Bearing arrangement having connection structure and bearing bushing

Abstract

A bushing 2 mounted to a component 10, having core 4, outer sleeve 6 surrounding core 4, and elastomeric spring body 8 between and connects core 4 and sleeve 6; sleeve 6 has shaft portion 6a, radially

Description

The invention relates to a bearing arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, and a to method for operating the bearing arrangement according to claim 8. Known in the field are elastomeric bearing bushings that have a core, an outer sleeve on the circumference thereof, and an elastomeric body that elastically connects the core and the outer sleeve to each another. Described in EP 2020527 A2, for example, is a bearing bushing that has a longitudinal axis and the outer sleeve of which has a collar. Additionally disclosed therein is a core, and an elastomeric spring body between the core and the outer sleeve. Vulcanised onto the collar of the outer sleeve there is an elastomeric axial stop cushion that, in the case of an axial deflection (core and outer sleeve shift relative to each other in the axial direction), comes to bear against an connection structure. The axial stop cushion is present regardless of the load situation. The connection structure may bear against the core end-face and be bolted to the core. The axial stop cushion delimits the axial travel distance and results in a bearing bushing that has a strong progression in the axial direction. However, an axial deflection and a superimposed torsional movement (core and outer sleeve rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis) can result in a relative movement between the axial stop cushion and the connection structure while the axial stop cushion is bearing against the connection structure. This relative movement poses the risk of noise, in particular due to so-called stick-slip movements of the axial stop cushion. A stick-slip movement occurs when the axial stop cushion is deflected in accordance with the torsional movement and, after slight deformation, detaches from the connection structure and springs back. This repetitive sticking and detaching causes disturbing noises, and can result in tribological wear. It is therefore an object of the invention to create a bearing bushing that has a progressive axial stop characteristic and prevents the generation of noise, in particular squeaking, between the elastomeric axial stop and the connection structure under torsional load. This object is achieved by the invention. The invention relates to a bearing arrangement, comprising an connection structure and a bearing bushing that has a first axial side and a second axial side, there being a central longitudinal axis extending through the bearing bushing, the bearing bushing comprising a core, an outer sleeve surrounding the core, and an elastomeric body that is arranged between the core and the outer sleeve and connects the core and the outer sleeve to each other. According to an aspect of the present invention, it is provided that the outer sleeve has a shaft portion, and on the first axial side has a collar portion, the collar portion, as viewed in longitudinal section, extending radially outwards, the outer sleeve having a transition portion arranged between the shaft portion and the collar portion, the transition portion, as viewed in longitudinal section, extending between a first limit point and a second limit point, the first limit point being defined by a first tangent to the outer sleeve that is inclined by 15° relative to a first transverse axis in the direction of the shaft portion and / or in the direction of the second axial side, the second limit point being defined by a second tangent to the outer sleeve that is inclined by 60° relative to a second transverse axis in the direction of the shaft portion and / or in the direction of the second axial side, the elastomeric body, as viewed in longitudinal section, having a collar-elastomer track height, defined by the diameter of a notional maximum circle between, on the one hand, the core and / or the connection structure and, on the other hand, the transition portion, the length of the transition portion, as viewed in longitudinal section, corresponding to at least 0.5 times the collar-elastomer track height, - the elastomeric body having, on the first axial side, an axial contact face that, at least in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve, bears against the connection structure, the axial contact face, as viewed in longitudinal section, having, at least in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve, an outer radial contact limit point that defines an outer radial limit of the axial contact face bearing against the connection structure, the elastomeric body, when the bearing bushing is in the non-loaded state, having an elastomeric volume between, on the one hand, the core and / or connection structure and, on the other hand, the transition portion, - elastomer of the elastomeric body, in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve, being able to be displaced in the direction of the first axial side, such that an axial stop is thereby realized and / or enlarged, the axial contact face thereby becoming larger as the axial deflection load increases, and the contact limit point being shifted radially outwards, the elastomeric volume, as viewed in longitudinal section, being delimited by the transition portion, a first normal vector, which is located at the first limit point on the outer sleeve, a second normal vector, which is located at the second limit point on the outer sleeve, and an elastomeric volume limit extending parallel to the transition portion or following the transition portion, an elastomeric volume height between the transition portion and the elastomeric volume limit, as viewed in longitudinal section, being at least 0.3 times the collar-elastomer track height. In the case of the relative axial deflection movement between the core and outer sleeve (the core and