SE538761C2 - A suspension device for mounting a vehicle component - Google Patents

Description

538 761 construction offers more freedom when fitting and dismantling vehicle COmpOnentS.

The solution proposed in WO2011/126443 consists of many parts and, in consequence, has considerable weight. ln addition, an elevated torque, around 300 Nm, needs to be applied in order to securely fit the component by means of the suspension device. Hence, industrial type tools, e.g. torque wrenches, need typically be used.

An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a structurally simplified suspension device of reduced weight for mounting a vehicle component. A further objective is to provide a device that may be assembled using smaller torques. This would inter alia open for use of less advanced tooling.

Summary ln a first aspect of the present invention, the above stated objective is achieved by means of a suspension device for mounting a vehicle component according to the independent claim.

Accordingly, the device comprises a first part arranged to be mounted on a side beam of a vehicle. The first part comprises a contact area provided in an upper section of the first part. The contact area comprises at least one surface inclined relative the side beam and facing said side beam when the device is assembled.

A first element of a form-fitted arrangement is also comprised. Furthermore, the device comprises a second part arranged to be mounted on a vehicle component.

The second part comprises a contact area provided in an upper section of the second part. The contact area comprises at least one surface inclined relative the side beam and facing away from said side beam when the device is assembled. A second element of a form-fitted arrangement is also comprised. The first and the second elements of the form-fitted arrangement are in engagement when the device is assembled. At least one of the first and the second parts comprises a vertically extending through-hole and the first and the second parts delimit a 538 761 vertical passage, when the device is assembled. The device further comprises a top part comprising a vertically extending through-hole, at least one first surface provided on a bottom face of the top part, and at least one second surface provided on a bottom face of the top part. The at least one first surface of the top part abuts the at least one surface of the contact area of the first part and the at least one second surface of the top part abuts the at least one surface of the contact area of the second part, when the device is assembled. The device further comprises a fixing part comprising a rod-shaped element, wherein, when the device is assembled, the rod-shaped element is arranged in a fixed position such that it passes through the vertically extending through hole of the top part, the vertically extending through-hole of the first and/or the second parts and the vertical passage delimited by the first and the second parts, and means for fastening the rod-shaped element in the fixed position. ln the following, positive effects and advantages of the invention at hand are presented with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

The proposed solution is designed to prevent accidental loosening of the integral parts of the construction. Here, loosening of the integral parts, frequently observed on devices belonging to the state of the art, typically leads to material wear and, ultimately, to breakage of the suspension device. The beneficial effect is achieved through clamping action on the device parts when the device is assembled and the component is mounted. The clamping is conferred by means of the fixing part, when its rod-shaped element is in the fixed position. ln this context, the two worst cases with respect to the component suspension regard vertical acceleration of the component. More specifically, when the mounted component experiences negative vertical, i.e. downward-directed, acceleration, usually in direct response to the vehicle hitting a pot hole, substantial forces are exerted on the integral parts of the assembly, inter a/ia the parts attached to the vehicle frame as well as parts attached to the vehicle component.

These forces risk to deform the assembled device by loosening the integral parts. 538 761 However, due to the presence of the rod-shaped element, the created forces, that are predominantly compressive, are mainly taken up by the element. These forces may temporarily contract the rod-shaped element. ln the related context, when the component subsequently experiences positive vertical, i.e. upward-directed, acceleration, the force arising in consequence of this is mostly accommodated in the static contact areas of the first and the second parts. Accordingly, the rod- shaped element may then retrieve its original length while the clamping effect remains preserved at all times which prevents the accidental loosening.

When the rod-shaped element is a bolt, above-mentioned contraction may be rendered possible by applying a tightening torque on the bolt so as to exert a tensile force thereon. ln consequence, the bolt is elastically elongated during assembly of the device. Such a longitudinally deformed bolt may readily accommodate compressive forces by temporarily contracting.

The clamping may be accomplished by means of a suitable tool, such as wrench.

The torque that needs to be applied in order to securely mount the component is around 150 Nm, i.e. significantly less than what the devices belonging to the state of the art require.

