Independent suspension

Abstract

An independent wheel suspension 1 is proposed, comprising a steering knuckle 2 supported on a spring carrier 3, which is to be connected to a vehicle body 7 via a vibration damper 4 and a support spring 5 or via a spring-damper module 6, wherein the steering knuckle 2 is connected to the spring carrier 3 via a kingpin 8 and is rotatably arranged about a longitudinal axis A of the kingpin 8, wherein the independent wheel suspension 1 has at least one upper control arm 9 and at least one lower control arm 10, wherein the control arms 9;10 are mounted at the upper end 11 and at the lower end 12 of the kingpin 8, wherein the steering knuckle 2 and the control arms 9;10 are each mounted by means of a three-way acting joint 13;14 and the spring carrier 3 is rotationally fixed to the kingpin 8, so that the The kingpin 8 connects the spring carrier 3, the steering knuckle 2 and the upper and lower control arms 9;10. The invention is characterized in that the independent wheel suspension 1 has a further locking component 15 which secures the kingpin 8 against uncontrolled rotation about its longitudinal axis A.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an independent wheel suspension comprising a steering knuckle supported on a spring carrier. The spring carrier is connected to a vehicle body via a vibration damper and a support spring or via a spring-damper module. The steering knuckle is connected to the spring carrier via a kingpin and is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis of the kingpin. The independent wheel suspension further comprises at least one upper control arm and at least one lower control arm, each mounted at the upper and lower ends of the kingpin, respectively. The kingpin and the control arms are each mounted by means of a three-way articulating joint, such as a ball joint or a molecular joint.The kingpin thus connects the spring carrier, the steering knuckle and the upper and lower control arms to each other, with the spring carrier usually being non-rotatably connected to the kingpin.

[0002] A generic independent wheel suspension is disclosed, for example, in EP 2 246 204 B1.

[0003] In independent suspension systems of the aforementioned type, a three-way acting joint, such as a ball joint or a molecular joint, is used to mount each control arm. This is particularly advantageous because the freedom of movement of the control arms is not unnecessarily restricted by the bearing, and any tilting of the vehicle body can be compensated for by an angled position of one control arm relative to the other.

[0004] However, due to the triaxial action of a ball joint or a molecular joint, a rotation of the kingpin about its own longitudinal axis cannot be ruled out.

[0005] If the kingpin rotates, the spring carrier, which is fixed to the kingpin, rotates with it. Since the vibration damper, or the spring-damper module, is attached to the spring carrier, such rotation of the kingpin causes the vibration damper or the spring-damper module to tilt. This reduces the functionality of the module or the vibration damper and introduces an additional lateral force into the piston rod of the vibration damper, which can eventually lead to leakage in the piston rod guide.

[0006] Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that such a twisted spring carrier could collide with a brake assembly, which is usually mounted on the steering knuckle, during a steering movement. Additionally, under certain kinematic configurations, impermissible lateral forces could occur in the joints of the kingpin bearing, potentially damaging them.

[0007] The object of this invention is therefore to provide an independent wheel suspension of the type described above which does not allow uncontrolled rotation of the kingpin about its own longitudinal axis.

[0008] This problem is solved by the independent wheel suspension having a locking component that secures the kingpin against uncontrolled rotation around its longitudinal axis.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments are shown in the figures and in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention will be explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0011] It shows: Fig. 1: A perspective view of independent wheel suspension according to the state of the art. Fig. 2: A perspective view of a possible embodiment of an independent wheel suspension according to claim 1. Fig. 3: A perspective view of a partial arrangement, according to Fig. 2 consisting of control arm, kingpin, spring carrier and locking component Fig. 4: A perspective drawing according to Fig. 3, comprising a fastening lever Fig. 5: A perspective view of a spring carrier according to Fig. 4 Fig. 6: A perspective view of a spring carrier according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, comprising a fastening device for attaching a stabilizer Fig. 7: A perspective view of a spring carrier according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, comprising a fastening device for a stabilizer

[0012] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a known independent wheel suspension 1 from the prior art. This includes a steering knuckle 2, which is supported on a spring carrier (3). The spring carrier 3 is to be connected to a vehicle body 7 via a spring-damper module 6. The vehicle body 7 is in the Fig. 1 is not shown for clarity, but is included in the Fig. 2 at least hinted at. That in the Fig. The spring-damper module 6 shown in Figure 1 consists of a vibration damper 4 and a support spring attached to it, which corresponds to a conventional air spring. Of course, instead of the air spring, a simple coil spring or any other suitable support spring known to those skilled in the art can also be used in this context. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a vibration damper 4 and a separate support spring 5 instead of a combined spring-damper module 6.

[0013] The steering knuckle 2 is connected to the spring carrier 3 via a kingpin 8 and is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (A) of the kingpin (8).

[0014] At the upper end 11 of the kingpin 8, an upper control arm 9 is arranged, and at the lower end 12 of the kingpin 8, a lower control arm 10 is arranged. These are each mounted by means of a triaxial joint 13; 14. A triaxial joint is understood here to be a joint that allows movement in any direction, such as a ball joint, a molecular joint, or any other suitable joint known to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 1 shows a brake assembly 24 attached to the axle stub 2.

[0016] The spring carrier 3 is rotationally fixed to the kingpin (8). Thus, the kingpin 8 connects the spring carrier 3, the steering knuckle 2, and the upper and lower control arms 9 and 10 to each other.

[0017] The rotationally fixed connection of the spring carrier 3 with the kingpin 8 can be achieved by a press fit or can also include another connection, for example a material-locking, form-locking or force-locking connection.

