Four-Point Link And Method For Producing A Four-Point Link

Abstract

A four-point link for a vehicle includes a core element and a main laminate comprising a fiber reinforced plastics composite material, which wraps around the core element. The core element comprises four load-introducing elements and a foam core, and the four load-introducing elements (4) are connected by positive engagement to the foam core (5). The four-point link has four additional windings, wherein a respective additional winding wraps around a first, second, third and fourth load-introducing element and operatively connects a respective one of the latter to the main laminate. Compressive forces can be introduced into the main laminate (3) by means of every additional winding (6).

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A four-point link (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a core element comprising four load introducing elements (4) and a foam core (5), and four load introducing elements (4) connected by positive engagement to said foam core (5); a main laminate (3) comprising a fiber reinforced plastic composite material, said main laminate (3) wound around said core element (2), said four-point link further comprising four additional windings (6) comprising a fiber reinforced plastic composite material, wherein a first additional winding of said four additional windings wraps around a first load-introducing element of said four load-introducing elements and operatively connects said first load-introducing element to said main laminate, a second additional winding wraps around a second load-introducing element of said four load-introducing element and operatively connects said second load-introducing element to said main laminate (3), a third additional winding (6) wraps around a third load-introducing element (4) of said four load-introducing elements and operatively connects said third load-introducing element to said main laminate (3), a fourth additional winding (6) wraps around a fourth load-introducing element (4) of said four load-introducing elements and operatively connects said fourth load-introducing element to said main laminate (3), and wherein compressive forces can be introduced into said main laminate (3) by each of said additional winding (6).

10. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said four load-introducing elements (4) has at least one guide projection (7) for guiding an associated additional winding (6).

11. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of said four load-introducing elements (4) has two wrap regions (8), and wherein a winding length of a respective additional winding (6) corresponds to the formation of said wrap regions (8).

12. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of said four load-introducing elements (4) has an anchoring region (9) for connecting every load-introducing element (4) to said foam core (5) by positive engagement.

13. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein said foam core (5) is formed from a polymer foam.

14. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein said additional windings (6) are formed from one of a glass fiber reinforced plastics composite material said a carbon fiber reinforced plastics composite material.

15. The four-point link (1) according to claim 9, wherein said load-introducing elements (4) are formed from one of a metal material and a fiber reinforced plastics composite material.

16. The method for producing a four-point link (1) for a vehicle comprising: providing four load-introducing elements (4) in a mold for the foam core (5); the foam core (5) in the mold such that the four load-introducing elements (4) are integrated in the foam core (5) by positive engagement; singly wrapping every load-introducing element (4) and the foam core (5) with a main laminate (3) so as to enable a transmission of force between the load-introducing elements (4) and the main laminate (3); wrapping a first additional winding (6) around the first load-introducing element (4) so as to result in an additional operative connection to the main laminate (3); wrapping a second additional winding (6) around the second load-introducing element (4) so as to result in an additional operative connection to the main laminate (3); wrapping a third additional winding (6) around the third load-introducing element (4) so as to result in an additional operative connection to the main laminate (3); wrapping a fourth additional winding (6) around the fourth load-introducing element (4) so as to result in an additional operative connection to the main laminate (3); and hardening the four-point link.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Various embodiments and details of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1A a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 1B is a top view of FIG. 1A;

[0030] FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element from FIG. 1 connected to a main laminate and a foam core;

[0031] FIG. 3 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element, the main laminate and the foam core from FIG. 2 with an additional winding;

[0032] FIG. 4A a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element;

[0033] FIG. 4B is a top view of FIG. 4A;

[0034] FIG. 5 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element from FIG. 4 connected to a main laminate and a foam core;

[0035] FIG. 6 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element, the main laminate and the foam core from FIG. 5 with an additional winding;

[0036] FIG. 7A a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element;

[0037] FIG. 7B is a top view of FIG. 7A;

[0038] FIG. 8 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element from FIG. 7 connected to a main laminate and a foam core;

[0039] FIG. 9 a schematic diagram of the load-introducing element, the main laminate and the foam core from FIG. 8 with an additional winding; and

[0040] FIG. 10 a schematic diagram of a four-point link without additional winding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIGS. 1A and B show a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element 4 in two views according to an embodiment example. It will be clearly discerned that the load-introducing element 4 is a geometrical extruded body with two top surfaces and an outer lateral surface. This extruded body is symmetrical to a central plane 12. The two top surfaces are at an equal distance from this central plane 12 and parallel to it. Load-introducing element 4 has a receptacle 10 for a bearing, for example, an elastomeric bearing. This receptacle 10 has a central axis 11. This central axis 11 is perpendicular to central plane 12.

