Filter subassembly for an upper stopper assembly of an automotive suspension strut, as well as related assemblies, suspension struts, and assembly methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter sub-assembly (10) comprising a filter block (20), a lower support (30) having a central portion (31) and a peripheral portion (32) surrounding the central portion (31), and a cover (40) comprising a central portion (41) abutting on the upper surface (23) of the filter block (20) and a peripheral portion (42) surrounding the central portion (41) and abutting on the peripheral portion (32) of the lower support (30). The filter sub-assembly (10) comprises a locking washer (90), with a first element of the lower support (30) and the cover (40) being located between the locking washer (90) and a second element of the lower support (30) and the cover (40), and a flap (50) and an associated notch (96) being formed in the locking washer (90) and the second element to enable mutual fixation in a bayonet fixing manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of automotive suspensions.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a filter subassembly for an upper stopper assembly of an automotive suspension, related assemblies, and a suspension strut incorporating such a stopper assembly, as well as a method for assembling such a filter subassembly.

Background Art

[0003] An automotive suspension strut having a coil spring wound around a telescopic shock absorber is connected to the vehicle body at a multi-functional interface called an upper suspension stopper that integrates functions such as attaching to the vehicle body, guiding the upper end of the coil spring and / or the suspension strut with respect to rotation when the wheel is steered, holding the rod of the telescopic shock absorber while removing vibrations if necessary, and supporting the shock damper at the end of the stroke of the body of the telescopic shock absorber. Such a stopper requires a number of parts, some of which can be pre-assembled before attachment to the vehicle, and other parts must be assembled when fixed to the vehicle.

[0004] An example of an upper stopper for a prior art suspension strut is given by European Patent Application Publication No. 1591691. This stopper includes a rolling bearing having an upper washer, a lower washer, and balls circulating on raceways formed in the upper and lower washers, a rigid multi-functional part composed of a pressed thin plate, and an elastomeric filter block disposed between the upper washer and the multi-functional part. The multi-functional part includes a plurality of fixing holes, each of which opens onto a downwardly directed support wall. A nut is welded to the multi-functional part at the support wall at the extension of the fixing hole. Thus, it is possible to fix the upper stopper to the vehicle body using a screw that passes through the fixing hole and engages with the nut. Before being attached to the vehicle, the stopper does not form a coherent whole. Preventive measures must also be taken to protect the metal multi-functional part from corrosion.

[0005] The upper stopper assembly of a suspension strut shown in German Patent Application Publication No. 102009059168 differs from prior upper stopper assemblies, in particular by the fact that the multi-functional part is made of a molded plastic material and has a threaded metal insert in the fixing hole. Such a part is potentially lighter than a sheet metal part and is relatively less affected by corrosion except for the metal insert. The manufacture of the multi-functional part in an injection molding die with overmolding of the metal insert actually leads to a reduction in the durability of the plastic with respect to shock attenuation force.

[0006] French Patent Application Publication No. 3112101 describes an upper stopper assembly for a suspension strut that minimizes the final attachment process to a vehicle while still being compatible with high production speeds. This configuration is provided by a fixing interface on a multi-functional part, where each fixing interface has a fixing slit opened on the peripheral wall of the multi-functional part, and each is configured to receive at least a part of the fixing element in a direction inclined with respect to the axis of the rod fixing, and the arrangement of the slits ensures that the fixing element does not escape from the slit during assembly. The configuration described in this document makes it possible to avoid the process of permanently fixing the fixing element to the multi-functional part, especially by welding or overmolding, before attachment to the vehicle.

