Chassis component and method for producing a chassis component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a chassis component (1), in which a hollow, tubular connecting element (2) is provided, wherein at least one end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) is closed by means of deformation and a positive-locking contour (10) is produced in the region of the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), and in which a joint housing (5, 6) made of plastic is injection-molded onto the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), wherein a positive-locking connection between the joint housing (5, 6) and the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting rod (2) is produced by means of the positive-locking contour (10).In order to reduce the number of work steps and / or to simplify the production of chassis components (1) with different lengths, the method is characterized in that the closing of the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) by means of the deformation and the production of the form-fitting contour (10) take place in a single step.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a chassis component in which a hollow, tubular connecting element is provided, wherein at least one end of the connecting element is closed by means of a deformation and a positive-locking contour is produced in the region of the end of the connecting element, and in which a joint housing made of plastic is injection-molded onto the closed end of the connecting element, wherein a positive-locking connection between the joint housing and the closed end of the connecting rod is produced by means of the positive-locking contour and the closing of the end of the connecting element by means of the deformation and the production of the positive-locking contour take place in a single step.Furthermore, the invention relates to a chassis component with a hollow, tubular connecting element, wherein at least one end of the connecting element is closed due to a deformation, and with a joint housing made of plastic, wherein the joint housing is fixed in a form-fitting manner to the closed end of the connecting element.

[0002] Such a method and such a chassis component are known from US 10 220 666 B2.

[0003] DE 90 06 777 U1 discloses the manufacture of a vehicle strut made of metal, which consists of a tube, at the ends of which the tube walls taper to a point and end in tongues, each tongue being provided with an eyelet.

[0004] DE 100 63 928 B4 discloses the creation of a positive connection between the joint housing and the closed end of the connecting rod using a positive-locking contour. First, the deformation is created as a flat profile, thereby closing the tubular connecting element. Subsequently, a through hole is created in the flat profile, whereby the hole creates a positive connection between the plastic of the joint housing and the closed end of the connecting element.

[0005] The disadvantage here is that two separate work steps are required to seal the end of the connecting element and create the form-fitting contour. Furthermore, it may be necessary to manufacture chassis components for different applications in different lengths. For this purpose, according to the current state of the art, different tubular connecting elements of different lengths must be provided.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to further develop a method and / or a chassis component of the type mentioned above in such a way that the number of work steps is reduced and / or the production of chassis components with different lengths is simplified. In particular, an alternative embodiment is to be provided.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and / or by a chassis component according to claim 6.

[0008] The method is designed for producing a chassis component. In particular, the chassis component is arranged in the chassis of a vehicle or motor vehicle. The chassis component is preferably designed as a pendulum support.

[0009] According to the method for producing the chassis component, a hollow, tubular connecting element is first provided. In particular, the connecting element is initially and / or in this provision step formed as a tube.

[0010] At least one end of the connecting element is closed by means of a deformation. In particular, two opposite ends of the connecting element are each closed by means of a deformation. Due to the closure of the end, in a subsequent step in which the end is over-molded and / or cast with a plastic, plastic is prevented from penetrating the interior of the connecting element. First, however, after the end has been closed, a form-fitting contour is created in the area of the end of the connecting element. Subsequently, a plastic joint housing is injection-molded onto the closed end of the connecting element. By means of the form-fitting contour, a form-fitting connection is simultaneously created between the joint housing and the closed end of the connecting rod.The form-fitting contour thus ensures a secure and tight fit of the joint housing at the closed end of the connecting element. The plastic can be pure plastic or a reinforced or fiber-reinforced plastic. In particular, the joint housing is designed to articulately accommodate a ball joint, preferably a ball stud or a ball sleeve. A bearing shell can be arranged between a joint ball of the ball joint and the joint housing. In particular, the bearing shell is fixed to the joint housing.

[0011] According to the invention, the closing of at least one end of the connecting element by means of the deformation and the production of the form-fitting contour take place in a single step.

[0012] The advantage here is that the closure of the end of the connecting element and the creation of the form-fitting contour occur simultaneously. This eliminates the need for a separate manufacturing step, especially for creating the form-fitting contour.

[0013] Preferably, the end of the connecting element is closed by forming the deformation as a flat profile. Thus, the initially open end of the hollow, tubular connecting element is flattened to close it, thereby forming the flat profile. In particular, the flat profile is a component of the closed end of the connecting element.

