SPRING STEERING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring link for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle with a link body having two parallel side wall profiles which are connected by a spring seat plate.

[0002] Spring links are a type of suspension link that are part of a wheel suspension system. Spring links are also known as control arms. Spring links must absorb high radial forces, such as braking and acceleration forces. Additionally, spring links, in conjunction with other suspension components, support the weight of a vehicle.

[0003] Suspension links provide points of force application for spring and damping forces. In particular, spring / damping elements, such as a shock absorber or a coil spring, are supported by a suspension link.

[0004] From DE 10 2012 100 719 A1 or DE 10 2013 222 234 A1, spring control arms are known in which the control arm bodies are designed as formed sheet steel components or shell elements.

[0005] Comparable embodiments of spring links are shown in DE 10 2016 100 666 A1 or DE 10 2009 042 403 A1.

[0006] The prior art also includes, according to DE 10 2019 102 493 A1, a spring link with a link body having two side wall profiles. The profiles are arranged opposite each other at a distance from one another and are connected to each other by at least one plastic element made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The plastic element is designed to serve as a spring seat to accommodate a motor vehicle spring.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 106 937 A1 also discloses a spring link with a link body having two side wall profiles which are connected to each other by a connecting means, wherein the connecting means forms a spring seat.

[0008] Furthermore, spring links are considered state of the art according to EP 3 722 121 A1 or DE 10 2020 007 875 A1.

[0009] As mentioned in the introduction, suspension links serve to support the torques generated during braking or acceleration and to absorb the forces acting on a spring / damper unit. Therefore, very high demands are placed on the stiffness of a suspension link. On the other hand, suspension links should have the lowest possible component weight. Particularly with regard to the unsprung wheel mass, a low weight has a beneficial effect on the driving dynamics of a vehicle.

[0010] In the conflict between the high stiffness requirements on the one hand and the demand for the lowest possible weight on the other, while simultaneously ensuring efficient manufacturing, the known designs of suspension links do not offer the best conditions.

[0011] Starting from the prior art, the invention is based on the objective of demonstrating a lightweight, cost-effective and manufacturing-wise advantageous spring link that reliably meets the load requirements, in particular the high stiffness requirements.

[0012] The solution to this problem consists of a spring link according to claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the spring link according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0014] Embodiments and modifications of features of the spring link according to the invention, which individually or in combination develop and / or further refine the invention in a technically advantageous manner, also result from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0015] A spring link according to the invention comprises a link body having two side wall profiles connected by a spring seat plate extending transversely from one side wall profile to the other. Each side wall profile has a side web with an outwardly directed upper collar section extending longitudinally along the side web. The side wall profiles are arranged below the spring seat plate. The side webs of the side wall profiles are oriented vertically from the plane of the spring seat plate. The upper collar section is offset outwards from the vertical central longitudinal plane. The spring seat plate rests on an upper collar section with a lateral longitudinal edge section and is joined to the upper collar section.

[0016] In particular, the spring seat plate is joined to the side wall profiles or the upper collar section of a side wall profile by a material bond, preferably welded.

[0017] Terms such as top, bottom, upper side, lower side, horizontal, vertical, longitudinal, transverse or longitudinal direction and transverse direction as well as top and bottom side refer to the intended installation position and the orientation of the spring link in the wheel suspension of a motor vehicle.

[0018] An outwardly directed collar section means that, relative to the vertical central longitudinal plane of the control arm body, the collar section is directed transversely outwards from the side web, i.e., away from the vertical central longitudinal plane. The collar sections are directed outwards along the transverse axis (y-axis) of the spring control arm.

[0019] The linkage body of the spring linkage according to the invention consists of three components: the two side wall profiles and the upper spring seat plate. The spring seat plate forms the spring seat for a helical compression spring. The spring seat is located above the side wall profiles.

[0020] The two side wall profiles are arranged parallel to each other at a distance along the transverse axis of the spring link (y-axis).

