Damper element and wheel suspension

Abstract

Damping element, in particular for motor vehicles, which extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and which has a first bearing point and a second bearing point at each end for fastening, wherein at least one bearing point is designed as a double bearing point, comprising two separate bearing areas which form a common bearing axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the bearing areas are positioned such that the bearing axis is offset towards the other end.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper element and a wheel suspension, in particular, for example, a rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle.

[0002] Damper elements of the type in question are an essential component of shock absorbers or struts, etc., such as those used in the wheel suspension of all types of vehicles. They typically include a bearing point at the end for installation on the corresponding vehicle. These are often also referred to as "damper eyes." The installation length of the damper element or shock absorber, which is determined by the distance between the two end bearing points, is a crucial design parameter for the possible installation position and the vehicle architecture, which can certainly lead to disadvantages in reality. For example, with conventional damper elements / shock absorbers, the force is often introduced at very specific points. The force flow cannot therefore always be ideally represented. In motorcycles, a load-bearing structure must also be present in the center of the vehicle to enable the damper element / shock absorber to be positioned, etc.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to further develop the known damper elements in order, for example, to enable a better connection to the respective vehicle and to generate further design options.

[0004] This object is achieved by a damper element according to claim 1 and by a wheel suspension according to claim 9. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0005] According to the invention, a damper element for a vehicle, in particular for motor vehicles, which extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, has a first bearing point and a second bearing point at each end for fastening in or on a vehicle, wherein at least one bearing point is designed as a double bearing point, comprising two separate bearing regions which form a common bearing axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the bearing regions are positioned such that the bearing axis is offset towards the respective other end of the damper element. Preferably, the bearing regions are positioned in particular such that the bearing axis intersects the damper element. Expediently, the bearing regions are designed / arranged at a distance radially from the longitudinal axis or a central axis of the damper element.The bearing point is therefore expediently formed by two bearing areas arranged laterally on the damper element, which, among other things, ensures better force introduction into the connected component or element. In particular, the point-like force introduction, as occurs with conventional damper eyes, can be avoided. In addition, the bearing areas are also offset from one end of the damper element, in particular such that the bearing axis formed or provided by the bearing areas intersects the damper element. This means that the bearing axis intersects, for example, the damper housing (the working chamber) or the piston rod, in other words, is arranged at their height.

[0006] Such a damper element can be used in all types of vehicles, such as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and especially motorcycles, such as motorbikes, scooters, trikes, etc. The damper element can also be suitable for bicycles, with or without auxiliary motors.

[0007] The aforementioned damper housing contains the working chamber, which contains the working medium, in particular a fluid such as oil. A piston element connected to the piston rod operates within this chamber. Further details are omitted here, as the provision of at least one double bearing is independent of the internal functioning of the damper element.

[0008] In conventional damper elements or shock absorbers, a first damper eyelet would be located at the end of the damper housing and a second damper eyelet at the end of the piston rod. The installation length is determined by the distance between the damper eyes. In this case, the at least one double bearing point can significantly shorten the installation length. This makes it possible, for example, to provide the same damper stroke with a shorter installation length or to allow for more damper stroke with the same installation length. As already mentioned, a better flow of force can also be achieved. Furthermore, the double bearing point offers advantages in terms of installation position, which allows the damper element to be positioned so that it is better protected from dirt, heat, etc.

