SUSPENSION COMPONENT WITH A MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SUSPENSION COMPONENT OF THIS KIND

Abstract

Disclosed is a chassis component (1, 38) having a measuring device (9) for determining a relative position of two chassis components connected movably with one another. For example, a first chassis component is a joint (2) with at least one rotation axis (8) and a second chassis component is a structural component (3), the structural component (3) being mounted by means of the joint (2) so that it can pivot around the rotation axis (8) of the joint (2). The measuring device (9) has a signal emitter (13) and a sensor device (10, 28) with a signal receiver (21), where the sensor device (10, 28) is arranged on the structural component (3) and the signal emitter (13) is arranged on the joint (2). To improve an arrangement of the sensor device (10, 28) on the structural component (3), the sensor device (10, 28) extends through a through-opening (11).

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A chassis component with a measuring device (9) for determining a relative position of two chassis components connected movably to one another, wherein a first chassis component is a joint (2) with at least one rotation axis (8) and a second chassis component is a structural component (3), the structural component (3) being mounted by means of the joint (2) to pivot about the rotation axis (8) of the joint (2), the measuring device (9) comprising a signal emitter (13) and a sensor device (10, 28) with a signal receiver (21), wherein the sensor device (10, 28) is arranged on the structural component (3) and the signal emitter (13) is arranged on the joint (2), wherein the sensor device (10, 28) extends through a through-opening (11) defined through the structural component (3).

14. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein the through-opening (11) extends from a first aperture (15) in the structural component (3) to a second aperture (16) in the structural component (3).

15. The chassis component according to claim 14, wherein the first aperture (15) and the second aperture (16) face away from one another.

16. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein the through-opening (11) has a first through-section (17) in the structural component (3) and a second through-section (18) in the joint (2), wherein the second through-section (18) is arranged inside the first through-section (17) to form the through-opening (11).

17. The chassis component according to claim 16, wherein the signal receiver (21) of the sensor device (10, 28) is positioned inside the through-opening (11).

18. The chassis component according to claim 17, wherein the signal receiver (21) of the sensor device (10, 28) is arranged inside the second through-section (18) of the joint (2).

19. The chassis component according to claim 16, wherein the second through-section (18) is formed in a joint housing (4) of the joint (2).

20. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein the through-opening (11) extends transversely or perpendicularly to the rotation axis (8) of the joint (2).

20. The chassis component according to claim 20, wherein the through-opening (11) extends parallel to a longitudinal axis (19) of the structural component (3).

22. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein the sensor device (10, 28) has a first end section (22) and a second end section (23) remote from the first end section (22), such that the first end section (22) and the second end section (23) are arranged outside the through-opening (11), and wherein the second end section (23) has connection means (27) for connection to an evaluation device.

23. The chassis component according to claim 22, wherein the sensor device (10, 28) comprises fixing means (24, 29) for fixing the sensor device (10, 28) onto the structural component (3).

24. The chassis component according to claim 23, wherein a first end section (22) of the sensor device (10) and/or a second end section (23) of the sensor device (28) has the fixing means (24, 29), the fixing means configured to fasten the sensor device (10, 28) onto the structural component (3) in an interlocked manner.

25. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein an interlocking and/or rotationally fixed connection is formed between the sensor device (10, 28) and the through-opening (11).

26. The chassis component of claim 25, wherein the sensor device (10, 28) is of rod-like or strut-like shape.

27. The chassis component of claim 26, wherein the sensor device (10, 28) has an out-of-round outer circumference and the through-opening (11) has an out-of-round inner circumference.

28. The chassis component according to claim 13, wherein the joint (2) is in the form of a ball and socket joint, a ball pin joint, or a rubber mounting.

29. The chassis component according to claim 28, wherein the structural component (3) is in the form of a control arm, a wheel carrier, a flange joint, or a track-rod.