[0007] Despite these advantages, there is always a motivation to simplify the assembly, especially by reducing the number of parts of the upper stopper assembly, which on the one hand reduces the assembly work and on the other hand makes it possible to reduce the number of suppliers involved in the assembly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to improve some or all of the drawbacks of the current state of the art by proposing a simple solution that minimizes the final assembly process in a vehicle while still being compatible with high production speeds.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] For this purpose, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a filter sub-assembly for an upper stopper assembly of an automobile suspension strut is proposed, and this filter sub-assembly comprises · a filter block made of an elastomer material, extending along a reference axis, and having an interface for fixing one end of a rod of a shock absorber of the suspension strut; · a lower support of the filter block which abuts against the lower surface of the filter block and has an annular central portion through which an axial passage for an end portion of the rod of the shock absorber passes, and an annular peripheral portion surrounding the annular central portion; · a cover of the filter block which has a central portion abutting against the upper surface of the filter block, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and abutting against the annular peripheral portion of the lower support. The filter sub-assembly comprises The filter sub-assembly further comprises a locking washer, and a first element of the lower support and the cover is located axially between the locking washer and a second element of the lower support and the cover, and flaps and notches are formed in the locking washer and the second element, and each of the flaps formed in one of the locking washer and the second element is associated with one of the notches formed in the other of the locking washer and the second element. The locking washer is · movable between a relative approaching position and a relative mutual entry position by a relative translational movement between the locking washer and the second element along the reference axis such that each of the fixing flaps enters the associated notch at the relative mutual entry position. ·The relative entry position and the relative assembly position are movable by the relative rotational movement between the locking washer centered on the reference axis and the second element such that each of the fixing flaps is received in the circumferential extension of the associated notch and axially abuts against the edge of the associated notch and is held axially in the circumferential extension. It is characterized by this.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the second element is a metal part, preferably a pressed thin plate.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the locking washer is a metal part, preferably a pressed thin plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment, at least some of the fixing flaps project from the annular peripheral portion of the second element.

[0014] According to one embodiment, at least some of the notches are formed in the locking washer.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the peripheral portion of the first element is associated with each of the fixing flaps of the second element, has a fixing opening through which the associated fixing flap passes, and the peripheral portion of the first element is axially located between the annular peripheral portion of the second element and the locking washer.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the filter block is preloaded between the lower support and the cover of the filter block.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the lower support of the filter block is made of a single piece and metal.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cover of the filter block is made of a plastic material and has a reinforcing material or insert as required.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the filter sub-assembly comprises means for locking the relative assembly position with respect to rotation, and this rotation locking means preferably comprises at least one elastic blade configured to at least partially enter into one of the notches and lock the locking washer with respect to rotation against the second element in the relative assembly position.

[0020] Preferably, the rotation locking means comprises a plurality of elastic blades, each elastic blade being configured to at least partially enter into one of the associated notches and lock the locking washer with respect to rotation against the second member in the relative assembly position.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to an upper stopper assembly of an automotive suspension strut, · a sliding bearing or rolling bearing defining a rotation axis, and · the filter sub-assembly as described above that abuts directly or indirectly against the bearing. The invention relates to an assembly comprising the same.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the cover of the filter block comprises a peripheral portion provided with fixing openings configured to fix the filter sub-assembly to a vehicle body element of an automobile.

[0023] According to one embodiment, an annular portion of a vehicle body element of an automobile is tightly attached axially between the annular peripheral portion of the second element and the locking washer, preferably between the annular peripheral portion of the first element and the locking washer, more preferably between the cover and the locking washer.

[0024] Furthermore, the invention relates to an automotive suspension strut comprising a coil spring, a telescopic shock absorber, and a shock damper, characterized in that the upper stopper assembly as described above is further provided.

[0025] According to another aspect, the present invention is a method for assembling a filter subassembly as described above, comprising at least the following steps, namely: · A step of performing a relative movement from a relative approaching position to a relative mutual entering position by a relative translational movement between a first element and a second element along an assembly axis in order to cause a fixing flap to enter a related notch, each of the notches being associated with one of the first element and the second element and being associated with one of the fixing flaps firmly connected to the other of the first element and the second element; · A step of performing a movement from the relative mutual entering position to a relative assembling position by a relative rotational movement between the first element and the second element about the assembly axis at the relative assembling position, such that each of the fixing flaps is received in a circumferential extension of the notch associated with the relative mutual entering position and is held axially in the circumferential extension to fix the cover of the filter block to the lower support; and further relates to a method including the above.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the final assembly of the filter subassembly is carried out in connection with the fixing of the filter subassembly to the vehicle body element. To do this, a partial assembly of the filter subassembly is carried out in advance and is held in a predetermined position by a radial interference between the outer peripheral surface of the flap and the inner peripheral surface of the fixing opening of the cover.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by considering the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

[0029] For clarity, all identical or similar elements are identified by the same reference numerals in all the figures.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Figure 1 shows the upper part of a suspension strut supported by a vehicle body element 103 in the form of an inverted frustoconical bowl in this case. The suspension strut comprises a coil spring 105, a telescopic shock absorber 106 located inside the coil spring 105, and a suspension upper stopper assembly 100 that provides an interface between, on the one hand, the body 103 and, on the other hand, the coil spring 105 and the telescopic shock absorber 106.

