Suspension stop device

Abstract

[Suspension stop device] This suspension stop device (2) comprises a lower support cover (6), an upper support cover (4), at least one bearing (8) disposed between said covers (4, 6), at least one of said covers (4, 6) comprising at least a first group of recesses (36) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on an annular radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) to form a first ring of recesses (36), and at least a second group of recesses (40) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on said annular radial portion (10, 16) to form a second ring of recesses (40), the recesses (40) of the second group being radially offset at least partly outwards relative to the recesses (36) of the first group. Figure for the summary: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Suspension stop device Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of suspension stop devices used in particular for motor vehicles in the suspension struts of the steered wheels. State of the prior art

[0002] A suspension stop device generally comprises a bearing forming an axial stop and upper and lower covers forming a housing for the bearing rings and making it possible to provide the interface between said rings and the surrounding elements.

[0003] The suspension stop device is arranged in the upper part of the suspension strut between a suspension spring and the vehicle body. The suspension spring is mounted around a shock absorber piston rod whose end is connected to the vehicle body. The suspension spring, of the helical spring type, comes to bear axially directly or indirectly on the lower cover of the suspension stop device.

[0004] The suspension stop device makes it possible to transmit axial and radial forces between the suspension spring and the vehicle body while allowing a relative rotational movement between the lower cover and the upper cover resulting from a turning of the vehicle's steered wheels and / or the compression of the suspension spring.

[0005] Generally, the upper cover of the suspension stop device is provided with a plurality of hooks arranged on an outer skirt and adapted to interfere diametrically with a plurality of hooks of the lower cover. The hooks of each cover are spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The hooks form retaining means for axially retaining the upper and lower covers relative to each other.

[0006] The present invention aims to reduce the manufacturing costs of known suspension stop devices. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a suspension stop device comprising a lower support cover, an upper support cover, at least one bearing arranged between said covers.

[0008] According to a general characteristic, at least one of said covers comprises at least a first group of recesses spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. on an annular radial portion of said cover to form a first ring of recesses, and at least a second group of recesses spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on said annular radial portion to form a second ring of recesses.

[0009] The recesses of the second group are radially offset at least partly outwards relative to the recesses of the first group.

[0010] The recesses of the first and second groups of recesses make it possible to reduce the quantity of material used for the manufacture of the suspension stop device, and thus to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0011] Advantageously, said first and second groups of recesses leave on said radial portion of said cover a solid inner annular radial portion and a solid outer annular radial portion, said solid inner and outer annular radial portions being situated radially on either side of said first and second groups of recesses.

[0012] Said inner and outer solid annular radial portions improve the rigidity of said cover.

[0013] Optionally, the radial dimension of the inner solid annular radial portion of said radial portion of said cover may be at least twice as large as the radial dimension of the outer solid annular radial portion of said radial portion of said cover.

[0014] Advantageously, the recesses of said first and second groups of recesses leave on said radial portion of said cover an alternation in the circumferential direction of first and second branches of material each extending radially between said inner solid annular radial portion and said outer solid annular radial portion.

[0015] The forces applied to the suspension stop device are mainly applied obliquely from the upper support cover towards the lower support cover and radially outwards. Said first and second branches of material further improve the rigidity of said cover, in particular by distributing the forces applied to the suspension stop device.

[0016] Optionally, said first and second branches of material extend purely radially between said inner solid annular radial portion and said outer solid annular radial portion.

[0017] Advantageously, the recesses of said first and second groups of recesses leave on said radial portion of said cover third branches of material each extending from the proximal end of one of said second branches towards the distal end of one of said first branches directly adjacent to said second branch in the circumferential direction.

[0018] Said third branches of material further make it possible to distribute the forces applied to the suspension stop device and further improve the rigidity of said cover. Thus, the mechanical resistance of the suspension stop is increased.

[0019] Optionally, each of said branches of material is of constant section.

[0020] Advantageously, the recesses of said first and second group of recesses are arranged on said radial portion of said cover so that a recess of said first group of recesses and a recess of said second group of recesses are arranged between each of the first and second branches directly successive in the circumferential direction.

