Wheel carrier arrangement for a vehicle and method for adjusting a wheel camber of a vehicle

The wheel carrier assembly addresses the complexity of wheel camber adjustment by using an elongated ball stud receptacle and an adjusting nut system, enabling continuous and accessible camber adjustment within the wheel carrier assembly.

DE102024000853B3Active Publication Date: 2025-06-12MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102024000853
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-14
Publication Date
2025-06-12
Estimated Expiration
2044-03-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wheel carrier arrangements face challenges in simplifying the assembly of vehicle wheels, particularly in adjusting the wheel camber, due to limited installation space and the need for complex adjustments.

Method used

A wheel carrier assembly with a ball stud receptacle designed as an elongated hole, allowing for continuous adjustment of the wheel camber by displacing the ball stud within the receptacle, facilitated by a guide sleeve and an adjusting nut system.

Benefits of technology

Enables easy and continuous adjustment of the wheel camber, even in tight installation spaces, allowing for tolerance compensation and accommodating different wheel camber requirements across various vehicle series.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel carrier arrangement (1) for a vehicle, comprising a wheel carrier (2) with a ball stud receptacle (3) for a ball stud (4) for connecting the wheel carrier (2) via a wishbone to a vehicle bodyshell of the vehicle. According to the invention, the wheel carrier arrangement (1) is characterized by - a design of the ball stud holder (3) as an elongated hole, - a guide sleeve (5) for guiding the ball stud (4) in the ball stud holder (3), - a threaded rod (6), - a radial through-hole (10) for the threaded rod (6) in the wheel carrier (2) in the area of ​​the ball stud holder (3), - a radial fastening hole (11) for fastening the threaded rod (6) in the guide sleeve (5), and - an adjusting nut (7) for the threaded rod (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting a wheel camber of a vehicle.
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Description

The invention relates to a wheel carrier arrangement for a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for adjusting a camber of a vehicle.As described in DE 296 10 634 U1, a device for camber adjustment between strut and wheel suspension is known from the prior art. The strut comprises a holder which is fixed to the shock absorber cylinder and has two parallel fixing walls which define a space and are provided with two bores which each have an insertion bore region and an outlet bore region. The wheel suspension has a guide joint which is connected to the holder via a steering knuckle, the steering knuckle extending with a steering knuckle extension into the intermediate space of the holder and the steering knuckle extension having two transverse bores which are aligned with the bores of the holder. Bolts passing through the holes of the bracket and the transverse holes of the knuckle extension fasten the knuckle to the strut by means of nuts. One of the screw bolts has a cam or eccentric which is arranged on the screw shank in the region of the intermediate space of the holder and mates with the local transverse bore of the knuckle extension. The screw bolt comprises a marking which marks the angular position of the cam or eccentric.DE 10 2014 003 220 A1 discloses a generic wheel carrier arrangement for a two-track motor vehicle, the links of which have pivot bearing points both on the body shell side and on the wheel carrier side, wherein the pivot bearing point on the wheel carrier side can be adjusted in terms of stroke by means of an adjusting device.Furthermore, as described in DE 39 12 924 A1, the prior art comprises a suspension joint for supporting a suspension arm, which is formed from a ball head and a ball socket, wherein the ball socket is arranged displaceably in a guide housing.Finally, JP H06-12 116 U describes a front wheel suspension comprising a knuckle rotatably connected to a suspension arm via a knuckle pin.The invention is based on the object of simplifying the assembly of vehicle wheels, in particular the adjustment of the camber, in comparison with the prior art.The object is achieved according to the invention by a wheel carrier arrangement for a vehicle having the features of claim 1 and a method for setting a camber of a vehicle having the features of claim 9.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.A wheel carrier arrangement for a vehicle has a wheel carrier with a ball stud receptacle for a ball stud. The ball stud is provided for connecting the wheel carrier via a suspension arm to a vehicle body shell of the vehicle, wherein the suspension arm is connected with one end to the ball stud and with the other end to the vehicle body shell.According to the invention, the ball stud receptacle is designed as an elongated hole. The wheel carrier arrangement has a guide sleeve for guiding the ball stud in the ball stud receptacle, a threaded rod, a radial passage bore for the threaded rod in the wheel carrier in the region of the ball stud receptacle, a radial fastening bore for fastening the threaded rod in the guide sleeve and an adjusting nut for the threaded rod.The fastening bore in the guide sleeve is formed in particular as a threaded blind hole for the threaded rod in a side wall of the guide sleeve, in particular in a side wall of a guide section of the guide sleeve, which extends from an outer side of the side wall of the guide sleeve.The wheel carrier arrangement according to the invention forms in particular a device for connecting the wheel carrier to the suspension arm. The wheel carrier arrangement according to the invention enables in particular a camber adjustment, i.e. an adjustment of a camber of the vehicle, since this camber adjustment possibility is integrated in the wheel carrier arrangement according to the invention, in particular in the wheel carrier thereof. The camber adjustment is effected in particular by a displacement of the ball stud in the ball stud receptacle formed as an elongated hole.The solution according to the invention facilitates mounting of a vehicle wheel of the vehicle. Manufacturing tolerances must be used to adjust the camber thereof after the mounting of the vehicle wheel, for example regularly. In previously known solutions, however, this is frequently made