[0031] The upper stopper assembly 100, also shown in Figure 2, comprises a bearing 2 placed on an annular bearing support 80 based on a spring filter element placed on one turn of the upper part of the coil spring 105, and a shock damper 104. The assembly 100 comprises a mounting part arranged radially inside the bearing support 80, and this mounting part further comprises an inner skirt 84 arranged radially inside the bearing 2, and the inner skirt 84 has a hook shape for the upper end of a protective bellows (not shown) of the shock absorber 106.

[0032] The upper stopper assembly 100 further comprises a filter sub-assembly 10 that also forms a cover for the bearing 2, and the filter sub-assembly 10 forms a filter block 20 made of an elastomeric material located inside the filter sub-assembly 10 in the radial and axial directions, a rigid single-piece lower support 30 of the filter block 20 located between the filter block 20 and the bearing 2 and in particular interposed here between the filter block 20 and the bearing 2, and a cover 40 of the filter block 20.

[0033] The bearing 2 has the function of enabling one turn of the upper part of the coil spring 105 to rotate when the coil spring 105 expands and contracts or when the wheel is steered, by guiding the bearing support 80 to be rotatable about the rotation axis A2. The bearing 2 is a rolling bearing here, and includes a lower washer 4 made of a pressed thin plate, an upper washer 5 made of a pressed thin plate that defines the rotation axis A2, and rolling elements 6 (in this case, balls) that roll on raceways 7 and 8 formed on the lower washer 4 and the upper washer 5 to guide the lower washer 4 to be rotatable with respect to the upper washer 5 about the rotation axis A2. The rolling bearing 2 is in oblique contact, and the rolling elements 6 contact a region radially outside the raceway 8 of the upper washer 5 and a region radially inside the raceway 7 of the lower washer 4, and the inner region is radially inside the outer region with respect to the rotation axis A2. The balls are separated using a cage 6' and are kept approximately equidistant.

[0034] The suspension strut is oriented such that most of the assembly 100 is located "below" the vehicle body 103 and the coil spring 105 is at least partially located "below" the assembly 100.

[0035] The annular bearing support 80 can be made of a plastic material or a metal alloy, with or without a reinforcing insert for example, and can be made of aluminum injected under pressure for example, and forms a flat annular mating surface axially oriented with respect to the rotation axis A2 facing the bearing 2, and a cylindrical guide surface oriented radially outward.

[0036] The support 30 of the filter block and the bearing support 80 cooperate to define a closed annular volume for the bearing 2. The cover 40 of the filter block itself is located radially outside and forms an outer protective skirt 49 that at least partially faces the outer peripheral surface 82 of the bearing support 80.

[0037] The filter block 20 is formed of an elastomer material, extends along the reference axis A1, and has an interface 21 for fixing one end of the telescopic rod 102 of the shock absorber 106 of the suspension strut passing through the lumen formed in the shock damper 104 and the passage 33 of the support 30.

[0038] The filter block support 30 may be made of a metal alloy, such as steel or aluminum injected under pressure, and preferably may be a single piece, i.e., one-piece. Preferably, the support 30 is made of steel from a pressed thin plate. The filter block support 30 includes a wall 34 having an upper surface 35 facing the filter block and an opposite lower surface 36 adapted to the shock damper 104 of the suspension. More precisely, the filter block support 30 has an annular central portion 31 in contact with the lower surface 22 of the filter block 20 and through which the passage 33 for the end of the rod 102 of the shock absorber 106 axially passes, and the lower support 30 has an annular peripheral portion 32 surrounding the annular central portion 31.

[0039] In this embodiment, the rigid one-piece support 30 of the filter block 20 is arranged radially inside the bearing 2 and is formed by a pressed thin plate forming a receiving bowl of the filter block 20 in radial contact with this bearing 2 and a collar surrounding the bowl located on the bearing 2. More precisely, the lower filter block support 30 has a cylindrical skirt 39A configured to fit in an adjusted manner with the cylindrical portion 5A of the bearing 2 of the assembly 100, and a lateral outer shoulder 39B in contact with the upper surface 5B of the bearing 2 so that the filter sub-assembly 10 directly abuts the bearing 2.