[0021] Advantageously, said first and second groups of recesses comprise recesses of triangular shape.

[0022] The term “triangular-shaped recess” means a recess forming on the surface of said cover a three-sided shape, each of said three sides being respectively straight or curved.

[0023] Advantageously, the dimensions of the recesses of said second group of recesses are greater than the dimensions of the recesses of said first group of recesses.

[0024] Thus, the surface of said cover is more hollowed out in an area subject to less stress.

[0025] Optionally, the recesses of said first group of recesses are arranged on said radial portion of said cover so as to form a first pattern repeated regularly in the circumferential direction, the recesses of said second group of recesses being arranged on said radial portion of said cover so as to form a second pattern repeated regularly in the circumferential direction.

[0026] The first and second patterns repeated regularly in the circumferential direction give at least one symmetry to the recesses of said annular radial portion of said cover.

[0027] Advantageously, the stop suspension device further comprises a damping element made of elastic material and overmolded onto said cover and extending into the recesses of said first and second groups of recesses.

[0028] The recesses of said first and second group of recesses improve the grip of said damping element. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The present invention will be better understood upon studying the detailed description of embodiments, taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig.l] is an axial sectional view of a suspension stop device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] is a bottom view of the device of [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig.3] is a detail view of [Fig.2];

[0033] [Fig.4] is an axial sectional view of a suspension stop device according to a second example of embodiment of the invention; and

[0034] [Fig.5] is a detail view of a suspension stop device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0035] The suspension stop device 2 shown in [Fig.l] is adapted to be installed between an upper support cup or seat coming into contact with an element of the fixed chassis of a motor vehicle, and a helical type suspension spring. In [Fig.l], the device 2 is shown in a supposedly vertical position.

[0036] The device 2, of axis X-X', comprises an upper support cover 4, a lower support cover 6, and a rolling bearing 8 interposed axially between said covers 4, 6.

[0037] In the example illustrated, the upper support 4 and lower support 6 covers are mounted in direct contact with the bearing 8 without the interposition of an intermediate element. Alternatively, the upper support 4 and lower support 6 covers may be mounted in indirect contact with the bearing 8 with the interposition of an intermediate element.

[0038] The upper support cover 4 is here made of a single piece, for example made of plastic material, for example such as a polyamide PA 6.6, which may or may not be reinforced with glass fibers.

[0039] The upper support cover 4, of axis X-X', comprises a radial portion 10, an annular axial internal skirt 12, and an annular axial external skirt 14 radially surrounding the internal skirt 12.

[0040] The radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4 has an upper surface (not referenced) intended to come opposite the upper support seat, and an opposite lower surface (not referenced) in contact with the bearing 8. Said upper and lower surfaces define the thickness of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4. In the example illustrated, the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4 has a stepped shape.

[0041] In the example illustrated, the upper surface of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4 is inclined. Alternatively, the upper surface of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4 may be purely radial.

[0042] The outer skirt 14 of the upper support cover 4 radially partially surrounds the lower support cover 6, the outer skirt 14 extending axially from the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4. In the example illustrated, the outer skirt 14 of the upper support cover 4 extends a large diameter edge of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4.

[0043] The inner skirt 12 of the upper support cap 4 extends inside the bore of the lower support cap 6. The inner and outer skirts 12, 14 of the upper support cap 4 extend axially downward from the radial portion 10 of the upper support cap 4. The inner skirt 12 extends a small diameter edge of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cap 4.

[0044] “Axially downwards” means the direction directed axially from the upper support cover 4 towards the lower support cover 6.

[0045] The lower support cover 6, of axis X-X', comprises an annular radial portion 16 in the form of a plate, and an annular axial skirt 18 extending a small diameter edge of the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6.

[0046] The skirt 18 of the lower support cover 6 extends axially opposite the upper support cover 4 and the bearing 8. The skirt 18 of the lower support cover 6 allows the centering of the suspension spring.

[0047] The upper support cover 4 comprises a plurality of internal hooks 20 arranged on the internal skirt 12 of the upper support cover 4 and extending radially outwardly towards the lower support cover 6. In the example illustrated, the hooks 20 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide a single annular hook 20.