more difficult by a small installation space in the vicinity of a wheel suspension of the vehicle.For example, in a previously known solution, the camber is adjusted by installing a washer at a connection point of the suspension arm on the vehicle body shell or installing a plurality of washers. The washers slightly displace the suspension arm in the direction of a wheel contact point and thereby influence the camber. The disadvantage of this procedure is that the adjustment of the camber can only take place in stages, corresponding to a thickness of the respective washer used. Moreover, the assembly is complicated.In a further solution known hitherto, the camber setting is set by means of eccentric screws or cam screws between wheel suspension and suspension strut. This has the disadvantage that, due to the narrow installation space, these screws can only be reached to a limited extent after the assembly of the vehicle wheel and any readjustments that may be required are thus no longer possible. In addition, in the case of high transverse forces, there is the risk of the eccentric screw or cam screw slipping and of the resulting adjustment of the camber.The solution according to the invention is based on the finding that the adjustment of the camber can also take place at the point of attachment of the wheel carrier to the suspension arm. This connection is effected by means of the ball stud. If its position within its receiving opening, i.e. within the ball stud receptacle, in the wheel carrier is changed, the camber also changes. The solution described here makes this change of position possible and thus the camber adjustment possible.The change in position of the ball stud within the ball stud receptacle takes place by rotating the adjusting nut. As a result, depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting nut, the threaded rod is moved axially through the adjusting nut and is thereby increasingly moved radially into the ball stud receptacle or is moved out of the ball stud receptacle. As a result, the guide sleeve fastened to the threaded rod for guiding the ball stud is correspondingly displaced in the ball stud receptacle configured as an elongated hole along a longitudinal extent of the elongated hole, as a result of which the ball stud connected to the guide sleeve and arranged in particular in sections therein is also correspondingly displaced. That is to say, the position of the ball stud and thus the camber are changed accordingly in this way.The described solution thus enables, in particular, the tolerance compensation even in the narrow installation space in the region of the wheel suspension.Particularly advantageously, the solution described here enables a continuously variable adjustability of the position of the ball stud within the ball stud receptacle and thus a continuously variable adjustment of the camber. This makes it possible, for example, to use the wheel carrier arrangement for a plurality of vehicle rows of structures, each of which requires a different camber.Advantageously, the wheel carrier arrangement has a receiving recess for the adjusting nut in and / or on a side wall of the wheel carrier in the region of the passage bore for the threaded rod, i.e. in particular in and / or on a side wall of the ball stud receiver. This receiving recess is in particular formed in such a way that the adjusting nut is accessible for adjustment, in particular is accessible by a corresponding tool, for example a wrench. For example, it is provided that the adjusting nut protrudes beyond the wheel carrier, in particular an outer edge of the wheel carrier, at least in sections, for example with at least one circumferential section and / or at least in sections in the axial direction of the adjusting nut.This accessibility of the adjusting nut makes it possible, for example, for an engineer to adjust the camber when the wheel carrier arrangement is installed on the vehicle and in particular when the vehicle wheel is mounted, in that he acts on the accessible section of the adjusting nut, in particular by means of the tool, and rotates the adjusting nut. As described above, the threaded rod is thereby moved axially through the adjusting nut, depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting nut, and is thereby increasingly moved radially into the ball stud receptacle or is moved out of the ball stud receptacle. As a result, the guide sleeve fastened to the threaded rod for guiding the ball stud is correspondingly displaced in the ball stud receptacle configured as an elongated hole along the longitudinal extent of the elongated hole, as a result of which the ball stud connected to the guide sleeve and arranged in particular in sections therein is also correspondingly displaced. That is to say, the position of the ball stud and thus the camber are changed accordingly in this way.It is provided in particular that the receiving recess has a stop for each of the two axial sides of the adjusting nut. As a result, the adjusting nut is arranged on the wheel carrier such that it cannot move with respect to its axial direction. In this way, it is ensured that by rotating the adjusting nut, the adjusting nut is not moved axially, but the threaded rod is moved axially through the adjusting nut, depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting nut, increasingly into or out of the ball stud receptacle. In addition, this prevents unintentional slipping of the guide sleeve in the ball stud receptacle and thus unintentional change in position of the ball stud, which would lead to a changed camber setting. If the adjusting nut is not rotated, it holds the threaded rod in its position in the axial direction, whereby the position of the guide sleeve in the ball stud receptacle and thus the position of the ball stud is secured. An unintentional change in the camber is thus avoided.For example, one stop for the adjusting nut in the direction of the ball stud receptacle, i.e. the radially inner stop for the adjusting nut with respect to the ball stud receptacle, is formed by the side wall of the ball stud receptacle, and the other stop for the adjusting nut, i.e. the radially outer stop for the adjusting nut with respect to the ball stud receptacle, is formed by a stop element which is arranged spaced apart from the side wall of the ball stud receptacle outwards, in particular radially outwards, and is connected at the edge side only in sections to the side wall of the ball stud receptacle. For example, this connection is formed by a connecting