WHEEL SUSPENSION

Abstract

A wheel suspension (1) for a motor vehicle, having a wheel carrier (3) which is mounted so that the wheel carrier (3) can pivot relative to a wheel-guiding control arm (4). The wheel-guiding control arm (4) includes a longitudinal control arm section (4a) with a forward body-side bearing (11) and a transverse control arm section (4b) with a rear body-side bearing (12). The rear body-side bearing (12) is designed as a ball joint.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A wheel suspension (1; 1) for a motor vehicle comprising: a wheel carrier (3; 3) that is pivotally mounted relative to a wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4), the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) having a longitudinal control arm section (4a; 4a) with a forward body-side bearing (11; 11) and a transverse control arm section (4b; 4b) with a rear body-side bearing (12; 12), and the rear body-side bearing (12; 12) being in a form of a ball joint.

19. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) is essentially L-shaped, with the longitudinal control arm section (4a; 4a) forms a longer arm of the L and the transverse control arm section (4b; 4b) forms a shorter arm of the L.

20. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein, relative to a transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, the rear body-side bearing (12; 12) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) is closer to the middle of the vehicle than the forward body-side bearing (11; 11) such that a rotational axis (20; 20) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) is inclined by an angle (, ) relative to a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle.

21. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the rear body-side bearing (12) is orientated parallel to a rotational axis (20) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4) that runs through the forward and the rear body-side bearings (11, 12).

22. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) is connected, by the rear body-side bearing (12; 12), to an axle carrier (2; 2) and, by the forward body-side bearing (11; 11), to a vehicle body.

23. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein in relation to a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle, the transverse control arm section (4b; 4b) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) has substantially greater elasticity in either vertical (z) or transverse (y) directions of the vehicle.

24. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the wheel carrier (3; 3) is connected to the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4): directly by a ball joint in a first connection area (19), and indirectly by an integral joint (5, 15, 16; 15) in a second connection area.

25. The wheel suspension according to claim 24, wherein the first and the second connection areas (19; 5, 15, 16; 15) are a spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle, with one of the first and the second connection areas ahead of a wheel center (23; 23) and the other one of the first and the second connection areas behind the wheel center (23; 23).

26. The wheel suspension according to claim 24, wherein the integral joint (5) substantially extends, in an undeflected condition of the wheel carrier (3; 3), in a vertical direction (z) of the vehicle.

27. The wheel suspension according to claim 24, wherein the integral joint (5) is connected, at one end, to the wheel carrier (3; 3) by a first hinge (15; 15) and, at the other end, to the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) by a second hinge (16).

28. The wheel suspension according to claim 27, wherein when the wheel suspension (1; 1) is viewed from above, axes (21, 22; 21, 22) of the first and the second hinges (15, 16; 15) of the integral joint (5) extend substantially parallel to a rotational axis (20; 20) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4).

29. The wheel suspension according to claim 27, wherein when the wheel suspension (1; 1) is viewed from a transverse side, axes (21, 22; 21, 22) of the first and the second hinges (15, 16; 15) of the integral joint (5) intersect at a point (S) located ahead of a wheel center (23; 23) in relation to a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle, and when viewed from the transverse side, the axis (22; 22) of the second hinge (16) of the integral joint (5) on a link side is directed substantially parallel to a rotational axis (20; 20) of the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4).

30. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the wheel carrier (3;3) is additionally connected to an axle carrier (2; 2) by a camber link (8; 8), and the camber link (8; 8) is associated with an upper link plane while the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) is associated with a link plane lower than the upper link plane.

31. The wheel suspension according to claim 18, wherein the wheel suspension (1; 1) is associated with steering means (9; 9) which are articulated to the wheel carrier (3; 3) behind a wheel center (23; 23) in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

32. The wheel suspension according to claim 31, wherein the steering means are designed as a track control link (9; 9) which is actuatable by an actor for active steering.

33. The wheel suspension according to claim 31, wherein the steering means are designed as a track rod for passive steering by way of the wheel stroke.

34. A wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4), for mounting a wheel carrier (3; 3) of a wheel suspension (1; 1), comprising: a longitudinal control arm section (4a; 4a) with a forward body-side bearing (11; 11) and a transverse control arm section (4b; 4b) with a rear body-side bearing (12; 12), and the rear body-side bearing (12; 12) being designed as a ball joint.