[0048] The lower support cover 6 comprises a plurality of internal hooks 22 arranged on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 and extending radially inwards towards the upper support cover 4, said plurality of internal hooks 22 being adapted to interfere diametrically with the plurality of internal hooks 20 of the upper support cover 4. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide a single annular hook 22.

[0049] The hooks 20, 22 form retaining means making it possible to axially retain the upper support 4 and lower support 6 covers relative to each other.

[0050] The bearing 8 is entirely located radially between the skirts 12, 14 of the upper support cap 4. The bearing 8 comprises an upper ring 24 in contact with the upper support cap 4, a lower ring 26 in contact with the lower support cap 6, and a row of rolling elements 28, here balls, arranged between the raceways formed on the rings 24, 26. In the example illustrated, the bearing is of the angular contact type. The upper ring 24 is in contact with the lower surface of the radial portion 10 of the upper support cap 4. The ring lower surface 26 is in contact with an upper surface of the lower support cover 6, said upper surface being of complementary shape to the lower ring 26 of the bearing 8.

[0051] The lower support cover 6 here consists of a body made in a single piece, for example made of plastic material, for example such as a polyamide PA 6.6, which may or may not be reinforced with glass fibers.

[0052] The device 2 comprises an internal seal 30 fixed to the lower support cover 6 and cooperating by contact with the internal skirt 12 of the upper support cover 4.

[0053] The device 2 also comprises an external seal 32 fixed to the lower support cover 6 and cooperating by contact with the external skirt 14 of the upper support cover 4.

[0054] As illustrated more visibly in [Fig.2], the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 has a lower annular radial surface 34 delimiting a bearing surface for the suspension spring.

[0055] The radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 comprises a first group of recesses 36 spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and forming on the bearing surface 34 a first ring of recesses 36.

[0056] Each recess 36 of the first group of recesses is formed at a distance from the skirt 18 of the lower support cover 6 so as to leave an inner solid annular radial portion 38, the inner solid annular radial portion 38 being devoid of recess.

[0057] The radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 also comprises a second group of recesses 40 spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and forming on the bearing surface 34 a second ring of recesses 40.

[0058] The recesses 40 of the second group of recesses are offset radially partly outwards relative to the recesses 36 of the first group of recesses.

[0059] Each recess 40 of the second group of recesses is formed at a distance from the periphery 42 of the lower support cover 6 so as to leave an outer solid annular radial portion 44, the outer solid annular radial portion 44 being devoid of recess.

[0060] The recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses are open axially downwards.

[0061] The recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses do not axially pass through the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6.

[0062] As illustrated more visibly in [Fig. 3], the recesses 36 of the first group of recesses are each triangular in shape, each recess 36 of the first group of recesses comprising a first concave edge 46, a second straight edge 48 extending purely radially outwards from one end of the first concave edge 46 and a third straight edge 50 joining in a rectilinear manner the first and second edges 46, 48 of said recess 36. The first concave edge 46 of each recess 36 of the first group of recesses is parallel to the periphery 42 of the lower support cover 6, the normal distance between said first concave edge 46 of said recess 36 and the outer periphery 42 of the lower support cover 6 being constant.

[0063] The recesses 36 of the first group of recesses are arranged so that the second straight edge 48 of each triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses faces the second straight edge 48 of another triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses, said second straight edges 48 being parallel to each other.

[0064] The second straight edges 48 facing each other of two triangular-shaped recesses 36 of the first group of recesses leave on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 first branches 52 of material extending purely radially between said second straight edges 48 facing each other, the first branches 52 extending purely radially from the inner solid annular radial portion 38 towards the outer solid annular radial portion 44.

[0065] The recesses 40 of the second group of recesses are each triangular in shape, each recess 40 of the second group of recesses comprising a first convex edge 54, a second straight edge 56 extending purely radially inward from one end of the first convex edge 54 and a third straight edge 58 joining in a rectilinear manner the first and second edges 54, 56 of said recess 40. The first convex edge 54 of each recess 40 of the second group of recesses is parallel to the periphery 42 of the lower support cover 6, the normal distance between said first convex edge 54 of said recess 40 and the outer periphery 42 of the lower support cover 6 being constant.