30. A method for producing a chassis component (1, 38) having a measuring device (9) for determining a relative position of two chassis components connected movably to one another, wherein a first chassis component is a joint (2) with at least one rotation axis (8) and a second chassis component is a structural component (3), the structural component (3) being mounted by means of the joint (2) to pivot about the rotation axis (8) of the joint (2), the measuring device (9) comprising a signal emitter (13) and a sensor device (10, 28) with a signal receiver (21), wherein the sensor device (10, 28) is arranged on the structural component (3) and the signal emitter (13) is arranged on the joint (2), wherein the sensor device (10, 28) extends through a through-opening (11) defined in the joint (2) and/or in the structural component (3), the method comprising: forming a through-opening (11) in the chassis component (1, 38); and inserting the sensor device (10, 28) into the through-opening (11), in such manner that a first end section (22) of the sensor device (10, 28) faces away from a second end section (23) of the sensor device (10, 28); and arranging the first end section (22) and the second end section (23) outside the through-opening (11).

31. The method according to claim 30, comprising: arranging the joint (2) in a joint holder (7) of the structural component (3); forming the through-opening (11); and arranging the sensor device (10, 28) in the through-opening (11).

32. The method according to claim 30, comprising: forming a first through-section (17) in the structural component (3); forming a second through-section (18) in the joint (2); arranging the joint (2) in a joint holder (7) of the structural component (3); arranging the second through-section inside the first through-section in order to form the through-opening (11); and arranging the sensor device (10, 28) in the through-opening (11).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Below, the invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the figures. In these, the same indexes denote the same, similar or functionally equivalent components or elements. The figures show:

[0031] FIG. 1: Part of a perspective side view of a chassis component according to the invention,

[0032] FIG. 2: Part of a partially sectioned side view of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, without the sensor device,

[0033] FIG. 3: Part of a sectioned side view of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

[0034] FIG. 4: Part of a sectioned front view of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 5: A perspective side view of a further sensor device for forming a chassis component according to the invention, and

[0036] FIG. 6: A further part of a sectioned side view of a chassis component according to the invention with a further sensor device as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 shows part of a perspective side view of a chassis component 1 according to the invention. The chassis component 1 comprises a first suspension component 2 and a further suspension component 3. In this example embodiment the first suspension component 2 is in the form of a joint 2 and the further suspension component 3 is a structural component 3. In this case the chassis component 1 consists of a control arm, namely a two-point control arm, for a chassis of a motor vehicle (not illustrated in greater detail here).

[0038] In this example embodiment the joint 2 is in the form of a ball and socket joint. The joint 2 comprises a joint housing 4 and an inner joint portion 5. Here, the inner joint portion 5 is in the form of a ball socket. Furthermore, the joint 2 has a sealing bellows 6. In this case the sealing bellows 6 has the function of protecting the joint area between the joint housing 4 and the inner joint portion 5 against external influences such as dirt, moisture, mechanical influences and the like. For that purpose. the sealing bellows 6 is made of a flexible elastic material. On the side facing away from the sealing bellows 6, which cannot be seen here, the joint 2 has s further sealing bellows 6.

[0039] The joint 2 or joint housing 4 is arranged in or press-fitted into a joint holder 7 of the structural component 3. In that way the joint housing 4 is held still relative to the structural component 3. The inner joint portion 5 can pivot in the joint housing 4 and is therefore also mounted relative to the structural component 3. The joint 2 has at least one rotation axis 8, so that the structural component 3 is mounted pivotably about the rotation axis 8 of the joint 2.

[0040] In addition, the chassis component 1 has a measuring device 9. The measuring device 9 is designed to determine a relative position of the two suspension components 2, 3 connected movably to one another. The measuring device 9 comprises a sensor device 10. The sensor device 10 extends through a through-opening 11 in the chassis component 1.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows part of a partially sectioned side view of the chassis component 1 according to FIG. 1, without the sensor device 10. The joint 2 comprises a bearing shell 12 in which the inner joint portion 5 is fitted and can pivot. The bearing shell 12 is made of a plastic. In this example embodiment the structural component 3, the joint housing 4 and the inner joint portion 5 are made of aluminum.

[0042] The measuring device 9 shown in FIG. 1 also comprises a signal emitter 13. The signal emitter 13 is arranged on or associated with the joint 2. In this example embodiment the signal emitter 13 is fixed onto the inner joint portion 5. Here, the signal emitter 13 is arranged in a joint ball 14 of the inner joint portion 5. In this example embodiment the signal emitter is in the form of a magnet.

