Spring linkage in sheet metal construction

Abstract

Spring link (1) in sheet metal construction for a motor vehicle wheel suspension, comprising: a spring link shell (2) with a first end section (3) for connection to the vehicle body and a second end section (4) for connection to the wheel, and a central section (5) with an upwardly open profile cross-section in the installed position, which is arranged between the aforementioned end sections (3, 4), wherein the spring link shell (2) has a U-shaped profile cross-section with two opposing side legs (6, 7) and a web (8) connecting them, and a closing element (11) which is attached to the central section (5) of the spring link shell (2) and bridges the upwardly open profile cross-section thereof, wherein the closing element (11) has a closing element base (18) for supporting a wheel spring and a spring dome (19) raised above the closing element base (18), and characterized by at least one bulkhead plate (20),which is arranged between a rear side (14) of the locking part (11) facing the spring link shell (2) and away from the wheel spring, wherein the at least one bulkhead plate (20) is installed vertically inside the spring link shell (2), and wherein at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is connected to the spring link shell (2) and is supported on the web (8) or on one of the side legs (6, 7).

Description

The invention relates to a spring link in sheet metal construction for a motor vehicle wheel suspension with the features of the preamble of claim 1. A spring link of this type, constructed of sheet metal, for a motor vehicle wheel suspension is known from DE 10 2016 100 666 A1. In this spring link, a component referred to as a reinforcing plate is arranged in and / or on the opening of the spring link shell, at least in a longitudinal section, for the purpose of optimizing stiffness requirements. This reinforcing plate is installed horizontally and spaced apart from the closing plate in the longitudinal direction of the spring link shell. Another leaf spring link in sheet metal construction for a motor vehicle wheel suspension is known from EP 1 566 293 A1. In this design, a leaf spring link shell is closed at its upper side by a top shell to form a two-part body. The top shell overlaps the leaf spring link shell on the outside. In the area of ​​the spring support, a spring plate with a spring dome extends over the top shell. From EP 2 818 342 A1 a spring link sheet metal construction for a motor vehicle wheel suspension is known, in which a spring link shell is stiffened in the area of ​​its first end section by a bulkhead sheet which connects the opposite side legs of the profile of the spring link shell together. The invention is based on the objective of creating a spring link that can support high loads and that can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively with a small installation space requirement and low component weight. In particular, the invention aims to demonstrate alternatives to the solution known from DE 10 2016 100 666 A1. This problem is solved by a spring link according to claim 1. This creates a compact spring link that combines high stiffness with low component weight and ease of manufacture. Such a spring link is particularly suitable for the rear axle of an electric vehicle. Specific embodiments of the invention are the subject of further patent claims. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one bulkhead plate connects to the rear of the locking part and has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear of the locking part. For example, such a bulkhead plate can be additionally connected to the spring link shell to provide additional support for the locking part against the spring link shell, thereby achieving high rigidity in the area of ​​the spring support and counteracting the spring link shell from "breathing" under load. When a bulkhead plate is supported on one of the side legs, the side leg can have an elongated hole. In this case, the bulkhead plate can be welded to the side leg of the spring link bracket particularly easily in the area of ​​the elongated hole. The bulkhead plate can either be integrally formed with the locking element or manufactured as a separate component. The latter allows for greater flexibility in the arrangement. Preferably, the bulkhead plate is welded to the locking element. Furthermore, to improve support and / or weldability, at least one of said bulkhead plates may have cutouts and / or angled edges in the area of ​​its connection to the spring link shell and / or in the area of ​​its connection to the locking part. According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one of said bulkhead plates can have a T-shaped profile cross-section in the area of ​​connection to the spring link shell and / or in the area of ​​connection to the locking element. This provides improved support against the component in question. Furthermore, it allows for particularly simple fastening by spot welding or slot welding. Corresponding openings are provided in the spring link shell or the locking element. In another embodiment, it is provided that at least one of the aforementioned bulkhead plates extends into the rear of the spring dome, thereby further stiffening the latter, so