WO2009010053A1 - Hybrid control arm for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A hybrid control arm for a vehicle, comprising a metal body (5), which forms an elongated section (19) and at least one end section (9) having a passage (11), an elastomer bearing (3), which has an elastomer bearing inner part (7) and an elastomer body (8) surrounding the elastomer bearing inner part (7), the body being provided in the passage (11), a plastic body (6), which is tightly connected to the metal body (5) and which, together with the metal body (5) forms a base body (2) and surrounds the passage (11), and an articulated hinge (4), which is disposed at a distance from the elastomer bearing (3) and is connected to the base body (2), wherein between the outer lateral surface of the elastomer body (8) and the inner lateral surface of the passage (11) no metal body surrounding the elastomer body (8) is disposed.

Description

 Hybrid handlebar for a vehicle

description

The invention relates to a hybrid handlebar for a vehicle, comprising a metal body, of which an elongated portion and at least one end portion is formed with a passage, an elastomeric bearing having an elastomeric bearing inner part and an elastomeric body surrounding the elastomeric bearing inner body, which sits in the passage, with a the plastic body firmly connected plastic body which forms a body together with the metal body and surrounding the passage, and a joint which is arranged at a distance from the elastomeric bearing and connected to the base body.

EP 0 851 131 A2 discloses a coupling rod with a core of sheet metal, which is encapsulated by plastic. The coupling rod has two bearing eyes, which are formed by holes in the metal sheet and holes in the plastic. In each case an elastomeric bearing sits in the bearing eyes.

From DE 101 54 210 Al a bearing receptacle of a power connecting strut is known, which has an elongate base body and a sleeve penetrating this body. The sleeve has at least on one side a flange and is connected by molding at least at one of its ends with plastic with the base body having at least in the region of the bearing receiving a metal insert, which is also penetrated by the sleeve. The bearing receiver is for recording formed of a molecular inventory. Furthermore, the sleeve can have a radial constriction on the inside.

DE 101 53 799 A1 describes a force-connecting strut with an elongate base body and at least two terminal bearing receptacles for introducing and removing forces, the basic body having a composite of at least one flat metal insert and a plastic structure forming the remaining contour, which is formed by at least partially encapsulating the metal insert is formed. At least one bearing receiver may have a metal sleeve and receive a molecular bearing. Furthermore, at least one bearing receptacle can have an inner constriction.

The simplest two-point handlebars are used, for example, in multi-link axles and usually consist of two rubber bearings, which are pressed into holes in the handlebar ends. The rubber bearings have an inner and an outer housing made of metal, with a rubber vulcanized between the housings. After vulcanization, a calibration is required to reduce the internal tension created during vulcanization. The outer ring or the outer housing and the calibration cost money and increase the weight. The handlebar itself is usually punched and pulled from a one-piece sheet, the sheet thicknesses of about 3 mm are relatively large and thus weight-intensive. Furthermore, there are hybrid handlebars made of thin but high-strength sheet, which is encapsulated with glass fiber reinforced plastic to obtain the required stiffness. This can reduce the weight by up to 50%. However, these handlebars are more expensive than the above-mentioned handlebars of one-piece sheet metal.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to reduce the cost of a hybrid handlebar.

This object is achieved by a hybrid handlebar according to claim 1. Preferred developments are given in the subclaims. The hybrid handlebar according to the invention for a vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, has a metal body, of which an elongated portion and at least one end portion is formed with a passage, an elastomeric bearing, which comprises an elastomeric bearing inner part and an elastomeric body surrounding the elastomeric bearing inner part, which sits in the passage, a with the metal body firmly connected plastic body which forms a body together with the metal body and surrounds the passage, and a joint which is spaced from the elastomeric bearing and connected to the base body, wherein between the outer circumferential surface of the elastomeric body and the inner circumferential surface of the passage no metal body surrounding the elastomeric body is arranged.

