JP2004132538A - Suspension control device for driven wheels of automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suspension control device (suspension stop) having a spring abutment part perfectly formed from a plastic material and having a lower collar having bending rigidity required to sufficiently function. <P>SOLUTION: This suspension control device for driven wheels of an automobile has an upper collar 101 appropriate to be connected to a car body of the vehicle, the lower collar 100 provided with the spring abutment part 103, an upper race 125 connected to the upper collar and lower races 105 and 172 connected to the lower collar, and also has an extension part 117, wherein at least the lower race is formed into a tubular shape and extended in the axial direction, in relation to a bearing 102 arranged between the upper collar and the lower collar. The lower collar is formed from the plastic material without containing any metal insert material, and the lower race and the extension part thereof are set at a dimension, for imparting bending rigidity to an assembly formed of the upper collar and the lower race. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a suspension stop for a driven wheel of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to an upper collar suitable for being connected to a vehicle body and a lower collar comprising a spring receiving abutment. A bearing disposed between the upper and lower collars, the bearing having an upper race coupled to the upper collar and a lower race coupled to the lower collar; and having at least the lower race having an axially extending extension; And a control device comprising:
[0002]
[Prior art]
It is well known that this type of control device is used, for example, in a McPherson type suspension and is described in various documents such as U.S. Pat.
[0003]
Bearings in such controls allow the spring to rebound when the handle is turned or when the change in compression of the spring is caused by the turning of the handle (by its rotation). While the springs are used to transmit axial and radial forces resulting from compression.
[0004]
FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of such a control device.
FIG. 1 shows a spring receiving contact portion 1 having a center positioning surface 2 and a contact surface 3 of a suspension spring 4, a bearing 5 having a lower race 6 and an upper race 7 of a ball 8, an upper cap 9, 2 shows a filter block 10. These members are generally annular and have a common shaft 11.
[0005]
The assembly is mounted on the vehicle body 12 at the periphery of a filter block 10 disposed between the cap 9 and the vehicle body 12, and a rod 13 of the shock absorber is mounted on the center of the filter block 10.
[0006]
In the "second generation" suspension control, the spring abutment 1 is integrated with the lower race 6 to form a lower collar, and the cap 9 is integrated with the upper race 7 to form an upper collar.
[0007]
In the “third generation” suspension control device, the filter block 10 is further integrated with the upper collar.
A problem that arises is that of the bending stiffness of such a control device, essentially of its lower collar.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 2, the spring 4 is not pressed against the surface 3 along the circumference 13 but is pressed against at two points 14, 15 and a bending force is generated on the lower collar.
In such a condition, as shown in FIG. 3, when a large force is applied to the lower collar by the spring 4, the reference plane 16 traversing the control device only moves parallel to itself, as indicated by the dashed line reference numeral 17. Instead, it curves upward as indicated by reference numeral 18.
[0009]
Such repetitive bending ultimately causes the control device to fail. Therefore, in order to prevent such a phenomenon from occurring, the lower collar needs to have sufficient rigidity.
[0010]
The problem is solved in US Pat. No. 6,037,097 by providing a reinforcing metal insert in a lower collar made of synthetic material. The insert provides the required bending stiffness to the lower collar.
However, such inserts have the disadvantage that they complicate the manufacturing process of the lower collar and add considerable weight to the control device.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
French Patent Publication No. 281264 [Patent Document 2]
French Patent Publication No. 2809675 [0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to mitigate such disadvantages.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension control device in which the spring abutment is formed entirely of plastic material and has the required bending stiffness for the lower collar to function well.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To this end, the present invention firstly provides an upper collar suitable for connection to the vehicle body, a lower collar with a spring bearing abutment, an upper race and a lower collar connected to the upper collar. A bearing having a lower race connected thereto and disposed between the upper collar and the lower collar; at least the lower race having a tubular and axially extending extension; and the lower collar having a metal insert. And the dimensions of the lower race and its extension are set to provide flexural rigidity to the assembly formed by the lower collar and the lower race. To provide a suspension control device.