web between the side wall of the ball stud receptacle and an upper edge of the stop element. Between the two stops spaced apart from one another, a free space is thus formed, which forms the receiving recess for the adjusting nut.Since the stop element is connected at the edge side only in sections to the side wall of the ball stud receptacle, for example only at the upper edge of the stop element, the receptacle recess remains open in the remaining edge sections, in the illustrated example in the lower edge section and the two lateral edge sections. This ensures accessibility to the adjusting nut arranged in the receiving recess in order to be able to rotate the latter. For example, a tool, in particular a wrench, can thereby be inserted into the receiving recess and slid onto the adjusting nut and the adjusting nut can thus be rotated.Since in this example the inner stop is formed by the side wall of the ball stud receptacle, the passage bore for the threaded rod is provided here. The stop element, which is arranged offset outwards from this side wall, also has, in particular, such a passage bore for the threaded rod, wherein the two passage bores are aligned.In order to make it possible to set the camber, it is provided in particular that the longitudinal extent of the slot, i.e. of the ball stud receptacle configured as a slot, is oriented from an inner side to an outer side of the wheel carrier. In the installed state of the wheel carrier arrangement on the vehicle, the inner side of the wheel carrier faces the vehicle body shell, in particular faces a vehicle center in the vehicle transverse direction. The outer side of the wheel carrier faces away from it. It faces the vehicle wheel in particular.The radial feed-through bore for the threaded rod is formed in particular on the inner side of the wheel carrier in the region of the ball stud receptacle. In the installed state of the wheel carrier arrangement and in particular of the vehicle wheel, this inner side is not covered by the vehicle wheel and is easily accessible for adjusting the camber.It is provided in particular that the guide sleeve has a passage opening for passing through a threaded bolt of the ball stud and the guide section for arrangement in the ball stud receptacle. In this case, it is provided in particular that a guide section cross section of the guide section is formed in such a way that the guide section is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end of the slot in the state arranged in the ball stud receptacle. This is achieved, for example, by the guide section cross section being round. This ensures the displaceability of the guide portion in the longitudinal extent direction of the slot in the ball stud receptacle.It is provided in particular that an axial length of the guide portion is smaller than a distance between an upper side and a lower side of an elongated hole surrounding region of the wheel carrier. This makes it possible to firmly screw the ball stud to the wheel carrier. This screwing is carried out in particular by means of a ball stud fastening nut, i.e. by screwing it onto the threaded bolt, in particular onto an end section of the threaded bolt which projects downwards beyond the guide sleeve and the underside of the slot surrounding region, and tightening the ball stud fastening nut. As a result, the ball stud is locked in the position set by means of the adjusting nut.The ball stud receptacle is thus designed in particular as an elongated hole passage opening, i.e. it is not a depression in the wheel carrier, but rather a continuous elongated hole-shaped opening.In one possible embodiment, the wheel carrier arrangement also has the ball stud which has the threaded bolt.In one possible embodiment, the wheel carrier arrangement has the ball stud fastening nut for fastening the ball stud to the wheel carrier by screwing it onto the threaded bolt, in particular onto the end section of the threaded bolt which projects downward beyond the guide sleeve and the underside of the slot surrounding region, and tightening the ball stud fastening nut.It is provided in particular that the guide sleeve has a collar for bearing against the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier, which collar is formed on an upper side of the guide section, wherein a collar cross section is larger than a slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle. As a result, the upper side of the slot is covered by the guide sleeve and its collar and the ball stud can be supported thereon, in particular in order to fasten it to the wheel carrier by tightening the ball stud fastening nut. This makes it possible in particular to use a conventional ball stud for the wheel carrier arrangement described here, which is designed for conventional wheel carriers which have smaller ball stud receptacles, in particular with a round cross section. Due to the ball stud receptacle, which is designed as an elongated hole and thus larger, there would be the risk that the ball stud is pulled into the ball stud receptacle, in particular is pulled too far, by the tightening of the ball stud fastening nut.In one possible embodiment, the wheel carrier has a depression on the upper side of the slot surrounding region for receiving the collar. This depression is also expediently designed, analogously to the ball stud receptacle, as an elongate or slot-shaped depression, the longitudinal extent of which is therefore likewise oriented from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel carrier.The collar cross section of the collar is in particular configured such that the collar is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end of the recess in the state arranged in the recess. This is achieved, for example, by the collar cross section being round. This ensures the displaceability of the collar in the direction of longitudinal extent of the depression.Alternatively, the depression for the collar can be formed as a channel-shaped depression which is oriented from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel carrier. This also ensures the displaceability of the collar in the direction of longitudinal extent of this depression.It is provided in particular that the wheel carrier arrangement has a washer for bearing against the underside of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier, which washer has a passage opening for passing through the threaded bolt of the ball stud, wherein a washer cross section is larger than the slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle. This