35. A wheel suspension for wheel of a motor vehicle, the wheel suspension comprising: a wheel carrier (3; 3) that is coupled to a wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4) such that the wheel carrier (3; 3) is pivotable relative to the wheel-guiding control arm (4; 4); the wheel-guiding control arm having a longitudinal control arm section (4a; 4a) and a transverse control arm section (4b; 4b), and the longitudinal control arm section being aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the transverse control arm section being aligned in a transverse direction of the vehicle; the longitudinal control arm section having one end fixed to one end of the transverse control arm section such that the wheel-guiding control arm is L-shaped, and an opposite end of the longitudinal control arm section having a forward body-side bearing and an opposite end of the transverse control arm section having rear body-side bearing designed as a ball joint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Below, the invention is explained in greater detail with reference to an example embodiment illustrated in the drawing, from which further advantageous effects of the invention emerge. The drawing below show:

[0030] FIG. 1: A perspective view of a wheel suspension according to a first example embodiment, viewed obliquely from behind,

[0031] FIG. 2: A view from above, of the wheel suspension according to the first example embodiment,

[0032] FIG. 3: A side view of part of the wheel suspension,

[0033] FIG. 4a: A detailed representation of a wheel-guiding control arm used in the wheel suspension according to the first example embodiment, viewed from above,

[0034] FIG. 4b: A sectioned view of a ball-and-socket joint used with the wheel-guiding control arm shown in FIG. 4a,

[0035] FIG. 5: A view from above, of a wheel suspension according to a second example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] FIGS. 1 to 4b show various aspects of a first example embodiment of a wheel suspension 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention, which are explained below. Since the figures all relate to the first example embodiment of the invention, in the figures the same components are denoted by the same indexes so that statements made about any index or its corresponding component apply just as well to all the figures and thus do not have to be repeated for every figure. In all the figures orientations are defined by indicating a coordinate system, wherein x is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, y its transverse direction and z its vertical direction.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a wheel suspension 1 for a motor vehicle fitted onto an axle carrier 2, wherein for the sake of simplicity only the wheel suspension 1 on the leftrelative to a motor vehicle (not shown) is fitted. The axle carrier 2 on which the wheel suspension 1 is fitted consists essentially of four tubes welded to one another, of which a forward and a rear tube extend essentially in the transverse direction and the, by comparison, shorter tubes that extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are welded to them to form a rigid frame. At the outer ends of the tubes extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle there are in the usual manner four connection points via which the axle carrier 2 can be fitted onto a body (not shown) of a motor vehicle, again in a manner known as such.

[0038] The wheel suspension 1 shown comprises a wheel carrier 3 mounted so that it can pivot relative to a wheel-guiding control arm 4. The wheel-guiding control arm 4 is an essentially L-shaped component comprising a longitudinal control arm section 4a and a transverse control arm section 4b. In this connection reference should be made to FIG. 4a, which shows a detailed representation of the wheel-guiding control arm viewed from above. From this it can be seen that the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is formed essentially by a tubular component forming the longitudinal control arm section 4a and, connected solidly to it, a blade-like component that forms the transverse control arm section 4b. Whereas due to its tubular structure the longitudinal control arm section 4a is particularly resistant to distortion, the transverse control arm section 4b, particularly in relation to the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, has a comparatively high elasticity and therefore flexibility. Whereas the wheel-guiding control arm 4 as a whole can be regarded as a substantially L-shaped component of which the longitudinal control arm section 4a forms the longer arm of an L while the transverse control arm section 4b forms the shorter arm of the L, the longitudinal control arm section 4a, despite its essentially elongated extension has a shape slightly resembling an S (with consecutive right-hand and left-hand curvatures). This S-shape makes it possible for a hinge holder 19 for the wheel carrier 3 to be arranged particularly close to the wheel (on the outside of the vehicle), whereas at the same time in an area farther forward (relative to the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle) and curved inward there is sufficient space for a wheel mounted on the wheel carrier 3. Located farther inside relative to the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, on the longitudinal control arm section 4a close to the L-angle a recess for a control-arm-side hinge 16 for an integral joint 5 still to be explained is provided. In addition, in this part of the longitudinal control arm section 4a there is a lower recess for a damper 6. Furthermore, in the L-angle formed by the tubular longitudinal control arm section 4a and the blade-like transverse control arm section 4b, a holder plate is arranged, which serves to support a spiral spring 7 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) at the bottom.

[0039] As can also be seen in FIG. 4a, the wheel-guiding control arm 4 has at the forward end of the longitudinal control arm section 4a, a forward body-side bearing 11. This forward body-side bearing 11 is in the form of an elastomer bearing, and its bearing axis is inclined at an inclination angle (see FIG. 2) relative to the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 4a, it can be seen from the representation therein that the wheel-guiding control arm 4 has a rear body-side bearing 12 at the end of the transverse control arm section 4b facing toward the inside of the vehicle. This rear body-side bearing 12 is in the form of a ball-and-socket joint.