the outer sleeve shift relative to each other in the axial direction, for example the outer sleeve is displaced in the direction of the connection structure; loading occurs), the presence of a core collar and / or core thickening results in pressure acting upon the elastomeric body, in particular in the region between, on the one hand, the collar portion and / or transition portion and, on the other hand, the core collar or core thickening and / or connection structure. The action of pressure results in the displacement of the elastomer. The design of the transition portion according to the invention serves to displace and guide the displaced elastomer. The transition portion may also be referred to as a guide portion. The guiding of the displaced elastomer of the elastomeric body allows the latter to realize and / or enlarge a defined axial stop. It is conceivable for the core to have a core collar and / or a core thickening on the first axial side. The core collar and / or core thickening may extend outwards in the radial direction. The core collar and / or core thickening may serve, in the case of the relative axial deflection movement, to increase a pressure in the elastomeric body in order to generate a displacement effect. In embodiments of the invention, a plurality of aspects may be used in combination in seeking to solve the aforementioned problem. Firstly, the transition portion is designed in such a way that it has a significant length from the first limit point to the second limit point. Each of the two limit points is located at the point of contact between the respective tangent and the outer sleeve. This length is defined by the collar-elastomer track height. If necessary, if the transition portion does not have a straight profile, it may also be conceptually unwound in order to form a straight line. This is because it has been recognized that regions that have small radii or short lengths, as are common in the prior art, do not provide satisfactory guiding of displaced elastomer. Moreover, the transition portion has, for example, a curved / tilted / slanted profile with respect to the central longitudinal axis. The profile is defined by the two limit points between which the transition portion extends. The two limit points are the limits of the transition portion on both sides. This is because it has additionally been recognized that, in respect of their profile also, regions that have small radii, as are common in the prior art, do not provide satisfactory guiding of displaced elastomer. Secondly, there is sufficient elastomeric material present at the transition portion, defined by the elastomeric volume located there. As viewed in longitudinal section, the elastomeric volume may fill the region between the transition portion, the first normal vector, the second normal vector and the elastomeric volume limit in order to advantageously place as much elastomeric material as possible there. The elastomeric volume may be a portion of the elastomeric body. The elastomeric volume may be filled entirely with elastomer of the elastomeric body. This serves to provide a suitable quantity of elastomeric material to form and / or enlarge the axial stop. The elastomeric body therefore has a sufficient thickness on the transition portion, which serves to realize and / or enlarge the elastomeric axial stop. The elastomeric volume height, of at least 0.3 times the collar-elastomer track height, permits a sufficient quantity of elastomeric material. Such an elastomeric volume height also serves, in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core and outer sleeve, to avoid a critical level of shear in the elastomeric body and at its adhesion zone towards the outer sleeve. It is conceivable for the elastomeric volume height to correspond to at least 0.5 times the collar-elastomer track height, with this resulting in a more pronounced characteristic. The combination of the transition portion and the elastomer volume according to the invention causes displaced elastomer, in the case of the relative axial deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve, to yield in such a way that it bears as an axial stop against the connection structure, the axial contact face increasing from the core out in the radial direction as deflection increases. The contact limit point therefore also shifts radially outwards. This process is reversible. As the elastomeric axial stop varies (forms and / or increases in size) according to the relative deflection movement, it may be referred to as a load-dependent or dynamic axial stop. The combination of the transition portion and the elastomer volume according to the invention additionally also results in disadvantageous relative movements occurring when folds form in the elastomer. Squeaking and / or tribological wear between the axial stop and the connection structure is therefore also reduced, or at least prevented. Such elastomer folds may form during the relative axial deflection movement between the core and outer sleeve, the relative movement in the folds being promoted by a torsional movement (core and outer sleeve rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis). The first axial side of the bearing bushing may face towards the connection structure. The connection structure may provide a face against which the axial stop can bear. The connection structure may be a component that is separate from the bearing bushing, in which case the connection structure may be, for example, a vehicle body. The bearing bushing may be connected to the connection structure, for example bolted. The core may bear against the connection structure, preferably via its core collar or core thickening, and the axial stop may also be in bearing contact there, depending on the design and the particular loading. The notional circle may be located entirely between, on the one hand, the core and / or the connection structure and, on the other hand, the transition portion, this serving as a suitable definition of the