WO2004076209A1 - Suspension construction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a suspension construction comprising at least one hollow damping element (i), at least one round support (ii) comprising at least one elastic hollow supporting element (iii) which is provided with an insertion element (iv), at least one lower cover (v) and at least one top cover (vi), the round support (ii) being arranged therebetween. Said invention is characterised in that the lower cover (5) is provided with at least one lateral projection (vii) and the top cover is provided with at least one lateral projection (viii). The fastening of the lower cover (v) to the top cover (vi) is produced with the aid of the projections (vii) and (viii).

Description

spring construction

description

The invention relates to spring constructions containing a hollow, preferably cylindrical, damping element (i), preferably based on rubber or particularly preferably cellular polyisocyanate polyaddition products, preferably based on cellular polyurethane elastomers, which may optionally contain polyurea structures, particularly preferably based on cellular Polyurethane elastomers preferably with a density according to DIN 53 420 of 200 to 1100, preferably 300 to 800 kg / m ³ , preferably with a tensile strength according to DIN 53571 of> 2, preferably 2 to 8 N / mm ² , an elongation according to DIN 53571 of> 300, preferably 300 to 700% and a tear strength according to DIN 53515 of> 8, preferably 8 to 25 N / mm, at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one preferably cylindrical, hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), preferably based on Rubber or particularly preferably cellular polyisocyanate polyadducts, especially materials that are special for (i) It is preferably shown which comprises a preferably hollow, preferably cylindrical insert (iv), and at least one lower cover (v) and at least one upper cover (vi), between which the circular bearing (ii) is positioned. The invention also relates to methods for assembling spring structures containing at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one cylindrical, hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), which comprises an insert (iv), and at least one lower cover (v) and at least least an upper cover (vi) in an automobile body. Furthermore, the invention relates to automobiles, for example passenger cars, lorries, buses, preferably automobile undercarriages containing the spring construction according to the invention.

Suspension elements made from polyurethane elastomers are used in automobiles, for example, within the chassis and are generally known. They are used in particular in motor vehicles as vibration-damping spring elements. The spring elements take on an end stop function and influence the force-displacement identification of the wheel by forming or reinforcing a progressive characteristic of the vehicle suspension. The pitching effects of the vehicle can be reduced and the roll support is increased. The starting stiffness is optimized in particular by the geometric design, this has a significant influence on the suspension comfort of the vehicle.

The targeted design of the geometry results in almost constant component properties over the "service life Function increases driving comfort and ensures maximum driving safety.

Frequently, in addition to so-called additional springs, which are usually placed on the piston rod of the shock absorber, damper bearings, also known as round bearings, can be used, which connect the piston rod elastically to the body. Due to the elastic and thus sensitive material of the bearing element of the circular bearing, the assembly of this damper bearing represents a critical step for the subsequent functionality of the entire spring construction. ^' In addition, the functionality of the spring construction is crucial from the structure, ie the fixing of the round bearing and the arrangement of the components to each other.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new spring construction containing a hollow cylindrical damping element (i), at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one cylindrical, hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), which comprises an insert (iv), and at least one to develop lower cover (v) and at least one upper cover (vi), between which the circular bearing (ii) is positioned, in which in particular the arrangement and assembly of the bearing element (iii) and thus of the circular bearing (ii) is improved. In addition, damage to the bearing element (iii) in the new spring construction should be reduced as much as possible both during assembly and during use.

These tasks could be solved in that the lower cover (v) has at least one lateral extension (vii) and the upper cover (vi) has at least one lateral extension (viii) and an attachment, preferably riveting, gluing and / or Screw connection, particularly preferably screw connection, the lower cover (v) with the upper cover (vi) over the extensions (vii) and (viii).

The advantages of the spring constructions according to the invention are that the bearing element (iii) of the circular bearing can be fixed quickly and uniformly with the fastening parts (lower cover (v) and upper cover (vi)) which fix the circular bearing to the body. By simply mounting the circular bearing between the lower and upper cover, the bearing element can be fixed between these covers under a pressure that is uniform over the entire circumference. Damage both during assembly and in operation, for example due to the occurrence of voltages, is significantly reduced. In addition, the assembly of the spring structure with the assembly of the Spring construction can be combined on the body of an automobile, which simplifies the entire assembly process. A deformation of the edge of the housing in which the circular bearing is positioned, and thus structural changes that can lead to stress cracks and the complete failure of the circular bearing and possibly to breakage of the damper bearing housing, are avoided according to the invention.

