MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THE ELASTIC MOUNTING OF A STRUT OR A VIBRATION DAMPER

Abstract

A mounting system for the elastic mounting of a strut or a vibration damper on a vehicle body includes a unit insertable into a receiving cup and a fixing device. The unit includes a mounting unit and a piston rod of a strut or vibration damper. In embodiments, the mounting unit has an elastomer mount for mounting the piston rod; the elastomer mount has a core for receiving the piston rod and an elastomer body, and a ring element that is a separate part or is non-positively, positively and/or materially connected to the body; the unit and fixing device may be inserted into the receiving cup from a side facing away from the body; the fixing device engages behind an undercut formed on the receiving cup; the ring element is supported on the fixing device; and/or the elastomer body is prestressed and presses the ring element against the fixing device.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A mounting system for the elastic mounting of a strut or a vibration damper on a vehicle body in a receiving cup on a body side, the mounting system comprising: a unit that is insertable into said receiving cup; a fixing device that secures the unit from being withdrawn from the receiving cup, the unit having a mounting unit and a piston rod of the strut or the vibration damper; wherein the mounting unit has at least one elastomer mount for resiliently mounting the piston rod, the elastomer mount having a core for receiving the piston rod and an elastomer body, and having at least one ring element that is a separate part or is non-positively, positively and/or materially connected to the elastomer body; wherein the unit and the fixing device are configured for insertion into the receiving cup from a side facing away from the body and, in an inserted state, the fixing device engages behind an undercut formed on the receiving cup; and wherein the at least one ring element is supported on the fixing device, and the elastomer body is prestressed and presses the ring element against the fixing device.

20. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the piston rod is non-positively, positively and/or materially connected to the core before being inserted into the receiving cup.

21. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the receiving cup has an opening which allows for assembling or disassembling the piston rod and the core.

22. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the fixing device comprises a securing ring.

23. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the undercut comprises a circumferential groove introduced into the receiving cup.

24. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the undercut comprises a shoulder projecting into the inside of the receiving cup.

25. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the mounting unit includes an additional spring receiving device that is non-positively, positively and/or materially connected to the ring element before the unit is inserted into the receiving cup, or which is non-positively, and/or positively connected to the ring element after the unit is inserted into the receiving cup.

26. The mounting system according to claim 25, wherein the ring element and the additional spring receiving device are connected to one another by a snap connection.

27. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the fixing device reduces its diameter when being inserted into the receiving cup.

28. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the ring element and/or the additional spring receiving device have a circumferential clearance into which the fixing device can be pressed when being inserted into the receiving cup.

29. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the additional spring receiving device and the ring element have intermeshing positively connected contours which are movable from a first position into a second position when the elastomer mount and the fixing device are inserted into the receiving cup.

30. The mounting system according to claim 29, wherein the positively connected contours comprise a snap-in device.

31. The mounting system according to claim 29, wherein the positively connected contours are formed by a protrusion projecting from the additional spring receiving device and a corresponding recess introduced into the ring element.

32. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer mount comprises a first ring element and a second ring element.

33. The mounting system according to claim 19, including a support structure that abuts the fixing device to prevent the fixing device from disengaging from the undercut.

34. The mounting system according to claim 33, wherein the support structure is formed from a portion of the additional spring receiving device or the ring element.

35. The mounting system according to claim 19, wherein the receiving cup is positively, non-positively and/or materially connected to the vehicle body.

36. A strut or vibration damper including a mounting system according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the following, the mounting system as well as further features and advantages are explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the figures. Shown are:

[0036] FIG. 1 a cross-section of a mounting system according to a first embodiment having a piston rod and an additional spring;

[0037] FIG. 2 a cross-section of the mounting system according to the first embodiment having a piston rod and an additional spring in an assembly position;

[0038] FIG. 3 a cross-section of the mounting system according to the first embodiment without piston rod and without additional spring in an intermediate position;

[0039] FIG. 4 a cross-section of the mounting system according to the first embodiment without piston rod and without additional spring in a locking position;

[0040] FIG. 5 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a second embodiment in the locking position;

[0041] FIG. 6 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a third embodiment in a securing position;

[0042] FIG. 7 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a fourth embodiment in the securing position;

[0043] FIG. 8 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a fifth embodiment in the securing position;

[0044] FIG. 9 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a sixth embodiment in an assembly position;

[0045] FIG. 10 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a sixth embodiment in an intermediate position;

[0046] FIG. 11 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a sixth embodiment in a securing position; and

[0047] FIG. 12 a cross-section of the mounting system according to a seventh embodiment in a securing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a mounting system 10 for the elastic mounting of a strut 12 or a vibration damper on a vehicle body 14.

