 3 is thus articulated by the ball 18 on the base 13. The locking of the ball 18, and done amount 3, is achieved by applying a

  vertical force tending to bring the holding element 17 closer to the shoe 16.

  To this end, the front end of the retaining element 17 is associated with known locking means of the screw / cam type 17A, capable of bringing said element 17 closer to the shoe 16, so as to exert pressure on the ball joint.

  18, and block it in its housing.

  o The respective rear parts of the shoe 16 and of the holding element 17

cooperate in interlocking.

  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show views of the assembly formed by the fixed plate 15 and the sliding sole 14, respectively in

perspective, dimension and section.

  The plate 15 comprises a fixed support base 19, in folded sheet metal, U-shaped defining a flat elongated base 20, and two lateral flanges 21 and 22, folded at 90. A front edge 23 (triangular), transverse to the base 20 and to the lateral edges 21 and 22, is provided. On the underside of the

  support base 19 is provided with a non-slip pad 19a.

  The sole 14 comprises a slide 24, in bent sheet metal and in the shape of a U. defining an elongated support plate 25 and two lateral flanges 26 and 27. The slide 24 is arranged inside the U formed by the base 20 and the edges 21 and 22 of plate 15, with its concavity facing the

base 20.

  With reference to FIG. 4C, the slider 24 slides relative to the base 20 by the intermediary of two cylindrical rollers 29 and 30 rolling on the upper face of the base 20 (correspond to the base of the U formed by it ). A nut 28 is integral with the rear part of the support plate 25 and positioned inside the latter. A threaded rod 31 is blocked in translation but free to rotate on the transverse rim 23 of the base 20. The other end of the threaded rod 31 cooperates with the nut 28 in such a way that the rotation of the threaded rod 31 entrane the displacement in translation of the slide 24, relative to the base 20 between two extreme positions. A stop 28a for example in the form of

  clip, prevents the threaded rod 31 from disengaging from the nut 28.

  o The sole 14 further comprises a base 32 fixed, by bolts or the like, on the face opposite the ground of the support plate 25 of the

slide 24.

  The base 32 is of generally elongated shape and comprises a template element 33 of elongated shape and projecting with respect to the surface superior to said base. The base 32 has, seen in longitudinal section (FIG. 4B), a trapezoidal shape so that its upper face is in a slope converging towards the front. The slope is of the order of a few degrees. Preferably, the angle of slope is substantially the same as that form of construction by the damper 11 with the

  vertical, called camber angle.

  As best shown in Figure 3B, the template 33 has a shape complementary to that of a housing provided in the lower part of the

shoe 16.

  The assembly formed by the sole 14, the shoe 16,1'element 17, the upright 3 and the transverse arm 4, is movable in translation relative

to plate 15.

  The movement to said mobile assembly is done by the rotation of

  rollers 29 and 30, arranged under the slide 24, on said base 20.

  The operation of the device of the invention of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 is as follows, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows the device of the invention put in place in the manner described with reference to the figure 2. Further details on this implementation can be found in the French patent application, filed in the name of the applicant and mentioned in the preamble. The system of

  suspension of Figures 5 and 6 is of a type known per se.

  Firstly, the plate 15 associated with the sliding sole 14 is placed on the ground, at an appropriate distance, so that the threaded rod 31 is disposed on the rear side of the plate, that is to say at [ opposite of the suspension system. Beforehand, we will have actuated the threaded rod 31 (FIG. 4C) so as to place the slide 24 in its extreme front position, away from the rim 23 of the plate 15, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 5. In this position, the slider is closest

  o possible suspension system.

  Then, the vertical upright assembly 3 / arm 4 / base 13 is placed on the template 33 fixed to the sliding sole 14, so that the template 33 is housed in the complementary housing provided in the lower part.

s of shoe 16 (FIG. 3B).

  Due to the inclination of a few degrees (for example of the order of 5) of the base 32, the base is inclined and the upright 3 also; the amount is then substantially parallel to the body 10 of

The damping device.

