CHASSIS COMPONENT WITH A JOINT INNER PART

Abstract

A chassis component (1, 38, 40) has a joint inner portion (2) and a structural component (3), where the joint inner portion (2) is fitted and able to move in an articulated manner in a joint holder (4). A measuring device (5) is configured to determine a relative position of the joint inner portion (2) with respect to the structural component (3) and includes a first measuring element (6) and a second measuring element (7). The first measuring element (6) is on the structural component (3) and the second measuring element (7) is on the joint inner portion (2). In one example, the joint inner portion (2) extends out of the joint holder (4) and the second measuring element (7) is attached on a section (8) of the joint inner portion (2) which is outside the joint holder (4).

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A chassis component comprising: a joint inner portion (2); a structural component (3) with a joint holder (4), wherein the joint inner portion (2) is fitted and able to move in an articulated manner in the joint holder (4) and wherein a section of the joint inner portion (2) extends out of the joint holder (4); and a measuring device (5) configured to determine a relative position of the joint inner portion (2) with respect to the structural component (3), wherein the measuring device (5) comprises a first measuring element (6) and a second measuring element (7), and the first measuring element (6) is arranged on the structural component (3) and the second measuring element (7) is fixed onto the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2) that extends out of the joint holder (4).

12. The chassis component according to claim 11, wherein the first measuring element (6) is fixed onto an area and/or a flat surface section (18) of the structural component (3).

13. The chassis component according to claim 12, wherein the first measuring element is positioned adjacent to the joint holder (4).

14. The chassis component according to claim 12, wherein the structural component (3) comprises a fixing seat (20) for fixing the first measuring element (6) onto the area and/or the flat surface section (18) by means of a fixing means (19) that co-operates with the fixing seat (20).

15. The chassis component according to claim 11, wherein the first measuring element (6) comprises an orientation element (22) for its correct orientation and/or fixing onto the structural component (3).

16. The chassis component according to claim 15, wherein the orientation element (22) is held and/or plugged into an orientation seat of the structural component (3).

17. The chassis component according to claim 11, wherein the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2) carrying the second measuring element (7) is in a form of a stepped free end of the joint inner portion (2).

18. The chassis component according to claim 17, wherein an annular holding section (9) of the second measuring element (7) is configured to be pushed and/or pressed onto the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2) and/or onto an outer circumference of the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2).

19. The chassis component according to claim 18, wherein the annular holding section (9) of the second measuring element (7), and the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2) that co-operates with the second measuring element (7) form a rotation-preventing means (10) for preventing and/or blocking a relative movement and/or rotation of the second measuring element (7) with respect to the joint inner portion (2).

20. The chassis component according to claim 19, wherein the rotation-preventing means (10) has at least one flat area (11) on an outer circumference of the section (8) of the joint inner portion (2), the at least one flat area (11) cooperating with a correspondingly shaped, further flat area (12) on an inside circumference of the second measuring element (7).

21. The chassis component according to claim 20, wherein the correspondingly shaped, further flat area (12) is on an inside circumference of the holding section (9) of the second measuring element (7).

22. The chassis component according to claim 11, wherein the first measuring element (6) comprises at least one magnetic field sensor (17) and the second measuring element (7) comprises a magnet (14), wherein the magnet (14) is arranged at a free end of a web-like projection (13) of the second measuring element (7) and faces toward the first measuring element (6), wherein the web-like projection (13) extends in a radial direction from a holding section (9) of the second measuring element (7) outward over an outer circumference of the joint inner portion (2).

23. The chassis component according to claim 22, wherein the magnet (14) is arranged and/or encapsulated in a magnet holder (15) made of plastic, and the magnet (14) and/or the magnet holder (15) is attached by means of a releasable plug-in and/or latch connection to the web-like projection (13)

24. The chassis component according to claim 22, wherein the magnet (14) is arranged and/or encapsulated in a magnet holder (15) of plastic that is injection-molded directly onto the web-like projection (13) by means of an injection-molding process.

25. The chassis component according to claim 22, wherein the magnet (14) of the second measuring element (7) is guided at least partially inside a guideway (42) of the first measuring element (6), and by means of the guideway (42) a rotation of the second measuring element (7) about a central longitudinal axis (2.4) of the joint inner portion (2) is made possible and at the same time tilting of the magnet (14) of the second measuring element (7) axially relative to the central longitudinal axis (24) is at least partially compensated, counteracted and/or blocked.

26. The chassis component according to claim 25, wherein the web-like projection (13) of the second measuring element (7) comprises a first projection section (45) pivotably connected by a hinge (47) to a second projection section (46), wherein the web-like projection is configured to compensate a tilting movement of the second measuring element (7) axially relative to the central longitudinal axis (24).