[0049] The mounting system 10 has a mounting unit 16 for mounting a piston rod 18 of the strut 12 or a vibration damper, a receiving cup 20 on the vehicle body side into which the mounting unit 16 can be inserted, and a fixing device 22. The fixing device 22 is designed as a securing ring 23.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the receiving pot is formed by a section of the vehicle body 14. The receiving cup 20 has a cup wall 24 and a cup bottom 26 which is provided with an opening 28 through which a section of the piston rod 18 can extend. The receiving cup 20 has an undercut 30, in the present case formed as a circumferential groove 32, in which the securing ring 23 engages to secure the mounting unit 16 in the receiving cup 20.

[0051] The receiving cup 20 is also provided with a circumferential shoulder 33. The shoulder 33 divides the receiving cup 20 into a first section 82 having a first inner diameter and a second section 84 having a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. As a result, the receiving cup 20 is stepped.

[0052] The mounting unit 16 has an elastomer mount 34 for mounting the piston rod 18 and an additional spring receiving device 36, which are positively and/or non-positively connected to each other, as explained in more detail below.

[0053] The additional spring receiving device 36 is made of plastic and serves to receive an additional spring 38. The additional spring 38 limits a movement of the strut 12 relative to the vehicle body 14. The additional spring receiving device 36 has an opening 39 through which the piston rod 18 can extend. The additional spring 38 surrounds the piston rod 18.

[0054] The elastomer mount 34 has a core 40 to receive the piston rod 18, a first ring element 42, a second ring element 44 and an elastomer body 46 connecting the core 40 and the two ring elements 42, 44 with each other. The two ring elements 42, 44 are spaced from the core 40 in the radial direction R and from each other in the axial direction A. The core 40 has a stop section 48 projecting in the radial direction R, which is arranged between the two ring elements 42, 44. The stop section 48 limits movement of the core 40 relative to the two ring elements 42, 44.

[0055] In the inserted state of the mounting unit 16 in the receiving cup 20 shown in FIG. 1, the first ring element 42 is arranged within the first section 82 and is supported on the shoulder 33, and the second ring element 44 is arranged within the second section 84 and rests on the cup bottom 26. The two ring elements 42, 44 are moved towards each other in axial direction A in the inserted state, so that a pretension is introduced into the elastomer body 46.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the elastomer mount 34 and the additional spring receiving device 36 are positively and/or non-positively connected to each other. The additional spring receiving device 36 and the first ring element 42 have intermeshing positively connecting contours 50. As can be seen in particular from an overall view of FIGS. 2 to 4, the intermeshing positively connecting contours 50 can be transferred from a first position to a second position.

[0057] The positively connecting contours 50 are formed from a snap-in device 52, a protrusion 54 projecting from the additional spring receiving device 36 and a corresponding recess 56 introduced into the first ring element 42. The snap-in device 52 is formed by an elevation 58 projecting radially inwards from the protrusion 54, a first depression 60 introduced into a side wall of the recess 56 and a second depression 62 introduced into the side wall of the recess 56, into which the elevation 58 engages in a positive fit. The protrusion 54 can be pushed into the recess 56 and has a circumferential clearance 64 at its free end on the outside circumference into which the securing ring 62 can be inserted.

[0058] In the following, the fastening of the mounting unit 16 in the receiving cup 20 is described using FIGS. 2 to 4. First, a pre-assembled unit 86 is created comprising at least the elastomer mount, the fixing device 22, the additional spring receiving device 36, the additional spring 38 and the piston rod 18 not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. For this purpose, the safety ring 23 is first inserted into the circumferential clearance 64. The additional spring receiving device 36 is then pre-assembled with the elastomer mount 34 by inserting the protrusion 54 into the recess 56 in such a way that the elevation 58 engages in the first depression 60. Then the piston rod 18 with the additional spring 38 previously fitted onto it is guided through the core 40 of the elastomer mount 34 and fixed there by means of a not shown nut. Then the pre-assembled unit 86 comprising the elastomer mount 34, the additional spring receiving device 36 connected to the elastomer mount 34, the securing ring 23, the additional spring 38 and the piston rod 18 of the strut 12 are brought into the assembly position by inserting the pre-assembled unit 86 from below into the receiving cup 20 as shown in FIG. 2. When the mounting unit 16 is inserted into the receiving cup 20, the securing ring 23 has a first diameter.

