Automotive chassis component

Abstract

A motor vehicle chassis component (1) comprising a fiber-reinforced connecting rod (2) with at least two pivot points arranged on a metal-core-free coupling area of ​​the connecting rod (2) for the respective load input and load output, wherein the at least two pivot points each have a metal insert (3, 4, 5, 6) fully enclosed by plastic overmolding, and at least one of the metal inserts (3, 4, 5, 6) is designed as a metal sleeve in which a rubber bearing comprising a metal core (7a) and an elastomer body (7b) vulcanized to the metal core (7a) is inserted. is used characterized by the fact that the The connecting rod (2) is designed as a plastic injection molded connecting rod and at least one of the pivot areas has a bearing eye provided by the metal sleeve with an inserted rubber bearing preloaded in the radial direction and designed as an elastomer-metal bushing bearing (7). comprising, wherein the elastomer-metal bushing bearing has an outer, axially slotted sleeve which rests forcefully against the inner surface of the metal insert designed as a metal sleeve.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle chassis component using a plastic material for coupling components within a chassis or for coupling to the body of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Increasingly, plastic components, especially composite plastic components, are replacing conventional metal components in chassis construction due to their favorable material properties such as high corrosion resistance and low weight. Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) are frequently used to increase strength, particularly glass fiber-reinforced, carbon fiber-reinforced, or aramid fiber-reinforced plastics. Especially in applications where a constant load acts on the respective vehicle chassis component in addition to dynamic loads, for example, in the design of a vehicle chassis component with a preloaded bearing, the problem of time-dependent plastic deformation arises, which is generally referred to as creep or retardation of the respective material. During operation, this creep can lead to a linkage of the vehicle chassis component loosening over time, resulting in component failure.

[0003] One solution to the described problem could be to equip a chassis component made of plastic with a metal core, through which the load is transferred and distributed, thus essentially preventing operational creep of the plastic even under a static load over extended periods. However, such a measure does not fully exploit the advantages of using plastic components, particularly with regard to weight. Furthermore, the metal core of such a vehicle chassis component must be designed or adapted to the desired geometric shape of the component.

[0004] DE 10 2014 214 827 A1 describes a generic steering linkage for a motor vehicle and a method for its manufacture, wherein the steering linkage is formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic composite structure. To create the fiber-reinforced plastic composite structure, a preform structure with load-adapted fiber orientation is produced, and this preform structure is consolidated in a molding tool. Furthermore, an arrangement of a rubber bearing pressed into a bushing is disclosed, wherein the bushing is attached to the fiber-reinforced plastic composite structure by means of overmolding or bonding. However, the design of the generic motor vehicle chassis component is comparatively complex and therefore costly.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle chassis component using a conventional plastic material that does not exhibit, or only to a reduced extent exhibits, the problems described for conventional plastic chassis components, is cost-effective to manufacture and can be used as a highly dynamically resilient chassis component.

[0006] The present invention solves this problem with a motor vehicle chassis component having the features of claim 1. The motor vehicle chassis component according to the invention has a fiber-reinforced connecting rod with at least two pivot points arranged on a metal-core-free coupling area of ​​the connecting rod for the respective load input and load output, wherein the at least two pivot points each comprise a metal insert fully enclosed by plastic overmolding, and at least one of the metal inserts is designed as a metal sleeve into which a rubber bearing comprising a metal core and an elastomer body vulcanized to the metal core is inserted.The vehicle chassis component according to the invention is characterized in that the connecting rod is designed as a plastic injection molded connecting rod and at least one of the pivot areas has a bearing eye provided by the metal sleeve with an inserted rubber bearing preloaded in the radial direction and designed as an elastomer-metal bushing bearing, wherein the elastomer-metal bushing bearing has an outer, axially slotted sleeve that rests forcefully against the inner surface of the metal insert designed as a metal sleeve.

[0007] The design of the vehicle chassis component according to the invention allows for the use of fiber-reinforced plastic within the connecting rod or a coupling area between two pivot sections, where load input and output occur. This eliminates the need for reinforcing inserts such as a metal core in this coupling area. To provide the necessary mechanical strength, which does not diminish over time despite the use of a bearing with radial preload, a metal insert is provided in the respective pivot area. This insert is encased in plastic and thus ensures the load input and output into the injection-molded plastic connecting rod or coupling area.For at least one of the at least two pivot areas, the metal insert is designed as a fully enclosed metal sleeve to provide a bearing eye into which a radially preloaded bushing bearing is inserted, so that the metal sleeve with its inner surface provides a counter bearing for the radially preloaded bearing without any static force acting on the surrounding plastic that would cause the plastic to creep.