Additionally, the elements of a form-fitted arrangement contribute in preventing rotary motion of the parts of the suspension device around a vertical axis extending in parallel with the rod-shaped element, when the latter is in fixed position. This rotary motion could occur in consequence of the prolonged exposure of the assembled suspension device to mechanical vibrations. These vibrations may be road-induced or originate from the component itself, the silencer being an example of such a vibration-producing component.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising the claimed suspension device. 538 761 Different embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the detailed description.

Brief description of the drawinqs Fig. 1 is a schematicai view from above of a vehicle.

Fig. 2 is an expioded, perspective view slightly from above of a suspension device and a thereto associated side-beam according to one embodiment of the present invenüon.

Fig. 3 is an expioded, perspective view from below of a suspension device and a thereto associated side-beam of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view slightly from above of an assembled suspension device when mounted on the side-beam according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the suspension device and the beam of Fig. 4a.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional close-up view of the part of the suspension device of Figs. 4a and 4b.

Further advantages and features of embodiments will become apparent when reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

Detailed description The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these 538 761 embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematical view from above of a vehicle 1 including certain vehicle parts/components. The shown vehicle 1 is a truck or a trailer-hauling tractor having a chassis 9 and a front pair of wheels 10A and a rear pair of wheels 10B.

The shown vehicle 1 is only an example, why the vehicle of the present invention may also be realized as a bus or another commercial vehicle. A driver”s cab 7 is positioned far forward on the vehicle 1. A control unit 19, located below the driver”s cab 7, controls the operation state of an internal combustion engine 4 in accordance with the operating condition of the combustion engine 4 and/or driver inputs. The chassis 9 comprises two parallel side beams 8A, 8B. A silencer 50 is mounted onto one of these side beams 8A.

Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view slightly from above of a suspension device and a thereto associated side-beam 8A according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 contextualizes the deployment of the suspension device . Typically, two suspension devices 15 of the shown kind are required for mounting of a vehicle component (not shown). For larger components however, three or even four suspension devices 15 might be necessary. By way of example, the vehicle component could be a silencer, a fuel tank or a tank for a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). ln Fig. 2, a first 20 and a second 30 parts of the device 15 may clearly be seen.

Here, the first part 20 is not affixed to the side beam 8A that is provided with a plurality of through-holes 80. These through-holes 80 are used to connect the first part 20 to the side-beam 8A. To this purpose, the first part 20 is provided with at least one horizontal through-hole 25. Said connection is typically realized through a number of conventional nut/bolt arrangements (visible in Fig. 4b). A first element 24 of the form fitted arrangement is integrally attached to the first part 20. A through-hole 26 made in a horizontally extending section 27 of the first part 20, said section 27 being placed approximately midway between upper 21 and lower 538 761 29 end of the first part 20, may also be seen. A contact area provided in an upper section 21 of the first part 20 comprises surfaces 22A, 22B.

The second part 30 is shown at a distance from the first part 20. A second element 34 of the form fitted arrangement may also be seen. As it may be inferred from Fig. 2, the second part 30 is intended to be inserted in the first part 20. The second part 30 is further provided with connecting members 33, used to connect the vehicle component (not shown) to the second part 30. This connecting is effected using usual methods that are known to the person skilled in the art. A top part 40 is also shown. A rod-shaped element, here a bolt, 52 is shown passing through a through-hole 44 provided in the top part 40. A contact area provided in an upper section 31 of the second part 30 comprises surfaces 32A, 32B.

Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view from below of the suspension device 15 and the thereto associated side-beam 8A of Fig. 2. lts main purpose is to show sections of the respective part 20, 30, 40 not visible in Fig. 2. Here, elements already disclosed in connection with Fig. 2, are not discussed anew. Moreover, throughout the drawings, like reference signs refer to like elements. Hence, surfaces 42A, 42B, and to a lesser extent surfaces 43A, 43B, provided on a bottom face 41 of the top part 40 may for instance be seen. Previously mentioned through-hole 26 made in a horizontally extending section 27 of the first part 20 may also be clearly seen. The suspension device 15 itself, as well as its operation, will be discussed in even greater detail in conjunction with Figs. 4-5.