[0040] The cylindrical skirt 39A and the lateral outer shoulder 39B are carried by an intermediate annular portion 312 connecting the annular central portion 31 and the annular peripheral portion 32 therebetween, the cylindrical skirt 39A forming a cylindrical centering portion, and the lateral shoulder 39B forming a direct or indirect planar mating portion for the bearing 2.

[0041] The bowl that houses the filter block 20 has a bottom 35 that forms an intermediate wall between the filter block 20 and the shock damper 104. The lower surface of this intermediate wall is the support portion of the shock damper 104 of the suspension. The upper surface of the intermediate wall contacts the filter block 20, and the bottom 35 abuts axially against the lower surface 22 of the filter block 20 to receive this filter block 20.

[0042] The support 30 of the filter block, particularly the thin metal plate that forms the rigid one-piece support 30 here, is annular, and the bottom 35 of the bowl has a circular opening that forms a passage 33 for the end of the rod 102 of the telescopic shock absorber 106. The filter block support 30 has rotational symmetry about a reference axis A1 that also corresponds to the reference axes of the telescopic shock absorber 106, the shock damper 104, and the filter block 20 in the reference position. This symmetry axis A1 is parallel and coincident here with the rotation axis A2 of the bearing 2, but other configurations, particularly those in which the reference axis A1 intersects the rotation axis A2 of the bearing 2 (not shown), are also conceivable.

[0043] The filter block cover 40 enables the filter block 20 to be compressed during or prior to attachment to the vehicle so that the filter block 20 is preloaded between the lower support 30 and the filter block cover 40. The cover 40 can be made, for example, of a rigid plastic material with a reinforcing material or insert as required. The filter block cover 40 includes a central portion 41 that abuts against the upper surface 23 of the filter block 20 and a peripheral portion 42 that surrounds the central portion 41 and abuts against the annular peripheral portion 32 of the lower support 30. The filter block cover 40 further has an outer protective skirt 49 that is located radially outward and at least partially opposes the outer peripheral surface 82 of the bearing support 80 in order to bound a seal baffle 83 for protecting the bearing 2.

[0044] The fixation between the cover 40 and the support 30 is brought about by fixing means for fixing the cover 40 to the filter block lower support 30. In this first embodiment, the fixing means for fixing the cover 40 to the filter block lower support 30 includes a flap 50 for firmly fixing the lower support 30 by protruding from the annular peripheral portion 32 of the lower support 30. These flaps 50 are distributed on the annular peripheral portion 32 of the support 30, preferably regularly distributed, and the number is six. Each of these flaps 50 has the shape of a hook and is configured to enter a fixing position within the fixing opening 60 of the cover 40. These fixing openings 60 are arranged in the peripheral portion 42 of the cover 40 and are associated with the flap 50 for fixing the lower support 30. More precisely, at the fixing position, the proximal portion 51 of the associated fixing flap 50 axially passes through these fixing openings 60. Each flap 50 further has a distal portion 52 of each fixing flap 50, and the distal portion 52 extends along at least a component perpendicular to the axial direction and overlaps a mating surface on one side of the cover 40 opposite to the peripheral portion 32 of the lower support 30, fixing the cover 40 to the lower support 30 of the filter block despite the preload force of the filter block 20.

[0045] The filter sub-assembly 10 further includes a locking washer 90. This locking washer 90 is here made of metal and is formed from a pressed thin plate stamping. In the assembled position, the cover 40 is arranged axially between the locking washer 90 and the lower support 30, and a pair of flaps 50 and notches 96 are formed in the locking washer 90 and the lower support 30. It should be noted that according to a variant not shown here, a configuration can be obtained in which the lower support 30 is arranged axially between the locking washer 90 and the cover 40.

[0046] The fixing of the cover 40 to the lower support 30 is achieved by combining the fixing flap 50 with the notch 96 in a bayonet fixing manner. In fact, the assembly of the filter sub-assembly 10 is brought about according to an appropriate mechanical sequence of movements.

