WO2017153109A1

WO2017153109A1 - Sandwich-type suspension wishbone

Info

Publication number: WO2017153109A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/052669
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin WACHTEL; Verena SAHLFELD
Original assignee: Zf Friedrichshafen Ag
Priority date: 2016-03-09
Filing date: 2017-02-08
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: EP3426508A1; DE102016203853A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a vehicle suspension wishbone comprising a wishbone member (2) which is made of fiber-reinforced plastic and which includes a plurality of joint receptacles (6, 8, 9) at a distance from each other; the wishbone member (2) is designed as a sandwich construction with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers (11, 12) and at least one thermoplastic foam core (13) between the cover layers.

Description

SUSPENDED HANDLEBAR

The invention relates to a suspension link for a vehicle, comprising a link body formed from fiber-reinforced plastic, which comprises a plurality of mutually spaced joint receptacles. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a suspension arm.

Core composites, also called sandwich structures, often consist of

fiber reinforced facings and a honeycomb core. However, honeycomb structures can only be deformed to a very limited extent because the honeycombs collapse at relatively high degrees of deformation and thus lose their compressive and shear stiffness. Furthermore, core materials of non-thermoplastic materials are unsuitable for thermoforming processes. As a rule, such cores are glued or processed by wet process.

In particular, chassis and body parts from the field of

Motorsports and aerospace components manufactured in this way. However, the above processes are for high volumes, as e.g. occur in the automotive industry, process technology and economically unsuitable.

Structures made of fiber-reinforced materials are often present as monolithic laminates. To increase the bending stiffness is the distance of the bearing

Laminate layers of the neutral fiber crucial. Furthermore, hollow sections are ideally used for a high degree of lightweight construction and efficient use of materials. Due to the complexity of the known manufacturing processes for components formed from fiber-plastic composites (FRP), they can be realized in economically attractive processes but only with simple geometries. For components with more complex geometries, however, the manufacturing processes are expensive and expensive. Furthermore, problems arise in joint integration, especially in chassis components. In addition, there is a problem of insufficient rigidity in components made of thermoplastic or thermoset FKV constructions based on tethers and / or fabrics or fiber tapes. Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a rigid chassis handlebar with low mass, which is inexpensive to produce and in particular suitable for mass production.

This object is achieved by a suspension link according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 9. Preferred developments of the suspension link and the method are in the subclaims and in the following

Description given.

The suspension link for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a link body formed from fiber-reinforced plastic, which comprises a plurality of mutually spaced joint receptacles, wherein the link body is formed as a core composite with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers and one or at least one arranged between them thermoplastic foam core.

By combining the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers with the thermoplastic foam core, it is possible to process the cover layers together with the foam core in economically attractive thermoforming processes to form a highly rigid and lightweight composite structure. Furthermore, allow

Thermoplastic materials a simple integration of functional components, such. Joints, by using the injection molding process. The core composite formed from the cover layers and the foam core thus forms an alternative to the conventional hollow structures. In particular, the term "core composite" can also be replaced by the term "sandwich structure".

Any of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic topcoats, also known as

Organo sheet may be referred to, preferably comprises a thermoplastic matrix, are embedded in the fibers. The fibers are in particular continuous fibers. Preferably, the fibers are or include carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers and / or natural fibers. The matrix of each cover layer preferably consists of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The number of cover layers is preferably two.

The thermoplastic foam core preferably consists of one

thermoplastic foam formed foam or foam. Preferably, the foam core consists of polyamide (PA), polymethacrylimide (PMI) or one of the aforementioned plastics (PP, PPS, PEEK). The thermoplastic foam core is e.g. mixed with fibers. Alternatively, the thermoplastic

Foam core free of fibers.

According to a development, each of the cover layers and / or the

thermoplastic matrix each cover layer non-positively and / or materially connected to the thermoplastic foam core. This connection takes place

in particular in a plasticized state, each cover layer and / or the thermoplastic matrix of each cover layer.

