Method for manufacturing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a push rod (2) for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, comprising a first rod element (4), a second rod element (6), and a stop ring (8) for limiting movement of the push rod (2), wherein the stop ring (8) is clamped firmly between the first and second rod elements (4, 6), comprising the steps of fixing (100) the first and second rod elements (4, 6), sliding (200) the stop ring (8) onto an end region (E) of the first rod element (4) or an end region (E) of the second rod element (6), and joining (300) the first and second rod elements (4, 6) to end faces (S) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6) by generating a frictional force between the end faces (S) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6), wherein the stop ring (8) is held in place during the joining process. Connecting (300) the first and second rod elements (4,6) is clamped firmly between the first and second rod element (4, 6) via a material flow (10) of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element (4, 6).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle and to a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle. The invention furthermore relates to a steering gear and a motor vehicle having such a push rod.Push rods for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle are known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2020 121 825 A1. The known push rods often have rod elements for carrying out a steering movement. In order to be able to limit the movement of the push rod and thus a steering movement, it is also known to arrange stop limitations or the like on the push rod.The arrangement of stop limitations on a push rod has proven to be disadvantageous. Thus, in particular, a secure and reliable fastening of stop limitations on a push rod via corresponding fastening means is difficult and can frequently only be achieved at high constructive and high cost. In addition, such a fastening by means of corresponding fastening means generally impairs the movement of a push rod. For weight reasons as well, the known fastening methods have proven disadvantageous.Although methods for the firmly bonded fixing of stop limitations are known from the prior art, these known fastening methods are particularly time-consuming and cost-intensive.It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above, in particular it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, which ensures a reliable and reliable limitation of a movement of a push rod in a simple and cost-effective manner.The above object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1 and a push rod according to claim 7, a steering gear according to claim 10 and a motor vehicle according to claim 11. Technical features disclosed for the method according to the invention also apply here in connection with the push rod according to the invention, the steering gear according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure reference is or can always be made reciprocally to the individual aspects of the invention. Practical embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.The method according to the invention for producing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle having a first rod element, a second rod element and a stop ring for limiting a movement of the push rod, wherein the stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements, comprises the steps of fixing the first and second rod elements, pushing the stop ring onto an end region of the first rod element or an end region of the second rod element, materially connecting the first and second rod elements to end faces of the first and second rod elements by generating a frictional force between the end faces of the first and second rod elements, wherein the stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements during the material-bonded connection of the first and second rod element via a material flow of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element.By means of the method step provided according to the invention of producing a cohesive connection between the first and second rod elements, in which a stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements via a material flow of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element, it is possible in particular to ensure a reliable and reliable limitation of a movement of a push rod in a simple and cost-effective manner. In contrast to known methods for fastening stop limitations on a push rod, a stop element can be securely and reliably fixed in its position in a simple and cost-effective manner simultaneously with the production of a materially bonded connection between two rod elements.Within the scope of the invention, a push rod can be understood to mean, in particular, a steering rod or a steering lever which transmits a steering movement to the wheels of a vehicle. A stop ring can be understood in the present context as an element fastened to the push rod, which limits a movement of the push rod and thereby a steering movement. The feature that the stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements can be understood in particular within the scope of the invention to mean that the rod element is clamped between at least a part of the first and at least a part of the second rod element and is preferably fixed in its position. The fixing or clamping is preferably generated here via the material flow which is arranged in particular directly on the stop ring, particularly preferably between the stop ring and at least a part of the first and / or second rod element. In the context of the invention, a material flow can be understood to mean, in particular, a liquefied and subsequently hardened part of the material of the first and / or second rod element.The push rod produced by the method according to the invention can be used in particular in a passenger car or a truck. It is understood, however, that the push rod produced by the method according to the invention can also be used in a commercial vehicle or the like.With regard to a constructionally simple and cost-effective way of fastening a stop ring on a rod element, it can advantageously be provided according to the invention that the stop ring is pushed onto a material-tapered shoulder of the first or second rod element when the stop ring is pushed onto an end region of the first or second rod element, wherein preferably a part of the material-tapered shoulder is liquefied during the material-bonded connection and forms the material flow. By sliding the stop ring onto the material-tapered shoulder, the stop ring can already have a first fixing point at the end of the material-tapered shoulder, onto which the stop ring can be slid during clamping. It is understood that the diameter of the opening of the stop ring can be at least as large, preferably marginally larger, than the diameter of the tapered