[0021] The underside of the handlebar body, facing away from the spring seat plate, is open. The two side wall profiles are joined to the spring seat plate on the upper side and project freely from it.

[0022] The components of the handlebar body are made of steel, in particular high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel. It is especially advantageous for the handlebar body components to be made of a steel grade with the material number 1.0980. This is a high-strength steel for cold forming, which is thermomechanically rolled.

[0023] The spring seat plate sits or rests on the side wall profiles. This results in the spring force being applied above the two side wall profiles. In the spring link according to the invention, a high spring seat is implemented, which is arranged above the lateral line of force action.

[0024] The side wall profiles have side webs oriented vertically or vertically to the spring seat plate. The side webs extend below the spring force application point.

[0025] The weld seams of a material-bonded joint extend in the stress shadow below the spring seat plate.

[0026] The side wall profiles of the handlebar body are mirror images of each other. The side wall profiles are manufactured as stamped components. This is particularly advantageous from a manufacturing perspective.

[0027] The underside of the linkage body, opposite the spring seat plate, is open. The efficient design of the linkage body, the functional design of the side wall profiles, and the spring seat plate extending transversely between the side wall profiles enable a weight-saving construction. At the same time, the spring linkage according to the invention meets the highest stiffness requirements and is capable of withstanding high loads both dynamically and statically. The design of the side wall profiles contributes significantly to this.

[0028] The upper collar sections each extend over the length of a side wall profile.

[0029] In the embodiment according to the invention, each side web of a side wall profile has an outwardly directed lower collar section extending in the longitudinal direction of the side web. The lower collar section also extends over the length of a side wall profile.

[0030] The upper collar section, or in particular the lower collar section, can have a curved edge contour. Specifically, the width of the lower collar section can vary along its length. Mounting openings for attaching a protective element, especially a rock guard, are preferably provided in the lower collar sections. In this embodiment, a lower collar section, in addition to increasing the stiffness of a sidewall profile, also functions as a flange for attaching a rock guard.

[0031] The upper and lower collar sections of a sidewall profile merge at a first end face of the profile via an arc-shaped collar section. In this way, the sidewall profile is provided with an outwardly curved, circumferential collar section along both its upper and lower edges. Only the second end face is collarless. The upper collar section, the lower collar section, and the arc-shaped collar section connecting them form an outwardly directed edge that runs along three edges of the sidewall profile. This design of the sidewall profiles with the continuous, curved edge on three sides contributes significantly to the advantageous stiffness of the suspension link.

[0032] It is also advantageous that the longitudinal edge sections of the spring seat plate project laterally outwards beyond the upper collar sections.

[0033] The stiffness behavior can be improved in particular by profiling the side wall profiles; in particular, openings and bearing mounts can also have circumferential collars or collar sections that are directed outwards.

[0034] The collared openings and bearing receptacles are designed in the manner of through-passes in the side webs of the side wall profiles.

[0035] Advantageously, the upper and lower collar sections, as well as the arc-shaped collar sections extending towards the front, and the collars or collar sections at bearing mounts and openings, all point outwards in the same direction. The collars and collar sections are directed outwards from the vertical central longitudinal plane of the handlebar body.

[0036] According to the invention, each side wall profile has a first end section and a second end section. In at least one end section, particularly in the first end section of each side wall profile, a groove is provided, which is formed at the transition from the upper collar section to the side web. The groove extends triangularly within the side web. The groove is downward-facing and extends approximately to the middle of a side web.

[0037] Furthermore, the spring seat plate has a protrusion that projects towards the spring mounting surface. This protrusion extends upwards beyond the spring seat surface and the side wall profiles. The protrusion serves for positional orientation, particularly for centering a helical compression spring.

[0038] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the spring seat plate has an arc-shaped recess in an end face extending transversely between the side wall profiles. This allows for a further reduction in weight. In addition, the recesses serve as clearances and ensure access to bearing mounts and / or attachment points, or the passage of other components of the wheel suspension.

