Patent Application
20200114716
The invention relates to a multipoint control arm with a metallic base body, which has three or at least three joint holding openings and a plurality of joints, each seated in one of the joint holding openings, wherein one or at least a first one of the joints comprises in particular a joint housing seated in a corresponding joint holding opening, and an inner joint portion which is fitted and able to move, preferably being fitted in the joint housing and extending out of the latter. In addition the invention relates to a method for producing a multipoint control arm of this type.
In the wheel suspension of motor vehicles in particular, three-point (3-point) control arms are used. In serial applications, for example the 3-point control arms listed below are known:
a) control arms with housings made of cast-iron, steel or aluminum (produced by casting or forging);
b) control arms made of one-piece or multi-component sheet parts (welded designs);
c) hybrid control arms with a single shell-like sheet having injection-molded stiffeners/ribs of plastic.
The following work steps in particular are regarded as complicated and therefore disadvantageous for the production of 3-point control arms:
Starting from there the purpose of the present invention, in the case of a multipoint control arm of the type mentioned to begin with, is to be able to avoid one or more of the aforesaid disadvantages.
This objective is achieved by a multi-point control arm and method according to the independent claim(s). Preferred further developments of the multipoint control arm and of the method are indicated in the description that follows.
The multipoint control arm mentioned at the beginning, with a metallic base body, has three or at least three joint holding openings and a plurality of joints, each of which is seated in one of the joint holding openings, wherein one or at least a first one of the joints comprises an inner joint portion. In particular one or at least a first one of the joints has a joint housing inserted into a corresponding joint holding opening. The inner joint portion is in particular fitted and able to move in the joint housing. Preferably, the inner joint portion extends out of the joint housing. In particular, the multipoint control arm also has a casing body that consists of fiber-reinforced plastic,
A control arm body of the multipoint control arm is preferably formed by the casing body and the base body embedded therein. The external design and/or the external appearance of the control arm body is in particular determined by the external design and/or by the external appearance of the casing body, which is or will be preferably produced by the injection-molding process. Accordingly, the external design and/or the external appearance of the control arm body can for example be predetermined or produced by an injection-molding die. Thus, in particular there is no need for any mechanical (finish-)machining of the control arm housing. Moreover, the joint housing can be embedded in the casing body and thereby secured therein, in particular with interlock. Thus, for example, a welding connection between the joint housing and the metallic base body for attaching the joint housing to the base body can be dispensed with. Preferably, the casing body also serves to protect the surface of the metallic base body. Thus, for example, there is no need to apply any additional surface protection to the metallic base body.
Alternatively, a joint housing can be formed by the casing body. This obviates the need for a separate joint housing. Instead, the joint housing is an integral or one-piece part of the casing body.
Furthermore, the possibility exists of functional integration. For example, a connection point for a sealing bellows of the first joint is or will be formed by the casing body. Such a connection point comprises for example an annular groove provided in the casing body, preferably around the joint housing and/or the inner joint portion. Preferably, the control arm body and/or the casing body has stiffening ribs, preferably on its/their outer surface, which in particular are or will be formed by the casing body and/or by the fiber-reinforced plastic. Advantageously, particularly during the production of the casing body, one or more electric or electronic assemblies and/or one or more electric conductors and/or one or more sensors, such as one or more height measurement sensors, are or will be embedded and/or integrated in the casing body. Preferably, particularly during the production of the casing body, one or more cable holders are or will be provided on the casing body, preferably injection-molded in place.
According to a further development, the joint holding opening associated with the first joint is or will be formed by a hole in the base body or by a recess provided in the base body. In particular, the joint housing of the first joint is inserted into this hole or recess, and/or press-fitted into it. The hole is for example a through-going hole.