Turning to Fig. 4a, it is a perspective view slightly from above of an assembled suspension device 15 when mounted on the side-beam 8A according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the suspension device 15 and the beam 8A of Fig. 4a. The conventional nut/bolt arrangements 5, mentioned in conjunction with Fig. 2, may be seen in Fig. 4b.

Notwithstanding this, elements already disclosed in connection with Figs. 2 and 3 are not discussed anew. 538 761 As it may be seen in Fig. 4a, the second part 30 is inserted in the first part 20 when the suspension device 15 is assembied. A second element 34 of the form fitted arrangement is then in engagement with its counterpart - a first element 24.

As shown in Fig. 4b, the first element 24 is a protrusion and the second element 34 is a depression. A cross-section of the shown protrusion 24 has a half- cylindrical shape and the depression has a thereto complementary shape. ln an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cross-section of the protrusion has a triangular shape whereas the depression, analogously to the above, has a thereto complementary shape. The elements of a form-fitted arrangement contribute in preventing rotary motion of the parts of the suspension device 15 around a vertical axis (not shown) extending in parallel with a rod-shaped element 52, when the latter is in fixed position. This rotary motion could occur in consequence of the prolonged exposure of the assembled suspension device 15 to mechanical vibrations. These vibrations may be road-induced or originate from the component itself, the silencer (not shown) being an example of such a vibration-producing component. l\/loreover, and better visible in Fig. 4b, an upper section 21 of the first part 20 is brought in contact with an upper section 31 of the second part 30. Furthermore, a top part 40 is brought in contact with the respective upper section 21, 31. Still with reference to Fig. 4b, the first part 20 is connected to the side-beam 8A by means of a number of conventional nut/bolt arrangements 5, also mentioned in connection with Fig. 2.

The top part 40 and the parts 20, 30, in particular their upper sections 21, 31, experience a clamping force applied by means of a rod-shaped element 52, here a traditional, threaded bolt, and means 54 for its fastening, when the bolt 52 is in the fixed position. ln the embodiment of Figs 4a and 4b, the bolt preferably has a l\/l14 thread. Its length is typically well above 100 mm, occasionally even exceeding 200 mm. l\/loreover, the clamping force exerted on the parts 20, 30, 40 may be varied in a controlled manner by tightening/untightening the bolt 52. This is accomplished by means of a suitable tool, such as a wrench. Here, the torque 538 761 that needs to be applied in order to securely mount the component is around 150 Nm, i.e. significantly less than what the devices belonging to the state of the art require. ln this embodiment, the means 54 for fastening is an internal threading of a through-hole 26 discussed in conjunction with Fig. 3. As an alternative (not shown), the means 54 for fastening could be a conventional nut, compatible with the mating bolt 52 of the above-described kind. For the suspension device to operate properly, it is important that the clamping force at all times is exerted on the parts 20, 30, 40. ln case the clamping force becomes zero, i.e. the parts 20, , 40, 50 become loosely connected, the clamping force may easily be re- established by appropriately tightening the bolt 52. ln a further embodiment (not shown), the rod-shaped element 52 could be a stud with threads on both sides and the means for fastening 54 is then a pair of therewith compatible nuts. ln another, closely related embodiment (not shown), the rod-shaped element 52 is a bolt or a stud and the means 54 for fastening is a single or a pair of conical bolts with a threaded through-hole. ln this context, during manufacture it is desirable that heavy and/or bulky vehicle components are mounted from above, in part so as to render possible ergonomic working positions. Examples of such components are silencers and fuel tanks which accordingly can be mounted from above when superstructures, e.g. bodywork and the like, have not yet been fitted on the vehicle. On the occasion of maintenance and/or service operations on the vehicle, or if a mounted component needs to be replaced, the mounted component has to be removed from below because superstructures limit or completely prevent access from above. Hence, the solution according to this embodiment enables to mount vehicle components from above and to dismantle them from below.

