CN201824830U - Suspended footstep bearing device and support - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a suspension thrust bearing device, which is provided with an upper holding cup (18), a lower bearing cup (20) and a sliding bearing (22), wherein the upper holding cup includes a An upper mounting surface (40a) for component contact, a lower housing cup comprising bearing surfaces (80) for suspension of the spring, and a slide bearing forming an axial thrust bearing disposed between said cups. The bearing surface (80) of the seat cup is inclined with respect to the upper mounting surface (40a) of the retaining cup. The utility model also relates to a bracket, which includes a shock absorber and the above-mentioned suspension thrust bearing device.

Description

Suspension thrust bearing units and brackets

technical field

The utility model relates to the field of a suspension thrust bearing device especially used in a suspension bracket of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a suspension thrust bearing arrangement comprising bearings mounted in contact with upper and lower seats or retaining members such as retainers or cups. The upper and lower cups form a housing for the bearing and provide an interface between the bearing and surrounding components.

Background technique

The suspension thrust bearing assembly is placed on the upper part of the suspension bracket, between the body shell and the suspension spring. The spring is mounted around the shock absorber piston rod, the end of which is connected to the body frame via elastic mounts that filter out vibrations. The suspension spring bears axially directly or indirectly on the lower cup. Portions of the lower cup are fixed relative to the body frame. More details can be found for example in patent application FR-A1-2901737

Such a suspension thrust bearing arrangement allows rotational motion between the lower cup and the filter spring seat due to rotation of the steered wheels of the vehicle and/or due to compression of the suspension spring, while transmitting between the spring and the body frame axial load.

However, the extension axis of the suspension spring is usually inclined with respect to the axis of the bearing of the thrust bearing arrangement.

As a result, radial loads are also applied to the lower cup by the suspension springs. This leads to deformation of the cup and to an increase in the torque that must be applied by the driver of the vehicle in order to turn the steering wheel.

Utility model content

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages.

More specifically, the present invention seeks to provide a stable suspension thrust bearing arrangement capable of limiting the radial load exerted by the suspension spring and which is simple and economical in design.

In one embodiment, a suspension thrust bearing arrangement is provided with an upper retaining cup comprising an upper mounting surface for contact with elements external to the arrangement, a lower seat cup comprising a support for the suspension spring surfaces; and a sliding bearing forming an axial thrust bearing disposed between said cups. The bearing surface of the seat cup is inclined with respect to the upper mounting surface of the retaining cup.

This arrangement with respect to the suspension spring bearing surface created on the seat cup, designed to contact the mounting surface of the holding cup of the chassis of the motor vehicle, makes it possible to reduce the radial load that the suspension spring can exert, while at the same time stressing the slide bearing A good distribution of the axial load exerted by the spring is maintained.

Preferably, at least one of the retaining cup and the seat cup comprises at least one outer skirt which fits partly in a groove formed on the other cup so as to form at least one sealed labyrinth by cooperation. The outer skirt radially surrounds the plain bearing.

At least one cup may further comprise at least one inner skirt partially fitted in a groove formed on the other cup to form at least one sealed labyrinth by cooperation. The inner skirt is offset radially inwards with respect to the slide bearing.

The cooperation between the skirt and the associated groove allows the sliding bearing to be protected from external contamination without the use of friction lips. In this way, the device is better sealed while obtaining a relatively low frictional moment resulting from the friction between the retaining cup and the seat cup.

The skirt and associated groove may form a curved cavity extending from a space formed between the retaining cup and the seat cup in which the sliding bearing is located. A radially inwardly extending inner chamber and a radially outwardly extending outer chamber may be disposed between the retaining cup and the seat cup.

In one embodiment, one of the cups comprises at least one hook capable of cooperating with a rib formed on the other cup for relative axial retention of the cup with respect to the seat cup.

This then results in a unit assembly that can be stored, transported, handled and installed with relatively low risk that the components forming the assembly will become axially separated. Also, during these operations, the sliding bearing is protected from external contamination by holding and seating the cup.

In one embodiment, the seat cup has an upper bearing surface for the slide bearing which is inclined with respect to the upper mounting surface of the holding cup. This then further reduces the radial load that the suspension spring can apply to the thrust bearing arrangement.

Preferably, the slide bearing consists of an annular body. The plain bearing may comprise radial grooves which can be filled with lubricant. The bearing can be made of thermoplastic.

In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one stiffness reinforcement for reinforcing at least one of the retaining cup or the seat cup.

The invention also relates to a bracket comprising a shock absorber and a suspension thrust bearing arrangement as defined above.