However, it is also possible to pre-assemble the circular bearing (ii) between the covers (v) and (vi) and only then to fasten the spring structure to the body preferably via the extensions (vii) and (viii).

Another object was to provide an improved method for assembling spring structures containing at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one cylindrical, hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), which comprises an insert (iv), and at least one lower cover (v) and Developing at least one top cover (vi) in an automobile body that is both simple and results in spring structures that have the advantages outlined above.

This problem could be solved by positioning the circular bearing between the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi) and then the lower cover (v) with the upper cover (vi) and the automobile body via holes (ix) in Extensions. (vii) the lower cover (v) and extensions (viii) of the upper cover (vi) screwed, glued or riveted, preferably screwed or riveted. The insert (iv) is preferably mounted with the piston rod of a shock absorber on which there is a hollow cylindrical damping element (i), the damping element (i) preferably being positioned in the lower cover (v).

Exemplary, preferred spring constructions according to the invention are shown in detail in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 shows a spring construction in which the additional spring, ie the damping element (i) is positioned from below in the lower cover and by the bearing element (iii) through an edge, also called separating element (vii), of the lower cover (v) is separated. This edge (xxx) supports a stable fit of both the damping element (i) and the bearing element (iii). Figure 2 shows the spring construction shown in Figure 1 in cross section. Figure 3 discloses a spring construction in which the damping element (i) is inserted from above into the lower cover (v) and through an edge (xxxv) of the damping element (i ) on a corresponding Paragraph (xxxvi) of the lower cover is positioned, is fixed in the lower cover. In this embodiment there is preferably a separating element (vii) between the damping element (i) and the bearing element (iii), which is not part of the lower cover (v) but after inserting the damping element (i) into the lower cover (v) on the the upper edge of the damping element (i) is positioned. Figure 4 shows the spring construction of Figure 3 in cross section.

Suitable extensions are, for example, corresponding edges or protuberances on the outer surface of the covers, the extension (s) preferably being positioned on the upper edge of the lower cover (v) and the extension (s) preferably on the lower edge of the cover top cover (vi). The covers (v) and (vi) are preferably cylindrical shaped bodies which each have the extensions (vii) and (viii) according to the invention on the outer surface. Preferably, the extensions (vii) and (viii) are in the spring construction, i.e. in the assembled state, in direct contact with one another, particularly preferably directly above one another, in particular congruently one above the other. The thickness of the extensions (i.e. the dimension in the axial direction) is preferably between 2 mm and 20 mm. The extensions (vii) and (viii) are horizontal or at an angle to the axial orientation, preferably horizontal, i.e. in particular aligned perpendicular to the axial alignment of the spring construction. The axial alignment is defined by the direction of the cavity of the damping element (i), in particular the alignment of a piston rod. The extensions (vii) and (viii) can each be an extension that runs around the entire circumference of the respective cover or limited extensions as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In the figures, covers are disclosed, each of which has two extensions. The covers (v) and (vi) can each have at least one, preferably 2 to 8, particularly preferably 2 to 4 extensions. The lower cover can be attached to the upper cover, for example, in such a way that the extensions (vii) and (viii) are glued to one another, for example depending on the material selected for the covers (v) and (vi) with adhesives used for them Materials are common and known. The lower cover (v) is preferably fastened to the upper cover (vi) by rivets or screws which are guided through bores (ix) in the extensions (v) and (vi).

In the extension (s) (vii) or (viii) there are therefore preferably bores (ix) which can be used both for mounting the lower cover with the top cover and for mounting the Spring construction with the body, for example by riveting or screwing through these corresponding holes (ix). In the respective extensions (vii) and (viii) there are preferably at least two, preferably 2 to 8, particularly preferably 2 to 4 bores (ix). The bores (ix) of the upper cover (vi) are arranged in an axial extension of the bores (ix) of the lower cover (v), ie the bores are arranged one above the other. The lower cover is preferably connected to the upper cover by passing a screw through the bores (ix) and screwing it either with a thread in the bore or in the body or with a corresponding nut and thus fixing it. Alternatively, it is possible to drive and fix rivets through the holes.