[0009] The distance between the bearing points along the longitudinal axis defines the installation length. According to a preferred embodiment, the installation length is a maximum of 95% of the total length of the damper element. Alternatively, damper elements can be realized with installation lengths that are only 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, or 70% of the total length of the damper element. The total length refers to the absolute length of the damper element, measured at its outer points along the longitudinal axis.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the damper element comprises a component, wherein the component comprises or forms the bearing regions. According to one embodiment, the component is arranged or can be arranged on the damper element, in particular arranged or can be arranged fixedly or non-rotatably. Alternatively, the component can also be formed integrally on the damper element, for example as a component of the damper housing or the piston rod. The two bearing regions are expediently provided via the component. In addition, the offset can also be realized via the component, which has the effect that the bearing regions are, so to speak, offset towards the respective other bearing point of the damper element, whereby the installation length can advantageously be shortened.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the component comprises a base plate, which is positioned or aligned perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the damper element, and wherein the bearing areas are arranged offset from the base plate. The function of the offset has already been described. Typically, the offset with respect to the base plate is in the range of a few millimeters, for example, 5 mm, or a few centimeters, for example, 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, or 5 cm, possibly even more.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the component is designed and / or arranged to be movable transversely to the bearing axis, in particular rotatable. A rotational axis is oriented, in particular, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the bearing axis and to the longitudinal axis of the damper element. This advantageously compensates for manufacturing tolerances and prevents any unfavorable force introduction into the damper element. The component can be movably mounted on the piston rod or on the damper housing, depending on where the double bearing point is to be located.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the damper element comprises a spring element, wherein the component is a spring plate of the damper element. The spring element is supported on the spring plate, wherein the spring element can be, for example, a helical or spiral spring. The area of ​​the spring plate on or against which the spring element is supported is, for example, the aforementioned base plate. The bearing axis of the double bearing point expediently intersects the spring element or, in other words, is arranged at the level of the spring element. This allows the aforementioned shortening of the installation length to be achieved.

[0014] The spring element can also be arranged separately from the damper element. Alternatively, the spring element can also be provided via an air spring.

[0015] The bearing areas are preferably designed as plain bearing points or include plain bearing points. Advantageously, the bearing areas are designed as openings, in particular circular openings or recesses, which are configured to accommodate a congruently configured bearing journal. Alternatively, the bearing areas can also be designed as journals or the like, which are configured to be arranged in correspondingly congruently configured openings or recesses. The bearing areas can also include threads to arrange corresponding bearing elements therein in a form-fitting and non-positive manner.

[0016] According to one embodiment, bearing elements are arranged or can be arranged in the bearing areas, wherein the bearing elements each comprise a threaded section and a bearing section. The bearing areas are expediently designed as round, in particular circular, openings in which the congruently designed bearing section of the bearing elements is arranged or can be arranged. The bearing sections are expediently arranged or can be arranged in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via the threaded section in another component of a wheel suspension, such as in a corresponding swing arm or control arm element.

[0017] The invention also relates to a wheel suspension, in particular a rear wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle, comprising a swing arm having two swing arms and a main bearing point for the rotatable arrangement of the swing arm in the corresponding vehicle, and wherein a fastening point for interacting with the double bearing point of the damper element according to the invention is formed directly in each of the swing arms. The damper element preferably comprises a spring element. The damper element is therefore preferably designed as a shock absorber, wherein the spring element is, for example, a helical or spiral spring. Alternatively, the spring element can also be provided by an air spring. Further alternatively, the damper element can also be designed as a spring strut, which is a component of the wheel suspension.

[0018] Advantageously, the damper element can be attached directly to the swing arm or swing arms. The double bearing location advantageously allows for a lateral attachment of the damper element in the swing arm or swing arms, rather than a purely end-mounted attachment, which, in the case of a motorcycle, for example, would require a load-bearing structure in the center of the vehicle.

[0019] The swingarm arms are advantageously designed as hollow bodies, at least in some areas, with the attachment points formed directly in the hollow bodies. Advantageously, no separate attachment points in the form of webs, extensions, or the like are required on the swingarm or the swingarm arms. The attachment points can be formed directly in the swingarm arms. This advantageously also enables a particularly stable and secure arrangement of the damper element.

[0020] The bearing elements are conveniently attached, in particular screwed, to the attachment points, which interact with the bearing areas of the damper element. The bearing elements can conveniently be screwed into the swing arm from the outside to connect them to the damper element or the double bearing point. This is extremely easy to assemble and disassemble. The double bearing point is well protected against temperature and dirt. The elimination of the upper and / or lower bearings can also result in an extension of the actual damper element. This allows for greater spring travel or damper stroke within the original installation space. The double bearing point conveniently allows the damper element to be arranged directly in the swing arm cheeks or swing arm (frame side walls), eliminating the need for a load-bearing structure in the center of the vehicle.