[0042] Load-introducing element 4 has an anchoring region 9 and two wrap regions 8. Anchoring region 9 is triangular in cross section. Wrap regions 8 are elliptical in cross section. This anchoring region 9 is enclosed by a polymer foam of a foam core during a production process for producing a four-point link. Accordingly, a positive engagement connection can be provided between load-introducing element 4 and the foam core. This is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0043] Every wrap region 8 serves to be wrapped by an additional winding 6. The circumference of the wrap regions 8 directly corresponds to a winding length of the additional winding. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. The load-introducing element 4 shown here is formed from aluminum and is produced through an extrusion process. Alternatively, load-introducing element 4 can be formed from an FRP. A four-point link has four of these load-introducing elements 4. These load-introducing elements 4 of the four-point link can all be formed identically.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of load-introducing element 4 from FIG. 1 which is connected to a main laminate 3 and to a foam core 5 according to an embodiment example. It will be clearly discerned that load-introducing element 4 is integrated in the foam core 5 by the anchoring region 9 of load-introducing element 4. Foam core 5 surrounds anchoring region 9. Foam core 5 is connected by positive engagement to four identical load-introducing elements 4 and accordingly forms the core element 2. Only a section of core element 2 is shown. Foam core 5 is formed from a polymer foam.

[0045] Main laminate 3 wraps around foam core 5 and load-introducing element 4. However, the two wrap regions 8 of load-introducing element 4 are free of material and the main laminate 3 does not wrap around these two wrap regions 8.

[0046] The arrangement shown here without the additional winding is able during a load event, when the four-point link is used in a vehicle, to transmit tensile longitudinal forces from load-introducing element 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement, to transmit lateral forces from load-introducing element 4 to main laminate 3 via shear and possibly via positive engagement, and to transmit vertical forces from load-introducing element 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of load-introducing element 4, main laminate 3 and foam core 5 from FIG. 2 with an additional winding 6 according to an embodiment example. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, an additional winding 6 is operatively connected to core element 2 and main laminate 3.

[0048] Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 of the load-introducing element 4 radially. Further, additional winding 6 likewise winds radially around main laminate 3 in a partial area. An additional operative connection between load-introducing element 4 and main laminate 3 results from the additional winding 6. Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 continuously, i.e., without interruption. In a four-point link 1, only a section of which is shown, each of the four load-introducing elements 4 is wrapped by additional winding 6. The winding length of the additional winding 6 is determined by the circumference of the two wrap regions 8.

[0049] Compressive forces occurring during a load event, e.g., a braking event, can be reliably transmitted into main laminate 3 by a shear and tensile positive engagement as a result of this additional winding 6.

[0050] Additional winding 6 is preferably formed from the same material as main laminate 3. For example, main laminate 3 can be formed from GRP. Additional winding 6 is then also formed from GRP. Additional winding 6 is produced by the same robot as that with which main laminate 3 has already been produced. This allows an economical production.

[0051] FIGS. 4A and B show a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element 4 in two views according to a further embodiment example. The depicted load-introducing element 4 is symmetrical to a central plane 12. It will be clearly discerned that load-introducing element 4 is a geometrical extruded body with two top surfaces and an outer lateral surface. This extruded body is symmetrical to this central plane 12. The two top surfaces are at an equal distance from this central plane 12 and are parallel to it. Load-introducing element 4 further has a central axis 11 which is perpendicular to central plane 12.

[0052] Load-introducing element 4 has a receptacle 10 for a bearing. By this receptacle 10, load-introducing element 4 can be connected to a bearing, for example, an elastomeric bearing. Load-introducing element 4 further has two wrap regions 8, an anchoring region 9 and two guide projections 7. Anchoring region 9 serves to produce a positive engagement connection to a foam core of a four-point link which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This positive engagement connection is the same as that already described referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. Anchoring region 9 has a triangular cross section.

