Stabilizer bearing for a stabilizer of a wheel suspension and method for mounting a stabilizer bearing

Abstract

Stabilizer bearing for a stabilizer of a wheel suspension, comprising a first bearing shell (22) and a second bearing shell (24) which together radially define a receiving space (28), wherein the first bearing shell (22) is integrally formed with a vehicle body shell (10), an elastic bearing ring (32) for receiving the stabilizer which is arranged in the receiving space (28), a fastening device (40) by means of which the second bearing shell (24) can be pre-assembled on the first bearing shell (22), wherein a fastening element (42) is provided on the second bearing shell (24) and a corresponding fastening element counterpart (46) is provided on the first bearing shell (22), wherein the second bearing shell (24) can be displaced by fastening a body shell component (60) to the first bearing shell (22), characterized in thatthat the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are engaged in a pre-assembly state and in a final assembly state the second layer shell (24) is displaced by the fastening of the structural component (60) such that the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are separated from each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stabilizer bearing for a stabilizer of a wheel suspension, comprising a first bearing shell and a second bearing shell which together radially define a receiving space, an elastic bearing ring for receiving the stabilizer which is arranged in the receiving space, a fastening device by means of which the second bearing shell can be pre-assembled on the first bearing shell, wherein a fastening element is provided on the first bearing shell and a fastening element counterpart corresponding to the fastening element is provided on the second bearing shell, wherein the second bearing shell can be displaced by fastening a body-in-white component to the first bearing shell.

[0002] Such a stabilizer bearing is known from the prior art and serves to mount the stabilizer to a motor vehicle body. The stabilizer is designed, in particular, as a torsion bar and / or bending bar, via which two wheel carriers of the same wheel axle of the motor vehicle are elastically connected to each other. The stabilizer acts on a first wheel carrier via a first lever arm and on a second wheel carrier via a second lever arm. The stabilizer is also attached or mounted to the motor vehicle body at two points along its longitudinal extent by means of a stabilizer bearing.

[0003] When the wheel carriers, or the vehicle wheels rotatably mounted on the wheel carriers, have different vertical deflections, a torque acts on the stabilizer bar via the lever arms, causing it, and in particular a torsional section of the stabilizer bar, to twist elastically. Thus, the stabilizer bar acts as a kind of "torsion bar spring" for the wheels of a common axle and serves to reduce body roll when cornering.

[0004] The stabilizer bearing, by which the stabilizer is typically mounted to the vehicle body, usually comprises a first bearing shell and a second bearing shell. The first bearing shell is provided on the vehicle body, and the second bearing shell is designed as a clamp and is bolted to the first bearing shell or to the vehicle body. The first and second bearing shells define a receiving space in which an elastic bearing ring is arranged. This ring is pre-tensioned when the bearing shells are installed. The stabilizer is mounted in the elastic bearing ring. Such a stabilizer bearing is disclosed, for example, in FR 2806035, wherein the second bearing shell is connected to the first bearing shell exclusively via a snap-fit ​​connection.DE 10 2014 217 839 A1 also discloses a stabilizer bearing, wherein the second bearing shell is inserted into the first bearing shell and connected to the first bearing shell via a fastening device in the form of a snap-fit ​​connection. Here, one of the two bearing shells has a fastening element, namely a first sawtooth-shaped snap-fit ​​element, and the other bearing shell has a corresponding fastening element counterpart, namely a second sawtooth-shaped snap-fit ​​element. The snap-fit ​​connection holds the second bearing shell in a preset position, wherein the second bearing shell is pushed into the preset position by an assembly process on the vehicle and is held in the preset position.

[0005] A disadvantage of this type of stabilizer bearing is that the preload and the loads occurring during vehicle operation are absorbed via the locking mechanism. This places high stress on the locking mechanisms, which can lead to failure or damage, potentially compromising the stabilizer bearing and rendering it unusable.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer bearing that is easy to install and reliably prevents damage to the stabilizer.

[0007] Because the fastener and its counterpart are engaged in a pre-assembly state, and because in a final assembly state the second bearing shell is displaced by the fastening of the body-in-white component in such a way that the fastener and its counterpart are separated, the installation of the stabilizer bearing can be simplified, and failure of the stabilizer bearing due to damage to the fastening device can be reliably prevented. The preload of the elastic bearing ring and the absorption of the loads during vehicle operation are taken over by the body-in-white component fastened in the final assembly step, thus relieving the fastening device in the final assembly state and therefore during vehicle operation. This reduces the risk of damage to the stabilizer bearing resulting from failure of the fastening device.

[0008] The fastening device is relieved of stress by the fact that, in the pre-assembled state, the second bearing shell protrudes at least slightly beyond the contact surface of the structural component provided on the first bearing shell. Fastening the structural component to the first bearing shell displaces the second bearing shell in such a way that it is moved to the plane of the contact surface. This separates the fastening element and its counterpart, thus relieving the fastening device of stress.