that, particularly in the case of separate manufacturing of the spring dome, the spring dome and / or the shell can be made with a thinner wall thickness or higher degrees of deformation can be permitted on the spring dome and / or on the shell. Preferably, at least one of said bulkhead plates runs longitudinally to the spring link shell and perpendicular to the rear of the locking part in order to achieve good support of the spring forces. In one embodiment, at least one of these bulkhead plates lies in a plane defined by the longitudinal center axis of the spring link shell and a perpendicular to the rear of the locking element. In such a case, a single bulkhead plate may suffice to achieve adequate stiffening. This keeps the number of components and joining operations required to a very low level. Furthermore, it is possible to form at least one of these bulkhead plates by means of wall projections of the locking element, which extend from the locking element into the spring link housing. The handling of an additional component is thus completely eliminated. A wall-mounted display can, for example, be welded to a side leg of the spring link housing. However, it is also possible to weld such a wall-mounted display to a web of the spring link housing that connects the side legs of the spring link housing. In principle, the bulkhead plate can be designed as an essentially flat sheet metal element. However, it is also possible to provide such a plate with a profile. According to one embodiment, at least one of these baffle plates has a U-shaped profile cross-section that extends longitudinally along the spring arm housing and is attached to the rear of the locking element with the free ends of its legs. Ideally, the stiffening effect is so great that support of the baffle plate against the spring housing is unnecessary. However, in principle, such a baffle plate can also be additionally supported against the spring housing. According to a further embodiment, at least one of the aforementioned bulkhead plates is designed as a tube section whose central axis is arranged perpendicular to the rear of the locking element. This allows high spring forces to be supported. Preferably, the upper edge of the tube section abuts the rear of the locking element below the bearing surface of the wheel spring. For further stiffening, the base of the locking element can form cantilevered arms that extend along the upper edges of the side legs of the spring link shell and overlap them. Furthermore, the base of the locking part may have material folds at its edges in the direction of the spring link shell, which extend into the profile cross-section of the spring link shell. Furthermore, the base of the locking element can have a groove in the center along the longitudinal direction of the spring link housing. Preferably, a bulkhead plate is supported with its upper edge along this section. Furthermore, the aforementioned problem is solved by a spring link, which is characterized by the fact that the bulkhead plate connects to a web of the spring link shell, which connects opposite side legs of the spring link shell to form a U-shaped profile cross-section. The bulkhead plate extends longitudinally along the spring link shell, faces the rear of the locking element facing away from the wheel spring, its upper edge remains spaced from the locking element, and it has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear of the locking element. This also achieves a corresponding increase in stiffness. Such a design variant can additionally be combined with the previously described design variants. Furthermore, in all the aforementioned design variants, and regardless of the use of a bulkhead plate, it is possible to manufacture the locking element in two parts, such that the locking element base has a bearing surface for the wheel spring, and the spring dome is inserted into the locking element base from the rear side opposite the bearing surface and attached to it, preferably welded. However, the spring dome can also be placed on the bearing surface of the wheel spring and welded there. This makes it possible to manufacture the locking element base from a high-strength sheet metal material with which the forming degrees required for a spring dome would be impossible or only achievable with considerable effort. The spring dome itself primarily serves to guide the wheel spring laterally and can therefore be manufactured from a material that is more suitable for forming. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a suspension link according to the invention, Fig. 2 a frontal view of the suspension link from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension link from Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 4 a three-dimensional representation of a second exemplary embodiment of a suspension link according to the invention, Fig. 5 a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension link from Fig. 4 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 6 a three-dimensional representation of a third exemplary embodiment of a suspension link according to the invention, Fig. 7 a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension link from Fig. 6 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 8 a three-dimensional representation