Description of drawings

The invention will be better understood from the study of the detailed description of some embodiments shown by way of purely non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view of an axial section of a suspension thrust bearing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sliding bearing of the device of Figure 1; and

3-5 are views in axial section of suspension thrust bearing devices according to second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows a suspension thrust bearing indicated by the general reference number 10 , designed to be mounted between a bearing seat (not shown) in contact with an element of the chassis of a motor vehicle and a suspension spring 12 of helical type. The device 10 is arranged around a shock absorber rod 14 having a substantially vertical axis 16 which extends axially in the form of a cylinder of rotation. A suspension spring 12 is mounted around a shock absorber rod 14 .

As will be described in more detail later, device 10 is clearly designed to withstand axial loads and limit radial loads applied by suspension springs 12 .

The device 10 having the axis 16 comprises an upper retaining cup 18, a lower seat cup 20 forming a bearing means for the spring 12, and an axial thrust bearing arranged axially between said cups and forming an axial thrust bearing. Sliding contact bearing 22 .

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the slide bearing 22 includes an intermediate slip ring or body 24 of overall annular shape which includes a plurality of radial grooves 26, 28 on its upper and lower surfaces respectively, said The inner ends of the grooves open into annular grooves 30 , 32 ( FIG. 1 ) formed near an inner edge 34 . Radial grooves 26, 28 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 24, uniformly spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Each upper groove 26 is aligned with a lower groove 28 when considered in the axial direction.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are sixteen grooves 26, 28 each. Of course, other numbers of grooves may be provided to accommodate grooves 26 other than grooves 28 . Alternatively, grooves may also be provided only on the upper or lower surface of the main body 24 . As a variant, the main body 24 may also be formed in the form of an annular opening at some points on its circumference.

The grooves 26 , 28 extend radially from a peripheral outer edge 36 of the body 24 until they communicate with annular grooves 30 , 32 disposed proximate to the inner edge 34 . The grooves 26, 28 are advantageously filled with a lubricant, such as grease. The provision of grooves 26 , 28 in communication with grooves 30 , 32 allows lubricant to be retained on body 24 , making it possible to limit friction between bearing 22 and retaining cup 18 and seat cup 20 . A sliding contact is provided between the lower surface of the body 24 of the sliding bearing and the seat cup 20 on the one hand, and between the upper surface of said body and the retaining cup 18 on the other hand.

The slide bearing 22 may advantageously be formed by molding a rigid thermoplastic such as polyamide (PA), a polyester such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). And made.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , the upper retaining cup 18 with axis 16 advantageously consists of a one-piece part made by molding a thermoplastic such as polyamide PA-6,6, which may have or without glass fiber reinforcement. The retaining cup 28 has an annular solid portion 40 provided with an upper mounting surface 40a extending radially and intended to be in contact with the bearing seat, a radially lower surface 40b of annular shape, an axial hole 40c and a secondary solid of small thickness. The large diameter edge of portion 40 extends axially downwards with an outer annular axial flange 42 . The flange 42 partially surrounds the seat cup 20 radially.

The upper surface 40a serves as a retaining cup 18 for a bearing seat against the chassis of the motor vehicle. Axis 16 is perpendicular to upper surface 40a. The radially lower surface 40b has an annular groove or channel 44 in which the body 24 portion of the slide bearing 22 is mounted. The upper surface of the body 24 bears axially against the bottom of the groove 44 and the inner and outer edges 34, 36 of the body bear axially against opposite axial edges of the groove.

The retaining cup 18 also comprises an annular axially inner skirt 48 and an annular axially outer skirt 50 of small thickness extending from a lower surface 40 b projecting axially towards the seat cup 20 . The inner skirt 48 is axially offset inwardly with respect to the slide bearing 22 and the outer skirt 50 is axially offset outwardly with respect to said bearing and radially inwardly with respect to the flange 42 . The slide bearing 22 is thus mounted radially on the retaining cup 18 between the skirts 48 and 50 .

The retaining cup 18 also includes an inner axial flange 52 of small thickness extending axially downwardly from the small diameter edge of the solid portion 40 to near the seat cup 20 . Flange 52 defines aperture 40c. Formed radially from the lower surface 40 b between the flange 52 and the inner skirt 48 is an annular axially inner groove 54 directed towards the seat cup 20 . An annular axially outer groove 56 is also formed from the lower surface 40b and is disposed radially between the outer skirt 50 and the flange 42 . The groove 56 is directed axially towards the seat cup 20 .