[0053] The two wrap regions 8 have an elliptical cross section. The two guide projections 7 are connected to the two wrap regions 8. A first guide projection 7 is connected to a first wrap region 8. A second guide projection 7 is connected to a second wrap region 8. First guide projection 7 is arranged at a first top surface of load-introducing element 4. Second guide projection 7 is arranged at a second top surface of load-introducing element 4. The two guide projections 7 are radial to central axis 11 of load-introducing element 4. The two guide projections 7 serve to guide and position the additional winding which is shown in FIG. 6.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of load-introducing element 4 from FIG. 4 which is connected to a main laminate 3 and a foam core 5 according to a further embodiment example. It will be clearly discerned that load-introducing element 4 is integrated in foam core 5 by the anchoring region 9 of load-introducing element 4. Load-introducing element 4 is connected to foam core 5 by positive engagement. Foam core 5 surrounds anchoring region 9. Foam core 5 is formed from a polymer foam. Foam core 5 is connected by positive engagement to four identical load-introducing elements 4 and accordingly forms core element 2. In this case, only a section of core element 2 is shown. Core element 2, and therefore load-introducing element 4 and foam core 5, are wrapped by main laminate 3 in a partial area. Main laminate 3 does not wrap around wrap regions 8 and guide projections 7 of load-introducing element 4. The latter are free of material.

[0055] The load-introducing element is preferably formed from aluminum or FRP. Main laminate 3 is formed from FRP, preferably GRP.

[0056] The arrangement shown here without additional winding is able during a load event, when the four-point link is used in a vehicle, to transmit tensile longitudinal forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement, to transmit lateral forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via shear and possibly via positive engagement, and to transmit vertical forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of load-introducing element 4, main laminate 3 and foam core 5 from FIG. 5 with an additional winding 6 according to an embodiment example. A section from the four-point link 1 which has four load-introducing elements 4 is shown. In this case, beyond the arrangement in FIG. 5, an additional winding 6 is wrapped around load-introducing element 4 as well as around main laminate 3.

[0058] Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 of load-introducing element 4 radially. Further, additional winding 6 wraps around main laminate 3 in a partial area, likewise radially. An additional operative connection results between load-introducing element 4 and main laminate 3 because of additional winding 6. Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 continuously, i.e., without interruption. The two guide projections 7 serve to position additional winding 6 accurately at wrap regions 8 so that slippage of additional winding 6 is impossible. In a four-point link 1, only a section of which is shown in this instance, each of the four load-introducing elements 4 is wrapped by an additional winding 6. The winding length of additional winding 6 is determined by the circumference of the two wrap regions 8.

[0059] As a result of additional winding 6, an additional operative connection is formed between load-introducing element 4 and main laminate 3. During the load event described referring to FIG. 5, which is brought about, for example, by braking, compressive forces can be transmitted from load-introducing element 4 into main laminate 3 by the additional winding 6 through shear and tensile positive engagement.

[0060] Additional winding 6 is preferably formed from the same material as main laminate 3, for example, from GRP or CRP. Load-introducing element 4 is preferably produced by an extrusion process. Additional winding 6 is produced by the same robot as that for the windings of main laminate 3. This makes possible an economical production.

[0061] FIGS. 7A and B show a schematic diagram of a load-introducing element 4 in two views according to a further embodiment example. The depicted load-introducing element 4 is symmetrical to a central plane 12. It will be clearly discerned that load-introducing element 4 is a geometrical extruded body with two top surfaces and an outer lateral surface. This extruded body is symmetrical to this central plane 12. The two top surfaces are at an equal distance from this central plane 12 and are parallel to it. Further, load-introducing element 4 has a central axis 11 which is perpendicular to central plane 12.

[0062] Load-introducing element 4 has a receptacle 10 for a bearing, for example, an elastomeric bearing. Receptacle 10 is cylindrically shaped and has a central axis 11. This central axis 11 is perpendicular to central plane 12.

