Rubber-metal bearings for mounting a subframe and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to rubber-metal bearings (10) for mounting a subframe, comprising a bearing outer sleeve (12), a bearing inner core (14) arranged coaxially thereto and having a through-hole (18), an elastomer body (16) arranged between the bearing outer sleeve (12) and the bearing inner core (14), and a limiting element arranged between the bearing outer sleeve (12) and the bearing inner core (14), which is configured to limit the elastomer body (16) in its spring travel. The invention is characterized in that the limiting element is designed in the form of a first pair of blocking pieces (20) which are arranged diametrically opposite each other when viewed in the radial direction (r).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rubber-metal bearing for mounting an auxiliary frame according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle according to claim 8.

[0002] Rubber-metal bearings for mounting vehicle components, such as for mounting a subframe to the body, are well known in the art. Such bearings typically comprise an inner core, an outer sleeve, and an elastomeric body arranged between the inner core and the outer sleeve.

[0003] A generic rubber-metal bearing is disclosed in DE 1 926 518 U. The disclosed rubber-metal bearing is characterized in particular by the fact that several ring-shaped, i.e. circumferential, limiting elements are provided in the space between the inner bearing core and the outer bearing sleeve for shock and overload protection.

[0004] For reasons of driving stability, the rubber-metal bearings intended for mounting a subframe require significantly higher stiffness in the vehicle's transverse direction than in the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions. In particular, the lateral force during cornering is supported by the bearings. The reaction force at the bearing is defined as stiffness multiplied by the displacement. Since the reaction force in the vehicle's transverse direction builds up over the displacement, a certain amount of time elapses before the counterforce is generated; that is, the bearings exhibit a reaction delay. This negatively affects driving stability.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a rubber-metal bearing according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that - in the installed state - a faster bearing reaction is enabled in the transverse direction FQ of the vehicle.

[0006] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

[0007] Subclaims 2 to 7 represent advantageous further developments of the rubber-metal bearing.

[0008] The rubber-metal bearing according to the invention comprises, in a known manner, an outer bearing sleeve, an inner bearing core coaxially aligned thereto and having a through-bore, and an elastomer body arranged between the inner bearing core and the outer bearing sleeve. The elastomer body is bonded to the inner bearing core and the outer bearing ring by a material bond, e.g., by vulcanization. Furthermore, the rubber-metal bearing includes a limiting element arranged between the outer bearing sleeve and the inner bearing core, which is designed to limit the spring travel of the elastomer body.

[0009] According to the invention, the limiting element is now designed in the form of a first pair of blocking pieces which are arranged diametrically opposite each other when viewed in the radial direction r.

[0010] The two opposing locking pieces have the effect of reducing the spring travel and thus the available displacement in that direction. Since the reaction force is built up over the displacement, the bearing reaction occurs more quickly in the direction of the locking pieces. If, in the installed state, the two opposing locking pieces are aligned in the transverse direction of the vehicle, a faster bearing reaction is ensured in that direction.

[0011] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a second pair of locking elements is arranged axially spaced from the first pair of locking elements, wherein the locking elements of the second pair are arranged opposite the locking elements of the first pair when viewed in the axial direction a. An advantage of this design is that, due to the axially spaced arrangement of the two pairs, a more uniform load distribution and improved limitation of the spring travel are ensured.

[0012] Preferably, the pairs are arranged as far apart as possible in the axial direction; that is, the first pair is located in the region of a first end face of the elastomer body, and the second pair is located opposite it, in the region of a second end face of the elastomer body. This arrangement advantageously ensures a symmetrical force distribution and allows for precise limitation of the spring travel along the entire axial length of the rubber-metal bearing. This arrangement also provides additional stabilization to the rubber-metal bearing.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the blocking elements are designed as additional components that are vulcanized to the inner bearing core. An advantage of this design is that no major structural modifications to the rubber-metal bearing are required. Furthermore, the vulcanization bond ensures a strong and durable connection of the additional components, thus guaranteeing reliable function throughout the service life of the rubber-metal bearing.

[0014] To ensure a low component weight, the additional elements are preferably made of a plastic material.

[0015] An alternative embodiment provides that the blocking elements are formed in the form of bearing core sections molded onto the inner bearing core. That is, the blocking elements form an integral part of the inner bearing core. This advantageously ensures a simplified manufacturing process for the rubber-metal bearing (manufacturing steps relating to positioning and fastening the additional element are eliminated).

