Pre-assembly device for pre-assembling an air spring on a body and system comprising the pre-assembly device

Abstract

Pre-assembly device for pre-assembling an air spring (6) on a body (1) having a mounting interface (17), wherein the pre-assembly device (10) - a centering element (11) for centering the pre-assembly device (10) on the assembly interface (17), and - a connecting element (7) for connecting to an air spring (6), characterized in that the pre-assembly device (10) further comprises: - a support element (3) extending away from the pre-assembly device (10), and - at least one sealing element (4) arranged on the carrier element (3) for sealing an outlet opening (2) of the body (1) arranged at the assembly interface (17), wherein the centering element (11) is further designed to align the sealing element (4) with the outlet opening (2) and wherein the carrier element (3) is designed like a disc spring and has a body contact surface (19) and an air spring contact surface (14) opposite the body contact surface (19), wherein the carrier element (3) is concave with the body contact surface (19) in an untensioned state of the pre-assembly device (10) and convex with the air spring contact surface (14) and is flat in a tensioned state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pre-assembly device for pre-assembling an air spring on a car body and a system comprising the pre-assembly device.

[0002] Car bodies or body parts that undergo cathodic dip painting (CDP) have outlet openings for the CDP process. Moisture and / or dirt can penetrate the area below the outlet openings through these outlet openings. This can cause corrosion in these areas. To prevent this corrosion, the outlet openings of the car body or body parts are sealed. Outlet openings are also present in the area of ​​air spring mounting interfaces. At the mounting interface, this seal should be positioned outside the force flow of the connection between the air spring and the car body or body part to avoid stress on the seal.

[0003] CA 2 354 975 C discloses the use of an O-ring to seal openings in the mounting interface area. However, O-rings are subject to a risk of loss during assembly.

[0004] Foam ribs are also known, although these are relatively expensive. Loss ribs are also known. However, these are located in the force flow between the air spring and the body, so they are at risk of damage during installation. However, if the air spring is removed or temporarily depressurized, for example, during servicing, they lose their sealing effect.

[0005] DE 37 16 099 A1 describes a mounting cap for the temporary assembly of, for example, a spring strut on a vehicle body, consisting of a pot-shaped body open in the direction of the part to be held, from which protrude upwardly spring-loaded hooks for fastening in an opening in the body and downwardly spring-loaded support hooks for receiving the inner bead of the sheet metal basket of the spring strut. The mounting flange of the sheet metal basket must be manufactured with an inner bead that extends relatively far into the opening of the sheet metal basket. The mounting cap is therefore composed of the actual cap and a clamping ring which receives the inner bead in a recess on the outer circumference and fits into a recess in the support hooks, and whose inner lower step rests on the horizontal surface of the support hooks.

[0006] DE 10 2014 015 539 A1 describes a supporting structure component for connecting a spring strut to a vehicle body, having at least one connecting section for connection to a vehicle body and having at least one flange section which is designed for fastening a spring strut mount to which a spring strut is mounted.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device which provides a cost-effective and simple sealing of the outlet openings in the area of ​​the mounting interface.

[0008] Main features of the invention are set out in claims 1 and 10. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 9 and 11 to 13.

[0009] The invention relates to a pre-assembly device for pre-assembling an air spring on a body, which has a mounting interface, wherein the pre-assembly device has a centering element for centering the pre-assembly device on the mounting interface, and a connecting element for connecting to an air spring, wherein it is provided according to the invention that the pre-assembly device further comprises: a carrier element which extends away from the pre-assembly device, and at least one sealing element arranged on the carrier element for sealing an outlet opening of the body arranged on the mounting interface, wherein the centering element is further designed to align the sealing element on the outlet opening.