[0066] The recesses 40 of the second group of recesses are arranged so that the second straight edge 56 of each triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses faces the second straight edge 56 of another triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses, said second straight edges 56 being parallel to each other.

[0067] The second straight edges 56 facing each other of two triangular-shaped recesses 40 of the second group of recesses leave on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 second branches 60 of material extending purely radially between said second straight edges 56 facing each other. from each other, the second branches 60 extending purely radially from the outer solid annular radial portion 44 towards the inner solid annular radial portion 38.

[0068] The recesses 36 of the first group of recesses also leave the second branches 60 of material on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6.

[0069] The recesses 40 of the second group of recesses also leave the first branches 52 of material on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6.

[0070] The recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses leave on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 a succession of first and second branches 52, 60 of material in the circumferential direction, said succession being composed of an alternation between a first branch 52 of material and a second branch 60 of material in the circumferential direction.

[0071] A recess 36 of the first group of recesses and a recess 40 of the second group of recesses are located circumferentially between each first and second branch 52, 60 of material directly adjacent in the circumferential direction.

[0072] The recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses are arranged so that the third straight edge 50 of each triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses faces the third straight edge 58 of a triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses, said third straight edges 50, 58 being parallel to each other.

[0073] The third straight edges 50, 58 facing each other of a triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses and of a triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses leave third branches 62 of material on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6. Each third branch 62 of material extends from the proximal end of a second branch 60 of material towards the distal end of a first branch 52 of material directly adjacent to said second branch 60 of material in the circumferential direction and connects to the distal end of said first branch 52 of material directly adjacent to said second branch 60 of material in the circumferential direction.

[0074] The proximal end of a second branch 60 of material is the end of the second branch 60 of material most in the center of the device 2.

[0075] The distal end of a first branch 52 of material is the end of the first branch 52 of material furthest from the center of the device 2.

[0076] The recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses leave the third branches 62 of material remaining on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6.

[0077] The first group of recesses here comprises a number of recesses 36 equal to the number of recesses 40 of the second group of recesses.

[0078] The triangular shape of each triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses is of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of the triangular shape of each triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses.

[0079] Alternatively, the triangular shape of each triangular-shaped recess 40 of the second group of recesses may be of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of the triangular shape of each triangular-shaped recess 36 of the first group of recesses.

[0080] In the example shown, the recesses 36 of the first group of recesses are arranged on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 so as to form a first pattern composed of six recesses 36 of triangular shape, the first pattern being repeated four times regularly in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, it is possible to provide another arrangement of the recesses 36 of the first group of recesses, in particular an arrangement forming a first pattern composed of a different number of recesses 36.

[0081] In the example shown, the recesses 40 of the second group of recesses are arranged on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6 so as to form a second pattern composed of two recesses 40 of triangular shape, the second pattern being repeated twelve times regularly in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, it is possible to provide another arrangement of the recesses 40 of the second group of recesses, in particular an arrangement forming a second pattern composed of a different number of recesses 40.

[0082] In the example shown, the first group of recesses comprises two different dimensions of recesses 36. Alternatively, the first group of recesses may comprise recesses 36 of identical dimensions or more than two different dimensions of recesses 36.

[0083] In the example shown, the second group of recesses comprises recesses 40 of identical dimensions. Alternatively, the second group of recesses may comprise several dimensions of recesses 40.

[0084] The embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the first embodiment in that the device 2 comprises a damping element 64 overmolded on the lower support cover 6 and made of elastic material in order to filter vibrations, for example by thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or elastomeric foam.

[0085] The damping element 64 is overmolded onto the bearing surface 34 of the lower support cover 6 and onto the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6. The damping element 64 is further overmolded into the recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses.

[0086] The damping element 64 comprises an annular radial portion 66, and an annular axial skirt 68 extending a small diameter edge of the radial portion 66 of the damping element 64. The radial portion 66 and the skirt 68 are respectively fixed on the radial portion 16 and the skirt 18 of the lower support cover 6. The skirt 68 of the damping element 64 allows the centering of the suspension spring, and the radial portion 66 of the damping element 64 delimits a bearing surface for the latter.