[0009] Preferably, the second bearing shell is made of plastic. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the second bearing shell, with the second bearing shell and its counterpart being produced in a single manufacturing step, particularly by injection molding. Because the counterpart of the fastener is relieved of stress in the fully assembled state of the stabilizer bearing, no complex reinforcement measures for the counterpart of the fastener or for the entire second bearing shell are required. Furthermore, the second bearing shell, and especially the counterpart of the fastener, can be made from a cost-effective plastic with relatively low strength and stiffness properties.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening device is a snap-fit ​​connection device, wherein the fastening element and its counterpart are a snap-fit ​​element and a corresponding snap-fit ​​recess. This simplifies the pre-assembly step of the second bearing shell, as the bearing shell only needs to be moved until the snap-fit ​​element engages in the snap-fit ​​recess. No additional tool or fastener, such as a screw or similar, is required for pre-assembling the second bearing shell.

[0011] Preferably, the first bearing shell is manufactured as a single piece with the vehicle body-in-white, thereby reducing assembly and manufacturing effort. The first bearing shell can be manufactured concurrently with a vehicle body-in-white component, thus eliminating an additional manufacturing step for producing the first bearing shell and an additional assembly step for mounting the first bearing shell onto the vehicle body-in-white.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the second bearing shell is axially secured to the first bearing shell by a positive locking mechanism. This allows the second bearing shell to be reliably attached to the first bearing shell both axially and radially.

[0013] Preferably, one of the two bearing shells has at least one guide groove oriented transversely to the axial axis of the receiving space, and the other bearing shell has at least one guide projection complementary to the guide groove. This guides the second bearing shell perpendicular to the axial axis of the stabilizer bearing during pre-assembly, thus simplifying the process. Furthermore, the simple and cost-effective guide axially fixes the second bearing shell to the second bearing shell during vehicle operation.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the body-in-white component is a shear panel element. The shear panel element stiffens the vehicle body-in-white and is already integrated into the vehicle independently of the stabilizer bearing. This adds another function to the shear panel element, eliminating the need for additional components for mounting the stabilizer bearing, which would otherwise require complex manufacturing and assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the structural component is screwed to the first bearing shell, so that the structural component is detachably attached to the first bearing shell and can be easily removed, for example, when replacing a defective stabilizer bearing.

[0016] The problem is further solved by a method for mounting a stabilizer bearing according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the second bearing shell is pre-mounted on the first bearing shell, wherein the second bearing shell is inserted into the first bearing shell until the fastening element of the first bearing shell engages with the counterpart of the fastening element, and subsequently the body-in-white component is mounted, wherein the body-in-white component rests against the second bearing shell and the second bearing shell is displaced by the mounting of the body-in-white component in such a way that the fastening element and the counterpart of the fastening element are separated from each other. For the advantages, reference is made to the preceding paragraphs.

[0017] This design of the stabilizer bearing allows for easy installation of the stabilizer bearing and reliably prevents damage to the stabilizer bearing and thus failure of the stabilizer.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a stabilizer bearing in its pre-assembled state, Fig. 2 shows the stabilizer bearing. Fig. 1 in its fully assembled state, and Fig. Figure 3 shows a second bearing shell of the stabilizer bearing. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a motor vehicle body shell 10 and a stabilizer bearing 20. The stabilizer bearing 20 serves to support a stabilizer of a wheel suspension of a common wheel axle on the motor vehicle body shell 10, which is not shown in the figures.

[0020] The stabilizer bearing 20 comprises a first bearing shell 22 and a second bearing shell 24. The first bearing shell 20 is manufactured in one piece with the vehicle body shell 10. The one in Fig. The second bearing shell 24 shown in Figure 3 is designed as a separate component, with the second bearing shell 24 being attached to the first bearing shell 22 or to the vehicle body shell 10. The second bearing shell 24 is made of a plastic, for example by an injection molding process.

[0021] The two bearing shells 22, 24 each have an inner surface 26, 30 with a semicircular cross-section. In the assembled state of the second bearing shell 24, the two inner surfaces 26, 30 radially define a receiving space 28 with a circular cross-section. An elastic bearing ring 32 is arranged in the receiving space 28, its outer surface bearing against the inner surfaces 26, 30 of the bearing shells 22, 24. An inner surface 34 of the elastic bearing ring 32 serves to receive the stabilizer, and in the assembled state, this inner surface 34 is pressed against the stabilizer.

[0022] The connection between the first bearing shell 22 and the second bearing shell 24 is carried out in two assembly steps. The second bearing shell 24 is first pre-assembled to the first bearing shell 22, or to the vehicle body 10, by means of a fastening device 40. The fastening device 40 has two fastening elements 42, which are described as locking elements and are provided on the second bearing shell 24. The locking elements 42 are arranged on an outer surface 44 of the second bearing shell 24 and are designed as spring-loaded tongues 43 projecting from the outer surface 44. The locking elements 42 are manufactured integrally with the second bearing shell 24, so that the locking elements 42 are also made of plastic. The fastening device 40 further comprises two fastening element counterparts 46, which are designed as locking recesses to match the locking elements 42. The locking recesses 46 are arranged on the inner surface 26 of the first bearing shell 22, the inner surface 26 being divided into a first section 48 forming the receiving space 28 and a second section 50 forming the locking connection.

