Suspension stop device
The suspension stop device with a built-in vibration-filtering element addresses the issue of vibration transmission from suspension springs, improving vehicle comfort by absorbing vibrations within a single-unit design.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Vibrations from suspension springs in motor vehicles are transmitted to the chassis, deteriorating vehicle comfort.
A suspension stop device with a vibration-filtering element integrated into the upper abutment cover, made of flexible material, which absorbs part of the suspension spring vibrations, and is fixed to the upper abutment cover without requiring additional installation steps.
The device effectively reduces the transmission of vibrations to the vehicle chassis, enhancing comfort by integrating a vibration-filtering element that is part of a single-unit design.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025085019_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 1 202400229
[0002] Suspension stop device
[0003] Technical field of the invention
[0004] The present invention relates to the field of suspension stop devices used in particular for motor vehicles in the suspension struts of the steering wheels.
[0005] Prior art
[0006] A suspension stop device generally comprises a bearing forming an axial stop and upper and lower covers forming a housing for the bearing rings and providing an interface between said rings and the surrounding components.
[0007] The suspension stop device is located in the upper part of the suspension strut between a suspension spring and an upper support cup or seat that comes into contact with a component of the vehicle chassis. The suspension spring is mounted around a shock absorber piston rod, the end of which is connected to the vehicle chassis. The suspension spring, which is of the coil spring type, bears axially, directly or indirectly, on the lower cover of the suspension stop device.
[0008] The suspension stop device transmits axial and radial forces between the suspension spring and the vehicle chassis while allowing relative rotational movement between the lower cover and the upper cover resulting from steering of the vehicle's wheels and / or compression of the suspension spring.
[0009] During operation, vibrations from the suspension spring are transmitted to the motor vehicle chassis via the upper cover, which is detrimental to vehicle comfort.
[0010] The present invention aims to remedy this disadvantage.
[0011] Summary of the invention
[0012] The invention relates to a suspension stop device comprising a lower support cover, an upper abutment cover and at least one bearing disposed between said covers.
[0013] The term "lower support cover" refers to the cover of the device with which the suspension spring is intended to come into direct or indirect contact.
[0014] The upper abutment cover is provided with an upper surface oriented axially on the side opposite the lower support cover.2 202400229
[0015] According to a general feature of the invention, the device further comprises a vibration-filtering element disposed on the upper abutment cover and provided with an upper surface oriented axially on the side opposite the lower support cover and the upper abutment cover. The vibration-filtering element is fixed to the upper abutment cover.
[0016] The filtering element makes it possible to absorb at least part of the suspension spring vibrations transmitted via the upper abutment cover to the motor vehicle chassis.
[0017] In addition, the vibration-filtering element is an integral part of the stop device, which means that no additional operation is required when installing the device in the suspension strut.
[0018] The stop device is designed as a single unit.
[0019] Preferably, the upper abutment cover is made of rigid material and the vibration-filtering element is made at least partly of flexible material.
[0020] The vibration-filtering element may be made entirely of flexible material. Alternatively, the vibration-filtering element may be made partly of flexible material and partly of rigid material.
[0021] In one embodiment, the vibration-filtering element is overmoulded onto the upper abutment cover. Alternatively, the vibration-filtering element may be attached to the upper abutment cover by any other suitable means, for example by gluing, bonding, clipping, etc.
[0022] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the upper abutment cover is provided with at least one radially extending groove, the interior of which accommodates a complementarily-shaped rib of the vibration-filtering element.
[0023] The upper surface of the upper abutment cover may be provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves, each of which houses a complementarily-shaped rib of the vibration-filtering element. The grooves are spaced apart in the circumferential direction in a regular or irregular manner.
[0024] The groove or grooves provided on the abutment cover serve to limit the risk of relative movement between the upper abutment cover and the vibration-filtering element in the circumferential direction during operation of the strut.
[0025] Alternatively or in combination, the upper surface of the upper abutment cover may be provided with at least one circumferential groove, the interior of3 202400229
[0026] which accommodates a complementarily-shaped bead of the vibration-filtering element.
[0027] The groove provided on the abutment cover limits the risk of relative movement between the upper abutment cover and the vibration-filtering element in the radial direction during operation of the strut.
