CHASSIS COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CHASSIS COMPONENT OF THIS TYPE

Abstract

A chassis component (1, 32) has a first end section (2), a second end section (3), and a connecting section (4) between the two end sections (2, 3), with at least one bearing (9, 10) in one of the two end sections (2, 3). A sensor device (13) has a sensor housing (14, 33) with a first sensor element (16). To improve and/or enable the arrangement of the sensor device (13) and/or the sensor housing (14) on the chassis component (1, 32), the two end sections (2, 3) and the connecting section (4) of the chassis are made as a one-piece profile (5) open on one side along its length, such that the open profile (5) forms an at least partially free inside space (17), and where the first sensor element (16) is located within the inside space (17).

Claims

1. A chassis component comprising: a first end section (2); a second end section (3); a connecting section (4) arranged between the first end section (2) and the second end section (3); at least one bearing (9, 10) in one of the first end section (2) or the second end section (3); and a sensor device (13) with a sensor housing (14, 33), wherein the sensor housing (14, 33) comprises a first sensor element (16) of the sensor device (13); wherein the first end section (2), the second end section (3), and the connecting section (4) are in the form of a one-piece open profile (5) which is open on one side over a length of the open profile (5), wherein the open profile (5) defines an at least partially free inside space (17) and the first sensor element (16) is located within the inside space (17).

2. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing (14, 33) is fixed onto a wall (6) of the open profile (5).

3. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing (14, 33) is arranged at least partially or completely within the inside space (17), and wherein the sensor housing (14) is in contact with an outside and/or an inside of a wall (6) of the open profile (5).

4. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein a wall (6) of the open profile (5) has a through-going opening (23) and the sensor housing (14) is inserted from outside the wall (6) through the through-going opening (23) into the inside space (17), and wherein a section of the sensor housing (14) containing the first sensor element (16) is positioned within the inside space (17).

5. The chassis component according to claim 4, wherein the through-going opening (23) defines a rim (24); wherein the rim has a first plug-in portion (25) and the sensor housing has a second plug-in portion (26) configured to correspond with the first plug-in portion (25), such that the first plug-in portion (25) co-operates in an interlocking manner with the second plug-in portion (26) of the sensor housing (14); wherein the first plug-in portion (25) is in the form of a groove-like depression in the rim (24) of the through-going opening (23); and wherein a constriction of the sensor housing (14) is configured to correspond with the groove-like depressionand defines the second plug-in portion (26), the constriction configured to be plugged into the groove-like depression, and the constriction formed by a partial diameter reduction of the sensor housing (14).

6. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the sensor housing (14) has an at least one-step, two-step or three-step contour, and the first sensor element (16) is arranged at a first end (18) of the sensor housing (14, 33) and/or a plug-in portion is arranged at a second end (19) of the sensor housing (14, 33).

7. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bearing (9) comprises a second sensor element (20) of the sensor device (13) and the first sensor element (16) co-operates with the second sensor element (20).

8. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bearing (9, 10) is in the form of a rubber bearing.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. The chassis component according to claim 8, wherein the open profile is configured as a sheet-metal control arm.

12. The chassis component according to claim 8, wherein the rubber bearing has an outer sleeve (21) with an opening (22), wherein the first sensor element (16) is arranged outside the outer sleeve (21) close to the said opening (22), and wherein a second sensor element (20) is arranged within the outer sleeve (21) close to the opening (22).

13. The chassis component according to claim 1, wherein the open profile is configured as a sheet-metal control arm.

14. The chassis component according to claim 7, wherein the first sensor element (16) comprises a magnetic-field-sensitive sensor and the second sensor element (20) comprises a magnet.

15. A method of producing a chassis component, comprising: defining a first end section (2), a second end section (3), and a connecting section (4) between the first end section (2) and the second end section (3), wherein the first end section (2), the second end section (3), and the connecting section (4) are in the form of a one-piece open profile (5) which is open on one side over a length of the open profile (5); defining an inside space (17) in the open profile (5); providing at least one bearing (9, 10) in one of the first end section (2) or the second end section (3); providing a sensor device (13) with a sensor housing (14, 33), the sensor housing (14, 33) comprising a first sensor element (16); and locating the first sensor element (16) within the inside space (17).

