DE102021125025A1 - handlebars for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control arm (1) for a vehicle, made from formed sheet metal, with a first bearing mount (2) which extends as a recess in the sheet metal along a z-axis, perpendicular to the z-axis and in the direction of a second bearing mount (3) of the link (1), an x-axis is defined and a y-axis is defined perpendicular to the z-axis and perpendicular to the x-axis, the sheet metal having at least one main surface (4) which is defined by the recess of the first bearing seat (2) and has at least two opposite side surfaces (5), which are each angled towards the main surface (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a link used in a chassis of a vehicle. The handlebar is made from a formed sheet metal. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing the control arm from sheet metal.

Due to the installation space situation, straight handlebars cannot always be installed in vehicles. For this reason, forged links are often used, which can be manufactured with a correspondingly complex geometry. However, these are relatively complex to manufacture and correspondingly expensive. Sheet metal handlebars are used as an alternative to forged handlebars. These are easy and inexpensive to manufacture; However, their shape is not as flexible as forged handlebars. A previously known sheet metal handlebar shows, for example DE 10 2008 045 949 A1 .

It is the object of the present invention to specify a control arm for a vehicle which, with simple production and low weight, enables the most flexible possible design. Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to specify a corresponding method for producing such a link.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention shows a handlebar for a vehicle. The handlebar is formed from a formed sheet metal and can therefore also be referred to as a sheet metal handlebar. The link is used in the chassis of the vehicle, for example as a wishbone or trailing arm. The vehicle is in particular a motor-driven, two-track vehicle, for example a passenger car.

The handlebar is formed from a formed sheet metal. In particular, only one sheet metal is used to form the handlebar, so that the handlebar can be manufactured from one part. The handlebar has two bearing mounts. Corresponding bearings can be arranged in these two bearing mounts. In particular, these are rubber bearings. Each bearing seat is formed by a recess formed by one or more aligned holes in the sheet metal.

The following coordinate system is defined on the first bearing mount: The recess for forming the first bearing mount extends along a z-axis. Accordingly, the bearing is inserted into the recess of the first bearing mount along the z-axis. An x-axis and a y-axis each extend perpendicularly to the z-axis. The x-axis extends from the first bearing mount in the direction of the second bearing mount and thus essentially along the longitudinal direction of the link.

In particular, it is provided that the two recesses of the two bearing mounts extend parallel with their respective z-axes.

To form the link, the metal sheet is formed in such a way that it has at least one main surface and at least two opposite side surfaces. The at least one main surface is characterized in that it is penetrated by the recess of the first bearing mount. In particular, the recess of the second bearing mount also penetrates the at least one main surface. If several main areas are used, all main areas are interspersed with the respective recording. If several main surfaces are used, they are preferably parallel to one another. The at least two opposite side surfaces are angled towards the main surface. Particularly preferably, the side faces are each at 90° to the main faces.

A bending axis is preferably defined between the two bearing mounts. This bending axis has at least one directional vector that is parallel to the y-axis. In particular, the largest direction vector of the bending axis is parallel to the y-axis. The entire bending axis is particularly preferably parallel to the y-axis. The handlebar is preferably bent around this bending axis. As will be explained further within the scope of the method, this bending takes place after the at least one main surface and the side surfaces have been shaped. In order to avoid buckling when bending about the bending axis, a filling is arranged inside the link, preferably between at least two main surfaces. This filling can also be referred to as a space buffer. The filling can be an inlaid or injected material. After bending around the bending axis, the filling can remain in the handlebar, improving both the stability and the acoustic properties of the handlebar.

If the filling is not necessary for bending around the bending axis, this can optionally also be introduced after bending, in particular by injection. This does not result in the positive properties of the filling when bending, but when using the handlebars in terms of stability and/or acoustic properties.

According to one embodiment, the link has exactly one main surface and two side surfaces. This results in a C-shaped cross-section of the handlebar. The handlebar can be manufactured as a deep-drawn part. In the area of at least one of the two bearing mounts, the link preferably has an end face that connects both the side faces and the main face to one another. Such an end face is possible in the case of one-piece production, in particular by deep-drawing the handlebar.

• Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Variante umfasst der Lenker genau zwei Hauptflächen und zwei Seitenflächen. Die beiden Seitenflächen befinden sich jeweils zwischen den beiden Hauptflächen. Die Hauptflächen sind vorzugsweise parallel zueinander angeordnet. Vorzugsweise sind auch die Seitenflächen parallel zueinander angeordnet. Wie bereits beschrieben, durchsetzt jede Ausnehmung der Lageraufnahmen beide Hauptflächen.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the handlebar has several main surfaces and is preferably manufactured by bending or folding the metal sheet:

• According to an advantageous variant, the link has exactly two main surfaces and two lateral surfaces. The two side surfaces are each located between the two main surfaces. The main surfaces are preferably arranged parallel to one another. The side surfaces are preferably also arranged parallel to one another. As already described, each recess of the bearing mounts penetrates both main surfaces.