  The upright 3 is adapted in length (in height) and bioque to the adequate length, through the axis 3e and the holes arranged in the inner tube 3b. The operator adjusts the position of the plate 15 (carry the assembly of elements 14, 13, 3 and 4) on the ground, so that the jaws 44 and 45 are in position of engagement with the body of damper. The amount 3 is then locked in position by locking the ball joint 18 (Figure 3B). Jaws 44 and 45 are tight on

  the end 9 of the body 10 of the damper 11.

  o Then comes the operation of compression of the shock absorber 11 carried out by the extension of the upright 3 which results in its upward movement

  the jaws tightening the body of the shock absorber 11.

  To do this, on the upright 3, the 3d actuating nut is actuated so as to move the outer tube 3c upward, thereby lengthening the upright 3. This causes the jaws 44 which lift the body 10 to move upward. shock absorber until the end 9 of said body 10 is released from the housing provided in the upper part 6A of

the suspension bracket 6.

  If necessary, the upper suspension arms 8B are then disengaged from the flange or stop with which they cooperate at the level of the damper body 10. Figure 6 shows the respective arrangement of the elements of the

  suspension and device of the invention in the following steps.

  The assembly formed by the base 13 (shoe 16 and holding element 17), the upright 3, the arm 4, the damper 11 and the spring 12 is moved in so translation away from the suspension system (bracket 6 and arms

  suspension 8A and 8B) relative to the fixed plate 15.

  To do this, the operator actuates the threaded rod 31 (FIG. 4C) so as to move the slider 24 of the sliding sole 14 backward relative to the fixed plate 15. In this movement, the slider 24 is driven back ( away from the suspension, therefore from the vehicle) the 3/4 device and the shock absorber 11, to reach the position shown on the

figure 6.

  The translational travel of the slide 24 is a few tens of

  o mm, between approximately 55 and 65 mm according to a preferred embodiment.

  The 3d nut is then operated to no longer compress the suspension assembly.

  s The jaws are then loosened to release the shock absorber.

  To put the device back in place for a new dismantling operation of another shock absorber or mounting of a replacement shock absorber, the tightening nut 3d being loosened, the base 13 is o returned to the starting position, FIGS. 4B and 4C) in place, cant the sole

  sliding 24 by the threaded screw 31.

  For the assembly of a replacement shock absorber, the order of operations is opposite to that described above: the 3d nut is loose, the base is brought back, the jaws wind tightened on the body of the shock absorber , the slide is translate, and we proceed to the adjustment by the maneuver of the nut, and then we operate a translation until

  engagement on the caliper body.

  n / a Figures 7 and 8 each show a side view of two alternative embodiments of the device inciting the base 13 (similar to that described above), the upright 3 and the arm 4, and provided with means for tilting and holding in inclination of the upright 3 / arm 4 relative to the vertical. The inclination of the upright 3 relative to the vertical has been deliberately exaggerated in FIGS. 7 and 8 for reasons of clarity. In FIG. 7, said wind tilting means constituted by a base 35 on which a base 36 is rotatably mounted, along an axis of rotation parallel to the ground and transverse to the arm 4 (when the latter is in place and o associated with a suspension system). Said axis of rotation is arranged in the rear part of the device, and preferably beyond the axis

  longitudinal of the upright 3, towards the rear of the device.

  The base 36 is fixed, permanently or removably, to the base 13

  by any known means (not shown).

  A known screw-nut system 37 is provided at the respective front ends of the base 36 and of the base 35, so that the rotation of the screw causes the rotation of the base 36 relative to the base 35 and therefore the inclination of the upright 3 The latter can be mounted on the base 13,

  either fixed or by a spherical joint (Figure 3C).

  The arm 4, fixed substantially at 90 of the upright 3, made with the horizontal a

  angle substantially equal to that made by the upright 3 with the vertical.

  The end of the arm 4, integral with the suspension system then describes an arc of a circular angle a, relative to an axis of rotation colinear to the axis 38 of pivoting of the base 36 on the base 35. Note that the pivot axis is substantially horizontal and transverse to the axis of rotation o of the wheel. FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically two dotted lines forming between them the angle of rotation of the arm 4 between these two extreme positions. The line x-x represents the starting position and the

right y-y the finish position.

  According to the variant shown in FIG. 8, the means for adjusting and maintaining wind inclination constituted by a tie rod 38. The tie rod 38 is mounted articulated at its two ends respectively on the front part of

  the base 13, more precisely of the element 17, and on the upright 3.