[0021] The attachment points are expediently designed as through openings or holes in the swingarm arms. The attachment points can be formed, for example, by tubular inserts arranged, for example, welded, in the swingarm arms or the corresponding hollow bodies. The swingarm can be, for example, a cast construction, possibly also a multi-part one, and / or a sheet metal part welded together from several individual parts, and / or a hydroformed component.

[0022] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of a damper element with reference to the attached figures.

[0023] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic view of an embodiment of a damper element; Fig. 2: a schematic view of an embodiment of a wheel suspension; Fig. 3: a detailed view of an embodiment of a wheel suspension.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a damper element 1, comprising a working chamber or a damper housing 2, which extends along a longitudinal axis L. A piston rod 3 is arranged so as to be translationally movable along the longitudinal axis L. This piston rod 3 comprises a separating piston / working piston, etc., which interacts with a working medium located in the working chamber 2. The interior of the working chamber 2 or the damper housing is not shown here. A spring element 4, which in this case is designed as a spiral or helical spring, extends along the working chamber 2. The damper element 1 extends along the longitudinal axis L from a first end to a second end and comprises a first bearing point 10 and a second bearing point 20, wherein the second bearing point 20 is designed as a double bearing point 22. The second bearing point 20 is designed or arranged offset towards the other end of the damper element 1.The double bearing point 22 comprises two bearing areas 24, which form a bearing axis 26 that intersects the damper element 1. This means, in particular, that the bearing axis 26 is not arranged at the end of the damper element 1, such as the first bearing point 10, but rather such that the damper element 1, in this case in particular the piston rod 2 or the spring element 4, is "intersected." More generally, the bearing axis 26 is offset towards the other end of the damper element 1. In other words, the bearing axis 26 of the double bearing point 22 lies in the area of ​​or at the level of the piston rod 3 or the spring element 4. This allows a significant shortening of the installation length E compared to the overall length of the damper element G. The double bearing point 22 enables a lateral connection of the damper element 1, for example, to the swing arm cheeks or frame side walls of a rear swing arm of a motorcycle.Advantageously, no load-bearing structure needs to be provided in the middle of the vehicle. This means that the bearings are well protected against temperature and dirt. The elimination of the top and bottom bearings can also be used to extend the actual damper element. This allows for greater spring travel or damper stroke within the original installation space. The double bearing point 22 is realized in the present case using a component 30, which in this case is the spring plate of the damper element 1, on which the spring element 4 is supported. The component or spring plate 30 is advantageously arranged so that it can be rotated or pivoted about a pivot joint 34. An axis of rotation D of the pivot joint 34 is in this case perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and thus also perpendicular to the bearing axis 26 or the longitudinal axis L of the damper element 1. This advantageously compensates for manufacturing inaccuracies or prevents unfavorable force introduction into the damper element 1.Schematically shown in the . Fig. 1 further shows that bearing elements 40 are arranged in the bearing areas 24 of the double bearing point 22. The component or the spring plate 30 comprises a base plate 32, to which the bearing areas 24 are arranged offset. In the present case, the spring element 4 is supported on the base plate 32. This area of ​​the damper element 1 is in the Fig. 3 is shown in more detail.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a side view of a wheel suspension, in particular part of a swing arm 50, in particular a rear wheel swing arm of a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle. The swing arm 50 comprises two swing arm arms 52, whereby in this case the right swing arm is missing so that a view of a damper element 1 is possible. For better orientation, a direction of travel F of a vehicle, not further shown, is sketched. The swing arm 50 comprises a main bearing point 54, via which the swing arm 50 is connected, for example, to a frame of the vehicle, not shown here. A rear wheel (likewise not shown), for example, is rotatably mounted at a wheel bearing point 56. It is schematically shown that the damper element 1, which comprises a first bearing point 10 and a second bearing point 20, is connected directly or indirectly via the second bearing point 20, which is designed as a double bearing point 22.is arranged directly laterally in the swing arm 52 of the swing arm 50. For this purpose, the swing arm 52 has, for example, a correspondingly designed attachment point 58, which is formed directly in the respective swing arm 52. Thus, advantageously, no load-bearing structure is required in the center of the vehicle to attach the damper element 1. Furthermore, the bearing is well protected against temperature and dirt.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a lower part of a damper element 1. In particular, it concerns its arrangement in swing arms 52 of a swing arm, for example a rear swing arm of a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle. The view is taken along a direction of travel F, as in the Fig.2, so that the lateral connection of the damper element 1 in the swing arm arms 52 can be seen. The damper element 1 is only partially shown here. A piston rod 3 can be seen, on which a component, or in this case in particular a spring plate 30, is arranged so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation D. The component 30 or the spring plate 30 comprises a base plate 32 and two bearing areas 24, which are arranged offset from the base plate 32. Bearing elements or bearing bolts 40 are arranged in the bearing areas 24, each of which has a threaded section 42 and a bearing section 44. In the present case, the arrangement is such that the bearing elements 40 are fastened in the swing arm arms 52 via their threaded section 42, the bearing sections 44 interacting with the bearing areas 24. The bearing areas 24 are designed as plain bearing points.It can be seen that the bearing elements 40 can, for example, be easily screwed into the swing arm arms 52 from the outside, which makes assembly and disassembly of the damper element 1 very simple. A spring element 4, in this case designed as a helical or spiral spring, is supported on the spring plate 30. The fastening points 58 are formed directly in the swing arm arms 52. There is no need for additional webs, extensions or the like in the swing arm arms 52; instead, the arrangement can be made directly in the swing arm arms 52. By providing the pivot joint 34, manufacturing tolerances, in particular in the swing arm arms 52, can be compensated for. In particular, it is possible to react to this, for example, if the bearing axis 26 is not oriented exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the damper element 1. List of reference symbols 1 damper element 2 Working space / damper housing 3 piston rod 4 spring element 10 first storage location 20 second storage location 22 double bearing point 24 storage area 26 bearing axis 30 Component, spring plate 32 base plate 34 Swivel joint 40 Bearing element, bearing bolt 42 threaded section 44 storage section 50 swingarm 52 swing arm 54 Main storage location 56 wheel bearing location 58 attachment point F Direction of travel G Total length E Installation length L Longitudinal axis D axis of rotation

