Rubber-metal sleeve bearings

Abstract

Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1), comprising a metal inner part (2), an elastomer body (4) arranged radially to the inner part (2), and a metal outer sleeve (6), wherein the elastomer body (4) is bonded to the inner part (2) and to the outer sleeve (6), and wherein the outer sleeve (6) is designed for attachment in an associated bearing eye of a link (80), and the inner part (2) has a respective flat flange section (21a, 21b) at both ends for attachment to a component, characterized in that the inner part (2) is a cut-to-length extruded hollow chamber profile, which is formed at both longitudinal ends into the respective flat flange section (21a, 21b) such that opposing wall sections of the hollow chamber profile are brought into contact with each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rubber-metal sleeve bearing, in particular a control arm bearing, for a vehicle wheel suspension, comprising a metal inner part, an elastomer body arranged radially to the inner part, and a metal outer sleeve, wherein the elastomer body is bonded to the inner part and to the outer sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve has a flat flange section at each end for attachment to the vehicle frame or body of the vehicle.

[0002] Such a rubber-metal bushing bearing, often also referred to as an elastomeric bushing bearing, is well-known in the field and is described, for example, in US 2018 / 0135716A1. These bearings are used particularly on control arms, which, for example, are arranged transversely to the direction of travel in independent suspension systems on motor vehicles. While the axial stiffness and especially the torsional stiffness of such bearings are comparatively low, increased demands are placed on their radial stiffness. The resulting strength requirements relate both to the elastomer body and to the inner part of the bearing, which is conventionally manufactured as a die-cast or forged part.In addition to providing the described strength of the bearing, especially the inner part, there is also an effort to improve the response behavior of the system to the operating forces transmitted by the wheels.

[0003] The above problem is solved by the present invention with a rubber-metal sleeve bearing comprising the features of claim 1.

[0004] The rubber-metal sleeve bearing according to the invention comprises a metallic inner part, an elastomer body arranged radially to the inner part, and an outer sleeve, which may in particular be made of metal, wherein the elastomer body is bonded to the inner part and to the outer sleeve, in particular by vulcanization. The outer sleeve of the bearing is designed for mounting in an associated bearing eye of a control arm, for example, a transverse control arm, wherein the inner part has a flat flange section at each end for mounting to another vehicle component.The rubber-metal sleeve bearing according to the invention is characterized in that the inner part is a cut-to-length extruded hollow chamber profile which is formed at both longitudinal ends into the respective flat flange section, such that in a transverse direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bearing opposite wall sections of the hollow chamber profile are brought into contact with each other in a planar manner.

[0005] The inventive rubber-metal sleeve bearing is based on the fundamental idea of ​​reducing the bearing's mass by providing an extruded hollow chamber profile. The flat flange sections for attaching the bearing to a vehicle frame are produced by forming the extruded profile in the area of ​​the end faces of the hollow chamber profile. Simultaneously with a reduction in the weight of the inner part and thus of the entire bearing, a higher resistance to bending forces can also be achieved in the inner part compared to a die-cast inner part. Depending on the embodiment, the extruded hollow chamber profile can be made, for example, of aluminum or steel.

[0006] The bearing according to the invention has an inner part which, in a central region, is a hollow chamber profile, which can in particular be identical to the original extruded hollow chamber profile, and which, in the region of its axial end sections, is formed by the aforementioned flange designs for fastening the bearing. These flange designs can be formed by deforming the original extruded hollow chamber profile within the axial extent of the flange sections.

[0007] The term "cut-to-length extruded hollow chamber profile" refers to a section of a manufacturing-related long initial extruded hollow chamber profile, which is cut from the latter with a predetermined axial extent and from which the inner part of the bearing according to the invention is formed by forming the two longitudinal end sections into the two flat flange sections.

[0008] Elastomers are generally understood to be dimensionally stable but elastically deformable plastics, e.g. vulcanizates of natural or silicone rubber.

[0009] Further features and developments of the invention are specified in the following general description, the figures, the figure description and the dependent claims.

[0010] Preferably, the respective flange sections may have two corresponding, planar flange lugs that are brought into contact with each other. These respective flange lugs of the flange sections can thus represent the opposing wall sections of the hollow chamber profile, which are brought into contact with each other over a flat surface. Such a design of the flange sections by means of flange lugs is, in principle, possible with a large number of hollow chamber profiles, in particular also hollow chamber profiles with polygonal or tube cross-sections, so that the hollow central section of the inner part can be adapted to specific requirements.