collar-elastomer track height. For example, depending on the geometric design of the outer sleeve and / or core in the region of the notional circle, there may also be only one diameter located entirely between, on the one hand, the core and / or the connection structure and, on the other hand, the transition portion. In the latter case, the notional circle may therefore also intersect the outer sleeve and / or core. As a result, a larger quantity of elastomeric material can sometimes be provided to form and / or enlarge the axial stop. The collar-elastomer track height corresponds to the diameter of the notional circle. The notional circle of the maximum possible diameter is realized when the bearing bushing is in the nonloaded. The axial stop may be that part of the elastomeric body that projects beyond the shaft portion and / or the collar portion in the axial direction and realizes the axial contact face. The shaft portion may serve for fastening to a further component, for example by the component being fastened to it on the outer circumference. The shaft portion may extend from the transition portion or the second limit point to the end of the outer sleeve on the second axial side. The elastomeric body may connect the core and the outer sleeve directly to each other, preferably to one or both by vulcanisation. The axial direction may extend along the central longitudinal axis. The respective transverse axis is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The respective tangent is a tangent of the outer sleeve. The core collar or the core thickening extends radially outwards and / or may comprise the core end-face, at least partially. The bearing bushing may have a single elastomeric body, advantageously fulfilling the functions of the elastic mounting and the elastic stop. There is therefore no need for a plurality of elastomeric bodies. It is conceivable for the elastomeric body, in the non-loaded state, not to have an axial stop. In this case, an axial stop may be realized during the relative axial deflection movement. Moreover, it is then possible that this axial stop may also be enlarged after the axial stop has been realized. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the elastomeric body to have an axial stop already in the non-loaded state. In this case, the axial stop may be enlarged during the relative axial deflection movement. In any case, however, the at least one axial stop may come to bear increasingly against the connection structure as the axial deflection of the core and outer sleeve increases. The bearing bushing is basically described in the non-loaded state, with separate reference being made to loading cases. A non-loaded state is to be understood to be the post-assembly position of the bearing bushing on the connection structure in the bearing arrangement without external loads. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the bearing bushing may not have a load-independent or static elastomeric axial stop, at least on the first axial side. In contrast to the load-dependent or dynamic axial stop, such a load-independent or static axial stop has a constant quantity of elastomer, entirely regardless of the respective load situation. In this way, advantageously, the disadvantageous generation of noise and / or tribological wear ca be prevented. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the collar-elastomer track height may be at least 2 mm. This value has proven to be advantageous in combination with the design of the transition portion in order to provide a sufficient quantity of elastomeric material for forming and / or enlarging the axial stop. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bearing bushing may realize / have only one axial stop into which elastomer of the elastomeric body can be displaced. The axial stop may have an annular shape, preferably a closed annular shape. There is thus realized an axial stop that extends around the central longitudinal axis and that is particularly self-supporting. This enables a high degree of progression. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bearing bushing may realize / have a plurality of axial stops into which elastomer of the elastomeric body may be displaced. If a closed annular axial stop is not possible I not appropriate / not wanted, a plurality of axial stops, preferably adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis, serve to set different stiffnesses in the axial direction. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the at least one axial stop can be realized or enlarged as a relative deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve increases. The at least one axial stop can also disappear or at least reduce in size as a relative deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve decreases. The technical means for forming and / or enlarging the axial stop are stated above. Advantageously, the deflection distance beyond which begins to form and / or enlarge may be set by the design of the elastomeric body, in particular of the elastomeric volume, and / or of the transition portion. According to an advantageous development of the invention, a radial distance between the contact limit point and the central longitudinal axis may be greater than a radial distance between the shaft portion or the second limit point and the central longitudinal axis, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement between the core and the outer sleeve. This allows a sufficiently large axial stop to be realized, which additionally can sufficiently cover the shaft portion in the axial direction. The axial stop may be defined by the fact that a radial distance between the contact limit point and the central longitudinal axis is greater than a radial distance between the shaft portion or the second limit point and the central longitudinal axis. An overlap distance is then formed between the two radial distances. According to an advantageous development of the invention, a radial distance between the contact limit point and the central longitudinal axis, when the bearing bushing is in the nonloaded state, may be greater than or at least equal to a radial distance between the shaft portion or the second limit point and the central longitudinal axis. The contact limit point is thus always backed by the collar portion or transition portion in the axial direction. An advantageous elastomeric axial overlap, or at least an axial balance, can therefore be already realized in the non-loaded state. This is because the at least one axial stop can then be formed / enlarged considerably faster because, during a relative deflection movement, elastomeric pressure can already build up in the region of the core collar or the core thickening in order to displace elastomer in the direction of the second axial side. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the length of the transition portion may correspond to at least 0.8 times or even at least 1.0 times the collar-elastomer track height. As a result, a significant formation and / or enlargement of the axial overlap can be achieved in the case of a relative deflection movement. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the elastomeric body, when in the non-loaded state, may have a wedge region or a stepped region on the first axial side, preferably on the outer circumference. The wedge region serves to prevent or at least minimise the formation of folds as the elastomeric axial stop is being realized and / or enlarged. The stepped region advantageously has the effect that a defined fold is realized as the elastomeric axial stop is being realized and / or enlarged, thereby enabling the prevention of irregular and / or random fold formation. Moreover, the stepped region initially allows a large deflection distance without the axial stop being realized / or enlarged at the same time upon initial deflection. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the elastomeric volume and the feature according to which, as viewed in longitudinal section, the elastomeric volume height between the transition portion and the elastomeric volume limit is at least 0.3 times the collarelastomer track height, as viewed in cross-section may be realized or realizable over a cumulative circumference, with respect to the central longitudinal axis, of at least 120°, preferably at least 180°, further preferably 360°. The elastomeric body may have a plurality of regions, preferably arranged equidistantly around the central longitudinal axis, each of which realizes the feature. However, it may alternatively be realized by only a single region of the elastomeric body. Even with 120°, there may be a sufficient quantity of elastomeric material provided to form and / or enlarge the axial stop. This effect is enhanced with 180°. With 360°, a particularly progressive behaviour is obtained, as individual elastomeric regions can yield in the circumferential direction, which in contrast is not possible with a circumferential annular stop. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the core may have a core collar and / or a core thickening on the first axial side, the axial stop, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core and the outer sleeve, being radially adjacent to the core or core collar and / or core thickening. It is conceivable that the axial stop, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core and the outer sleeve, may be supported in the radial direction against the core or core collar and / or the core thickening. In an advantageous manner, the core end-face, i.e. the end-face of the core, and the axial contact face may directly adjoin each other, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core and outer sleeve. The axial stop is arranged as far as possible radially inwards, preferably towards the core. One advantage of such a bearing bushing is the low torsional load on the axial stop. This is because, in the case of a torsional movement between the core and the outer sleeve, the axial stop undergoes little or no movement relative to the connection structure, at least in its inner radial region. Even in the case of very large torsion angles, the movement of a stop located towards the core relative to the connection structure is very slight. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the at least one axial stop, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core and the outer sleeve, may be vulcanised directly to the core on the inside radially. The connection may be effected at the same axial height. The axial stop, which possibly is realized only in the case of a deflection, may therefore be vulcanised on the inside radially in the relative deflection movement state, enabling a strong connection to the core to be produced. A relative movement between the axial stop and the core can thus be prevented. According to a conceivable development of the invention, the at least one axial stop, at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core and the outer sleeve, may be arranged directly and in contact between, on the one hand, the collar portion and / or transition portion and, on the other hand, the connection structure, in the axial intermediate region thereof. This enables the axial stop always to be supported on the outer sleeve. Also proposed according to the invention is a method for operating a bearing arrangement according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - axially loading the bearing bushing, such that the core and the outer sleeve move relative to each other in the axial direction, and elastomer of the elastomeric body is displaced in the direction of the first axial side to realize and / or enlarge the axial contact face, - torsionally loading the bearing bushing, such that the core and the outer sleeve rotate relative to each other about the central longitudinal axis, - the axial and torsional loading occurring simultaneously or at least with an overlap in time. The advantages described above with regard