[0010] The invention thus provides a pre-assembly device which has a number of functions. The pre-assembly device can be connected to the air spring using the connecting element for connecting to an air spring. Since the air spring is generally cylindrical in design, at least in section, the pre-assembly device can be arranged at one end of the cylinder and extend around the cylinder axis of the air spring, which axis overlaps with a central axis of the pre-assembly device when the pre-assembly device is fastened to the air spring. The air spring connected to the pre-assembly device is then positioned at the assembly interface of the body using the centering element. The term body refers to both the entire body and individual parts of the body, i.e. body parts. An air spring can be pre-assembled at an assembly interface of a body using the pre-assembly device.At the same time, the pre-assembly device has a support element which comprises at least one sealing element. The at least one sealing element is arranged by centering the pre-assembly device using the centering element such that it seals the at least one outlet opening in the region of the assembly interface. For this purpose, the support element extends away from the pre-assembly device. The support element can, for example, extend at least partially in the radial direction away from the central axis of the pre-assembly device. The radial direction is to be understood in relation to the central axis of the pre-assembly device. Preferably, the support element extends so far in the radial direction away from the central axis that it overlaps with the at least one outlet opening. At the position of the overlap, the sealing element can then, for example, be fastened to the support element.The invention thus provides a cost-effective and simple way to seal the outlet openings on the body in the area of ​​the assembly interface. By integrating the sealing function into the pre-assembly device, the overall assembly process of the air spring and the sealing of the outlet openings on the body in the area of ​​the assembly interface are simplified. Thus, no separate sealing element is required. The sealing of the outlet openings can now be performed simultaneously during the pre-assembly of the air spring.

[0011] Furthermore, the carrier element has a body contact surface and an air spring contact surface opposite the body contact surface, wherein the sealing element can be arranged, for example, on the body contact surface.

[0012] In this example, the support element can be flange-like or disc-shaped, with the support element extending radially away from the pre-assembly device and around the central axis of the pre-assembly device. The body contact surface is then arranged on the side of the support element facing the body or the body part on which the mounting interface is located. The opposite side of the support element then has the air spring contact surface.

[0013] According to the invention, the support element is designed like a disc spring.

[0014] In the unclamped state of the pre-assembly device, the support element is concave with the body contact surface and convex with the air spring contact surface, and flat in a clamped state. In any case, however, it is advantageous if an unclamped state is converted into a clamped state by mounting the air spring at the assembly interface.

[0015] It is also conceivable, for example, that the mounting interface could be concave, and the support element could be flat in a relaxed state or slightly curved. In this example, the support element could be designed to match the concave mounting interface in the tensioned state.

[0016] Due to the disc spring-like design of the support element, the support element is pre-tensioned at the assembly interface during pre-assembly of the air spring. During pre-tensioning, the support element is transformed from a truncated cone-shaped state into a disc-shaped state. The previously concave body contact surface is therefore pressed flat against the body due to the pre-tensioning of the support element. At least one sealing element is pressed against the body or body part and seals the outlet opening. When the air spring is dismantled, the pre-tension of the support element is removed and the support element moves back into the shape of a disc spring. When the air spring is pre-assembled again, the support element is pre-tensioned again and the sealing element arranged on the body contact surface is pressed accordingly against the body or body part.This means that after dismantling the air spring, at least one outlet opening can be sealed again using the same pre-assembly device.

[0017] The carrier element and the at least one sealing element can, for example, be ring-shaped and can extend around a central axis of the pre-assembly device.

[0018] In a further example, it is conceivable that the at least one sealing element can have at least two annular sealing ribs with different radii, which are arranged concentrically on the carrier element.

[0019] The sealing ribs are arranged on the body by the centering element so that the outlet opening is positioned radially between the two sealing ribs. The sealing rib with the smaller radius then seals in the direction of the central axis of the pre-assembly device, which can correspond to the cylinder axis of the air spring. The sealing rib with the larger radius seals in the direction away from the central axis of the pre-assembly device or the cylinder axis of the air spring. Because the two sealing ribs are ring-shaped, the pre-assembly device can be rotated as desired around the cylinder axis at the assembly interface and has a sealing effect in every orientation around the cylinder axis. This further simplifies the handling of the pre-assembly device.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the sealing element may comprise a cover element that is arranged over an outlet opening to seal it. Further alternatively, the sealing element may be annular, with the ring having a diameter configured such that the ring extends around the outlet opening and thus seals it.