According to one embodiment, the cover layers enclose the foam core, in particular completely or at least partially. Preferably form the

Cover layers in each case a shell or half-shell, wherein the foam core is enclosed between the shells or half-shells. Advantageously, the cover layers, in particular solid and / or cohesive, are interconnected. Preferably, the cover layers are connected to each other at the edge or at least at the edge, in particular fixed and / or materially bonded. The foam core is thus preferably within a formed by the cover layers

Hollow body. As a result, the foam core is protected in particular against external influences. In particular, the, preferably solid and / or cohesive, compound of the outer layers with each other gives the handlebar body a higher

Rigidity.

According to a development, the link body and / or at least one of the cover layers is partially reinforced with fiber tapes, which are in particular unidirectional fiber tapes. Preferably, the fiber tapes are applied to the handlebar body and / or the at least one cover layer. In particular, the fiber Tapes cohesively with the handlebar body and / or the at least one

Cover layer connected. Preferably, the fiber tapes each comprise a thermoplastic matrix and fibers embedded therein, which are preferably aligned identically. These fibers are in particular continuous fibers. Through the fiber tapes, e.g. Reinforced areas of the handlebar body, which are exposed to increased stress during operation. It would also be conceivable to construct the link body and / or at least one cover layer exclusively from unidirectional fiber tapes.

Preferably, the joint receptacles each comprise one, preferably cylindrical, recess and / or a bearing eye, which is or in particular provided in or on the handlebar body. For example, the joint receptacles are each formed by a, preferably cylindrical, recess and / or a bearing eye, which is or in particular provided in or on the link body. The number of joint receptacles is preferably two, at least two or three. In particular, in each of the joint receptacles and / or in each of the

Recesses and / or introduced into each of the bearing eyes a joint, which, for example. a rubber bearing or a ball joint is.

According to one embodiment, the link body comprises one or at least one link arm, at the ends of each of which one of the joint receptacles is provided. The number of joint receptacles in this case is preferably two.

For example, the suspension handlebar forms a 2-point handlebar. Preferably, the joint receptacles are aligned parallel or perpendicular or twisted to each other. In particular, ball joints or rubber bearings are introduced into the joint receptacles.

The articulated receptacles provided at the ends of the link arm preferably comprise recesses introduced into the end areas of the link arm and / or are formed by them. For example, the joint receptacles provided at the ends of the link arm are formed by bearing eyes provided at the ends of the link arm. According to a further development, the link body comprises two link arms, which are connected to each other in a transition region, in which one of the joint receptacles is provided, wherein at the ends facing away from the transition region of the link arms, respectively, another of the joint receptacles is provided. The number of joint receptacles in this case is preferably three. For example, the suspension handlebar forms a 3-point handlebar. The transition area forms

in particular a region of the handlebar body. Preferably, in the

Transition area provided joint seat perpendicular to the other

Aligned joints. Preferably, the other joint receptacles are the same or identical. In particular, the joint receptacles lie on the corners of a triangle, which is preferably an isosceles triangle. The same legs of this triangle extend in particular between one of the other joint receptacles and the joint receptacle provided in the transition region.

The joint receptacle provided in the transition region preferably comprises a recess introduced into the transition region of the link body and / or is formed by the latter. The other joint receptacles are preferably formed by bearing eyes provided at the ends of the link arms facing away from the transition region.

In each case a bearing bush is preferred in the other joint receptacles

arranged and / or introduced and / or pressed. Preferably, in each case a rubber bearing is introduced into the other joint receptacles and / or in the bearing bushes. The bushings are preferably made of plastic or metal. In particular, the bearing bushes are cylindrical. In the im

Transition region provided joint receptacle is preferably introduced a ball joint.

Preferably, the bearing bushes and / or the rubber bearings are surrounded by the outer layers. Preferably, the bushings and / or the rubber bearings are each surrounded by one of the outer layers in half or in part. The invention further relates to a method for producing a suspension link for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which has a link made of fiber reinforced plastic link body comprising a plurality of mutually spaced joint receptacles, wherein the link body of fiber reinforced

thermoplastic cover layers and one or at least one

thermoplastic foam core is assembled by this under

Forming a core composite between the cover layers is arranged.