washer performs the same function for the ball stud mounting nut as the collar for the ball stud.The washer covers the underside of the slot and the ball stud fastening nut can be supported thereon, in particular in order to fasten the ball stud to the wheel carrier by tightening the ball stud fastening nut. It is thereby made possible in particular to use a conventional ball stud fastening nut for the wheel carrier arrangement described here, which nut is designed for conventional wheel carriers which have smaller ball stud receptacles, in particular with a round cross section. Due to the ball stud receptacle, which is designed as an elongated hole and thus larger, there would be the risk, without the washer, that the ball stud fastening nut is pulled into the ball stud receptacle by the tightening. Furthermore, the washer also facilitates the rotation of the ball stud fastening nut, the force of the ball stud fastening nut is distributed to a larger region of the wheel carrier, and damage to the wheel carrier by the ball stud fastening nut is avoided.In one possible embodiment, the wheel carrier has, on the underside of the slot surrounding region, a channel-shaped depression for receiving the washer, which depression is oriented from the inside to the outside of the wheel carrier. This ensures the displaceability of the washer in the direction of longitudinal extent of this depression.As an alternative to the channel-shaped configuration, the depression for the washer could likewise be configured, analogously to the depression for the collar, as an elongate or slot-shaped depression, the longitudinal extent of which is therefore likewise oriented from the inner side to the outer side of the wheel carrier.The washer cross section of the washer would then be configured such that the washer is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end of this recess in the state arranged in this recess. This is achieved, for example, by the washer cross section being round. This would likewise ensure the displaceability of the washer in the direction of longitudinal extent of the depression.Alternatively to the collar described above on the upper side of the guide section of the guide sleeve, it can also be provided that the wheel carrier arrangement has a washer for bearing against the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier, which washer has a passage opening for passing through the threaded bolt of the ball stud, wherein a washer cross section of this washer is larger than the slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle. This washer also performs the above-described function of the collar.If a depression were provided for this washer, then it would be correspondingly formed on the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier. It would in particular be configured as described above for the depression for the washer.As an alternative to the above-described washer for bearing against the underside of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier, a collar for bearing against the underside of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier can also be provided, which collar is formed on an underside of the guide section of the guide sleeve, wherein a collar cross section of this collar is larger than the slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle. This collar fulfils the above-described function of the washer for bearing against the underside of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier.If a depression were provided for this collar, then it would be correspondingly formed on the underside of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier. It would in particular be configured as described above for the depression for the collar.It is provided in particular that the guide sleeve has the collar either only on the upper side of the guide section or only on the lower side of the guide section, so that it can be inserted into the ball stud receptacle with the respective collarless side in front. The embodiment in which the collar is provided on the upper side of the guide section has the advantage that the guide sleeve, after being inserted into the ball stud receptacle, is held therein by the collar and cannot fall downward out of the ball stud receptacle. This facilitates further mounting of the wheel carrier arrangement, in particular the insertion of the ball stud and the screwing of the threaded rod into the fastening bore of the guide sleeve.In one possible embodiment, the wheel carrier arrangement also has the suspension arm.In a method according to the invention for adjusting the camber of a vehicle by means of the wheel carrier arrangement, the ball stud fastening nut is released if it is not already released.The camber is adjusted by rotating the adjusting nut. By this rotation of the adjusting nut on the threaded rod, the guide sleeve is displaced in the ball stud receptacle, which is designed as an elongated hole, along its longitudinal extent, as a result of which the ball stud connected to the guide sleeve is also moved accordingly. The camber is adjusted in particular according to a predetermined adjustment rule. For example, the camber is adjusted on the basis of a position marking for a pre-assembly setting. This facilitates, in particular, a preliminary setting by means of this position marking during factory assembly during production of the vehicle. In a possible embodiment of the wheel carrier arrangement, this position marking is provided. The position marking has, for example, a pointer marking on the ball stud or on the guide sleeve, in particular on the collar of the guide sleeve, and a camber adjustment marking or a plurality of camber adjustment markings arranged offset with respect to one another on the wheel carrier. The camber adjustment marking or the plurality of camber adjustment markings is / are arranged in this case in particular on the upper side of the elongate hole surrounding region of the wheel carrier, in particular outside of a contact of the collar of the guide sleeve on the wheel carrier.After the camber is adjusted, the ball stud mounting nut is tightened.In summary, it is thus provided in particular in the solution described here that the ball stud receptacle for the ball stud, which represents the connection between the wheel carrier and the suspension arm, is designed as an elongated hole instead of as a simple bore. As a result, a space for the displacement of the ball stud is present in the ball