27. The chassis component according to claim 26, wherein the joint inner portion (2) is in the form of a ball sleeve, a joint sleeve or a rubber bearing, and the chassis component (1, 38, 40) is in the form of a control arm.

28. The chassis component according to claim 11, wherein the joint inner portion (2) is in the form of a ball sleeve, a joint sleeve or a rubber bearing, and the chassis component (1, 38, 40) is in the form of a control arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Below, the invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the figures. In these, the same indexes denote the same, similar or functionally equivalent components. The figures show:

[0025] FIG. 1: Part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a first chassis component according to the invention,

[0026] FIG. 2: Part of a sectioned side view of the first chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

[0027] FIG. 3: Part of a partially transparent view from above, of the first chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with a second measuring element in three different positions,

[0028] FIG. 4: Part of a partially transparent side view of the first chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the second measuring element in three further different positions,

[0029] FIG. 5: Part of a perspective partially transparent view from above, of a first measuring element with a magnetic field sensor and a second measuring element with a magnet, in accordance with the first chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0030] FIG. 6: Part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a second chassis component according to the invention,

[0031] FIG. 7: Part of a sectioned side view of the second chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 6,

[0032] FIG. 8: Part of a partially transparent view from above, of the second chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with a second measuring element in three different positions,

[0033] FIG. 9: Part of a partially transparent side view of the second chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the second measuring element in three further different positions,

[0034] FIG. 10: Part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a further chassis component according to the invention,

[0035] FIG. 11: Part of a sectioned side view of the further chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 10,

[0036] FIG. 12: Part of a partially transparent view from above, of the further chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with a second measuring element in three different positions, and

[0037] FIG. 13: Part of a partially transparent view from above, of the further chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with a second measuring element in three further different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a first chassis component 1 according to the invention. The chassis component 1 comprises a joint inner portion 2 and the structural component 3. The joint inner portion 2 in this example embodiment is in the form of a joint sleeve made of metal. The structural component 3 determines the basic shape of the chassis component 1. The structural component 3 is strong and of stable shape in its own right, and in this example embodiment is made of metal. Furthermore, the structural component 3 comprises a joint holder 4. In this case the joint holder 4 is in the form of a perforation or through-going opening in the structural component 3. The joint inner portion is fitted into the joint holder 4, in which it can move in an articulated manner.

[0039] In addition, the chassis component 1 has a measuring device 5. The measuring device 5 is designed to determine a relative position of the joint inner portion 2 with respect to the structural component 3. For this, the measuring device 5 comprises a first measuring element 6 and a second measuring element 7. The first measuring element 6 is arranged or fixed on the structural component 3 and the second measuring element 7 is arranged or fixed on the joint inner portion 2. Here, the first measuring element 6 is shown as partially transparent.

[0040] The joint inner portion 2 extends out of the joint holder 4. In this case the second measuring element 7 is fixed to a section 8 of the joint inner portion which is outside the joint holder 4. The section 8 of the joint inner portion 2 is in the form of a simply stepped free end of the joint inner portion 2. The second measuring element 7 has an annular holding section 9. The annular holding section 9 is press-fitted onto the stepped section 8 of the joint inner portion 2 or onto an outer circumference of the section 8.

[0041] In this case the holding section 9 and the section 8 of the joint inner portion 2 that co-operates with the said holding section 9 form an rotation-preventing means 10 for preventing or blocking any relative movement or rotation of the second measuring element 7 relative to the joint inner portion 2. In this example embodiment the rotation-preventing means 10 is in the form of a flat area 11 on the outer circumference of the section 8 of the joint inner portion 2, which co-operates with another flat area 12 on an inside circumference of the holding section 9.

[0042] The second measuring element 7 has a web-like projection 13. The web-like projection 13 extends in the radial direction away from the holding section 9 and outward relative to a central longitudinal axis of the joint inner portion 2 (not shown). At a free end of the web-like projection 13 there is arranged a magnet 14 of the second measuring element 7. The magnet 14 is orientated so that it faces toward the first measuring element 6. In this example embodiment the magnet 14 is fitted at the front end of a free end of the projection 13. Here, the said front end faces toward the first measuring element 6. In particular, a plane of the front end is orientated parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the joint inner portion 2, at least when the joint inner portion 2 is in the undeflected position shown.

