Motor vehicle with a bearing bushing

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a bearing bushing comprising a metal bushing extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising a first and a second end region, wherein the metal bushing comprises a wall that delimits a radial receiving space, wherein the metal bushing comprises an opening at the first and / or second end region, making the receiving space accessible from outside the metal bushing, wherein the wall of the metal bushing comprises a bearing shoulder that projects radially outwards, wherein the bearing bushing further comprises a coating, wherein the coating is arranged on an outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing and / or on the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a plastic carrier, wherein the coating is weldable when the metal bushing is pressed into an opening of the plastic carrier, thereby welding the metal bushing and the plastic carrier together.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle with a bearing bushing.

[0002] In the automotive industry, the reliability of bearing points is crucial for the longevity and safety of vehicles. Traditional joining methods between metals and plastics often lack the necessary fatigue strength or adaptable properties required for the dynamic loads to which automotive bearing points are subjected.

[0003] In current practice, joining techniques are often either too rigid or not durable enough to withstand constant mechanical stress. This can lead to premature failure of the bearing points and increases the need for maintenance and replacement, which can result in considerable costs and environmental impacts.

[0004] DE202009000834 U1 discloses a metal bushing which is embedded in a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material encloses the metal bushing.

[0005] DE 3035737 C2 discloses a metallic terminal socket in a thermoplastic battery cover. The thermoplastic material encloses the metal socket.

[0006] The inventive solution improves upon the state of the art by creating a connection that is not only mechanically robust and durable, but also simplifies and accelerates manufacturing processes. The invention makes it possible to tailor the connection properties specifically to the complex stress scenarios encountered in the automotive sector.

[0007] According to the invention, a motor vehicle with a bearing bushing according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10 are provided. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0008] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a bearing bushing comprising a metal bushing extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising a first and a second end region, wherein the metal bushing comprises a wall that defines a receiving space, wherein the metal bushing comprises an opening at the first and / or second end region, making the receiving space accessible from outside the metal bushing, wherein the wall of the metal bushing comprises a bearing shoulder that projects radially outwards, wherein the bearing bushing further comprises a coating, wherein the coating is arranged on an outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing and / or on the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a plastic carrier, wherein the coating is weldable when the metal bushing is pressed into an opening of the plastic carrier, thereby welding the metal bushing and the plastic carrier together.

[0009] The first and second end regions of the metal bushing are located at opposite ends of the bushing. The longitudinal direction, or longitudinal axis, of the metal bushing runs from the first end region to the second end region.

[0010] The coating can be applied to the metal bushing, particularly to the outer surface of the wall or the outer surface of the bearing shoulder, by dipping or spraying. Alternatively or additionally, a sleeve can be slid or pressed onto the metal bushing.

[0011] The bearing bushing can be formed by welding the metal bushing to the plastic carrier.

[0012] The metal bushing with the coating and the plastic carrier can be thermally welded. In particular, the metal bushing with the coating and the plastic carrier can be welded together by ultrasonic welding.

[0013] Ultrasonic welding uses high-frequency sound waves to join the metal bushing and the plastic carrier. Ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the adjacent joining surfaces and generate heat through intermolecular friction, which melts the plastics at the contact points.

[0014] Welding the coating of the metal bushing to the plastic carrier can create a media-tight connection, in particular a waterproof connection, between the coating of the metal bushing and the plastic carrier.

[0015] This allows the bearing bushing to be used for exposed components on the vehicle, such as the underbody protection and / or battery cover. These areas of the vehicle are particularly exposed to splashing water during rain.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the receiving space can be radially oriented around the longitudinal direction of the metal bushing. In particular, the receiving space can be cylindrical. The metal bushing thus comprises a continuous opening from the first end region to the second end region. The receiving area is bounded by the wall of the metal bushing. The wall of the metal bushing can include a thread.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the metal bushing is made of or comprises aluminum or steel.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing and / or the bearing shoulder is structured or microstructured. The structuring or microstructuring of the outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing and / or the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing can be applied by laser and / or sandblasting and / or knurling. The structuring or microstructuring can advantageously be used to ensure that the coating can be mechanically bonded to the metal bushing in a stable manner.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, the support shoulder is positioned closer to the first end area than to the second end area.