Clearly, the opposite is also true. The working environment of the assemblers working in the production line and of the service personnel is hereby significantly improved. l\/loreover, significant time savings may be achieved. 538 761 Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional close-up view of the part of the assembled suspension device 15 of Figs. 4a and 4b. Accordingly, a first part 20 mounted on a side-beam 8A of a vehicle is a shown. The first part 20 comprises a contact area provided in its upper section 21. The contact area comprises at least one surface 22A inclined relative the side-beam 8A and facing the side beam 8A. A first element 24 of a form-fitted arrangement is also shown.

Fig. 5 further shows a portion of a second part 30 arranged to be mounted on a vehicle component (not shown). The second part 30 comprises a contact area provided in its upper section 31. The contact area comprises at least one surface 32A inclined relative the side-beam 8A and facing away from the side-beam 8A. A second element 34 of a form-fitted arrangement is also shown. Here, the first 24 and the second 34 elements of the form-fitted arrangement are in engagement.

The first part 20 has a vertically extending through-hole 26. This through-hole is made in a horizontally extending section 27 of the first part 20. l\/loreover, the first and the second parts 20, 30 delimit a vertical passage 60.

A top part 40 is also shown. The top part 40 comprises a vertically extending through-hole 44. lt further comprises at least one first surface 42A provided on its bottom face 41 and being substantially parallel with the at least one surface 22A of the contact area of the first part 20. lt also comprises at least one second surface 43A provided on its bottom face 41 and being substantially parallel with the at least one surface 32A of the contact area of the second part 30. As clearly seen in Fig. 5, the at least one first surface 42A of the top part 40 abuts the at least one surface 22A of the contact area of the first part 20. Moreover, the at least one second surface 43A of the top part 40 abuts the at least one surface 32A of the contact area of the second part 30. A fixing part 50 comprising a rod- shaped element 52, here a conventional threaded bolt, is also shown. The shown bolt has a M14 thread. lts length is typically well above 100 mm, occasionally even exceeding 200 mm. Here, it is beneficial to employ bolts of substantive length so as to better take up forces acting on the device15.The shown bolt 52 is 538 761 arranged in a fixed position such that it passes through the vertically extending through-hole 44 of the top part 40, the vertically extending through-hole 26 made in the first part and the vertical passage 60 deiimited by the first and the second parts 20, 30. The bolt 52 is fastened in the fixed position using means for fastening 54. The means for fastening visible in Fig. 5 is realized as an internal threading of a vertically extending through-hole 26 made in the horizontally extending section 27 of the first part 20. Alternative ways to realize the means for fastening have been discussed above, in particular in conjunction with Figs. 4a- 4b.

The proposed solution is designed to prevent accidental loosening of the integral parts 20, 30, 40 of the construction. Here, loosening of the integral parts 20, 30, 40, frequently observed on devices belonging to the state of the art, typically leads to material wear and, ultimately, to breakage of the suspension device 15. The beneficial effect is achieved through clamping action on the device parts 20, 30, 40 when the device 15 is assembled and the component is mounted. The clamping is conferred by means of the fixing part 50, when the bolt 52 is in the fixed position. ln this context, the two worst cases with respect to the component suspension regard vertical acceleration of the component. More specifically, when the mounted component, such as a silencer or a fuel tank (not shown), experiences negative vertical, i.e. downward-directed, acceleration, usually in direct response to the vehicle hitting a pot hole, substantial forces are exerted on the integral parts , 30, 40 of the assembly, inter alia the parts attached to the vehicle frame as well as parts attached to the vehicle component. These forces risk to deform the assembled device 15 by loosening the integral parts 20, 30, 40. However, due to the presence of the bolt 52, the created forces, that are predominantly compressive, are mainly taken up by the said bolt 52. These forces may temporarily contract the bolt 52. ln the related context, when the component subsequently experiences positive vertical, i.e. upward-directed, acceleration, the force arising in consequence of this is mostly accommodated in the static contact 11 538 761 areas 21, 31 of the first 20 and the second 30 parts. Accordingly, the bolt 52 may then retrieve its original length while the clamping effect remains preserved at all times which prevents the accidental loosening.