[0059] By pushing the mounting unit 16 into the receiving cup 20 by applying a force acting in axial direction A to the additional spring mounting device 36, the mounting unit 16 is pushed into the receiving cup 20 until the first ring element 42 rests against the cup bottom 26. At the same time, the securing ring 23 is transferred to an intermediate position by pressing the securing ring 23 into the clearance 64. In the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3, the securing ring 23 has a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows the intermediate position shortly before the securing ring 23 snaps into the groove 32, where the second ring element 44 rests against the cup bottom 26. When the mounting unit 16 is pressed further into the receiving cup 20, the first ring element 42 of the elastomer mount 34 slides further upwards until the securing ring 23 slides into the groove 32 and presses the first ring element 42 into its upper end position, in which the first ring element 42 abuts against the shoulder 33. In this position, the elastomer body 46 is prestressed and the first ring element 42 abuts against the securing ring 33 without play. This prevents the extension unit 16 from being pulled out of the receiving cup 20 in the direction of deflection.

[0061] Since the first ring element 42 is supported on the shoulder 33 of the receiving cup 20, further pressing of the mounting unit 16 into the receiving cup 20 causes the snap-in device 52 to move into the second snap-in position shown in FIG. 4, in which the elevation 58 engages in the second depression 62. The snap-in device 52 is thus matched in such a way that the force required to transfer the snap-in device 52 from the first snap-in position shown in FIG. 2 to the second snap-in position shown in FIG. 4 is greater than the force required to prestress the elastomer mount 34 and to press the securing ring 23 into the groove 32.

[0062] As can also be seen in FIG. 4, in the second snap-in position the protrusion 54 acts as a support structure 66. For this purpose the protrusion 54 lies radially on the inside of the securing ring 23 and thus prevents it from springing back elastically and the mounting unit 16 from being released from the receiving cup 20.

[0063] In the following, further designs for the mounting system 10 are described, wherein the same reference signs are used for identical or functionally identical parts.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a second version of the mounting system 10, which differs from the first embodiment in that the additional spring receiving device 36 is already connected to the first ring element 42 in the pre-assembled unit 86 by means of a snap connection 68 or clip connection, the securing ring 23 being positioned between the ring element 42 and the additional spring receiving device 36. In addition, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the receiving cup 20 has no circumferential shoulder 33 against which the first ring element 42 can be fitted.

[0065] The second embodiment has no support structure 66. As a result, the securing ring is not supported from the inside in the end position in the groove 32, so that the forces that can be transmitted in the opposite direction to the mounting direction are lower than in the first exemplary embodiment due to the risk of slipping out.

[0066] The snap connection 68 is formed by snap hooks 70, which project radially from the additional spring receiving device 36, and a snap-in lug 72, which projects from the first ring element 42. The snap hooks 70 engage behind the snap-in lug 72 and thus fix the additional spring receiving device 36 to the elastomer mount 34.

[0067] As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the clearance 64, which allows the diameter of the securing ring 23 to be reduced in the intermediate position, is introduced into the first ring element 42.

[0068] In addition, the additional spring receiving device 36 has a support section 74 with which the securing ring 23 is pushed into the securing position.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the mounting system 10, which differs from the second embodiment in that the receiving cup 20 is designed as a separate component and is materially connected, for example by gluing or welding, to the vehicle body 14 via a flange section 76 projecting from the receiving cup 20.

[0070] In addition, with the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the support structure 66 is formed from a section of the first ring element 42.