[0039] A particularly advantageous design for practical purposes provides for a non-circular, especially polygonal, opening in each first end section of a side wall profile. The non-circular openings in the two side walls are aligned coaxially and are designed and intended to interact with an eccentric adjustment device. The eccentric adjustment device, which includes eccentric elements such as eccentric discs or screws and / or control elements, allows for the alignment of the suspension arm relative to the wheel carrier-side connection. In this way, the toe and / or camber of a motor vehicle can also be adjusted.

[0040] Particularly advantageous are the two openings provided in the first end section on the wheel carrier side, which are part of the eccentric adjustment mechanism. In every second longitudinal section, there is an elongated hole and a non-circular opening with a trapezoidal configuration. The elongated hole has a longitudinal axis oriented along the length of a side wall profile. The vertical axis of the trapezoidal non-circular opening is longer than its transverse axis. The transverse axis extends along the length of the side wall profiles, while the vertical axis is perpendicular to it.

[0041] A stop is provided at the edge of a non-circular opening, particularly a polygonal opening or one with a trapezoidal configuration. This stop acts as a control track for an actuating element of the eccentric adjustment device.

[0042] The stop is particularly advantageous due to the circumferential collar at the non-circular opening with its trapezoidal configuration. The collar faces outwards.

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1 shows a spring link according to the invention in a perspective view; Figure 2 shows the spring link according to the illustration of Figure 1 in a perspective oblique from above; Figure 3 the spring link in a perspective view from below; Figure 4 a section of the link body of the spring link showing a wheel carrier-side bearing section of the link body and Figure 5 a section of the spring link showing the vehicle body-side bearing section of the link body.

[0044] Based on the Figures 1 to 5 A spring link 1 according to the invention is described.

[0045] In the Figure 1 A coordinate system is shown to define the position of the individual components in the construction of the spring link 1. The x-axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the spring link, the y-axis to the transverse axis of the spring link, and the z-axis to the vertical axis of the spring link.

[0046] The spring link 1 has a link body 2, which has a wheel carrier-side bearing section 3 and a vehicle body-side bearing section 4.

[0047] The handlebar body 2 consists of two side wall profiles 5, 6, which are connected by an upper spring seat plate 7.

[0048] The side wall profiles 5, 6 of the handlebar body 2 are mirror images of each other. The side wall profiles 5, 6 and the spring seat plate 7 are made of a high-strength steel material.

[0049] Each side wall profile 5, 6 has a side web 8 with an outwardly directed upper collar section 9 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the side web 8. The side wall profiles 5, 6 are arranged parallel to each other at a distance along the y-axis. The spring seat plate 7 rests with its lateral longitudinal edge sections 10, 11 on an upper collar section 9 of a side wall profile 5, 6. The spring seat plate 7 and the side wall profiles 5, 6 or upper collar sections 9 are joined together by a material bond.

[0050] The upper collar sections 9 are repositioned or directed outwards in the spring link transverse axis (y-axis) from the side web 8.

[0051] The upper collar sections 9, which run along the upper side edges 12 of the side web 8, extend over the entire length of a side wall profile 5, 6. The collar sections 9 are directed outwards with respect to the vertical central longitudinal plane VMLE of the handlebar body 2. The vertical central longitudinal plane VMLE also forms the plane of symmetry of the side wall profiles 5, 6.

[0052] The handlebar body 2 consists of three components, namely the two parallel side wall profiles 5, 6 arranged at a distance from each other and the spring seat plate 7 extending transversely between the side wall profiles 5, 6 and connecting the side wall profiles 5, 6.

[0053] The underside 13 of the handlebar body 2 opposite the spring seat plate 7 is open.

[0054] Each side web 8 of a side wall profile 5, 6 has an outwardly directed lower collar section 14 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the side web 8. The lower collar sections 14 run along the lower side edge 15 of the side web 8 over the length of a side wall profile 5, 6.

