JPH0424584B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to means for making a connection between the body of a motor vehicle and the upper end of a telescoping strut associated with one of the wheels of the motor vehicle. In order to wave vibrations transmitted from the wheels to the vehicle body, these means are arranged coaxially with the strut and are fixed between an outer frame fixed to the vehicle body and an inner frame fixed to the end of the upper element of the strut. Advantageously, it includes a flexible joint formed by a sleeve made of elastomer. This upper element can also be a piston rod consisting of a shock absorber which is part of the suspension column.

Various forces are applied to the column in the vertical direction, resulting in the sleeve deforming and limiting axial upward movement (“attack”) as well as downward movement (“relaxation”) between the rod and the vehicle body. For this purpose, the means preferably further include at least one cup coaxial with the rod and fixed to the rod above the flexible joint, the cup surrounding the sleeve;
or on the sleeve, or near the periphery of the sleeve, or on the outer frame, with sufficient extension to resist the vehicle body.

This cup has one disadvantage in that it is located above the joint. Especially if a hydraulic device such as a chamber containing a diaphragm has to be placed in that area, for example FR 2272357
This is a disadvantage in cases such as those shown in No.

One object of the invention is to provide a flexible joint between the vehicle body and the upper end of the telescoping suspension strut, which has a flexible joint associated with means for limiting axial movement and without blocking the area above the joint. An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device.

The invention therefore provides a device for connecting a vehicle body and an upper part of a suspension strut, comprising an elastically deformable frame arranged between two frames each fixed to the upper element of the suspension strut and to the vehicle body. one flexible joint of the type comprising a sleeve and one abutment element fixed to said upper element and cooperating with at least one support element connected to said vehicle body, said abutment element; is fixed to the upper element of the strut below the flexible joint, and the support element connected to the vehicle body resides in the device arranged below the corresponding abutment element.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the abutment element is pivoted on the upper element of the suspension strut between one shoulder of the upper element and the frame of the flexible joint fixed thereto. A directional retention is provided, this axial retention being e.g.
the peripheral edge of the sleeve of the flexible joint acts as an upper support surface for the abutment element concerned; comprising an elastomeric part capable of cooperating with the element and fixed to at least one upper frame; the elastomeric part of the support element and the upper frame of the support element each being connected to the sleeve and its outer frame; in one embodiment the contact element is a transverse bar which extends into the support element through a radial opening; The chamber of the device is located above the flexible joint and includes a diaphragm against the upper surface of the sleeve, and the member securing the diaphragm to the upper element of the suspension strut is located on the lower surface of the diaphragm. a flat head engaging into a cavity having a shape substantially complementary to the shape formed therein; the upper element of the suspension strut carrying two abutment elements; Between these two abutment elements, the support element connected to the vehicle body is arranged axially spaced apart.

In an inexpensive but optimally reliable embodiment, the support element comprises a ring of elastomer coaxial with the suspension strut, which ring has a frame fixed to the vehicle body with its upper part. The ring is disposed within a cup which is secured to an elongated annular flange and whose lower part is held axially with little freedom of movement relative to the annular flange; It includes a lower inner flange that is downwardly inclined in the free state and maintained in a substantially radially deformed position by cooperation with the cup.

Some embodiments of the coupling device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, part of the vehicle body 1, steering wheel 2
and one telescoping suspension strut 3 connecting the wheel 2 to the vehicle body 1 is shown. A device 4 with one flexible joint 5 connects the upper part of the suspension strut and the vehicle body 1. 1 disclosed in French Patent No. 2272857
Two hydraulic device chambers 6 are inserted between the flexible joint and the vehicle body.

The suspension strut includes a hydraulic shock absorber formed by an upper rod 7 and a lower tube element 8. A suspension coil spring 9 provides resistance to a cup connected to a tube 8 arranged around the rod 7 and to the vehicle body 1 via an axial thrust bearing 10 which allows the element 8 to rotate about its axis. are doing.

According to the invention, a rigid abutment element 11 extends transversely with respect to the rod 7 and is fixed to the rod below the joint 5 and abuts downwardly against a support ring 12 fixed to the vehicle body 1. We are starting to come into contact with each other.

FIG. 2 shows details of the coupling device 4 shown in FIG. The flexible joint 5 is formed by a sleeve 13 made of elastomer fixed between a tubular inner wall 14 coaxial with the rod 7 and an annular outer frame 15 fixed to the vehicle body by bolts 16. It is formed as follows. The rigid abutment element 11 is in this embodiment coaxial with the rod and rests on one shoulder of the rod with a spacer member 18 in between by a threaded member 19 threaded into the tapered upper end of the rod. and the vehicle body. The support ring 12 has a central part 20 made of elastomer, and a part 1 fixed to the vehicle body by bolts 16.
It has two annular upper frames 21 and one lower frame 22 carrying bearings 10. The cup 11 is inserted with an axial clearance between the inner shoulder 23 of the support ring and the outer lower flange 24 of the sleeve 13.