stud receptacle. The guide sleeve is or is inserted into the ball stud receptacle, through which the ball stud is or is guided. This is or is fastened to the underside of the wheel carrier with the washer and the ball stud fastening nut. Both the wheel carrier in the region of the ball stud receptacle and the guide sleeve have a bore, i.e. the passage bore for the threaded rod in the wheel carrier or the fastening bore for fastening the threaded rod in the guide sleeve. The threaded rod is guided through this hole or is screwed into the fastening bore of the guide sleeve in such a way that it connects to the guide sleeve in particular in a fixed, advantageously permanent manner. Advantageously, in addition, in the course of the passage bore for the threaded rod, the receiving recess is located in the wall, in particular side wall, of the wheel carrier, in which recess the adjusting nut can be inserted or is inserted in such a way that it is screwed onto the threaded rod and at the same time advantageously protrudes beyond the outer edge of the wheel carrier. This arrangement enables the assembler to adjust the camber in the installed state of the wheel carrier arrangement and in particular when the vehicle wheel is mounted on the vehicle by rotating on the part of the adjustment nut which projects beyond the outer edge of the wheel carrier. As a result, the position of the guide sleeve in the slot changes, which leads to a change in the position of the ball stud. In order to lock the ball stud in the desired, in particular predetermined, position, the ball stud fastening nut is tightened on the underside of the wheel carrier.The cross sections mentioned in this application text are to be understood in particular as those sections of the relevant components which are aligned parallel to one another in the assembled state of the wheel carrier arrangement. They are in particular each aligned parallel to the underside and / or upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a wheel carrier arrangement, FIG. 2 schematically shows the wheel carrier arrangement in a side view, FIG. 3 schematically shows a sectional illustration of the wheel carrier arrangement according to the sectional plane III-III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 schematically shows the wheel carrier arrangement in the side view according to FIG. 2, wherein a radially outer stop for an adjusting nut is not shown, FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective illustration of the wheel carrier arrangement, FIG. 6 schematically shows a top view of a lower region of the wheel carrier arrangement, FIG. 7 schematically shows a sectional illustration of the wheel carrier arrangement according to the sectional plane III-III in FIG. 2, wherein a guide sleeve for a ball stud is arranged in an inner position in a ball stud receptacle for the ball stud in a wheel carrier of the wheel carrier arrangement, FIG. 8 schematically shows a sectional illustration of the wheel carrier arrangement according to the sectional plane III-III in FIG. 2, wherein the guide sleeve is arranged in a central position in the ball stud receptacle, and FIG. 9 schematically shows a sectional illustration of the wheel carrier arrangement according to the sectional plane III-III in FIG. 2, wherein the guide sleeve is arranged in an outer position in the ball stud receptacle.Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, a wheel carrier arrangement 1 for a vehicle, not shown, and a method for adjusting a camber of the vehicle are described below. In this case, FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of an embodiment of the wheel carrier arrangement 1, in which essential parts of the wheel carrier arrangement 1 are illustrated, and FIGS. 2 to 9 show different views of the mounted wheel carrier arrangement 1.The wheel carrier arrangement 1 has a wheel carrier 2 with a ball stud receptacle 3 for a ball stud 4.The ball stud 4, which is for example likewise a component of the wheel carrier arrangement 1, is provided for connecting the wheel carrier 2 via a not-shown suspension arm to a not-shown vehicle body shell of the vehicle, wherein the suspension arm is connected by one end to the ball stud 4 and by the other end to the vehicle body shell.The wheel carrier arrangement 1 thus forms in particular a device for connecting the wheel carrier 2 to the suspension arm.The suspension arm is, for example, likewise a component of the wheel carrier arrangement 1.In the solution described here, the ball stud receptacle 3 is designed as an elongated hole.The wheel carrier arrangement 1 furthermore has a guide sleeve 5 for guiding the ball stud 4 in the ball stud receptacle 3.The wheel carrier arrangement 1 also has a threaded rod 6 and an adjusting nut 7 for the threaded rod 6.FIG. 1 furthermore shows a washer 8, which is likewise a component of the wheel carrier arrangement 1, for example.Furthermore, a ball stud fastening nut 9, which is only shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, for example, is likewise a constituent part of the wheel carrier arrangement 1.The wheel carrier 2 has a radial passage bore 10 for the threaded rod 6 in the region of the ball stud receptacle 3, in particular in a side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3.The guide sleeve 5 has a radial fastening bore 11 for fastening the threaded rod 6. The radial alignment relates to the guide sleeve 5 The fastening bore 11 is formed in the embodiment shown as a blind screw hole for the threaded rod 6 in a side wall of the guide sleeve 5, in particular in a side wall of a guide section 12 of the guide sleeve 5. This blind screw hole starts from an outer side of the side wall of the guide sleeve 5, i.e. an opening of the blind screw hole is positioned there.A longitudinal extension of the elongated hole is oriented from an inner side 13 to an outer side 14 of the wheel carrier 2. In the installed state of the wheel carrier arrangement 1 on the vehicle, the inner side 13 faces the vehicle body and the outer side 14 faces a vehicle wheel mounted on the vehicle and connected to the vehicle via the wheel carrier 2.The passage bore 10 for the threaded rod 6 is formed on the inner side 13 of the wheel carrier 2.The guide sleeve 5 has a passage opening 15 for passing through a threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4.The guide sleeve 5 furthermore has the already mentioned guide section 12. This guide section 12 is provided for arrangement in the ball stud receptacle 3.A guide section