[0011] Various designs are possible for fastening the inner part of the bearing according to the invention. For example, the flange sections can be designed for clamping to a vehicle component. Advantageously, it can also be provided that the two flange sections each have a bore extending through both associated and overlapping flange lugs, which runs perpendicular to the flange plane, in particular for receiving a respective screw bolt with which the inner part of the bearing according to the invention can be fastened to the vehicle component.

[0012] To increase the strength of the inner part in the area of ​​the flange sections, the forming of the extruded hollow chamber profile for shaping the flange sections can be designed such that the respective flange sections of the inner part of the rubber-metal sleeve bearing according to the invention have two corresponding, plan-formed flange tabs that are aligned with each other and connected to each other at their longitudinal sides or edges via curved sections. These curved sections, like the flange tabs, can be formed by respective axial sections of the formed hollow chamber profile.

[0013] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, especially to provide a substantially rotationally symmetrical strength of the inner part in the area of ​​the central section against deflection, it can be advantageously provided that the extruded hollow chamber profile for the design of the inner part of the bearing according to the invention is a hollow cylindrical profile, so that the inner part has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape axially inside the flange sections according to their design.Furthermore, such a hollow cylindrical extruded hollow chamber profile facilitates the design of the flange sections by forming the hollow chamber profile in such a way that the respective flange section has the two mutually associated, plan-formed flange lugs brought into mutual contact, whereby at the same time the plan flange lugs brought into contact can be connected via the curved sections, which run perpendicular to the flange plane, due to a fully closed hollow cylindrical hollow chamber profile.

[0014] To increase the deflection resistance of the inner part of the bearing according to the invention in a central section of the inner part, and to simplify the design of the two flange sections by forming the extruded hollow chamber profile in the area of ​​the end sections, it can advantageously be provided that a radial wall thickness of the hollow chamber profile in a central section of the inner part, i.e., in the area of ​​the hollow cylindrical shape of the inner part, is at least 20%, and in particular 30%, greater than the thickness of one of the opposing wall sections in the area of ​​the respective flange section. Such a design can be provided, for example, by turning down a predetermined wall thickness in the area of ​​the end sections of the, in particular, cylindrical hollow chamber profile before forming the hollow chamber profile in the respective longitudinal sections of the flange sections.

[0015] To provide a predetermined axial characteristic of the bearing according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the inner part is tapered in a section axially inside the flange sections, in particular a central section of the inner part, by forming the hollow chamber profile. It can be provided that the smallest radial diameter of the outer surface of the inner part in the region of the hollow chamber section (central section) lies approximately in the middle of the entire axial extent of the inner part. In particular to increase the radial stiffness of the bearing according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the elastomer body of the bearing has an insert arranged circumferentially around the inner part and embedded in the elastomer, which comprises a material that is hard compared to the elastomer, such as metal or hard plastic, and which extends at least over the entire axial extent of the outer sleeve.Preferably, the insert can be designed in a sleeve shape.

[0016] To provide a predetermined gimbal of the bearing according to the invention, i.e. a relative tilting of the inner part to the outer sleeve, it can advantageously be provided that the insert is adapted to the waist of the inner part with respect to its curvature on its outer surface facing the inner part, such that a radially continuous elastomer layer arranged between the inner part and the insert has a substantially constant radial thickness over its axial extent.

[0017] To increase the stability of the bearing according to the invention, in particular to avoid tensile stress on the elastomer of the elastomer body during operation of the bearing according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that it is designed to be pressable into an associated bearing eye under radial preload by axially slotting the elastomer body and the outer sleeve, such that the gap formed thereby on the elastomer body and the axial gap formed on the outer sleeve are aligned circumferentially with each other.

[0018] By providing an extruded hollow chamber profile for the design of the inner part of the bearing designed according to the invention, not only the flange sections for fastening the control arm bearing to the vehicle body, but also the central section of the inner part can be flexibly adjustable in a cost-effective manner by respective forming to meet the respective requirements regarding the identification of the control arm bearing.

[0019] The invention is described below by describing an embodiment of a bearing according to the invention, including modifications, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein Fig. 1: in a perspective view a rubber-metal sleeve bearing designed according to the invention, Fig. 2a: a precursor of an inner part of the bearing according to the invention Fig. 1 in a perspective view, Fig. 2b: the precursor of the inner part of the Fig. 2a in a section plane perpendicular to the plane of the flange sections, and Fig. 3: in a longitudinal section the bearing according to the invention Fig. 1 shows.