[0016] Another alternative embodiment is that the blocking pieces are formed in the form of sections of the outer bearing sleeve molded onto the outer bearing sleeve.

[0017] The invention further aims to develop a motor vehicle comprising a subframe mounted on the body side via at least one rubber bearing bearing in such a way that driving stability is improved, particularly when cornering.

[0018] This problem is solved by designing the rubber-metal bearing according to one of claims 1 to 7.

[0019] All aspects relating to the rubber-metal bearing according to the invention can be applied analogously to the motor vehicle according to the invention, so that the aforementioned advantages can also be achieved with it.

[0020] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0021] In the drawing, this means: Fig. 1 a rubber-metal bearing according to the invention in sectional view.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a rubber-metal bearing designated with the reference numeral 10.

[0023] The rubber-metal bearing 10 comprises a bearing outer sleeve 12, a bearing inner core 14 arranged concentrically thereto, and an elastomer body 16 arranged in the radial direction r between the bearing outer sleeve 12 and the bearing inner core 14.

[0024] The elastomer body16 is vulcanized to the outer bearing sleeve 12 and the inner bearing core 14 and holds them elastically and flexibly in relative position to each other.

[0025] The bearing core 14, which is made of metal, serves to accommodate a fastening element, such as a screw, and has a through hole 18 for this purpose.

[0026] The rubber-metal bearing 10 according to the invention is characterized in that diametrically opposed blocking pieces 20 are arranged in the space between the outer bearing sleeve 12 and the inner bearing core 14.

[0027] The locking pieces 20, positioned diametrically opposite each other in the radial direction r, reduce the spring travel and thus the displacement in this direction. This, in turn, has the effect that – since the reaction force is built up via the displacement – ​​the bearing reaction occurs more quickly in the direction of the locking pieces 20. If, in the installed state, the two opposing locking pieces 20 are aligned in the transverse direction FQ of the vehicle, a faster bearing reaction is ensured in this direction, i.e., in the transverse direction FQ of the vehicle.

[0028] How Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, a first pair of blocking pieces 20 and a second pair of blocking pieces 20, viewed in the axial direction a, are provided. Viewed in the axial direction a, the two pairs are spaced apart such that the first pair is located in the region of the first end face section 16-1 of the elastomer 16 and the second pair is located in the region of the second end face section 16-2 of the elastomer 16.

[0029] How Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the blocking pieces 20 are in the form of additional elements which are connected to the bearing core 14 by means of vulcanization. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 1 926 518 U

[0003]

Claims

[1] Rubber-metal bearing (10) for supporting a subframe, comprising a bearing outer sleeve (12), a bearing inner core (14) arranged coaxially thereto and having a through-hole (18), an elastomer body (16) arranged between the bearing outer sleeve (12) and the bearing inner core (14), and a limiting element arranged between the bearing outer sleeve (12) and the bearing inner core (14), which is designed to limit the elastomer body (16) in its spring travel, characterized by , that the limiting element is formed in the form of a first pair of blocking pieces (20) which are arranged diametrically opposite each other when viewed in the radial direction (r). [2] Rubber-metal bearing (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that a second pair of blocking pieces (20) is arranged axially spaced from the first pair of blocking pieces (20), wherein the blocking pieces (20) of the second pair are arranged opposite the blocking pieces (20) of the first pair when viewed in the axial direction (a). [3] Rubber-metal bearing (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the first pair is located in the region of a first end section (16-1) of the elastomer body (16) and the second pair is located opposite, in the region of a second end section (16-2) of the elastomer body (16). [4] Rubber-metal bearing (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blocking pieces (20) are formed in the form of additional elements which are connected to the bearing inner core (14) by means of vulcanization. [5] Rubber-metal bearing (10) according to claim 4, characterized by that the additional elements are made of a plastic material. [6] Rubber-metal bearings (10) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the blocking pieces (20) are formed in the form of bearing core sections molded onto the inner bearing core (14). [7] Rubber-metal bearings (10) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the blocking pieces (20) are formed in the form of sections of the outer bearing sleeve (12) molded onto the outer bearing sleeve (12). [8] Motor vehicle comprising a subframe which is mounted on the body side via at least one rubber-metal bearing (10), characterized by , that the rubber-metal bearing (10) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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