[0021] According to one example, the centering element may have an opening for inserting a centering pin arranged at the mounting interface, wherein the centering pin preferably has at least one latching hook for locking the pre-assembly device at the mounting interface.

[0022] The air spring can have an opening into which the centering pin can also be inserted. This allows for easy pre-assembly of the air spring at the mounting interface. The air spring with the pre-assembly device is simply placed onto the centering pin to complete the pre-assembly.

[0023] Furthermore, the centering element can, for example, have a centering pin for insertion into a centering opening arranged on the mounting interface, wherein the centering pin preferably has at least one locking hook for locking the pre-assembly device on the mounting interface.

[0024] In this example, the air spring may only have an opening for attaching the pre-assembly device to the air spring using the connecting element. Furthermore, for pre-assembly, the air spring is simply inserted into the opening at the mounting interface using the centering pin. Simple pre-assembly can also be performed with this example.

[0025] It is further conceivable, for example, that the pre-assembly device can have a first alignment partner for interacting with a second alignment partner arranged at an assembly interface for aligning the pre-assembly device in a predefined orientation at the assembly interface, wherein the first alignment partner is preferably arranged on the centering element and preferably has a receptacle for receiving the second alignment partner.

[0026] Using the two alignment partners, the pre-assembly device can be automatically arranged at the assembly interface in a specific orientation around the cylinder axis or the central axis. One alignment partner can be, for example, a pin or a projection that is arranged eccentrically to the central axis. The other alignment partner can be, for example, an opening or a recess into which the pin can be inserted. If the centering element has a centering pin and a centering opening, one alignment partner can be the centering pin and the other can be arranged at the centering opening. One alignment partner can be a recess on the centering pin or the centering opening, and the other alignment partner can be a projection that fits into the recess and is arranged at the centering opening or the centering pin. This makes it possible to align the pre-assembly device orof the sealing elements at the assembly interface.

[0027] Furthermore, the connecting element can, for example, have at least one locking hook for locking into a locking element connected to the air spring.

[0028] In this example, the connecting element can, for example, be latchable into the opening of the air spring. The connecting element and the latching hook can extend parallel to the central axis. Furthermore, the opening of the air spring can extend into the air spring along the cylinder axis. At least one latching element for the latching hooks can be arranged in the opening. When the latching hook is inserted into the opening, the latching hook engages the latching element and forms a positive connection when the pre-assembly device is pulled out of the opening along the cylinder axis.

[0029] In another example, the pre-assembly device may be designed as a rotating body with respect to the central axis.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising a body with at least one mounting interface for an air spring, at least one outlet opening arranged at the mounting interface, an air spring arranged at the mounting interface, and a pre-assembly device according to the preceding description, wherein the pre-assembly device is connected to the air spring and the mounting interface and the sealing element seals the outlet opening, wherein the air spring has a force flow element which couples the air spring to the body separately from the pre-assembly device.

[0031] Furthermore, the support element is designed like a disc spring and has a body contact surface and an air spring contact surface opposite the body contact surface, wherein the support element is concave with the body contact surface in an untensioned state of the pre-assembly device and convex with the air spring contact surface and flat in a tensioned state.

[0032] Furthermore, the pre-assembly device can be designed, for example, as a rotating body with respect to a central axis and the sealing element can be arranged at a distance perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the outlet opening has the same distance from the central axis.

[0033] The centering element can, for example, be designed as an opening and the mounting interface can have a centering pin that extends through the opening, wherein the centering pin preferably has at least one locking hook that undercuts the centering element.