[0028] The circumferential groove may be annular. Alternatively, the circumferential groove may extend over an angular sector of less than 360°.
[0029] The groove or grooves on the upper surface of the abutment cover may extend radially inwards from said circumferential groove.
[0030] Preferably, the vibration-filtering element comprises at least one radial portion disposed axially in abutment against the upper surface of the upper abutment cover.
[0031] According to a first design, the vibration-filtering element further comprises an axial skirt extending the radial portion axially on the side of the lower support cover and centring radially in the bore of the upper abutment cover.
[0032] According to a second alternative design, the vibration-filtering element consists solely of the radial portion.
[0033] The upper abutment cover may comprise at least one internal skirt extending inside the bore of the lower support cover.
[0034] The lower support cover may comprise an axial skirt which is provided with an axially oriented lower surface on the side opposite the upper abutment cover. Said lower surface and the upper surface of the upper abutment cover delimit the axial dimensions of said device.
[0035] In one embodiment, all or part of the surfaces of the upper abutment cover that are in contact with the vibration-filtering element may have an average surface roughness Ra of between 3 pm and 3.5 pm, and for example equal to 3.2 pm.
[0036] The upper surface of the upper abutment cover may comprise protrusions extending axially upwards. In this case, the upper surface of the abutment cover has a stepped shape and the axial dimensions of said device are defined between the lower surface of the axial skirt of the lower support cover and the part of the upper surface delimited by the end faces of the protrusions.4 202400229
[0037] According to one design, the upper surface of the vibration-filtering element extends radially. The upper surface is thus oriented perpendicular to the axis of said device.
[0038] According to an alternative design, the upper surface of the vibrationfiltering element is oriented perpendicularly to an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of said device.
[0039] The invention also relates to a suspension strut comprising a suspension spring and a suspension stop device as defined above, the suspension spring being axially supported directly or indirectly against the lower support cover of said device.
[0040] Brief description of the figures
[0041] The present invention will be better understood by studying the detailed description of an embodiment, taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the attached drawings, in which:
[0042] [Figure 1] is a perspective view of a suspension stop device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
[0043] [Figure 2] is a top view of the suspension stop device of Figure 1, [Figure 3] is a sectional view along axis III-III of Figure 2,
[0044] [Figure 4] is a perspective view of an upper cover and a vibration-filtering element of the suspension stop device of Figure 1, and
[0045] [Figure 5] is a perspective view of the vibration-filtering element of Figure 4.
[0046] Detailed description of the invention
[0047] The suspension stop device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is designed to be installed between an upper support cup or seat that comes into contact with a fixed chassis component of a motor vehicle and a suspension coil spring. In Figures 1 and 3, the device 10 is shown in a hypothetical vertical position.
[0048] The device 10, with axis 12, comprises an upper abutment cover 14, a lower support cover 16 and a bearing 18 interposed axially between said5 202400229
[0049] covers. In the example illustrated, the covers 14, 16 are mounted in direct contact with the bearing 18 without the interposition of an intermediate element. Alternatively, the covers 14, 16 may be mounted in indirect contact with the bearing 18 with an intermediate element interposed between them.
[0050] As will be described in more detail below, the suspension stop device 10 also comprises a vibration-filtering element 20 disposed on the upper abutment cover 14. The filtering element 20 is separate from the upper abutment cover 14. The filtering element 20 is intended to face the upper support seat of the suspension strut.
[0051] The upper abutment cover 14 is made of rigid material. The abutment cover 14 may consist of a single piece, for example made of plastic, such as polyamide PA 6, which may or may not be reinforced with glass fibres.
[0052] The abutment cover 14, with axis 12, comprises a radial portion 14a, an internal annular axial skirt 14b, and an external annular axial skirt 14c radially surrounding the internal skirt. The radial portion 14a has an annular upper surface 21 and an opposite lower surface 22 in contact with the bearing 18. The upper surface 21 and lower surface 22 define the thickness of the radial portion 14a. In the example shown, the radial portion 14a has a stepped shape. The upper surface 21 forms the upper surface of the abutment cover 14. The upper surface 21 is oriented axially on the side opposite the lower support cover 16. The upper surface 21 is continuous in the circumferential direction.
