ELASTIC CHASSIS LINK FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An elastic chassis link for a vehicle is disclosed. The elastic chassis link includes a sliding joint having first and second sliding joint rods. The joint rods are movable axially relative to each other in order to change the rigidity of the elastic chassis link. The first sliding joint rod is connected to a piston that is arranged axially and movable axially within a piston space within second sliding joint rod. The piston divides the piston space into two chambers that interact with a damping element, such as fluid, within each chamber.

Claims

1. An elastic chassis link for a vehicle, comprising: a sliding joint having a first and a second sliding joint rod, wherein the sliding joint rods can move axially in relation to one another in order to modify a rigidity of the elastic chassis link, wherein the first sliding joint rod is connected to a piston that is disposed on the second sliding joint rod and substantially centrally a piston chamber but able to move axially within the piston chamber, wherein the piston divides the piston chamber into two chambers and interacts with at least one damping element in the two chambers to dampen vibrations.

2. The elastic chassis link of claim 1, wherein the at least one damping element is a non-compressible fluid which circulates between the two chambers via at least one fluid line when the piston is displaced axially.

3. The elastic chassis link of claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid line has an adjustable valve element for regulating the fluid circulation.

4. The elastic chassis link of claim 2, wherein the at least one fluid line is formed in the piston and interacts with an adjustable aperture in order to regulate the fluid circulation.

5. The elastic chassis link of claim 4, wherein the adjustable aperture can be controlled by an actuator.

6. The elastic chassis link of claim 2, wherein the piston can be returned to a starting position in the piston chamber via two compression springs acting axially, at least indirectly, thereon.

7. The elastic chassis link of claim 6, wherein the two compression springs bear axially, at least indirectly, between the two sliding joint rods.

8. The elastic chassis link of claim 1, wherein at least one elastomer element is disposed as a damping element in the respective chambers, and wherein the piston can be axially secured in place, at least indirectly, via a locking device.

9. The elastic chassis link of claim 8, wherein the locking device has at least two clamp elements which are configured to axially secure the piston in place when they are closed, at least indirectly, and to axially release it, at least indirectly, when they are open.

10. The elastic chassis link of claim 9, wherein the locking device has a worm gear configured to shift the two clamp elements between being closed and being open.

11. An adjustable chassis link for a vehicle, the adjustable chassis link comprising: a first sliding joint rod extending along an axis; and a second sliding joint rod extending along the axis and having an interior that receives the first sliding joint rod, wherein the first sliding joint rod is axially moveable within and relative to the second sliding joint rod; a piston chamber within the first sliding joint rod; a piston disposed in the piston chamber and connected to at least one of the first and second sliding joint rods; and a damping element disposed in the piston chamber and configured to dampen vibrations of the adjustable chassis link.

12. The adjustable chassis link of claim 11, wherein the damping element is adjustable such that a magnitude of damping provided by the damping element is adjustable.

13. The adjustable chassis link of claim 12, wherein the damping element is a non-compressible fluid.

14. The adjustable chassis link of claim 13, wherein the piston chamber includes two chamber sections connected via a fluid line, wherein movement of the piston within the chamber causes the non-compressible fluid to transfer from one of the chamber sections to the other of the chamber sections.

15. The adjustable chassis link of claim 14, wherein the fluid line includes an adjustable valve configured to regulate flow of the non-compressible fluid through the fluid line to thereby adjust the magnitude of damping provided by the damping element.

16. A vehicle chassis link comprising: a first sliding joint rod extending along an axis; and a second sliding joint rod extending along the axis and moveable along the axis relative to the first sliding joint; a piston chamber within at least one of the first and second sliding joints; and a piston disposed in the piston chamber and separating the piston chamber into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber; wherein fluid transfers between the first and second fluid chambers as the piston moves within the piston chamber to modify a damping characteristic of the chassis link.

17. The vehicle chassis link of claim 16, wherein the first and second fluid chambers are fluidly connected via a fluid line extending radially outward from the first and second sliding joints.