[0055] The upper collar section 9 and the lower collar section 14 of a side wall profile 5, 6 merge into one another at a first end face 16 of the side wall profiles 5, 6 via an arcuate collar section 17. In this way, the upper collar section 9, the arcuate collar section 17 and the lower collar section 14 form an outwardly directed edge 18 that runs along three sides of a side wall profile 5, 6.

[0056] The longitudinal edge sections 10, 11 of the spring seat plate 7 rest on the upper collar sections 9 and are joined to them. Laterally, the longitudinal edge sections 10, 11 of the spring seat plate 7 project beyond the outer edges 19 of the collar sections 9.

[0057] The spring seat plate 7 has a protrusion 21 projecting towards a spring support surface 20. The protrusion 21 serves as a centering and bearing orientation for a helical compression spring positioned on the spring support surface 20.

[0058] The spring support surface 20, which forms a spring seat, lies above the side wall profiles 5, 6.

[0059] The spring seat plate 7 has an arc-shaped recess 23 on each of its two end faces 22, which run transversely between the side wall profiles 5, 6. The recess 23 serves to accommodate attachment components such as stabilizers and shock absorber struts.

[0060] The recess 23 gives the end faces 22 of the spring seat plate 7 a fork-like or U-shaped shape with flange webs 24 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the side wall profiles 5, 6 and resting on the upper collar sections 9.

[0061] The side wall profiles 5, 6 each have a wheel carrier-side first end section 25 and a vehicle body-side second end section 26.

[0062] In the wheel carrier-side bearing section 3 of the steering arm body 2, two non-circular openings 27 and 28 are provided in the first end sections 25 of the side wall profiles 5, 6. The first non-circular opening 27 is an elongated hole. The second non-circular opening 28 has a trapezoidal configuration. The second non-circular opening 28 is positioned on the side of the first opening 27 facing away from the end face 16 of the side wall profiles 5, 6. A circumferential collar 30 forms an edge stop 29 at the trapezoidal non-circular opening 28. The collar 30 faces outwards. Consequently, the collar 30 is oriented in the same direction as the upper collar section 9, the lower collar section 14, and the arcuate collar section 17.

[0063] The non-circular openings 27, 28, located opposite each other in the side wall profiles 5, 6, are arranged coaxially. The two openings 27, 28 are designed and intended to interact with an eccentric adjustment device. The eccentric adjustment device comprises adjusting elements with cylindrical connecting elements that are guided through the openings 27, 28. The position of the wheel carrier-side bearing section 3 relative to a wheel carrier can be adjusted by means of the eccentric adjustment device.

[0064] Inwards towards the spring seat plate 7, adjacent to the non-circular openings 28, a groove 31 is provided in the first end section 25 of each side wall profile 5, 6. The groove 31 is formed in the transition 32 from the upper collar section 9 to the side web 8. The groove 31 extends in a triangular shape, downwards in the side web 8 to approximately its center.

[0065] The lower collar section 14 has sections 33 and 34 of varying widths along its length. In the middle sections 34, the collar section 14 is wider than in the end sections 25 and 26.

[0066] Mounting holes 35 are provided in the lower collar sections 14. A stone guard can be attached to the mounting openings 35. The wider sections 34 of the lower collar section 14 act as a flange for mounting.

[0067] The upper collar sections 9 also exhibit varying widths along their length. They are widest in the middle section. Towards the front end 16 and the curved collar section 17, the upper collar sections 9 taper. They also taper towards the free end 36 in the second end section 26.

[0068] Furthermore, bearing openings 37 for mounting a rubber bearing, bearing openings 38 for connecting stabilizer elements and bearing openings 39 for connecting a shock absorber are provided in the steering body 2 or the side wall profiles 5, 6.

[0069] The spring link 1 is completed by bearing components and bearing or connection components not shown in the figures, for example a rubber-metal bearing, stabilizers, a shock absorber and a wheel carrier attachment which includes an eccentric adjustment device.