When, as in Fig. 5, the rod-shaped element is a bolt 52, above-mentioned contraction may be rendered possible by applying a tightening torque on the bolt so as to exert a tensile force thereon. Here, means for fastening is in the shape of the internal threading 54. The threading of the bolt 52 engages than the internal threading 54 when the bolt 52 is in the fixed position. ln consequence, the bolt is elastically elongated (0,1 - 0,2 mm) during assembly of the device 15. Such a longitudinally deformed bolt 52 may readily accommodate compressive forces by temporarily contracting. ln the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. 12

Claims (10)

10 15 20 25 30 538 761 Claims

1. A suspension device (15) for mounting a vehicle component (50), said device (15) comprising: - a first part (20) arranged to be mounted on a side-beam (8A) of a vehicle (1), said first part (20) comprising: - a contact area provided in an upper section (21) of the first part (20), said contact area comprising at least one surface (22A, 22B) inclined relative the side beam (8A) and facing said side beam (8A) when the device (15) is assembled, and - a first element (24) of a form-fitted arrangement; - a second part (30) arranged to be mounted on a vehicle component (50), said second part (30) comprising: - a contact area provided in an upper section (31) of the second part (30), said contact area comprising at least one surface (32A, 32B) inclined relative the side beam (8A) and facing away from said side- beam (8A) when the device (15) is assembled, and - a second element (34) of a form-fitted arrangement, the first (24) and the second (34) elements of the form-fitted arrangement being in engagement when the device (15) is assembled; characterised by that at least one of the first and the second parts (20, 30) comprises a first vertically extending through-hole (26) and wherein, when the device (15) is assembled, the first and the second parts (20, 30) delimit a vertical passage (60), 13 10 15 20 25 30 538 761 - the device (15) further comprising a top part (40) comprising: - a second vertically extending through-hole (44), - at least one first surface (42a, 42b) provided on a bottom face (41) of the top part (40), - at least one second surface (43A, 43B) provided on a bottom face (41) of the top part (40), and wherein, when the device (15) is assembied, the at least one first surface (42A, 42B) of the top part (40) abuts the at least one thereto parallel surface (22A, 22B) of the contact area of the first part (20) and the at least one second surface (43A, 43B) of the top part (40) abuts the at least one thereto parallel surface (32A, 32B) of the contact area of the second part (30). - the device (15) further comprising a fixing part (50) comprising: - a rod-shaped element (52), wherein, when the device (15) is assembied, the rod-shaped element (52) is arranged in a fixed position such that it passes through the vertically extending through hole (44) of the top part (40), the vertically extending through-hole (26) of the first and/or the second parts and the vertical passage (60) delimited by the first and the second parts (20, 30), and - means for fastening (54) the rod-shaped element (52) in the fixed position.

2. A suspension device (15) according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped element (52) comprises a threaded bolt and the means for fastening (54) comprises a single nut. 14 10 15 20 25 30 538 761

3. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped element (52) comprises a threaded stud and the means for fastening (54) comprises a pair of nuts.

4. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped element (52) is a threaded bolt or a threaded stud and the means for fastening (54) is a single or a pair of conical bolts with a threaded through-hole.

5. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for fastening (54) is a threading provided internally in the first vertically extending through-hole (26) and/or the second vertically extending through-hole (44).

6. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the first element (24) of the form-fitted arrangement is a protrusion and the second element (34) of the form-fitted arrangement is a depression.

7. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein a cross-section of said protrusion (24) has a triangular shape.

8. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein a cross-section of said protrusion (24) has a half-cylindrical shape.

9. A suspension device (5) for a vehicle (1) according to any of preceding claims, wherein said vehicle component (50) is a silencer, a fuel tank or a tank for a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

10. A vehicle (1) comprising a suspension device (15) according to any of preceding claims. 15