Rear axle track widening spacer

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear axle track widening spacer (52) adapted to be interposed between an axle end and a bearing assembly, said bearing assembly having an axis of rotation and a plurality of first holes (50) around said axis of rotation, while said axle end has a plurality of second holes corresponding to the first holes to connect together said bearing assembly and said axle end.The spacer comprises a flat support (56) having a central zone (58) and a plurality of annular metal pieces (54) inserted through said support (56) in an arrangement identical to that of said first holes (50), the annular pieces (54) having two opposite faces adapted to come into contact respectively with said bearing assembly and said axle end; and each of said annular pieces (54) having asperities on at least one of its two opposite faces. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Rear axle track widening spacer

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear axle track widening spacer for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a rear axle equipped with such a spacer.

[0003] The rear axles of a motor vehicle usually comprise two substantially parallel suspension arms connected to each other by a cross member. The two arms are pivotally mounted under the vehicle chassis and each has an opposite end connected to a wheel.

[0004] Thus, each arm comprises a flange mounted on opposite ends, the two flanges extending substantially parallel to each other. And each flange receives a bearing assembly onto which a wheel is mounted.

[0005] The bearing assembly comprises a single bearing, or a bearing and an attached brake plate. Furthermore, it has a rotation axis and usually four initial holes distributed around the rotation axis.

[0006] The flanges each have four second holes corresponding to the first four holes of the bearing assemblies, so that they can be connected together respectively by means of four fixing screws when the first holes extend in relation to the second holes.

[0007] It is also common practice to widen the rear axle track, that is, to widen the wheel spacing by inserting a spacer between the wheel flanges and the wheel bearing assembly. This solid steel spacer has a central recess and four holes around the central recess to allow the passage of the four bolts through each hole. The wheel bearing assembly is then centered on the inner edges of the central recess in the spacer to prevent slippage. The wheel bearing assembly is lubricated, which, without mechanical locking, creates a risk of slippage between the spacer and the bearing assembly.

[0008] However, all car manufacturers are looking to lighten the structures of their vehicles and it has been conceived to replace the steel spacer with a mixed polymer / steel spacer.

[0009] However, such a spacer does not allow for satisfactory locking between itself and the bearing assembly.

[0010] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a lighter spacer, but which can engage with the bearing assembly to prevent slippage.

[0011] In order to solve this problem, and according to a first object, a rear axle track widening spacer is proposed, adapted to be interposed between a rear axle end and a motor vehicle bearing assembly, said bearing assembly having an axis of rotation and a plurality of first holes distributed around said axis of rotation, while said axle end has a plurality of second holes corresponding to the first holes in order to connect said bearing assembly and said axle end together by means of a plurality of fixing screws when said first holes extend opposite the second holes.

[0012] The spacer according to the invention comprises a flat support having a central zone and, a plurality of metallic annular pieces inserted through said flat support around said central zone in a distribution identical to those of said first drillings around said axis of symmetry, the annular pieces having two opposite faces suitable for coming into contact respectively with said bearing assembly and said axle end; and each of said annular pieces includes asperities on at least one of its two opposite faces.

[0013] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a lighter, flat support adapted to receive annular metal pieces distributed around a central area and corresponding to the first and second holes for the fixing screws. In this way, the only annular metal pieces of the spacer provide support, on one side of the bearing assembly and on the other, of the axle end. The axle end is preferably fitted with a flange against which the annular pieces bear. Furthermore, the bearing assembly is either the bearing itself or the brake disc when it is equipped with one.

[0014] On the bearing assembly side, the face of the annular parts has asperities adapted to engage with the bearing assembly through the axial pressure exerted by the fixing screws. In this way, the annular parts are held in a fixed position against the oily face of the bearing assembly, without risk of slippage. The opposite face of the annular parts, bearing against the end of the axle, presents less risk of slippage.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said asperities extend longitudinally in radial directions. In this way, the annular parts are blocked in translation in all directions contained within the joint plane with the bearing assembly.

[0016] These asperities take, for example, the form of radial ribs. It will be observed that the end of the axle, or the flange, and the bearing assembly clamp the spacer in a vise-like fashion along a single axial direction.

[0017] According to another embodiment, said asperities extend circumferentially. For example, the asperities take the form of a circular rib with a triangular cross-section on at least one of its two opposite faces.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, said asperities are pyramidal in shape. In other words, the asperities terminate in a point which penetrates superficially into the bearing assembly. Thus, the movement of the spacer and the bearing assembly is blocked in translation.