[0043] The magnet 14 is arranged inside a magnet holder 15. Here, the magnet holder 15 is shown as partially transparent. The magnet holder 15 is made of a plastic and the magnet 14 is completely surrounded by the plastic of the magnet holder 15. In this example embodiment the web-like projection 13 has two holes 16. For greater clarity only one hole 16 is provided with an index. The magnet holder 15 is injection-molded directly onto the free end of the web-like projection 13. In this case the plastic material of the magnet holder 15 passes through the holes 16, so that the magnet holder 15 is attached reliably to the projection 13, thereby excluding any relative movement between them.

[0044] The first measuring element 6 comprises a magnetic field sensor 17. In this case the magnetic field sensor 17 faces toward the magnet 14 of the second measuring element 7. The distance between the magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 is smaller than 10 mm. The first measuring element 6 is fixed on a flat surface section 18 of the structural component 3, close to the joint holder 4. In this example embodiment the flat surface section 18 is produced by a separate machining operation on the structural component 3. The first measuring element 6 is fixed to the structural component 3 by a fixing means 19. To co-operate with the fixing means 19 the structural component 3 comprises a fixing seat 20. In this example embodiment the fixing means 19 is in the form of a screw, which is screwed into the fixing seat 20.

[0045] In addition, in this example embodiment the structural component 3 has an orientation seat 21. The structure and function of the orientation seat 21 is explained in greater detail with reference to the next figure.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows part of a sectioned side view of the first chassis component 1 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1. In this example embodiment the orientation seat 21 is in the form of a blind-hole-like cavity in the structural component 3. The first measuring element 6 comprises an orientation element 22 for the correctly orientated positioning of the first measuring element 6 on the structural component 3. Thanks to the co-operation of the orientation seat 21 with the orientation element 22 and in combination with the co-operation of the fixing means 19 with the fixing seat 20, the first measuring element 6 is unambiguously orientated and positioned on the structural component 3 and in relation to the second measuring element 7. In this case the magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 are positioned in such manner that the distance A between them is less than 10 mm.

[0047] In this example embodiment the joint inner portion 2 is in the form of a joint sleeve in combination with a rubber pad 23. The joint inner portion 2 has a central longitudinal axis 24. Concentrically with the central longitudinal axis 24 the joint inner portion 2 has a through-going opening 25. The rubber pad 23 is arranged between the joint inner portion 2 and an outer sleeve 26, In this example embodiment the outer sleeve 26 is made of metal. The joint inner portion 2, together with the rubber pad 3 and the outer sleeve 26, are press-fitted into the joint holder 4. Thus, the joint inner portion 2 together with the rubber pad 23 and the outer sleeve 26 form a rubber joint.

[0048] At an end facing away from the magnetic field sensor 17 the first measuring element 6 has a plug-in section 27. A signal line (not shown here) and/or an electric lead can be connected to the first measuring element 6 by means of the plug-in section 27. In that way a measurement signal of the measuring device 5 or of the first measuring element 6 can be relayed to an evaluation device (not shown here).

[0049] FIG. 3 shows part of a partially transparent view from above, of the first chassis component 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the second measuring element 7 in three different positions. The second measuring element 7 is in one case shown in a central initial position 28. In the initial position 28, which corresponds to an undeflected position of the joint inner portion 2, the magnet 14 is orientated toward the magnetic field sensor 17 with a minimum distance A, as in FIG. 2. In other words, in the initial position 28 the magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 are opposite one another.

[0050] In addition, the second measuring element 7 in the partially transparent representation is shown in two end positions 29 and 30 which differ from one another. The end positions 29 and 30 are obtained by virtue of a twisting or rotation of the joint inner portion 2 together with the second measuring element 7 about the central longitudinal axis 24. Owing to the resulting displacement of the magnet 14, this results in a magnetic field change that can be detected by the magnetic field sensor 17. From that, a relative position of the structural component 3 with respect to the joint inner portion 2 can be determined.

[0051] In this example embodiment, the first end position 29 is reached starting from the initial position 28 by a rotation about the central longitudinal axis 24 through +25°. The second end position 30 is reached starting from the initial position 28 by a rotation about the central longitudinal axis 24 through −25°. Thus, in this example embodiment, positions within an angular range of 50° can be detected by the measuring device 5.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows part of a partially transparent side view of the first chassis component 1 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with the second measuring element 7 in three further different positions. In the first place the second measuring element 7 is shown in a central initial position 31. Starting from that initial position 31, as indicated by the end positions 32, 33 shown, a tilt of the first measuring element 6 can take place about a rotation axis 34. In this case the rotation axis 34 extends perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis 24. Furthermore, the rotation axis 34 extends through a joint mid-point of the joint inner portion 2.