section, but smaller than the diameter of the remaining part of the first or second rod element, so that a stop point can already be provided for the stop ring.Within the scope of a simple, fast and cost-effective production of a cohesive connection and fixing of a stop element between a first and a second rod element, it can furthermore be provided according to the invention that the cohesive connection takes place via a pressure welding method, preferably via a friction welding method. A friction welding method offers the particular advantage that no additional material has to be introduced for the connection or that it has to be operated under protective gas or the like.With regard to a simple embodiment and control with a lower energy requirement, it can be further advantageous if during the material-bonding connection one of the rod elements is rotated about its axis of rotation while the other rod element remains in its position. Such single-sided friction welding can be advantageous in particular if the end faces of the first and second rod elements differ in terms of surface size or surface shape.Within the scope of an improved connection strength during the production of a materially integral connection, it can be advantageous in particular if both the first and the second rod element have a material-tapered shoulder, wherein preferably a part of the material-tapered shoulder of the first and second rod element is liquefied during the materially integral connection and forms the material flow. As a result of the material introduction on both sides during friction welding, a larger contact surface is created between the two components. This leads to an improved connection strength, since the welding zone has a higher material density and a better mechanical connection is produced.With a view to a particularly secure and reliable fixing of a stop ring on a push rod, it can advantageously be provided according to the invention that the method takes place in two stages, wherein the stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements during the material-bonded connection of the first and second rod elements via a material flow of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and second rod elements.It is also understood in the present case that individual, several or all obligatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out in the proposed sequence, but also in a manner deviating from the proposed sequence. In this case, individual, several or all obligatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out in particular repeatedly, for example cyclically repeatedly. It is also understood that individual, several or all of the obligatory and optional steps of the method according to the invention can also be carried out at least partially automatically or automatically, in particular can be implemented by a computer, preferably can be carried out via computer-implemented simulation methods.The invention also relates to a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, preferably producible by a method described above, having a first rod element, a second rod element and a stop ring for limiting a movement of the push rod, wherein the stop ring is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements via a material flow of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element. The push rod according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to the method according to the invention.For optimized use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, it is furthermore conceivable for the first rod element to be designed in the form of a push rod, preferably a profile shaft, and / or for the second rod element to be designed in the form of a threaded spindle.With regard to a secure and reliable clamping of a stop element on a push rod, it can be advantageous in the present case, furthermore, if the material flow of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element is arranged directly on the stop ring, preferably between the stop ring and the first rod element and / or between the stop ring and the second rod element.The invention also relates to a steering gear for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a push rod described above. The steering gear according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to the method according to the invention or the push rod according to the invention.The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a push rod described above, preferably a steering gear described above. The motor vehicle according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to the method according to the invention, the push rod according to the invention or the steering gear according to the invention.Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for producing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for producing a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle according to a second exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a push rod for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment (top), a second exemplary embodiment (middle) and a third exemplary embodiment (bottom).Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for the same technical features.FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for producing a push rod 2 for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, having a first rod element 4, a second rod element 6 and a stop ring 8 for limiting a movement of the push rod 2, wherein the stop ring 8 is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements 4, 6, according to a first exemplary embodiment.As can be seen from FIG. 1, the method according to the invention according to the first exemplary embodiment comprises the steps of fixing 100 the first and second rod elements 4, 6, pushing 200 the stop ring 8 onto an end region E of the present first rod element 4 and firmly bonding 300 the first and second rod elements 4, 6 to end faces S of the first and second rod elements 4, 6 by generating a frictional force between the end faces S of the first and second rod elements 4, 6, wherein the stop ring 8 is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements 4, 6 during the firmly bonding 300 of the first and second rod elements 4, 6 by a material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod elements 4, 6.As can be seen from FIG. 1, when the stop ring 8 is pushed onto an end region E of the first rod element 4, the stop ring 8 is pushed onto a material-tapered shoulder 4 aof the first rod element 4, wherein a part of the material-tapered shoulder 4 ais liquefied during the material-bonded connection 300 and forms the material flow 10.The material-to-material connection 300 is effected in the present case via a friction welding method, wherein during the material-to-material connection 300 in the present case only the second rod element 6 is rotated about its axis of rotation, while the first rod element 4 remains in its