[0034] In a further example, it is conceivable that the pre-assembly device can have a first alignment partner and the assembly interface can have a second alignment partner, wherein the first alignment partner and the second alignment partner are designed to align the pre-assembly device in a predefined orientation at the assembly interface.

[0035] The advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the system, arise from the advantages and effects, as well as further developments of the pre-assembly device described above. Therefore, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0036] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of an air spring with a pre-assembly device at an assembly interface; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a pre-assembly device; Fig. 3 a plan view of a schematic representation of a pre-assembly device; and Fig. 4 a plan view of another example of a schematic representation of a pre-assembly device.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a system 20 comprising a pre-assembly device 10, an air spring 6 and a body 1 with an assembly interface 17 for an air spring.

[0038] An outlet opening 2 is arranged at the assembly interface 17, which is required for a CDP process of the body 1. The body 1 can also be a body part that is attached to the rest of a vehicle or body.

[0039] A centering pin 8 extending along an axis 16 is arranged at the mounting interface 17. It further comprises a locking hook 9 that can be attached to the centering pin 8.

[0040] The air spring 6 is also arranged at the assembly interface 17 with the pre-assembly device 10. The pre-assembly device 10 is connected to the air spring 6 via a connecting element 7 for connecting to an air spring. The connecting element 7 comprises at least one locking hook that can be engaged with a locking element 18 arranged on the air spring 6 and connects the pre-assembly device 10 to the air spring 6.

[0041] The pre-assembly device 10 further comprises a centering element 11, which is designed as an opening. The centering pin 8 interacts with the centering element 11 by inserting the centering pin 8 through the opening. The diameter of the opening corresponds to the diameter of the centering pin 8, so that the pre-assembly device 10 is arranged on the centering pin 8 without radial play. The centering pin 8 thus positions the pre-assembly device 10 at a predetermined position along the radial direction.

[0042] After the centering pin 8 has been inserted into the opening, the locking hooks 9 undercut the opening and prevent the pre-assembly device 10 from being released from the centering pin 8. The connection between the pre-assembly device 10 and the centering pin 8 can be released by pressing in at least one locking hook 9.

[0043] Furthermore, the pre-assembly device 10 comprises a support element 3, which extends away from the pre-assembly device 10. The support element 3 extends radially away from the axis 16. In the assembled state of the pre-assembly device 10 on the air spring 6, the axis 16 is congruent with a central axis 15 of the pre-assembly device 10, which in Fig. 2 is shown. Fig. 2 shows a section through a plane through the central axis 15 of the pre-assembly device 10.

[0044] In this example, the pre-assembly device 10 is designed as a rotating body around the central axis 15. It is thus rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis 15.

[0045] At least one sealing element 4 is arranged on the carrier element 3, which in this example has two sealing ribs that extend circularly and concentrically around the axis 16, as in Fig. 3. The diameter of the circular sealing ribs differs. Furthermore, the sealing ribs are arranged such that at least one outlet opening 2 is located radially between the sealing ribs. In the direction of the centering pin 8, one of the sealing ribs seals the outlet opening 2. The other sealing rib seals the outlet opening 2 in the opposite direction.

[0046] In this example, a channel runs between the sealing ribs in a circumferential direction around the axis 16, which channel is sealed by the two sealing ribs from the air spring 6 and the centering pin 8.

[0047] The air spring 6 is installed according to Fig. 1 is coupled to the body 1 or the body part by means of a force flow element 5. The force flow between the air spring 6 and the body 1 or the body part occurs via the force flow element 5. The pre-assembly device 10 is located outside the force flow between the air spring 6 and the body 1 or the body part. The air spring 6 can be fixed to the body 1 using fixing elements (not shown), for example, screws.

[0048] The pre-assembly device 10 is deformed during the assembly of the air spring 6 at the assembly interface 17 between the body 1 and the air spring 6. The deformation takes place on the carrier element 3. This is Fig. 2, in which the pre-assembly device 10 is shown in the unassembled state.