of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a suspension link according to the invention, Fig. 9 a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension link from Fig. 1.8 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 10 a spatial representation of a fifth embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 11 a view from below of the spring link according to Fig. 10, Fig. 12 a spatial representation of a sixth embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 13 a cross-sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 12, Fig. 14 a side view of the spring link from Fig. 12 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 15 a spatial representation of a spring link not covered by the invention according to a seventh embodiment, Fig. 16 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link not covered by the invention from Fig. 15 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 17 a spatial representation of an eighth embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 18 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 17 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig.Fig. 19 a spatial representation of a spring link not included in the invention according to a ninth embodiment, Fig. 20 a longitudinal view of the spring link not included in Fig. 19 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 21 a spatial representation of an eleventh embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 22 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 21 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 23 a spatial representation of an eleventh embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 24 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 23 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig. 25 a spatial representation of a twelfth embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, Fig. 26 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 23 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support, Fig.27 a spatial representation of a thirteenth embodiment for a spring link according to the invention, and in Fig. 28 a longitudinal sectional view of the spring link from Fig. 27 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support. The embodiments shown in the figures each relate to a spring link 1 for a motor vehicle wheel suspension. Such a spring link 1 serves to support a wheel carrier against a vehicle body or a subframe attached to it. Furthermore, the support of a wheel spring or a strut is characteristic of a spring link 1. The spring links 1 of the exemplary embodiments are each constructed of sheet metal and accordingly each has a spring link shell 2 made from a sheet metal blank, with a first end section 3 for connection to the vehicle body and a second end section 4 for connection to the wheel. Furthermore, the spring link shell 2 has a central section 5, which is arranged between the aforementioned end sections 3 and 4 and connects them to each other. The spring link shell 2 with sections 3, 4 and 5 is designed as a sheet metal part with an upwardly open profile cross-section. The profile cross-section of the spring link shell 2 in the area of ​​the central section 5 is shown in more detail, for example, in Figs. 2 and 13. As can be seen, for example, in Figures 2 and 13, the profile cross-section of the spring link shell 2 is essentially U-shaped and opens upwards, i.e., in this case towards the wheel spring side. In the illustrated embodiments, two side legs 6 and 7 of the profile are connected to each other by a web 8. The side legs 6 and 7 can be arranged essentially parallel to each other, but can also have a small angle of attack, which facilitates the demolding of the spring link shell 2 from the mold. The free ends of the side legs 6 and 7 of the U-shaped profile cross-section can each be bent outwards to form, particularly in the central region 5, widened bearing surfaces 9 and 10 for a closing element 11, which will be explained in more detail below and bridges the open side of the profile cross-section. In the profile cross-section according to Figs. 2 and 20, the bearing surfaces 9 and 10 run at approximately a right angle to the side legs 6 and 7. The outer edges 12 and 13 of the bearing surfaces 9 and 10 can optionally be bent towards the web 8. Furthermore, the profile cross-section of the spring link shell 2 can be symmetrical, at least in the area of ​​the central section 5, with respect to a profile center plane E, which is defined by the longitudinal direction of the spring link shell in this area and a perpendicular to the closing element 11. The profile center plane E extends at equal intervals between the side legs 6 and 7 in the longitudinal direction A of the spring link shell 2, which is also referred to here as the profile center axis. In particular, the direction of action W of the wheel spring can coincide with the profile center plane E. Preferably, the direction of action W of the wheel spring is perpendicular to the locking element 11. This locking element 11 is attached to the central section 5 of the spring link shell 2. It bridges the open profile cross-section of the spring link shell 2. The locking element 11 rests with its rear side 14, facing away from the wheel