DISPOSITIVO DE LIGAÇÃO DE BARRA ESTABILIZADORA E VEÍCULO

Description

1 / 7 STABILIZER BAR AND VEHICLE CONNECTION DEVICE Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is situated in the field of stabilizer bar linking devices for automotive vehicles, more specifically in the development of solutions aimed at unifying assembly methods in different production lines. Background of the Invention

[0002] Stabilizer bar linkage devices play a fundamental role in vehicle suspension systems, being responsible for connecting the stabilizer bar to the vehicle's structure, reducing lateral tilt during turns and providing greater stability. The reliability and efficiency of these devices are essential to meet the stringent performance and safety standards required by the automotive industry.

[0003] Currently, most stabilizer bar linkage devices are designed to meet a specific assembly method, using manual or automatic tools for torque application. This limitation represents a significant challenge when the same components need to be used in different production plants. For example, while some plants use manual tools for torque application, others rely on automatic tools with anti-rotation mechanisms. This incompatibility often results in adaptations to the assembly line or the development of plant-specific parts, generating high costs and reducing operational efficiency.

[0004] Conventional production methods cannot reconcile, in a single device, the demands for flexibility and standardization. Furthermore, the introduction of new manufacturing processes or adjustments to assembly plants often implies additional costs, both in terms of infrastructure investment and implementation time. This is especially problematic in an industry where cost reduction and increased efficiency are constant priorities.

[0005] Although some existing solutions seek to improve the versatility and strength of fastening devices, the integration of multiple torque methods into a single component has not yet been widely adopted. The difficulty in designing a pin geometry that meets the needs of different tools while maintaining the necessary durability, precision, and strength is one of the main factors preventing standardization. Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, page 10 / 23 2 / 7

[0006] Therefore, there is a growing need for solutions that allow the application of different assembly methods in a single connecting device, promoting cost reduction and the unification of production processes in different manufacturing plants. The present invention aims to fill this gap, offering an innovative device that combines flexibility, efficiency and standardization, meeting the demands of the automotive sector without compromising the reliability and durability of the system.

[0007] Some prior art documents have attempted to solve this problem, as can be seen below:

[0008] CN211844014 - This document discloses a utility model relating to an anti-rotation mounting structure for the connecting rod of a suspension stabilizer bar, belonging to the technical field of automotive design and manufacturing. The structure comprises a stabilizer bar, a stabilizer bar connecting rod, and a suspension component; the two ends of the stabilizer bar connecting rod are fitted with spherical heads, the rod of each spherical head having a flanged surface, and the outer side of each flanged surface having a hexagonal protrusion. The end of the stabilizer bar includes a mounting surface, where one side of this surface, in contact with the flanged surface of the spherical head, has a hexagonal recess.

[0009] CN205417076 - This document discloses a utility model that presents a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly in a first embodiment that includes: the stabilizer bar, wherein the stabilizer bar has a mounting hole, in which a first rotation prevention section is formed on the side wall of the mounting hole; the suspension connecting rod, wherein one end of the connecting rod has a double-bolted ball pin, whose side wall includes a second rotation prevention section; the double-bolted ball pin is cooperatively inserted into the mounting hole, wherein the first rotation prevention section and the second rotation prevention section are configured to fit together in order to prevent rotation of the double-bolted ball pin inside the mounting hole.

[0010] Existing solutions have limitations in providing stabilizer bar linkage devices that combine flexibility in assembly, standardization across different production lines, and high durability under severe operating conditions. Furthermore, these solutions are generally not compatible with multiple torque application methods. Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, page 11 / 23 3 / 7 resulting in additional adaptation costs or the need to develop specific components, compromising both the productive efficiency and the economic viability of the project. Objectives of the Invention

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a stabilizer bar connection device that allows the application of torque using different methods, promoting flexibility and standardization in the assembly process.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs by eliminating the need for adjustments to production lines to accommodate different torque tools.

[0013] Additionally, the present invention aims to ensure high durability and resistance of the device, even under cyclical operating conditions, meeting the quality requirements of the automotive industry. Brief Description of the Invention

[0014] The present invention discloses a stabilizer bar connection device comprising a pin. Said pin comprises a flush support and a fitting geometry.