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: inserting the sensor housing (14) through a through-going opening (23) in a wall (6) of the open profile (5) so that a section of the sensor housing (14) containing the first sensor element (16) is positioned within the inside space (17); and plugging a second plug-in portion (26) of the sensor housing (14) into a first plug-in portion (25) in a rim (24) of the through-going opening (23), thereby producing an interlock.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising fixing the sensor housing (14) onto the wall (6) of the open profile (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 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:

[0023] FIG. 1: A side view of a chassis component according to the invention,

[0024] FIG. 2: A partially transparent section of a further side view of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

[0025] FIG. 3: A perspective view of a sensor housing and a bearing as constituents of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0026] FIG. 4: A partially transparent section of a first perspective view of a sensor housing in a first assembly position for the production of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0027] FIG. 5: A partially transparent section of a second perspective view of a sensor housing in a second assembly position for the production of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0028] FIG. 6: A partially transparent section of a third perspective view of a sensor housing in a third assembly position for the production of the chassis component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and

[0029] FIG. 7: A section of a side view of a further chassis component according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a chassis component 1 according to the invention. In this example embodiment the chassis component 1 comprises a first end section 2 and a second end section 3. Between the two end sections 2 and 3 is arranged a connecting section 4 which connects the end sections 2, 3 to one another. The two end sections 2, 3 and the connecting section 4 are made as a one-piece or integral profile 5. In this case the profile 5 is open on one side all along its length. In this example embodiment the profile 5 or at least its connecting section 4 has an essentially U-shaped cross-section. Thus, the profile 5 has three walls 6, 7, and 8 arranged in a U-shape relative to one another. In this, the walls 6 and 8 are essentially parallel to one another and extend essentially perpendicularly or transversely to the wall 7, away from it in the same direction.

[0031] In this example embodiment, the chassis component 1 comprises a bearing 9 and a bearing 10. The bearings 9 and 10 are in this case each in the form of rubber bearings. The bearing 9 is arranged in the first end section 2 and the bearing 10 in the second end section 3. For this, the first end section 2 and the second end section 3 in each case have a bearing holder 11 into which the bearings 9 and 10 are pressed in this example embodiment. By means of the bearings 9 and 10, in each case a rotation axis 12 is defined or predetermined, about which the chassis component 1 is mounted and able to rotate.

[0032] Furthermore, the chassis component 1 comprises a sensor device 13. The sensor device 13 comprises a sensor housing 14. The sensor housing 14 is fixed onto an outside of the wall 6 of the profile 5 by a fixing means 15.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a partially transparent section of a further side view of the chassis component 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. In this example embodiment the fixing means 15 consist of a screw. Alternatively, the fixing means can be in the form of a rivet. The sensor housing 14 has a first sensor element 16. In this example embodiment the first sensor element 16 is in the form of a magnetic-field-sensitive sensor or a Hall sensor. In this example embodiment the sensor housing 14 is an injection-molded plastic component. Moreover, in this example the first sensor element 16 is completely embedded in the material of the sensor housing 14. In other words, the first sensor element 16 is encapsulated in the material of the sensor housing 14, whereby the first sensor element 16 is protected against outside influences.

[0034] The open profile 5 forms an at least partially free inside space 17. In this case the first sensor element 16 is arranged within the inside space 17. The sensor housing 14 has a first end 18 and a second end 19 remote from the first end 18. The first sensor element 16 is located at the first end 18 of the sensor housing 14. In this example embodiment the second end 19 is in the form of a plug-in portion. The second end 19 in the form of a plug-in portion serves to be connected to a conducting lead (not shown here) which connects the sensor device 13 to an evaluation unit (not shown).

[0035] The first end 18 or first sensor element 16 faces toward the bearing 9. In this case the sensor housing 14 is fixed onto the profile 5 in such manner that the distance between the first end 18 or first sensor element 16 on the one hand and the bearing 9 on the other hand is as small as possible.

[0036] In this example embodiment the sensor housing 14 has a contour with a number of steps. Here, the sensor housing 14 has a contour with three steps. By virtue of this multi-stepped contour, a design of the sensor housing 14 which is at the same time functional and sufficiently flat can be produced.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the sensor housing 14 and the bearing 9 as parts of the chassis component 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this case, for the sake of better clarity the open profile 5 is omitted. The bearing 9 contains a second sensor element 20. The second sensor element 20 is part of the sensor device 13. The second sensor element 20 in this example embodiment is a magnet or permanent magnet inside the rubber material of the bearing 9. Here, the second sensor element 20 can be regarded as a signal emitter and the first sensor element 16 as a signal receiver. Correspondingly, the first sensor element 16 and the second sensor element 20 co-operate together.

[0038] The bearing 9 has an outer sleeve 21. The outer sleeve 21 has an opening 22. In this case the opening 22 is in the form of a cut-out in the wall material of the outer sleeve 21. In addition, the bearing 9 is arranged or orientated in such manner that the opening 22 faces toward the first sensor element 16. Thus, the first sensor element 16 is positioned outside the outer sleeve 21 and close to the opening 22. The first sensor element 16 and the second sensor element 20 are arranged and orientated with the smallest possible distance from one to the other. In this case the first sensor element 16 and the second sensor element 20 are in functional connection with one another through the opening 22.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a partially transparent section of a first perspective view of the sensor housing 14 in a first assembly position for producing the chassis component 1 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The wall 6 of the open profile 5 has a through-going opening 23. The through-going opening 23 is positioned close to the bearing holder 11 of the first end section 2. The inside space 17 formed by the walls 6, 7 and 8 of the profile 5 is accessible through the through-going opening 23. The through-going opening 23 has a rim 24 which, in this example embodiment, has an essentially right-angle-shaped design. The diameter of the through-going opening 23 is such that the sensor housing 14 can be inserted at least with its first end 18 and the first sensor element 16 first through the through-going opening 23 into the inside space 17.

