Bearing holder of a stabilizer bearing

Abstract

Bearing holding device (1) of a stabilizer bearing in the chassis of a two-track vehicle, wherein a rubber bearing encompassing a stabilizer is held on the vehicle body by a flat retaining base (1.1) supported on the vehicle body and an omega-shaped retaining bracket (1.2) completing it to form a closed bearing structure, wherein the retaining base (1.1) is force-fit connected to the retaining bracket (1.2) in the installed state, characterized in that the retaining base (1.1) is positively connected to the retaining bracket (1.2) and wherein the retaining base (1.1) is provided with a rib structure.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bearing holding device for a stabilizer bearing in the chassis of a two-track vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for mounting a stabilizer according to claim 7.

[0002] Various bearing mounting devices are used in the prior art for mounting stabilizers in the chassis or on the vehicle body. The stabilizer is typically supported on the vehicle body by a rubber element that surrounds it. The bearing itself is held in a bearing mounting device, which is itself firmly connected to the vehicle body. Such a mounting device usually comprises a semi-circular mounting bracket and a lower mounting section that can be supported on the vehicle body. When installed, the mounting bracket and the lower mounting section together form a closed mounting device for the stabilizer bearing.

[0003] A holding device for supporting the stabilizer bearing on the vehicle body is known from DE 10 2012 208 156 A1. During the assembly process, the rubber element is pressed into the U-shaped part of the cup-shaped retaining bracket. For quick and easy assembly, however, it is desirable to position as many individual parts as possible before final assembly so that they are already in their final position and only need to be fixed in place. One difficulty is pre-positioning the two parts of the holding device (retaining bracket and retaining base) in such a way that they cannot shift relative to each other. While pressing the rubber element into the cup-shaped retaining bracket does pre-position it close to its final mounting position, it does not achieve a final, precise pre-positioning of the holding device itself.

[0004] German patent application DE 20 2016 100 149 U1 also describes a retaining device for a stabilizer bearing. This retaining device comprises a single retaining bracket, which already incorporates the first half of a rubber bearing before the bearing is mounted. The second half of the rubber bearing can then be mounted directly to the first half (with the retaining bracket already attached) on the stabilizer. The retaining device does not include a lower retaining component. Instead, the retaining bracket is directly connected to the vehicle body. The retaining bracket includes fastening elements to connect the second half of the rubber bearing to the first half.

[0005] US 5 565 251 A, FR 2 806 035 A1 and EP 0 227 869 A1 represent further state of the art.

[0006] The object of this invention is to demonstrate a bearing holding device for a stabilizer bearing which enables a simple assembly process of the bearing and the holding device itself.

[0007] The problem is solved by a bearing holding device with the features of claim 1 and by a method for mounting such a bearing in the vehicle. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A bearing support device for a stabilizer bearing in the chassis of a two-track vehicle is proposed, comprising a rubber bearing that surrounds a stabilizer. The rubber bearing is supported by a mounting base of the device, which is at least approximately planar and supported by the vehicle body, and by a mounting bracket of the device, which completes the mounting structure and is essentially omega-shaped. Preferably, in the installed state, the mounting bracket is in direct contact with the planar mounting base at at least one, preferably two, planar support lugs.

[0009] The lower mounting part is positively connected to the mounting bracket of the mounting device when installed. For example, one or more screw connections can positively connect the two parts of the mounting device, i.e., the mounting bracket and the lower mounting part. At the same time, this creates a positive and therefore secure connection between the mounting device and the vehicle body.

[0010] According to the invention, the retaining lower part is additionally positively connected to the retaining bracket.

[0011] For example, the retaining base can be connected to the retaining bracket by means of a hook-in or snap-fit ​​connection. Preferably, the retaining bracket comprises one or more hooks that can be hooked into a corresponding receptacle in the retaining base. Such a hook connection allows for both axial (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bearing) and radial fixation or pre-positioning of the two retaining device components. Alternatively, the positive locking between the retaining bracket and the retaining base can also be achieved by means of a wedge connection, a serrated joint, a pin, and / or a bolt. This allows for at least axial pre-positioning or fixation (i.e., with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rubber bearing). For this purpose, the bolts or pins are arranged perpendicular to the flat surface on which the two retaining device components are in direct contact when installed.