[0014]
The terms "lower", "bottom" and "upper" and "top" should be understood with reference to the state in which the suspension control is mounted on the vehicle. . Therefore, “down” / “bottom” or “down” refers to the side on which the spring receiving contact portion is disposed, and “up” / “top”. Or "upward" refers to the side on which the means for attaching the control device to the vehicle body is disposed.
[0015]
Similarly, “inside” and “outside” refer to the proximity to the axis of the controller, “inside” is closer to that axis, and “outside”. Is further away from the axis.
[0016]
In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is recognized that the lower and upper races also have extensions extending in the axial direction in a tubular shape. However, those extensions do not add rigidity to the lower collar. Their function is merely to define the center position of the race and to provide sealing in cooperation with the lip (end) integral to the bearing housing.
[0017]
As an example, races in prior art suspension control systems are generally made of sheet metal having a thickness ranging from 0.8 millimeters (mm) to 1.5 mm. The metal insert of the lower collar has a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm.
[0018]
On the other hand, the lower collar of the control device of the present invention does not include a metal insert, but the thickness of the lower race is in the range of 1.5 mm to 2 mm and the axial length is in the range of approximately 5 mm to 15 mm.
[0019]
In certain embodiments, the upper race also has a tubular, axially extending extension.
Similarly, in certain embodiments, at least one of the extensions extends to the inner circumference of each race.
[0020]
Similarly, in certain embodiments, at least one of the extensions extends to the outer periphery of each race.
At least one of the extensions may extend upwardly from a region that connects to the remaining portion of each race.
[0021]
Similarly, at least one of the extensions may extend downward from a region that connects to the remaining portion of each race.
The upper collar may have a metal insert having a contact surface that contacts the upper race, in which case the upper race may have an extension.
[0022]
In a first embodiment, corresponding to a second generation control device, the upper collar has only a cap and the filter block is composed of another element.
In a second embodiment, corresponding to a third generation control device, the upper color comprises a filter block. In this case, a cap may be further provided.
[0023]
In either case, the cap may have a bottom skirt (edge) to define the center position of the shockstop (shock absorber stop).
The cap may have an inner annular flange to terminate at the shock stop.
[0024]
The upper collar is radially inwardly directed, radially inwardly mounted in the annular groove of the lower collar, and annularly extends radially to fix the upper and lower collars axially immovable from each other. A lip may be at least partially provided.
[0025]
Similarly, in certain embodiments, the upper collar has a metal insert that forms a shock stop in its generally cylindrical lower portion. In that case, the metal insert and the shockstop are integrally formed in one piece.
[0026]
In a variant, the metal insert of the upper collar has a generally cylindrical lower end which defines the center position of the shockstop.
Similarly, in certain embodiments, the metal insert forms a bend that bends radially to abut the shock stop.
[0027]
The shock stop may simply be formed by a washer that abuts radially.
In another example, the shockstop has a radially extending annular portion and a cylindrical skirt extending axially from an outer end of the annular portion.
[0028]
In certain embodiments, the suspension control of the present invention is located at the center of a shock stop, which may be mounted as a separate element or integrated with the metal insert of the upper collar and formed in one piece, as described above. With any known type of leading stop.
[0029]
The abutment of the suspension spring may have an annular projection defining the center position of the spring from the inside or from the outside.
In certain embodiments, the upper collar integrally includes a sealing lip that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the lower collar.
[0030]
The upper collar may be integrally provided with a sealing lip that contacts a surface of the inner peripheral surface of the lower collar.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Non-limiting examples of particular embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0032]
The suspension control device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is basically made up of a lower collar 100 and an upper collar 101 with a ball bearing 102 arranged therebetween.
The lower collar 100 is formed by a spring abutment 103 that supports a suspension spring 104 and is connected to a lower race 105 to support a ball 106 that is a component of the bearing 102.
