Stabilizer assembly for the chassis of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle with at least one element (14) in the area of ​​a wheel suspension connected to the stabilizer arrangement, which fully or partially compensates for vehicle movements, wherein the element (14) can be controlled via flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25), characterized in that the flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25) can be guided from a central control unit via openings (17, 18; 22, 23) arranged in the stabilizer bearing (11; 20) to the element (14) which interacts with a stabilizer (13; 21).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle with at least one element that fully or partially compensates for vehicle movements in the region of a wheel suspension connected to the stabilizer arrangement, wherein the element can be controlled via flexible lines.

[0002] The installation of flexible lines for hydraulic or electrical / electronic supply systems in a motor vehicle is particularly problematic in the area of ​​the vehicle axles or wheel suspension - but not only there - because vehicle components, especially wheels and wheel suspensions, undergo significant relative movements with respect to the surrounding vehicle parts during operation. For the safe operation of a vehicle, however, it is imperative to protect the installed lines not only from damage caused by external objects impacting the vehicle, e.g., stone chips, but also, and in particular, from damage caused by such relative movements (tension, pressure on, or twisting of the lines) or by abrasion on other parts of the vehicle.Cable routing is particularly problematic in motor vehicles equipped with systems designed to fully or partially compensate for vehicle movements around the longitudinal, transverse, and / or vertical axes. To achieve this compensation, elements such as actuators are installed in the chassis area. These elements are hydraulically and / or electrically controlled via flexible supply lines laid in the chassis area by a control unit located centrally within the vehicle, for example. Such cables are particularly exposed to the aforementioned relative movements; however, they are also at risk because they must be installed relatively close to the ground and in the immediate vicinity of the rotating wheels.

[0003] From DE 44 43 809 A1, DE 44 35 491 A1, DE 10 2008 041 329 A1 and DE 101 20 219 A1, stabilizer arrangements or vehicle axle arrangements are known, from which approaches for a solution to the problem addressed can be inferred.

[0004] But the invention not only sought to provide a solution for laying the flexible cables with protection against damage; for weight and cost reasons, the cable routing should be as direct as possible—in other words, short.

[0005] The object of the invention was to propose a cable routing for a stabilizer arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle, which should ensure a high level of protection against damage caused by relative movements of the vehicle and by external influences and should also enable the shortest and most direct routing paths in the vehicle.

[0006] The invention achieves this object in that the flexible lines are routed to the element interacting with a stabilizer via openings in the stabilizer mount that are arranged substantially below the stabilizer as viewed in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Depending on the position of the generally central - but possibly also several decentralized - control units in the vehicle, this cable routing directly via the stabilizer mount without significant deflections is a particularly advantageous solution. By routing the lines via at least two openings in the stabilizer mount, the lines can be laid in this area without special protection. Additional protection is only required where the lines exit the protected area in the stabilizer mount and are routed to the element interacting with the stabilizer, e.g. an actuator for compensating roll movements. However, these paths can be kept relatively short.

[0007] The inventive solution can be applied not only to hydraulic lines; it can also be used for electrical-electronic or electromechanical supply systems.

[0008] A particularly expedient solution according to the invention is that the openings in the stabilizer bearing are open to one side to accommodate the lines, the lines can be inserted from the outside and are held in place, for example, but not necessarily, by frictional connection, and protection against damage is ensured by parts of the subframe that cover the stabilizer bearing downwards. It is also conceivable to arrange the openings at the top and / or bottom, next to one another in the horizontal direction, or to the left and / or right, one above the other in the vertical direction. If there are more than two openings, the openings can advantageously be arranged opposite one another, with two openings being assigned to each half of a stabilizer bearing.

[0009] Since the stabilizer mount is made of a rubber-elastic material, as is well known, additional protection, for example, through a sheet metal attachment to the subframe, is a very effective solution. Furthermore, the inventive solution offers advantages regarding the acoustic decoupling of the components.

[0010] The particular advantage of the invention is that, in addition to the safe, protected accommodation of the flexible cables, short cable routes are achieved, thus saving costs and weight.

