Device for attaching one end of an anti-roll bar to a vehicle's suspension system, and associated vehicle

Abstract

This fastening device (5) for attaching one end (3c) of an anti-roll bar (3) of a vehicle (1) to a suspension system (4) of the vehicle comprises a connecting rod (6) for connection to the suspension system (4) and a fastening means (7) for attaching the connecting rod (6) to the anti-roll bar (3), the connecting rod (6) having one end equipped with a ball joint (7a), the fastening means (7) comprising a connecting member (9) attached to the ball joint (7a) and a fastening insert (8) configured to receive the connecting member (9), the fastening insert (9) being partially inserted into the end (3c) of the anti-roll bar (3). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for attaching one end of an anti-roll bar to a vehicle suspension system, and associated vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to any system comprising a ball joint pivot to be secured, and in particular such a system operating in a vibratory environment and subject to significant and repeated alternating stresses.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to an anti-roll bar for a motor vehicle, and relates more particularly to a device for fixing the ends of the anti-roll bar to a suspension system of the vehicle. Prior art

[0003] For several decades, motor vehicles have been equipped with at least one anti-roll bar, also called an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar, which consists of a metal part, for example made of steel, substantially U-shaped and of circular section, and which makes it possible to limit the inclination of the vehicle in curves or in potholes. Such an anti-roll bar connects by each of its ends one of the two suspension systems of the same wheel set of the vehicle. Each end of the anti-roll bar is therefore linked to the suspension system of one of the wheels of the same wheel set using a fixing device.

[0004] Traditionally, this fixing device is formed by a screwed connection. More precisely, in order to secure a suspension system to one end of the anti-roll bar, a connecting rod is connected by a first end to the suspension system, and an opposite end of this connecting rod is secured via a screw and a nut to said end of the anti-roll bar. The screw and the nut are thus independent elements of the anti-roll bar.

[0005] However, the manufacturing process is demanding and proves difficult to implement, particularly with regard to obtaining a geometry of the ends of the anti-roll bar allowing the screw and the nut to be received appropriately. Indeed, the end of the anti-roll bar must be heated, forged to be crushed, bent and then perforated, in order to receive the screw and the nut independent of the anti-roll bar.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a device for fixing one end of an anti-roll bar of a vehicle to a vehicle suspension system which is easy to manufacture, inexpensive and robust.

[0007] The invention therefore relates to a device for fixing one end of an anti-roll bar of a vehicle to a suspension system of the vehicle, comprising a connecting rod intended to be connected to the suspension system and a means for fixing the connecting rod to the anti-roll bar, the connecting rod comprising one end equipped with a ball joint, the fixing means comprising a connecting member fixed to the ball joint and a fixing insert configured to receive the connecting member, the fixing insert being partially introduced into the end of the anti-roll bar.

[0008] Advantageously, the connecting member comprises a threaded end piece, the fixing insert comprising a threaded internal part configured to cooperate with and receive the threaded end piece.

[0009] Advantageously, the fixing insert comprises a cylindrical body extending along an axis and a support head formed on one end of the cylindrical body, the support head resting against the end of the anti-roll bar and the cylindrical body being inserted into the end of the anti-roll bar.

[0010] Preferably, the internal part extends axially in the cylindrical body and opens onto the support head.

[0011] Preferably, the support head is welded by electrical resistance to the end of the anti-roll bar.

[0012] Advantageously, the connecting member comprises a clamping means that can be activated using a clamping tool, the clamping means being connected by a thread of material to the ball joint of the connecting rod and being arranged axially between the thread of material and the threaded end piece.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting member comprises a protective bellows surrounding the material net for the protection of the ball joint.

[0014] Advantageously, the clamping means is a hexagonal crown with a radial dimension greater than the diameter of the threaded end piece.

[0015] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a wheel set comprising a first and a second wheel, the first wheel being associated with a first suspension system and the second wheel being associated with a second suspension system, the two suspension systems being connected to each other by means of an anti-roll bar of the vehicle, the anti-roll bar being fixed to the suspension systems at each of its ends by a fixing device as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig.l] illustrates a device for fixing a suspension system to the anti-roll bar of a vehicle according to the invention; and

[0018] [Fig.2] illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the fixing device of [Fig.l]. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0019] [Fig.l] shows a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle 1 equipped with an anti-rollover assembly 2 according to the invention.