[0033]
The spring contact portion 103 is an annular component formed of a generally molded polyamide-type thermoplastic material. The contact portion 103 has an annular main portion 107 having a generally rectangular cross section and having two cylindrical projections 108 and 109 at an upper end and one cylindrical projection 110 at a lower end.
[0034]
Outside the shaft 111, the cylindrical protrusion 110 is connected to the main part 107 by a toroidal (conical curved surface rotation) surface. Therefore, the outer surface 112 of the cylindrical projection 110 forms a surface that defines the center position of the spring 104, and the bottom surface 113 of the main portion 107 forms a contact surface with the same spring.
[0035]
The lower race 105 has a radially extending band 114 on its inner peripheral surface abutting the tip of the cylindrical projection 109 and another axially extending band abutting on the distal end of the cylindrical projection 108 in the radially intermediate region. 115 and a stamped sheet metal washer. The bands 114, 115 are axially offset (offset) and lie on a plane interconnected by a toroidal central band 116 that forms the passage of the ball 106. Cylindrical projection 108 has an axial dimension that is smaller than the axial dimension of cylindrical projection 109 such that passage 116 points upward and outward.
[0036]
Finally, the lower race 105 has on its outer peripheral surface an extension 117 facing downward and axially suitable for defining the center position of the race 105 in cooperation with the outer surface of the cylindrical projection 108. .
[0037]
As described below, the extension 117 is responsible for further reinforcing the lower collar.
The upper collar 101 is made of a molded rubber annular block 118 that covers the annular reinforcing insert 119 and is coupled to the upper race 125 of the ball 106 that is a component of the bearing 102.
[0038]
On the inner peripheral surface of the annular block 118, a metal bushing 120 for supporting the end of the rod of the shock absorber of the suspension is provided.
The upper collar 101 extends downward, its lower end extends radially inward, and is elastically fixed to an annular groove 123 formed on a cylindrical outer surface that is a main portion 107 of the spring contact portion 103. An outer peripheral edge (rim) 121 is formed, forming a lip 122 extending in a radial direction in an annular shape. Therefore, the lower collar 100 and the upper collar 101 are axially fixed to each other.
[0039]
The upper race 125 is also provided in the form of a stamped sheet metal washer.
On its radially outer peripheral surface, the upper race 125 has a toroidal portion 126 forming an upper passage for the ball 106. The radial portion of the race 125 is connected inside the toroidal portion 126. Finally, a tubular, axially extending extension 128 is connected inside the radial portion 127.
[0040]
The toroidal portion 126, the radial portion 127, and the extension 128 provide a toroidal surface, a radial surface, and a toroidal surface of the annular block 118 that connect the inner surface of the edge 121 to the outer surface of the main portion of the annular block 118. Support each cylindrical surface.
[0041]
Passage 126 of race 125 is directed inward and downward to cooperate with passage 116 of race 105.
The metal insert 119 is annular and has an outer portion surrounded by an edge 121. This outer part is connected to a cylindrical inner part 130 which supports the main part of the annular block 118 from below. At the lower part of the annular block, its inner part 130 forms a bend 131 which is bent radially in an annular shape against which the shock stop 132 abuts. The lower end 133 of the part 130 defines the center position of the shock stop 132.
[0042]
A shock stop 132 formed integrally with other components includes a radially extending annular portion 132 'and a cylindrical skirt 134 extending axially downward from the outer end of the portion 132'.
[0043]
In another example, the shock stop 132 may be formed integrally with the metal insert 119. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG.
Finally, in a known manner, the leading stop 135 has an end resting on the shock stop 132 and the protective bellows 136 protecting the shock absorber are tightened at the top of the leading stop 133 and on the shock stop 132. It has an upper end.
[0044]
Therefore, the spring abutment 103 is made of only a plastic material without mixing with a metal insert. However, the races 105, 125 are dimensioned such that their tubular, axially extending extensions 117, 128 each provide sufficient stiffness to the control device, particularly to the lower collar. Typically, the thickness of the sheet metal on which the bearing is formed may range from 1.5 mm to 2 mm, and its extensions 117, 128 may extend axially beyond about 8 mm in length.