In one embodiment the inner joint portion comprises a bearing area by virtue of which the inner joint portion is mounted in the joint housing. The bearing area is preferably spherical. Preferably, the first joint is or forms a ball joint or a ball sleeve joint. For example, the inner joint portion is or forms a ball stud, a ball component or a ball sleeve. Advantageously, associated with the inner joint portion there is an inner joint portion axis. Preferably, relative to the inner joint portion axis the inner joint portion is rotation-symmetrical or substantially so. Advantageously, the mid-point of the bearing area lies on the inner joint portion axis. Preferably, the inner joint portion is made of metal, in particular a ferrous material such as steel,
The inner joint portion is preferably fitted so that it can move by sliding in the joint housing. According to a further development the inner joint portion is fitted into the joint housing, preferably with its bearing area and with a bearing shell interposed, so that it can move and/or slide. Advantageously, with its bearing area the inner joint portion is fitted into the bearing shell, in particular so that it can slide. Preferably the bearing shell is made of plastic, in particular a thermoplastic material. For example the bearing shell consists of polyoxymethylene (POM), polyimide (PA) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The bearing shell is for example a spherical shell.
The joint housing preferably comprises one, or at least one housing opening through which the inner joint portion extends out of the joint housing. The joint opening is for example also called the stud opening, particularly when the inner joint portion is in the form of a ball stud. Preferably, the connection point for the sealing bellows and/or the annular groove is provided in the area of the housing opening. Advantageously, a joint housing axis is associated with the joint housing. Preferably, relative to the joint housing axis the joint housing is rotationally-symmetrical, or substantially so. Preferably, the mid-point of the bearing area lies on the joint housing axis. Advantageously, the joint housing axis extends through the housing opening, in particular centrally. The joint housing is preferably made of plastic or metal, in particular aluminum, magnesium or a ferrous material such as steel.
Advantageously, the joint housing is or will be partially or only partially embedded in the casing body. In particular, in the area of the housing opening the joint housing is clear of the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic. Preferably, in the area of the housing opening the joint housing is clear of the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic. Advantageously, the inner joint portion extends out of casing body. In particular, preferably by virtue of embedding the joint housing in the casing body the joint housing is or will be connected to the casing body and/or to the fiber-reinforced plastic with interlock and/or in a materially-merged manner.
The metallic base body preferably is or forms an integral and/or one-piece and/or monolithic and/or material-homogeneous component. Preferably the metallic base body is made from sheet-metal. For example, the metallic base body consists of a ferrous material such as steel. The casing body and the metallic base body embedded in the casing body, together, form in particular the, or a, control arm body. Preferably, the metallic base body is embedded completely in the casing body and/or in the fiber-reinforced plastic. The control arm body is also called, for example, the control arm housing.
The casing body is in particular made by injection molding and/or by the injection-molding process. Preferably, the casing body is an injection-molded component. For example, the metallic base body and the joint housing have or will have the fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded around them. Preferably, the fiber-reinforced plastic is or will be injection-molded completely around the metallic base body. Advantageously, the fiber-reinforced plastic is or will be injection-molded partially, or only partially around the joint housing. In particular the housing opening is or will remain clear of the fiber-reinforced plastic. Preferably, by virtue of the injection-molding with fiber-reinforced plastic the joint housing is or will be connected with interlock and/or in a material-merged manner with the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic.
The fiber-reinforced plastic comprises in particular a plastic matrix with fibers embedded in it. The fibers are or include in particular short fibers and/or long fibers. Short fibers have for example a length of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. Long fibers have for example a length of 1 mm to 50 mm. Preferably the fibers are or include glass fibers and/or carbon fibers and/or aramide fibers. The plastic matrix consists for example of a thermoplastic or duroplastic plastic or a synthetic resin. Preferably the fiber-reinforced plastic is a thermoplast mixed with short and/or long fibers. In particular the plastic matrix and/or thermoplast consists of a preferably partially crystalline polyamide (PA). Preferably the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic surrounds and/or encircles and/or encloses the joints or the other joints and/or the joint holding openings associated with the joints or the other joints. Moreover, the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic is for example electrically insulating. This makes sense particularly when electric or electronic assemblies and/or sensors are integrated in the casing body and/or in the fiber-reinforced plastic.
