ARRANGEMENT FOR CONNECTING CHASSIS COMPONENTS AND WHEEL CARRIERS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

An arrangement for connecting chassis parts, in particular a screw connection, between a structure made of a fiber-plastic composite and a metallic load-introducing element, designed as a traction member. The structure is double-walled having a first wall and at least a second wall spaced from the first wall. The first and second walls have each coaxially positioned recesses and a spacer, having a through hole, is positioned between the first and second walls. The load-introducing element extends through at least one recess and the hole of the spacer. The load-introducing element has a holding part assigned to it, and the load-introducing element and the holding part are connected to one another by a connecting segment. The connecting segment and/or the holding part essentially pass through the first and/or the second wall.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. An arrangement for connecting chassis components between a structure made of a fiber-plastic-composite (FPC) and a metallic, load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404), the structure being multi-walled having a first wall (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) and at least one additional wall (3, 103, 203, 303, 403) being spaced from the first wall; the first wall and the additional wall each having at least one recess (2a, 3a, 102a, 103a, 202a, 203a, 302a, 303a, 402a, 403a) that are positioned coaxially with respect to one another; a spacer (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), having a through hole (5a, 305a, 405a), being positioned between the first wall and the additional wall; the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) being held extending through the through hole (5a, 305a, 405a) of the spacer (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) and the at least one recess (2a, 3a) of at least one of the first wall and the additional wall; the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) having a corresponding holding part (6, 106, 206, 306, 406); the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) and the holding part (6, 106, 206, 306, 406) being connected with one another by a connection section (7, 107, 207, 307, 407) by at least one of a form-fit, a force-fit and a material-fit; and the connection section (7, 107, 207, 307, 407) and the holding part (6, 106, 206, 306, 406) essentially extending through at least one of the first wall and the at least one additional second wall (2, 102, 202, 302, 402; 3, 103, 203, 303, 403).

20. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein the holding part is one of a threaded sleeve (6, 106, 406), a countersunk nut (206) and a countersunk cylinder head screw (306).

21. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein the load-introducing element is a ball stud (4, 104, 204, 304, 404).

22. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 21, wherein the ball stud (4, 204, 304, 404) either has an essentially conical shaft (4b, 204b, 304b, 404b) or a cylindrical shaft (104b).

23. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 22, wherein the ball stud (4, 204, 304, 404), with the essentially conical shaft (4b, 204b, 304b, 404b) or the cylindrical shaft (4b, 104b, 204b, 304b, 404b), is supported in a conical sleeve (8, 208, 308, 408), which extends through the additional wall in the recess (3a, 103a, 203a, 303a, 403a), by either a friction-fit or a force-fit.

24. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein the holding part is either a threaded sleeve (6, 106, 406) or countersunk nut (206) having an inner thread (6a, 106a, 206a, 406a), the load-introducing element is a ball stud (4, 104, 204, 404) having an outer thread (4a, 104a, 204a, 404a), and the inner thread and the outer thread form the connection section (7, 107, 207, 407).

25. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein in the load-introducing element is a ball stud (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) which has a blind hole (4d, 104d, 204d, 304d) with a polygon cross-section which receives an installation tool.

26. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein the holding part (6, 106) is a threaded sleeve having a collar (6b, 106b) which is either directly or indirectly on supported the first wall (2, 102).

27. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 19, wherein the holding part (206) is a countersunk nut that is supported by a collar sleeve (212) with respect to the first wall (202).

28. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 20, wherein the holding part (306) is the countersunk cylinder head screw which has an outer thread (306a), and the load-introducing element is a ball stud having an inner thread (304c), and the inner thread and the outer thread form the connection section (307).

29. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 28, wherein cylinder head screw (306) is supported at the first wall (302) by a collar sleeve (312).

30. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 26, wherein a disc (9), having a micro-toothed surface (9a), is positioned between the collar (6b) of the holding part, in the form of the threaded sleeve (6), and the first wall (2).

31. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 23, wherein the conical sleeve (8, 208, 308, 408) has a collar (8b, 208b, 308b, 408b) which is supported either, directly or indirectly, at the at least one additional wall (3, 203, 303, 403).

32. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 31, wherein a disc (10), having a micro-toothed surface (10a), is positioned between the collar (8b) and the at least one additional wall (3).

33. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 30, wherein the disc (409, 410) with the micro-toothed surface has pins (409a, 410a) that are positioned about a perimeter of the micro-toothed surface and that engage, via a form-fit, with the recesses (402c, 403c, 405b, 405c) of at least one of the first wall, the at least one additional wall (402, 403) and the spacer (405).

34. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 33, wherein the collar (6b, 106b) of the threaded sleeve (6, 106) has apertures (6c) arranged about a circumference thereof that are positioned to operate with an installation tool (11, 111).

35. The arrangement for connecting chassis components according to claim 33, wherein the collar (6b, 106b) of the threaded sleeve (6, 106) has recesses (6c) arranged about a periphery thereof for engagement with an installation tool.

36. A wheel carrier for a motor vehicle with at least a double-walled structure made of a fiber-plastic-composite (FPC), a first wall (502) being designed as an inner shell (521) and at least one additional second wall (503) designed as an outer shell (520) and being spaced from the first wall; a metallic load-introducing element (501, 523) being installed at the first wall and the second wall (502, 503) by an arrangement for connecting chassis parts (505, 505, 506); the first wall and the second wall each having coaxially positioned recesses (2a, 3a, 102a, 103a, 202a, 203a, 302a, 303a, 402a, 403a); a spacer (5, 105, 205, 305, 405), having a through hole (5a, 305a, 405a), being positioned between the first wall and the second wall; the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) having at least one recess (2a, 3a, 102a, 103a, 202a, 203a, 302a, 303a, 402a, 403a) and extending through the through hole (5a, 305a, 405a) of the spacer (5, 105, 205, 305, 405); the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) having a holding part (6, 106, 206, 306, 406); the load-introducing element (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) and the holding part (6, 106, 206, 306, 406) being connected with one another by a connection section (7, 107, 207, 307, 407) formed as at least one of a form-fit, a force-fit and a material-fit; and the connection section (7, 107, 207, 307, 407) and the holding part (6, 106, 206 306, 406) extending through at least one of the first wall and the at least one second wall (2, 102, 202, 302, 402; 3, 103, 203, 303, 403).

37. An arrangement for connecting vehicle chassis components between a fiber-plastic-composite structure and a metallic, tensile load-introducing element; the fiber-plastic-composite structure having first and second walls; each of the first wall and the second wall having at least one recess; the first and the second walls being arranged with respect to one another such that the recess of the first wall being coaxially aligned with the recess of the second wall; a spacer being positioned between the first and the second walls to separate the first wall from the second wall by a distance; the spacer having a through hole and being arranged such that the through hole of the spacer being coaxially aligned with the recesses of the first and the second walls; a retaining member extending through the recess in the first wall and the tensile load-introducing element extending through the recess in the second wall, and the retaining member engaging the tensile load-introducing element by at least one of a form-fit, a force-fit and a material-fit and forming a connecting portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiment examples of the invention are presented in the drawings and described in more detail below and from which further characteristics and/or advantages can result. These show:

[0028] FIG. 1 a first embodiment example of the invention for a school connection between a FPC structure and a ball stud,

[0029] FIG. 2 a second embodiment example for a screw connection.