The suspension link produced by the method is preferably the suspension link described above. In particular, the method according to all described in connection with the suspension control arm configurations

be educated. Further, in particular, the suspension link can be developed according to all embodiments described in connection with the method.

Preferably, each of the cover layers and / or the thermoplastic matrix of each cover layer is plasticized by supplying heat. Furthermore, the foam core is preferably heated. The heating of the foam core may be done separately or together with plasticizing the cover layers and / or plasticizing the matrix each

Cover layer done. In particular, each of the plasticized cover layers and / or the plasticized matrix of each cover layer enters into a frictional and / or material-bonding connection with the thermoplastic foam core.

According to a development, the cover layers, in particular in

plasticized state of the cover layers and / or the matrix of each cover layer, together with the foam core, in particular in the heated state of the

Foam core, transformed to form the handlebar body. The forming is preferably carried out in one and / or by a forming tool. Preferably, the foam core already has a near-net shape prior to forming. Advantageously, the foam core is formed by forming only in edge areas.

By forming and / or during the forming of the foam core is preferably of the cover layers, in particular completely or at least partially, enclosed. Advantageously, the cover layers are reshaped by forming and / or during forming in each case into a shell or half shell, wherein the foam core is enclosed between the shells or half shells. Preferably, by the forming and / or during the forming, the cover layers, in particular firmly and / or cohesively, connected to each other. Advantageously by the forming and / or during forming the outer layers edge or at least edge,

in particular firmly and / or cohesively connected to each other.

Preferably, the link body and / or at least one of the cover layers is partially reinforced with fiber tapes, which are in particular unidirectional fiber tapes. Preferably, the fiber tapes are applied to the handlebar body and / or the at least one cover layer. In particular, the fiber tapes are materially connected to the link body and / or the at least one cover layer. It would also be conceivable to construct the link body and / or at least one cover layer exclusively from unidirectional fiber tapes.

Preferably, the joint receptacles each comprise one, preferably cylindrical, recess and / or a bearing eye. It is advantageous for the training of everyone

Joint receptacle one or the respective recess and / or one or the respective bearing eye provided in or on the handlebar body. The number of joint receptacles is preferably two, at least two or three.

In particular, in each of the joint receptacles and / or recesses and / or bearing eyes, a joint is introduced, which e.g. a rubber mount or a

Ball joint is.

According to one embodiment, the link body is formed with one or at least one link arm, at the ends of each one of the joint recordings is provided. The number of joint recordings is in this case

preferably two. For example, the suspension handlebar forms a 2-point handlebar. Preferably, the joint mounts are formed parallel or perpendicular or twisted aligned with each other. In particular, ball joints or rubber bearings are introduced into the joint receptacles. It is preferred, in particular before the Bar body is assembled, the foam core prefabricated with one or at least one Lenkerarmkern. Preferably, in particular after the link body is assembled, the link arm core forms a part of the foam core provided in the link arm.

The articulated receptacles provided at the ends of the link arm preferably comprise recesses introduced into the end regions of the link arm and / or are formed by them. For example, the joint receptacles provided at the ends of the link arm are formed by bearing lugs provided at the ends of the link arm. Advantageously, one or the respective recess and / or one or the respective bearing eye is provided in one of the end regions or at one of the ends of the handlebar body for the purpose of forming each of the joint receptacles provided at the ends of the link arm.

According to a development of the handlebar body with two link arms

are formed, which are connected to each other in a transition region or are, in which one of the joint receptacles is provided, wherein at the opposite ends of the transition region of the link arms, a respective other of the joint receptacles is provided. The number of joint receptacles in this case is preferably three. For example, the suspension handlebar forms a 3-point handlebar. The transition region forms in particular an area of the

Arm body. Preferably, the provided in the transition region

Joint recording designed to be aligned perpendicular to the other joint recordings. Preferably, the other joint receptacles are designed to be identical or identically aligned. It is preferred, in particular before the

Assembling the handlebar body, the foam core prefabricated with two Lenkerarmkernen, which are interconnected in a transition area core. Preferably, in particular after the link body is assembled, the link arm cores in the link arms provided parts of the foam core and the transition region core form a part of the foam core provided in the transition region. The joint receptacle provided in the transition region preferably comprises a recess introduced into the transition region of the link body and / or is formed by the latter. Advantageously, one or the recess is provided in the transition region of the handlebar body to form the joint receiving means provided in the transition region. The other joint shots will be

preferably formed by at the opposite ends of the transitional region of the handlebar arms provided bearing eyes. In particular, the

Forming the other joint receptacles bearing eyes or the bearing eyes provided at the ends facing away from the transition region of the control arms.