[0015] Furthermore, the aforementioned flush mount is configured to accommodate an open-end wrench. And the aforementioned socket geometry is configured to fit a self-coupling tool.

[0016] The aforementioned flush support has parallel surfaces configured to prevent the open-end wrench from slipping during torque application.

[0017] Moreover, the aforementioned fitting geometry is compatible with self-coupling tools that have an anti-rotation mechanism.

[0018] It is also important to highlight that the aforementioned pin is manufactured from metallic material, more specifically 41Cr4 tempered for 940 - 1120 MPa.

[0019] Furthermore, the aforementioned flush support is designed to withstand applied torque between 40 Nm and 100 Nm.

[0020] The fitting geometry is still configured to couple automatic tools of different sizes.

[0021] The said pin comprises an additional cylindrical section to facilitate alignment during assembly. Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, page 12 / 23 4 / 7

[0022] The aforementioned stabilizer bar connection device is configured to withstand cyclic stresses arising from the vehicle's operating conditions.

[0023] Furthermore, the pin includes a marking configured to facilitate identification of the correct alignment during assembly.

[0024] The present invention also discloses a vehicle comprising at least one stabilizer bar connection device (100), as described in any of the preceding claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The present invention will be described in more detail after the presentation of the figures, which contain a preferred configuration. The Figures show: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the aforementioned stabilizer bar connection device. Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the aforementioned stabilizer bar. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the aforementioned pin. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the aforementioned sway bar connection device fitted into an open-end wrench and an automatic coupling tool.

[0026] The reference elements present in the figures are: 100 - stabilizer bar connection device; 1 - pin; 2 - flush support; 3 - fitting geometry; 10 - open-end wrench; 11 - automatic coupling tool. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] Before the invention is detailed, it is important to understand that it is not limited to the specific components of the described device, as these may vary. It is also relevant to emphasize that the terminology employed serves only to describe particular embodiments and should not be seen as limiting. It should be noted that, as used in this descriptive report and associated claims, the singular forms a, an, or may refer to both singular and plural elements, unless the context indicates otherwise. Furthermore, when ranges of numerical parameters are provided, they are considered to include limiting values.

[0028] It should also be understood that the modalities presented here should not be viewed in isolation or disconnected. The characteristics described for one modality are also applicable to the other modalities mentioned. If a Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, p. 13 / 23 5 / 7 If a specific characteristic is mentioned in one modality but not in another, the specialist in the field would understand that this does not necessarily imply that the characteristic should not be considered for the other modality. The specialist would understand that the objective of this request is to reveal the characteristic also for other modalities, but, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, this has not been explicitly stated in each case.

[0029] The present invention discloses a stabilizer bar connection device 100 comprising a pin (1). Said pin 1 comprises a flush support 2 and a fitting geometry 3. It is further noted that the flush support 2 is configured to fit an open-end wrench 10 and said fitting geometry 3 is configured to fit an automatic coupling tool 11.

[0030] The present invention further discloses that said flush support 2 has parallel surfaces configured to prevent slippage of the open-end wrench 10 during torque application.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pin comprises an additional cylindrical section to facilitate alignment during assembly.

[0032] In a preferred configuration of the present invention, said device is configured to withstand cyclic stresses arising from the vehicle's operating conditions.

[0033] Also in a preferred configuration of the present invention, pin 1 includes a marking to facilitate identification of the correct alignment during assembly.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said pin 1 is made of metallic material, more specifically 41Cr4 heat treated to 940 - 1120 MPa.

[0035] Alternatively, said pin 1 is made of at least one of the following materials: DIN 41Cr4, SAE 5140, DIN 23MnB4.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said stabilizer bar linking device 100 has a total length between 150 mm and 350 mm, even more preferably, said stabilizer bar linking device 100 has a total length of 300 mm.

[0037] In a preferred configuration, said pin 1 has a diameter between 8 mm and 15 mm, even more preferably, said pin 1 has a diameter of 10 mm.

[0038] In yet another preferred configuration of the present invention, the geometry of Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, pp. 14 / 23 The 6 / 7 fitting 3 of said pin 1 is dimensioned for compatibility with automatic torque tools with heads between 8 mm and 15 mm, with 9 mm heads.