[0019] Also, said asperities are preferably regularly distributed on said at least one of the two opposite faces. In this way, the translational locking of the bearing assembly and the spacer is facilitated in all directions parallel to their joint plane.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said annular parts extend substantially beyond said support. In this way, the faces of the annular parts come into contact with the end of the axle and the bearing assembly, and the clamping of the spacer between the two is in no way hindered by the support.

[0021] Also, said flat support has a first face opposite a second face, and preferably, according to the invention, said annular parts are inserted through said flat support so that said asperities extend from said first face. In other words, the asperities of the annular parts are oriented on the same face of the flat support, so that all the faces of the annular parts having asperities can be applied against the bearing assembly.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the two opposite faces of the annular pieces are provided with asperities. In this way, the relative movement of the spacer and the end of the axle is also blocked in translation. Moreover, thanks to this feature, the spacer can be inserted in two directions 180° apart.

[0023] Advantageously, said flat support is molded in one piece from polymer material. Also, according to a preferred embodiment, said flat support is overmolded onto said metal annular parts.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the flat support is molded in one piece and the metal annular parts are then inserted through it.

[0025] According to another object, the invention relates to a rear structure of a motor vehicle comprising:

[0026] - a bearing assembly having a rotation axis and a plurality of first holes distributed around said axis of rotation;

[0027] - an axle comprising at least one end, said at least one end featuring a plurality of second holes corresponding to the first holes for connecting said bearing assembly and said axle end by means of a plurality of fixing screws when said first holes extend opposite the second holes; and,

[0028] - a track widening spacer as described above, adapted to be interposed between said at least one end and said bearing assembly.

[0029] It will be noted that the two opposite ends of the axle are preferably equipped with a spacer according to the invention.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a schematic right front perspective view of a rear axle of motor vehicle;

[0032] [Fig.2] is a schematic rear perspective view of an element of the object of the [Fig.1] and a complementary element;

[0033] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of another element adapted to cooperate with those shown in [Fig.2];

[0034] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a detail element of [Fig.3];

[0035] [Fig.5] is a schematic top view of the object in [Fig.4], according to a first execution variant;

[0036] [Fig.6] is a schematic top view of the object in [Fig.4], according to a second execution variant;

[0037] [Fig.7] is a schematic top view of the object in [Fig.4], according to a third execution variant;

[0038] [Fig.8] is a schematic top view of the object in [Fig.4], according to a fourth execution variant;

[0039] [Fig.9] is a schematic top view of the object in [Fig.4], according to a fifth execution variant;

[0040] [Fig. 10] is a schematic perspective view of the object in [Fig. 3] according to another embodiment; and,

[0041] [Fig. 11] is a schematic perspective view of the object in [Fig. 3] and that of the [Fig.2] cooperating with each other in accordance with the invention.

[0042] Figure 1 shows, from a right front view, an axle 10. It is inscribed in an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z, of a motor vehicle not shown, in which the X axis extends in a longitudinal front-to-rear direction, oriented towards the rear of the vehicle; the Y axis extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a driving situation; and the Z axis extends along a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0043] The axle 10 has two suspension arms, a left arm 12 opposed to a right arm 14, the two arms 12, 14 being connected together by a cross member 16. The two arms 12, 14 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm parallel to the X, Y plane.

[0044] Each of the suspension arms 12, 14 has a front end 18 opposite a rear end 20. The front ends 18 are intended to be pivotally mounted under the chassis of a motor vehicle, while the rear ends 20 receive wheels. To this end, the rear ends 20 each have two flanges, a left flange 22 on the left arm 12 and a right flange 24 on the right arm 14, positioned substantially parallel to each other and facing each other. Thus, the rear ends 20, equipped with their flanges 22, 24, form two opposing axle heads.

[0045] Also, the flanges 24, 22 have a central circular light 26 and four orifices 28, 30, 32, 34 arranged around the central circular light 26, defining substantially a square.

[0046] In addition, each of the flanges 22, 24 is equipped with a reinforcement plate 36 welded in place around the central circular opening 26 and perforated at the four openings 28, 30, 32, 34.

[0047] Also, the two flanges 22, 24 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0048] Figure 2 shows in rear view, in detail, the rear end 20 of the left suspension arm 12, fitted with the left flange 22.

[0049] Also, opposite the flange 22, a bearing 38 is positioned. It is intended to be connected to the flange 22 and to accommodate a wheel, not shown. To this end, it has a connecting end 40 having four lugs 42, 44, 46 and 48, in each of which a hole 50 is made. Advantageously, the hole 50 of each of the lugs 42, 44, 46 and 48 is tapped.

[0050] The holes 50 of the ears 42, 44, 46 48 define substantially a square identical to the square defined by the four holes 28, 30, 32, 34 of the flange 22.