Claims

[1] Damping element (1) for a vehicle, which extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis (L) and which has a first bearing point (10) and a second bearing point (20) at each end for fastening, wherein at least one bearing point (10, 20) is designed as a double bearing point (22), comprising two separate bearing areas (24) which form a common bearing axis (26) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the bearing areas (24) are positioned such that the bearing axis (26) is offset towards the other end. [2] Damper element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the bearing points (10, 20) along the longitudinal axis (L) defines an installation length (E), and wherein the installation length (E) is a maximum of 95% of a total length (G) of the damper element (1). [3] Damper element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a component (30), wherein the component (30) comprises or forms the bearing areas (24). [4] Damper element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the component (30) comprises a base plate (32) which is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the bearing areas (24) are arranged offset from the base plate (32). [5] Damper element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (30) is designed and / or arranged to be movable, in particular rotatable, transversely to the bearing axis (26). [6] Damper element (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, comprising a spring element (4), and wherein the component (30) is a spring plate of the damper element (1). [7] Damper element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing areas (24) are designed as or comprise plain bearing points. [8] Damper element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein bearing elements (40) are arranged or can be arranged in the bearing areas (24), and wherein the bearing elements (40) each comprise a threaded portion (42) and a bearing portion (44). [9] Wheel suspension, in particular rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle, comprising a swing arm (50) which has two swing arms (52) and a main bearing point (54) for the rotatable arrangement of the swing arm (50), and wherein a fastening point (58) for interacting with the double bearing point (22) of a damper element (1) according to one of the preceding claims is formed directly in each of the swing arms (52). [10] Wheel suspension according to claim 9, wherein the swing arms (52) are at least partially hollow bodies, and wherein the fastening points (58) are formed directly in the hollow bodies. [11] Wheel suspension according to claim 9 or 10, wherein bearing elements (40) are fastened, in particular screwed, in the fastening points (58), which interact with the bearing areas (24) of the damper element (1). [12] Wheel suspension according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the fastening points (50) are formed as through openings or holes in the swing arms (42).

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