[0047] In particular, the filter sub-assembly 10 comprises a plurality of fixing flaps 50 configured to cooperate with the associated notch 96. Each of the flaps 50 of the locking washer is fixed to one of the locking washer 90 and the second element, while the notch 96 is formed in the other of the locking washer 90 and the second element. In this way, the cooperation between each of the fixing flaps 50 and the associated notch 96 enables the two elements to be assembled with each other, and the first of these elements is either the lower support 30 or the cover 40, and is interposed between the locking washer 90 and the second of these elements which is either the lower support 30 or the cover 40.

[0048] The cooperation between the fixing flap 50 and the associated notch 96 makes it possible to ensure at least the axial locking of the filter sub-assembly 10, and the rotational locking is ensured by specially configured elastic locking means.

[0049] In this embodiment, each of the flaps 50 is formed on the lower support 30 and is associated with one of the notches 96 formed in the locking washer 90. Thus, the filter sub-assembly 10 comprises the same number of fixing flaps 50 as the notches 96.

[0050] In the first step, during assembly, the cover 40 is arranged to be positioned axially between the locking washer 90 and the lower support 30. The locking washer 90 and the lower support 30 are movable relative to each other between a relatively close position and a relatively interengaging position. This movement is obtained by a relative translational movement between the locking washer 90 and the lower support 30 along the reference axis A1 in such a way that each of the fixing flaps 50 enters the associated notch 96 at the relatively interengaging position.

[0051] In the second step, in order to complete the assembly, once the relatively interengaging position is achieved, the locking washer 90 and the lower support 30 can be moved relative to each other between the relatively interengaging position and the relatively assembled position. This movement is obtained by a relative rotational movement between the locking washer 90 centered on the reference axis A1 and the lower support 30 of the filter block in such a way that each of the fixing flaps 50 is received in the circumferential extension of the associated notch 96 and axially abuts against the edge of the associated notch and is axially held in the circumferential extension at the relatively assembled position.

[0052] The notch 96 can take various forms. However, each of them has a first portion 961 having an opening configured to extend parallel to the reference axis A1 and sized such that the axial template of the flap 50 intersects, and a second portion 962 of the notch 96 extending circumferentially from the first portion 961 with respect to the reference axis A1 of the filter subassembly 10.

[0053] During the movement from the relatively close position to the relatively interengaging position, the distal portion 52 of each flap 50 forming the hook head passes through the fixing opening 60 associated with the fixing flap 50 of the lower support 30 and then moves axially through the first portion 961 of each notch 96. At the interengaging position, the proximal portion 51 of each fixing flap 50 forming the hook base is arranged through the first portion 961 of each notch 96.

[0054] Next, during the movement from the relative insertion position to the relative assembly position, the proximal portions 51 of the respective flaps 50 are rotated and received in the circumferential extensions 962 of the associated notches 96, which have a smaller cross-section compared to the templates of the respective fixing flaps 50, in particular the templates of the associated distal portions 52. The smaller cross-section of the circumferential extension forming the second portion 962 of the notch 96 compared to the first portion 961 provides axial engagement with the distal portion 52 of the associated fixing flap 50. In this way, in the relative assembly position, the distal portion 52 of each associated fixing flap 50 extends along at least a component perpendicular to the axial direction and overlaps the associated mating surface on the side opposite the peripheral portion 32 of the lower support 30 of the cover 40.

[0055] The support surfaces are, here, carried by the locking washers 90 such that each fixing flap 50 is axially held by the locking washers 90 in the relative assembly position and thus the cover 40 is fixed to the filter block lower support 30.

[0056] Of course, the fixing openings 60 of the cover 40 are dimensioned so as not to restrict this rotational movement when the filter sub-assembly 10 moves from the relative insertion position to the relative assembly position, and the peripheral portion 42 of the cover 40 carrying the fixing openings 60 is arranged axially between the annular peripheral portion 32 of the lower support 30 and the locking washers 90.

[0057] The filter sub-assembly 10 further comprises rotational locking means 59 in the relative assembly position to avoid reverse rotation. In this embodiment, the rotational locking means 59 is integral with a component that does not have the fixing flap 50, namely the cover 40.

[0058] These rotational locking means 59 comprise at least one elastic blade, preferably a plurality of elastic blades, preferably the same number of elastic blades as the flaps 50.