[0030] FIG. 3 a third embodiment example for a screw connection,

[0031] FIG. 4 a fourth embodiment example for a screw connection,

[0032] FIG. 5 a fifth embodiment example for a school connection, and

[0033] FIG. 6 a wheel carrier in a FPC construction with the screw connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an inventive screw connection 1 between a double-walled structure, comprising a first wall 2 as well as a second wall 3, and a load-introducing element 4, designed as a metallic ball stud 4. The first wall 2 and the second wall 3 of the double-walled structure are designed with a fiber-plastic-composite (FPC) which is manufactured with long or endless fibers and a matrix component of an artificial resin. The fibers create hereby a textile, for instance a fabric with a load matching alignment of the fibers. Such FPC structures are known from the state of the art whereby partially also the designation fiber-composite-plastic (FPC) is common. The double-walled structure 2, 3, only partially shown, is part of a larger component into which forces from another, unillustrated, component are induced through the load-introducing element 4. The ball stud 4 has a longitudinal axis a, ball head 4a, conical shaft 4b, as well as an outer thread 4c. The first wall 2 has a recess 2a and the second wall 3 has a recess 3a. A spacer 5 is positioned between the first wall 2 and the second wall 3 and has, coaxial to the longitudinal axis a, a through hole 5a. A threaded sleeve 6 is inserted into the recess 2a of the first wall 2, and has an inner thread 6a and a collar 6b. The outer thread 4c of the ball stud 4 is screwed to the inner thread 6a of the threaded sleeve 6 and forms a threaded section 7. A cone sleeve 8 inserted into the recess 3a of the second wall 3 and extends with its cylindrical shaft into the through hole 5a of the spacer 5. The conical sleeve 8 has an inner cone 8a and a flange 8b. The cone shaped shaft 4b or outer cone 4b is placed free of play in the inner cone 8a and is kept there friction-fit. The first wall 2 has an outer surface 2b, also called the outer contour 2b, and the second wall 3 has an outer surface 3b, also called outer contour 3b. Directly at the outer surface 2b is a first disc 9 positioned with a micro-toothed surface 9a, while at the outer surface 3b of the second wall 3a, a second disc 10 is positioned with a micro-toothed surface 10a. The first and the second discs 9, 10 are metal discs, their micro-toothed surfaces 9a, 10a grab into the plastic surfaces 2b, 3b and therefore increase the friction coefficient. This effect is known from the previously mentioned documentation Konstruktion 2013, page 62-66. In the collar 6b which is placed on the first disc 9 are, distributed across the perimeter, bores 6c positioned into which studs 11a of an installation tool 11 engage. At the front end of the ball stud 4 is a blind hole 4d positioned with a polygon cross-section, Allen or hexagonal socket, into which an appropriate installation tool (Allen wrench) can be inserted.