[0018] Unlike Fig. 1. The spring-damper module was installed in Fig. 2 has been omitted for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, the Fig. 2 in contrast to Fig. 1, that the independent wheel suspension 1 has a locking component 15. The locking component 15 is designed as a strut made of a rigid base material, which extends from the spring carrier 3 to the vehicle body 7. The locking component 15 is supported on the spring carrier by its first end section 16 and on another component of the vehicle body 7 by its second end section 17. By means of the rotationally fixed connection of the spring carrier 3 to the kingpin 8, the locking component 15 secures the kingpin 8 against uncontrolled rotation about its own longitudinal axis A.

[0019] Furthermore, the Fig. 2, that a three-axis effective joint 18; 19 was used at each of the two bearing points of the locking component 15. Although the use of a one-axis effective joint at this point is not shown in the figures, it is also possible. The mounting of the locking element 15 on the spring carrier 3, as well as the arrangement of the end sections 16; 17, are shown in the Fig. 3 shown even more clearly.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 4 shows an arrangement comprising a kingpin 8, an upper control arm 9, and a lower control arm 10, each of which is mounted at the upper end 11 and a lower end 12 of the kingpin 8 by means of two three-way joints 13 and 14. A spring carrier 3 is arranged between the two control arms 9 and 10 on the kingpin 8 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0021] The spring carrier 3 includes a fastening lever 20 for attaching the locking component 15 to the spring carrier 3. The fastening lever 20 is integrally formed with the spring carrier 4 and has a fastening opening 25 at its end for connecting a locking component 15 to the fastening lever 20 and thus also to the spring carrier 3. Furthermore, the fastening lever 20, by its length, defines the effective distance X of the locking component 15 to the longitudinal axis A of the kingpin 8.

[0022] Although at least the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a mounting lever 20 that is made in one piece with the spring carrier and cast from the same material, the mounting lever 20 can of course also be manufactured as a separate component and then connected to the spring carrier 3 by positive locking and / or material locking and / or force locking.

[0023] Another possible design for the fastening lever 20 is in Fig. 5; Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 illustrates the spring carrier 3 shown in the preceding figures, which has steering stops 21 and 22 on each side. These serve as end stops for the steering knuckle 2, which rotates about the longitudinal axis A of the kingpin as a result of a steering movement. The fastening lever 20 is attached to at least one of the steering stops 21 and 22, so that the fastening lever also performs the function of the steering stop at this point.

[0024] It can also be advantageous to attach the locking component 15 directly to a steering stop without using an additional fastening lever. For this purpose, for example, a mounting hole 25 or another fastening component can be provided or attached directly to a steering stop 21; 22.

[0025] Furthermore, the spring carrier 3 can have at least one fastening device 23 for attaching a stabilizer to the spring carrier 3, as shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is shown. Reference sign 1 Independent wheel suspension 2 axle stubs 3 spring carriers 4 vibration dampers 5 support spring 6 Spring-damper module 7 Vehicle body 8 kingpins 9 upper control arm 10 lower wishbone 11 upper end of the kingpin 12 lower end of the kingpin 13 joint 14 joint 15 Safety component 16 first end section of the safety component 17 second end section of the safety component 18 joint 19 joint 20 fastening levers 21 Steering stop 22 Steering stop 23 Fastening device 24 Brake arrangement 25 Fastening opening A Longitudinal axis of the kingpin X Effective distance

Claims

[1] Independent wheel suspension (1) with a steering knuckle (2) which is supported on a spring carrier (3) which is to be connected to a vehicle body (7) via a vibration damper (4) and a support spring (5) or via a spring-damper module (6), wherein the steering knuckle (2) is connected to the spring carrier (3) via a kingpin (8) and is rotatably arranged about a longitudinal axis (A) of the kingpin (8), wherein the independent wheel suspension (1) has at least one upper control arm (9) and at least one lower control arm (10), wherein the control arms (9;10) are mounted at the upper end (11) and at the lower end (12) of the kingpin (8), wherein the steering knuckle (2) and the control arms (9;10) are each mounted by means of a three-way acting joint (13;14) and the spring carrier (3) is non-rotatably connected to the kingpin (8) so that the kingpin (8) connects the spring carrier (3), the steering knuckle (2) and the upper and lower control arms (9;10) connects each other, ; characterized by , that the independent wheel suspension (1) has a further safety component (15) which secures the kingpin (8) against uncontrolled rotation about its longitudinal axis (A). [2] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking component (15) has a first end section (16) and a second end section (17), wherein one end section (16;17) of the locking component (15) is mounted on the spring carrier (3) and the other end section (17;16) is mounted on another component of a vehicle body (7) by means of a joint (18;19) that is effective at least on one axis. [3] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one joint (18;19) on the first end section (16) and / or on the second end section (17) of the locking component (15) is designed as a three-axis effective joint. [4] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring carrier (3) includes a fastening lever (20) for fastening the locking component (15) to the spring carrier (3), which defines an effective distance (X) of the locking component (15) to the longitudinal axis (A) of the kingpin (8). [5] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the fastening lever (20) is positively connected and / or materially connected and / or force-fit connected to the spring carrier (3). [6] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the fastening lever (20) is formed in one piece with the spring carrier (3). [7] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the fastening lever (20) and the spring carrier (3) are cast together as one part from a single casting material. [8] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to one of claims 4-7 characterized by, that the spring carrier (3) has at least one steering stop (21;22), and wherein the fastening lever (20) is designed on the steering stop (22). [9] Independent wheel suspension (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring carrier (3) has at least one fastening device (23) for attaching a stabilizer to the spring carrier (3).

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