[0020] The anti-roll assembly 2 comprises an anti-roll bar 3, also called an anti-roll bar or stabilization bar. The anti-roll bar 3 is, in a known manner, a metal part, for example made of steel, having a substantially U-shaped portion and a circular section. The anti-roll bar 3 thus comprises two identical lateral arms 3a, and a central section 3b connecting the two lateral arms 3a by one of their ends. Each of the lateral arms 3a thus comprises an end linked to the central section 3b and a hollow opposite free end 3c laterally extending the anti-roll bar. With reference to [Fig. 2], each of the opposite free ends 3c comprises an end edge 3d comprising an inlet giving access to the interior of the free end 3c, this interior being formed by an internal wall 3e.

[0021] The anti-roll bar 3 is fixed to the chassis of the vehicle 1 by bearings 1a and 1b partially enclosing the central section 3b.

[0022] The vehicle 1 comprises a suspension system 4 associated with each of the wheels of the same front or rear wheel set of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 therefore comprises a suspension system 4 for the left wheel and a suspension system 4 for the right wheel.

[0023] Each suspension system 4 is connected to the anti-roll assembly 2 via a fixing device 5. More precisely, the fixing devices 5 each make it possible to connect a suspension system 4 to a hollow end 3c of a lateral arm 3a of the anti-roll bar 3.

[0024] Hereinafter, only one of the fixing devices 5 will be described, for example the fixing device 5 of the left wheel, the whole of what will be described being symmetrical and identical for the right side. Such a fixing device 5 is illustrated in partial longitudinal section in [Fig. 2]. The left hollow free end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3 is thus illustrated in [Fig. 2] and extends along a longitudinal axis A. The end edge 3d is thus orthogonal to the axis A. Similarly, the internal wall 3e of the interior of the free end 3c has a circular section orthogonal to the axis A.

[0025] The fixing device 5 comprises a connecting rod 6 and a means 7 for fixing the connecting rod 6 to the anti-roll bar 3. More precisely, the fixing means 7 is a means for fixing the connecting rod 6 to the hollow end 3c of a lateral arm 3a of the anti-roll bar 3.

[0026] The connecting rod 6 is a metal rod comprising a first end formed by a first ball joint 7a and a second opposite end formed by a second ball joint 7b. The first ball joint 7a connects the connecting rod 6 to the anti-roll bar 3, and more precisely to the hollow end 3c of a lateral arm 3a of the anti-roll bar 3, while the second ball joint 7b connects the connecting rod 6 to the suspension system 4. The ball joints 7a and 7b thus allow the connecting rod 6 to be oriented according to the relative movement of the suspension system 4 with respect to the anti-roll bar 3.

[0027] The fixing means 7 comprises a fixing insert 8 and a connecting member 9 of the connecting rod to the fixing insert illustrated in partial longitudinal section in [Fig.2].

[0028] The fixing insert 8 comprises a support head 8a and a cylindrical body 8b of substantially circular section and of constant diameter less than the diameter of the internal wall 3e of the inside of the end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3. The support head 8a constitutes one of the ends of the cylindrical body 8b and forms a collar of diameter greater than the diameter respectively of the cylindrical body 8b and of the end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3. The fixing insert 8 therefore has substantially a longitudinal section in the shape of a “T”.

[0029] The fixing insert 8 is thus partially introduced into the hollow end 3c of a lateral arm 3a of the anti-roll bar 3. More precisely, the introduction of the fixing insert 8 into the end of the anti-roll bar 3 is done by inserting the cylindrical body 8b into the bar 3 via the end edge 3d. The bearing head 8a blocks the introduction of the insert 8 into the bar 3, and bears against the end of the anti-roll bar 3. In other words, the bearing head 8a is positioned against the hollow end 3c of the lateral arm 3b of the anti-roll bar 3 and in its axial extension. Thus, the fixing insert 8 and the end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3 extend along the same axis A carrying the center of their respective circular sections.

[0030] The diameter of the cylindrical body 8b is sufficiently smaller than the internal diameter of the anti-roll bar 3 so that no contact takes place between the cylindrical body 8b and the anti-roll bar 3. The cylindrical body 8b therefore comprises an external surface 10 facing the internal wall 3e of the end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3. This external surface 10 defines an external part 10 of the fixing insert 8.

[0031] The insert 8 is fixed to the anti-roll bar 3 by means of an electrical resistance weld 8c at the contact between the support head 8a of the insert 8 and the end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0032] The fixing insert 8 is blind. In other words, a cylindrical cavity 8d is made in the insert 8, this cylindrical cavity 8d passing through the insert 8 and opening at the level of the support head 8a on the outside of the insert 8. The cavity 8d is on the other hand closed on its end opposite the support head 8a. The cavity 8d therefore constitutes a housing whose access is constituted by the part opening onto the support head 8a.

[0033] The cavity 8d is cylindrical and is delimited by an internal wall 11 of the insert 8 of circular section orthogonal to the axis A and whose center is carried by the axis A.