[0035] For the creation of a force loadable screw connection, the ball stud 4 and the rotatably positioned threaded sleeve 6 are screwed together through the threaded section 7 and tensioned, wherein the tightening torque is applied by the installation tool 11 and the holding torque by the inner hexagon 4d. The thus created biasing and tensile force in the direction of the longitudinal axis a now cause the micro-toothed surfaces 9a, 10a to press into the outer surfaces 2b, 3b. The first wall 2 is supported with respect to the second wall 3 by the spacer 5 which can be made from metal or plastic. Lateral forces, meaning substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a of the FPC structure 2, 3, are here introduced by way of the ball head 4a, meaning that the structure 2, 3 is loaded with a torque. This loading torque is accommodated through a couple of forces comprising friction forces which are present in the planes of the outer surfaces 2a, 2b. Thus, there is a relatively low load for the double-walled structure 2, 3. As it can be seen from the drawing, the threaded section 7 is essentially, that is to say a large portion thereof, positioned within the outer contour 2b, meaning that only at relatively small portion of the threaded section 7 and the threaded sleeve 6 extend beyond the outer contour 2b. The fastening of the load-introducing element 4 is therefore essentially positioned within the double-walled structure 2, 3, meaning their outer contours 2b, 3b.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention for the inventive screw connection 101, wherein the same or analogous elements as shown in FIG. 1 are marked with the same reference numbers but are increased by 100. The screw connection 101 comprises a double-walled FPC structure of a first wall 102 and a second wall 103 with a spacer 105 positioned therebetween. A threaded sleeve 106 is inserted into the recess 102a, while a ball stud 104 with a cylindrical shaft 104b is inserted into the recess 103a, The ball stud 104 has a collar 104e which is supported on a disc 108 which is arranged at the outer surface 103b of the second wall 103. The ball stud 104 has at its end facing away from the ball head 104a an outer thread 104c which is screwed into the inner thread 106a of the threaded sleeve 106. Into the collar 106b of the threaded sleeve 106analogous to the first embodimenta mounting tool engages which removed after assembly of the screw connection. The threaded section 107 which connects the ball stud 104 to the threaded sleeve 106, extends very little at the outer surface 102b of the first wall 102. The load torque which is introduced by way of the ball head 104a is also transferred friction-fit and form-fit in this screw connection 101, wherein the friction forces are present at the outer surfaces 102b, 103b and the form fit is active throughout the perimeter of the threaded sleeve 106 in the recess 102a and the cylindrical shaft 104b of the ball stud 104 in the recess 103a.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention for a screw connection 201 whereby for identical or analogous elements as shown in FIG. 1 are marked with the same reference numbers but are increased by 200. A spacer 205 with a stepped bore 205a is positioned between the first and the second wall 202, 203 which is made from a fiber-plastic-composite (FPC). Into the wider part of the stepped bore 205a extends a collar sleeve 212 which is positioned in the recess 202a of the first wall 202. In the collar sleeve 212 is an embedded nut 206 positioned which has an inner thread 206a and a flange 206b which is place on the collar sleeve 212. Screwed into the countersunk nut 206 is the end of the ball stud 204 with its outer thread 204c and forms threaded section 207. The countersunk nut 206 has preferably hexagonal surfaces 206c at its outer perimeter in which a torque tool can be attached for pretensioning. The ball stud 204 has at its front a blind hole with an inner hexagon or hexalobular 204d for the application of a torque tool. The conical shaft 204b of the ball stud 204 resides in the inner cone of the conical sleeve 208 which is arranged with its collar 208b on the outer surface 203b of the second wall 203. The ball stud 204 is pre-tensioned by the countersunk nut 206 where the pretension is supported by the collar sleeve 212 and the outer surface 202b of the first wall 202. The load torque which is introduced by the ball head 204a is transmitted in this embodiment as friction-fit and form-fit to the FPC structure 202, 203.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment example of the invention for a screw connection 301, whereby same or analogue parts, as in the first embodiment have the same reference numbers but are increased by 300. A spacer 305 with a through hole 305a is positioned between the double-walled FPC structure having a first wall 302 and a second wall 303. A collar sleeve 312 is placed into the recess 302a of the first wall 302, which is supported at the outer surface 302b of the first wall 302. Into the stepped bore of the collar sleeve 312, a cylinder head screw 306 is placed which has an outer thread 306a, a screw head 306b, and an hexagon socket 306c, which means that the screw head 306b is countersunk with respect to the first wall 302. A conical sleeve 308 is placed into the recess 303a of the second wall 303, which is supported with its collar 308b in reference to the outer surface 303b of the second wall 303. The inner cone 308a of the cone sleeve 308 receives with friction-fit the cone shaft 304b of the ball stud 304. The ball stud 304 has a blind hole with an inner thread 304c into which the outer thread 306a of the cylinder head screw 306 is screwed in that forms the threaded section 307, through which the ball stud 304 is tensed with the cylinder head screw 306. The ball stud 304, as well as the cylinder head screw 306, each have a hexagonal socket 304d or 306c, respectively, to apply a torque tool (Allen Key). The load torques which are injected in the ball head 304aas explained aboveare friction-fit and form-fit injected in the FPC structure 302, 303.