[0049] The support element 3 has a disc spring or flange-like design. A body contact surface 19 of the support element 3, on which the sealing element 4 is arranged, is concave. The opposite side of the support element 3 comprises an air spring contact surface 14. This is convex in the unassembled or untensioned state.

[0050] During the pre-assembly of the air spring 6 with the pre-assembly device 10, the support element 3, which is constructed like a disc spring, is pre-tensioned. It is then in the tensioned state. The body contact surface 19 is thus Fig. 1 shown, so that the support element 3 extends almost radially away from the central axis 15 or the axis 16.

[0051] In an alternative example not shown, the support element 3 can be prestressed from a flat or slightly curved shape into a concave shape by the mounting interface 17. The mounting interface 17 can have a concave shape against which the support element 3 is pressed during assembly.

[0052] Due to the pre-tension, the sealing element 4 is pressed against the body 1 and creates a seal.

[0053] Fig.4 shows a further embodiment of the pre-assembly device 10. In this example, the sealing element 4 has a plurality of sealing rings or sealing surfaces arranged in a fixed relationship with a first alignment partner 12. During pre-assembly, the first alignment partner 12 interacts with a second alignment partner 13 on the centering pin 8. The centering pin 8 is shown as a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 16 and arranged in the centering element 11. The outlet openings 2 have a corresponding relationship to the second alignment partner 13 as the sealing elements 4 have to the first alignment partner 12.

[0054] In this example, the first alignment partner 12 is a recess at the opening of the centering element 11. The second alignment partner 13 is in this example a projection on the centering pin 8. However, this would also be possible the other way around.

[0055] Using the two alignment partners 12, 13, the pre-assembly device 10 can be arranged in a predefined orientation at the assembly interface 17. The sealing elements 4 are precisely aligned with the outlet openings 2 and positioned over the outlet openings 2 through the interaction of the two alignment partners 12, 13. Due to the precise alignment, the sealing elements 4 can seal the outlet openings 2 separately and precisely.

[0056] A sealing element 4 can have a sealing surface that closes the entire associated outlet opening 2 like a lid. Alternatively, the sealing elements 4 in this example can be designed as sealing rings, wherein the sealing rings each extend around the corresponding associated outlet openings 2.

[0057] In both examples, the sealing elements 4 are pressed against the body 1 or the outlet openings 2 by the preload of the carrier element 3 during pre-assembly. This condition is maintained during the final assembly of the air spring 6.

[0058] Alternatively, the support element 3 can be designed merely as a flange, which, for example, extends in a disc-like manner around the central axis 15 of the pre-assembly device 10. In this example, the flange has at least one conical section and is pressed between the air spring 6 and the body 1 during assembly. The sealing elements 4 are also arranged on the flange and are also pressed against the body 1 during pre-assembly, sealing the outlet openings 2.

[0059] The sealing element 4 can be formed integrally with the carrier element 3. It can be made of the same material.

[0060] Furthermore, the entire pre-assembly device 10 can be made in one piece from a single material.

[0061] Alternatively, the support element 3 can have a separate arm for each sealing element 4, which extends to the subsequent position of the outlet opening 2. The arm can be designed such that it presses the sealing element 4 against the outlet opening when installed. This can provide a weight advantage or an advantage in coordinating the contact forces. The support element 3 therefore does not necessarily have to be designed as a disc.