[0014] According to a further development, the positive-locking contour is realized at least partially by means of knurling and / or embossing and / or at least one through-hole. The through-hole is realized in the flat profile of the closed end. The through-hole preferably has a round, oval, or polygonal cross-section. Alternatively, multiple through-holes can be produced. During overmolding and / or casting, the plastic penetrates the at least one through-hole, thereby improving the positive connection with the joint housing.

[0015] The closed end can comprise a section with the flat profile and a tubular section that transitions into the flat profile. The form-fitting contour can be formed in the region of the section with the flat profile and / or in the region of the tubular section of the closed end. In particular, the closed end comprises a region of the connecting element that is overmolded and / or cast with the plastic to form the joint housing.

[0016] According to the invention, after the end of the connecting element has been closed, at least a simple fold or roll-up is realized. The length of the connecting element is adjusted by means of the folding or rolling, whereby, starting from connecting elements of a single predetermined length, various chassis components with different lengths can be realized. Thus, in the provision step, hollow, tubular connecting elements of always the same length can be provided, wherein after at least one end of the connecting element has been closed, the folding or rolling is carried out, thereby shortening the connecting element. Depending on the type and / or frequency of the folding or rolling, different lengths of the connecting element and thus of the chassis component can be realized.The advantage here is that chassis components of different lengths can be manufactured using a connecting element, whereby the connecting element is provided in a single length, a standard length.

[0017] Preferably, the folding or rolling takes place in the area of the closed end. In particular, the at least simple folding or rolling is realized in the area of the previously formed flat profile. The flat profile is particularly easy to fold or roll.

[0018] According to a further development, the at least one fold or roll is completely embedded in the plastic of the joint housing. As a result, the at least one fold or roll contributes to the positive connection with the joint housing.

[0019] Of particular advantage is a chassis component, in particular manufactured using the method according to the invention. The chassis component has the hollow, tubular connecting element, wherein at least one end of the connecting element is closed due to the deformation. Furthermore, the chassis component has the joint housing made of plastic, wherein the joint housing is positively secured to the closed end of the connecting element. In particular, the chassis component has a first joint housing and a second joint housing, wherein the two joint housings are arranged or formed on two mutually opposite, closed ends of the connecting element. The at least one closed end of the connecting element has the at least simple fold or the roll-up, wherein a predetermined length of the connecting element is realized by means of the fold or roll-up.

[0020] In particular, the at least one fold or roll contributes to the positive connection with the joint housing. Preferably, the at least one fold or roll is completely embedded in the plastic of the joint housing.

[0021] In particular, the chassis component produced according to the method according to the invention is a previously described chassis component according to the invention. The method is preferably further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the chassis component according to the invention described here. Furthermore, the chassis component described here can be further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the methods.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like, similar, or functionally identical components or elements. They show: Fig. 1 a side view of a chassis component according to the invention, Fig. 2 a section of a side view of a connecting element for the chassis component according to the invention according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a section of a plan view of the connecting element according to Fig. 2.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a chassis component 1 according to the invention. According to this exemplary embodiment, the chassis component 1 is designed as a pendulum support. The chassis component 1 has a hollow, tubular connecting element 2. In this example, the connecting element 2 is made of metal.

[0024] A joint housing 5 and 6, respectively, is arranged at two opposite ends 3 and 4 of the connecting element 2. The joint housings 5 and 6 are made of a plastic and are injection-molded onto the ends 3 and 4, respectively. In this exemplary embodiment, the two joint housings 3 and 4 are each designed to articulately receive a ball stud (not shown in detail here).

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a section of a side view of the connecting element 2 for the chassis component 1 according to the invention according to Fig. 1. Here, only a part of the connecting element 2 with the end 3 is shown. In addition, the joint housing 5 is omitted. The following explanations regarding the end 3 also apply analogously to the end 4 of the connecting element 2 according to Fig. 1.

[0026] The end 3 of the connecting element 2 is closed due to a deformation. In this embodiment, the closed end 3 has a tube-like section 7 and a section 8 with a flat profile 9. To create the flat profile 9, an initially open end of the connecting element 2 was pressed flat.

[0027] The end 3 has a form-fitting contour 10. By means of the form-fitting contour 10, a form-fitting connection is made between the joint housing 5 or 6 and the closed end 3 or 4 of the connecting rod 2 according to Fig. 1 manufactured.

[0028] In this embodiment, the tubular section 7 has only schematically indicated knurls and / or embossings 11, which can be designed differently as required. These knurls and / or embossings 11 are a component of the form-fitting contour 10. By means of the form-fitting contour 10, the joint housing 5 or 6 is positively connected to the closed end 3 or 4 according to Fig. 1.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the closed end 3 has a multiple fold 12. To form the fold 12, the flat profile 12 was formed several times in the direction of the tubular section 7.