cross section of the guide section 12 is designed such that the guide section 12 is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end 17 of the slot in the state arranged in the ball stud receptacle 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9. In the embodiment shown here, the guide section cross section is round, so that this is ensured. This ensures displaceability of the guide portion 12 in the direction of longitudinal extent of the slot in the ball stud receptacle 3.An axial length of the guide portion 12 is smaller than a distance between an upper side and a lower side of an elongated hole surrounding region of the wheel carrier 2, thereby enabling the ball stud 4 to be screwed firmly to the wheel carrier 2. This screwing is carried out by means of the ball stud fastening nut 9, i.e. by screwing it onto the threaded bolt 16, in particular onto an end section of the threaded bolt 16 protruding downwards beyond the underside of the area surrounding the slot, and tightening the ball stud fastening nut 9.The guide sleeve 5 has a collar 18 for bearing against the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier 2, which collar is formed on an upper side of the guide section 12. A collar cross section of the collar 18 is larger than an elongated hole cross section of the ball stud receiver 3; as a result, the upper side of the elongated hole is covered by the guide sleeve 5 and its collar 18 and the ball stud 4 can be supported thereon, in particular in order to fasten it to the wheel carrier 2 by tightening the ball stud fastening nut 9.In the embodiment shown, the wheel carrier 2 has a depression 19 on the upper side of the slot surrounding region for receiving the collar 18. This depression 19 for the collar 18 is also formed, analogously to the ball stud receptacle 3, as an elongate or slot-shaped depression, the longitudinal extent of which is therefore likewise oriented from the inner side 13 to the outer side 14 of the wheel carrier 2.The collar cross section of the collar 18 is designed in such a way that the collar 18 is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end 20 of the recess 19 in the state arranged in the recess 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9. In the embodiment shown here, the collar cross section is round, so that this is ensured. This ensures the displaceability of the collar 18 in the direction of longitudinal extent of the depression 19.The aforementioned washer 8 is provided for bearing against the underside of the slot surrounding area of the wheel carrier 2. It has a passage opening 21 for passing through the threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4. A washer cross section is larger than the elongated hole cross section of the ball stud receptacle 3.This washer 8 performs the same function for the ball stud fastening nut 9 as the collar 18 for the ball stud 4. the underside of the slot is covered by the washer 8 and the ball stud fastening nut 9 can be supported thereon, in particular in order to fasten the ball stud 4 to the wheel carrier 2 by tightening the ball stud fastening nut 9. Furthermore, the rotation of the ball stud fastening nut 9 is also facilitated by the washer 8, the force of the ball stud fastening nut 9 is distributed to a larger region of the wheel carrier 2, and damage to the wheel carrier 2 by the ball stud fastening nut 9 is avoided.In the embodiment shown, the wheel carrier 2 has a channel-shaped depression 22 on the underside of the slot surrounding region for receiving the washer 8, which depression is oriented from the inner side 13 to the outer side 14 of the wheel carrier 2. This ensures the displaceability of the washer 8 in the direction of longitudinal extent of this depression 22.As an alternative to the channel-shaped configuration, the depression for the washer 8 could, in an example not shown, likewise be configured as an elongate or slot-shaped depression, analogous to the depression 19 for the collar 18, the longitudinal extent of which depression is therefore likewise oriented from the inner side 13 to the outer side 14 of the wheel carrier 2.The washer cross section of the washer 8 would then be configured such that the washer 8 is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end of this recess in the state arranged in this recess. The washer cross section is in particular round, so that this would be ensured. This would likewise ensure the displaceability of the washer 8 in the direction of longitudinal extent of the depression.Analogously to the channel-shaped depression 22 for the washer 8, the depression for the collar 18 could also be designed in another embodiment, not shown, as a channel-shaped depression which is oriented from the inner side 13 to the outer side 14 of the wheel carrier 2. This would also ensure the displaceability of the collar 18 in the direction of longitudinal extent of this channel-shaped depression.The wheel carrier arrangement 1 described here enables a camber adjustment, i.e. the adjustment of the camber of the vehicle, since this camber adjustment possibility is integrated in the wheel carrier arrangement 1, in particular in its wheel carrier 2. The camber adjustment is effected in particular by a displacement of the ball stud 4 in the ball stud receptacle 3 designed as an elongated hole.In the solution described here, the adjustment of the camber takes place at the point of attachment of the wheel carrier 2 to the suspension arm. This connection is effected by means of the ball stud 4, and if its position within the ball stud receptacle 3 in the wheel carrier 2 is changed, the camber also changes. The solution described here makes this change of position possible and thus the camber adjustment possible.The position change of the ball stud 4 within the ball stud receptacle 3 takes place by rotating the adjustment nut 7. as a result, the threaded rod 6, depending on the direction of rotation of the adjustment nut 7, is moved axially through the adjustment nut 7 and as a result is increasingly moved radially into the ball stud receptacle 3 or is moved out of the ball stud receptacle 3. As a result, the guide sleeve 5 fastened to the threaded rod 6 for guiding the ball stud 4 is correspondingly displaced in the ball stud receptacle 3 designed as an elongated hole along the longitudinal extent of the elongated hole, as a result of which the ball stud 4 connected to the guide sleeve 5 and arranged in particular in sections therein is also correspondingly displaced. That is, the position of the