[0020] In a further advantageous development, the wall of the metal bushing has a larger outer radius in the area of ​​the bearing shoulder than in the rest of the wall.

[0021] In other words, the metal bushing can include a wall structurally designed to have a circumferential, protruding edge or ring. This edge or ring, also called a "bearing shoulder," projects outward in the direction of the bushing's radius. Put another way, if you imagine the metal bushing as a tube or sleeve, then its outer wall has an annular ridge or bead that widens outward, away from the longitudinal direction of the metal bushing. In an advantageous embodiment, the bearing shoulder can serve as a stop for the plastic carrier when it is pressed into the carrier.

[0022] In an advantageous further development, the inner radius of the wall of the metal bushing is constant along the longitudinal direction.

[0023] In a further advantageous development, an inner surface of the wall of the metal bushing is completely free of the coating.

[0024] In an advantageous further development, the bearing shoulder is perpendicular to the rest of the outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the coating is arranged on the portion of the bearing shoulder that points towards the second end region. The coating can be arranged in a ring shape on the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing. The coating on the bearing shoulder points towards the plastic carrier, so that the plastic carrier can be welded to the coating on the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing after the metal bushing has been pressed into the plastic carrier.

[0026] The opposite part of the support shoulder, i.e. the part that points towards the first end area, can serve as a support for components that are mounted on or in the bearing bushing.

[0027] In a further advantageous development, the plastic carrier consists of plastic or comprises plastic.

[0028] In an advantageous further development, the coating and / or the plastic carrier consists of, or comprises, a thermoplastic.

[0029] Thermoplastics are a class of plastics characterized by their ability to soften when heated and solidify again upon cooling. This property makes them reusable and malleable in various manufacturing processes. Among the most common thermoplastics are polyethylene (PE), often used for packaging films, bottles, and containers, and polypropylene (PP), used in the automotive industry, in the manufacture of household appliances, and as packaging material. These plastics are versatile and form the backbone of many modern industrial applications. In particular, DLFT and / or GF40 can be used for the plastic substrate and / or coating.

[0030] In thermal welding, the thermoplastic is melted and joined by additional pressure. A prerequisite for melting is heat, which is generated in various ways.

[0031] Ultrasonic welding utilizes high-frequency sound waves (between 20 and 70 kHz). These sound waves are introduced into the coating or thermoplastic, causing the heating process. Ultrasonic welding of plastics offers numerous advantages over bonding or conventional welding methods. It is energy-efficient, highly precise, requires no additional tools, and is cost-effective. Furthermore, it produces precise and reproducible welds that require no post-processing.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bearing bushing for a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following process steps: - Providing a metal bushing extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising a first end region and a second end region (122), wherein the metal bushing comprises a wall defining a receiving space, wherein the metal bushing comprises an opening at the first end region and / or the second end region, making the receiving space accessible from outside the metal bushing, and wherein the wall of the metal bushing comprises a bearing shoulder projecting radially outward from the longitudinal direction of the metal bushing; - Coating an outer surface of the wall of the metal bushing and / or an outer surface of the bearing shoulder of the metal bushing with a plastic; - Pressing the metal bushing into a plastic carrier of the motor vehicle; - Welding the metal bushing to the plastic carrier of the motor vehicle to produce the bearing bushing.

[0033] The plastic carrier can include an opening for pressing the metal bushing into it. This opening is smaller than the diameter of the metal bushing in the area to be pressed in. Otherwise, ultrasonic or friction welding would not be possible.

[0034] The invention is described below by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a bearing bushing according to a further development of the invention.