[0020] The embodiment of a bearing according to the invention described below is designed as a control arm bearing 1, in which a control arm is connected to the body via the control arm bearing 1 described below and to a wheel carrier at the end facing a wheel via a wheel guide joint. Such linkages can be installed on both the front and rear axles of the vehicle. The basic structure of the control arm bearing 1 according to the invention is shown. Fig. Figure 1 in a perspective view. The bearing 1 is designed here as an elastomeric bushing bearing, in which an inner part 2 has an axial central section 20 with an approximately cylindrical outer surface, to which flange sections 21a, 21b are axially connected in a material-fit manner, each being formed by two flange tabs 22a, 22b or 24a, 24b that are brought into mutual contact, wherein the corresponding flange tabs 22a, 22b or 24a, 24b are connected by longitudinally extending and curved sections 26a,b and 27a,b.The inner part 2 of the control arm bearing 1 according to the invention is manufactured as an extruded hollow chamber profile made of an aluminum or steel material with a cylindrical hollow chamber cross-section, wherein, to form the two flange sections 21a, 21b, an end-situ forming of the hollow chamber profile is carried out in such a way that, in the area of ​​the flange sections 21a, 21b, opposing wall sections of the cylindrical hollow chamber profile are brought into contact with each other on a planar basis and are connected to each other on their longitudinal sides via curved sections.

[0021] The control arm bearing 1 according to the invention has an outer sleeve 6 arranged at a distance from the central section or the cylindrical surface 20 of the inner part 2, which circumferentially surrounds the inner part 2 at a radial distance. An elastomer body 4 is arranged between the inner part 2 and the outer sleeve 6, which, in the described embodiment, is vulcanized to both the outer sleeve 6 and the cylindrical surface 20 of the inner part 2. To provide a means of fastening the two flange sections 21a, 21b of the control arm bearing 1 to a chassis, the flange sections 21a, 21b have bores 23a, 23b and 25a, 25b which extend through the two respective flange lugs 22a, 22b and 24a, 24b, for example, to receive a bolt.In the described embodiment, the control arm bearing 1 is designed to be received in a corresponding bearing eye of the control arm such that the cylindrical outer surface 60 of the outer sleeve 6 comes into contact with a corresponding boundary surface of the bearing eye, in particular by pressing the control arm bearing 1 into the bearing eye. In one embodiment, the control arm bearing 1 may have an axially slotted elastomer body 4 and an axially slotted outer sleeve 6 to form a respective circumferentially aligned gap, such that by pressing the control arm bearing 1 into the bearing eye, the respective gap is closed and thus the elastomer of the elastomer body 4 is radially preloaded.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 shows a pre-product of the inner part 2 of the control arm bearing 1 designed according to the invention. Fig. 1 in a perspective view ( Fig. 2a) and a longitudinal section view ( Fig. 2b), wherein the cutting plane is perpendicular to the flange plane of the flange sections 21a, 21b. The starting product of the inner part 2 of the control arm bearing 1 designed according to the invention is a tubular extruded profile with a cylindrical cross-section of predetermined length, which is formed at its two longitudinal ends over a predetermined axial extent, such that the two opposing cylindrical half-cross-sections are transformed into the flange lugs 22a, 22b and 24a, 24b respectively, which are brought into contact with each other, wherein the adjacent flange lugs 22a, 22b and 24a, 24b are connected to each other via respective curved longitudinal sections 26a, 26b and 27a, 27b respectively. Starting from the in the Fig. 2a and Fig. The inner part 2 of the control arm bearing 1 according to the invention can be completed by introducing the flange bores 23a, 23b and 25a, 25b into the respective flange lugs 22a, 22b and 24a, 24b, respectively, as shown in Figure 2b. The inner part 2 of the pre-product shown in Figure 2b can be completed by inserting the flange bores 23a, b and 25a, b into the flange sections. Fig. 2 for the design of the interior part of the warehouse Fig. 1. Be trained.

[0023] In one embodiment, it may also be provided that the cylindrical surface in the central section 20 of the inner part 2 is waisted by appropriate forming, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows a control arm bearing 1 designed according to the invention, similar to that of the Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section in a section plane that lies slightly above the flange plane of the flange sections 21a, 21b in the figure, showing an operating situation in which the control arm bearing 1 is pressed into an associated bearing eye of a control arm 80. As can be seen from the section through the cylindrical central section 20 of the inner part 2, the approximately cylindrical outer surface in the central section 20 is tapered, wherein the elastomer body 4 comprises a first axial elastomer track 40a, a sleeve-shaped insert 45 and a second axial elastomer track 40b, such that the insert is embedded by the two elastomer tracks or layers.The sleeve-shaped insert 45 can have a curved surface on its inner surface facing the inner part 2, adapted to the waist of the central section 20 of the inner part 2, such that the radial thickness of the first axially extending elastomer track 40a has an approximately constant thickness in the radial direction over its predominant axial extent to provide a predetermined gimbal for the control arm bearing 1. In contrast, in the described embodiment, the radial thickness of the second axial elastomer track 40b increases axially outwards from the axial center of the central section 20 of the inner part 2, again to provide a predetermined gimbal for the control arm bearing 1. In the described embodiment, the elastomer body 4 is bonded to the outer sleeve 6 and the inner part 2 in the region of its central section or its waisted cylindrical surface 20 by vulcanization.