[0087] The embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the second embodiment in that the recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses axially pass through the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6, the recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses being open axially downwards and upwards.

[0088] The damping element 64 is fixed to the lower support cover 6 by overmolding, but is not overmolded in the recesses 36, 40 of the first and second groups of recesses. Alternatively, the damping element 64 may be fixed to the lower support cover 6 by any other suitable means, for example by gluing.

[0089] The external seal 32 of the device 2 is here overmolded in the recesses 36, 40 of the first and second group of recesses.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiments, the first, second and third branches 52, 60, 62 of material are each of constant cross-section between their distal and proximal ends. Alternatively, the first, second and third branches 52, 60, 62 of material may be of variable cross-section between their distal and proximal ends.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiments, the second straight edge 48 of each recess 36 of the first group of recesses extends purely radially. Alternatively, the second straight edge 48 of each recess 36 of the first group of recesses may extend both radially and ortho-radially.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiments, the second straight edge 56 of each recess 40 of the second group of recesses extends purely radially. Alternatively, the second straight edge 56 of each recess 40 of the second group of recesses may extend both radially and ortho-radially.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiments, the lower support cover 6 comprises first and second groups of recesses. Alternatively, the lower support cover 6 may comprise more than two groups of recesses.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiments, the recesses 36, 40 are made on the radial portion 16 of the lower support cover 6. Alternatively, the recesses 36, 40 may be made in the radial portion 10 of the upper support cover 4.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiments, the device 2 comprises a bearing 8 with angular contact bearing provided with a row of balls. The device 2 may comprise other types of rolling bearings, for example a bearing with four points of contact and / or with at least two rows of balls. The rolling bearing may comprise other types of rolling elements 28, for example rollers. In another variant, the bearing of the device 2 may comprise a sliding bearing without rolling elements and provided with one or more rings.

Claims

1. Claims Suspension stop device (2) comprising: - a lower support cover (6), - an upper support cover (4), - at least one bearing (8) arranged between said covers (4, 6), - at least one of said covers (4, 6) comprising at least a first group of recesses (36) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on an annular radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) to form a first ring of recesses (36), and at least a second group of recesses (40) spaced from each other in the circumferential direction on said annular radial portion (10, 16) to form a second ring of recesses (40), the recesses (40) of the second group being offset radially at least partly outwards relative to the recesses (36) of the first group, said first and second groups of recesses leaving on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) an inner solid annular radial portion (38) and an outer solid annular radial portion (44), said inner and outer solid annular radial portions (38, 44) being situated radially on either side of said first and second groups of recesses, characterized in that the recesses (36, 40) of said first and second groups of recesses leave on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) an alternation in the circumferential direction of first and second branches (52, 60) of material each extending radially between said inner solid annular radial portion (38) and said outer solid annular radial portion (44), the recesses (36, 40) of said first and second groups of recesses leave on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) third branches (62) of material each extending from the proximal end of one of said second branches (60) towards the distal end of one of said first branches (52) directly adjacent to said second branch (60) in the circumferential direction, and the recesses (36, 40) of said first and second group of recesses are arranged on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) such that a recess (36) of said first group of recesses and a recess (40) of said second group of recesses are arranged between each of the first and second branches (52, 60) directly successive in the circumferential direction.

2. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of said branches (52, 60, 62) of material is of constant section.

3. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second groups of recesses comprise recesses (36, 40) of triangular shape.

4. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions of the recesses (40) of said second group of recesses are greater than the dimensions of the recesses (36) of said first group of recesses.

5. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recesses (36) of said first group of recesses are arranged on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) so as to form a first pattern regularly repeated in the circumferential direction, the recesses (40) of said second group of recesses being arranged on said radial portion (10, 16) of said cover (4, 6) so as to form a second pattern regularly repeated in the circumferential direction.

6. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a damping element (64) made of elastic material and overmolded on said cover (4, 6) and extending into the recesses (36, 40) of said first and second groups of recesses.

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