Mounting interface and suspension arm

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening interface (1) designed to be attached to a motor vehicle body (2) and designed to allow the attachment of a suspension arm (3) to the fastening interface (1). The fastening interface (1) comprises at least one cylindrical rod (6) integral with the interface (1) and extending along a principal axis (AP) to a free end (7). The interface (1) is shaped to allow the formation of a sliding pivot joint around the principal axis (AP) by inserting the free end (7) of the rod (6) into at least one cylindrical orifice (8) provided in the suspension arm (3). The sliding pivot joint allows the suspension arm (3) to be articulated within the fastening interface (1). The invention also relates to a suspension arm designed to form an articulated assembly with the fastening interface, the arm having fastening orifices for this purpose. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing interface and suspension arm

[0001] The technical field relates to the attachment interfaces of a suspension arm to a motor vehicle body, suspension arms designed to be articulated to such an interface, assemblies comprising such an arm articulated to such an interface, motor vehicle bodies comprising such an interface or such an assembly, and finally motor vehicles having such a body.

[0002] For car manufacturers, controlling the production costs of their vehicles is a constant concern, and complexity often generates additional costs, due to the number of parts and / or the difficulty of assembly involved.

[0003] In this context, the suspension systems of a motor vehicle are highly complex. Generally, a conventional suspension system includes a suspension arm, which is an essential component. The suspension arm connects a wheel to the vehicle's chassis, keeping the wheel in position while absorbing shocks and vibrations from the road. This suspension arm is articulated and is often connected to the chassis by two pivot joints secured with bolts, thus allowing controlled movement of the wheel in different directions to adapt to road irregularities. Securing the bolts represents one of the initial complexities during vehicle assembly.

[0004] Moreover, the conventional fixing of such a suspension arm has no impact on the braking of the suspension arm's travel.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a solution to simplify the attachment of a mounting arm to a vehicle body. Furthermore, it is desirable to propose a solution to limit the movement of the mounting arm at the end of the suspension travel.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a fastening interface and a suspension arm allowing for simplified assembly.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a fastening interface designed to be attached to a motor vehicle body and designed to allow the attachment of a suspension arm to the fastening interface and form an assembly, the fastening interface comprising at least one cylindrical rod integral with the interface and extending along a principal axis towards a free end, the interface being shaped to allow the formation of a pivot joint sliding around the principal axis by the insertion of the free end of the rod into at least one orifice cylindrical part made in the suspension arm, the sliding pivot joint allowing the suspension arm to be articulated in the fixing interface.

[0008] The invention also relates to a suspension arm having at least one end each provided with at least one cylindrical orifice, each orifice being shaped to receive a free end of a rod of a fixing interface according to the invention and to form a sliding pivot joint allowing the suspension arm to be secured and articulated to the fixing interface.

[0009] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a suspension arm according to the invention articulated to a fixing interface according to the invention, each rod being introduced into at least one orifice of the suspension arm by forming a sliding pivot joint or a pivot joint.

[0010] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle body comprising at least one fixing interface according to the invention or at least one assembly according to the invention attached to the body, each rod extending along a longitudinal axis of the body.

[0011] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having a body according to the invention.

[0012] Thus, the mounting interface according to the invention makes it possible to form, with a suspension arm according to the invention, an assembly according to the invention whose assembly is simplified. Thanks to the rod of the interface, it is no longer necessary to fix the arm to the body with screws. The end of the rod is simply inserted into each mounting hole of the suspension arm, and then the arm is put in place by sliding it onto the rod of the interface. The assembly steps of a vehicle suspension according to the invention are considerably simplified.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the fastening interface, at least one rod has a groove designed to receive, at least partially, a locking element designed to limit or prevent the translation of the pivot joint when a suspension arm is attached to the fastening interface. Thus, a simple locking element, such as a pin or a circlip, allows the suspension arm to be secured to the fastening interface.