  The lengthening or shortening of the tie rod (by any means known per se) causes the rotation of the upright 3 relative to the vertical around the axis defined by the ball joint 18, for example by releasing the ball joint locking system or of the pivoting system, permitting the relative rotational movement of the upright 3 relative to the whole of the

platinum and associated elements.

  Thus, the invention can be covered in two different ways: a) With the device of FIG. 2, the steps described above are carried out with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6; or o b) With the device according to one of FIGS. 7 or 8, a preliminary slope is given to the upright 3 relative to the vertical; then the device is put in place on the plate 15 and the sliding sole 14; the jaws are engaged with the suspension system; the body of the shock absorber is lifted (by lengthening the upright 3) to release it from the suspension stirrup 7; and finally we move in rotation ['upright assembly 3 and arm 4, along an axis transverse to the axis of the shock absorber and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (axis 38 of Figure 7). The assembly 3 and 4 thus performs an alpha angle rotation (figure 7). The jaws 44 have a movement such that their arrival position (after movement) is moved vertically (away from the ground) and horizontally

(away from the vehicle).

Claims (17)

  1. Method for mounting eVou disassemble a suspension system (6, 8, 1 1, 12) of a vehicle comprising a spring (12) combined with a shock absorber (10, 11) capable of being engaged in a hub carrier caliper ( 6), said method comprising a compression step (3, 3d) to said shock absorber relative to a fulcrum independent of the latter, characterized in that it comprises a displacement step (14, 24) in   translation eVou rotation relative to said fulcrum.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the translation is carried out in a direction comprising at least one horizontal component and located in a substantially plane   transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber.   3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the displacement in translation is between 5 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 40 and 70 mm.   o 4. Device for mounting eVou disassemble a suspension system (6, 8, 11, 12) of a vehicle comprising a spring (12) combined with a shock absorber (10, 11) capable of being engaged in a hub-carrier caliper (6) , said device comprising compression means (3, 3d) to said shock absorber relative to a point of support independent of the latter and temporary fixing means (44, 45) on the shock absorber, characterized in that it has displacement means (14, 24)   in translation relative to said fulcrum.   5. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that o said translation means include a base (13) integral with the compression means (3, 3d) and temporary fixing means (44, 45) and movable relative to a plate (15) associated with said support point. 6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (13) moves relative to said plate (15) by means of a sliding sole (14) associated with a system screw-nut (31).   7. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it   o comprises locking means in position of the base (13).   8. Method for mounting and dismounting a suspension system (6, 8, 1 1, 12) of a vehicle comprising a spring (12) combined with a shock absorber (10, 11) capable of being engaged in a hub carrier caliper (6), said method comprising a step of temporary fixing directly on the body (10) of the shock absorber (11) and a step of compression of said shock absorber with respect to a point of support independent of said system, characterized in that it comprises a step of angular adaptation of said fixing means, relative to the preset inclination of the body (10) of the shock absorber, about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (38) transverse to the axis of   the shock absorber and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.   9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that   The adaptation step is performed according to a preset angle value.   10. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that   [The adaptation is carried out before the temporary fixing step, by rotation adjustment.   11. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that   the inclination is between 0.5 and 10, preferably between 2 and 6. s 12.A device capable of allowing the mounting and dismounting of a vehicle suspension system (6, 8, 11, 12) comprising a spring (12) combined with a shock absorber (11) capable of being engaged in a caliper (6 ) hub carrier, said device comprising means for temporary fixing on said shock absorber and means for compressing said system o, characterized in that it comprises means for angular adaptation of said fixing means, relative to the inclination of the shock absorber body, about an axis of rotation transverse to the axis   of the shock absorber and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.   s 13. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means of adaptation fixed wind according to a predetermined angle value.   14.Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that   that the angular adaptation means include means adjustment in rotation.   15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that   the inclination is between 0.5 and 10, preferably between 2 and 6.   16. Device according to claims 5 and 13, characterized in that it   comprises on the one hand means of displacement in translation relative to said fulcrum, and on the other hand means of angular adaptation o of said fixing means, relative to the inclination to said systems, augur of an axis from mtabon 1ransvema1 Faxe from   Famodisseur Ed pam # Aie Faxe [ongudinai du vAhlcule.   17.DlsposhK salon lea sells 6 e1 17, carats in that the means of compssn (3.3d) of the amodseur (11) son1 monads Our Fembase J3) with at least a degree of libedA station in a