Stop washer for an elastomeric bearing, elastomeric bearing and subframe for a vehicle

Abstract

A stop washer for an elastomeric bearing is manufactured as a single unit from a sheet metal blank and furnished with a surface protection. In addition to its function as a path limiter, it has at least one of the following functions by a structure integrated into the forming process of the sheet metal blank, namely the function of a thread and/or anti-rotation protection. Furthermore, an elastomeric bearing with such a stop washer and a subframe equipped therewith are conceivable.

Claims

1. A stop washer for an elastomeric bearing, comprising: a sheet metal blank having characteristics of a sheet metal blank being formed in one piece by a sheet metal blank forming process; the stop washer being configured as a path limiter and having at least one of a following further features, as a result of a structure created on said sheet metal blank during said sheet metal blank forming process: a thread; and an anti-rotation protection structure; and a surface protection disposed on said sheet metal blank, said surface protection being a protective layer applied after the forming process of said sheet metal blank, including on said structure created on said sheet metal blank during said sheet metal blank forming process.

2. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said thread is integrated into said sheet metal blank as a nut thread.

3. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said thread is integrated into said sheet metal blank as a bolt thread.

4. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said anti-rotation protection structure is configured as a notch on said sheet metal blank.

5. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said anti-rotation protection structure is configured as a projection on said sheet metal blank.

6. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said anti-rotation protection structure is formed as an exposed tab on said sheet metal blank.

7. The stop washer according to claim 1, wherein said stop washer has at least one of a following additional features as a result of a further structure integrated into said sheet metal blank during the forming process of said sheet metal blank: a positioning and/or alignment mark; and a data carrier in a form of a two-dimensional code.

8. An elastomeric bearing for a motor vehicle chassis, comprising: an elastomeric bearing body; and at least one stop washer furnished on said elastomeric bearing body as a mechanical path limiter, said at least one stop washer containing: a sheet metal blank having characteristics of a sheet metal blank being formed in one piece by a sheet metal blank forming process; said at least one stop washer being configured as the mechanical path limiter and having at least one of a following further features, as a result of a structure created on said sheet metal blank during said sheet metal blank forming process: a thread; and an anti-rotation protection structure; and a surface protection disposed on said sheet metal blank, said surface protection being a protective layer applied after the forming process of said sheet metal blank, including on said structure created on said sheet metal blank during said sheet metal blank forming process.

9. A subframe for a motor vehicle, comprising the elastomeric bearing according to claim 8.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, top plan view of one possible exemplary embodiment of a stop washer according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible exemplary embodiment of an elastomeric bearing with the stop washer according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 3 another perspective view of the elastomeric bearing shown in FIG. 2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the elastomeric bearing as shown in FIG. 2, after being installed on a subframe of a motor vehicle chassis,

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the subframe;

(6) FIG. 6 is a plan view of a positioning and alignment mark; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a plan view of a stamped two-dimensional code.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a stop washer 1 for an elastomeric bearing 2 shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 to 4.

(9) By means of the elastomeric bearing 2, which may be configured as a rubber-metal bearing as in published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 10 2005 042 779 A1, for example, a subframe 3 shown schematically in FIG. 5 may be supported against a vehicle body 4 as shown in FIG. 4. The elastomeric bearing 2 may, for example, be pressed or otherwise secured to the subframe 3 with an opening.

(10) In addition, a corresponding elastomeric bearing 2 may be used to support, for example, a control arm against the subframe 3 or directly against the vehicle body 4.

(11) The stop washer 1 of the elastomeric bearing 2 is arranged on an axial end section of the bearing and, in the installation variant shown in FIG. 4, serves as a path limiter for the vertical movement of the subframe 3 relative to the vehicle body 4.

(12) The stop washer 1 is manufactured from a sheet metal blank 5 as a single unit, for example by a sheet metal stamping technique.

(13) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stop washer 1 is tub-shaped. Accordingly, it has a tub base 6, which is surrounded by a rim 7 having a flange-like design. The tub base 6 serves as a support surface for a fastening means 8, by means of which the elastomeric bearing 2 is secured to the vehicle body 4, for example screwed on. For this purpose, a passage opening 6a is formed in the tub base 6.

(14) In addition to its function as a path limiter, the stop washer 1 has at least one additional function that is provided by a structure integrated into the sheet metal blank 5 during the process of forming the metal blank 5. This additional function may be, for example, the function of a thread or an anti-rotation protection. In the exemplary embodiment shown, for purposes of illustration, both functions are integrated simultaneously into the sheet metal blank 5 of the stop washer 1.

(15) For example, a bracket for a cable or a lining part may be screwed on by means of the thread.

(16) In the present case, the function of a thread consists in a nut thread 9 integrated into the sheet metal blank 5, in particular its flange-like edge 7. For this purpose, a sleeve-like stamped-out portion 10 is furnished on the edge 7, on which structures manufactured by a forming technique may be provided that perform the function of a thread helix. It is also possible to cut corresponding thread helixes into the sleeve-like stamped-out portion 10 before applying a surface protection.