This gap allows the rod 7 to perform axial movement relative to the vehicle body. This movement is limited downwardly by the cup's abutment against the shoulder 23, and upwardly by the abutment of the cup 11 against the flange 24 of the sleeve. Cup 11 thus performs both a "relaxation" (downward) abutment and an "attack" (upward) abutment function.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the support ring 12a forms one lower extension of the joint 5, the elastomeric central part 20a of this ring being integral with the sleeve 13a, like the sleeve 13 previously described. one lower flange 21a of the outer frame 15a of the sleeve is made of one for the support ring.
Acts as two upper frames. In this embodiment the rigid abutment element is a bar 11a fixed to the rod 7 like the cup 11 in the previous embodiment. Each end of this bar has two mutually opposed radial openings 25 formed in the central portion 20a of the ring.
It engages with an axial gap in one of the two. Axial movement relative to the vehicle body 1 is limited by the end of the bar abutting the upper or lower surface of each opening 25, either upwardly or downwardly. The bar 11a thus performs the function of attacking or relaxing abutment.

FIG. 4 shows a variant, which differs from the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 in the following respects: the sleeve 13b does not have a lower flange 24; In the inner region it covers the lower surface of the lower frame 22b; a second cup 27 is coaxial with the rod 7 and covers the shoulder 1
7 and the spacer member 18, whereby the inner lower part 28 of the support ring
is inserted between the two cups 11b, 27 with an axial gap. Rod 7 for car body 1
The axial movement of is here the second relative to the ring 26.
The upward direction (“attack”) is limited by the abutment of the cup 27 of
is limited by the contact between the two. This embodiment is particularly compact in the radial direction.

In both of the embodiments described so far, the chamber 6 of the hydraulic device is defined by a diaphragm 29 that opposes the upper surface of the flexible joint 5. For this purpose, sleeves 13, 13a, 13
The threaded member 19 fixing b to the rod 7 has one flat head 30 that engages in a cavity having a complementary shape to the underside of the diaphragm, so that the diaphragm is secured to the rod 7. No deterioration occurs over a period of time due to axial movement of the A more reliable construction is thus ensured compared to conventional devices in which the cup limiting the relaxation movement is located above the flexible joint. Furthermore, this advantage is realized without increasing the overall dimensions of this part and without making the means used more complex.

FIG. 5 represents a device for elastically connecting the upper part of one sliding rod 102 of one suspension strut associated with one wheel of a vehicle to a part 101 of the vehicle body.

This device is fixed to an outer frame 104 fixed to the vehicle body by bolts 105 and nuts 10.
one sleeve 103 of elastomer also fixed to the inner frame 106 fixed to the threaded end of the rod 102 by 7;
Contains. A chamber 108 is provided above the flexible joint and is held by bolts 105 and sleeve 103.
one circular diaphragm 1 directly against the top surface of the
Contains 08a.

The device further includes on the one hand an abutment element 109 which is formed from a disk and through whose center extends the end of a rod 102, to which the abutment element 109 is attached to a nut 107. furthermore, the device is fixed by a disk 109
It includes one support element 110 which can cooperate with the underside of the vehicle and which is connected to the vehicle body.

The support element 110 is soldered to the inner frame 106 and is made to rest against one shoulder 112 of the rod 102 by means of a nut 107 and a washer 111.

The support element 110 includes a ring 113 of elastomer coaxial with the rod 102 , the upper part of which is located in a dish-shaped cup 115 with a downwardly directed cavity and a central opening, and the lower part of the ring 113 is arranged in the frame 104 . The annular flange 114 is an extension of the annular flange 114.

This cup acts as an upper support via a rolling bearing 116 for a coil spring (not shown) surrounding the rod 102. The outer and upper edges of the cup 115 are provided with radially extending tabs 117 which are spaced axially from the flange 1 with a small gap.
14 in an apertured curved strip 118 on the periphery of the flange to retain and restrict the cup upwardly against the ring 113 while allowing movement of the ring between the cup and the flange. This makes it possible for the ring 113 to wave the vibrations transmitted from the spring to the vehicle body.

The ring 113 is connected to the sleeve 103 via a common circular lip 103a, whereby the ring constitutes one extension of the sleeve. 2
The two parts are molded at the same time. One metal ring 11 soldered to flange 114
3a is inserted into the ring 113 to increase its stiffness in the transverse direction.

The ring 113 has one inner flange 119 at its lower part, which inner flange is connected to the ring 113.
When the cup is in a free state, it is tilted downward as shown in Fig. 6, while the cup 1 is tilted downward as shown in Fig. 5.
15 remains substantially deformed in radial position when positioned. The inner diameter of the flange 119 is the same as the diameter of the cup 115.
9 and the sleeve 103 and is smaller than the outer diameter of the disk 109 retained in the space 120 inside the ring 113 .

Ring 113 further includes a plurality of cavities 121 equally spaced about its lower circumference, which cavities make the abutting portion of the ring more flexible and facilitate deformation of the flange. In FIG. 6, the radial position 119a in the used state is indicated by a chain line. On the other hand, in the extended position 119b, the shape of the flange is close to cylindrical, which not only allows stripping of the core filling the space 120 during the manufacture of the ring 113 and sleeve 103, but also allows the desk 109 to be soldered to the frame 106. space 12 in front
It is allowed to engage within 0.