[0053] Starting from the initial position 31, by virtue of a tilt through +6°, the magnet 14 of the second measuring element 7 reaches the first end position 32. Starting from the initial position 31, by virtue of a tilt through −6°, the magnet 14 of the second measuring element 7 reaches the first end position 33. Thus, in this case there is a maximum angular range of 12° for tilting about the rotation axis 34 and the mid-point of the joint. The magnetic field change brought about by the tilting can be detected by the magnetic field sensor 17.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows part of a perspective partially transparent view from above, of the first measuring element 6 with the magnetic field sensor 17 and the second measuring element 7 with the magnet 14 in accordance with the first chassis component 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The magnet holder 15 is in this case shown as transparent. Otherwise than in the version illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the variant shown here the magnet holder 15 is not injection-molded directly onto the free end of the web-like projection 13. Instead, the magnet holder 15 is attached to the web-like projection 13 by a releasable plug-in and latch connection 35. This enables the magnet 14 to be replaced or changed.

[0055] To form the plug-in and latch connection 35 in this example embodiment, the magnet holder 15 has two interlocking elements 36, although here, for the sake of greater clarity, only one interlocking element 36 is indexed. The web-like projection 13 has interlocking elements 37 designed to correspond with the interlocking elements 36. In this example embodiment, the interlocking elements 37 are in the form of latch receivers, in this case in the form of holes 16. The interlocking elements 36 of the magnet holder 15 are here in the form of latch detents, which engage or snap into the holes 16 with interlock.

[0056] In the chassis component 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the magnetic field sensor 17 is positioned perpendicularly to the length of the structural component 3. Correspondingly, in accordance with the magnetic field sensor 17, the magnet 14 too is positioned perpendicularly to the length of the structural component 3, or to a plane of the holding section 9, and is arranged inside the magnet holder 15.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a second chassis component 38 according to the invention. The same features as previously are given the same indexes. To that extent, in order to avoid repetitions reference should also be made to the previous description.

[0058] Otherwise than in the chassis component 1, in the chassis component 38 shown here the magnet 14 is not arranged at the front of the free end of the projection 13. Instead, the magnet 14 is arranged in the area of a side 39 of the web-like projection 13, the side 39 facing toward the structural component 3. The magnetic field sensor 17 is arranged between the magnet 14 and the structural component 3.

[0059] Compared with the chassis component 1, owing to the arrangement of the magnet 14 and the magnetic field sensor 17 the configuration of the chassis component 38 shown here is somewhat flatter and thus space-saving.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows part of a sectioned side view of the second chassis component 38 according to the invention according, to FIG. 6. The same features as before are given the same indexes. To that extent, in order to avoid repetitions reference should also be made to the earlier description.

[0061] Whereas in the chassis component 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 5 the distance A extends perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis 24, in the chassis component 38 shown in this case the distance A extends in the axial direction or parallel to the central longitudinal axis 24.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows part of a partially transparent view from above, of the second chassis component 38 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the second measuring element 7 in three different positions. The same features are given the same indexes as before. To avoid repetitions, reference should in particular be made to the earlier Fit whose description is correspondingly applicable here.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows part of a partially transparent side view of the second chassis component 38 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the second measuring element 7 in three further different positions. The same features are given the same indexes as before. To that extent, to avoid repetitions reference should in particular also be made to the earlier description of the earlier FIG. 4, whose description is correspondingly applicable here.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows part of a perspective and partially transparent side view of a further chassis component 40 according to the invention. The same features are given the same indexes as before. To that extent, to avoid repetitions reference should also be made to the earlier description.

[0065] In this example embodiment, the chassis component 40 has no rotation-preventing means 10. Instead, according to this example embodiment the holding section 9 of the second measuring element 7 comprises a number of holding elements 41 on its inside circumference. In this example embodiment a total of four holding elements 41 are distributed uniformly around the inside circumference of the annular holding section 9. The holding elements 41 are, for example, in this case in the form of fixing detents and are formed integrally with the holding section 9. By means of the holding elements 41 the second measuring element 7 is pressed onto the outer circumference of the section 8 of the joint inner portion 2 and at the same time held on it rotationally fixed relative to the joint inner portion 2. In this example embodiment, otherwise than in the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, an orientated press-fitting of the joint formed by the joint inner portion, the rubber pad 23 and the outer sleeve 26 can be dispensed with.

[0066] In this example embodiment, the first measuring element 6 comprises a guideway 42. In this example embodiment, the guideway 42 is formed by two curved side-plates 43 and 44 a distance apart from one another. The guideway 42 is formed on an end of the first measuring element 6 that faces toward the second measuring element 7. Inside the guideway 42 the magnet 14 of the second measuring element 7 is guided. Thus, the magnet 14 is guided between the two side-plates 43, 44.

