Storage device for a vehicle bearing

Abstract

Bearing device (10) for a bearing of a chassis of a vehicle, comprising a rotationally symmetrical inner bearing body (20) with an inner bearing surface (22) for contacting an inner counter-bearing surface (122) of an inner component (120) and with an outer surface (24) which has an elastic intermediate body (30) in the circumferential direction, wherein the intermediate body (30) is surrounded in the circumferential direction by a capsule body (40) which radially inwards encompasses the intermediate body (30) at at least one axial end with an end section (42), characterized in that the outer surface (24) has a circumferential groove (26) designed as a fluted circumferential groove (26) in which the intermediate body (30) is arranged, wherein a capsule gap (50) is formed between the edge of the fluted circumferential groove (26) and the end section (42) of the capsule body (40).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing device for a bearing of a chassis of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is generally known that vehicle chassis have various components, which are primarily referred to as control arms. These different components must be mounted relative to each other. The purpose of this mounting is, in particular, to transmit the corresponding forces during relative movements of the individual components. These movements are especially short relative rotational movements of the individual components relative to each other. To achieve this mounting, known bearing devices employ a combination of essentially two materials. These materials consist of a rigid or essentially rigid bearing bushing and an elastomer that provides the necessary compensation functionality.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known solutions is that the elastic body must be compressed under relatively high preload for installation. This leads to a significant decrease in the radial stiffness of the elastomer component after a certain period of use. In other words, the defined force equilibrium cannot be maintained throughout the entire service life after installation, resulting in high wear of the known bearing devices. Consequently, the individual bearing devices in the known solutions must be replaced relatively frequently, which can lead to high operating and maintenance costs.

[0004] DE 10 2005 043 234 A1 discloses a storage device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] US 6 299 148 B1, DE 10 2004 045 064 A1 and US 2 959 437 A disclose further state of the art.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to achieve improved radial stiffness with long-term stability in a cost-effective and simple manner, and especially while retaining the other advantageous properties of the elastic intermediate body.

[0007] The foregoing problem is solved by a storage device having the features of claim 1. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the storage device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always refers, or can refer, to each other.

[0008] The bearing device according to the invention serves to support chassis components of a vehicle. The bearing device has a rotationally symmetrical inner bearing body with an inner bearing surface for contacting an inner counter-bearing surface of an inner component. Furthermore, this inner bearing body is equipped with an outer surface which has an elastic intermediate body in the circumferential direction. The intermediate body is surrounded in the circumferential direction by a capsule body which radially inwardly encompasses the intermediate body at at least one axial end with an end section. According to the invention, the outer surface has a circumferential groove designed as a fluted circumferential groove in which the intermediate body is arranged, with a capsule gap forming between the edge of the fluted circumferential groove and the end section of the capsule body.

[0009] The bearing device is based on known solutions that provide an inner bearing body with an associated inner bearing surface for supporting an internal component. A bearing device according to the invention also incorporates the known intermediate bodies as elastic intermediate bodies to provide the desired elasticity, particularly in the radial direction. The damping function is also provided by this intermediate body according to the invention. A decisive advantage is achieved by the fact that an outer capsule body now surrounds the intermediate body. This surround is not only present on the outer surface in the circumferential direction, but also extends, at least at one end section, in the form of a flange or encapsulation, encompassing the intermediate body inwards in the radial direction.

[0010] Several advantages are achieved by radially inwardly encircling the end section of the capsule body. Firstly, this allows for lateral stabilization of the intermediate body, resulting in benefits particularly regarding torsional stiffness and long-term stability. Secondly, the lateral encirclement, especially with direct contact of the elastic material of the elastic intermediate body by the respective end section, ensures lateral mechanical stabilization that maintains, or substantially maintains, the radial stiffness even under continuous use.

[0011] Through mechanical encapsulation using the capsule body, the increased radial stiffness with its long-term stability can be achieved even when other advantageous properties of the elastic intermediate body, for example a low Shore hardness of, in particular, less than 50 Shore A and a reduced torsional spring rate, are maintained.

[0012] Thus, a bearing device according to the invention is based on known solutions, but further develops them by using the inwardly radially encompassing end section of the capsule body in such a way that the advantageous properties of the intermediate body, in particular with regard to radial stiffness, can be maintained even over a longer period of use. A relatively soft elastomer for the intermediate body is therefore possible, and at the same time, low wear or, in the best case, even wear-free operation is achieved.

[0013] Finally, it should be noted that the radially inward-directed grip of the capsule body around the intermediate body creates a capsule gap, which will be explained in more detail later. This gap can act as a stop during strong radial relative movements. Such a stop prevents excessive compression of the elastic intermediate body in such a chassis situation, thus completely eliminating material damage caused by high compression. This not only reduces normal wear and tear but also prevents the adverse effects of hard impacts or shocks in the chassis area on the bearing assembly. This results in greater long-term stability and increased mechanical reliability of the bearing assembly as a whole for the vehicle's chassis bearing.