Preferably, in each case a bearing bush is arranged and / or introduced and / or pressed in the other joint receptacles. Preferably, in each case a rubber bearing is introduced into the other joint receptacles and / or in the bearing bushes. In the joint area provided in the joint receiving a ball joint is preferably introduced.

Preferably, the bearing bushes and / or the rubber bearings, in particular by the forming and / or during the forming, surrounded by the outer layers. Preferably, the bushings and / or the rubber bearings, in particular by the forming and / or during forming, in each case surrounded by one of the outer layers in half or in part.

According to one embodiment, each joint receptacle is or becomes part of one of the cover layers and to another part by another of the

Cover layers formed.

The suspension arm is or will be preferred in the chassis of or one

Vehicle installed. Advantageously, the handlebar body is articulated, in particular by the joints, on two or at least two vehicle components. A first of the vehicle components is, for example, a wheel carrier. A second of the vehicle components is, for example, a vehicle body, a subframe or a subframe. It is advantageous or is the handlebar body with its provided in the transition region joint on the first component and with its articulated at the ends facing away from the transitional ends of the link arms articulated joints on the second vehicle component.

The invention will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing show:

1 is a perspective view of a suspension arm according to a

Embodiment with a partially removed cover layer and bearing bushes,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the suspension arm with partially removed

overcoat

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the suspension arm along the apparent from Fig. 2 section line A-A and

Fig. 4 is a side view of the suspension arm with joints.

From Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension arm 1 according to an embodiment can be seen, which is designed as a 3-point link and a handlebar body 2 with two link arms 3 and 4, which in a

Transition region 5 of the handlebar body 2 are interconnected. In the transition region 5, a joint receptacle 6 is provided which has a in the

Handlebar body 2 introduced recess 7 includes, wherein at the

Transition region 5 opposite ends of the link arms 3 and 4 each have a different hinge mount 8 and 9 is provided in the form of a bearing eye. In this case, the joint receptacle 8 is provided at the end of the link arm 3 and the joint receptacle 9 at the end of the link arm 4. In the joint receptacles 8 and 9, a bearing bush 10 is introduced in each case.

The link body 2 is composed of two fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers 11 and 12 and a thermoplastic foam core 13 which is arranged between the cover layers 11 and 12 and enclosed by them. Each of the cover layers 11 and 12 thus forms a half-shell, wherein the

Foam core 13 is enclosed between the half shells. So the

Foam core 13 can be seen from Fig. 1, the cover layer 11 has been omitted in the region of the link arm 4 and in parts of the transition region 5.

The cover layers 11 and 12 rest against one another with their edges 14 and 15, wherein the edge 14 of the cover layer 11 and the edge 15 of the cover layer 12 is associated. Furthermore, each of the bearing lugs 8 and 9 is formed on the one half by the cover layer 11 and the other half by the cover layer 12, so that in each case a seam 16 results on the bearing eyes 8 and 9, abut the cover layers 11 and 12 against each other. The cover layers are bonded to one another at their edges 14 and 15 and at the seams 16. Furthermore, the

Foam core 13 cohesively connected to each of the cover layers 11 and 12.

The joint receptacles 8 and 9 are aligned identically or identically, whereas the joint receptacle 6 is perpendicular to each of the joint receptacles 8 and 9

is aligned, which is clear from the straight lines 17, 18 and 19, wherein the straight line 17 has a central longitudinal axis of the joint receptacle 6, the straight line 18 a

M mediate longitudinal axis of the joint receptacle 8 and the straight line 19 represents a central longitudinal axis of the joint receptacle 9. In this case, the joint receptacle 6 is provided for receiving a ball joint 20, which is to be introduced into the recess 7. Further, the joint receptacles 8 and 9 are each for receiving a rubber bearing

21 is provided, which is to be introduced into the respective bearing bush 10.