spring, on the bearing surfaces 9 and 10 of the central section 5. It is connected to the spring link shell 2 there, preferably by welding or crimping. A support surface 15 for supporting a wheel spring is provided on the upper side of the locking part 11 facing the wheel spring. Welding of the locking element 11 to the spring link shell 2 is preferably carried out from the rear side 14 of the locking element 11 and the spring link shell 2, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 11 from the weld seams 16 and 17. In this case, the weld seams 16 and 17 can be located below the support surface 15 for the wheel spring. The locking element 11, attached to the central section of the spring control arm housing 2, has a locking element base 18 and a spring dome 19. While a wheel spring is axially supported against the locking element base 18, the spring dome 19 extends into the wheel spring. The locking base 18 and the spring dome 19 can, in principle, be manufactured from a single sheet of metal. However, it is also possible to manufacture both components separately first and then join them together, for example by welding. The spring dome 19 can be placed on the support surface 15 for the wheel spring and fastened there. However, it is also possible to insert the spring dome 19 into the locking plate base 18 from the rear side opposite the support surface 15 and fasten it there. This allows a sheet metal plate made of high-strength material to be used for the locking plate base 18 in order to achieve high rigidity in the central area of ​​the spring link, while high degrees of deformation can still be achieved at the spring dome 19. Furthermore, all embodiments feature at least one bulkhead 20 extending into a space between the rear face 14 of the locking element 11 and the spring link shell 2. For clarification, it should be noted that, according to the present invention, this space is axially limited to the extent of the locking element 11, i.e., to the area that lies vertically below the locking element 11 when viewed from above. The extent of the bulkhead 20 can remain confined to this space. However, the bulkhead 20 can also extend beyond this space. With respect to the wheel spring, the at least one bulkhead 20 is arranged below the locking element 11. The bulkhead 20 can be designed either as a separate component or as a section molded onto the closing part 11. An additional stiffening of the spring link 1 in the area of ​​the wheel spring support can be achieved via such a bulkhead plate 20. Such stiffening can be achieved, for example, by stiffening the locking part 11 on the back, in particular the locking part 11 alone. Furthermore, an increase in stiffness can be achieved by stiffening the spring link shell 2 on the inside, in particular the spring link shell 2 alone. Furthermore, an additional increase in stiffness can be achieved by providing additional support for the locking element 11 against the spring link shell 2 by connecting the two with the bulkhead plate 20. This provides additional vertical support for the locking element 11 in the area between the side legs 6 and 7, in addition to the support on the side legs 6 and 7. Particularly advantageous variants for such additional stiffening of the spring link 1 are presented below, which can be used alone or in combination with a spring link 1 of the design described above. As can be seen from the first embodiment according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, the bulkhead plate 20 connects to the rear side 14 of the locking part 11, which faces the spring link shell 2 and away from the wheel spring. It is installed vertically in this case and is supported with a lower edge 21 on the spring link shell 2, in particular its web 8. In particular, the bulkhead plate 20 can be designed as a completely or at least predominantly flat plate, which is arranged on the longitudinal axis A of the spring link shell 2 and is spaced apart, preferably equally spaced, from its side legs 6 and 7. The bulkhead plate 20 can be welded to the spring link shell 2 at its lower edge 21 and to the rear side 14 of the locking part 11 at its upper edge 22. In particular, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the bulkhead plate 20 can extend under the spring dome 19. The second embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the bulkhead plate 20, arranged centrally between the side arms 6 and 7, is only attached on one side to the rear 14 of the locking element 11. The lower edge 21 of the bulkhead plate 20 is spaced away from the spring link shell 2 and not connected to it. The third embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 illustrates a further modification of the first embodiment, in which the lower and upper edges 21 and 22 of the bulkhead plate 20 are modified compared to the first embodiment to improve support and weldability. In this embodiment, a notch 23 or 24 is provided in a central section of each lower and upper edge 21 and 22, respectively, so that the bulkhead plate 20 contacts the rear side 14 of the locking element 11 and the web 8 of the spring link shell 2 only with end sections 25 and 26 of the respective edges 21 and 22, while remaining spaced apart from the respective component. Preferably, said end sections 25 and 26 of