[0030] The fold 12 is according to Fig. 1 is completely embedded in the plastic of the joint housing 5. The fold 12 thereby contributes to the formation of the positive connection between the joint housing 5 and the closed end 3.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a section of a plan view of the connecting element 2 according to Fig. 2. In this embodiment, a through-opening 13 is formed in the area of section 8 with the flat profile 9. In this embodiment, the through-opening 13 is a component of the form-fitting contour 10. During overmolding and / or casting of the end 3 to form the joint housing 4, the plastic penetrates the through-opening 13, thereby further improving the form-fitting connection between the closed end 3 and the joint housing 4.

[0032] To manufacture the chassis component 1 according to Fig. 1, a hollow, tubular connecting element 2 with open ends is first provided. In this embodiment, connecting element 2 is formed as a tube in this provision step.

[0033] The ends 3, 4 of the connecting element 2 are then closed by deformation. The deformation is formed as the flat profile 9. Thus, the initially open end of the hollow, tubular connecting element 2 is flattened to close it, forming the flat profile 9.

[0034] Simultaneously and in a single step, the knurls and / or embossments 11 for forming the form-fitting contour 10 are produced with the closing of the ends 3, 4 of the connecting element 2. In this embodiment, embossments 11 are formed both on the tubular section 7 and in the area of the flat profile 9 of the section 8. The through-opening 13 can also be formed simultaneously or alternatively subsequently.

[0035] Subsequently, the folding 12 is realized. The length of the connecting element 2 is adjusted by means of the folding 12, whereby various chassis components 1 with different lengths can be realized starting from connecting elements of a single predetermined length.

[0036] Subsequently, the plastic joint housing 5, 6 is injection-molded onto the closed end 3 or 4 of the connecting element 2. By means of the form-fitting contour 10 and the fold 12, a form-fitting connection is simultaneously established between the joint housing 5, 6 and the closed end 3, 4 of the connecting rod 2. The closure of the end 3, 4 prevents plastic from penetrating into the interior of the connecting element 2. Reference symbol 1 chassis component 2 connecting element 3 End 4 End 5 joint housing 6 joint housings 7 tubular section Section 8 9 Flat profile 10 Form-fitting contour 11 Knurling, embossing 12 folding 13 Passage opening

Claims

[1] A method for producing a chassis component (1) in which a hollow, tubular connecting element (2) is provided, wherein at least one end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) is closed by means of deformation and a form-fitting contour (10) is produced in the region of the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), and in which a joint housing (5, 6) made of plastic is injection-molded onto the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), wherein a form-fitting connection between the joint housing (5, 6) and the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting rod (2) is produced by means of the form-fitting contour (10), and the closing of the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) by means of the deformation and the production of the form-fitting contour (10) take place in a single step, characterized bythat after closing the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), at least a simple folding (12) or rolling up is carried out, wherein by means of the folding (12) or rolling up a length of the connecting element (2) is adjusted, whereby starting from connecting elements (2) of a single predetermined length, different chassis components (1) with different lengths can be realized. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) is closed by forming the deformation as a flat profile (9). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the form-fitting contour (10) is realized at least partially by means of knurling and / or embossing (11) and / or at least one through-opening (13) in a flat profile (9) of the closed end (3, 4), wherein the through-opening (13) has a round, oval or polygonal cross-section. [4] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least simple folding (12) or the rolling up is realized in the area of the deformation previously produced as a flat profile (9). [5] Method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized by that the at least one fold (12) or roll-up is completely embedded in the plastic of the joint housing (5, 6), whereby the at least one fold (12) or roll-up contributes to the positive connection with the joint housing (5, 6). [6] Chassis component manufactured by a method according to one of the preceding claims and with a hollow, tubular connecting element (2), wherein at least one end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) is closed due to a deformation, and with a joint housing (5, 6) made of plastic, wherein the joint housing (5, 6) is positively fixed to the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2), characterized bythat the closed end (3, 4) of the connecting element (2) has at least a simple fold (12) or a roll-up, wherein a predetermined length of the connecting element (2) is realized by means of the fold (12) or roll-up. [7] Chassis component according to claim 6, characterized by that the at least one fold (12) or the roll-up contributes to the positive connection with the joint housing (5, 6), wherein the at least one fold (12) or the roll-up is completely embedded in the plastic of the joint housing (5, 6).

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