[0051] It is understood that the connecting end 40 of the bearing 38 will be able to be coupled to the flange 22. Also, a spacer according to the invention is interposed between the connecting end 40 and the flange 22 in order to be able to adjust the spacing of the wheels between them.

[0052] A spacer 52 according to the invention will be described with reference to [Fig. 3]. It has two faces opposite each other, a first face 53 and a second face 55. Also, it comprises four identical metal annular pieces 54 located at the four corners of a flat support 56 made of polymer material. The flat support 56 has a central hollowed area 58. It has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of a thickness e.

[0053] The spacer 52 can be made by injection molding in a suitable mold by overmolding the four metal annular pieces 54. Also, the support 56 can be molded independently with recesses provided in the four corners so that the annular pieces 54 can then be inserted into them.

[0054] The annular part 54 will be described in general terms with reference to [Fig.4] and according to different embodiment variants in [Fig.5] to [Fig.9].

[0055] Thus, the annular piece 54 illustrated in [Fig.4] has cylindrical symmetry of revolution and axis A. It has two opposite faces 57, 59 substantially parallel and it defines an axial passage orifice 60. The passage orifice is intended for the passage of the fixing screw.

[0056] The annular piece 54 is made of steel and at least one 57 of its faces 57, 59 has asperities as will be explained below.

[0057] Also, it has a thickness E corresponding to the thickness of the gap that we want to obtain between the flanges 22, 24 and the corresponding bearings, so as to be able to adjust the wheel spacing in other words, to determine the track of the motor vehicle.

[0058] Thus, in [Fig.5], an annular piece 554 is seen from one of its faces 557. Its passage orifice 560 is also shown. It also has a plurality of radial ribs 562 distributed homogeneously on the face 557. These radial ribs 562 extend outward from the surface and constitute a first type of asperities according to the invention.

[0059] They have, for example, a triangular section defining a projecting edge.

[0060] Four annular pieces 554 of the same type are then inserted into the flat support 56 as shown in [Fig. 3], so that the radial ribs 552 extend from the first face 53 of the spacer 52. The spacer 52 thus formed is then inserted between the flange 22 and the bearing 38 as shown in [Fig. 2], so that the first face 53 is oriented towards the bearing 38, while the second face 55 is oriented towards the flange 22.

[0061] It will be observed that the thickness E of the annular pieces 54 is substantially greater than the thickness e of the support 56. In this way, the annular pieces 54 extend substantially in projection from the support 56.

[0062] Four screws 64, 66, 68 and 70 are then respectively engaged through the four holes 28, 30, 32, 34 of the flange 22 and then through the axial passage holes 60 of the four annular pieces 554 of the spacer 52 so that they can be screwed respectively afterwards, through the tapped holes 50 of the four lugs 42, 44, 46 and 48.

[0063] Tightening the four screws 64, 66, 68 and 70 then allows the spacer 52 to be clamped as illustrated in [Fig.11].

[0064] In this way, thanks to the support 56 made of a polymer material, the spacer 52 is considerably lightened. Also, the only four annular parts 554 then form a rigid support for the bearing 38 against the flange 22. And thanks to the radial ribs 562 of the annular parts 554, tightening the four screws 64, 66, 68 and 70 then allows the annular parts 554 to engage in the lugs 42, 44, 46 and 48.

[0065] Indeed, the radial ribs penetrate substantially into the surface of the ear material due to the clamping. In this way, the bearing 38 and the spacer 52 are blocked against translation relative to each other in directions parallel to their mating plane. And this blocking is effective despite the residual presence of lubricating oil inherent to the bearing 38, which extends into the mating plane interface.

[0066] A second type of asperity according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 6]. It shows an annular piece 654, viewed from one of its faces 657 with its through-hole 660. It also has a circumferential rib 662 on face 657. This rib projects from the surface. Advantageously, it has a triangular cross-section for improved penetration into the metal of the bearing ears 38.

[0067] According to another embodiment, not shown, a plurality of circumferential ribs are provided on the face 657 of the annular part 654. The circumferential ribs are then advantageously coaxial.

[0068] Four annular pieces 654 of the same type are thus installed in the flat support 56 shown in [Fig.3], so that the circumferential rib 652 extends from the first face 53 of the spacer 52. The spacer 52 thus made is then inserted between the flange 22 and the bearing 38 as shown in [Fig.2], so that the first face 53 is oriented towards the bearing 38, while the second face 55 is oriented towards the flange 22.

[0069] Tightening the four screws 64, 66, 68 and 70 as described above also makes it possible to clamp the spacer 52 as illustrated in [Fig. 1 1]. Thus, the sliding of the bearing 38 against the spacer 52 is prevented.