[0035] Fig.Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 100 with a bearing bushing 110 comprising a metal bushing 120 extending along a longitudinal direction 200 and including a first end region 121 and a second end region 122. The longitudinal direction extends from the first end region 121 to the second end region 122 through the receiving space 124. The metal bushing 120 includes a wall 123 that delimits a receiving space 124, the metal bushing 120 having an opening at both the first end region 121 and the second end region 122. This allows access to the receiving space 124 from outside the metal bushing 120. The wall 123 of the metal bushing 120 includes a bearing shoulder 125 that projects radially outward from the longitudinal direction 200 of the metal bushing 120.The metal bushing 120 further comprises a coating 130, wherein the coating 130 is arranged on an outer surface 127 of the wall 123 of the metal bushing 120 and / or on an outer surface 126 of the bearing shoulder 125 of the metal bushing 120, wherein the motor vehicle 100 comprises a plastic carrier 140, wherein the coating 130 is weldable when the metal bushing 120 is pressed into an opening of the plastic carrier 140, thereby welding the metal bushing 120 and the plastic carrier 140 together.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Within the scope of the invention, all described and / or illustrated features can be combined with one another as desired, unless otherwise stated. Reference sign 100 motor vehicles 110 Bearing bushing 120 metal bushings 121 First end area 122 Second end area 123 Wall 124 Recording Room 125 support shoulder 126 outdoor area 127 outdoor area 130 coating 140 plastic carriers 200 longitudinal direction 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 202009000834 U1

[0004] DE 3035737 C2

[0005]

Claims

Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110), comprising a metal bushing (120) extending along a longitudinal direction (200) and comprising a first end region (121) and a second end region (122), wherein the metal bushing (120) comprises a wall (123) which defines a receiving space (124), wherein the metal bushing (120) comprises an opening at the first end region (121) and / or the second end region (122) whereby the receiving space (124) is accessible from outside the metal bushing (120), wherein the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) comprises a bearing shoulder (125) which projects radially outward from the longitudinal direction (200) of the metal bushing (120), wherein the bearing bushing (120) further comprises a coating (130), wherein the coating (130) is located on an outer surface (127) of the wall (123) of the metal bushing. (120) and / or is arranged on an outer surface (126) of the support shoulder (125) of the metal bushing (120),wherein the motor vehicle (100) comprises a plastic carrier (140), wherein the coating (130) is weldable when the metal bushing (120) is pressed into an opening of the plastic carrier (140), thereby welding the metal bushing (120) and the plastic carrier (140) together. Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support shoulder (125) is arranged closer to the first end region (121) than to the second end region (122). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) has a larger outer radius in the area of ​​the support shoulder (125) than in the remaining area of ​​the wall (123). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner radius of the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) is constant along the longitudinal direction (200). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner surface of the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) is completely free of the coating (130). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support shoulder (125) is perpendicular to the remaining outer surface of the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating (130) is arranged on the part of the support shoulder (125) which points towards the second end region (122) of the metal bushing (120). Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic carrier (140) is made of plastic or comprises such a material. Motor vehicle (100) with bearing bushing (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating (130) and / or the plastic carrier (140) consists of a thermoplastic or comprises such a thermoplastic. A method for manufacturing a bearing bushing (110) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising the following process steps: - Providing a metal bushing (120) extending along a longitudinal direction (200) and comprising a first end region (121) and a second end region (122), wherein the metal bushing (120) comprises a wall (123) that delimits a receiving space (124), wherein the metal bushing (120) comprises an opening at the first end region (121) and / or the second end region (122) by which the receiving space (124) is accessible from outside the metal bushing (120), wherein the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) comprises a bearing shoulder (125) that projects radially outward from the longitudinal direction (200) of the metal bushing (120); - Coating an outer surface (127) of the wall (123) of the metal bushing (120) and / or an outer surface (126) the support shoulder (125) of the metal bushing (120) with a plastic;- Pressing the metal bushing (120) into a plastic carrier (140) of the motor vehicle (100); - Welding the metal bushing (120) to the plastic carrier (140) of the motor vehicle (100) to produce the bearing bushing (110).;

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