Preferably, the bearing element (iii) is fixed under pressure by riveting or preferably screwing the lower cover (v) to the upper cover (vi) between the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi), i.e. under preload, especially in a preload that is 5 to 30% of the round bearing height in the axial direction.

Preferably, only the bearing element is fixed between the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi), preferably by direct contact with the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi). The insert (iv) is preferably only attached to the lower or upper cover via the bearing element (iii) and is accordingly preferably elastic in. the covers stored. The piston rod of the shock absorber can preferably be screwed to the insert (iv), which preferably leads to the fact that occurring forces of the shock absorber go into the body in a damped manner via the bearing element. The bearing element (iii) is preferred, but not the insert (iv) by fastening the lower cover (v) to the upper cover (vi) in contact with the bearing element (iii) and the lower cover (v) and the top cover (vi) - fixed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring construction can contain a piston rod of a shock absorber. The piston rod is preferably positioned in the cavities of the damping element (i), the lower cover (v) and the insert (iv) and particularly preferably attached to the insert (iv). The common cavity in which the piston rod comes to rest can be seen clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4. The lower cover (v) thus preferably has a cavity, and particularly preferably the cavities of the insert (iv), the lower cover (v) and the damping element form mentes (i) a continuous cavity, preferably in the axial direction, a piston rod preferably being positioned in this cavity and being fastened to the insert (iv).

As already explained in explanations of the figures, a separating element (vii) is preferably present between the damping element (i) and the bearing element (iii). This separating element serves both to better seat the damping element in the lower cover and to decouple the two elastic elements (i) and (iii). The separating element (vii) can either be part of the lower cover (v) or can be inserted as an external part in the lower cover (v). The separating element is preferably part of the lower cover (v), for example an edge (xxx). In order to ensure that the damping element (i) fits as securely as possible in the lower cover (v), the lower cover (v) can have an edge (xxv) which preferably encloses part of the damping element (i) with a precise fit and thus the damping element ( i) fixed in the lower cover (v). It is therefore preferred that the damping element (i) is at least partially surrounded by an edge (xxv) of the lower cover (v).

For the individual elements of the spring construction according to the invention, the following should otherwise be carried out:

The lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi), which can be closed or like the lower cover (v) with a central bore, can be based on generally known, preferably hard materials, for example metals or hard plastics, e.g. thermoplastic polyurethane, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or preferably polyoxymethylene. The outer diameter of the lower and upper cover is preferably between 30 mm and 200 mm. The total height of the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi) in the assembled state is preferably between 70 mm and 200 mm.

The insert (iv) can be based on generally known, preferably hard materials, for example metals or hard plastics, e.g. thermoplastic polyurethane, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or preferably polyoxymethylene, particularly preferably metals, in particular steel or aluminum. The outer diameter of the insert (iv) is preferably between 30 mm and 90 mm, particularly preferably between 15 mm and 60 mm.

The damping element (i) preferably has at least one circumferential constriction (x) on the outer surface. Preferably, the damping element (i) on the mounting pot (v) opposite end a circumferential lip (xi). The diameter of the damping element (i) is preferably between 30 mm and 80 mm. The height of the damping element (i) is preferably between 15 mm and 100 mm, particularly preferably between 15 mm and 60 mm.

The damping elements (i) and the bearing elements (iii) are preferably based on elastomers, for example rubber and / or on the basis of polyisocyanate polyaddition products, for example polyurethanes and / or polyureas, for example polyurethane elastomers, which may optionally contain urea structures. The elastomers are preferably microcellular elastomers based on polyisocyanate polyadducts, preferably with cells with a diameter of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly preferably 0.01 to

0.15 mm. The elastomers particularly preferably have the physical properties shown at the beginning. Elastomers based on polyisocyanate polyaddition products and their preparation are generally known and can be described in many different ways, for example in EP-A 62 835, EP-A 36 994, EP-A 250 969, DE-A 195 48 770 and DE-A 195 48 771st

They are usually prepared by reacting isocyanates with compounds which are reactive toward isocyanates.