[0062] The invention is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in a variety of ways. All features and advantages apparent from the claims, the description, and the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols 1 body 2 outlet opening 3 support element 4 Sealing element 5 Power flow element 6 air spring 7 Connecting element 8 Centering pin 9 locking hooks 10 Pre-assembly device 11 Centering element 12 first hosting partner 13 second hosting partner 14 Air spring contact surface 15 central axis 16 Axis 17 Mounting interface 18 locking element 19 Body contact surface 20 systems

Claims

[1] Pre-assembly device for pre-assembling an air spring (6) on a body (1) which has a mounting interface (17), wherein the pre-assembly device (10) - a centering element (11) for centering the pre-assembly device (10) on the assembly interface (17), and - has a connecting element (7) for connection to an air spring (6), characterized by that the pre-assembly device (10) further: - a support element (3) extending away from the pre-assembly device (10), and - at least one sealing element (4) arranged on the carrier element (3) for sealing an outlet opening (2) of the body (1) arranged at the assembly interface (17), wherein the centering element (11) is further designed to align the sealing element (4) with the outlet opening (2) and wherein the carrier element (3) is designed like a disc spring and has a body contact surface (19) and an air spring contact surface (14) opposite the body contact surface (19), wherein the carrier element (3) is concave with the body contact surface (19) in an untensioned state of the pre-assembly device (10) and convex with the air spring contact surface (14) and flat in a tensioned state. [2] Pre-assembly device according to claim 1, characterized by that the sealing element (4) is arranged on the body contact surface (19). [3] Pre-assembly device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the carrier element (3) and the at least one sealing element (4) are annular and extend around a central axis (15) of the pre-assembly device (10). [4] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the at least one sealing element (4) has at least two annular sealing ribs with different radii, which are arranged concentrically on the carrier element (3). [5] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by in that the centering element (11) has an opening for inserting a centering pin (8) arranged on the mounting interface (17), wherein the centering pin (8) preferably has at least one latching hook (9) for locking the pre-assembly device (10) on the mounting interface (17). [6] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byin that the centering element (11) has a centering pin (8) for insertion into a centering opening arranged on the mounting interface (17), wherein the centering pin (8) preferably has at least one latching hook (9) for locking the pre-assembly device (10) on the mounting interface (17). [7] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by in that the pre-assembly device (10) has a first alignment partner for interacting with a second alignment partner arranged on a mounting interface (17) for aligning the pre-assembly device (10) in a predefined orientation on the mounting interface (17), wherein the first alignment partner (12) is preferably arranged on the centering element (11) and preferably has a receptacle for receiving the second alignment partner (13). [8] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the connecting element (7) has at least one locking hook for locking into a locking element (18) connected to the air spring (6). [9] Pre-assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the pre-assembly device (10) is designed as a rotating body with respect to a central axis (15). [10] System comprising a body (1) with at least one mounting interface (17) for an air spring (6), at least one outlet opening (2) arranged at the mounting interface (17), an air spring (6) arranged at the mounting interface (17), and a pre-assembly device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-assembly device (10) is connected to the air spring (6) and the mounting interface (17) and the sealing element (4) seals the outlet opening (2), wherein the air spring (6) has a force flow element (5) which couples the air spring (6) to the body (1) separately from the pre-assembly device (10), wherein the support element (3) is designed like a disc spring and has a body contact surface (19) and an air spring contact surface (14) opposite the body contact surface (19),wherein the support element (3) is concave with the body contact surface (19) in an unclamped state of the pre-assembly device (10) and convex with the air spring contact surface (14) and flat in a clamped state. [11] System according to claim 10, characterized by in that the pre-assembly device (10) is designed as a rotating body with respect to a central axis (15) and the sealing element (4) is arranged at a distance perpendicular to the central axis (15), wherein the outlet opening (2) has the same distance from the central axis. [12] System according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by in that the centering element (11) is designed as an opening and the mounting interface (17) has a centering pin (8) which extends through the opening, wherein the centering pin (8) preferably has at least one latching hook which undercuts the centering element (11). [13] System according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by in that the pre-assembly device (10) has a first alignment partner (12) and the assembly interface (17) has a second alignment partner (13), wherein the first alignment partner (12) and the second alignment partner (13) are designed to align the pre-assembly device (10) in a predefined orientation on the assembly interface (17).

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