to the bearing arrangement also apply analogously to the method, and reference is made to these in order to avoid repetition. Advantageously, the bearing is not only loaded axially, but also torsionally. In the case of a torsional movement, the invention provides further advantages: if torsion occurs, the axial stop can rotate with the core and the connection structure; there is no tribological wear and also no squeaking noises. Further features, details and advantages of the invention are given by the wording of the claims and by the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1a shows a first embodiment of a known bearing bushing in a non-loaded state, Fig. 1b shows a second embodiment of a known bearing bushing in a non-loaded state, Fig. 2a shows a first embodiment of a bearing bushing according to the invention in a non loaded state, Fig. 2b shows the bearing bushing according to Fig. 2a in a first loading state, Fig. 2c shows the bearing bushing according to Fig. 2a in a second loading state, Fig. 2d shows a detail view lid of the bearing bushing according to Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a shows a second embodiment of the bearing bushing according to the invention in a non-loaded state, Fig. 3b shows the bearing bushing according to Fig. 3a in a first loading state, Fig. 3c shows the bearing bushing according to Fig. 3a in a second loading state, and Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the bearing bushing according to the invention in a non-loaded state. In the figures, elements that are identical or that correspond to each other are each denoted by the same reference designations and are therefore not described again unless expedient. In order to avoid repetition, features already described are not described again and are applicable to all elements that have the same or corresponding reference designations, unless explicitly excluded. The disclosures contained in the description as a whole can be applied analogously to identical parts that have the same reference designations, or the same component designations. The positional indications selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also relate to the directly described and represented figure and, if the position is changed, are to be adapted analogously to the new position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the various exemplary embodiments shown and described may in themselves constitute independent inventive solutions or solutions according to the invention. Figs. 1a and 1b each show in longitudinal section a bearing bushing 102 known from practice, in a non-loaded state, which is bolted to a connection structure 110, for example a body of a motor vehicle. A central longitudinal axis Z extends through the bearing bushings 102. The bearing bushings 102 each comprise a core 104, the bearing bushing 102 of Fig. 1a having a core collar 104a of the core 104 on the connection structure side, whereas the bearing bushing 102 of Fig. 1b has a core thickening 104b of the core 104 on the connection structure side. On the outer circumference side, each of the bearing bushings 102 has an outer sleeve 106 that surrounds the core 104. The outer sleeve 106 has a shaft portion 106a, which extends along the core 104, and a collar portion 106b projecting radially outwards from it. Arranged in the radial intermediate region of each of these is an elastomeric body 108, which elastically connects the core 104 to the outer sleeve 106. For axial loads, such known bearing bushings 102 are typically provided with an elastomeric stop cushion 109 on the collar portion 106b, in order to absorb high loads. The stop cushions 109 are generally arranged separately from the elastomeric body 108, between the core 104 and the outer sleeve 106, although there may be an elastomeric skin or an elastomeric region in between, this usually being related to the manufacturing process but being of no use for the elastic or buffering behaviour of the bearing bushing 102: it is only in the case of very large deflection distances that such faces having an elastomeric skin, as a barely elastic end stop, could finally delimit the deflection distance. The stop cushion 109 is usually located quite far radially on the outside and, in the case of an axial deflection (core 104 and outer sleeve 106 shift relative to each other in the axial direction), comes to bear against the connection structure 110. The stop cushion 109 is present regardless of the load situation. Conventional bearing bushings 102 have a simple rounding of relatively small radius between the shaft portion 106a and the collar portion 106b. This rounding therefore also is of a short length between two limit points G1 and G2. The limit points G1, G2 may therefore be located as follows to determine the length of the rounding. The first limit point G1 corresponds to the point of contact between a first tangent T1, which touches the outer sleeve 106, and the outer sleeve 106. The first tangent T1 forms an angle W1 of 15° with a first transverse axis Q1, which is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis Z. The second limit point G2 corresponds to the point of contact between a second tangent T2, which touches the outer sleeve 106, and the outer sleeve 106. The second tangent T2 forms an angle W2 of 60° with a second transverse axis Q2, which is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis Z. If, in disadvantageous weather conditions, usually cold and wet weather, contact occurs between the stop cushion 109 and the connection structure 110 due to axial deflection, with simultaneous rotational movement between the core 104 and the outer sleeve 106, a disturbing noise, also perceived as squeaking, occurs. A so-called stick-slip effect occurs when the stop cushion 109 is deflected in accordance with the rotational movement and, after slight deformation, detaches and springs back. This repetitive sticking and detaching releasing causes disturbing noises. Figs. 2a to 2c, and 3a to 