Suspension thrust bearing device
By designing recesses and axial grooves in the lower support cover of the suspension thrust bearing device, reducing the use of materials and using elastic material shock absorbing components, the problems of high manufacturing cost and high weight of existing suspension thrust bearing devices are solved. , achieving a balance between cost and performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410743231.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-12
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
AI Technical Summary
The existing suspension thrust bearing devices are costly and have a high weight, making it difficult to find a balance between cost and performance.
A suspension thrust bearing device is designed to reduce material usage by forming recesses in the axial skirt of the lower support cover and extending the radial grooves and heels in the axial direction to reduce manufacturing costs and weight while using A shock absorbing element made of elastic material to filter vibrations.
It effectively reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the suspension thrust bearing device, while maintaining the performance of the device, improving manufacturing efficiency and stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN119122937A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of suspension thrust bearing devices in suspension struts of steered wheels, in particular suspension thrust bearing devices in suspension struts of steered wheels in motor vehicles. Background Art
[0002] Suspension thrust bearing arrangements typically comprise a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing and upper and lower covers forming a housing for the rings of the bearing and providing an interface between the rings and adjacent elements.
[0003] The suspension thrust bearing device is arranged in the upper part of the suspension strut between the suspension spring and the body shell of the vehicle. The suspension spring is mounted around a shock-absorber piston rod, the end of which is connected to the body shell of the vehicle. The suspension spring of the coil spring type bears directly or indirectly on the lower cover of the suspension thrust bearing device in the axial direction.
[0004] The suspension thrust bearing arrangement makes it possible to transfer axial and radial loads between the suspension springs and the body shell of the vehicle while still allowing relative rotational movement between the lower cover and the upper cover caused by turning of the vehicle's steering wheels and / or by compression of the suspension springs.
[0005] The present invention aims to reduce the manufacturing costs of known suspension thrust bearing arrangements. Summary of the invention
[0006] The present invention relates to a suspension thrust bearing device comprising a lower support cap, an upper bearing cap and at least one bearing arranged between the caps.
[0007] The lower bearing cap includes a radial bearing-support portion and an annular axial skirt extending the radial portion axially away from the upper bearing cap.
[0008] According to one general feature, at least one recess is formed in the thickness of the axial skirt of the support cap. The recess extends from the lower transverse end face of the axial skirt.
[0009] The recess may reduce the amount of material used in the manufacture of the lower support cap, thereby reducing the cost and weight of the suspension thrust bearing arrangement.
[0010] As a preferred solution, the recessed portion of the lower support cover comprises at least one axial groove extending from a lower transverse end surface of the axial skirt.
[0011] The recess of the lower support cap may further comprise a heel extending the axial groove in radial direction and extending from the lower transverse end face of the axial skirt. This then further reduces the amount of material used in the manufacture of the lower support cap.
[0012] The heel portion may extend the axial groove of the recess in radial direction outward or inward. Advantageously, the axial dimension of the heel portion is smaller than the axial dimension of the axial groove of the recess.
[0013] In a first design, a plurality of recesses are formed in the thickness of the axial skirt of the support cap, the recesses being spaced apart in the circumferential direction and extending from the lower transverse end face of the axial skirt.
[0014] The recesses may be spaced apart from one another uniformly or non-uniformly in the circumferential direction.
[0015] In a second alternative design, the support cover comprises a single recess, ie a single annular recess.
[0016] In a specific embodiment, the device further comprises a shock-absorbing element made of an elastic material and overmoulded on the lower support cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention will be better understood by studying the detailed description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] Figure 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a suspension thrust bearing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
[0019] Figure 2 It's from below Figure 1 A partial view of the device, and
[0020] Figure 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of a suspension thrust bearing device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] exist Figure 1 The suspension thrust bearing device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is suitable for installation between an upper bearing seat or cup in contact with a fixed chassis element of a motor vehicle and a suspension spring of the helical type. Figure 1 , the device 2 is shown in an assumed vertical position.