In an embodiment the other joints, or two or at least two of the other joints or another two or at least another two of the joints, are or will in particular be in the form of rubber mountings, sleeve joints or ball sleeve joints. Preferably, the joints in the form of rubber mountings will in each case comprise an elastomeric mounting body and an inner mounting component, which is preferably—in particular at least partially—surrounded by the, or the respective elastomeric mounting body. Advantageously, the rubber mountings have in each case an outer sleeve that surrounds the, or the respective mounting body and/or the, or the respective inner mounting component. In particular, the inner joint component of each rubber mounting is connected to the, or the respective outer sleeve by way of the, or the respective elastomeric mounting body. Advantageously, the elastomeric mounting body of each rubber mounting is arranged between the, or the respective inner component and the, or the respective outer sleeve. Preferably, an inner mounting component axis is associated with the inner component of each rubber mounting. In particular, relative to the, or the respective inner mounting component axis the, or the respective inner mounting component of each rubber mounting is rotation-symmetrical or substantially rotation-symmetrical. Preferably, an outer sleeve axis is associated with the outer sleeve of each rubber mounting. In particular, relative to the, or the respective outer sleeve axis the outer sleeve of each rubber mounting is rotation-symmetrical or substantially so. For example, the outer sleeve of each rubber mounting is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. Preferably, the inner mounting component of each rubber mounting is made of metal, in particular a ferrous material such as steel. Preferably, the outer sleeve of each rubber mounting is made of plastic or metal, for example aluminum, magnesium or a ferrous material such as steel. Preferably, the casing body and/or the fiber-reinforced plastic surrounds and/or encircles and/or encloses the rubber mounting(s) and/or the joint holding opening(s) associated with the rubber mounting(s). As an alternative, the above-mentioned further developments for rubber mountings can also be used as further developments of sleeve joints or ball sleeve joints used instead of rubber mountings.
The multipoint control arm preferably is or forms a three-point (3-point) control arm. In particular, the multipoint control arm and/or the control arm body and/or the metallic base body and/or the casing body, preferably in each case, is/are designed mirror-symmetrically or substantially mirror-symmetrically relative to a central plane of the control arm. Advantageously, the joint housing axis lies in the central plane of the control arm. Preferably, the inner joint portion axes and/or the outer casing axes extend perpendicularly to the central plane of the control arm. For example, the outer casing axes coincide and/or the outer casing axes lie, for example, on a common line.
According to a further development, the multipoint control arm and/or the control arm body and/or the metallic base body and/or the casing body, preferably in each case, have two arms which, particularly preferably, each merge into one another in a transition zone in which the first joint and/or the joint holding opening is or will be provided. At the free ends of the arms facing away from the, or the respective transition zone, preferably the other joints and/or the rubber mountings and/or the joint holding openings associated with the other joints and/or rubber mountings are or will be provided.
In an embodiment the joint holding openings associated with the other joints and/or rubber mountings are or will in each case be formed, respectively, by one or more ring bodies in which, preferably, the corresponding other joint and/or the corresponding rubber mounting is held. For example the ring body, or the more than one ring bodies, are or will be formed or composed of two half-rings which, in particular along a line passing through the mid-point of the half-rings, are offset relative to one another. In addition or alternatively, the ring bodies of the respective joint holding openings are offset relative to one another, for example along a line passing through the mid-point of the ring bodies.
Preferably each rubber mounting is or will be inserted and/or pressed into the corresponding joint holding opening, in particular with its outer casing and/or its elastomeric mounting body. Advantageously each rubber mounting, in particular by way of its elastomeric mounting body or its outer casing, is connected to the casing body in a material-merged manner.
The multipoint control arm is or will preferably be provided for a wheel suspension of a vehicle which is in particular a motor vehicle, for example a passenger car. Advantageously, the multipoint control arm is or will be built into the, or into a wheel suspension of the, or of a vehicle. Preferably, the inner joint portion of the first joint is or will be connected to a wheel carrier or stub axle of the, or of a vehicle. Advantageously, the multipoint control arm and/or the control arm body is connected by way of the other joints and/or by way of the rubber mountings to a vehicle body and/or an axle carrier and/or a subframe of the, or of a vehicle. In particular the inner mounting portions of the rubber mountings are or will be connected to the, or to a vehicle body and/or to the, or an axle carrier and/or to the, or a subframe of the, or a vehicle.
Furthermore, the invention relates in particular to a method for producing the multipoint control arm described above, wherein:
The method can be developed further in accordance with all the design features described in connection with the multipoint control arm. Furthermore, the multipoint control arm can be developed further in accordance with all the features explained in connection with the method. For example, the primary joint production step and the secondary joint production step can be combined in a single joint production step in which the joints are made.