[0014] According to one possibility, the fixing interface includes at least one stop surface, each designed to receive the support of a stop projecting from the suspension arm and allowing the movement of the joint to be limited.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the fixing interface forms a housing delimited at least in part by a cylindrical surface, the rod extending at least in part into the housing, the cylindrical surface having a principal axis common to the axis of the rod.

[0016] Advantageously, the housing has a longitudinal notch, extending along the common main axis, with at least one stop surface being provided around the perimeter of the notch.

[0017] According to one possibility, the suspension arm includes at least one stop projecting from the arm and designed to limit the travel of the sliding pivot joint. Thus, thanks to each stop cooperating with a stop surface, the assembly according to the invention, equipped with such stops and stop surfaces, makes it possible to limit the travel of the mounting arm at the end of the suspension stroke.

[0018] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of a fixing interface according to the invention fixed to a motor vehicle body according to the invention, as well as a suspension arm according to the invention before its attachment to the fixing interface;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention formed from the fixing interface and the suspension arm of the [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a side view of the assembly of [Fig.2], in a position in which a stop of the suspension arm is in contact with a stop surface;

[0022] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0023] A fastening interface 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to be attached to a motor vehicle body 2, partly illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The interface 1 is also designed to allow the attachment of a suspension arm 3 to the fastening interface 1.

[0024] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the interface 1 has, for example, a mounting surface 4 allowing the interface 1 to be applied to the body 2, in particular a longitudinal member 5. The mounting of the mounting surface 4 is, for example, obtained by welding.

[0025] The fixing interface 1 comprises at least one cylindrical rod 6 integral with the interface 1 and extending along a principal axis AP, illustrated in [Fig.1], towards a free end 7.

[0026] The interface 1 is shaped to allow the formation of a sliding pivot joint around the main axis AP by inserting the free end 7 of the rod 6 into at least one cylindrical orifice 8 provided in the suspension arm 3, each orifice 8 being designed for this purpose. When the rod 6 is inserted into the cylindrical orifice 8, the sliding pivot joint allows the suspension arm 3 to be articulated in the fixing interface 1. In this case, the arm 3 has two branches 9, each having a orifice 8 at its end. The orifices 8 of the two branches 9 are arranged so that the two orifices 8 are aligned along a common axis to allow the introduction of the rod 6 into the two orifices 8. The rod 6 has a length greater than the width of the arm 3 measured along the common axis of the two branches 9.

[0027] Advantageously, the rod 6 has a groove 10, illustrated in [Fig. 1], designed to receive at least partially a locking element 11 designed to limit or prevent the translation of the pivot joint when the suspension arm 3 is threaded onto the rod 6 of the fastening interface 1. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the locking element 11 is a circlip 12 that prevents the rod 6 from being withdrawn from the holes 8. Thus, the translation of the arm 3 on the rod 6 is restricted or blocked. With the locking element 11, the sliding pivot joint is, where appropriate, reduced to a pivot joint when the locking element 11 blocks the translation of the rod 6 in the holes 8 of the arm 3.

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the fastening interface 1 forms a housing 13 delimited at least in part by a cylindrical surface 14, the rod 6 extending at least in part within the housing 13. The cylindrical surface 14 has a principal axis AP common to the axis of the rod 6. As described in the figures, the housing 13 has a longitudinal notch 15 extending along the common principal axis AP. The housing 13 and the notch 15 allow the fastening arm 3 to slide along the rod 6. In the example illustrated in the figures, the free end 7 of the rod 6 is flush with the end of the housing 13.