[0023] The first bearing shell 22 further comprises a guide projection 52 in the second section 50 of the inner surface 26. The second bearing shell 24 has a guide groove 54 into which the guide projection 52 engages, the guide groove 54 having a main extension direction perpendicular to the axial axis 21 of the stabilizer bearing 20. This ensures that the second bearing shell 24 is axially fixed to the first bearing shell 22 in the assembled state and is guided by the first bearing shell 22 during assembly.

[0024] During the assembly process of the stabilizer bearing 20, the second bearing shell 24 is installed in the first step, while in the same step the elastic bearing ring 32 is inserted into the receiving space 28. The second bearing shell 24 is inserted translationally from below into the first bearing shell 22, whereby the second bearing shell 24 is guided into the guide groove 54 by the engagement of the guide projection 52. The second bearing shell 24 is pushed into the first bearing shell 22 until the locking elements 42 engage in the locking recesses 46. The stabilizer bearing 20 is thus pre-assembled, with the second bearing shell 24 protruding from the first bearing shell 22 or the vehicle body 10 at an end facing away from the elastic bearing ring 32. The pre-assembly position of the second bearing shell 24 is shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0025] Subsequently, a body-in-white component, namely a shear panel element 60, is mounted to the vehicle body-in-white 10, in particular by bolting. The shear panel element 60 serves to stiffen the vehicle body-in-white 10 and is a common means of doing so. The bolted shear panel element 60 loads the second bearing shell 24 perpendicular to the axial axis 21 of the stabilizer bearing 20 such that it shifts and preloads the elastic bearing ring 32. Furthermore, the shift of the second bearing shell 24 causes the detent connection between the detent element 42 and the detent recess 46 to release, so that the second bearing shell 24 is held in its position perpendicular to the axial axis 21 of the stabilizer bearing 20 solely by the shear panel element 60. The final assembly position of the second bearing shell 24 is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0026] By fastening the second bearing plate 24 in this way, the assembly of the stabilizer bearing 20 can be simplified and damage or failure of the stabilizer bearing 20 can be reliably avoided.

[0027] Other design embodiments besides those described are also possible and fall within the scope of protection of the main claim. For example, the bearing ring 32 or the second bearing shell 24 could be designed differently. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] FR 2806035

[0004] DE 102014217839 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Stabilizer bearing for a stabilizer of a wheel suspension, with a first bearing shell (22) and a second bearing shell (24), which together radially define a receiving space (28), an elastic bearing ring (32) for receiving the stabilizer, which is arranged in the receiving space (28), a fastening device (40) by means of which the second bearing shell (24) can be pre-assembled on the first bearing shell (22), wherein a fastening element (42) is provided on the first bearing shell (22) and a fastening element counterpart (46) corresponding to the fastening element (42) is provided on the second bearing shell (24), wherein the second bearing shell (24) can be displaced by fastening a structural component (60) to the first bearing shell (22), characterized by , that the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are engaged in a pre-assembly state and in a final assembly state the second layer shell (24) is displaced by the fastening of the structural component (60) such that the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are separated from each other. [2] Stabilizer bearing according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second bearing shell (24) is made of plastic. [3] Stabilizer bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the fastening device (40) is a snap-fit ​​connection device, wherein the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are a snap-fit ​​element and a snap-fit ​​recess corresponding to the snap-fit ​​element. [4] Stabilizer bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first bearing shell (22) is manufactured in one piece with the motor vehicle body shell (10). [5] Stabilizer bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second bearing shell (24) is axially secured to the first bearing shell (22) by a positive locking mechanism. [6] Stabilizer bearing according to claim 5, characterized by , that one of the two bearing shells (22, 24) has at least one guide groove (54) oriented transversely to the axial axis (21) of the stabilizer bearing and the other of the two bearing shells (22, 24) has at least one guide projection (52) complementary to the guide groove (54). [7] Stabilizer bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the structural component (60) is a shear field element. [8] Stabilizer bearing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the structural component (60) is screwed to the first bearing shell (22). [9] Method for mounting a stabilizer bearing according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the second bearing shell (24) is pre-mounted on the first bearing shell (22), wherein the second bearing shell (24) is inserted into the first bearing shell (22) until the fastening element (42) engages with the fastening element counterpart (46), and subsequently the body-in-white component (60) is mounted, wherein the body-in-white component (60) rests against the second bearing shell (24) and the second bearing shell (24) is displaced by the mounting of the body-in-white component (60) in such a way that the fastening element (42) and the fastening element counterpart (46) are separated from each other.

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