[0012] The positive locking mechanism according to the invention between the retaining bracket and the retaining base ensures precise and secure pre-positioning of the two-part retaining device of the stabilizer bearing on the vehicle body, in particular on the axle carrier of the vehicle, during the assembly process.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular the retaining bracket of the holding device and preferably also the lower part of the holding device are made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferred that the retaining bracket of the holding device is formed by a support wall that supports the rubber bearing and has adjoining support tabs. The support wall is preferably formed by a ribbed structure.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower part of the retaining bracket is provided with a ribbed structure. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this ribbed structure is formed on the side of the flat lower part of the retaining bracket that, when installed, is in full contact with the vehicle body. Such a ribbed structure allows for targeted reinforcement of the retaining device while simultaneously saving material and weight.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rubber bearing can be at least partially molded into the aforementioned support wall or into the semi-shell-shaped inner surface of the omega-shaped retaining bracket. For example, the rubber bearing, or a part of the rubber bearing, can be vulcanized to the retaining bracket.

[0017] Depending on the design and geometry of the mounting device, different possibilities may arise in the mounting sequence of the stabilizer on the vehicle body.

[0018] One way to mount a stabilizer to a chassis or vehicle body using the holding device according to the invention is to attach the rubber bearing as such to the (usually tubular) stabilizer in a first step, in particular by pressing or crimping it on.

[0019] To subsequently support the rubber bearing on the vehicle body, particularly on the axle carrier, it is preferably the retaining bracket to be placed over at least part of the rubber bearing in a second step. This specifically refers to the inner, semi-shell-shaped or U-shaped surface of the omega-shaped retaining bracket, which can, for example, be pressed against one half of the rubber bearing. To achieve this pre-positioning of the stabilizer bearing, the lower retaining part is positively connected to the retaining bracket in a further step. This positive connection is preferably implemented such that the (e.g., at least approximately cylindrical) rubber bearing is enclosed or gripped by the bearing retainer at least on its outer surface.The stabilizer bearing with the holding device according to the invention is thus already in its final position and only needs to be firmly connected in a subsequent assembly step. The positive-locking connection or pre-positioning ensures that the two parts of the holding device and the rubber bearing cannot move relative to each other.

[0020] A particularly preferred form-fit connection is achieved by means of pre-positioning geometries (such as a hook-in connection) provided in both the retaining bracket and the retaining base, which engage before the actual force-fit connection of the two parts of the retaining device. To set a specific bearing preload, the depth of the interlocking pre-positioning geometries (e.g., the hook-in connection) can be adjusted accordingly, so that the retaining bracket, during pre-positioning or the form-fit connection of the two parts of the retaining assembly, only comes into direct contact with the retaining base over a surface area (e.g., via the support lugs) after the force-fit connection.

[0021] In the final step of the assembly process, the two parts of the holding device can be positively connected to each other and to the vehicle body. This allows for simpler assembly with fewer errors.

[0022] The invention will now be further explained using an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the attached Fig. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a two-part holding device according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the retaining bracket of a holding device according to the invention, while Fig. Figure 3 shows a separate three-dimensional view of the lower part of a retaining bracket according to the invention. All features described in more detail may be essential to the invention.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary bearing holding device 1 according to the invention for holding a stabilizer bearing, which is in particular designed in the form of a rubber bearing, in the chassis of a two-track vehicle. The holding device 1 is divided into two parts, while the first part is a flat holding base 1.1 (see also Figure 1). Fig. 3) and the second part an omega-shaped retaining bracket 1.2 (see also Fig. 3). The retaining base 1.1, when installed in the vehicle, is supported over a flat surface by the vehicle body (not shown), while the retaining bracket 1.2 encloses a large area of ​​the rubber bearing (also not shown) with its hemispherical inner surface 1.2.1. When installed, the two parts of the retaining device 1 form a (at least approximately) closed structure, which preferably encompasses or encloses the rubber bearing at least along its outer surface. The retaining bracket 1.2 is omega-shaped, and when installed in the vehicle, it is positively connected to the flat retaining base 1.1 by means of flat support tabs 1.2.2, and is in direct contact with it over a flat surface. For this purpose, bores 2 for screwing or connecting are provided in the retaining base 1.1, the retaining bracket 1.2, and the two support tabs 1.1.2.