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention for a screw connection 401 which is a continuation of the first embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 1. Same reference numbers are used for the same or analogous parts, but are increased by 400. Positioned between the first wall 402 and the second wall 403, both manufactured with a fiber-plastic composite, is a spacer 405 with a through hole 405a that is concentric with longitudinal axis a of the ball stud 404 and which has bores distributed at the perimeter 405b, 405c. At the outer surfaces 402b, 403b of the first and of the second wall 402, 403 a first disc 409 and a second disc 410 are positioned each having, parallel to the longitudinal axis a, inserted pins 409a, 410a, distributed about the perimeter. Supplemental bores 402c, 403c are positioned in the first wall 402 and in the second wall 403 which align with the perimeter bores 405b, 405c, and which are penetrated by the pins 409a, 410a. Hereby, an improvement of the form-fit during the transfer of lateral forces to the FPC structure is achieved. At the same time, the bearing pressure on the projected surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a of the recesses 402a, 403a and the supplemental bores 402c, 403c is reduced. Both disks 409, 410 are tensioned against each other through the threaded sleeve 406 and the ball stud 404 which are screwed together through the threaded section 407. Lateral forces and load torques which are introduced by way of the ball head 404a are on one hand transferred via the friction-fit, but also transferred to the FPC structure 402, 403 by a stronger form-fit.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows as an additional embodiment of the invention, an advantageous application of the inventive screw connection 501 in a wheel carrier 500 for motor vehicles. The wheel carrier 500 is made from fiber-plastic-composite construction and designed as two-shell part, meaning it has an outer shell 520 and an inner shell 521. A spring strut 522 is attached at the wheel carrier 500 and which supports, here not shown, the chassis of a vehicle. The wheel carrier 500 corresponds in particular to the wheel carrier as it has been described in the older application of the applicant with the official file number 10 2013 209 987.8the content of the earlier application, as mentioned above, is fully incorporated by reference into the disclosure of the present application. In regard to the inventive screw connection 501, the inner shell 521 corresponds to the first wall 502, and the outer shell 520 corresponds to the second wall 503; the screw connection 501 is installed, in accordance with the invention, at this two-shell structure. One recognizes in the drawing the downward pointing ball stud 504, the spacer 505 which is positioned between the first wall 502 and the second wall 503 and, above the first wall 502 (inside of the inner shell 521), the collar of the threaded sleeve 506. At the ball head of the ball stud 504 has preferably a transverse control arm attached through which transverse loads or a load torque, respectively, are introduced in the FPC structure of the wheel carrier 500. An additional screw connection with a ball stud 523 serves as a linkage with a not shown tie rod.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0041] 1 101, 201, 301, 401 501 Screw Connection [0042] 2 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 First Wall [0043] 2a 102a, 202a, 302a, 402a Recess [0044] 2b 102b, 202b, 302b, 402b Outer Surface [0045] 3. 103, 203, 303, 403, 503 Second Wall [0046] 3a 103a, 203a, 303a, 403a Recess [0047] 3b 103b, 203b, 303b, 403b Outer Surface [0048] 4. 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 Load-introducing Element, Ball Stud [0049] 4a 104a, 204a, 304a, 404a Ball Head [0050] 4b 104b, 204b, 304b, 404b Cylindrical / Conical Shaft [0051] 4c 104c, 204c Outside Thread [0052] 4d 104d, 204d, 304d Inside Hex Socket [0053] 5 105, 205, 305, 405, 505 Spacer [0054] 5a 305a, 405a Through Hole [0055] 6 106, 406, 506 Holding element [0056] 6a 106a, 206a Inside Thread [0057] 6b 106b Collar [0058] 6c Bore, Recess [0059] 7 107, 207, 307, 407 Thread Section [0060] 8 208, 308, 408 Conical Sleeve [0061] 8a 208a, 308a Inner Cone [0062] 8b 208b, 308b Collar [0063] 9 409 First Disc [0064] 9a Micro-toothed Surface [0065] 10 410 Second Disc [0066] 11 111 Installation Tool [0067] 11a Stud [0068] 104e Collar [0069] 108 Disc [0070] 205a Stepped Bore [0071] 206 Countersunk nut [0072] 206b Flange [0073] 206c Hex Surfaces [0074] 212 Collar Sleeve [0075] 304c Inside Thread [0076] 305a Through Hole [0077] 306 Cylindrical Head Screw [0078] 306a Outside Thread [0079] 306b Screw Head [0080] 306c Inner Hex Socket [0081] 312 Wall Sleeve [0082] 402c, 403c Supplemental Bore [0083] 405a Through Hole [0084] 405b 405c Circumferential Bore, Recess [0085] 409a, 410a Pin [0086] 500 Wheel Carrier [0087] 520 Outer Shell [0088] 521 Inner Shell [0089] 522 Spring Strut [0090] 523 Ball Stud [0091] a Longitudinal Axis/Ball Stud