3c, show a bearing arrangement in longitudinal section in three different states. Fig. 2a / 3a shows a non-loaded state. Fig. 2b / 3b shows a deflected state, and Fig. 2c / 3c shows a yet further deflected state. For visualisation reasons, not all reference designations from Fig. 2a / 3a are also shown in Figs. 2b / 3b and 2c / 3c, although the respective features are correspondingly illustrated and can be seen there. Fig. 2d shows a detail view lid from Fig. 2a. In Figs. 2a to 4, only one half of the respective bearing bushing 2 is shown in relation to the central longitudinal axis Z. The bearing arrangement of Figs. 2a to 2d comprises a connection structure 10 and a bearing bushing 2, which are connected to each other, for example by bolting. The connection structure 10 is a component that is separate from the bearing bushing 2, and provides a face 10a against which an axial stop 8d can bear. A central longitudinal axis Z extends through the bearing bushing 2 in its longitudinal direction. Perpendicular to it there are three transverse axes Q1, Q2, Q3. The bearing bushing 2 has a first axial side 2a, which faces towards the connection structure 10, and a second axial side 2b. In the course of Figs. 2a to 2c, the core 4 is deflected relative to the outer sleeve 6 by a relative axial deflection movement between the core 4 and outer sleeve 6, discernible from the change in position between the core 4 and the third transverse axis Q3. The bearing bushing 2 comprises a core 4, which has a core collar 4a and a core end-face 4c on the first axial side 2a. The bearing bushing 2 bears against the connection structure 10 via the core end-face 4c. The bearing bushing 2 additionally comprises an outer sleeve 6, which surrounds the core 4 on the outer circumference. The outer sleeve 6 has at least three portions, namely a shaft portion 6a, which extends along the core 4, a collar portion 6b on the first axial side 2a, and a transition portion 6c, which is arranged between the shaft portion 6a and the collar portion 6b. The collar portion 6a extends outwards in the radial direction R. The transition portion 6c adjoins the shaft portion 6a and the collar portion 6b. The transition portion 6c has a defined length that extends from the first limit point G1 to the second limit point. The first limit point G1 corresponds to the point of contact between a first tangent T1, which touches the outer sleeve 6, and the outer sleeve 6. The first tangent T1 forms an angle W1 of 15° with the first transverse axis Q1, and is inclined in the direction of the shaft portion 6a or in the direction of the second axial side 2b. The second limit point G2 corresponds to the point of contact between a second tangent T2, which touches the outer sleeve 6, and the outer sleeve 6. The second tangent T2 forms an angle W2 of 60° with the second transverse axis Q2, and is inclined in the direction of the shaft portion 6a or in the direction of the second axial side 2b. In Figs. 2a to 3c, the transition portion 6c has a tilted or inclined tendency with respect to the central longitudinal axis Z. An elastomeric body 8 is arranged between the core 4 and the outer sleeve 6 and is firmly connected to both, for example by means of vulcanisation. The elastomeric body 8 elastically connects the core 4 and the outer sleeve 6 to each other. In the non-loaded state, the elastomeric body 8 has an elastomer-filled wedge region 8e on the first axial side 2a. The elastomeric body 8 has a collar-elastomer track height KH, which corresponds to the diameter of a notional maximum circle K between the core 4 on the one hand and the transition portion 6c on the other. The circle K adjoins the core 4 and the transition portion 6c. The length of transition portion 6c corresponds to at least 0.5 times the collar-elastomer track height KH; in the example shown, the length corresponds to approximately 0.8 times the collar-elastomer track height KH. The elastomeric body 8 additionally has an elastomeric volume 8b between, on the one hand, the core 4 and / or connection structure 10 and, on the other hand, the transition portion 6c. The elastomeric volume 8b, as viewed in longitudinal section, is delimited by the transition portion 6c, a first normal vector N1, which is located at the first limit point G1 on the outer sleeve 6, a second normal vector N2, which is located at the second limit point G2 on the outer sleeve 6, and an elastomeric volume limit 8c extending parallel to the transition portion 6c or following the transition portion 6c. The region delimited by 6c, N1, N2 and 8c is filled with elastomer. A height of this elastomeric volume 8b, i.e. an elastomeric volume height VH, between the transition portion 6c and the elastomeric volume limit 8c is at least 0.3 times the collarelastomer track height KH. The elastomeric volume 8b and the elastomeric volume height VH of the minimum length of 0.3 times the collar elastomer track height KH may be realized, as viewed in cross-section, over a cumulative circumference with respect to the central longitudinal axis Z of at least 120°. The elastomeric body 8 also has an axial contact face 8a on the first axial side 2a. The axial contact face 8a has a contact limit point A, which defines an outer radial limit of the axial contact face 8a bearing against the connection structure 10. It can be seen that a radial distance between the contact limit point A and the central longitudinal axis Z is not greater than a radial distance between the shaft portion 6a or the second limit point G2 and the central longitudinal axis Z. In the non-loaded state, the bearing bushing 2 therefore has no elastomeric axial stop 8d. Additionally, however, it can be seen that, with a relative axial deflection movement between the core 4 and the outer sleeve 6, elastomer of the elastomeric body 8 is displaced in the direction of the first axial side 2a, and the contact limit point A is shifted outwards in the radial direction R. An overlap distance D is created between contact limit point A and