[0025] In addition to a force-fit connection of the two parts 1.1, 1.2 of the holding device 1, an additional form-fit connection of these two is provided according to the invention.

[0026] In this specific example, the positive locking connection is implemented in the form of a snap-in, hook, or clip connection. As in Fig. 2. To identify them more precisely, hooks 3 or clips 3 are provided on the flat support tabs 1.2.2 of the retaining bracket 1.2, which are arranged as shown in Fig. 3 to identify more precisely, to be able to engage in the designated immersion or clipping options 4 in the holding base 1.1.

[0027] The insertion or clipping options in the retaining base 1.1 can be designed in different shapes and geometries. For example, bores, square openings, elongated holes, and many other variations are conceivable. Such hooks 3 in the retaining bracket 1.2 and the insertion or clipping options 4 in the retaining base 1.1 provided for this purpose can also be referred to as pre-positioning geometries.

[0028] The number of prepositioning geometries is not limited to the number of four from the Fig. The number of prepositioning geometries is limited to 1-3 and can be varied as desired. For example, two asymmetrically arranged prepositioning geometries are also conceivable, where the relative position of the respective bearing components to each other is uniquely defined.

[0029] In order to set a specific bearing preload of the rubber bearings during the assembly process, it is possible to adjust the depth of the interlocking prepositioning geometries accordingly, so that the retaining bracket 1.2 is in direct contact with the retaining base 1.1 only after the force-fit connection of the two parts 1.1, 1.2 of the retaining connection 1. Reference symbol list: 1 Holding device 1.1 Mounting base 1.2 Retaining bracket 1.2.1 Inner surface of the retaining bracket 1.2.2 Mounting tab 2 holes 3 clips 4 clipping options

Claims

[1] Bearing holding device (1) of a stabilizer bearing in the chassis of a two-track vehicle, wherein a rubber bearing encompassing a stabilizer is held on the vehicle body by a flat retaining base (1.1) supported on the vehicle body and an omega-shaped retaining bracket (1.2) completing it to form a closed bearing structure, wherein the retaining base (1.1) is positively connected to the retaining bracket (1.2) in the installed state, characterized by , that the retaining lower part (1.1) is positively connected to the retaining bracket (1.2) and wherein the retaining lower part (1.1) is provided with a rib structure. [2] Bearing holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding lower part (1.1) is connected to the holding bracket (1.2) by means of a hook connection and / or a snap connection. [3] Bearing holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding lower part (1.1) is connected to the holding bracket (1.2) by means of a wedge connection. [4] Bearing holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding lower part (1.1) is connected to the holding bracket (1.2) by means of at least one pin and / or a bolt. [5] Bearing holding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining bracket (1.2) and / or the retaining base (1.1) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. [6] Bearing holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining bracket (1.2) is formed by a support wall (1.2.1) supporting the rubber bearing and support tabs (1.2.2) adjoining it, and wherein the support wall (1.2.1) comprises a stiffening rib structure. [7] Bearing holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rubber bearing is at least partially formed on the support wall (1.2.1) of the retaining bracket (1.2). [8] Method for mounting a stabilizer with a bearing holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the rubber bearing is attached to the stabilizer. [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein the retaining bracket (1.2) is placed over at least a part of the rubber bearing and is positively connected to the retaining lower part (1.1), wherein the rubber bearing is enclosed at least on its outer surface by the bearing retaining device (1). [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the retaining bracket (1.2) and the retaining base (1.1) are positively connected to the vehicle body.

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