[0014] It can be advantageous if, in a bearing device according to the invention, the capsule body is identical or substantially identical at its axial ends. This means that a corresponding end section is formed at both axial ends, which radially inwardly encompasses the intermediate body. The design of the respective end section can be essentially free or also identical. Because the mechanical stabilizing effect of the circumferential gripping is provided in a radially inward direction at both axial ends of the capsule body, this embodiment results in a further improved mechanical stabilization effect and further improved long-term stability. The advantages of the invention thus become even more pronounced and more pronounced.

[0015] In the bearing device according to the invention, the outer surface has a circumferential groove in which the intermediate body is arranged. A capsule gap forms between the edge of the circumferential groove and the end section of the capsule body. In contrast to known solutions, this capsule gap is smaller than the edge gap in known solutions. As already mentioned in the introduction, the reduction of this lateral gap, in addition to improving long-term stability, ensures a mechanical stop that prevents or essentially eliminates excessive radial compression of the intermediate body under high load conditions. If the intermediate body is compressed by radial forces, the capsule gap is correspondingly reduced due to the reduced radial thickness resulting from the elastic deformation of the intermediate body.This reduction in the radial direction is limited, however, until the capsule gap is zero or the end section of the capsule body abuts the edge next to the circumferential groove. Furthermore, it should be noted that the mechanical stabilizing effect can be further improved by the lateral engagement, particularly in a contacting manner, between the capsule body at its end section on the one hand and the intermediate body at its axial end on the other.

[0016] In the bearing device according to the invention, the circumferential groove is designed as a fluted circumferential groove. A fluted circumferential groove refers in particular to the associated manufacturing process. A fluted circumferential groove has flatter edge sections, especially edge sections with a contact angle of >90°. This obtuse angle of the circumferential groove significantly reduces the notch stress at the groove boundaries and thus further improves the mechanical long-term stability. Preferably, the elastic intermediate body compensates for the correspondingly wider opening in these flattened edge sections, so that the intermediate body, with its shallow slope, also contacts the inner bearing body in this edge section. In addition to the improved mechanical stability, simplified and cost-effective manufacturing is possible thanks to the fluted circumferential groove. In particular, reduced tolerances in the manufacturing process can be expected.

[0017] It can also be advantageous if, in a bearing device according to the invention, the intermediate body has an intermediate plate, in particular if an intermediate plate partially or completely encloses the intermediate body. An intermediate plate is preferably made of a metallic material and is fully embedded in the material of the intermediate body in the circumferential direction as a flat or plate-shaped bushing. This intermediate plate is preferably slotted. This provides an additional stabilizing effect. In particular, it ensures a harmonization of compression in the radial direction under corresponding radial force applied to the intermediate body. Shear behavior and torsional stiffness can also be improved by means of a suitably designed intermediate plate.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in a bearing device according to the invention, the intermediate plate corresponds or substantially corresponds in the radial direction to an edge of a circumferential groove in the outer surface. Such correspondence is to be understood particularly with regard to the radial height. This means that the intermediate plate is arranged at an identical or substantially identical radial height as is the case with the edge of the circumferential groove. This means that the overall height in the radial direction of the bearing device can be significantly reduced. Thus, a larger quantity or a greater radial thickness of the intermediate body can be provided without increasing the radial thickness of the entire bearing device.By maintaining or even improving the previously known bearing functionalities and by utilizing the advantages of the invention with regard to long-term stability in use, it is therefore possible to additionally reduce the geometric dimensions, in particular the overall outer diameter, of the bearing device.

[0019] A further advantage is that, in a bearing device according to the invention, the end section of the capsule body, which radially surrounds the intermediate body, is designed as a flanged end section and / or as an encapsulated end section. These are also particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing methods. Naturally, different manufacturing methods can also be combined according to the invention for different end sections of the capsule body. The flanging or encapsulation, particularly by cold forming, is preferably carried out, as will be explained later, after the intermediate body has been vulcanized or cured.

[0020] It is also advantageous if, in a bearing device according to the invention, the elastic intermediate body comprises a vulcanized elastomer, or in particular consists of one. Such a vulcanized elastomer is, in particular, made of rubber or has a rubber-like material. The possibility of vulcanization brings many advantages to the manufacturing process. For example, a suitably flowable material can be applied in its flowable state to the circumferential groove or to the outer surface of the inner bearing body. Under appropriate environmental conditions, the vulcanization process can cause this flowable material to harden into the desired applied shape. As soon as the elastomer has been vulcanized, i.e., hardened, in the desired manner, the intermediate body is complete, and the further process steps, as explained later, can be continued.Therefore, an improved and a simplified manufacturing process is conceivable.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a bearing device according to the invention, Fig. 2 another embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, Fig. 3 another embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, Fig. 4 another embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, Fig. 5 the first step of a manufacturing process of a bearing device according to the invention, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 further steps of the manufacturing process, and Fig. 8 the end of the manufacturing process.

