Suspension Strut Bearing

Abstract

A suspension strut bearing having a cap and a guide ring mounted such that it is rotatable in relation to the cap about an axis of rotation, a plain bearing or rolling bearing provided between the cap and the guide ring and a supporting ring provided for a bump stop, which supporting ring extends radially internally around the guide ring, and the supporting ring is connected to the guide ring with material fit.

Claims

1. A suspension strut bearing comprising: a cap and a guide ring which is mounted such that it is rotatable in relation to the cap about an axis of rotation; a bearing provided between the cap and the guide ring; a supporting ring provided for a bump stop, the supporting ring extends radially internally around the guide ring; and the supporting ring is connected to the guide ring with material fit.

2. The suspension strut bearing of claim 1, wherein the guide ring is injection molded to the supporting ring.

3. The suspension strut bearing of claim 1, wherein the guide ring or the supporting ring has protrusions which fix the bump stop in place.

4. The suspension strut bearing of claim 1, wherein the supporting ring is formed from a steel material.

5. The suspension strut bearing of claim 1, wherein the guide ring is formed from a thermoplastic material.

6. A strut bearing comprising: a cap; a guide ring rotatably mounted to the cap; a bearing disposed between the cap and the guide ring; and a supporting ring fixedly connected to the guide ring.

7. The strut bearing of claim 1, wherein the guide ring is integrally formed with the supporting ring.

8. The strut bearing of claim 2, wherein the guide ring is injection molded to the supporting ring.

9. The strut bearing of claim 1, further comprising a bump stop operatively contacting the supporting sring.

10. The strut bearing of claim 9, wherein at least one of the guide ring and the supporting ring include protrusions extending into the bump stop.

11. The strut bearing of claim 10, wherein the protrusions fix the bump stop in position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to two figures, which show:

[0015] FIG. 1 a partial longitudinal section through an inventive suspension strut bearing according to a first embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 2 a partial longitudinal section through an inventive suspension strut bearing according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a partial longitudinal section through an inventive suspension strut bearing 1 according to a first embodiment. The suspension strut bearing 1 has a cap 2 and a guide ring 3 which is mounted such that it is rotatable in relation to the cap 2 about an axis of rotation D. The cap 2 is connected to the guide ring 3 by means of a snap connection 3a. The cap 2 is fastened to a dome bearing (not illustrated) of a chassis of a motor vehicle. The guide ring 3 receives an axial end of a shock spring (not illustrated) on an outer surface 4.

[0018] Via a plain bearing 5, the guide ring 3 is mounted on the cap 2 axially in the direction of the axis of rotation D. The plain bearing 5 serves to transmit forces acting along the axis of rotation D from the guide ring 3 to the cap 2. A seal 6 is furthermore provided between the cap 2 and the guide ring 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the seal 6 is designed as a labyrinth seal. However, a contact seal is also possible.

[0019] A bump stop 7 made from a suitable elastomer is furthermore arranged centrally about the axis of rotation D, which bump stop serves as an end stop for the shock absorber (not illustrated) of the suspension strut. In the event of a strong deflection of the suspension strut here, the cylinder of the shock absorber strikes against the bump stop 7 from below. The piston rod (not illustrated) of the shock absorber extends approximately along the axis of rotation D shown.

[0020] For the load absorption via the bump stop 7, a supporting ring 8 is provided in the guide ring 3, which supporting ring extends radially internally around the guide ring 3. The supporting ring 8 is connected to the guide ring 3 with material fit. To this end, the guide ring 3 is injection molded onto the supporting ring 8 during its production, thereby enabling a fixed and permanent connection.

[0021] To fix the bump stop 7 in place, the guide ring 3 has protruding elements 9 which are formed as lugs 10. These lugs 10 reach through openings 11 in the supporting ring 8 and engage in corresponding counter-pieces on the bump stop 7.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal section through an inventive suspension strut bearing 1 according to a second embodiment. To simplify the description, the reference signs used are the same as in the previous FIG. 1. The description is restricted merely to the features which differ from FIG. 1.

[0023] In contrast to FIG. 1, the supporting ring 8 has a protruding element 9 which serves to fix a bump stop (not illustrated in more detail) in place. The protruding element 9 is formed as a raised portion 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0024] D Axis of rotation

[0025] 1 Suspension strut bearing

[0026] 2 Cap

[0027] 3 Guide ring

[0028] 3a Snap connection

[0029] 4 Outer surface

[0030] 5 Rolling bearing

[0031] 6 Seal

[0032] 7 Bump stop

[0033] 8 Supporting ring

[0034] 9 Protruding element

[0035] 10 Lugs

[0036] 11 Opening