the shaft portion 6a or second limit point G2. The elastomer guided by the transition portion 6c and displaced in the direction of the first axial side 2a realizes the axial stop 8d there and enlarges the latter as axial deflection load increases. As the axial deflection of the core 4 and the outer sleeve 6 increases, the axial stop 8d bears increasingly against the connection structure 10. The elastomer guided by the transition portion 6c and displaced in the direction of the first axial side 2a realizes the axial stop 8d there and enlarges the latter as axial deflection load increases. The axial stop 8d projects beyond the shaft portion 6a in the axial direction. The axial direction extends the central longitudinal axis Z. The axial stop 8d is a load-dependent or dynamic axial stop. At the same time, the axial contact face 8a bearing against the connection structure 10 also enlarges. The axial stop 8d can accordingly decrease and disappear as the relative deflection movement between the core 4 and outer sleeve 6 decreases. The axial stop 8d is arranged radially adjacent to the core 4 or its core collar 4a. The axial stop 8d is supported against the core 4 or core collar 4a in the radial direction R. The core end-face 4c and the axial contact face 8a directly adjoin each other, the axial stop 8d being arranged as far radially inwards as possible, towards the core in the example shown. Additionally, it can be seen that the axial stop 8d is vulcanised directly to the core on the inner radial side. Furthermore, it can be seen that the axial stop 8d is arranged directly and in contact between, on the one hand, the collar portion 6b and, on the other hand, the connection structure 10, in the axial intermediate region thereof. The bearing bushing 2 does not have a load-independent or static elastomeric axial stop. With regard to Figs. 3a to 3c, in order to avoid repetition only the differences in relation to Figs. 2a to 2c will be described. The core 4 now comprises a core thickening 4b instead of a core collar. Even in the non-loaded state, there is an overlap distance D between the contact limit point A and the shaft portion 6a or a second limit point G2. The elastomeric body 8 already has an axial stop 8d in the nonloaded state. This can be enlarged in the case of the relative axial deflection movement. On the first axial side 2a the elastomeric body 8 has an elastomer-filled stepped region 8f, shown here, as an example, as an L-shape in longitudinal section. When the bearing bushing 2 is in the non-loaded state, a radial distance between the contact limit point A and the central longitudinal axis Z is already greater than a radial distance between the shaft portion 6a or the second limit point G2 and the central longitudinal axis Z. With regard to Fig. 4, in order to avoid repetition only the differences in relation to Figs. 2a to 2c will be described. Fig. 4 shows a non-loaded state of a third embodiment. The outer sleeve 6 now has a continuous, relatively large radius from the shaft portion 6a to the collar portion 6b. The transition portion 6c therefore is of a curved design. The contact limit point A is located closer to the central longitudinal axis Z in the radial direction R than is the shaft portion 6a or the second limit point G2. In this embodiment, there is no axial stop in the non-loaded state. As a deflection movement (not represented) of core 4 and outer sleeve 6 increases, such a stop is realized, as described above. The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in a variety of ways. All the features and advantages disclosed by the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, may be material to the invention, both individually and in a very wide variety of combinations. All combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. To avoid repetition, features disclosed with respect to the device are also to be considered as disclosed with respect to the method, and claimable. Likewise, features disclosed with respect to the method are to be considered as disclosed with respect to the device, and claimable. List of reference designations 2 bearing bushing A contact limit point 2a first axial side D overlap distance 2b second axial side G1 first limit point 4 core G2 second limit point 4a core collar K circle 4b core thickening KH collar-elastomer track height 4c core end-face N1 first normal vector 6 outer sleeve N2 second normal vector 6a shaft portion Q1 first transverse axis 6b collar portion Q2 second transverse axis 6c transition portion Q3 third transverse axis 8 elastomeric body R radial direction 8a axial contact face T1 first tangent 8b elastomeric volume T2 second tangent 8c elastomeric volume limit VH elastomeric volume height 8d axial stop W1 first angle 8e wedge region W2 second angle 8f stepped region Z central longitudinal axis 10 connection structure 10a face 102 bearing bushing 104 core 104a core collar 104b core thickening 106 outer sleeve 106a shaft portion 106b collar portion 109 stop cushion 110 connection structure

Claims

1. Bearing arrangement, comprisinga connection structure (10) anda bearing bushing (2) that has a first axial side (2a) and a second axial side (2b), there being a central longitudinal axis (Z) extending through the bearing bushing (2), comprising a core (4), an outer sleeve (6) surrounding the core (4), and an elastomeric body (8) that is arranged between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) and connects the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) to each other, characterized in that- the outer sleeve (6) has a shaft portion (6a), and on the first axial side (2a) has a collar portion (6b),- the collar portion (6b), as viewed in longitudinal section, extending radially outwards,- the outer sleeve (6) having a transition portion (6c) arranged between the shaft portion (6a) and the collar portion (6b),- the transition portion (6c), as viewed in longitudinal section, extending between a first limit point (G1) and a second limit point (G2),- the