[0022] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 4 shows four different variants of embodiments of the bearing devices 10 according to the invention. All these bearing devices 10 of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. What all four components have in common is that they essentially comprise three basic components. Firstly, there is the inner bearing body 20, whose inner bearing surface 22 can be brought into contact with an inner counter-bearing surface 122 of an inner component 120. This is the internal bearing option. To provide relative bearing to an outer component (not shown in the figures), the capsule body 40 is provided. A circumferentially surrounding outer bearing component can be provided on its outer surface, or a corresponding outer component can be directly supported there.

[0023] In accordance with the invention, an intermediate body 30 is provided elastically between the capsule body 40 and the inner bearing body 20. This elastic intermediate body 30 is designed with a defined radial stiffness in order to provide advantageous spring properties for this bearing device 10. To maintain these advantageous spring properties in a permanently stable manner, lateral stabilization is provided by the capsule body 40. For this purpose, the capsule body 40 is provided in all four variants of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 is provided with a flange at the respective end section 42, which extends radially inwards around the intermediate body 30. A capsule gap 50 is visible between the corresponding edge of the outer surface 24 of the inner bearing body 20 or the edge of an associated circumferential groove 26 in the outer surface 24 and the respective end section 42 of the capsule body 40. This gap is significantly smaller than would be the case in known solutions if the end sections 42 did not extend radially inwards around the intermediate body 30. In addition to the mechanical stabilizing effect already described, this provides a mechanical stop against excessive compression on the intermediate body 30.

[0024] The Fig. 2 differs from the Fig. 1. This is achieved by allowing the intermediate body 30 to be offset radially further inwards by means of a circumferential groove 26. In addition to reducing the overall dimensions, this also provides improved axial stabilization for the intermediate body 30 through the edge regions of the circumferential groove 26.

[0025] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 For further stabilization, an intermediate plate 32 is embedded in the intermediate body 30. The intermediate plate 32 is preferably made of a metallic material and is in particular designed in a slotted manner.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 4 is further developed such that the radial circumferential groove 26 no longer has a right angle at the respective edge section, but rather the respective edge sections are equipped with obtuse angles > 90°. This results in the intermediate body 30 extending further outwards in this radial area in this axial section and also filling this edge section of the circumferential groove 26. In addition to improved and simplified manufacturability, this also improves the overall mechanical stability and the long-term usability of the bearing device 10.

[0027] Based on the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Section 7 explains another manufacturing process. Fig. Figure 5 schematically depicts the inner bearing body 20. In the manufacturing process, this is advantageously provided freely and therefore not yet mounted on the inner component 120. Subsequently, the capsule body 40 is positioned and held in place by a calibration tool. Then, material is introduced in a flowable manner between the outer surface 24, here into the circumferential groove 26, and the capsule body 40. Through curing, in particular through vulcanization of the elastomer, the intermediate body 30 is formed according to the diagram. Fig. 6. Finally, the two end sections 42 of the capsule body 40 are crimped to create a radial inward projection of the intermediate body 30 according to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 to grasp.

[0028] The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Naturally, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Bearing device (10) for a bearing of a chassis of a vehicle, comprising a rotationally symmetrical inner bearing body (20) with an inner bearing surface (22) for contacting an inner counter-bearing surface (122) of an inner component (120) and with an outer surface (24) which has an elastic intermediate body (30) in the circumferential direction, wherein the intermediate body (30) is surrounded in the circumferential direction by a capsule body (40) which radially surrounds the intermediate body (30) at at least one axial end with an end section (42), characterized by , that the outer surface (24) has a circumferential groove (26) formed as a tumbling circumferential groove (26) in which the intermediate body (30) is arranged, wherein a capsule gap (50) is formed between the edge of the tumbling circumferential groove (26) and the end section (42) of the capsule body (40). [2] Storage device (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the capsule body (40) is identical or substantially identical at its axial ends. [3] Storage device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the intermediate body (30) has an intermediate sheet (32), in particular partially or completely enclosing the intermediate sheet (32). [4] Storage device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the intermediate plate (32) corresponds or substantially corresponds in a radial direction to an edge of the circumferential groove (26) in the outer surface (24). [5] Storage device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end section (42) of the capsule body (40), which radially surrounds the intermediate body (30), is designed as a crimped end section (42) and / or as an encapsulated end section (42). [6] Storage device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the elastic intermediate body (30) has a vulcanized elastomer, in particular consists of this.

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