ball stud 4 and thereby the camber are changed accordingly in this way.Particularly advantageously, the solution described here enables a continuously variable adjustability of the position of the ball stud 4 within the ball stud receptacle 3 and thus a continuously variable adjustment of the camber.Advantageously, the wheel carrier arrangement 1 has a receiving recess 23 for the adjusting nut 7 in and / or on the side wall of the wheel carrier 2 in the region of the passage bore 10 for the threaded rod 6, i.e. in particular in and / or on the side wall of the ball stud receiver 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 9. This receiving recess 23 is in particular configured such that the adjusting nut 7 is accessible for adjustment, in particular is accessible by a corresponding tool, for example a wrench.This accessibility of the adjusting nut 7 makes it possible, for example, for an engineer to adjust the camber when the wheel carrier arrangement 1 is installed on the vehicle and in particular when the vehicle wheel is mounted, in that he acts on the accessible section of the adjusting nut 7 in particular by means of the tool and rotates the adjusting nut 7.As is likewise shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 9, it is provided in particular that the receiving recess 23 has a stop for each of the two axial sides, i.e. for both end sides, of the adjusting nut 7. As a result, the adjusting nut 7 is arranged on the wheel carrier 2 such that it cannot move with respect to its axial direction. In this way, it is ensured that by rotating the adjusting nut 7, the adjusting nut 7 is not moved axially, but the threaded rod 6 is moved axially through the adjusting nut 7, depending on the direction of rotation of the adjusting nut 7, increasingly into the ball stud receptacle 3 or out of it. In addition, this prevents unintentional slipping of the guide sleeve 5 in the ball stud receptacle 3 and thus unintentional change in position of the ball stud 4, which would lead to a changed camber setting. If the adjusting nut 7 is not rotated, it holds the threaded rod 6 in its position in the axial direction, whereby the position of the guide sleeve 5 in the ball stud receptacle 3 and thus the position of the ball stud 4 is secured.In the example shown, one stop for the adjusting nut 7 in the direction of the ball stud receptacle 3, i.e. the radially inner stop for the adjusting nut 7 with respect to the ball stud receptacle 3, is formed by the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3, and the other stop for the adjusting nut 7, i.e. the radially outer stop for the adjusting nut 7 with respect to the ball stud receptacle 3, is formed by a stop element 24, which is arranged spaced apart from the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3 outwards, in particular radially outwards, and is connected at the edge side only in sections to the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3. In the example shown, this connection is formed by a connecting web 25 between the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3 and an upper edge of the stop element 24. A free space is thus formed between the two stops spaced apart from one another, which free space forms the receiving recess 23 for the adjusting nut 7.For reasons of clarity, the stop element 24 is not shown in FIG. 4 in order to be able to illustrate the rotation of the adjusting nut 7 schematically by means of rotation arrows P.Since the stop element 24 is connected at the edge side only in sections to the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3, in the example shown only at the upper edge of the stop element 24, the receptacle recess 23 remains open in the remaining edge sections, in the example shown in the lower edge section and the two lateral edge sections. This ensures accessibility to the adjusting nut 7 arranged in the receiving recess 23 in order to be able to rotate the latter. For example, a tool, in particular a wrench, can thereby be inserted into the receiving recess 23 and slid onto the adjusting nut 7 and the adjusting nut 7 can thus be rotated.Since the inner stop is formed by the side wall of the ball stud receptacle 3, the passage bore 10 for the threaded rod 6 is provided here. The stop element 24 offset outwards from this side wall likewise has such a passage bore 26 for the threaded rod 6, the two passage bores 10, 26 being aligned.The threaded rod 6 can thus be guided through the passage bore 26 in the stop element 24 in the direction of the receiving recess 23 for the adjusting nut 7, through which adjusting nut 7 arranged in the receiving recess 23 can be screwed, through the passage bore 10 in the side wall of the ball stud receiver 3 into the ball stud receiver 3, in particular by further screwing into the adjusting nut 7, which is not rotated in the process, and into the fastening bore 11 of the guide sleeve 5 arranged in the ball stud receiver 3 until it is firmly connected to the guide sleeve 5. Subsequently, by rotating the adjusting screw 7, the displacement of the guide sleeve 5 in the ball stud receptacle 3 is made possible in the manner described above.FIGS. 2 to 9 show the mounted wheel carrier arrangement 1. The adjusting nut 7 is disposed in the receiving recess 23. The threaded rod 6 is guided through the passage bore 26 in the stop element 24 in the direction of the receiving recess 23 for the adjustment nut 7 in the described manner, is screwed through the adjustment nut 7, is guided through the passage bore 10 in the side wall of the ball stud receiver 3 into the ball stud receiver 3 and is screwed into the fastening bore 11 of the guide sleeve 5 arranged in the ball stud receiver 3 until it is firmly connected, in particular permanently connected, to the guide sleeve 5.The ball stud 4 is inserted into the guide sleeve 5, its threaded bolt 16 being passed downward through the guide sleeve 5. Thereafter, the washer 8 is slid from below onto the threaded bolt 16, in particular onto its downwardly protruding end section, and then the ball stud fastening nut 9 is screwed onto the threaded bolt 16, in particular onto its downwardly protruding end section, and, for example, is also already tightened in order to lock the ball stud 4. The insertion of the ball stud 4 and / or the sliding on of the washer 8 and / or the screwing on of the ball stud fastening nut 9 can take place before or after the above-described arrangement of the threaded rod 6.As mentioned, the wheel carrier arrangement 1 in FIGS. 2 to 9 has