Suspension link element

Abstract

The invention relates to a link element (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a connecting rod (2) and a coupling element (3) for coupling the connecting rod (2) to a subassembly of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling element (3) comprises a housing (5) with a passage (6) through which the connecting rod (2) extends into the housing (5); characterized by a stop plate (7) for supporting forces transferred to the coupling element (3) by the connecting rod (2).

Claims

1. A link element (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a connecting rod (2) and a coupling element (3) for coupling the connecting rod (2) to a subassembly of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling element (3) comprises a housing (5) with a passage (6), through which the connecting rod (2) extends into the interior of the housing (5), comprising a stop plate (7) for supporting forces transferred to the coupling element (3) by the connecting rod (2); and wherein the stop plate (7) is made of sheet steel, of aluminum or of organic sheet.

2. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) is arranged on the connecting rod (2).

3. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) is arranged inside the housing (5) and cooperates with at least one counter stop (9) inside the housing (5) for supporting pivoting movements of the connecting rod (2) relative to the coupling element (3).

4. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) has an opening (8) configured to accommodate the connecting rod (2).

5. The link element (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting rod (2) is positively accommodated in the opening (8).

6. The link element (1) according to claim 5, wherein the stop plate (7) is arranged at the connecting rod (2), thus allowing the stop plate (7) to participate in movements of the connecting rod (2).

7. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element (3) is formed by a cylindrical round bearing and the stop plate (7) has the shape of a cylinder wall portion.

8. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) has a larger circumference or a larger area than the passage (6) in the housing (5).

9. The link element (1) according to claim 8, wherein the stop plate (7) forms a cover for the passage (6).

10. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) is arranged in the region of the passage (6).

11. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) abuts the inside of the housing (5).

12. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) is made of spring sheet steel.

13. The link element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (7) has a substantially U-shaped opening (8) for receiving the connecting rod (2), wherein the opening (8) has an outline corresponding to a cross section of the connecting rod (2).

14. A link element (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a connecting rod (2) and a coupling element (3) for coupling the connecting rod (2) to a subassembly of the motor vehicle, wherein the coupling element (3) comprises a housing (5) with a passage (6), through which the connecting rod (2) extends into the interior of the housing (5), comprising a stop plate (7) for supporting forces transferred to the coupling element (3) by the connecting rod (2); wherein the stop plate (7) has a larger circumference or a larger area than the passage (6) in the housing (5); and wherein the stop plate (7) forms a cover for the passage (6).

15. The link element (1) according to claim 14, wherein the stop plate (7) is arranged in the region of the passage (6).

16. The link element (1) according to claim 15, wherein the stop plate (7) abuts the inside of the housing (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a perspective view of various parts of a link element according to one embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 a perspective view of parts of the link element of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

(3) FIGS. 3a-3d a stop plate for the link element of FIG. 1 from different perspectives;

(4) FIG. 4a a side view of the link element of FIG. 1; and

(5) FIG. 4b a cross section through the link element along the line A-A in FIG. 4a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a link element 1 for a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The link element 1 includes a connecting rod 2, which can be coupled at one end with a first coupling element 3 and which is already coupled at the other end with a second coupling element 4.

(7) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first coupling element 3 includes a housing 5, which is constructed from an upper section 5a and a lower section 5b. In the FIGS. 2, 4a and 4b, the two sections 5a and 5b are connected to each other. In this configuration, the connecting rod 2 extends through a passage 6 into the interior of the housing 5 and is movably connected therein with the coupling element 3. The movable connection may include a pivoting movement, a linear movement, a rotational movement or a combination of the aforementioned types of movements.

(8) The coupling elements 3 and 4 may in turn be connected to respective subassemblies of a motor vehicle.

(9) A stop plate 7, which serves to support movements of the connecting rod relative to the housing 5 of the coupling element 3, is provided at the connecting rod 2. FIGS. 3a-3d show the stop plate from different perspectives. The stop plate 7 has an opening 8 for positively accommodating the connecting rod 2. Accordingly, the opening 8 has an outline corresponding to the cross section of the connecting rod 2 plus a mounting and decoupling gap. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 8 is substantially U-shaped.

(10) In the assembled state of the link element 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the stop plate 7 is arranged inside the housing. The pivoting movement of the stop plate 7 is limited by counter-stops 9 inside the housing 5. The counter stops 9 can be formed, for example, by walls extending radially with respect to the center of the housing 5.

(11) The stop shield 7 has the shape of a cylindrical wall section, wherein the radius corresponds substantially to the radius of the outer wall of the cylindrical housing 5. When assembled, the stop plate 7 is arranged in the region of the passage 6. The stop plate 7 partially or completely covers the passage 6 and is thus able to cover the interior of the housing 5 with respect to the outside.

(12) The stop plate 7 may be made of sheet steel, in particular spring sheet steel, or of organic sheet.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(13) 1 Link element 2 Connecting rod 3 Coupling element 4 Coupling element 5 Housing 5a Upper housing section 5b Lower housing section 6 Passage 7 Stop plate 8 Opening 9 Counter stop