Bending the sheet metal to the two main surfaces and the two side surfaces results in a parting line where the ends of the sheet metal abut or overlap. In particular, it is provided that - to simplify production - the sheet metal is not joined at this parting line; So, for example, no weld is provided here. The dividing line can lie between a main surface and an adjacent side surface or else in a main surface or in a side surface.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the metal sheet is formed into at least three main surfaces. This results in a very stable configuration of the link and in particular also in a stable mounting of the bearings, since each bearing mounting is thus formed in at least three main surfaces.

The at least three main surfaces are preferably spaced apart from one another by side surfaces, resulting in corresponding cavities in the handlebar. With three main surfaces, there are in particular two cavities.

Provision is preferably made for the at least three main surfaces to be bent in the same direction, the bending direction of the main surface, relative to the adjacent side surface, so that a first main surface is surrounded on both sides by two subsequent main surfaces. This results in a spiral structure when considering the cross section of the link, which can also be referred to as multiple nesting.

The invention also includes a chassis of a vehicle in which at least one of the above-described links is installed. In the handlebar there are in particular two rubber bearings in the two bearing mounts.

Furthermore, the present invention includes a method for producing a control arm for a vehicle. This is in particular the handlebar described above. In the method, a metal sheet is formed into a handlebar. The link has a first bearing mount, which extends as a recess in the sheet metal along a z-axis, an x-axis being defined perpendicular to the z-axis and in the direction of a second bearing mount of the link, and being perpendicular to the z-axis and perpendicular a y-axis is defined for the x-axis. As a result of the forming, the metal sheet has at least one main surface through which the recess of the first bearing seat passes and at least two opposite side surfaces which are each angled towards the main surface.

The sheet metal is particularly preferably formed into a plurality of main surfaces, as described above. In particular, the metal sheet is formed into two main surfaces and two side surfaces or into at least three main surfaces. As previously described, each main surface is penetrated by the recess of each bearing seat.

In particular, it is provided that the metal sheet is bent around the bending axis only after all main surfaces and side surfaces have been formed. As described above, the bending axis has a directional vector, in particular the largest directional vector, parallel to the y-axis. The bending axis is particularly preferably parallel to the y-axis.

Before bending about the bending axis, the filling, in particular the installation space buffer, is preferably arranged in the link.

The holes in the sheet metal to form the recesses of the bearing seats are preferably formed in the sheet metal prior to forming the major and side surfaces. In particular, when these holes are formed, the sheet metal is deformed, resulting in a collar around the hole that is advantageously suitable for supporting the bearing.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Lenkers gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 2 eine Schnittansicht zu 1,
• 3 eine weitere Schnittansicht zu 1,
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Lenkers gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 5 und 6 Varianten zu 4 und
• 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Lenkers gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention result from the following description and the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a handlebar according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 2 a sectional view 1 ,
• 3 another sectional view 1 ,
• 4 a perspective view of the handlebar according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
• 5 and 6 variants too 4 and
• 7 a perspective view of the handlebar according to the invention according to a third embodiment.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of a link 1 are based on the 1 until 7 explained in detail. The link 1 is used in the chassis of a vehicle, for example as a trailing link or wishbone.

The link 1 has a first bearing mount 2 and a second bearing mount 3 . The bearing mounts 2, 3 are formed by corresponding recesses that extend along a z-axis. An x-axis is defined from the first bearing mount 2 to the second bearing mount 3 . The y-axis is perpendicular to the z-axis and the x-axis.

How 1 and associated section in 2 illustrate, the handlebar 1 is formed by forming, in particular bending, a sheet metal. The metal sheet is shaped in such a way that the handlebar has three main surfaces 4 and three side surfaces 5 in the first exemplary embodiment. The three main surfaces 4', 4'' and 4''' are each bent in the same direction (relative to the adjacent side surface 5), so that the inner main surface 4' is separated from the two following main surfaces 4'', 4''' on both sides is surrounded.

The three main surfaces 4 and the three side surfaces 5 are each parallel to one another. At the transition from a main surface 4 to the adjacent side surfaces 5, the metal sheet is bent by about 90°.