the edges 21 and 22 are located below the support surface 15 for the wheel spring, so that vertical force support of wheel spring forces W towards the spring link shell 32 is possible without force redirection. Furthermore, as exemplified in Fig. 6 for the lower edge 22 of the bulkhead plate 20, the edges 21 and 22 can be angled to create a larger contact surface with the spring link shell 2 or the locking element 11 for welding. Such an angle 27 can be easily attached to a sheet metal blank. The fourth embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 illustrates a further modification: the possibility of providing a T-shaped profile 29 on the lower and / or upper edges 21 and 22 of the bulkhead plate 20 for connection to the spring-loaded link shell 2 and / or the rear side of the locking element 11. In addition, recesses 28 can be provided on a wall section extending vertically or perpendicular to the rear side 14 of the locking element 11 to reduce weight. In the fourth embodiment, the bulkhead plate 20 is preferably attached to the spring link shell 2 and / or the locking part 11 by means of hole welding. The fifth embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11 is essentially identical to the fourth embodiment. In contrast, the bulkhead plate 20 has a widened T-shaped profile 29 along its lower edge 21. As can be seen in Figure 11, the connection to the spring link shell 2 is made by a slot weld 30. Furthermore, the welds 16 and 17 for connecting the locking element 11 to the side legs 6 and 7 of the spring link shell 2 can also be executed as slot welds from the underside of the spring link shell 2. Instead of a single bulkhead plate 20, two or more bulkhead plates 20 can also be arranged between the rear 14 of the locking part 11 and the spring link shell 2. Figures 12, 13 to 14 show, in the context of a sixth embodiment, the possibility of providing two separate bulkhead plates 20, each of which has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear 14 of the locking part 11, in order to additionally stiffen and support the locking part 11 in the direction of action W of the wheel spring. The two bulkhead plates 20 of the sixth embodiment are arranged entirely below the locking element 11. They are supported over a surface area by one of the side legs 6 and 7 and by an upper edge 22 against the rear side 14 of the locking element 11. In principle, it is also possible to support the lower edges 21 of the two bulkhead plates 20 against the web 8 of the spring link shell 2. The connection is preferably made by welding. As can be seen in Fig. 13, the bulkhead plates 20 can run essentially parallel to the side legs 6 and 7 and extend from there into the spring dome 19 of the locking element 11. Preferably, the bulkhead plates 20 are welded to the rear side 14 and optionally also to the spring dome 19, as indicated by the reference numerals 31 in Fig. 12. For connection to the side legs 6 and 7, the latter can be provided with elongated recesses 32, to which the bulkhead plates 20 are each attached by elongated welds 33. The seventh embodiment, not covered by the invention, shown in Figures 15 and 16, illustrates a modification of the second embodiment in which the bulkhead plate 20 is only attached to the rear side 14 of the locking element 11. In this seventh embodiment, the bulkhead plate 20 has a U-shaped profile cross-section and extends longitudinally along the spring-loaded linkage housing 2. The free ends of the legs 34, which run perpendicular to the rear side 14, are welded to the rear side 14 of the locking element 11. A web 35 of the profile, connecting the legs 34, runs longitudinally A along the spring-loaded linkage housing 2 and essentially parallel to the rear side of the locking element 11. Figures 17 and 18 show an eighth embodiment, a modification of the seventh embodiment, in which, in addition to the bulkhead 20 which is only connected to the locking element 11, a further bulkhead 20' is provided, which is only connected to the spring link shell 2, in this example to the web 8 thereof. This further bulkhead 20' can be designed as in the embodiments described above according to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 to 10, with the difference that its upper edge 22' is spaced apart from the rear side 14 of the locking element 11 and is not connected to either this or to the first, U-shaped bulkhead 20. However, it is also possible to weld the upper edge 22' of the further bulkhead plate 20' to the underside of the web 35 of the first bulkhead plate 20. Furthermore, it is possible to form one or more bulkhead plates 20 directly on the locking element 11 for stiffening purposes. Several advantageous possibilities are presented below, in which edge sections of the locking element 11 are bent towards the spring link shell 2 to create a stiffening effect as wall sections perpendicular to the rear 14 of the locking element 11. In these cases, no additional component is required as a bulkhead plate 20. In the ninth embodiment, not covered by the invention, shown in Figures 19 and 20, the locking element 11, in particular its base 18, forms projecting arms 40 and 41 which extend along the upper edges of the side legs 6 and 7 of the spring link shell 2 and overlap these upper edges. Edges or edge