[0045]
The dimension of the row of balls 106 is equal to or greater than the dimension of the contact portion of the spring 104. Such a shape and orientation of the passage guarantees good stability of the suspension control.
Because the seal is located in the small gap between the lip 122 and the groove 123 and between the protrusion 110 and the annular block 118, there is no need to provide a friction seal in the suspension control device.
[0046]
The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in essentially two respects.
First, in this embodiment, the upper collar 101 does not include a metal insert. In this embodiment, the rubber annular block 118 is molded over a cap 150 made of plastic material. The cap substantially resembles the shape of the upper collar of the above embodiment with respect to receiving the race 125 and securing and sealing to the spring abutment 103.
[0047]
The cap 150 defines, in its lower part, a central position of the shock stop 132 and forms an inner annular lip 131 ′ and a bottom skirt 133 ′ such that the cap abuts against the shock stop 132.
[0048]
In the alternative, the annular lip and the bottom skirt can form a shock stop to receive the end of the leading stop.
In addition, some vibration elimination is provided by the lower collar. For this purpose, the abutment of the spring 104 is covered by a rubber coating 151.
[0049]
It can be appreciated that such an arrangement is advantageous for the function of the bearing because of the low stress on the bearing. In addition, the upper collar requires thinner rubber.
[0050]
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS.
In this embodiment, the center position of the spring 104 is defined by a protrusion 161 extending downward in the axial direction from the main portion of the spring contact portion 160 on the outside but not on the inside. This protrusion is connected to the main part of the spring abutment 160 with a toroidal surface that conforms to the shape of the upper curve of the spring 104.
[0051]
The protrusion 161 is interrupted at a portion indicated by reference numeral 162 on a part of the peripheral surface of the contact portion 160 so that the spring can be extended in the radial direction by contraction.
Finally, a stop 163 is provided on one of the peripheral ends of the projection 161 to support the end of the upper curved portion of the spring.
[0052]
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the race.
In this embodiment, the upper race 170 has a tubular extending axially extending portion 171 on the outer peripheral surface, and the lower race 172 has a tubular extending axially extending extending radially inside thereof. 173.
[0053]
It can be appreciated that in all illustrated embodiments, the extensions of the two races are always arranged downward from the part that connects to the other race. In a variant (not shown), either or both of the extensions may be arranged upward.
[0054]
Similarly, the two extending portions are always formed on the radial outer peripheral surface of the race and one on the radial inner peripheral surface of the race, but both extending portions are formed on the inner side of the race. It is also possible that they are formed or both are formed outside the race.
[0055]
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the modifications of FIGS. 7 and 9 are combined.
The center of the spring 104 is defined by the protrusion 161 on the outside as shown in FIG.
The upper race 170 and the lower race 172 are the same as in FIG.
The embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS.
However, in this embodiment, the annular reinforcing insert 180 is completely surrounded by the material of the rubber annular block 181 molded thereon. In this embodiment, the shock stop has a radial stop washer 181 'such that the leading stop 182 directly contacts the rubber molded over the lower portion of the metal insert 180 at the cylindrical surface area. It is composed only of
[0056]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, two sealing lips are provided to protect the bearing.
The first seal lip 184 is formed integrally with an edge 185 on the outer peripheral surface of the upper collar. The lip 184 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the spring contact portion 185.
[0057]
Similarly, the second seal lip 186 is formed integrally with the main part of the upper collar so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the spring abutment 185.
Of course, if applicable, only one of the sealing lips 184, 186 may be provided.
[0058]
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the metal insert 190 of the upper collar has an uncoated inner surface so that the upper race 191 is in direct contact with the metal insert 190.
In either case, first, the thickness of the lace may be reduced to typically about 1.5 mm, and second, the axially extending extension of the lace may be omitted. The race 191 in direct contact with the metal insert 190 can then provide sufficient rigidity to the upper collar.
[0059]
On the other hand, the lower race is of the same type as described above.