position.FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the individual steps of a method according to the invention for producing a push rod 2 for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle according to a second exemplary embodiment.As can be seen from FIG. 2, in the method according to the second exemplary embodiment, both the first and the second rod element 4, 6 have a material-tapered shoulder 4 a, 6 a, wherein in the present case a part of the material-tapered shoulder 4 a, 6 aof the first and second rod element 4, 6 is liquefied during the material-bonded connection 300 and forms the material flow 10.FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a push rod 2 for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment (top), a second exemplary embodiment (middle) and a third exemplary embodiment (bottom).As can be seen from FIG. 3, the push rod 2 has a first rod element 4, a second rod element 6 and a stop ring 8 for limiting a movement of the push rod 2, wherein the stop ring 8 is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements 4, 6 via a material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element 4, 6.The first rod element 4 is designed in this case in the form of a profiled shaft and the second rod element 6 in the form of a threaded spindle.In the push rod 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment (top), the material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element 4, 6 is arranged between the stop ring 8 and the second rod element 6. In the push rod 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment (centrally), the material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element 4, 6 is arranged between the stop ring 8 and the first rod element 4. In the push rod 2 according to the third exemplary embodiment (at the bottom), the material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element 4, 6 is arranged on both sides directly on the stop ring 8 and thus both between the stop ring 8 and the first rod element 4 and between the stop ring 8 and the second rod element 6. A push rod 2 according to the third exemplary embodiment can be produced in particular by means of a two-stage method, wherein the stop ring 8 is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements 4, 6 during the materially bonded connection 300 of the first and second rod elements 4, 6 by means of a material flow 10 of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and second rod elements 4, 6.List of reference characters2 Push rod 4 First rod element 4 a Material-tapered shoulder of the first rod element 6 Second rod element 6 a Material-tapered shoulder of the second rod element 8 Stop ring 10 Material flow E End region S End side 100 Fixing of the first and second rod elements 200 Sliding of the stop ring onto an end region of the first rod element or of the second rod element 300 Material-bonded connection of the first and second rod elementsReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2020 121 825 A1

[0002]

Claims

Method for producing a push rod (2) for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle having a first rod element (4), a second rod element (6) and a stop ring (8) for limiting a movement of the push rod (2), wherein the stop ring (8) is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements (4, 6), comprising the steps: - fixing (100) the first and second rod elements (4, 6), - sliding (200) the stop ring (8) onto an end region (E) of the first rod element (4) or an end region (E) of the second rod element (6), - materially bonded connection (300) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6) on end faces (S) of the first and second rod elements (4, 4, A stop ring (8) is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements (4, 6) during the material-bonded connection (300) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6) via a material flow (10) of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element (4, 6), by generating a frictional force between the end faces (S) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6).Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, when the stop ring (8) is pushed onto an end region (E) of the first or second rod element (4, 6), the stop ring (8) is pushed onto a material-tapered shoulder (4a, 6a) of the first or second rod element (4, 6), wherein preferably a part of the material-tapered shoulder (4a, 6a) is liquefied during the materially bonded connection (300) and forms the material flow (10).Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the material-to-material connection (300) is effected via a pressure welding method, preferably via a friction welding method.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the materially bonded connection (300) one of the rod elements (4, 6) is rotated about its axis of rotation, while the other rod element (4, 6) remains in its position.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the first and the second rod element (4, 6) have a material-tapered shoulder (4a, 6a), wherein preferably a part of the material-tapered shoulder (4a, 6a) of the first and second rod element (4, 6) is liquefied during the material-bonded connection (300) and forms the material flow (10).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method takes place in two stages, wherein the stop ring (8) is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements (4, 6) during the material-bonded connection (300) of the first and second rod elements (4, 6) via a material flow (10) of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and second rod elements (4, 6).Push rod (2) for use in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, preferably producible by a method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, having: - a first rod element (4), - a second rod element (6), - a stop ring (8) for limiting a movement of the push rod (2), characterized in that the stop ring (8) is firmly clamped between the first and second rod elements (4, 6) via a material flow (10) of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element (4, 6).Push rod (2) according to claim 7, characterised in that the first rod element (4) is designed in the form of a push rod (2), preferably a profiled shaft, and / or the second rod element (6) is designed in the form of a threaded spindle.Push rod (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the material flow (10) of liquefied and subsequently hardened material of the first and / or second rod element (4, 6) is arranged directly on the stop ring (8), preferably between the stop ring (8) and the first rod element (4) and / or between the stop ring (8) and the second rod element (6).Steering gear for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a push rod (2) according to one of Claims 7 to 9.Motor vehicle comprising a push rod (2) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, preferably a steering gear according to Claim 10.

Images