[0059] Each of the elastic blades is arranged circumferentially adjacent to one of the fixing flaps 50, extends from the base to the blade head, and the blade head extends along the axial component so as to extend circumferentially and project axially on the side of the associated flap 50. At the same time, the flap axially penetrates the fixing opening 60 of the cover 40, then enters the notch 96, and each associated blade extending circumferentially from the circumferential edge of the corresponding fixing opening 60 also enters the associated notch 96 so as to form an obstacle to the rotation of the locking washer 90 when in the relative assembly position. The blades are formed by pressing.

[0060] In the mutual entry position, each flap 50 enters the first part 961 of the associated notch 96, and the elastic blade is forced to abut against the lower surface of the locking washer 90. In the rotational movement about the reference axis A1 from the mutual entry position to the relative assembly position, the proximal part 51 of each flap 50 is rotated and received in the second part 962 of the notch 96, opening the surface where the elastic blade can be seen in the relative assembly position at the first part 961 of the notch 96, and by elastic release, the corresponding blade is positioned in the space defined by the first part 961 of the notch 96. In this position, the head of each locking blade 59 forms an obstacle within the associated notch 96, and each is positioned within the thickness of the locking washer 90 to prevent any rotation attempting to move from the relative assembly position to the mutual entry position.

[0061] In this assembling method, in the step of moving from the relative approach position to the relative interpenetration position, the translation of the cover 40 and the support 30 is a translation such that these parts approach each other, and the filter block 20 is positioned between these two parts. In this step, the filter block 20 is compressed by the cover 40 and the lower support 30, and as a result, the filter block 20 is preloaded between the lower support 30 and the filter block cover 40. Then, by the relative rotation of the cover 40 and the lower support 30 during the movement from the relative interpenetration position to the relative assembly position, it becomes possible to axially lock the compression position of the filter subassembly 10 and the filter block 20 to ensure the preload.

[0062] Therefore, generally, the filter subassembly includes a first element of either the lower support 30 or the cover 40 disposed axially between a locking washer 90 and a second element of either the lower support 30 or the cover 40, and flaps 50 and notches 96 are formed in the locking washer 90 and the second element, and each of the fixing flaps 50 formed in one of the locking washer 90 and the second element is associated with one of the notches 96 formed in the other of the locking washer 90 and the second element, and a method for assembling this filter subassembly 10 includes at least the following steps, namely, · A step of performing a relative translational movement from a relative approach position to a relative interpenetration position by a relative translational movement between the first element and the second element along the assembly axis A1 to cause the fixing flap 50 to enter the associated notch 96, each of the notches 96 being associated with one of the first element and the second element and with one of the fixing flaps 50 firmly connected to the other of the first element and the second element. ·Moving from the relative mutual insertion position to the relative assembly position, at the relative assembly position, each of the fixing flaps 50 is received in the circumferential extension of the notch 96 associated with the relative mutual insertion position and held axially in the circumferential extension, and the relative rotational movement between the first element and the second element centered on the assembly axis A1 is performed so as to fix the cover 40 to the filter block lower support 30. including.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the first element is the cover 40 and the second element is the lower support 30. However, in a modification not shown, the first element may be the support 30 and the second element may be the filter block cover 40. In this case, the annular portion 1031 of the vehicle body element 103 of the automobile is axially tightened between the annular peripheral portion of the cover 40 and the locking washer 90.

[0064] In other modifications not shown, the fixing flaps 50 and the notches 96 can be distributed to both the first and second elements.

[0065] According to the embodiment, the final assembly of the filter sub-assembly 10 is carried out in association with the fixing of the filter sub-assembly 10 to the vehicle body element 103. To do this, a partial assembly of the filter sub-assembly 10 is performed in advance and held in place by the radial interference between the outer peripheral surface of the flap 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the fixing opening 60 of the cover 40.

[0066] In this case, the cover 40 and the support 30 are fixed to the vehicle body element 103 of the automobile by the fixing opening 44 independently of the filter sub-assembly 10.