(17) Alternatively, it is possible to screw a self-tapping bolt into the stamped-out portion 10. However, a self-tapping bolt would damage a surface protection on the stop washer 1, which is explained in greater detail below, and additional measures would be necessary in order to restore the surface protection.

(18) In a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the function of the thread may also be realized via a bolt thread integrated into the sheet metal blank 5. For this purpose, a corresponding projection is stamped onto the sheet metal blank 5, which may be furnished with a structure representing a thread helix, analogous to the nut thread 9.

(19) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the thread is arranged on the flange-like edge 7 of the stop washer 1. However, such a thread may be furnished on the tub base 6 if necessary.

(20) The stop washer 1 of the exemplary embodiment additionally has an anti-rotation protection integrated into the sheet metal blank 5, by means of which, for example, a bracket that has been screwed into the thread may be secured against rotation. The anti-rotation protection may, however, also involve other attached parts that are not individually fastened to the stop washer 1. In addition, a screwed-in bracket or other component itself may serve as an anti-rotation protection for another component, which is then not covered by the originally applied surface protection.

(21) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the integrated anti-rotation protection is formed on a projection 11 that extends substantially parallel to the main extension plane of the stop washer 1, radially outward from the flange-like edge 7 thereof. The projection 11 is additionally furnished with a notch 12 that is configured as an abutment for a component that will be secured against rotation.

(22) In a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also possible to design an anti-rotation protection as a notch 12 directly on the flange-like edge 7.

(23) It is also possible to provide a notch 12 at the base of the tub 6.

(24) In another variant embodiment, the anti-rotation protection may be obtained by bending a section of the flange-like frame 7 and/or the projection 11 relative to the main plane of extension of the stop washer 1 in order to obtain an exposed tab that, like all the above-mentioned anti-rotation protection variants, is formed integrally with the sheet metal blank 5 and is also stamped out during the forming thereof.

(25) Furthermore, it is possible to realize the functions of a positioning and/or alignment mark 13 and/or a two-dimensional code 14, for example a bar code or a data matrix code, by means of a structure integrated during the forming process of the sheet metal blank 5, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 6 and 7. For this purpose, the sheet metal blank 5 may be furnished for example with corresponding stampings and/or notches, for example.

(26) After completion of the forming process and before installation on the elastomeric bearing 2, the sheet metal blank 5 is coated with a surface protection 15. This surface protection 15 thus covers all the above-mentioned structures for additional functions integrated in the stop washer 1.

(27) The one-piece embodiment of the stop washer 1 with integrated additional functions may be illustrated in a linked fabrication process that does not require additional joining processes or separate individual parts. This results in a minimal manufacturing effort for providing the additional functions mentioned above. The surface protection 15 is not affected by this, as the surface protection 15 is applied in the form of a protective layer only at the end of the forming process.

(28) This enables simple and low-waste production, for example by means of sheet metal stamping technology, which does not require any other fabrication processes or individual parts. The thread as well as the anti-rotation protection may be positioned almost anywhere on the stop washer 1, which makes it easy to adapt the required connection and/or support point for an attachment part.

(29) Because this connection and/or support point is furnished on the stop washer 1 and not on the vehicle body or a subframe, the assembly work required when fastening there may be dispensed with. This is particularly advantageous in the case of spatial constraints on a motor vehicle chassis. Instead, the attachment point, or in the case of an anti-rotation protection, the corresponding support point, is already applied when assembling the elastomeric bearing 2, and is then automatically present on the vehicle as a result of installing the elastomeric bearing 2 on the vehicle. This results in a considerable simplification of vehicle assembly.

(30) The elastomeric bearing 2 shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 to 4 is of a purely exemplary character. On the body side, it has a stop washer 16 manufactured by forming, which serves solely as a path limiter without any additional functions. Axially opposite is arranged the stop washer 1 of the type explained above, equipped with integrated additional functions. As FIGS. 2 to 4 show, the flange-like rim 7, and the projection 11 equipped with thread and anti-rotation protection, extend radially beyond the actual rubber-metal bearing section 17 of the elastomeric bearing 2. FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, the installation of such an elastomeric bearing 2 on a subframe 3 of a motor vehicle; it should be emphasized that the subframe 3 shown here is purely an example and may also have another shape.

(31) The invention has been explained in greater detail above with reference to an exemplary embodiment and further modifications. The exemplary embodiment and the modifications serve to prove the feasibility of the invention. Individual technical features that have been explained above in context the context of additional individual features, may also be implemented independently of these other features and in combination with other individual features, even if such a combination is not expressly described, as long as doing so is technically possible. Accordingly, the invention is expressly not limited to the exemplary embodiment specifically described; instead, it comprises all configurations defined by the Claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(32) 1 Stop washer 2 Elastomeric bearing 3 Subframe 4 Vehicle body 5 Sheet metal blank 6 Tub base 7 Edge 8 Fastening means 9 Nut thread 10 Sleeve-shaped stamped-out portion 11 Advance 12 Notch 13 Positioning and/or alignment mark 14 Two-dimensional code 15 Surface protection 16 Stop washer 17 Rubber metal bearing section