[0039] In a preferred configuration, the aforementioned face support 2 is designed to withstand an applied torque of up to 100 Nm, more preferably between 40 Nm and 100 Nm, and even more preferably, to withstand a torque of 50 Nm.

[0040] In another preferred configuration, the thickness of said face support 2 is between 15 mm and 25 mm, even more preferably with a thickness of 17 mm.

[0041] In its preferred configuration, the contact surface area of ​​said face support 2 with the open-end wrench 10 is comprised between 40 mm2 and 60 mm2, even more preferably, with an area of ​​45 mm2.

[0042] The length of the fitting geometry 3 on the aforementioned pin 1 is preferably between 8 mm and 12 mm, even more preferably with a length of 9 mm.

[0043] The thickness of the anti-corrosion protection layer applied to said pin 1 is between 8 micrometers and 12 micrometers, or more preferably, 10 micrometers thick.

[0044] Still on the same preferred configuration of the present invention, the shear strength of said stabilizer bar linking device 100 is comprised between 700 MPa and 1000 MPa, even more preferably, with a strength of 700 MPa.

[0045] The present invention further discloses a vehicle comprising said stabilizer bar linkage device 100 as described earlier in this descriptive report.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said vehicle is a passenger car. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, said vehicle is a truck, bus or pickup truck.

[0047] The present invention fulfills the proposed objectives by presenting a stabilizer bar connection device with an innovative pin geometry, which allows the application of torque by both manual and automatic tools with an anti-rotation mechanism. This configuration eliminates the need for specific adaptations in production lines, reducing costs and promoting standardization among different Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, page 15 / 23 7 / 7 assembly plants. Furthermore, the robust design and use of durable materials ensure the device's longevity and efficiency, even under severe operating conditions, meeting the high quality and safety standards demanded by the automotive industry.

[0048] All combinations of elements that perform the same function in a substantially similar manner, using equivalent methods and producing the same results as the elements specified in the claims, are encompassed within the scope of this invention. This means that even if a variation of elements performs the function in a slightly different way, as long as the result is essentially the same, these variations are also protected by the patent. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that the scope of protection conferred by this invention is not limited only to the literal content of the claims described, but also includes variations or modifications that may be considered equivalent.

[0049] It is necessary to observe that the attached drawings, although representing the ideas and concepts of the invention, have not necessarily been drawn to scale and serve only to illustrate conceptually the possible configurations of the elements. This choice aims only to facilitate the understanding of the invention and not to restrict the interpretation of the claims to a specific or exact dimension. Furthermore, all combinations of elements that perform the same function in an essentially equivalent way, even if they operate slightly differently, are protected by the scope of the invention. The patent protection, therefore, covers a wide range of potential variations that may differ in their specific characteristics, but which achieve the same results.This flexibility allows the invention to protect not only the exact forms described, but also other possible variations and modifications, including so-called equivalents, which fall within the broader scope of the claims. Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, page 16 / 23

Claims

1 / 2 Claims 1. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), characterized by comprising a pin (1); wherein said pin (1) comprises a flush support (2) and a fitting geometry (3); wherein said flush support (2) is configured to fit an open-end wrench (10); wherein said fitting geometry (3) is configured to fit an automatic coupling tool (11).

2. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that said flush support (2) has parallel surfaces configured to prevent slippage of the open-end wrench (10) during torque application.

3. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fitting geometry (3) is compatible with automatic coupling tools (11) that have an anti-rotation mechanism.

4. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin (1) is made of metallic material, more specifically 41Cr4 tempered to 940 - 1120 MPa.

5. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flush support (2) is dimensioned to withstand applied torque between 40 Nm and 100 Nm.

6. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting geometry (3) is configured to couple automatic tools of different sizes.

7. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin (1) comprises an additional cylindrical section to facilitate alignment during assembly.

8. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is configured to resist Petition 870250006292, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, p. 17 / 23 2 / 2 to cyclic stresses arising from the vehicle's operating conditions.

9. Stabilizer bar connection device (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (1) comprises a marking configured to facilitate the identification of the correct alignment during assembly.

10. Vehicle characterized by comprising at least one stabilizer bar linkage device (100), as described in any of the preceding claims. Petition 870250006292, dated 27 / 01 / 2025, pp. 18 / 23

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