sections 42 and 43 of the locking element 11 running along the arms 40 and 41 are bent inwards towards the spring link shell 2, so that they are located between the rear side 14 of the locking element 11 and the spring link shell 2. In particular, these edges or edge sections 42 and 43 can form wall sections extending perpendicular to the rear side 14 of the locking element 11. This achieves a considerable increase in stiffness in the area of ​​the wheel spring support with minimal effort. In the tenth embodiment according to Figures 21 and 22, the material rebates 44 and 45 are more pronounced at the edges or edge sections 42 and 43 of the arms 40 and 41, so that their lower edges 46 extend downwards almost to the web 8 of the spring link shell 2. The material rebates 44 and 45 can be connected to the side flanks 6 and 7, for example, by means of spot or slot welds, but also in other ways. Optionally, the lower edges 46 can also be welded to the web 8 or the side flanks 6 and 7. The eleventh embodiment in Figures 23 and 24 shows the locking element 11 with integrally formed bulkhead plates 20 in the form of wall panels 47. These are formed as tabs at the longitudinal ends of the locking element 1, in particular the base 18 of the locking element, and are bent inwards into the open profile cross-section of the spring link 1 by bending them about an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction A of the spring link 1. These wall panels 47 can optionally be welded to the side flanks 6 and 7 and / or the web 8 of the spring link 1. They each have wall sections extending perpendicular to the rear side 14 of the locking element 11. Furthermore, a longitudinally extending groove 48 can be formed on the locking element 11 to provide additional stiffening. The groove 48 can extend into the aforementioned wall projections 47. Preferably, these projections are provided on both sides of the spring dome 19 and are curved inwards towards the spring link shell 2. Figures 25 and 26 show, in a twelfth embodiment, a modification for the design of the wall panels 47. These are each bent inwards about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction A of the spring link 1 into the open profile cross-section of the spring link shell 2. The tabs thus formed can in turn be welded either to the side legs 6 and 7 and / or the web 8 of the spring link shell 2. The embodiment shown in Figures 27 and 28 has a bulkhead 20 which is designed as a tube section 48, the central axis Z of which is perpendicular to the rear side 14 of the locking part 11. This tube section 49 in turn has wall sections perpendicular to the rear side 14 of the locking part 11 and is connected on both sides, i.e., to the locking part 11 and to the spring-loaded link housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower edge 21 of the tube section 49 is welded to the web 8 of the spring-loaded link housing 2. Furthermore, the upper edge 22 of the tube section 49 is welded to the rear side of the locking part 11. The invention has been explained in more detail above with reference to exemplary embodiments and further modifications. These exemplary embodiments and modifications serve to demonstrate the feasibility of the invention. Individual technical features, which were explained above in the context of further individual features, can also be implemented independently of these features and in combination with further individual features, even if this is not expressly described, as long as it is technically possible. The invention is therefore expressly not limited to the specifically described exemplary embodiments and modifications, but encompasses all embodiments defined by the claims. Reference symbol list 1 Spring link 2 Spring link shell 3 End section 4 End section 5 Middle section 6 Side leg 7 Side leg 8 Web 9 Bearing surface 10 Bearing surface 11 Locking part 12 Outer edge 13 Outer edge 14 Back side 15 Support surface 16 Weld 17 Weld 18 Locking part base 19 Spring dome 20 Bulkhead 21 Lower edge 22 Upper edge 23 Notch 24 Notch 25 End section 26 End section 27 Angle 28 Recess 29 T-profile 30 Slotted weld 31 Weld 32 Slotted hole 33 Slotted weld 34 Leg 35 Web 36 Tip 37 Leg 40 Arm 41 Arm 42 Edge section with material fold 43 Edge section with material fold 44 Material fold 45 Material fold 46 Lower edge 47 Traveling exhibition 48 Bead 49 Pipe section A Longitudinal axis E Central plane W Direction of spring force Z Longitudinal axis of the pipe section 49

Claims

Spring link (1) in sheet metal construction for a motor vehicle wheel suspension, comprising: a spring link shell (2) with a first end section (3) for connection to the vehicle body and a second end section (4) for connection to the wheel, and a central section (5) with an upwardly open profile cross-section in the installed position, which is arranged between the aforementioned end sections (3, 4), wherein the spring link shell (2) has a U-shaped profile cross-section with two opposing side legs (6, 7) and a web (8) connecting them, and a closing element (11) which is attached to the central section (5) of the spring link shell (2) and bridges the upwardly open profile cross-section thereof, wherein the closing element (11) has a closing element base (18) for supporting a wheel spring and a spring dome (19) raised above the closing element base (18), and characterized by at least one bulkhead plate (20),which is arranged between a rear side (14) of the locking part (11) facing the spring link shell (2) and away from the wheel spring, wherein the at least one bulkhead plate (20) is installed vertically inside the spring link shell (2), and wherein at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is connected to the spring link shell (2) and is supported on the web (8) or on one of the side legs (6, 7). Spring link (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one bulkhead plate (20) adjoins the rear (14) of the locking part (11) and has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is connected to the spring link shell (2) to provide additional support for the locking part (11) against the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side leg (6, 7) has an elongated hole (32) and the bulkhead plate (20) is welded to the side leg (6, 7) in the area of ​​the elongated hole (32). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is welded to the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) has cutouts (23, 24) and / or angled edges (21, 22) in the area of ​​its connection to the spring link shell (2) and / or in the area of ​​its connection to the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) has a T-shaped profile cross-section (29) in the area of ​​connection to the spring link shell (2) and / or in the area of ​​connection to the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) extends into the spring dome (19) on the rear side. Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) extends longitudinally to the spring link shell (2) and perpendicularly to the rear (15) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) lies in a plane (E) which is spanned by the longitudinal center axis (A) of the spring link shell (2) in the central section (5) and a perpendicular to the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is formed by a wall projection (47) of the locking part (11), which extends from the locking part (11) into the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said wall display (47) is welded to a side leg (6, 7) of the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said wall display (47) is welded to a web (8) of the spring link shell (2) connecting the side legs (6, 7) of the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) has a U-shaped profile cross-section, extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring link shell (2) and is attached with free ends of its legs (34) to the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) is designed as a tube section (49) whose central axis (Z) is perpendicular to the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the closing part base (18) forms projecting arms (40, 41) which are extended along the upper edges of the side legs (6, 7) of the spring link shell (2) and overlap them. Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the closing part base (18) has material rebates (44, 45) on its edges in the direction of the spring link shell (2), which extend into the profile cross-section of the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the closing part base (18) has a groove (48) in the center in the longitudinal direction of the spring link shell (2). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that at least one said bulkhead plate (20) adjoins a web (8) of the spring link shell (2), which connects opposite side legs (6, 7) of the spring link shell (2) to a U-shaped profile cross-section, wherein said bulkhead plate (20) extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring link shell (2), points towards the rear (14) of the locking part (11) facing away from the wheel spring, remains spaced apart from the locking part (11) with its upper edge (22) and has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the locking part base (18) has a support surface (15) for the wheel spring and the spring dome (19) is inserted into the locking part base (18) from the rear side (14) opposite the support surface (15) and attached to it, preferably welded, or the spring dome (19) is placed on the support surface (15) and attached to it, preferably welded. Spring link (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that two separate bulkhead plates (20) are provided, each of which has at least one wall section perpendicular to the rear (14) of the locking part (11) in order to further stiffen and support the locking part (11) in the direction of action W of a wheel spring. Spring link (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that the two bulkhead plates (20) are arranged completely below the locking part (11), each of which rests flat against one of the side legs (6, 7) or with a lower edge (21) against the web (8) of the spring link shell (2) and with an upper edge (22) against the rear (14) of the locking part (11). Spring link (1) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the two bulkhead plates (20) run substantially parallel to the side legs (6, 7) and extend from there into the spring dome (19) of the locking part (11) and are welded to the rear (14) or to the rear (14) and the spring dome (19).

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