[0022] The device 2 , which has an axis XX′, comprises an upper bearing cover 4 , a lower support cover 6 and a rolling bearing 8 axially interposed between said covers 4 , 6 .
[0023] In the example shown, the upper support cap 4 and the lower support cap 6 are installed to be in direct contact with the bearing 8 without interposing an intermediate element. In a variant, the upper support cap 4 and the lower support cap 6 may be installed to be in indirect contact with the bearing 8 with an intermediate element interposed.
[0024] The upper bearing cover 14 is in the present case made of a single piece, for example of a plastic material such as polyamide PA 6.6, which may or may not be glass-fiber reinforced.
[0025] The upper bearing cap 14 , with axis XX′, comprises a radial portion 10 , an annular axial inner skirt 12 , and an annular axial outer skirt 14 radially surrounding the inner skirt.
[0026] The outer skirt 14 of the upper bearing cap 4 partially radially surrounds the lower support cap 6, and the outer skirt 14 axially extends from the radial portion 10 of the upper bearing cap 4. In the example shown, the outer skirt 14 of the upper bearing cap 4 continues the large diameter edge of the radial portion 10 of the upper bearing cap 4.
[0027] The inner skirt 12 of the upper bearing cap 4 extends into the hole of the lower support cap 6. The inner skirt 12 and the outer skirt 14 of the upper bearing cap 4 extend axially downward from the radial portion 10 of the upper bearing cap 4. The inner skirt 12 continues the small diameter edge of the radial portion 10 of the upper bearing cap 4.
[0028] “Axially downwards” is understood to mean the axial direction from the upper bearing cover 4 towards the lower bearing cover 6 .
[0029] The upper bearing cap 4 comprises a plurality of inner hooks 15 which are arranged on the inner skirt 12 of the upper bearing cap 4 and extend radially outwardly towards the lower bearing cap 6. In the example shown, the hooks 15 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In a variant, a single annular hook 15 may be provided.
[0030] The lower support cover 6 in the present case consists of a main body formed in one piece, for example made of a plastic material such as polyamide PA 6.6, which may or may not be glass-fiber reinforced.
[0031] As will be described in more detail later, the lower support cap 6 is configured to reduce the amount of material used in its manufacture.
[0032] The lower support cap 6 , with axis XX′, comprises an annular radial portion 16 in the form of a plate and an annular axial skirt 18 continuing the small diameter edge of the radial portion 16 of the lower support cap 6 . The radial portion 16 supports the bearing 8 .
[0033] The skirt 18 extends axially away from the upper bearing cap 4 and the bearing 8. The skirt 18 of the lower bearing cap 6 performs the function of radially centring the suspension spring.
[0034] The lower support cap 6 comprises a plurality of inner hooks 22 arranged on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cap 6 and extending radially inwardly towards the upper support cap 4, the plurality of inner hooks 22 being designed to diametrically engage with the plurality of inner hooks 15 of the upper support cap 4. In a variant, a single annular hook 22 may be provided.
[0035] The hooks 15 , 22 form retaining means for retaining the upper bearing cover 4 and the lower bearing cover 6 axially relative to each other.
[0036] The bearing 8 is completely radially located between the skirts 12, 14 of the upper bearing cap 4. The bearing 8 comprises an upper ring 24 in contact with the upper bearing cap 4, a lower ring 26 in contact with the lower bearing cap 6 and an array of rolling elements 28, in this case balls, arranged between raceways formed on the rings 24, 26. In the example shown, the rolling bearing is of the angular contact type. The upper ring 24 is in contact with the lower surface of the radial portion 10 of the upper bearing cap 4. The lower ring 26 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower bearing cap 6.
[0037] The skirt 18 of the lower support cap 6 is provided with a lower transverse end face 18a which is directed axially away from the upper support cap 4, ie axially downwards. The lower transverse end face 18a extends in the radial direction.