From Fig. 2 is a plan view of the suspension arm 1 can be seen, in which case the cover layer 11 has been partially omitted. Further, the bushings 10 have been omitted. On the handlebar body 2 are shown schematically fiber tapes

22 applied, which serve to reinforce the handlebar body 2. However, these fiber tapes 22 are only optional and may have different dimensions. Furthermore, the fiber tapes 22 may be provided at other locations of the handlebar body 2. It should be noted that also provided on the handlebar 4 fiber tape 22 is disposed on the cover layer 11, which was omitted there only for reasons of clarity. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the suspension arm 1 along the apparent from Fig. 2 section line AA and thus also a section through the foam core 13. It can be clearly seen that the foam core 13 between the two

Cover layers 11 and 12 is arranged and together with these forms a sandwich structure.

4 shows a side view of the chassis link 1 in a ready-to-mount state, in which a joint is introduced into each of the joint receivers. In this state, the suspension arm 1 can be installed in the chassis of a motor vehicle. According to the embodiment, a ball joint 20 and in each of the bearing bushes 10, a rubber bearing 21 is inserted into the joint receptacle 6. From Fig. 4 of the rubber bearings 21 but only in the joint receptacle 9 sitting

Rubber bearing 21 can be seen.

reference numeral

suspension arm

Handlebar body of the suspension arm

Handlebar arm of the handlebar body

Transition area between the handlebars

Joint recording in the transition area

recess

Joint mount / bearing eye

bearing bush

Cover layer of the handlebar body

Foam core of the handlebar body

overcoat border

Seam between cover layers

Just

ball joint

Rubber bearing

Fiber Tape

Claims

claims

1. suspension link for a vehicle, comprising a handlebar body (2) formed from fiber-reinforced plastic, which comprises a plurality of mutually spaced joint receptacles (6, 8, 9), characterized in that the link body (2) as a core composite with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic outer layers ( 11, 12) and at least one thermoplastic arranged between them

Foam core (13) is formed.

2. Suspension arm according to claim 1, characterized in that each of

Cover layers (11, 12) is integrally connected to the thermoplastic foam core (13).

3. Suspension arm according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover layers (11, 12) enclose the foam core (13) and the edge side

are cohesively connected to each other.

4. Suspension arm according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the link body (2) is partially reinforced with unidirectional fiber tapes (22).

5. Suspension arm according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the link body (2) comprises at least one link arm, at the ends of each one of the joint receptacles is provided.

6. Suspension arm according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the link body (2) comprises two link arms (3, 4), which are connected to one another in a transition region (5), in which one of the links

Joint receptacles (6) is provided, wherein at the said transition region (5) facing away from the ends of the control arms (3, 4) each have a different one of

Joint recordings (8, 9) is provided.

7. chassis link according to claim 6, characterized in that the

Articulated receptacles (6, 8, 9) each one in the handlebar body (2) provided Recess or on the handlebar body (2) provided bearing eye, said in the transition region (5) provided joint receptacle (6) perpendicular to the other joint receptacles (8, 9) is aligned.

8. Suspension arm according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that a joint (20, 21) is introduced into each of the joint receptacles (6, 8, 9).

9. A method for producing a suspension arm for a vehicle comprising a handlebar body (2) formed of fiber reinforced plastic, which comprises a plurality of mutually spaced joint receptacles (6, 8, 9), characterized in that the link body (2) made of fiber reinforced thermoplastic outer layers (11, 12) and at least one thermoplastic foam core (13) is assembled by this is arranged to form a core composite between the cover layers (11, 12).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that each of

Cover layers (11, 12) is plasticized by supplying heat, so that each of the plasticized cover layers (11, 12) with the thermoplastic foam core (13) enters into a cohesive connection.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the

Cover layers (11, 12) together with the foam core (13) to form the handlebar body (2) are formed.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the link body (2) is partially reinforced with unidirectional fiber tapes (22).

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that in each of the joint receptacles (6, 8, 9) a joint (10, 21) is introduced.