The seat cup 20 with the axis 16 can likewise consist of a one-piece part made by molding a thermoplastic such as polyamide PA-6,6 with or without glass fiber reinforcement . The seat cup 20 includes an annular solid portion 58 including a radially annular upper surface 58a facing and spaced from the lower surface 40b of the retaining cup 18, and an annular groove 60 or channel is formed in the lower surface 40b of the retaining cup 18. The radial annular upper surface is used for installing the sliding bearing 22. More specifically, the lower surface of the body 24 of the slide bearing bears axially against the bottom of the groove 60 and the inner edge 34 and the outer edge 36 bear radially against the opposite axial edges of said groove. In one embodiment, recesses similar to the grooves 26, 28 or grooves 26, 28 may also be provided at the bottom of the groove 44 of the retaining cup 18 or the bottom of the groove 60 of the seat cup 20 in the contact area with the main body 24. groove. Such grooves also enable the storage and gradual distribution of lubricant in the sliding area to reduce friction. The solid portion 58 also includes an axial hole 58b having the same diameter as the hole 40c of the retaining cup 18 .

The seat cup 20 also includes annular and generally axial inner and outer skirts 62 , 64 projecting axially towards the retaining cup 18 and extending a small thickness from the upper surface 58a. The inner skirt 62 and the outer skirt 64 are offset radially inwards and outwards, respectively, with respect to the slide bearing 22 . Said bearings are mounted radially on the seat cup 20 radially between the skirts 62 and 64 .

The seat cup 20 also comprises an annular radially inner groove 66 formed by the upper surface 50 a and directed axially towards the retaining cup 18 , which groove 66 is arranged radially between the skirt 62 and the slide bearing 22 between. An annular axially external groove 68 is likewise formed by the upper surface 58 a and directed axially towards the retaining cup 18 . The groove 68 is arranged radially between the skirt 64 and the slide bearing 22 .

The skirt 62 of the seat cup 20 extends axially partially inside the groove 54 of the retaining cup 18 . The retaining cup skirts 48 , 50 axially engage and partially seat in the socket cup grooves 66 , 68 , respectively. The flange 52, groove 54 and skirt 48 of the retaining cup 18 and the skirt 62 and groove 66 of the seat cup 20 define a curved interior chamber from the The axial space between the shape pieces extends radially inwards, and the sliding bearing 22 is housed in said space. The free contact fit between the skirts 48 , 62 and the grooves 66 , 54 forms two continuous annular or snare-like labyrinths that limit the intrusion of contaminants into the plain bearing 22 . Alternatively, it is also possible to form an inner chamber with only one sealing ferrule or more than two ferrules.

Similarly, the skirt 50 of the retaining cup 18 and the groove 68 of the seat cup 20 cooperate out of contact with each other to form a sealing labyrinth or snare to prevent contamination that would move radially from the outside towards the slide bearing 22 intrusion of objects. The skirt 50 and the groove 68 define a curved outer chamber extending radially outward from the axial space defined between the retaining cup 18 and the seat cup 20, in which the slide bearing 22 is housed. in the described space. In this embodiment, the skirt 50 and groove 68 form a single sealing labyrinth to limit the intrusion of contaminants towards the slide bearing 22 . Alternatively, it is also possible to form an outer chamber comprising several sealing grommets.

The inner and/or outer chambers each/both curved and formed between the retaining cup 18 and the seat cup 20 may advantageously be filled with grease to enhance the seal of the device and reduce the cup size. friction between. The grease may be the same as for the sliding bearing 22 .

In order to snap the retaining cup 18 axially onto the seat cup 20, the inner edge of the flange 42 of the retaining cup has at its lower end a circular continuous or discontinuous hook 70 which is directed inwards as a whole Directed radially and cooperating with an annular rib 72 provided on the skirt 64 of the seat cup 20 which fits into the groove 56 . Rib 72 extends radially outward and has a lower surface designed to be a friction fit with hook 72 in order to diametrically interfere with said hook and prevent separation of retaining cup 18 and seat cup 20 .

The solid portion 58 of the seat cup 20 forms a lower bearing surface 80 for the upper end of the suspension spring 12 to rotate in a quarter turn through the annular portion and then by centering the axial direction of the spring. Surface 82 extends inwardly. The bearing surface 80 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 40 a of the holding cup 18 . The axis perpendicular to the bearing surface 80 is secant and inclined about the axis 16 holding the cup 18 and the damper rod 14 . The angle formed between the orthogonal axis and the axis 16 may range between 3 and 45 degrees, and preferably lies between 5 and 20 degrees.

Sloping the bearing surface 80 with respect to the upper surface 40a makes it possible to reduce the radial load that the suspension spring 12 can exert while maintaining a good distribution on the slide bearing 22 of the axial load exerted by said spring.

The seat cup 20 further includes an axial portion 84 that extends the lower end of the solid portion 58 and extends axially downward to form a housing that surrounds the shock absorber rod 14 and may be a damper made of a soft material such as rubber or the like. Shock pads (not shown) may be housed in the housing.