[0053] The outer skirt 14c of the abutment cover radially surrounds part of the lower support cover 16. The outer skirt 14c extends axially. The outer skirt 14c extends axially from the radial portion 14a. In the illustrated example, the outer skirt 14c extends a large-diameter edge of the radial portion 14a.
[0054] The inner skirt 14b of the abutment cover extends inside the bore of the lower support cover 16. The inner and outer skirts 14b, 14c extend axially downward from the radial portion 14a. The inner skirt 14b extends from a small diameter edge of the radial portion 14a.
[0055] The upper abutment cover 14 further comprises a plurality of internal hooks 14d disposed on the inner skirt 14b and extending radially outward toward the lower support cover 16. In the illustrated example, the hooks 14d are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide a single annular hook.6 202400229
[0056] The bearing 18 is located entirely radially between the skirts 14b, 14c of the upper abutment cover 14. The bearing 18 comprises an upper ring 24 in contact with the upper abutment cover 14, a lower ring 26 in contact with the lower support cover 16, and a row of rolling elements 28, in this case balls, arranged between the raceways formed on the rings. In the example shown, the bearing 18 is of the angular contact type. The upper ring 24 is in contact with the lower surface 22 of the radial portion 14a of the upper abutment cover. The lower ring 26 is in contact with an upper surface of the lower support cover 16.
[0057] The lower support cover 16 is made of rigid material. The support cover 16 here consists of a single-piece body, for example made of plastic, such as polyamide PA 6, which may or may not be reinforced with glass fibres.
[0058] The support cover 16, with axis 12, comprises a radial annular portion 30 in the form of a plate against which the lower bearing ring 26 is in contact, and an axial annular skirt 32 which extends from a small-diameter edge of the radial portion 30.
[0059] The skirt 32 extends axially opposite the upper abutment cover 14 and the bearing 18. The skirt 32 allows the suspension spring to be centred. The suspension spring is designed to bear axially directly against the radial portion 30, or alternatively indirectly against the radial portion 30 with a filtering element interposed.
[0060] The skirt 32 is provided with a lower surface 32a oriented axially on the side opposite the abutment cover. The lower surface 32a is annular. The lower surface 32a forms the lower surface of the support cover 16.
[0061] The support cover 16 further comprises a plurality of internal hooks (not referenced) provided on the skirt 32, extending radially inwards towards the upper abutment cover 14 and designed to cooperate with the hooks 14d of the upper abutment cover.
[0062] As previously indicated, the filtering element 20 is disposed on the upper abutment cover 14. The filtering element 20 is disposed axially in abutment against the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover. The filtering element 20 is radially centred in the bore of the abutment cover 14. More precisely, the filtering element 20 is radially centred in the part of the bore of the abutment cover 14 that is formed by the radial portion 14a.7 202400229
[0063] The filtering element 20 is fixed to the abutment cover. Advantageously, the filtering element 20 is fixed to the abutment cover by overmoulding.
[0064] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the filtering element 20 comprises an annular radial portion 36 in the form of a plate and axially supported against the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover, and an annular axial skirt 38 which extends from a small-diameter edge of the radial portion 36. The skirt 38 extends axially on the side of the upper abutment cover 14. The skirt 38 allows the radial centring of the filtering element 20 in the bore of the abutment cover 14. The skirt 38 is in radial contact with the bore of the abutment cover 14.
[0065] The radial portion 36 has an annular upper surface 37 and an opposite annular lower surface 39 in contact with the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover. The upper surface 37 and lower surface 39 define the thickness of the radial portion 36. The upper surface 37 forms the upper surface of the filtering element 20. The upper surface 37 is oriented axially on the side opposite the support cover 16 and the abutment cover 14. The upper surface 37 is continuous in the circumferential direction. The upper surface 37 of the filtering element and the lower surface 32a of the support cover define the axial dimensions of the device.
[0066] The filtering element 20 comprises an annular bead 40 extending from the radial portion 36. The bead 40 extends protruding from the lower surface 39. The bead 40 is housed inside an annular groove 42 formed on the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover. The groove 42 is oriented axially upwards, i.e. away from the support cover 16. The bead 40 is complementary in shape to the groove 42. The bead 40 is formed during the overmoulding of the filtering element 20 onto the support cover 16.