[0038] As previously indicated, the lower support cap 6 is constructed to reduce the amount of material used in its manufacture.
[0039] A plurality of recesses 30 are formed in the thickness of the skirt 18 of the support cap. The recesses 30 extend axially from the lower transverse end face 18a of the skirt. The recesses 30 are open axially downwards. The recesses 30 are not open radially to the outer surface of the skirt or to the holes of the skirt. The recesses 30 extend here axially towards the radial portion 16 while being axially at a distance from the radial portion 16. The recesses 30 are identical to one another. Alternatively, the recesses 30 may have different sizes and / or shapes.
[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the recesses 30 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In the present case, the recesses 30 are evenly spaced apart. The recesses 30 form a ring of recesses. A radial branch of material remains on the transverse end face 18a between two adjacent recesses 30. When considering the circumferential direction, there is an alternation of recesses 30 and radial branches of material.
[0041] Reference again Figure 1 , each recess 30 includes an axial groove 30a extending from the lower transverse end surface 18a of the skirt. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each recess 30 also includes a heel 30b extending the axial groove 30a radially outwards and extending from the lower transverse end surface 18a. The axial dimension of the heel of each recess is smaller than the axial dimension of the associated axial groove 30a. As shown in Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 3 , the axial groove 30 a and the heel 30 b each have a rectangular shape. As a variant, other shapes can be envisaged, such as a triangle, a square, etc.
[0042] Figure 3The exemplary embodiment shown, in which identical elements bear identical reference numerals, differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the device 2 comprises a damping element 32, overmolded on the lower support cap 6 and made of an elastic material to filter vibrations, for example made of a thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a porous elastomer foam. The damping element 32 is overmolded on the radial portion 16 and the skirt 18 of the lower support cap 6. The damping element 32 performs the function of radially centering the suspension spring.
[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the recesses 30 of the lower support cap are each provided with an axial groove 30a and a heel 30b. Alternatively, each recess 30 may be formed only by the axial groove 30a.
[0044] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 2 comprises an angular contact rolling bearing 8 provided with one row of balls. The device 2 may comprise other types of rolling bearings, such as bearings of the four-point contact type and / or bearings with at least two rows of balls. The rolling bearing may comprise other types of rolling elements 28, such as rollers. In another variant, the bearing of the device 2 may comprise a sliding bearing without rolling elements and provided with one or more rings.
Claims
1. A suspension thrust bearing device, comprising a lower support cover (6), an upper support cover (4) and at least one bearing (8) arranged between the covers (4, 6), the lower support cover (6) comprising a radial bearing support portion (16) and an annular axial skirt (18) extending the radial portion (16) axially away from the upper support cover (4), characterized in that: At least one recess (30) is formed in the thickness of the axial skirt (18) of the support cap, the recess (30) extending from the lower transverse end face (18a) of the axial skirt.
2. The suspension thrust bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The recess (30) of the lower support cap includes at least one axial groove (30a) extending from the lower transverse end surface (18a) of the axial skirt.
3. The suspension thrust bearing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The recess (30) of the lower support cover further includes a heel (30b) extending the axial groove (30a) in the radial direction and extending from the lower transverse end surface of the axial skirt (18).
4. The suspension thrust bearing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heel portion (30b) extends the axial groove (30a) of the recess outward in the radial direction.
5. The suspension thrust bearing device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Compared with the axial dimension of the axial groove (30a) of the recessed portion, the axial dimension of the heel portion (30b) is smaller.
6. A suspension thrust bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that It comprises a plurality of recesses (30) formed in the thickness of the axial skirt (18) of the support cap, the recesses (30) being spaced apart in the circumferential direction and extending from the lower transverse end face (18a) of the axial skirt.
7. The suspension thrust bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The recess (30) of the lower support cover is annular.
8. A suspension thrust bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that It also includes a shock absorbing element (64) made of elastic material and overmolded on the lower support cover (6).