[0043] The through-opening 11 extends from a first aperture 15 in the structural component 3 to a second aperture 16 in the structural component 3. The first aperture 15 and the second aperture 16 face away from one another.

[0044] In this example embodiment the through-opening 11 has a first through-section 17 in the structural component 3. In addition, the through-opening 11 has a further through-section 18 in the joint 2. In this case the said further through-section 18 is arranged inside the first through-section 17 to form the through-opening 11. Here, the further through-section 18 is arranged centrally in the first through-section 17. The further through-section 18 is arranged or formed in the joint housing 4 of the joint 2. In this case the said further through-section 18 is in the form of a groove-like depression or a groove-like channel in the outer periphery of the joint housing 4. A central part of the first through-section 17 is made with a shape that corresponds to the further through-section 18. Thus, the central part of the first through-section 17 is also in the form of a groove-like depression or a groove-like channel The first through-section 17 and the further through-section 18 engage in one another with interlock and thereby form the through-opening 11.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows part of a sectioned side view of the chassis component 1 according to the invention as it is shown in FIG. 1. In this example embodiment the through-opening 1 extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis 8 of the joint 2. Moreover, in this example embodiment the through-opening 11 extends parallel to a longitudinal axis 19 of the structural connect 3. The signal emitter 13 is arranged in a recess 20 of the joint ball 14.

[0046] The sensor device 10 comprises a signal receiver 21. In this example embodiment the signal receiver is in the form of a Hall sensor element. The signal receiver 21 is arranged inside the through-opening 11. Furthermore, in this example embodiment the signal receiver 21 is arranged inside the further through-section 18 of the joint 2 or joint housing 4. Thus, in the area of the signal receiver 21 the sensor device 10 is surrounded by the material of the joint 2 or joint housing 4 and the structural component 3, so that the signal receiver is protected against external environmental influences and/or mechanical loads.

[0047] In this example embodiment the sensor device 10 is rod-shaped or strut-shaped. Moreover, the sensor device 10 has a first end section 22 and a second end section 23 facing away from the first end section 22. The two end sections 22, 23 are arranged outside the through-opening 11. In this example embodiment the first end section 22 is designed such that the said first end section 22 can be inserted through the through-opening 11 to position the sensor device 10 in the through-opening 11.

[0048] Furthermore, in this example embodiment the first end section 22 has fixing means 24 for fixing the sensor device 10 onto the structural component 3. In this example embodiment the fixing means 24 has a through-hole 25 in the first end section 22. Through the said through-hole a fixing element (not shown here) such as a screw can be fitted into a fixing recess 26. In this case the fixing recess 26 is part of the fixing means 24 and is formed in the structural component 3. In this example embodiment the fixing recess 26 is in the form of a blind hole into which a screw can be screwed.

[0049] In this example embodiment the second end section 23 comprises connection means 27. The connection means 27 is designed for the connection of the sensor device 10 to an evaluation device (not shown here). In this case the connection means 27 is for example in the form of a plug socket.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows part of a sectioned front view of the chassis component 1 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1. To prevent any twisting of the sensor device 10 about its longitudinal axis, an interlocking or rotationally fixed connection is formed between the sensor device 10 and the through-opening 11. For that purpose, the sensor device 10 has an out-of-round outer circumference and the through-opening 11 has a correspondingly shaped out-of-round inner circumference. Accordingly, the sensor device 10 and the through-opening 11 cooperate to produce an interlock with one another. In this example embodiment the sensor device 10 and the through-opening 11 have elongated-hole-like cross-sections.

[0051] To design or produce the chassis component 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the through-opening 11 is produced in the chassis component 1 and the sensor device 10 is inserted into the through-opening 11. In this case the first end section 22 and the second end section 23 of the sensor device 10 are arranged outside the through-opening 11.