[0071] For the assembly of the mounting unit 16 shown in FIG. 6, the securing ring 23 and the additional spring receiving device 36, it is necessary to first push the pre-assembled unit 86, which consists at least of the elastomer mount 34, the connected and not shown piston rod, the securing ring 62 and the additional spring receiving device 36, into the receiving cup 20. The first ring element 42 must then be over-pushed upwards so that the securing ring 62 can engage in the groove 32. For this purpose, a force is applied to the additional spring receiver 36 in the direction of assembly or towards the body, which is introduced into the ring element 42 via the securing ring 62, which is slightly reduced in diameter. When the groove 32 is reached, the securing ring 62 can assume a larger diameter and thus form the undercut 30. As a result, the overlap in the mounting direction of the securing ring 62 and ring element 42 disappears, so that ring element 42, which is overpushed upwards, can slide down again by a few millimetres. The support structure 66 of the ring element 42 penetrates into the securing ring so that it can no longer slip out of the groove 32. When the ring element 42 is exchanged downwards, the ring element 42 and the additional spring retainer 36 engage simultaneously by means of the snap hooks 70.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the mounting system 10, which differs from the second embodiment in that the receiving cup 20 is screwed to the vehicle body 14, in particular to its flange section 76. For this purpose, bores 77 are drilled into the vehicle body 14 and the flange section. This means that the receiving cup can be detachably connected to the vehicle body at a time when there is still good assembly access to the connecting elements such as screw heads or nuts from both the body side and the opposite side. The assembly of the pre-assembled unit 86, which includes the mounting unit 16, can be carried out at a later point in time independently of the assembly of the receiving cup, without the need for assembly access from the body side. FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the mounting system 10, which differs from the other embodiments in the design of the undercut 30. The undercut 30 is formed by a shoulder 78 protruding into the interior of the receiving cup 20, which is created by flanging an edge section of the passage 80.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the receiving cup 20 is materially connected to the vehicle body 14 by means of adhesive bonding or welding, for example. With the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the securing ring 62 is rectangular in cross-section.

[0074] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a sixth embodiment of the mounting system 10, which differs from the previous embodiments in that the elastomer mount 34 has only a first ring element 42 and a core 40 in the form of a disc. The first ring element 42 is designed as a separate part which, together with the elastomer mount 34, can be inserted into the receiving cup 20. In addition, the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the additional spring receiving device 36 and the fixing device 22, which here is designed as a securing ring 23 with a rectangular cross-section, do not have to be part of the pre-assembled unit 86. Rather, it is sufficient for the pre-assembled unit 86 to consist of the elastomer mount 34 and the not shown piston rod connected to it. If the first ring element 42 is a separate part, it need not be part of the pre-assembled unit. Advantageously, the ring element 42, the fixing device 22, the additional spring receiving device 36 and optionally further components of the strut are combined in the pre-assembled unit 86. The snap connection 70, on the other hand, connects the ring element 42 and the additional spring receiving device 36 only in the final assembly position shown in FIG. 11.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows the mounting position in which the elastomer mount 34 together with the first ring element 42 is inserted into the receiving cup 20. The additional spring receiving device 36 is not yet engaged with the first ring element 42 in the mounting position. In the mounting position, the securing ring 23 rests on the support section 74 and must still thread and taper in diameter.

[0076] In the intermediate position shown in FIG. 10 the elastomer body 46 rests against the cup bottom 26 and is axially prestressed. The snap hooks 70 are already pressed radially inwards and the diameter of the securing ring 23 is tapered.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows the securing position in which the securing ring 23 is engaged in the undercut 30. The snap hooks 70 are also snapped in and engage behind the first ring element 42. The first ring element 42 is spring-back due to the prestress of the elastomer body 46 in the securing position and presses the first ring element 42 against the securing ring 23. The first ring element 42 also has a support structure 66 which blocks the securing ring 23 from the inside.

[0078] FIG. 12 shows a seventh embodiment of the mounting system 10, which differs from the sixth embodiment in that the first ring element 42 has no support structure 66.

[0079] The mounting system 10 is characterised in that the mounting unit 16 is inserted from below into the receiving cup 20 when the piston rod 18 has already been fitted and is secured against withdrawal from the receiving cup 20 by means of a securing ring 23 which engages in a groove 32 formed on the receiving cup 20. This simplifies assembly and provides more installation space for other components in the vehicle, as there is no longer a need for access from the body side when connecting the piston rod 18 to the core 40 of the elastomer mount 34. This also reduces assembly costs. In addition, the bearing system 10 can be dismantled without access from the other side of the vehicle body 14 by unlocking the snap-in lug 72 of the additional spring receiving device 36 and then releasing the fixing device 22 from below. This makes it easy to disassemble the strut 12 or the vibration damper including mounting unit 16 in the event of a repair.