[0008] Further features of the invention are specified in the general description, the description of the figures, the drawings and the dependent claims.

[0009] Advantageously, the elastomer-metal bushing bearing has an outer, axially slotted sleeve, for example, a slotted metal sleeve, which surrounds an inner solid core, for example, a metal core, and an elastomer body arranged between the core and the sleeve. The elastomer body can also have an axial recess extending radially inwards, which, like the slot of the outer sleeve, closes when a radial force is applied to the bearing, allowing the radially preloaded bearing to be inserted into the bearing eye. The elastomer body itself can have inserts to achieve a predetermined hardness.

[0010] Because the respective metal insert in the respective pivot area of ​​the vehicle chassis component is completely enclosed in plastic, a symmetrical load transfer from the respective metal insert to the connecting rod section or the connecting rod itself, which consists entirely of plastic, can be provided.

[0011] To symmetrically transfer the load absorbed by a pivot point within the chassis to the injection-molded plastic connecting rod section, at least one of the metal inserts can be designed as a body of revolution with a corresponding outer surface. The outer surface of such a body of revolution can be formed by rotating a generating curve around an axis of rotation.

[0012] Advantageously, the outer surface of an insert is provided that it is completely overmolded with plastic over its entire circumference, i.e., over a full circle. Preferably, the outer surface of the metal insert can be completely overmolded with plastic so that the insert—particularly except for its two end faces—is completely embedded in the receiving area of ​​the injection-molded plastic connecting rod or connecting rod section. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the insert can be overmolded with plastic over its entire axial extent.

[0013] To ensure reliable force transmission from the respective metal insert into the injection-molded plastic connecting rod, a positive fit and / or a material bond between the metal insert and the surrounding plastic can be provided. For example, the plastic overmolding of a metal insert, particularly the plastic overmolding of the metal sleeve, can have an overhang of the insert's end faces, thus providing an axial positive fit between the insert and the injection-molded plastic connecting rod. Furthermore, the metal insert can have a microstructure on its outer surface, for example, in the form of ribbing, with a surface texture or roughness in the range of, for example, a few hundred micrometers to approximately 3 mm, to provide a positive fit with the plastic overmolding in contact with its outer surface.Such surface structuring can be particularly useful for a cylindrical metal insert, especially in conjunction with a previously described overhang of the end faces of the insert by means of plastic overmolding.

[0014] Advantageously, the design of the vehicle chassis component according to the invention can be such that the metal inserts each provide plastic-free contact surfaces via which the load introduction into the vehicle chassis component or the load release from the vehicle chassis component takes place completely, so that the introduction of forces always takes place via the metal inserts into the injection-molded plastic connecting rod and no direct linkage to the plastic takes place.

[0015] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that at least one of the metal inserts is glued into the pivot area of ​​the injection-molded plastic connecting rod, in particular in the area of ​​its outer surface, expediently circumferentially over its entire circumference, i.e. over a full circle.

[0016] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that a metal insert has a macroscopic design, i.e. a shape design, such as a concave or convex shape with respect to its outer surface which faces the plastic of the connecting rod, in order to provide a positive fit between the insert and the plastic surrounding it.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, for example, it may be provided that at least one of the metal inserts has the shape of two coaxially aligned truncated cones connected in the area of ​​their end faces by a coaxial, cylindrical connecting section with a central through-hole. The metal insert can be completely overmolded with plastic on its outer surface, so that axial, radial, and cardanic forces can be transmitted from the metal insert into the injection-molded plastic connecting rod or the connecting rod area by means of the described positive locking between the metal insert and the plastic.In particular, to transmit tangential forces between the metal insert and the injection-molded plastic connecting rod by means of a positive locking design, it can be provided that the cylindrical connecting section between the two truncated cones of the metal insert has an outer surface with a surface structure, for example an axially extending corrugation or other microstructure, e.g. in the range of, for example, a few hundred micrometers to approximately 3 mm.