[0063] Load-introducing element 4 has an anchoring region 9, two wrap regions 8 and two guide projections 7. Anchoring region 9 has a triangular cross section. Anchoring region 9 serves to produce a positive engagement connection between load-introducing element 4 and a foam core, which is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This positive engagement connection is the same as that already shown referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0064] The two wrap regions 8 have an elliptical cross-sectional area. A first guide projection 7 is connected to a first wrap region 8. A second guide projection 7 is connected to a second wrap region 8. First guide projection 7 is arranged at the first top surface, second guide projection 7 is arranged at the second top surface. The two guide projections 7 serve to guide and position an additional winding which is shown in FIG. 9. The two wrap regions 8 serve to be wrapped by additional winding 6. The load-introducing element shown here is preferably produced from aluminum or an FRP by an extrusion process.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of load-introducing element 4 from FIG. 7 which is connected to a main laminate 3 and a foam core 5 according to a further embodiment example. It will be clearly discerned that load-introducing element 4 is integrated in the foam core 5 anchoring region 9 of load-introducing element 4. Load-introducing element 4 is connected to foam core 5 by positive engagement. Foam core 5 surrounds anchoring region 9. Foam core 5 is formed from a polymer foam. Foam core 5 is connected by positive engagement to four identical load-introducing elements 4 and accordingly forms core element 2. Only a section of core element 2 is shown.

[0066] Core element 2 and accordingly load-introducing element 4 and foam core 5 are wrapped by main laminate 3 in a partial region. Main laminate 3 does not wrap around wrap regions 8 and guide projections 7 of load-introducing element 4. The latter are still free of material. Main laminate 3 is preferably formed from FRP, for example, from GRP or CRP.

[0067] The arrangement shown here without additional winding is able during a load event, when the four-point link is used in a vehicle, to transmit tensile longitudinal forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement, to transmit lateral forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via shear and possibly via positive engagement, and to transmit vertical forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement.

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of load-introducing element 4, main laminate 3 and foam core 5 from FIG. 8 with an additional winding 6 according to an embodiment example. In this case, beyond the arrangement in FIG. 8, the additional winding 6 is shown. Additional winding 6 is preferably formed from the same material as main laminate 3, for example, GRP.

[0069] Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 of load-introducing element 4 radially. Further, additional winding 6 wraps around main laminate 3 in a partial area, likewise radially. An additional operative connection results between load-introducing element 4 and main laminate 3 because of additional winding 6. Additional winding 6 wraps around the two wrap regions 8 continuously, i.e., without interruption. The two guide projections 7 serve to position additional winding 6 accurately at wrap regions 8 so that a slippage of additional winding 6 is impossible. In a four-point link 1, only a section of which is shown in this instance, each of the four load-introducing elements 4 is wrapped by an additional winding 6. The winding length of additional winding 6 is determined by the circumference of the two wrap regions 8. The winding length of additional winding 6 shown here is appreciably shorter than the winding length of the additional winding that is shown in FIG. 6 or in FIG. 3.

[0070] As a result of additional winding 6, an additional operative connection is formed between load-introducing element 4 and main laminate 3. During the load event described referring to FIG. 8, which is brought about, for example, by braking, compressive forces can be transmitted from load-introducing element 4 into main laminate 3 by additional winding 6 through shear and tensile positive engagement. Additional winding 6 is produced by the same robot as that for the windings of main laminate 3. This makes possible an economical production.

[0071] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a four-point link 1 without additional winding not according to the present invention. The four-point link 1 is shown here only for purposes of an overview. It will be clearly discerned that four-point link 1 has four load-introducing elements 4 which have, in each instance, a receptacle 10 for a bearing, for example, for an elastomeric bearing. Every receptacle 10 has a central axis 11. In this case, it is shown that main laminate 3 wraps around foam core 5 and the four load-introducing elements 4. The four-point link 1 shown here has no additional winding. Accordingly, during a load event, the four-point link 1 shown here can only transmit tensile longitudinal forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement, lateral forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via shear and possibly via positive engagement, and vertical forces from load-introducing elements 4 to main laminate 3 via positive engagement. However, with this construction principle, compressive forces cannot be reliably absorbed and transmitted into main laminate 3. Accordingly, a reliable response to a load event cannot be ensured.

[0072] The embodiment examples shown herein are selected to be exemplary only. For example, the load-introducing element or load-introducing elements can be shaped differently than shown herein. For example, the anchoring region can have a more specific shape so as to improve the positive engagement between the foam core and the load-introducing elements.

[0073] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.