An alternative form of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, wherein the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, the difference is only that the axial portion 84 of the seat cup 20 includes a plurality of radially inward protrusions and is designed A plurality of retaining hooks 86 come to cooperate with annular ribs provided on the shock absorber pad in order to retain said pad axially relative to the device 10 by engagement. The exterior of the axial portion 84 also comprises a plurality of hooks 88 protruding radially outwards and designed to axially fix the boot of the device 10 for protecting the shock absorber rod.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , wherein like parts are denoted by like reference numerals, differs from the first embodiment in that a reinforcing insert or reinforcement 90 is embedded inside the retaining cup 18 and axially In the continuation of the slide bearing 22 . The reinforcement 90 stiffens the holding cup 18 to enable the transfer of higher loads transferred by the suspension spring 12 and/or the shock absorber. The seat cup 20 likewise comprises a stiffness reinforcement 92 on which the main body of said cup is molded and which has an L-shaped overall shape in cross-section. The stiffness stiffener 92 has a flange 94 positioned proximate to the bearing surface 80 extending axially downward from a small diameter edge through an axial portion 96 extending adjacent the axial surface 82 . The flange 94 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 40 a of the retaining cup 18 so as to maintain a constant distance away from the support surface 80 . A flange 94 placed axially between the sliding bearing 22 and the suspension spring 12 increases the capacity of the seat cup 20 to withstand the axial load of said spring, the axial portion 96 being able to react against the force originating from said spring. radial load.

The embodiment shown in Figure 5, wherein the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, differs from the first embodiment in that the upper surface 58a of the seat cup 20 and the lower surface 58a of the retaining cup 18 The surface 40b is inclined with respect to the upper surface 40a of said retaining cup such that the axis 100 of the slide bearing 22 is inclined with respect to the axis 16 perpendicular to said upper surface 40a. The angle formed between axes 16 and 100 may range between 3 and 45 degrees, preferably between 5 and 20 degrees.

In this embodiment, the skirt and groove formed by the lower and upper surfaces 40b, 58a of the retaining cup 18 and seat cup 20 extend axially when considering the axis 100, but with respect to the retaining cup The upper mounting surface 40a of the member 18 is inclined. When the axis 100 is considered, the surface 80 of the seat cup 20 against which the suspension spring 12 bears extends radially there, and is inclined with respect to the upper mounting surface 40a of the holding cup.

The oblique support of the upper mounting surface 58a of the seat cup of the sliding bearing 22, combined with the inclination of the bearing surface 80 for the suspension spring 12 with respect to the upper surface 40a of the holding cup 18, makes it possible to reduce the radial force exerted by said spring. load. In the illustrated embodiment, these surfaces are inclined at the same angle with respect to the support surface 40 . As an alternative, upper mounting surface 58a may be inclined relative to mounting surface 40a at an angle different from the angle between support surface 80 and mounting surface 40a.

In this embodiment, one or more stiffness stiffeners embedded in the retaining cup 18 and/or the seat cup may of course be provided without departing from the scope of the invention to increase the cup's ability to withstand The ability to suspend the load applied by a spring.

Claims (11)

1. A suspension thrust bearing device, the device is provided with an upper holding cup (18), a lower seat cup (20) and a sliding bearing (22), wherein said upper holding cup includes a a mounting surface (40a) in contact with a part external to said device, said lower seat cup comprising a bearing surface (80) for suspending a spring, said sliding bearing forming a seat between said cups The axial thrust bearing of , wherein said bearing surface (80) of said seat cup is inclined with respect to said mounting surface (40a) of said retaining cup. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retaining cup and the seat cup includes a cup that fits partially in a groove (68) formed on the other cup. At least one outer skirt (50) radially surrounds said slide bearing (22) so as to form at least one sealed labyrinth by cooperation. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said retaining cup and said seat cup comprises a groove (66, 54) to form at least one sealed labyrinth by cooperation, said inner skirts (48, 62) being offset radially inwardly with respect to said sliding bearing (22). 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said skirt and associated groove formation extend from a space formed between said retaining cup (18) and said seat cup (20) The curved chamber of , the sliding bearing (22) is located in the space. 5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the retaining cup and the seat cup comprises at least one rib capable of cooperating with a rib (72) formed on the other cup. A hook (70) for relative axial retention of said cups. 6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said seat cup (20) has an upper bearing surface for said sliding bearing (22), said bearing surface relative to said retaining cup The upper mounting surface (40a) of the piece is inclined. 7. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide bearing (22) is formed by an annular body (24). 8. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide bearing (22) comprises radial grooves (26, 28) which can be filled with lubricant. 9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide bearing (22) is made of thermoplastic. the 10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one stiffness reinforcement (90, 92) for strengthening at least one of said retaining cup or seat cup. 11. A bracket comprising a shock absorber and a suspension thrust bearing arrangement according to any preceding claim. the

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