[0018] The invention will below be explained by describing some embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 a vehicle chassis component designed according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1. Shown is an exploded view of a vehicle chassis component without an inserted bushing bearing. Fig. 3 the vehicle chassis component according to the invention Fig. 1 without inserted bushing bearing with a path cut in the area of ​​a recording to show further detail designs, Fig. 4 the vehicle chassis component according to Fig. 1 without inserted bushing bearing with a different cutout in the area of ​​a further recording to show further details, Fig. 5 a second embodiment of a vehicle chassis component according to the invention without an inserted bushing bearing, with a cutout in the area of ​​a receptacle for displaying details and Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of a vehicle chassis component designed according to the invention without an inserted bushing bearing, with a cutout in the area of ​​a receptacle for displaying details.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle chassis component designed according to the invention, which comprises a coreless, fiber-reinforced injection-molded plastic connecting rod 2, each end of which provides an approximately cylindrical receptacle 21, 22. The receptacles 21, 22 provide pivot points for the component, wherein, in the described embodiment, two inserts 3, 4 are arranged in the receptacles. The vehicle chassis component according to Fig. 1 is a plastic injection-molded part in which the inserts 4, 3 are simultaneously overmolded on their respective outer surfaces during the production of the plastic injection-molded connecting rod. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1, the two receptacles 21, 22 are rotated about 90° about the coupling axis relative to each other, wherein the insert 4 is designed as a metal sleeve with a cylindrical inner and cylindrical outer surface, and wherein its cylindrical outer surface is completely covered by the overmolding both in the circumferential direction and in its axial extent of the insert.

[0020] In the embodiment of the Fig. In the insert 4, a radially preloaded elastomer-metal bushing bearing 7 is inserted. This bearing comprises a metal core 7a, an elastomer body 7b vulcanized to the metal core 7a, and an outer, axially slotted sleeve, for example, a slotted metal sleeve 7c. This slotted metal sleeve 7c surrounds the inner metal core 7a and the elastomer body 7b located between the core and the sleeve. The elastomer body also has an axial recess that extends radially inwards and, like the slot of the outer sleeve, closes when a radial force is applied to the bearing. The radially preloaded bearing is then inserted into the bearing eye. Therefore, in the assembled state of the automotive chassis component 1, the outer surface of the metal sleeve 7c is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the sleeve-like insert 4, so that the radial preload forces of the bearing 7 are completely absorbed by the insert 4.

[0021] In contrast, in the described embodiment, the insert 3 has an approximately cylindrical shape with a central bore, with the outer surface of the insert 3 being completely covered by the overmolding.

[0022] The injection-molded plastic connecting rod 2 itself has a ribbed structure comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs 23a and transverse ribs 23b for reinforcement. As described, the component, outside of the receptacles 21, 22, consists entirely of injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic, in this case a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0023] The attachment of the vehicle chassis component 1 to other vehicle chassis components or the vehicle body is carried out via the metal core 7a and the insert 3.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows the vehicle chassis component 1 according to Fig. 1 without bushing bearings in the form of an exploded view, in which the inserts 3, 4 are shown at a distance from the connecting rod 2 and aligned with their respective receptacles 21, 22 to illustrate further details. The insert 4 is recognizable by its molded-on overhangs 25a, 25b, which are held in the receptacle 22 in a form-fitting manner in the axial direction, so that the vehicle chassis component is also designed to absorb forces acting axially, here approximately perpendicular to the axis of the connecting rod 2.

[0025] The metal sleeve 4 is designed to receive an elastomer-metal bushing bearing preloaded in the radial direction, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of the receiving element. In one embodiment, this bushing bearing can comprise an outer, slotted metal bushing sleeve. After applying a preload to the bearing, it can then be inserted into the insert 4 and rests with its outer sleeve against the inner surface 42 of the insert 4.

[0026] In an embodiment not shown, the insert 4, designed as a closed sleeve, can also have a structure on its outer surface 41, for example a ribbing or grooves extending with a longitudinal component, so that by overmolding the insert during the manufacturing process of the connecting rod 2 a positive fit is also formed in the circumferential direction between the insert 4 and the wall of the connecting rod 2 which defines the receptacle 22.

[0027] In the described embodiment, the insert 3, which is overmolded with plastic in the receptacle 21 of the connecting rod 2, is designed for rigid connection to another vehicle chassis component or to the vehicle body. The insert 3 is approximately cylindrical with a concave outer surface 33, so that its overmolding during the manufacturing process of the connecting rod 2 provides a particularly robust positive connection in the axial direction between the injection-molded plastic connecting rod and the insert 3. In the described embodiment, the insert 3 has approximately the shape of two coaxially aligned truncated cones connected in the area of ​​their end faces by a coaxial, cylindrical connecting section, wherein the connecting section orThe axial central section 32 of the insert 3 has approximately axially extending ribs or grooves on its outer surface to prevent a relative rotation of the insert 3 to the connecting rod 2, so that this described pivot area of ​​the vehicle chassis component can also absorb torsional or tangential loads to the receiver 21.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows the automotive chassis component 1 without the inserted bushing bearing, with a cutout in the area of ​​the receptacle 21, so that the embedding of the insert 3 in the receptacle 21 is visible in detail. Due to the overmolding, the receptacle 21 has a complementary inner surface of the wall 26 in the area of ​​the outer surface 33 of the insert. Furthermore, the overmolding includes circumferential overhangs or flanges 24a, b on both end faces of the insert 3.