[0041] FIG. 4b shows a sectioned representation of the rear body-side bearing 12 of the transverse control arm section 4b of the wheel-guiding control arm, which bearing 12 is in the form of a ball-and-socket bearing.

[0042] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is connected directly to the vehicle body or the axle carrier 2 (including the vehicle body) by way of the forward body-side bearing 11 and the rear body-side bearing 12. Consequently the wheel-guiding control arm 4 can pivot relative to the vehicle body about the rotational axis 20, whereby compression of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 (together with the wheel carrier 3 connected thereto) is made possible. Since in relation to the transverse direction y of the vehicle the rear body-side bearing 12 of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is closer to the middle of the vehicle than is the forward body-side bearing 11, the rotational axis 20 of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is inclined by an angle relative to the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle.

[0043] In the example embodiment described here the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is connected to the axle carrier 2 by the rear body-side bearing 12, whereas the forward body-side bearing 11 is connected directly to the vehicle body (not shown). According to a conceivable alternative design the axle carrier 2 could also be designed such that the forward body-side bearing 11 too is connected to the axle carrier. The kinematics of the mounting of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 would not be influenced by this.

[0044] As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 4a, in relation to the longitudinal direction x the transverse control arm section 4b of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 has substantially greater elasticity than in the vertical direction z or in the transverse direction y of the vehicle. As can best be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4a, the transverse control arm section 4b of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is designed in the form of a blade. Furthermore the forward body-side bearing 11 of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 has some compliance in the direction of the bearing axis (which coincides with the rotational axis 20). The relatively high elasticity of the transverse control arm section 4b and the longitudinal compliance of the forward body-side bearing 11 contribute toward allowing the longitudinal control arm 4, when an impact occurs in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to move at least to a certain extent in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with deformation of the transverse control arm section 4b of the wheel-guiding control arm 4, whereby the longitudinal comfort of the wheel suspension 1 is increased. The design of the rear body-side bearing 12 as a ball-and-socket joint in this case advantageously ensures that the transverse control arm section 4b is not, or is hardly deformed when the wheel-guiding control arm 4 is compressed or expanded. Due to the design of the ball-and-socket joint, no appreciable wear takes place at the rear body-side bearing 12 and there is a slight decrease of the secondary spring rate of the wheel suspension 1. Thanks to the still existing longitudinal mobility (deformability of the longitudinal control arm section 4a) the longitudinal comfort of the wheel suspension 1 remains high.

[0045] As already mentioned earlier, the wheel carrier 3 is mounted so that it can pivot relative to the wheel-guiding control arm 4. For that purpose, in the example embodiment of the wheel suspension 1 illustrated, the wheel carrier 3 is connected to the wheel-guiding control arm 4 at two connection areas, so that the wheel carrier 3 can pivot about a virtual pivoting axis relative to the wheel-guiding control arm 4. An imaginary connection line between a hinge holder 19 and a hinge 14 of a camber link 8 on the wheel carrier side in this case represents the virtual pivoting axis of the wheel carrier 3.

[0046] As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 4a, on the longitudinal control arm section 4a of the wheel-guiding control arm 4 a hinge holder 19 is formed for receiving a ball joint, which serves to connect the wheel carrier 3 in this first connection area 19 to the wheel-guiding control arm 4 in an articulated manner.

[0047] From FIG. 3 it can be seen that the wheel carrier 3 is also connected to the wheel-guiding control arm 4in a second connection areaindirectly by way of an integral joint 5. The integral joint 5 is in the form of a so-termed two-point link such that an upper hinge 15 is connected to the wheel carrier 3 and a lower end is connected by way of a hinge 16 to the wheel-guiding control arm 4. The integral joint 5 extends essentially longitudinally. Otherwise than with a purely linear extension, however, the integral joint 5 is slightly curved in an approximately central area. According to the representation in FIG. 3, the axes 21, 22 of the hinges 15, 16 of the integral joint 5, when the wheel suspension 1 is viewed from the side, are directed so that they intersect at a point S ahead of the wheel center 23 relative to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. Viewing the wheel suspension 1 from the side, the axis 22 of the link-side hinge 16 of the integral joint 5 extends approximately parallel to the rotational axis 20 of the wheel-guiding control arm 4.

[0048] According to the representation shown in FIG. 2, when the wheel suspension 1 is viewed from above, the axes 21, 22 of the hinges 15, 16 of the integral joint 5 are orientated approximately parallel to the rotational axis 20 of the wheel-guiding control arm 4. Thanks to this orientation of the hinge axes of the integral joint, a further reduction of the secondary spring rate of the wheel suspension 1 is achieved, since the bearings used for the integral joint, which are preferably in the form of elastomer bearings, undergo hardly any cardanic loading. Both the useful life of the elastomer bearings and also the driving comfort are increased thereby. Moreover, owing to the lower secondary spring rate a vehicle equipped with the wheel suspension 1 can be controlled in a better way.