[0034] The fixing insert 8 therefore comprises an internal part 11 defined by the wall 11 of the cavity 8c, and an external part 10 defined by the external surface 10 of the cylindrical body 8b.

[0035] The connecting member 9 is fixed to the first ball joint 7a of the connecting rod 6, and comprises a protective bellows 12, a clamping means 13 and a threaded end piece 14 aligned along the axis A, so that the connecting member 9 extends along the same axis A as the cavity 8d, the fixing insert 8 and the hollow end 3c of the anti-roll bar 3.

[0036] The clamping means 13 comprises, for example, a hexagonal crown intended to serve as a grip for a clamping tool such as an adjustable wrench.

[0037] The protective bellows 12 is arranged in a known manner around a material net 12a illustrated in dotted lines in [Fig.2] and connecting the clamping means 13 to the ball joint 7a. In this way, the bellows 12 protects the ball joint 7a from an impact with the clamping tool when tightening the connecting member 9. The bellows 12 also protects the ball joint 7a from external aggressions such as liquids, dust or sand.

[0038] The threaded end piece 14 extends from a surface of the clamping means 13 opposite the ball joint 7a and the protective bellows 12.

[0039] The radial dimension of the clamping means 13 is greater than the diameter of the threaded end piece 14, so that the use of the clamping tool is facilitated and the risks of damage are reduced.

[0040] The internal wall forming the internal part 11 of the fixing insert 8 is threaded so that the threaded end piece 14 is configured to be inserted into the internal part of the insert 8 and cooperate with said threading. The connecting member 9 is therefore configured to cooperate with the internal part 11 to secure the insert 8 to the ball joint 7a.

[0041] The axial length of the threaded end piece 14 is substantially equal to the axial length of the internal part 11 of the fixing insert 8. When the ball joint 7a and the insert 8 are secured, the clamping means 13 therefore comprises a surface in contact with the head 8a of the insert 8.

[0042] Thus, the ball joint 7a of the connecting rod 6 is fixed to the anti-roll assembly 2, and more particularly to the anti-roll bar 3 by means of the connecting member 9 partially inserted into the fixing insert 8 which is secured in a free and hollow end of a lateral arm 3a of the anti-roll bar 3.

[0043] In this way, the attachment of the suspension system 4 to the anti-roll bar 3 no longer requires a restrictive and complex forging of the anti-roll bar 3. The assembly is carried out using a fixing device which is simple to manufacture and assemble, refined, inexpensive and robust.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (5) for fixing one end (3c) of an anti-roll bar (3) of a vehicle (1) to a suspension system (4) of the vehicle, comprising a connecting rod (6) intended to be connected to the suspension system (4) and a means (7) for fixing the connecting rod (6) to the anti-roll bar (3), the connecting rod (6) having one end equipped with a ball joint (7a), the fixing means (7) comprising a connecting member (9) fixed to the ball joint (7a) and a blind fixing insert (8) configured to receive the connecting member (9), the blind fixing insert (8) being partially inserted into the end (3c) of the anti-roll bar (3).

2. A fastening device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member (9) comprises a threaded end piece (14), the fastening insert (8) comprising a threaded internal portion (11) configured to cooperate with and receive the threaded end piece (14).

3. A fixing device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the fixing insert (8) comprises a cylindrical body (8b) extending along an axis (A) and a bearing head (8a) formed on one end of the cylindrical body (8b), the bearing head (8a) resting against the end (3c) of the anti-roll bar (3) and the cylindrical body (8b) being inserted into the end (3c) of the anti-roll bar (3).

4. Fixing device according to claims 2 and 3, in which the internal part (11) extends axially in the cylindrical body and opens onto the support head (8a).

5. Fixing device according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which the support head (8a) is welded by electrical resistance to the end (3c) of the anti-roll bar (3).

6. Fixing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the connecting member (9) comprises a clamping means (13) activatable using a clamping tool, the clamping means (13) being connected by a material thread (12a) to the ball joint (7a) of the connecting rod (6) and being arranged axially between the material thread (12a) and the threaded end piece (14).

7. Device according to claim 6, in which the connecting member (9) comprises a protective bellows (12) surrounding the material net (12a) for the protection of the ball joint (7a).

8. Fastening device according to one of claims 6 or 7, in which the clamping means is a hexagonal crown with a radial dimension greater than the diameter of the threaded end piece.

9. Vehicle (1) comprising a wheel set comprising a first and a second wheel, the first wheel being associated with a first suspension system (4) and the second wheel being associated with a second suspension system (4), the two suspension systems (4) being connected to each other by means of an anti-roll bar (3) of the vehicle (1), the anti-roll bar (3) being fixed to the suspension systems (4) at each of its ends (3c) by a fixing device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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