[0025] The control arm bearing 1 designed according to the invention Fig. 1 differs from that of the Fig. 3 solely by a purely cylindrical design of the central section of the inner part 2, wherein the elastomer body 4 can in turn comprise a first axial elastomer track, a sleeve-shaped insert and a second axial elastomer track, such that the insert is embedded by the two elastomer tracks or layers. In this embodiment, the two elastomer tracks and the insert can be cylindrical.

[0026] The person skilled in the art recognizes that by providing an extruded hollow chamber profile for the design of the inner part 2 of the bearing designed according to the invention, not only the flange sections 21a, 21b for fastening the control arm bearing 1 to the chassis of the vehicle, but also the central section 20 of the inner part 2 can be flexibly and cost-effectively adjusted to the respective requirements regarding the characteristics of the control arm bearing 1 by means of individual forming, so that the waisting described here can be considered one of several preferred embodiments. In particular, it is also within the scope of the invention to achieve a non-rotationally symmetric response behavior or a corresponding characteristic of the control arm bearing 1 by appropriately forming the central section 20 and / or designing the insert 45. Reference symbol list 1 control arm bushing, rubber-metal sleeve bushing 2 inner part 4 elastomer bodies 6 Outer sleeve 20 Cylindrical surface area, central section 21a, 21b Flange section 22a, 22b Flange tab 23a, 23b bore 24a, 24b flange 25a, 25b bore 26a, 26b curved longitudinal section 27a, 27b curved longitudinal section 40a first axial elastomer track 40b second axial elastomer track 45 inserts 60 outer shell area 80 handlebars

Claims

[1] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) comprising a metal inner part (2), an elastomer body (4) arranged radially to the inner part (2) and a metal outer sleeve (6), wherein the elastomer body (4) is bonded to the inner part (2) and to the outer sleeve (6) and wherein the outer sleeve (6) is designed for attachment in an associated bearing eye of a control arm (80) and the inner part (2) has a respective flat flange section (21a, 21b) at each end for attachment to a component, characterized by , that the inner part (2) is a cut-to-length extruded hollow chamber profile which is formed at both longitudinal ends into the respective flat flange section (21a, 21b) such that opposite wall sections of the hollow chamber profile are brought into contact with each other in a planar manner. [2] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the respective flange sections (21a, 21b) have two mutually associated plan-formed flange lugs (22a, 22b or 24a, 24b) that are brought into mutual contact and are connected to each other on their longitudinal sides via curved sections. [3] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the two flange sections (21a, 21b) each have a bore (23a, 23b or 25a, 25b) extending through both associated flange lugs (22a, 22b or 24a, 24b) and running perpendicular to the flange plane. [4] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the inner part (2) has a hollow cylindrical shape axially inside the flange sections (21a, 21b). [5] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that a radial wall thickness of the hollow chamber profile in a central section (20) of the inner part (2) (area of ​​the hollow cylindrical shape) is at least 20% greater than the thickness of one of the opposing wall sections in the area of ​​the respective flange section (21a, 21b). [6] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that a radial wall thickness of the hollow chamber profile in a central section (20) of the inner part (2) (area of ​​the hollow cylindrical shape) is 30% greater than the thickness of one of the opposing wall sections in the area of ​​the respective flange section (21a, 21b). [7] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the inner part (2) is waisted in a section (central section) (20) that lies axially inside the flange sections (21a, 21b) by forming the hollow chamber profile. [8] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the elastomer body (4) has an insert (45) arranged circumferentially around the inner part (2) and embedded in elastomer, which comprises a material (metal / hard plastic) that is hard compared to the elastomer, and which extends at least over the entire axial extent of the outer sleeve (6). [9] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to claim 8 characterized by , that the insert (45) is adapted to the waist of the inner part (2) with respect to its curvature on its outer surface facing the inner part (2), such that a radially continuous elastomer layer arranged between the inner part (2) and the insert (45) has a constant radial thickness over its axial extent. [10] Rubber-metal sleeve bearing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the elastomer body (4) and the outer sleeve (6) are axially slotted.

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