already been mounted in this manner. The guide sleeve 5 is arranged with its guide section 12 in the ball stud receptacle 3 and rests with its collar 18, in particular with an underside of the collar 18, against the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier 2. The ball stud 4 is inserted into the guide sleeve 5, wherein the threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4 is guided through the passage opening 15 of the guide sleeve 5. The washer 8 is pushed onto the threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4, in particular onto its downwardly protruding end section, i.e. the threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4, in particular its downwardly protruding end section, is guided through the passage opening 21 of the washer 8. The ball stud fastening nut 9 is screwed onto the threaded bolt 16 of the ball stud 4, in particular onto its downwardly projecting end section.The adjusting nut 7 is disposed in the receiving recess 23. The threaded rod 6 is guided through the passage bore 26 in the stop element 24 in the direction of the receiving recess 23 for the adjustment nut 7, is screwed through the adjustment nut 7, is guided through the passage bore 10 in the side wall of the ball stud receiver 3 into the ball stud receiver 3 and is screwed into the fastening bore 11 of the guide sleeve 5 arranged in the ball stud receiver 3 and is firmly connected, in particular permanently, to the guide sleeve 5.In the embodiment shown, the wheel carrier arrangement 1 has a position marking for pre-adjustment of the suspension wheel, as shown in FIG. 6. In the example shown, the position marking has a pointer marking 27 on the ball stud 4 or on the guide sleeve 5, in particular on the collar 18 of the guide sleeve 5, and a plurality of camber adjustment markings 28 arranged offset with respect to one another on the wheel carrier 2. The camber adjustment markings 28 are arranged in particular on the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier 2, in particular outside of contact of the collar 18 of the guide sleeve 5 on the wheel carrier 2.In a method for adjusting the camber of the vehicle by means of the wheel carrier arrangement 1, the ball stud fastening nut 9 is released if it is not already released.The camber is adjusted by rotating the adjusting nut 7. By this rotation of the adjusting nut 7 on the threaded rod 6, the guide sleeve 5 is displaced in the ball stud receiver 3 designed as an elongated hole along its longitudinal extension, whereby the ball stud 4 connected to the guide sleeve 5 is also moved accordingly. The camber is adjusted in particular according to a predetermined adjustment specification, in the example shown on the basis of the position marking for the pre-adjustment of the assembly.After the camber is adjusted, the ball stud fixing nut 9 is tightened.

Claims

Wheel carrier arrangement (1) for a vehicle, having a wheel carrier (2) with a ball stud receptacle (3) for a ball stud (4) for connecting the wheel carrier (2) via a suspension arm to a vehicle body of the vehicle, comprising - a guide sleeve (5) for guiding the ball stud (4) in the ball stud receptacle (3), - a threaded rod (6), - a radial feed-through bore (10) for the threaded rod (6) in the wheel carrier (2) in the region of the ball stud receptacle (3), - a radial fastening bore (11) for fastening the threaded rod (6) in the guide sleeve (5), and - an adjusting nut (7) for the threaded rod (6), characterized in that the ball stud receptacle (3) is designed as an elongated hole.Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized bya receiving recess (23) for the adjusting nut (7) in and / or on a side wall of the wheel carrier (2) in the region of the passage bore (10) for the threaded rod (6), wherein the receiving recess (23) is formed in such a way that the adjusting nut (7) is accessible for adjustment, and wherein the receiving recess (23) has a respective stop for both axial sides of the adjusting nut (7).Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal extent of the slot is oriented from an inner side (13) to an outer side (14) of the wheel carrier (2).Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the radial passage bore (10) for the threaded rod (6) is formed on the inner side (13) of the wheel carrier (2) in the region of the ball stud receptacle (3).Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide sleeve (5) has a passage opening (15) for passing through a threaded bolt (16) of the ball stud (4) and a guide portion (12) for arrangement in the ball stud receptacle (3), wherein a guide portion cross section is formed in such a way that the guide portion (12), in the state arranged in the ball stud receptacle (3), is spaced apart from at least one longitudinal extension end (17) of the slot, wherein an axial length of the guide portion (12) is smaller than a distance between an upper side and an underside of a slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier (2).Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the guide section cross section is of round configuration.Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that - the guide sleeve (5) has a collar (18) for bearing against the upper side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier (2), which collar is formed on an upper side of the guide portion (12), wherein a collar cross section is greater than a slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle (3), and - a washer (8) is provided for bearing against the lower side of the slot surrounding region of the wheel carrier (2), which washer has a passage opening (21) for passage of the threaded bolt (16) of the ball stud (4), wherein a washer cross section is greater than the slot cross section of the ball stud receptacle (3).Wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized by - the ball stud (4) which has the threaded bolt (16), and - a ball stud fastening nut (9) for fastening the ball stud (4) to the wheel carrier (2) by screwing it onto the threaded bolt (16).Method for adjusting a camber of a vehicle by means of a wheel carrier arrangement (1) according to claim 8, wherein - the ball stud fastening nut (9) is released, - the camber is adjusted by rotating the adjustment nut (7), and - the ball stud fastening nut (9) is tightened.Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the camber is adjusted on the basis of a position marking for an assembly presetting.

Citation Information

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