[0067] Cover 40 is suitable for fixing the upper stopper assembly 100 to the vehicle body 103 of the vehicle. For this purpose, it is provided with a plurality of fixing interfaces distributed around the cover 40, which are three in this embodiment, but may be more or fewer. Each of these fixing interfaces includes an opening 44, which in this embodiment is a tapped hole that serves the functional role of a nut configured to receive a fixing screw, but may alternatively be a hole for receiving another fixing means, such as a rivet or a screw / nut assembly, as required. To firmly fix the fixing screw, the screw interface functioning as a nut is made of metal by inserts locally attached to each opening 44 of the plastic material of the cover 40.

[0068] The nut forming the fixing element is, in this embodiment, "T"-shaped in cross-section in order to maximize the structural strength of the nut embedded in the plastic material of the cover 40. Alternatively, a fixing element of another shape, such as a parallelepiped, can be envisaged.

[0069] Figures 3 to 10 show a second embodiment. This second embodiment essentially differs from the first embodiment in that the filter sub-assembly 10 comprises fixing means for fixing the cover 40 to the lower filter block support 30 in combination with the fixing of the filter sub-assembly 10 to the vehicle body element 103 of the motor vehicle. The filter block 20 is still preloaded here between the lower support 30 and the filter block cover 40.

[0070] In contrast, in the first embodiment, the cover 40 is fixed to the lower filter block support 30 independently of the filter sub-assembly 10 to the vehicle body element 103 by means of the opening 44.

[0071] In this second embodiment, the fixing opening 44 for directly or indirectly fixing the filter sub-assembly 10 to the vehicle body element 103 of the automobile is formed by the fixing opening 60 associated with the fixing flap 50 of the lower support 30. In this way, the fixing function is combined for a single opening, and the number of holes and fixing interfaces on the cover 40 is minimized.

[0072] In this embodiment, the vehicle body element 103 of the automobile to which the filter sub-assembly 10 is fixed has an annular portion 1031 that is tightly attached between the annular peripheral portion 42 of the cover 40 and the locking washer 90 in the axial direction. In such a configuration, the locking washer 90 is still above the cover 40 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, faces each of the holes 60 for fixing the cover 40, and has openings configured such that elastic locking means pass through each of them to lock the assembled position.

[0073] Figures 11 and 12 show a third embodiment. This third embodiment is basically different from the second embodiment in that the annular portion 1031 of the vehicle body element 103 to which the filter sub-assembly 10 is fixed has no opening and is simply fixed by being axially sandwiched between the annular peripheral portion 42 of the cover 40 and the locking washer 90.

[0074] The annular portion 1031 of the vehicle body element 103 is arranged radially outside with respect to the lower support 30. The centering of the annular portion 1031 with respect to the reference axis A1 is achieved by or adjusted in cooperation around the radially inner edge of the annular portion 1031 and the radially outer edge of a set of fixing flaps 50, and is ensured by a circular shape configured to form a support region circumscribing circles of complementary dimensions. Accordingly, the fixing flaps 50 are surrounded radially by the annular portion 1031 of the vehicle body element 103, and the annular portion 1031 of the vehicle body element 103 can abut against the fixing flaps 50 in the case of radial displacement, and thus can maintain coaxiality with the reference axis A1. It should be noted that the tapered portion of the cover 40 also provides a centering function within the vehicle body element 103.

[0075] Of course, the present invention has been described as an example above. It is understood that those skilled in the art can produce embodiments of various variants of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0076] For example, the shape of the notch may be various, for example, without changing its function.

[0077] All features as taught to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims, even if specifically described in relation to other specific features, can be combined individually or in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that it is not explicitly excluded and such combination is possible and not meaningless from the technical situation. This is emphasized.