Furthermore, the 1 and 2 that before forming the main faces 4 and side faces 5 corresponding holes were formed in the sheet metal. Three holes are provided per bearing mount 2, 3, so that each bearing mount 2, 3 is formed by three holes and thus each bearing is also supported by three main surfaces 4.

1 shows a bending axis 9 which is parallel to the y-axis. The link 1 is bent about this bending axis 9 and can therefore be flexibly adapted in its shape to the requirements of the respective chassis.

3 shows in a sectional view that inside the handlebar 1 at least one filling 6 can be arranged as a space buffer. Such a filling 6 is possible in all exemplary embodiments. The filling 6 prevents the handlebar 1 from buckling, particularly when bending about the bending axis 9. After manufacture, the filling 9 can remain in the handlebar 1, as was explained in the general part of the description.

4 shows the handlebar 1 according to a second embodiment. Here, the link 1 is formed into two parallel main faces 4 and two parallel side faces 5 . Again, the respective bearing mount 2, 3 penetrates all main surfaces 4, so that each bearing is supported by two main surfaces 4.

4 shows a dividing line 7 between a side surface 5 and a main surface 4. In particular, it is provided that the link 1 is not joined at this dividing line 7 in order to keep production as simple as possible.

5 makes it clear that the dividing line 7 can also lie in a side surface 5 . According to 6 the dividing line 7 can also lie in a main surface 4 .

In the second embodiment according to 4 until 6 can also fill 6 (see 3 ) apply.

7 illustrates the link 1 according to a third embodiment. In this third exemplary embodiment, the link 1 comprises a main surface 4 and two parallel side surfaces 5 at the respective ends of the main surface 4. In the main surface 4, the two bearing mounts 2, 3 are formed. The holes for forming the bearing mounts 2, 3 have a collar that extends along the z-axis in a correspondingly long manner in order to ensure a stable bearing mount here as well.

Furthermore, with this link 1, an end face 8 can be used on at least one of the two bearing mounts 2, 3. This end face 8 connects both side faces 5 with the main face 4.

A filling 6 can also be used between the two end faces 8 in the link 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment in order to stabilize the link 1 when bending about the bending axis 9 .

Reference List

1

handlebars

2

first handlebar mount

3

second handlebar mount

4

main surface

5

side face

6

filling

7

parting line

8th

face

9

bending axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102008045949 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

handlebar (1) for a vehicle, • from a formed sheet metal, • with a first bearing mount (2) which extends as a recess in the sheet metal along a z-axis, an x-axis being defined perpendicularly to the z-axis and in the direction of a second bearing mount (3) of the link (1), and where a y-axis is defined perpendicular to the z-axis and perpendicular to the x-axis, • wherein the sheet metal has at least one main surface (4) which is penetrated by the recess of the first bearing seat (2) and has at least two opposite side surfaces (5) which are each angled towards the main surface (4). handlebars claim 1 , which is bent between the two bearing mounts (2, 3) about a bending axis (9), the bending axis (9) having a directional vector parallel to the y-axis, in particular the bending axis (9) being parallel to the y-axis. Control arm according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet metal is formed into a plurality of main surfaces (4), the recess in the first bearing mount (2) extending through all main surfaces (4), the recess in the second bearing mount (3) also extending through in particular extends all main surfaces (4). handlebars claim 3 , the sheet metal being formed into exactly two main surfaces (4) and two side surfaces (5). handlebars claim 3 , wherein the sheet metal is formed into at least three main surfaces (4). handlebars claim 5 , wherein all main surfaces (4) are spaced apart from one another by side surfaces (5). handlebars claim 5 or 6 , wherein at least three main surfaces (4) are bent in the same direction, so that one main surface (4') is surrounded on both sides by two following main surfaces (4'', 4'''). Method for producing a link (1) for a vehicle, in particular a link (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following step: • Forming a sheet metal to the handlebar (1), • wherein the handlebar (1) has a first bearing mount (2) which extends as a recess in the sheet metal along a z-axis, being perpendicular to the z-axis and in the direction of a second bearing mount (3) of the handlebar (1) x -axis is defined, and wherein a y-axis is defined perpendicular to the z-axis and perpendicular to the x-axis, • wherein the metal sheet has at least one main surface (4) through the forming, which is penetrated by the recess of the first bearing mount (2), and has at least two opposite side surfaces, each of which is angled towards the main surface (4). procedure after claim 8 , wherein the sheet metal is bent about a bending axis (9) after all main surfaces (4) and side surfaces (5) have been formed, the bending axis (9) having a directional vector parallel to the y-axis, in particular the bending axis (9) pointing to the y -axis is parallel. procedure after claim 9 , where a filling is placed in the sheet metal before bending.

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