[0029] Advantageously, the housing 13 has at least one stop surface 16 formed around the perimeter of the notch 15. In this case, the housing 13 has two pairs of stop surfaces 16, each projecting from the arm 3, specifically from each leg 9. Each stop surface 16 is positioned opposite a leg 9 of the suspension arm 3. Each stop surface 16 is shaped to receive the support of a stop 17 projecting from a leg 9 of the suspension arm 3. Each stop 17 and each of the corresponding stop surfaces 16 are dimensioned to allow movement of the pivot or sliding pivot joint. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the suspension arm 3 is mounted to rotate freely about the main axis AP between two extreme positions, corresponding to the positions of the arm 3 at the end of the suspension stroke.In each of the extreme positions, at least one stop 17 bears against a stop surface 16 as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Each stop surface 16 is shaped to form, with the corresponding stop 17, a plane-on-plane support when the suspension arm 3 is in its corresponding extreme position, i.e., at the end of its stroke.

[0030] Thus, when the arm 3 is articulated on the interface 1, that is to say when each orifice 8 of the suspension arm 3 is inserted onto the rod 6, the arm 3 and the interface 1 form an assembly 18 according to the invention. The stops 17 and the corresponding stop surfaces 16 make it possible to limit the travel of the sliding pivot joint or the sliding pivot joint when a locking element 11 is fixed in the groove 10 of the rod 6.

[0031] The case 2 according to the invention thus has at least one fixing interface 1 fixed on the case 2 or at least one assembly 18 according to the invention.

[0032] Thus, the assembly 18 formed by the suspension arm 3 and the mounting interface 1 is simple to assemble, since it is enough to slide the suspension arm 3 onto the rod 6. A locking element 11 holds the mounting arm 3 in position on the rod 6. The stops 17, by cooperating with the stop surfaces 16, limit the travel of the mounting arm 3 at the end of the suspension stroke. The interface 1 and the suspension arm 3 therefore form an assembly 18 that is simple to assemble, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the assembly 18 has limitations on its travel.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the fixing interface and the suspension arm described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A fastening interface (1) designed to be attached to a motor vehicle body (2) and designed to allow the attachment of a suspension arm (3) to the fastening interface (1) and to form an assembly (18), the fastening interface (1) comprising at least one cylindrical rod (6) attached to the interface (1) and extending along a principal axis (AP) to a free end (7), the interface (1) being shaped to allow the formation of a sliding pivot joint about the principal axis (AP) by the introduction of the free end (7) of the rod (6) into at least one cylindrical orifice (8) provided in the suspension arm (3), the sliding pivot joint allowing the suspension arm (3) to be articulated in the fastening interface (1).

2. Fixing interface (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one rod (6) has a groove (10) designed to receive at least in part a locking element (11) designed to limit or prevent the translation of the pivot joint, when a suspension arm (3) is attached to the fixing interface (1).

3. Fixing interface (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing interface (1) comprises at least one stop surface (16) each designed to receive the support of a stop (17) projecting from the suspension arm (3) and allowing to limit the movement of the joint.

4. Fixing interface (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing interface (1) forms a housing (13) delimited at least in part by a cylindrical surface (14), the rod (6) extending at least in part into the housing (13), the cylindrical surface (14) having a principal axis (AP) common to the axis of the rod (6).

5. Fixing interface (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (13) has a longitudinal notch (15), extending along the common principal axis (AP), at least one stop surface (16) being provided on the periphery of the notch (15).

6. Suspension arm (3) having at least one end each provided with at least one cylindrical orifice (8), each orifice (8) being shaped to receive a free end (7) of a rod (6) of a fixing interface (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and form a sliding pivot joint allowing the attachment and articulation of the suspension arm (3) to the fixing interface (1).

7. Suspension arm (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one stop (17) projecting from the arm (3) and designed to allow limitation of the travel of the sliding pivot joint.

8. Assembly (18) comprising a suspension arm (3) according to claim 6 or 7 articulated to a fixing interface (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, each rod (6) being introduced into at least one orifice (8) of the suspension arm (3) by forming a sliding pivot joint or a pivot joint.

9. Motor vehicle body (2) comprising at least one fastening interface (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or at least one assembly (18) according to claim 8 attached to the body (2), each rod (6) extending along a longitudinal axis of the body (2).

10. Motor vehicle having a body (2) according to claim 9.

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