Claims

1. A filter sub-assembly (10) for an upper stopper assembly (100) of an automotive suspension strut, - A filter block (20) made of an elastomer material, extending along a reference axis (A1), and having an interface (21) for fixing one end of a rod (102) of a shock absorber (106) of the suspension strut; - A lower support (30) of the filter block having an annular central portion (31) in contact with a lower surface (22) of the filter block (20) and through which an axial passage (33) for the end of the rod (102) of the shock absorber (106) passes, and an annular peripheral portion (32) surrounding the annular central portion (31); - A cover (40) of the filter block having a central portion (41) in contact with an upper surface (23) of the filter block (20), and a peripheral portion (42) surrounding the central portion (41) and in contact with the annular peripheral portion (32) of the lower support (30); The filter sub-assembly (10) comprising: The filter sub-assembly (10) further comprises a locking washer (90), a first element of the lower support (30) and the cover (40) being axially located between the locking washer (90) and a second element of the lower support (30) or the cover (40), flaps (50) and notches (96) being formed in the locking washer (90) and the second element, each of the fixing flaps (50) formed in a part of the locking washer (90) and the second element being associated with one of the notches (96) formed in another part of the locking washer (90) and the second element, The locking washer (90) is - Movable between a relative approaching position and a relative interpenetrating position by a relative translational movement between the locking washer (90) and the second element along the reference axis (A1) such that at the relative interpenetrating position each of the fixing flaps (50) enters the associated notch (96). ・Between the relative mutual entry position and the relative assembly position, each of the fixing flaps (50) is received in the circumferential extension of the associated notch (96) at the relative assembly position and axially abuts against the edge of the associated notch so as to be axially held in the circumferential extension, and it is movable by the relative rotational movement between the locking washer (90) centered on the reference axis (A1) and the second element. The filter sub-assembly (10) is characterized by this. **Claim 2** The second element is a metal part, preferably a pressed thin plate. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to claim 1 is characterized by this. **Claim 3** The locking washer (90) is a metal part, preferably a pressed thin plate. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this. **Claim 4** At least one of the fixing flaps (50) protrudes from the annular peripheral portion (32) of the second element. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized by this. **Claim 5** At least one of the notches (96) is formed in the locking washer (90). The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this. **Claim 6** The peripheral portion (42) of the first element is associated with each of the fixing flaps (50) of the second element and includes a fixing opening (60) through which the associated fixing flap (50) passes. The peripheral portion (42) of the first element is located axially between the annular peripheral portion (32) of the second element and the locking washer (90). The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is characterized by this. **Claim 7** The filter block (20) is preloaded between the lower support (30) and the cover (40) of the filter block. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is characterized by this. **Claim 8** The lower support (30) of the filter block is made of a single piece and metal. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is characterized by this. **Claim 9** The cover (40) of the filter block is made of a plastic material and has a reinforcing material or insert as required, the filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. Comprising means (59) for locking the relative assembly position with respect to rotation, the rotational locking means (59) preferably at least partially entering one of the notches (96) and locking the locking washer (90) in the relative assembly position with respect to rotation with respect to the second element. The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastic blade configured to

11. - A sliding bearing or rolling bearing (2) defining a rotation axis (A2); - The filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in direct or indirect contact with the bearing (2); An upper stopper assembly (100) for an automotive suspension strut (101), comprising

12. The cover (40) of the filter block has a peripheral portion (42) provided with fixing openings (60, 44) configured to fix the filter sub-assembly (10) to a vehicle body element (103) of the motor vehicle. The upper stopper assembly (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that

13. An annular portion (1031) of the vehicle body element (103) of the motor vehicle is axially between the annular peripheral portion (32) of the second element and the locking washer (90), preferably between the annular peripheral portion (42) of the first element and the locking washer (90), more preferably between the cover (40) and the locking washer (90). The upper stopper assembly (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it is tightly attached

14. An automotive suspension strut (101) comprising a coil spring (105), a telescopic shock absorber (106), and a shock damper (104), The suspension strut (101), further comprising the upper stopper assembly (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that

15. A method for assembling a filter sub-assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least: - A step of moving from the relative approaching position to the relative mutual entry position by a relative translational movement between the first element and the second element along the assembly axis (A1) in order to cause the fixing flap (50) to enter the associated notch (96), each of the notches (96) being associated with one of the first element and the second element and associated with one of the fixing flaps (50) firmly connected to the other of the first element and the second element; - A step of moving from the relative mutual entry position to the relative assembly position by a relative rotational movement between the first element and the second element about the assembly axis (A1) such that at the relative assembly position each of the fixing flaps (50) is received in a circumferential extension of the notch (96) associated with the relative mutual entry position and is axially held in the circumferential extension to fix the cover (40) of the filter block to the lower support (30); A method for assembling a filter sub-assembly (10) comprising the above.

16. The method for assembling a filter sub-assembly (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the final assembly of the filter sub-assembly (10) is carried out in association with the fixing of the filter sub-assembly (10) to the vehicle body element (103).

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