[0067] As more clearly illustrated in Figure 5, the vibration-filtering element 20 also comprises a plurality of outwardly extending external ribs 44. The external ribs 44 extend from the outer surface of the radial portion 36 and the skirt 38 of the filtering element. Each rib 44 thus has a radial portion extending along the radial portion 36, an axial portion extending along the skirt 38, and a curved portion connecting the radial and axial portions.
[0068] The outer ribs 44 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, in this case in a regular manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the8 202400229
[0069] outer ribs 44 extend from the bead 40 to the free end of the skirt 38. The outer ribs 44 are identical to each other in this case.
[0070] Each external rib 44 of the filtering element is housed inside a groove 46 (Figure 4) formed on the abutment cover 14. Each rib 44 is complementary in shape to the associated groove 46. Each groove 46 extends radially along the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover and axially along the bore of the abutment cover 14. In other words, each groove 46 has a radial portion extending along the upper surface 21 of the abutment cover, an axial portion extending along the bore of the abutment cover 14, and a curved portion connecting the radial and axial portions. Alternatively, each groove 46 could comprise only the radial portion. Each groove 46 extends inwardly from the annular groove 42. The ribs 44 of the filtering element are formed when said element is overmoulded onto the support cover 16.
[0071] The filtering element 20 also comprises a plurality of internal reinforcement ribs 48 extending inwardly. The internal ribs 48 extend inwardly from the bore of the skirt 38. The internal ribs 48 extend axially along the skirt 38. The internal ribs 48 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, in this case in a regular manner.
[0072] The filtering element 20 is preferably made in one piece. The filtering element 20 is made of flexible material. For example, the filtering element 20 may be made of a synthetic material such as SEBS, or an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, latex, butyl, EPDM, nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, etc.
[0073] In the illustrated example, the device comprises an angular contact ball bearing with a single row of balls. The device may comprise other types of ball bearings, for example a four-point contact bearing and / or a bearing with at least two rows of balls. The rolling bearing may comprise other types of rolling elements, for example rollers. In another variant, the bearing of the device may comprise a plain bearing without rolling elements and equipped with one or more rings.
Claims
9 202400229Claims1. Suspension stop device comprising a lower support cover (16), an upper abutment cover (14) and at least one bearing (18) disposed between said covers, the upper abutment cover (14) being provided with an upper surface (21) oriented axially on the side opposite the lower support cover (16), characterized in that the device further comprises a vibration-filtering element (20) axially supported against the upper surface (21) of the upper abutment cover and provided with an upper surface (37) oriented axially on the side opposite the lower support cover (16) and the upper abutment cover (14), the vibration-filtering element (20) being fixed to the upper abutment cover (14).
2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the upper abutment cover (14) is made of rigid material and the vibration-filtering element (20) is made at least partly of flexible material.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration-filtering element (20) is overmoulded onto the upper abutment cover (14).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (21) of the upper abutment cover is provided with at least one radially extending groove (46), the interior of which accommodates a complementarily-shaped rib (44) of the vibration-filtering element (20).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upper surface (21) of the upper abutment cover is provided with at least one circumferential groove (42), the interior of which accommodates a complementarily-shaped bead (38) of the vibration-filtering element (20).
6. Device according to Claim 5 dependent on Claim 4, wherein said groove (46) of the upper abutment cover extends inwardly from said circumferential groove (42).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibration-filtering element (20) comprises at least one radial portion (36) axially in abutment against the upper surface (21) of the upper abutment cover.
8. Device according to Claim 7, wherein the vibration-filtering element (20) further comprises an axial skirt (38) extending the radial portion10 202400229(36) axially on the side of the lower support cover (16) and centring radially in the bore of the upper abutment cover (14).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper abutment cover (14) comprises at least one inner skirt (14b) extending inside the bore of the lower support cover (16).
10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower support cover (16) comprises an axial skirt (32) which is provided with a lower surface (32a) oriented axially on the side opposite the upper abutment cover (14), said lower surface (32a) and the upper surface (37) of the vibrationfiltering element (20) defining the axial dimensions of said device.