The elastomers based on cellular polyisocyanate polyaddition products are usually produced in a form in which the reactive starting components are reacted with one another. In this case, generally customary shapes are considered as shapes, for example metal shapes which, because of their shape, ensure the three-dimensional shape of the spring element according to the invention. The polyisocyanate polyaddition products can be prepared by generally known processes, for example by using the following starting materials in a one- or two-stage process:

(a) isocyanate,

(b) compounds reactive toward isocyanates,

(c) water and optionally (d) catalysts,

(e) blowing agent and / or

(f) auxiliaries and / or additives, for example polysiloxanes and / or fatty acid sulfonates.

The surface temperature of the mold inner wall is usually 40 to 95 ° C, preferably 50 to 90 ° C. The production of the molded parts is preferably carried out at an NCO / OH ratio of 0.85 to 1.20, the heated starting components being mixed and placed in a heated, preferably tight-closing mold in an amount corresponding to the desired molded part density. The molded parts are hardened after 5 to 60 minutes and can therefore be removed from the mold. The amount of the reaction mixture introduced into the mold is usually measured such that the moldings obtained have the density already shown. The starting components are usually introduced into the mold at a temperature of 15 to 120 ° C., preferably 30 to 110 ° C. The degrees of compaction for the production of the shaped bodies are between 1.1 and 8, preferably between 2 and 6.

The outer diameter of the bearing element (iii) is preferably between 60 mm and 120 mm. The inner diameter, i.e. the diameter of the cavity of the bearing element (iii) is preferably between 10 mm and 80 mm. The insert (iv) can preferably be clipped into the bearing element (iii), for example into a notch which is present on the inner surface of the bearing element (iii).

The diameter of the cavities in (iv), (v) and (i) and optionally (vii) are preferably between 10 mm and 80 mm.

Claims

claims 1. Spring structure containing a hollow damping element (i), 'at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), which comprises an insert (iv), and at least one lower cover (v) and at least one upper cover (vi), between which the circular bearing (ii) is positioned, characterized in that the lower cover (v) has at least one lateral one Extension (vii) and the upper cover (vi) has at least one lateral extension (viii) and there is a fastening of the lower cover (v) with the upper cover (vi) via the extensions (vii) and (viii) , 2. Spring construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the extensions (vii) and (viii) are arranged horizontally and each have at least two bores (ix) through which the lower cover (v) rivets to the upper cover (vi) or screwed. 3. Spring construction according to claim 2, characterized in that the bores (ix) of the upper cover (vi) are arranged in an axial extension of the bores (ix) of the lower cover (v). 4. Spring construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing element (iii) by riveting or screwing the lower cover (v) with the upper cover (vi) between see the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi) below Pressure is fixed. 5. Spring construction according to claim 4, characterized in that the bearing element (iii), but not the insert (iv) by fastening the lower cover (v) with the upper cover (vi) in contact between the bearing element (iii) and the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi) is fixed. 4 drawings 6. Spring construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower cover (v) has a cavity and the cavities of the insert (iv), the lower cover (v) and the damping element (i) have a continuous cavity 5 preferably form in the axial direction. 7. Spring construction according to claim 6, characterized in that a piston rod is positioned in the cavity, which is attached to the insert (iv). 10 8. Spring construction according to claim 1, characterized in that in the lower cover (v) between the bearing element (iii) and damping element (i) there is a separating element (vii). 15 9. Spring construction according to claim 8, characterized in that the separating element is part of the lower cover (v). 10. Spring construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (i) at least partially by one 20 edge of the bottom cover (v) is embraced. 11. A method for assembling spring structures containing at least one circular bearing (ii) containing at least one cylindrical, hollow, elastic bearing element (iii), the 25 comprises an insert (iv), and at least one lower cover (v) and at least one upper cover (vi) in an automobile body, characterized in that the circular bearing is positioned between the lower cover (v) and the upper cover (vi) and then the lower one 30 Cover (v) screwed, glued or riveted to the top cover (vi) and the automobile body via holes (ix) in extensions (vii) of the bottom cover (v) and extensions (viii) of the top cover (vi). 35 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the insert (iv) is mounted with the piston rod of a shock absorber on which there is a hollow cylindrical damping element (i), and the damping element (i) in the lower cover (v) is positioned. 40 13. automobiles containing spring construction according to one of claims 1 to 10. 45