A fitting including a sleeve 102 and an abutment element 110
ring 113 can be manufactured at the same time, the installation of cup 115 takes place by deformation of flange 119 so that sticking can be avoided, and furthermore the abutment element 109 can be circular, which is a particularly reliable aspect. with support elements 110, 119, 1
15 through its periphery, the device is relatively inexpensive.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified partial axial cross-sectional view of the present device installed in an automobile. Figures 2, 3 and 4 are partial axial cross-sectional views of three embodiments of the device. FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of one modification of the device. 6 is a partial axial cross-sectional view of an element of the device in the rest state in FIG. 5; FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial top view thereof. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle body, 2... Wheel, 5... Flexible joint, 6... Chamber, 7... Rod, 11, 11a, 11b...
Bar or cup, 12...ring, 13, 13a...
Sleeve, 14, 14a...Inner frame, 15, 15a
...Outer frame, 20, 20a...Central part, 22...Lower frame, 24...Flange, 26...Ring, 27...Second
Cup of.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for connecting the vehicle body 1; 101 and the upper part of the suspension strut 3; 102, comprising a total of two frames each fixed to the upper element 7; 14,15;10
a flexible joint 5 of the type comprising one elastically deformable sleeve 13; 103 arranged between 6, 104; and at least one upper element 7; fixed to 102 and coupled to the vehicle body; One abutment element 11;1 cooperating with a support element 12;110
09, the hydraulic device chamber 6; 108 is arranged above the flexible joint 5 and the sleeve 13; 103
a support element 12 which is connected to the vehicle body, comprising a diaphragm 29; 108a pressing against the upper surface, the abutment element 11; 109 being fixed to the upper element 7; 102 of the suspension column below the flexible joint 5; Reference numeral 110 denotes a device disposed below the abutting element at a distance in the axial direction. 2. In the device according to claim 1, the abutment element 11; 109 is connected to the upper element 7;
112 and a frame 14; 106 of a flexible joint fixed to the upper element. 3. In the device according to claim 2, the abutment element 11; 109 is connected to the suspension strut 3;
A device characterized in that it is held by a threaded member 19; 107 which is screwed into the terminal end of the upper element of the device. 4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the support element 12;
0 is the central part 20 made of elastomer; 10
3. A device comprising an upper frame 21; 113a and a lower frame 22; 115, which are coupled to the vehicle body. 5. In the device according to claim 4, the central part 20; 103 made of elastomer is formed by an extension of the elastically deformable sleeve 13; 103, and the upper part of the support element 12; The frame 21; 113a is formed by the extension of the frame of the flexible joint 5, and the central part 20; 103 made of elastomer has at least two radial openings 2.
5; A device characterized in that it defines 120, in which a part of the abutment element engages. 6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the elastically deformable sleeve 13; 103 of the flexible joint 5 forms an upper support surface of the abutment element 11; A device characterized in that it determines. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the upper element 7 of the suspension strut
carries two abutment elements 11b, 27, and between these abutment elements there is a
A device characterized in that the support elements 26 are arranged with axial spacing. 8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the support element 12;
0 is one spring 9 surrounding the suspension strut 3; 102
one bearing 10 for axial support;
A device characterized in that it carries 116. 9. In the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the sleeve 13;
3 to the upper element 7; 102 of the suspension strut 3; 102 is a diaphragm 29;
108a. A device characterized in that it includes a flat head that engages into a cavity having a shape substantially complementary to that formed in the lower surface of 108a. 10. In the device according to claim 1, the support element 110 comprises a ring 113 of elastomer coaxial with the suspension strut 102,
This ring has a frame 10 fixed to the vehicle body at its upper part.
4 is arranged in a cup 115 which is fixed to an annular flange 114 and whose lower part is held axially with a small freedom of movement relative to the annular flange 114; The device is characterized in that the ring 113 comprises a lower inner flange 119 which in the free state is inclined downwardly and maintains a substantially radially deformed position by cooperating with the cup 115. . 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the elastomer ring 113 constitutes an extension of the elastically deformable sleeve 103. 12. In the device according to claim 10, the cup 115 has one stop 117 with a slight gap at the upper edge in a bent strip 118 provided on the periphery of the annular flange 114.
A device characterized in that it is held in the axial direction by. 13. In the device according to claim 10, a cavity 121 is provided along the lower circumference of the ring 113 made of elastomer, so that that part of the ring is more flexible and the ring 113 made of elastomer is provided with a cavity 121. lower inner flange 1
A device characterized in that it facilitates the deformation of item 19. 14. In the device according to claim 10, the abutment element 109 is circular and is arranged in the space inside the elastomer ring 113 in the axial direction between the lower inner flange 119 and the sleeve 103. The apparatus is characterized in that it is connected to a frame 106 which is attached to a hanging post 102 and fixed to a hanging post 102.