For the metal insert 190, its generally cylindrical lower portion 192 serves as a shock stop. Thus, the leading stop 193 is directly centered by the insert 190.
[0060]
Finally, FIGS. 14-16 show a second generation suspension control system in which the upper collar 200 consists solely of the cap 201 and the filter block consists of a separate assembly.
[0061]
As described above, the lower collar 202 is provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof with the annular groove 203 in which the groove receiver 204 on the cap 200 is engaged for fixing the lower collar 202 to the cap 200 in the axial direction.
[0062]
Of course, features of the various embodiments described above may be combined with one another.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows the prior art and illustrates the problem behind the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the prior art and illustrates the problem behind the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows the prior art and illustrates the problem behind the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of the suspension control device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of detail V 1 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a second embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating another example of a spring contact portion.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the spring contact portion of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view showing another example of a race and an extending portion extending in the axial direction thereof.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a modification of the spring abutment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the seal lip of the bearing.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a detail XII in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the control device, particularly the upper collar thereof.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 16 showing the second generation control device of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a detail XV in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing the spring contact portion in FIG. 14;

Claims (22)

A suspension control device for a driven wheel of an automobile,
An upper collar (101) suitable for being connected to the vehicle body;
A lower collar (100) having a spring receiving abutment (103);
A bearing (102) having an upper race (125; 170) connected to the upper collar and a lower race (105; 172) connected to the lower collar, and disposed between the upper and lower collars;
At least the lower race has a tubular extension (117; 173) extending axially;
The lower collar is made of a plastic material without metal inserts;
A suspension control device wherein the dimensions of the lower race and its extension are set to provide flexural rigidity to the assembly formed by the lower collar and the lower race. The suspension control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper race has an extension (128; 171) extending in the axial direction. 3. The suspension control device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the extending portions extends to an inner peripheral surface of each race. The suspension control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the extending portions (117; 171) extends to an outer peripheral surface of each race. The suspension control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the extending portions extends upward from a region connected to a remaining portion of each race. The suspension control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the extending portions extends downward from a region connected to a remaining portion of each race. Suspension control according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 6, characterized in that the upper collar has a metal insert (190) having a contact surface which contacts the upper race (191) without extensions. apparatus. A suspension control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper collar comprises a cap (150; 201). The suspension control device according to claim 8, wherein the cap (150) has a bottom skirt (133 ') for defining a center position of the shock stop (132). Suspension control device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cap (150) has an inner annular ridge (131 ') abutting the shock stop (132). Suspension control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper collar comprises a filter block (118; 181). The upper collar (101; 200) is radially inwardly directed, is elastically fixed to the annular groove (123; 203) of the lower collar (100; 202), and has an annular lip extending radially. 122; 204) at least in part. Suspension according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper collar has a metal insert (190) forming a shock stop at its lower part (192) which is substantially cylindrical. Control device. 8. An upper collar (101) having a metal insert (119) defining a center position of a shock stop (132; 181 ') at a lower end (133) of a generally cylindrical shape. The suspension control device according to any one of claims 11, 12, and 13. 15. The suspension control device according to claim 14, wherein the metal insert (119) forms a radially bent portion (131) abutting the shock stop (132). The suspension control device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the shock stop is formed by a washer (181 ') abutting in a radial direction. 15. The shock stop (132) having a radially extending annular portion (132 ') and a cylindrical skirt (134) extending axially from an outer end (133) of the annular portion. 16. The suspension control device according to item 15. The suspension control device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the suspension control device has a leading stop (135) arranged in the center of the shock stop. The abutment (103) for abutting the spring (104) has an annular projection (110) that defines a center position of the spring (104) from the inside. Suspension control device. 19. The spring according to claim 1, wherein the abutment (103) for abutting the spring (104) has an annular projection (110) defining the center of the spring (104) from the outside. Suspension control device. 21. A suspension control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper collar integrally comprises a sealing lip (184) contacting the outer peripheral surface of the lower collar. A suspension control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper collar integrally comprises a sealing lip (186) that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the lower collar.

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