[0052] According to a first version the joint 2 is first arranged in or press-fitted into the joint holder 7 of the structural component 3. Then, the through-opening 11 is made. This can be done for example by milling or drilling. Thereafter, the sensor device 10 is fitted into the through-opening 11.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the first through-section 17 is first produced in the structural component 2. Independently of this, the further through-section 18 is produced in the joint 2 or joint housing 4. The first through-section and the further through-section can again be made by milling or drilling. Only when this has been done or thereafter, the joint 2 is positioned in the joint holder 7 of the structural component 3. In this, the further through-section 18 of the joint 2 is arranged inside the first through-section 17 to form the through-opening 11. In this example embodiment the further through-section 18 is positioned in a central part of the first through-section 17. Thereafter, the sensor device 10 is fitted into the through-opening 11.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of a further sensor device 28 for producing a chassis component according to the invention. The structure of the said further sensor device 28 corresponds largely to the sensor device 10 according to the previous figures. Accordingly, reference can be made to the earlier description.

[0055] Otherwise than in the sensor device 10, the further sensor device 28 comprises no features for forming the fixing means 24. Instead the further sensor device 28 has further fixing means 29.

[0056] In this example embodiment the fixing means 29 has two interlock elements 30, 31. The interlock elements 30, 31 are arranged on an outer side of the sensor device 28. Here, the interlock elements 30, 31 are in the form of ramp-like elevations. The interlock elements 30, 31 in the form of ramp-like elevations and arranged mirror-symmetrically relative to one another. In this case end faces 32, 33 of the two ramp-like elevations or interlock elements 30, 31 face toward one another.

[0057] The sensor device 28 also comprises two sealing elements 34. 35. In this example embodiment the sealing elements 34, 35 are in the form of O-rings. The sealing elements 34, 35 are at least partially arranged in or set into all-around sealing grooves 36, 37 around the outer circumference of the sensor device 28.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a further part of a sectioned side view of a chassis component 38 according to the invention with the further sensor device 28 according to FIG. 5. The structure of the chassis component 38 corresponds largely to the chassis component 1 according to the preceding FIGS. 1 to 4. Accordingly, reference should also be made to the earlier description.

[0059] By virtue of the interlock elements 30, 31 any translational movement of the sensor device 28 relative to the structural component 3 in the axial direction of the through-opening 11 is prevented or blocked. The interlock elements 30, 31 are arranged on a side of the sensor device 28 facing away from the joint 2. In this case, in the area of the apertures 15, 16 of the through-opening 11 the interlock elements 30, 31 cooperate with the structural component 3 to fix the sensor device 28. In particular, with its first end face the first interlock element 30 encounters an edge of the first aperture 15 of the through-opening 11 and with its second end face the second interlock element 31 encounters an edge of the second aperture 16 of the through-opening 11.

[0060] The sealing elements 34, 35 are arranged in the area of the apertures 15, 16 of the through-opening 11 and inside the through-opening 11. The first sealing element 34 is arranged in the area of the first aperture 15 of the through-opening 11 and the second sealing element 35 is arranged in the area of the second aperture 16 of the through-opening 11. Thus, the signal receiver 21 is positioned between the two sealing elements 34, 35 and is accordingly particularly well protected against environmental influences from the outside.

Indexes

[0061] 1 Chassis component [0062] 2 First suspension component/joint [0063] 3 Further suspension component/structural component [0064] 4 Joint housing [0065] 5 Inner joint portion [0066] 6 Sealing bellows [0067] 7 Joint holder [0068] 8 Rotation axis [0069] 9 Measuring device [0070] 10 Sensor device [0071] 11 Through-opening [0072] 12 Bearing shell [0073] 13 Signal emitter [0074] 14 Joint ball [0075] 15 First aperture [0076] 16 Second aperture [0077] 17 First through-section [0078] 18 Further through-section [0079] 19 Longitudinal axis [0080] 20 Recess [0081] 21 Signal receiver [0082] 22 First end section [0083] 23 Second end section [0084] 24 Fixing means [0085] 25 Through-hole [0086] 26 Fixing recess [0087] 27 Connecting means [0088] 28 Sensor device [0089] 29 Fixing means [0090] 30 Interlock element [0091] 31 Interlocks element [0092] 32 End face [0093] 33 End face [0094] 34 Sealing element [0095] 35 Sealing element [0096] 36 Sealing groove [0097] 37 Sealing groove [0098] 38 Chassis component