[0067] In this example embodiment, the web-like projection 13 is formed from a first projection section 45 and a second projection section 46. The two projection sections 45, 46 are connected to one another by a hinge 47 so that they can pivot relatively to one another. In this example embodiment the second projection section 46 at the same time forms the magnet holder 15, in which the magnet 14 is arranged in the area of a free end of the second projection section 46 facing away from the hinge 47.

[0068] FIG. 11 shows part of a sectioned side view of the said further chassis component 40 according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 10. The same features as before are given the same indexes. To that extent, to avoid repetitions reference should also be made to the previous description.

[0069] The magnetic field sensor 17 of the first measuring element 6 is arranged inside the side-plate 43 of the guideway 42. The guideway 42 enables a rotation of the second measuring element 7 or the magnet 14 about the central longitudinal axis 24 of the joint inner portion 2. At the same time, the guideway 42 prevents or reduces tilting of the magnet 14 in a direction axial in relation to the central longitudinal axis 24. In that way a tilting movement of the joint inner portion 2 about the rotation axis 34 perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 24 is compensated by the hinge 47. For that purpose, a pivot axis of the hinge 47 is orientated parallel to the rotation axis 34.

[0070] FIG. 12 shows part of a partially transparent view from above, of the further chassis component 40 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with the second measuring element 7 in three different positions. The same features are given the same indexes as before. To avoid repetitions, reference should be made in particular to the earlier description concerning FIGS. 3 and 8.

[0071] In this example embodiment, the first measuring element 6 has a single magnetic field sensor 17. Alternatively, the first measuring element 6 can have more than one, in particular three magnetic field sensors 17. For example, as already indicated here, a single magnetic field sensor 17 can be arranged centrally within the guideway 42 of the first measuring element 6. In that case, a distance between the central magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 in the initial position 28 is at its smallest.

[0072] In addition, the first measuring element 6 can have two further magnetic field sensors 17 (not shown here). In that case a second magnetic field sensor 17 can be arranged on the first measuring element 6 and inside the guideway 42 in such manner that the distance between the second magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 in the first end position 29 shown here is at its smallest. A third magnetic field sensor 17 (not shown here) can be arranged on the first measuring element 6 and inside the guideway 42 in such manner that a distance between the third magnetic field sensor 17 and the magnet 14 in the second end position 30 shown here is at its smallest.

[0073] FIG. 13 shows part of a partially transparent side view of the further chassis component 40 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with the second measuring element 7 in three further different positions. The same features are given the same indexes as before. To that extent, to avoid repetitions reference should also be made to the previous description, particularly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9.

[0074] During a tilting movement of the joint inner portion 2 about the rotation axis 34 the holding section 9 and the first projection section 45 also tilt. However, owing to the hinge 47 and the guideway of the second projection section 46 and the magnet holder 15 inside the guideway 42, a displacement of the magnet 14 in a direction axial relative to the central longitudinal axis 24 is prevented or at least partially compensated or counteracted.

Indexes

[0075] 1 Chassis component [0076] 2 Joint inner portion [0077] 3 Structural component [0078] 4 Joint holder [0079] 5 Measuring device [0080] 6 First measuring element [0081] 7 Second measuring element [0082] 8 Section [0083] 9 Holding section [0084] 10 Rotation-preventing means [0085] 11 Flat area [0086] 12 Further flat area [0087] 13 Web-like projection [0088] 14 Magnet [0089] 15 Magnet holder [0090] 16 Hole [0091] 17 Magnetic field sensor [0092] 18 Surface section [0093] 19 Fixing means [0094] 20 Fixing seat [0095] 21 Orientation seat [0096] 22 Orientation element [0097] 23 Rubber pad [0098] 24 Central longitudinal axis [0099] 25 Through-going opening [0100] 26 Outer sleeve [0101] 27 Plug-in section [0102] 28 Initial position [0103] 29 End position [0104] 30 End position [0105] 31 Initial position [0106] 32 End position [0107] 33 End position [0108] 34 Rotation axis [0109] 35 Plug-in/latch connection [0110] 36 Interlocking element [0111] 37 Interlocking element [0112] 38 Chassis component [0113] 39 Side [0114] 40 Chassis component [0115] 41 Holding element [0116] 42 Guideway [0117] 43 Side-plate [0118] 44 Side-plate [0119] 45 First projection section [0120] 46 Second projection section [0121] 47 Hinge [0122] A distance