18. The vehicle chassis link of claim 16, wherein the first and second fluid chambers are fluidly connected via a fluid line extending through the piston.

19. The vehicle chassis link of claim 16, further comprising a fluid line fluidly coupling the first and second fluid chambers, and an adjustable valve configured to regulate the flow of the fluid through the fluid line to modify the damping characteristic of the chassis link.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further measures improving embodiments of the invention shall be explained in greater detail below, together with the description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, based on the Figures. Therein

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an elastic chassis link for a motor vehicle,

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial sectional view illustrating the construction of the elastic chassis link according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment,

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial sectional view illustrating the construction of the elastic chassis link according to the invention in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment, and

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial sectional view illustrating the construction of the elastic chassis link according to the invention in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] According to FIG. 1, an elastic chassis link 1 according to one embodiment has a sliding joint 2 that has a first and a second sliding joint rod 2a, 2b. The two sliding joint rods 2a, 2b can move axially in relation to one another in order to modify the rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1. In other words, the second sliding joint rod 2b is designed as a hollow shaft, and intended for receiving the first sliding joint rod 2a. In order to attach the elastic chassis link 1 to a wheel mountnot shown hereat one end, and an axle mountnot shown hereat the other end, a relatively rigid rubber bearing 17a, 17b is disposed in a respective bore hole 16a, 16b provided for this. The axial movement of the two sliding joint rods 2a, 2b in relation to one another forms the elasticity of the chassis link 1, such that, instead of the relatively rigid rubber bearings 17a, 17b, a respective ball jointnot shown herecan likewise be used to attach the elastic chassis link 1 to the wheel mount at one end, and to the axle mount at the other end.

[0023] According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first sliding joint rod 2a is connected to a piston 3 via a connecting rod 18. Furthermore, a bearing element 19 is formed on a distal end of the connecting rod 18. The piston 3 is disposed on the second sliding joint rod 2b, substantially centrally, but able to move axially, in a piston chamber 4. Furthermore, the piston is retained in a substantially central starting position in the piston chamber 4 via two compression springs 11a, 11b, acting axially on the piston 3, at least indirectly. For this, the two compression springs 11a, 11b come to bear axially between the two sliding joint rods 2a, 2b. In particular, the first compression spring 11a is disposed axially between a distal end of the first sliding joint rod 2a and a first web 20a formed on the second sliding joint rod 2b, facing radially inward. In contrast, the second compression spring 11b is disposed axially between the bearing element 19 on the connecting rod 18 and a second web 20b formed on the second sliding joint rod 2b, facing radially inward. The two compression springs 11a, 11b act on the piston 3 in opposite directions thereby, such that the piston 3 can be automatically returned to the starting position through the overlapping forces of the two compression springs 11a, 11b, after it has been deflected from the starting position.

[0024] The piston 3 divides the piston chamber 4 into two chambers 4a, 4b, and interacts with a damping element 5 disposed in the two chambers 4a, 4b to dampen vibrations. A non-compressible fluid 6 is provided as the damping element 5 in the respective chambers 4a, 4b.

[0025] In accordance with FIG. 2, the two chambers 5a, 5b are connected to one another via a fluid line 7. In order to regulate the fluid circulation, the fluid line 7 has an adjustable valve element 8. The valve element 8 can be adjusted continuously between a fully open setting and a fully closed setting. With an at least partially open setting of the valve element 8, a displacement of the piston in the piston chamber 4 is implemented, wherein the fluid 6 circulates from the one respective chamber 5a, 5b into the other respective chamber 5b, 5a via the fluid line 7. When the valve element 8 is opened further, the fluid 6 circulates more quickly through the fluid line 7, and the rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1 decreases accordingly. Consequently, the rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1 can be adjusted in a variable manner. Furthermore, there is also the possibility of fully closing the valve element 8, thus setting a maximum rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1, wherein the piston 3 can then no longer move axially in the piston chamber 4.