[0070] A third type of asperities according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 7]. It shows an annular piece 754, viewed from one of its faces 757 with its passage orifice 760. The asperities are in the form of straight ribs projecting from face 757. These ribs are substantially parallel to each other and regularly spaced. Advantageously, they have a substantially triangular cross-section.

[0071] Just like the annular pieces of the other types, four grooved annular pieces 754 are installed in the flat support 56 shown in [Fig. 3], so that the straight ribs 752 extend from the first face 53 of the spacer 52. The latter is then inserted between the flange 22 and the bearing 38 as shown in [Fig. 2], so that the first face 53 is oriented towards the bearing 38, while the second face 55 is oriented towards the flange 22. Then, the four screws 64, 66, 68 and 70 are tightened as illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0072] A fourth type of asperities according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 8]. It shows an annular part 854, viewed from one of its faces 857 with its through-hole 860. The asperities are in the form of parallel, crossed, straight ribs 862 projecting from the face 857. The crossed ribs 862 are intersected at an angle between 90° and 45°, for example, substantially perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, they advantageously have a triangular cross-section.

[0073] Regarding the third and fourth types of asperities, they can be easily obtained by making V-shaped grooves on the surface of the annular parts, more or less close together.

[0074] Furthermore, an alternative embodiment consists of knurling the surface.

[0075] A fifth type of asperities according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig.9]. There is an annular piece 954, seen from one of its faces 957 with its passage orifice 960. The asperities then appear in the form of bosses 962 extending outward from the face 957.

[0076] The bosses 962 are substantially pyramidal in shape with a more or less pointed apex so as to be able to penetrate easily into the metal of the ears of the bearing 38.

[0077] Their density, height and shape on face 957 depend on the desired coefficient of friction.

[0078] According to another embodiment, not shown, the bosses are hemispherical in shape. If the metal of the bearing ears 38 is less hard, the hemispherical bosses can penetrate it sufficiently.

[0079] In addition, the flat support 56', as illustrated in [Fig. 10], has a fixing tab 72, allowing the flat support 56' to be pre-positioned and held on the flange 22 or on the bearing 38.

[0080] Such a flat support 56' is obviously compatible with all the annular parts described above.

[0081] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the invention, not shown, the flat support is further lightened and allows only the holding of the annular parts relative to each other.

[0082] Also, the invention also relates to a rear axle equipped with two track widening spacers as described above, and interposed respectively between the flanges 22, 24 and the bearings 38.

Claims

Demands

1. Rear axle track widening spacer (52) adapted to be interposed between a rear axle end (20) and a motor vehicle bearing assembly (38), said bearing assembly (38) having an axis of rotation and a plurality of first holes (50) distributed around said axis of rotation, while said axle end (20) has a plurality of second holes (28, 30, 32, 34) corresponding to the first holes (50) to be able to connect together said bearing assembly (38) and said axle end (20) by means of a plurality of fixing screws (64, 66, 68, 70) when said first holes extend opposite the second holes;characterized in that it comprises a flat support (56) having a central zone (58) and a plurality of metallic annular pieces (54) inserted through said flat support (56) around said central zone (58) in a distribution identical to that of said first holes (50) around said axis of symmetry, the annular pieces (54) having two opposite faces (57, 59) adapted to come into contact respectively with said bearing assembly (38) and said axle end (20); and in that each of said annular pieces (54) comprises asperities (562, 662, 762, 862, 962) on at least one (57) of its two opposite faces (57, 59).

2. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that said asperities (562) extend longitudinally in radial directions.

3. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that said asperities (662) extend circumferentially.

4. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that said asperities are in pyramidal form.

5. Spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said asperities are regularly distributed on said at least one of the two opposite faces.

6. Spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said annular pieces (54) extend substantially in projection from said support (56).

7. Spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said flat support (56) has a first face (53) opposite a second face (55), and in that said annular pieces (54) are inserted through said flat support (56) so that said asperities extend from said first face (53).

8. Spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said flat support (56) is molded in one piece of polymer material.

9. Spacer according to claim 8, characterized in that said flat support (56) is overmolded onto said metal annular parts (54).

10. Rear structure of a motor vehicle comprising: - a bearing assembly (38) having an axis of rotation and a plurality of first holes (50) distributed around said axis of rotation; - an axle comprising at least one end (20), said at least one end having a plurality of second holes (28, 30, 32, 34) corresponding to the first holes for connecting together said bearing assembly (38) and said axle end (20) by means of a plurality of fixing screws (64, 66, 68, 70) when said first holes extend opposite the second holes; and, - a track widening spacer (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 adapted to be interposed between said at least one end (20) and said bearing assembly (38).

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