[0011] By routing the cables directly through the stabilizer mount, no additional holes are required for the cable routing, for example, in the subframe supporting the stabilizer mount or in other components near the wheel; this leads to a desired increase in rigidity in this area.

[0012] The drawing schematically illustrates an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention. The features of the invention will be explained in more detail below using this embodiment.

[0013] It shows: Fig. 1 a stabilizer arrangement according to the prior art with supply lines routed around the stabilizer bearing to the actuator interacting with the stabilizer; Fig. 2 a laying of the supply lines according to the inventive solution; and Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0014] In Fig. 1, the reference numeral 1 designates the bearing of a stabilizer bar 2. An element / actuator 3, which is arranged on or at the stabilizer bar 2, interacts with the stabilizer bar 2. The actuator 3 is supplied with power or controlled via hydraulic and / or electrical supply lines 4 and 5. These supply lines 4, 5 are securely enclosed, e.g., by steel-braided hoses. As a rule, they are arranged behind and around the stabilizer bearing 1, as seen in the direction of travel (direction of travel F). In the subframe 6 supporting the stabilizer bearing 1, bores are provided for guiding the supply lines 4, 5, into which bores the supply lines 4, 5 are inserted via protective rubber grommets 7, 8.

[0015] Even from this schematic representation, it is clear that the laying of the supply lines and their additional protection via stable sheathing must cover relatively long distances - and thus involve high costs.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2. A stabilizer bearing 11 is mounted in a U-shaped subframe 12. A stabilizer 13 is mounted in the stabilizer bearing 11, made of rubber-elastic material, and an element / actuator 14 is mounted on the stabilizer bearing. It is used to compensate for roll, pitch, and similar relative movements of the vehicle body with respect to the chassis. The actuator 14 is supplied via supply lines 15, 16. These supply lines 15, 16 are routed through openings 17 and 18, respectively, arranged in the stabilizer bearing and, protected through these openings, through the stabilizer bearing to a control unit (not shown). The stabilizer bearing 11 is enclosed and protected by a part 19 of the subframe 12.

[0017] Just from comparing the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the drawing shows that the cable installation according to the invention must bridge comparatively short distances; this increases safety and also provides a cost-effective and acoustically advantageous solution.

[0018] A particularly advantageous solution is in Fig. 3 as a modified embodiment of the solution according to Fig. 2 is shown only schematically. The two-part stabilizer bearing 20 with the stabilizer 21 has downwardly open openings 22 and 23, respectively, as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle, into which the supply lines 24 and 25 can be inserted in a force-fitting manner, e.g. by clipping. The stabilizer bearing 20 is part of a subframe 26 and is enclosed by a U-shaped stabilizer frame 27, wherein a lower frame part 28 represents the secure mounting and protection for the supply lines 24 and 25. Otherwise, the solution according to Fig. 3 of the above based on Fig. 2 described solution.

Claims

[1] Stabiliser arrangement for a chassis of a motor vehicle with at least one element (14) which fully or partially compensates for vehicle movements in the region of a wheel suspension connected to the stabiliser arrangement, wherein the element (14) can be controlled via flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25), characterized by that the flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25) can be guided from a central control unit via openings (17, 18; 22, 23) arranged in the stabilizer bearing (11; 20) to the element (14) interacting with a stabilizer (13; 21). [2] Stabilizer arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the openings (17, 18; 22, 23) are arranged next to one another substantially below and / or above the stabilizer (13; 21) as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [3] Stabilizer arrangement according to claim 1, characterized bythat the openings (17, 18; 22, 23) are arranged one above the other essentially on the left side and / or right side of the stabilizer (13; 21) as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [4] Stabilizer arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25) are hydraulic pressure hoses and the compensating element (14) is a hydraulic actuator. [5] Stabilizer arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flexible lines (15, 16; 24, 25) are electrical lines and the compensating element (14) is an electric actuator. [6] Stabilizer arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the openings (22, 23) for receiving the lines (24, 25) are open at least on one side, the lines can be laid therein in a force-fitting manner and can be secured by parts of an auxiliary frame (27, 28) carrying the stabilizer bearing (20).

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