[0070] The two side wall profiles 5, 6, arranged at a distance from each other, are directly connected by the spring seat plate 7. Otherwise, a connection between the two side wall profiles 5, 6 is established indirectly via bearing components and / or connecting components that are mounted on the bearing openings 37, 38, 39. Reference symbol:

[0071] 1 - Spring link 2 - Link body 3 - Wheel carrier-side bearing section 4 - Vehicle body-side bearing section 5 - Side wall profile 6 - Side wall profile 7 - Spring seat plate 8 - Side web 9 - Upper collar section 10 - Longitudinal edge section of 7 11 - Longitudinal edge section of 7 12 - Upper side edge of 8 13 - Underside of 2 14 - Lower collar section 15 - Lower side edge of 8 16 - End face of 5, 6 17 - Arc-shaped collar section at 16 18 - Edge 19 - Outer edges of 9 20 - Spring bearing surface 21 - Bulge 22 - End face of 7 23 - Recess 24 - Flange web 25 - First end section of 5, 6 26 - Second end section of 5, 6 27 -Opening 28 -Opening 29 -Stop 30 -Colour 31 -Bead 32 -Transition 33 -Section 34 -Section 35 -Mounting opening 36 -Free end 37 -Bearing opening 38 -Bearing opening 39 -Bearing opening L -longitudinal direction VMLE -vertical mid-longitudinal plane

Claims

1. A spring link with a link body (2) which has two side wall profiles (5, 6) which are connected by a spring seat plate (7), wherein each side wall profile (5, 6) has a side web (8) with an outwardly directed upper collar portion (9) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the side web (8), characterized in that each side wall profile (5, 6) has a side web (8) with an outwardly directed lower collar portion (14) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the side web (8), and each side wall profile (5, 6) has a first end portion (25) and a second end portion (26),wherein in at least one end portion (25) a bead (31) is provided, which is formed in the transition from the upper collar portion (9) to the side web (8), wherein the bead extends triangularly, downwards in the side web (8) to approximately its middle and wherein the spring seat plate (7) lies with a lateral longitudinal edge portion (10, 11) on an upper collar portion (9) and is joined to the upper collar portion (9).

2. The spring link according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall profiles (5, 6) are formed mirror-symmetrically to one another.

3. The spring link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the underside (13) of the link body (2) opposite the spring seat plate (7) is open.

4. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper collar portions (9) each extend over the length (L) of a side wall profile (5, 6).

5. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower collar portions (14) each extend over the length (L) of a side wall profile (5, 6).

6. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper collar portion (9) and the lower collar portion (14) of a side wall profile (5, 6) merge into one another at a first front end (16) of the side wall profile (5, 6) via an arcuate collar portion (17).

7. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the longitudinal edge portions (10, 11) of the spring seat plate (7) project laterally outwards over the upper collar portions (14) in some areas.

8. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spring seat plate (7) has a bulge (21) projecting relative to a spring support surface (20).

9. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring seat plate (7) has an arcuately contoured recess (23) in an end face (22) extending transversely between the side wall profiles (5, 6).

10. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in each first end portion (25) of a side wall profile (5, 6) at least one non-circular opening (27) is provided, wherein the non-circular openings (27, 28) in the side walls are disposed coaxially to one another and are configured and intended to cooperate with an eccentric adjustment apparatus.

11. The spring link according to claim 10, characterized in that an edge-side stop (29) is provided on a non-circular opening (28).

12. The spring link according to claim 11, characterized in that the stop (29) is formed by a circumferential collar (30) on the non-circular opening (28).

13. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower collar portion (14) has portions (33, 34) of different widths over its longitudinal extent, wherein the lower collar portion (14) is wider in the middle portion (34) than in the region of its end portions (25, 26).

14. The spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the upper collar portions (9) have a different width in their longitudinal course, wherein the upper collar portions(9) have the greatest width in the middle length region.