[0026] In accordance with FIG. 3, both chambers 4a, 4b are connected to one another via numerous fluid lines 7a, 7b formed in the piston 3, of which only two of the fluid lines 7a, 7b are depicted. In order to regulate the fluid circulation, an adjustable aperture 9 is disposed on the piston 3, wherein the aperture 9 is intended for adjusting the cross section area of the respective fluid line 7a, 7b in a continuous manner between a fully open setting and a fully closed setting. For this, the aperture 9 can be controlled by an actuator 10 disposed axially in the bearing element 19. Furthermore, a shift element 21 of the actuator 10 runs axially through the connecting rod 18, wherein the shift element 21 is provided for rotating the aperture 9, and thus adjusting the cross section area of the respective fluid line 7a, 7b. When the cross section area of the respective fluid line 7a, 7b is larger, the fluid 6 circulates more quickly through the respective fluid line 7a, 7b, and the rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1 is reduced accordingly. A maximum rigidity of the elastic chassis link 1 is implemented through a complete closing of the respective fluid line 7a, 7b, wherein the piston 3 then can no longer move axially in the piston chamber 4.

[0027] In accordance with FIG. 4, the first sliding joint rod 2a is connected to the piston 3 via the connecting rod 18. The piston 3 is disposed on the second sliding rod joint 2b, substantially centrally in the piston chamber 4, but able to move axially therein. The piston 3 divides the piston chamber 4 into two chambers 4a, 4b thereby, and interacts with an elastomer element 12a, 12b disposed in one of the two respective chambers 4a, 4b in order to dampen vibrations. An annular elastomer element 12a is disposed in the first chamber 4a, and a cylindrical elastomer element 12b is disposed in the second chamber 4b. The two elastomer elements 12a, 12b act on the piston 3 in opposite directions, such that the piston 3 can be automatically returned to the starting position through the overlapping forces of the two elastomer elements 12a, 12b, after it has been deflected from the starting position. Furthermore, a locking device 13 is disposed on the second sliding joint rod 2b, which has two clamp elements 14a, 14b, wherein the clamp elements 14a, 14b are configured to axially secure the piston 3 in place, at least indirectly, when they are closed, and to release it when they are open. The locking device 13 comprises a worm gear 15, which is configured to shift the clamp elements 14a, 14b between the closed position and the open position.

[0028] The worm gear 15 has a worm shaft 22, wherein a left-hand thread 23 and a right-hand thread 24 are formed on the worm shaft 22. As a result, when the worm shaft 22 is rotated in a first direction, an opening of the two clamp elements 14a, 14b takes place, thus axially releasing the piston 3. In contrast, when the worm shaft 22 is rotated in a second direction, a clamping of the two clamp elements 14a, 14b takes place, thus axially locking the piston 3 in place. Thus, when the clamp elements 14a, 14b are closed, a high rigidity of the chassis link 1 is obtained. In contrast, when the clamp elements 14a, 14b are open, a lower rigidity of the chassis link 1 is obtained, due to the possibility of an axial displacement of the piston 3 in the piston chamber 4.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0029] 1 chassis link

[0030] 2 sliding joint

[0031] 2a, 2b sliding joint rods

[0032] 3 piston

[0033] 4 piston chamber

[0034] 4a, 4b chambers

[0035] 5 damping element

[0036] 6 fluid

[0037] 7, 7a, 7b fluid lines

[0038] 8 valve element

[0039] 9 aperture

[0040] 10 actuator

[0041] 11a, 11b compression springs

[0042] 12a, 12b elastomer element

[0043] 13 locking device

[0044] 14a, 14b clamp elements

[0045] 15 worm gear

[0046] 16a, 16b bore hole

[0047] 17a, 17b rubber bearing

[0048] 18 connecting rod

[0049] 19 bearing element

[0050] 20a, 20b web

[0051] 21 switching element

[0052] 22 worm shaft

[0053] 23 left-hand thread

[0054] 24 right-hand thread