According to the invention thus the passage of the metal body forms the outer ring or the outer housing of the elastomer bearing. A separate metallic outer ring for the elastomeric bearing can be omitted, whereby the manufacturing costs for the hybrid link according to the invention are reduced. Preferably, the elastomeric bearing inner part, together with the elastomeric body surrounding it, already forms a structural unit before insertion into the passage, the outer circumferential surface of which is in particular formed by the outer circumferential surface of the elastomeric body. This structural unit is then inserted or pressed into the passage before the plastic body surrounding the passage is attached or molded onto the metal body. To form the plastic body in particular plastic is molded onto the metal body or the metal body is encapsulated in plastic. The plastic coating offers the possibility to use any shape of the inserts and to map additional geometries (for example, fixing of cables, sensors, mudguards, etc.). The passage preferably has a through hole in which the elastomeric body sits, which in particular is surrounded or surrounded by the passage. Furthermore, the passage is preferably a hollow cylindrical body.

A calibration of the elastomer bearing, in particular before the encapsulation, can be dispensed with, so that the associated production costs can be saved. Calibration is to be understood here as meaning that the diameter of the passage is reduced and / or the diameter of the elastomer bearing inner part is increased, so that the elastomer body between the passage and the elastomeric bearing inner part is radially under tension or tensioned.

The term "hybrid handlebar" expresses that the main body of the handlebar consists of a composite of metal and plastic, in particular the handlebar is a 2-point handlebar.

The elastomeric body may be attached to the passage in different ways. Preferably, however, the elastomeric body is not materially connected to the passage, in particular not vulcanized to this. However, the elastomeric body may, for example, be positively and / or positively seated in the passage. In order to prevent leakage of the elastomeric body from the passage, the elastomeric body, for example, axially secured to the body. For this purpose, the plastic body preferably engages in a securing recess provided on the outer circumference of the elastomer body, which is thereby secured axially on the main body. The term "axial" refers in particular to the direction of the longitudinal axis or axis of symmetry of the elastomer bearing The securing recess is preferably annular, for example designed as an annular groove Alternatively, however, the securing recess may also have a plurality of mutually spaced recesses into which the plastic body The securing recess preferably adjoins an end of the passage in the axial direction, in particular, the securing recess being concave.

The elastomeric body preferably has a radial securing formation or a radial projection, wherein the passage in particular abuts or is supported axially on the securing formation, so that it axially secures the elastomeric body to the passage. Preferably, the passage is arranged axially between the securing recess and the securing formation, so that the elastomer body is fixed or secured axially in both directions on the passage. The securing formation is in particular convex. The joint is in particular firmly connected by the main body with the elastomeric bearing. The joint may be, for example, a ball joint. Preferably, however, the joint is an elastomer bearing, wherein the two elastomeric bearings are constructed in particular similar. Preferably, the metal body has a second end portion in which the hinge or a part thereof sits. The elongate section is arranged in particular between the two end sections and connects them to one another. Preferably, the second end portion is formed by the metal body.

The metal body consists for example of steel, aluminum, magnesium or titanium and is in particular formed as a metal sheet. Preferably, the metal body is in one piece, in particular a one-piece sheet metal. The second end portion may be connected by means of a screw connection with the elongated portion or formed integrally therewith. The elastomeric bearing inner part is preferably made of metal, in particular of steel or aluminum. Further, the elastomeric body can be integrally connected to the elastomeric bearing inner part, in particular vulcanized to this. The plastic body is preferably made of polyamide (PA) or polyoxymethylene (POM). Furthermore, the plastic can be reinforced with fibers, in particular with glass fibers.

The elastomeric body can be arranged against rotation in the passage, in particular by means of a positive connection. Further, it is possible to provide a thin plastic layer between the elastomeric body and the passage.

The hybrid handlebar according to the invention is used in particular as Radführungslenker, wherein a vehicle is articulated by means of the hybrid handlebar to a vehicle body of the vehicle.

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 hybrid handlebar according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view through one of the elastomeric bearing of FIG. 1 prior to molding of the plastic body and

3 shows a sectional view through one of the elastomeric bearings according to FIG. 1.

From Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a formed as a hybrid handlebar steering arm 1 can be seen, which has an elongated and substantially straight body 2, at its opposite ends in each case an elastomeric bearing 3 and 4 is arranged. The main body 2 has a one-piece metal body 5 made of sheet steel, on which a glass fiber reinforced plastic is molded, which forms a firmly connected to the metal body 5 plastic body 6 in the cured state. The metal body 5 and the plastic body 6 together form the main body. 2

The elastomer bearing 3 has a formed as a metal sleeve elastomeric bearing inner part 7, which is surrounded by a vulcanized on this elastomeric body 8. Further, the metal body 5 has an annular end portion 9 with a through hole 10 (see Fig. 2) and a surrounding this passage 11 (see Fig. 2), in which or in the hole 10 of the elastomer body 8 is seated. The elastomer bearing 4 comprises a formed as a metallic sleeve elastomeric bearing inner part 12 and a surrounding elastomeric body 13 which is vulcanized to the elastomeric bearing inner part 12. Further, the metal body 5 has an annular end portion 14 with a through hole and a surrounding this passage, in which the elastomer body 13 is seated. The two elastomeric bearings 3 and 4 are particularly similar. Between the two end portions 9 and 14, an elongated portion 19 which connects the two end portions 9 and 14 with each other and is formed by the metal body 5 extends.

From Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the elastomeric bearing 3 before the molding of the plastic body 6 can be seen. The elastomer body 8 has an annular, radial formation (projection) 15, on which the metal body 5 abuts axially. The expression In this case, "axial" represents the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 of the elastomer bearing 3. In particular, the metal body 5 lies axially against the projection 15 in the transition region between the passage 11 and the annular end section 9. An annular end closes at the end of the passage 11 facing away from this transition region Groove 17, which is provided in the elastomeric body 8. The elastomeric body 8 is in particular pressed into the passage 11 and is thus under radial tension, wherein the term "radially" in particular represents a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16. Further, the elastomeric bearing inner part 7 is formed as a hollow cylinder with a through hole 18. To complete the handlebar 1 5 plastic is formed on the metal body, which forms the plastic body 6 in the cured state (see Fig. 3). In particular, the plastic is molded or injection-molded onto the metal body 5 by plastic injection molding. During the injection molding of the plastic to the metal body 5, the passage 11 is encapsulated with the plastic at the same time, which also flows into the groove 17 and enters.

From Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the elastomeric bearing 3 of FIG. 1 can be seen, wherein the passage 11 surrounding the plastic body 6 engages in the annular groove 17. As a result, and by the projection 15 of the elastomer body 8 is axially secured in both directions to the passage 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 handlebar

2 main body

3 elastomeric bearings

4 elastomeric bearings

5 metal bodies

6 Kunststof fkörp he

7 elastomeric bearing inner part

8 elastomer body

9 end portion of the metal body

10 holes

11 passage

12 elastomeric bearing inner part

13 elastomer body

14 end portion of the metal body

15 humps

16 longitudinal axis

17 ring groove

18 opening

19 elongated portion of the metal body

Claims

Hybrid handlebar for a vehicle patent claims A hybrid handlebar for a vehicle, comprising a metal body (5) having an elongated portion (19) and at least one end portion (9) formed with a passage (11), an elastomeric bearing (3) having an elastomeric bearing inner portion (7 ) and an elastomeric bearing inner part (7) surrounding elastomeric body (8) which sits in the passage (11), one with the metal body (5) fixedly connected plastic body (6) which together with the metal body (5) has a base body (2 ) and surrounds the passage (11), a joint (4) which is spaced from the elastomeric bearing (3) and connected to the base body (2), characterized in that between the outer surface of the elastomer body (8) and the Inner circumferential surface of the passage (11) no the elastomeric body (8) surrounding metal body is arranged. 2. Hybrid handlebar according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic body (6) engages in a on the outer circumference of the elastomer body (8) provided for securing recess (17), which is thereby axially secured to the base body (2). 3. hybrid handlebar according to claim 2, characterized in that the securing recess (17) is annular. 4. hybrid handlebar according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the elastomeric body (8) has a radial Sicherungsausformung (15), wherein the passage (11) axially between the securing recess (17) and the Sicherungsausformung (15) is arranged, so that the elastomeric body (8) is secured axially in both directions on the base body (2). 5. hybrid handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint (4) is an elastomeric bearing. 6. Hybrid handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that of the metal body (5), a second end portion (14) is formed, in which the joint (4) or a part thereof sits, wherein the elongated portion (19) between the both end portions (9, 14) is arranged and connects them together. 7. hybrid handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body (5) is a one-piece sheet metal.