first limit point (G1) being defined by a first tangent (T1) to the outer sleeve (6) that is inclined by 15° relative to a first transverse axis (Q1) in the direction of the shaft portion (6a),- the second limit point (G2) being defined by a second tangent (T2) to the outer sleeve (6) that is inclined by 60° relative to a second transverse axis (Q2) in the direction of the shaft portion (6a),- the elastomeric body (8), as viewed in longitudinal section, having a collar-elastomer track height (KH), defined by the diameter of a notional maximum circle between, on the one hand, the core (4) and / or the connection structure (10) and, on the other hand, the transition portion (6c),- the length of the transition portion (6c), as viewed in longitudinal section, corresponding to at least 0.5 times the collar-elastomer track height (KH),- the elastomeric body (8) having, on the first axial side (2a), an axial contact face (8a) that, at least in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6), bears against the connection structure (10),- the axial contact face (8a), as viewed in longitudinal section, having, at least in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6), an outer radial contact limit point (A) that defines an outer radial limit of the axial contact face (8a) bearing against the connection structure (10),- the elastomeric body (8), when the bearing bushing (2) is in the non-loaded state, having an elastomeric volume (8b) between, on the one hand, the core (4) and / or connection structure (10) and, on the other hand, the transition portion (6c),- elastomer of the elastomeric body (8), in the case of a relative axial deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6), being able to be displaced in the direction of the first axial side (2a), such that an axial stop (8d) is thereby realized and / or enlarged, the axial contact face (8a) thereby becoming larger as the axial deflection load increases, and the contact limit point (A) being shifted radially outwards,- the elastomeric volume (8b), as viewed in longitudinal section, being delimited by the transition portion (6c), a first normal vector (N1), which is located at the first limit point (G1) on the outer sleeve (6), a second normal vector (N2), which is located at the second limit point (G2) on the outer sleeve (6), and an elastomeric volume limit (8c) extending parallel to the transition portion (6c) or following the transition portion (6c),- an elastomeric volume height (VH) between the transition portion (6c) and the elastomeric volume limit (8c), as viewed in longitudinal section, being at least 0.3 times the collar-elastomer track height (KH),- wherein the elastomeric body that realizes and / or enlarges the axial stop by being displaced, when in the non-loaded state, has a wedge region or a stepped region on the first axial side on the outer circumference.

2. Bearing arrangement (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bearing bushing (2) realizes or has only one axial stop (8d) or a plurality of axial stops (8d) into which elastomer of the elastomeric body (8) can be displaced.

3. Bearing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axial stop (8d) can be realized or enlarged as a relative deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) increases, and the axial stop (8d) can also disappear or reduce in size as a relative deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) decreases.

4. Bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radial distance between the contact limit point (A) and the central longitudinal axis (Z) is greater than a radial distance between the shaft portion (6a) or the second limit point (G2) and the central longitudinal axis (Z), at least in the case of a relative deflection movement between the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6).

5. Bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radial distance between the contact limit point (A) and the central longitudinal axis(Z), when the bearing bushing (2) is in the non-loaded state, is greater than or at least equal to a radial distance between the shaft portion (6a) or the second limit point (G2) and the central longitudinal axis (Z).

6. Bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomeric volume (8b) and the feature according to which, as viewed in longitudinal section, the elastomeric volume height (VH) between the transition portion (6c) and the elastomeric volume limit (8c) is at least 0.3 times the collar-elastomer track height (KH), as viewed in cross-section is realized or realizable over a cumulative circumference, with respect to the central longitudinal axis, of at least 120°, preferably at least 180°, further preferably 360°.

7. Bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core (4) has a core collar (4a) and / or a core thickening (4b) on the first axial side (2a), the axial stop (8d), at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6), being radially adjacent to the core collar (4a) and / or the core thickening (4b), the axial stop (8d), at least in the case of a relative deflection movement of the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6), preferably being supported in the radial direction (R) against the core collar (4a) and / or the core thickening (4b).

8. Method for operating a bearing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:- axially loading the bearing bushing (2), such that the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) move relative to each other in the axial direction, and elastomer of the elastomeric body (8) is displaced in the direction of the first axial side (2a) to realize and / or enlarge the axial contact face (8a),- torsionally loading the bearing bushing (2), such that the core (4) and the outer sleeve (6) rotate relative to each other about the central longitudinal axis (Z),- the axial and torsional loading occurring simultaneously or at least with an overlap in time.

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