[0040] The rim 24 of the through-going opening 23 has a first plug-in portion 25. The sensor housing 14 has a second plug-in portion 26. As is explained in greater detail with reference to the next figure, the first plug-in portion 25 and the second plug-in portion 26 are shaped to match one another so as to form an interlock.

[0041] The sensor housing 14 has a perforation 27. In this example embodiment the perforation 27 is positioned approximately half-way between the two ends 18 and 19. In addition the profile 5 or the wall 6 has a fixing opening 28. Both the perforation 27 and the fixing opening 28 serve, according to FIGS. 1 to 3, to allow passage of the fixing means 15 and thus to enable the sensor housing 14 to be fixed onto the profile 5 as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a partially transparent section of a second perspective view of the sensor housing 14 in a second assembly position for producing the chassis component 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the assembly position shown in this case, the sensor housing 14 has been inserted through the through-going opening 23 into the inside space 17 until the second plug-in portion 26 of the sensor housing 14 is positioned inside the opening 23. In other words, in this assembly position the rim 24 surrounds the second plug-in portion 26 of the sensor housing 14. In this example embodiment the second plug-in portion 26 is in the form of a kind of constriction of the sensor housing 14. In detail, to form the second plug-in portion 26 the sensor housing 14 has two grooves 29 and 30. The grooves 29, 30 are formed on sides of the sensor housing 14 that face away from one another. In that way, the second plug-in portion 26 in the form of a constriction is produced by virtue of a partial diameter reduction of the sensor housing 14.

[0043] The first plug-in portion 25 in this example embodiment is in the form of a groove-like depression in the rim 24 of the through-going opening 23. Furthermore, in this example embodiment the first plug-in portion 25 or the groove-like depression is formed in a section of the rim 24 that faces toward the bearing holder 11.

[0044] To produce an interlocked connection between the first plug-in portion 25 and the second plug-in portion 26, the sensor housing 14 is pushed, starting from the assembly position illustrated here, in the direction toward the bearing holder 11. In that way, the second plug-in portion 26 of the sensor housing 14 is pressed with interlock into the first plug-in portion 25 of the rim 24. By virtue of this interlock the sensor housing 14 is already held on the profile 5 in relation to two spatial directions.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a partially transparent section of a third perspective view of the sensor housing 14 in a third assembly position for producing the chassis component 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this case, after the second plug-in portion 26 has been inserted into the first plug-in portion 25, as described with reference to the previous FIG. 5, the sensor housing 14 is finally fixed or secured onto the profile 5 by the fixing means 15. By virtue of the fixing means 15 the sensor housing 14 is thereby secured on the profile 5 at least in relation to a third spatial direction. In particular, the three spatial directions mentioned above define a three-dimensional Cartesian space.

[0046] In this case the bearing holder 11 is shown without the bearing 9 in the end section 2 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. This makes it possible to see that the first end 18 of the sensor housing 14 or the first sensor element 16 is located within a free space 31in the bearing holder 11. This enables the first sensor element 16 to be positioned as small a distance as possible away from the bearing 9 or the second sensor element 20 of the bearing 9 as in FIGS. 1, 2, or 3.

[0047] Whereas in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 the mounting of the sensor housing 14 onto the profile 5 is shown without the bearing 9 fitted into the bearing holder 11, such mounting can also take place when the bearing 9 has already been fitted into the bearing holder 11.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a section of a side view of a further chassis component 32 according to the invention. The same features as before are given the same indexes. To that extent, reference can also be made to the previous description. Instead of the sensor housing 14 according to FIGS. 1 to 6, in this case a sensor housing 33 is used. The sensor housing 33 is located completely within the inside space 17. Like the sensor housing 14, the sensor housing 33 also has a first end 18 with a first sensor element 16. Otherwise than in the case of the sensor housing 14, however, the sensor housing 33 this time does not have a plurality of steps. Instead, compared with the sensor housing 14 the sensor housing 33 is of flatter shape. The sensor housing 33 is fixed to the wall 6 of the profile 5 by the fixing means 15.

TABLE-US-00001 Indexes 1 Chassis component 2 First end section 3 Second end section 4 Connecting section 5 Profile 6 wall 7 wall 8 wall 9 Bearing 10 Bearing 11 Bearing holder 12 Rotation axis 13 Sensor device 14 Sensor housing 15 Fixing means 16 First sensor element 17 Inside space 18 First end 19 Second end 20 Second sensor element 21 Outer sleeve 22 Opening 23 Through-going opening 24 Rim 25 First plug-in portion 26 Second plug-in portion 27 Perforation 28 Fixing opening 29 Groove 30 Groove 31 Free space 32 Chassis component 33 Sensor housing