The injection-molding, particularly in the embedding step, preferably takes place by or in an injection-molding process. Preferably the injection-molding, particularly during the embedding step, is carried out in an injection-molding die. Advantageously, particularly in the secondary joint insertion step, the other joints are pressed into the (or their) appropriate joint holding openings and/or into the other joint holding openings.
According to a first alternative the secondary joint insertion step takes place before the embedding step and/or the embedding step comes after the secondary joint insertion step. Thus, preferably, particularly in the embedding step the other joints have the fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded around them together with the base body and the joint housing of the first joint.
In a second alternative, the secondary joint insertion step comes after the embedding step and/or the embedding step takes place before the secondary joint insertion step.
Preferably, the first joint is the, or is a ball joint. Preferably, the other joints are rubber mountings. For example the other joints each form a rubber mounting or one of the rubber mountings. Alternatively the other joints can be in the form of sleeve joints or ball sleeve joints.
Alternatively, the invention relates to a method for producing the above-described multipoint control arm, in which:
This method can be developed further in accordance with all the embodiments explained earlier.
Preferably, in a secondary joint insertion step that comes after the secondary joint production step and the base body production step, the other joints are inserted each into another of the joint holding openings.
Below, the invention is described with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which show:
The base body 6 has two base body arms 8 and 9 which merge into one another in a base body transition zone 10. In addition the base body 6 has three joint holding openings 11, 12 and 13, the joint holding opening 11 being in the form of a through-hole provided in the base body transition zone 10. The joint holding openings 12 and 13 are provided at the free ends of the base body arms 8 and 9 remote from the base body transition zone 10 and are each formed by a ring body 14 and 15 respectively, each ring body being formed of two half-rings 16 and 17 which, along a line 18 passing through their mid-point, are offset relative to one another. Moreover, the base body 6 is formed mirror-symmetrically relative to a central plane 33 of the control arm that passes through the mid-point M of the joint holding opening 11 and extends perpendicularly to the line 18, as illustrated only schematically.
The ball joint 3 is inserted into the joint holding opening 11 of the base body 6, as can be seen in
After that, the rubber mountings 4 and 5 are inserted into the joint holding openings 12 and 13, the rubber mountings in each case comprising an inner mounting portion 22, an outer sleeve 23 surrounding the inner mounting portion 22 and, between the inner mounting portion 22 and the outer sleeve 23 an elastomeric mounting body 24, by means of which the inner mounting portion 22 is connected to the outer sleeve 23. The rubber mountings 4 and 5 with their outer sleeves 23 are in each case press-fitted into the respective joint holding openings 12 or 13. Finally, a sealing bellows 25 too is fitted onto the ball joint 3.
From
The base body 6 has two base body arms 8 and 9, which merge into one another in a base body transition zone 10. In addition the base body 6 has three joint holding openings 11, 12 and 13, of which the joint holding opening 11 is provided in the form of a through-hole in the base body transition zone 10. The joint holding openings 12 and 13 are provided, respectively, at the free ends of the base body arms 8 and 9 remote from the base body transition zone 10 and are in each case formed by ring bodies 30 and 31 which, along a line 18 passing through their mid-points, are offset relative to one another. Moreover, relative to a central plane 33 of the control arm that passes through the mid-point M of the joint holding opening 11 and is perpendicular to the line 18, the base body 6 is mirror-symmetrically formed as is illustrated only schematically.
The ball joint 3 is inserted into the joint holding opening 11 of the base body 6, as shown in
Thereafter, the rubber mountings 4 and 5 are inserted into the joint holding openings 12 and 13 of the base body 6, as shown in
Then the assembly 32 so formed is placed in an injection-molding die and the fiber-reinforced plastic is injected around it; after this has hardened or set, it forms the casing body 7. Finally, a sealing bellows 25 is also fitted onto the ball joint 3,
From
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2017 207 144.3 | Apr 2017 | DE | national |
This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/EP2018/057697 filed Mar. 27, 2018, which claims priority from German patent application serial no. 10 2017 207 144.3 filed Apr. 27, 2017.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/057697 | 3/27/2018 | WO | 00 |