[0049] The two (first and second) connection areas where the wheel carrier is connected to the wheel-guiding control arm are a distance apart from one another in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, as can be seen in FIG. 3. Because of this, rotation of the wheel carrier 3 about the wheel axis is avoided, so that the integral joint 5 arranged in the second connection area serves as a supporting element. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the first connection area 19 is positioned ahead of the wheel center 23 whereas the second connection area formed by the integral joint 5 is behind the wheel center 23in each case relative to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. In the undeflected condition of the wheel carrier 3, the integral joint 5 extends essentially in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle.

[0050] As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel carrier 3 is additionally connected with the axle carrier 2 by way of a camber link 8. The camber link 8 is a two-point link in the shape of a flattened C. An end of the camber link 8 directed toward the axle carrier 2 is articulated to the axle carrier 2 by means of a body-side hinge 13. An end of the camber link 8 directed toward the wheel carrier is articulated to the wheel carrier 3 by means of a hinge 14 on the wheel carrier side. Compared with the wheel-guiding control arm 4, which is positioned in an imaginary lower link plane, the camber link 8 can be associated with a link plane higher than that.

[0051] The described indirect and direct coupling of the wheel carrier to the wheel-guiding control arm 4, together with the connection by way of the camber link 8, enable the wheel carrier 3 to pivot relative to the wheel-guiding control arm 4 about a virtual steering axis that passes through the points 19 and 14. When such steering movement takes place, the integral link 5 pivots about the axis 22 of the control-arm-side hinge 16, and to control this steering movement of the wheel suspension 1 steering means 9 are provided. In the example embodiment shown, these means consist of a track control link 9 which, for active steering, can be actuated by an actor (not illustrated further). The track control link 9 is a two-point link component, which at its end on the outside of the vehicle is articulated by way of a track hinge 17 positioned behind the wheel center 23. Alternatively, in accordance with a different design (not shown here) the track control link 9 could engage directly with the integral link 5 a distance away from its hinge 16 on the control-arm side.

[0052] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a spring 7 and a damper 6 are associated with the wheel-guiding control arm 4. In each case these extend essentially in the vertical direction z of the vehicle and are each supported at their respective lower ends by the wheel-guiding control arm 4. Viewing the wheel suspension 1 from above as in FIG. 2, the spring 7 and the damper 6 are arranged between the axle carrier 2, the camber link 8, the wheel carrier 3 and the track control link 9.

[0053] Finally, FIG. 5 shows a view from above, of a wheel suspension 1 according to a second example embodiment of the invention. The wheel suspension 1 according to the second example embodiment resembles the wheel suspension 1 of the first embodiment in many respects. Accordingly, to avoid repetitions only those characteristics which are different will be explained below.

[0054] In the wheel suspension 1 of the second embodiment, the rear body-side bearing 12 has a particular orientation, in that it is directed parallel to the rotational axis 20 that runs between the middle of the forward body-side bearing 11 and the rear body-side bearing 12. Thus, the bearing axis of the rear body-side bearing 12 is not at a right-angle to the main extension direction of the transverse control arm section 4b, but instead encloses with it an angle smaller than 90. Thus, from the practical standpoint the bearing axis of the rear body-side bearing 12 made as a ball-and-socket joint coincides with the rotational axis of the wheel-guiding control arm 4. By virtue of this arrangement it can be ensured that during compression and expansion the ball-and-socket joint 12 is subjected to a smaller cardanic angle.

INDEXES

[0055] 1 Wheel suspension according to the first example embodiment [0056] 1 Wheel suspension according to the second example embodiment [0057] 2 Axle carrier [0058] 3 Wheel carrier [0059] 4 Wheel-guiding control arm [0060] 4a Longitudinal control arm section [0061] 4b Transverse control arm section [0062] 5 Integral link [0063] 6 Damper [0064] 7 Spring [0065] 8 Camber link [0066] 9 Track control link [0067] 10 Stabilizer [0068] 11 Forward hinge [0069] 12 Rear hinge [0070] 13 Body-side hinge [0071] 14 Wheel-carrier-side hinge [0072] 15 Wheel-carrier-side hinge [0073] 16 Link-side hinge [0074] 17 Track hinge [0075] 18 Inner hinge [0076] 19 Hinge holder on the wheel carrier [0077] 20 Axis [0078] 21 Axis [0079] 22 Axis [0080] 23 Wheel center [0081] S Intersection point [0082] , Inclination angle [0083] x Longitudinal direction of the vehicle [0084] y Transverse direction of the vehicle [0085] z Vertical direction of the vehicle