[0029] Similarly, it shows Fig. 4 by a cutting away in the area of ​​the receptacle 22 the arrangement of the insert 4 designed as a metal sleeve in the receptacle 22. The inner surface of the wall 22 is injection-molded according to the cylindrical outer surface 41, wherein the insert 4 is overlapped at its two end faces by overhangs or flanges 25a, b.

[0030] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows further embodiments of a vehicle chassis component according to the invention, each without an inserted bushing bearing, in which, compared to the chassis component of the preceding figures, other inserts 5, 6 are arranged in the receptacle 21 instead of the insert 3, the outer surface of which is cylindrical. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 The outer surface of the insert 6 is cylindrical and unstructured, and for the transmission of operating forces between the insert 6 and the connecting rod 2, both are bonded together, i.e., there is a material bond between the outer surface 63 of the insert 6 and the adjacent, closed inner surface of the wall 26 of the connecting rod 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 The cylindrical outer surface 53 of the insert 5 has a microstructuring in the range of 1 mm to approximately 3 mm, such that the overmolding during the manufacturing process of the connecting rod 2 for the design of the chassis component 1 creates a positive fit between the insert 5 and the wall 26 of the connecting rod 2 in both axial and tangential directions to the receiving 21. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle chassis component 1' Automotive chassis component without radially preloaded bushing bearing 2 stabilizer links 3, 4, 5, 6 inserts 7 Elastomer-metal bushing bearings 7a Bearing core 7b Elastomeric body 7c slotted outer sleeve 21, 22 recording 23 Rib structuring 23a Longitudinal rib 23b Transverse rib 24a,b Overhang, flange 26a,b Overhang, flange 26,27 wall 31 center hole 32 Axial midsection 33 Concave surface 41 Outer shell area 42 Inner surface area 43 Front surface 51 center hole 53 Outer shell area 61 center hole 63 Outer shell area

Claims

[1] Automotive chassis component (1) comprising a fiber-reinforced connecting rod (2) with at least two pivot points arranged on a metal-core-free coupling area of ​​the connecting rod (2) for the respective load input and load output, wherein the at least two pivot points each have a metal insert (3, 4, 5, 6) fully enclosed by plastic overmolding, and at least one of the metal inserts (3, 4, 5, 6) is designed as a metal sleeve in which a rubber bearing comprising a metal core (7a) and an elastomer body (7b) vulcanized to the metal core (7a) is used characterized by that the The connecting rod (2) is designed as a plastic injection molded connecting rod and at least one of the pivot areas has a bearing eye provided by the metal sleeve with an inserted rubber bearing preloaded in the radial direction and designed as an elastomer-metal bushing bearing (7). comprising, wherein the elastomer-metal bushing bearing has an outer, axially slotted sleeve which rests forcefully against the inner surface of the metal insert designed as a metal sleeve. [2] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one of the two metal inserts (3, 4, 5, 6) is designed as a body of revolution with a respective outer shell surface (41, 53, 63) which is fully overmolded with plastic. [3] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the respective metal insert (3, 4, 5, 6) is connected to the surrounding plastic by positive locking and / or material locking. [4] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the plastic overmolding of the metal sleeve has an overhang of the end faces of the metal sleeve. [5] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized by, that the metal inserts (3, 4, 5, 6) each provide plastic-free contact surfaces via which the load introduction into the vehicle chassis component (1) and the load release from the vehicle chassis component (1) is completely carried out. [6] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that the outer surface (32, 53) of a metal insert (3, 5) is cylindrical and has a microstructure. [7] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that one of the metal inserts (3) has an outer surface that is concave or convex in cross-section. [8] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that one of the metal inserts (3) has the shape of two coaxially aligned truncated cones connected in the area of ​​their top surfaces via a coaxial, cylindrical connecting section with a central through-bore (31). [9] Motor vehicle chassis component (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the cylindrical connecting section includes an outer shell surface which has a surface structuring.

Images