Knuckle bracket for a strut-type shock absorber

The invention relates to a one-piece designed as bending molding joint support according to the preamble of claim. 1

From EP 0716943 A1 is a one-piece designed as a bending mold part Ge joint support comprising two spaced supporting body having an opening for Recording an outer jacket of a piston-cylinder unit, which between tween the supporting bodies, a connecting web and lugs to connect the Piston-cylinder assembly are carried out on a joint known.

Starting from a flat sheet metal blank end-side support body are punches and then gebo by repeated bending to a joint support gen. The length of the sheet metal blank is made up of the length of the connecting web between the supporting bodies and a respective share of the tabs to Anbin tion of a joint together. The width is determined from the distance and the Length of the straps.

The DE 196 47 411 C1 describes a fastening bracket for a Schwin vibration damper, which is also carried out in the construction of a one-piece bent part is. In types of construction by the<b>Fig.</b> 1 to 3 are in a flat Blechroh running ling parallel cuts, determine the later shell part. At closing a U-shaped bracket is formed from the sheet metal blank which a comprises sleeve-shaped peripheral part. Then you formed a collar on the edges of the peripheral part. The peripheral sections extend transversely webs, so that the shell component partially performed in two layers and partially radially is issued, so that aligned to the center shell portion same inside may have diameters as the now two-part peripheral part. How one the description can be found, is the production of the mounting bracket quite demanding. Although it has intensified with the collar, the peripheral part, but is such a peripheral part in strength to one support body corresponding to EP 0716943 A1 inherently inferior.

JP 03-37441 A relates to a joint support, which run as bending molding is. The joint support comprises two spaced support body with an opening for receiving an outer jacket of a piston-cylinder unit, wherein between the supporting bodies, a connecting web and lugs to connect the Piston-cylinder assembly are carried out on a joint. The tabs and the Verbindungsssteg are U-shaped aligned.

Object of the present invention is a to realize a joint support that with as few and simple forming steps a high degree of Festig accuracy guarantees.

According to the invention the object is achieved by claim. 1

The essential advantage of the invention is the fact that one hand be particularly simple joint support exists, but compared to the identified having prior art higher strength values, because of the connecting web Tabs bears. Further, the and the to and from the connecting web shaped arrangement of tabs formed recording at the axial ends open, that different long running joints can be recorded.

Furthermore, the joint support of a comparatively smaller plate rohling be made because the sheet metal blank length of the outer diameter the two support body and the length of the connecting web is determined.

The joint brace can also be used for higher loads. The Sleeve Shirt se and the connecting web forming a two-ply portion extending fes tigkeitssteigernd effect.

In a further advantageous embodiment, both supporting bodies are designed as a sleeve leads and starting from the respective fastening points in the direction of each Weil aligned other support member, wherein the opposite end touch surface of the support body. In an application of force to a supporting body, z. B. in the assembly of the joint support to the outer shell of a vibra vibration damper, the supporting body support from each other.

One can also provide that the two supporting bodies are welded together are.

Alternatively or in combination may also be at least one in the direction of the walls ren supporting body aligned sleeve with the connecting web to be welded. This is particularly the case of very thin metal thicknesses an increase in strength achieved.

In order to use the straps for larger axial force shots, extend the tabs axially over the entire length of the connecting web.

Thus, the connecting web requires as little space, has the Verbin training web an arcuate, the outer contour of the jacket matched cross sectional shape.

A particular advantage can be achieved in particular if the Ver is connecting web is welded to the shell of the piston-cylinder unit.

It has already been described, that the supporting body has an edge to ei NEN free section between the sleeve of the supporting body and the connecting web be avoided if possible. To nevertheless a system of connection to facilitate web on the jacket, is between the support body and the Verbin training web a transition curve is performed in the direction of the shell, the radial expansion of the rim from the support body based on the jacket balances.

As an alternative to a sleeve on the supporting body can also provide that the Supporting body to the recording at least one tongue-like attachment tab which is in operative connection with the shell. A tab can be with produce a significantly lower Umformaufwand.

To the best possible contact with the casing of the piston-cylinder unit achieve, comprises the fastening tab in an arcuate cross-sectional shape, which is adapted to the outer contour of the shell.

In view of a good fixing of the joint support to the shell, the Images in the supporting bodies have different diameters and at stops abut surfaces of the jacket. Due to the different diameter of the Images can the jacket be a stepped and thus in the area of Level mindestes a holding area for the joint support represent. such Configuration is particularly useful if the material of the jacket or the joint support is less suitable for welding.

For this purpose there is for example the possibility that a supporting body with one of its radially extending surfaces abuts a holding surface of the shell.

For example, the supporting body with an end face of its sleeve on the Holding surface rest.

To a small expenditure for the connecting web to Durchmesserun difference to compensate between shots, is the connection web on a larger pitch circle designed as the supporting body.

Use the following figure description, the invention is explained in more detail will.

It shows:

<b>Fig.</b> 1-8 Different versions of a joint brace as flexure

The <b>Fig.</b> 1a shows a perspective view of a knuckle bracket <b>1</b>, the one upper support body <b>3</b> and a spaced lower support body <b>3</b> having, wherein between the supporting bodies <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> a connecting web <b>7</b> is executed. The supporting body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> have an opening <b>8th</b>; <b>9</b> for receiving a not represent provided the outer shell of a vibration damper. A sleeve<b>11</b>; <b>13</b> be limits the radial expansion of the opening <b>8th</b>; <b>9</b>, Which sleeve <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> ei nem circumferential edge <b>15</b>; <b>17</b> is enclosed which corresponds approximately to the wall thickness of an sheet metal blank <b>19</b> corresponds, as in <b>Fig.</b> 1d is shown.

The length of the sheet metal blank <b>19</b> is determined by the diameters of the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> plus the length of the connecting web <b>7</b>, In a first procedural the sheet metal blank is rensschritt prepared. For connection to a hinge, z. B. a vehicle axle, has the joint support two parallel plates <b>21</b>; <b>23</b>Integrally in Endfertigungszustand together with the connecting web <b>7</b> arranged a U-shape to each other. The tabs<b>21</b>; <b>23</b> extending about the entire length of the connecting web <b>7</b> and have transverse openings <b>21</b>a; <b>23</b>for receiving a fastening means. Thus, the width calculated the sheet metal blank <b>19</b> from the width of the connecting web <b>7</b> and the widths of the tabs <b>21</b>; <b>23</b>,

In a further process step, the openings <b>8th</b>; <b>9</b> to record cut the outer jacket of the vibration damper and the sleeve <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> formed. Here is a sleeve<b>11</b> in the one and the other sleeve <b>13</b> the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> starting from the plane of the sheet metal blank <b>7</b> in the opposite direction taken.

At the end of the forming processes in the lies <b>Fig.</b> 1c joint support shown <b>1</b> before, in which a support body <b>3</b> in direction of the other supporting body <b>3</b> being rich Tet is a part and the connecting web <b>7</b> and the sleeve <b>13</b> parallel. The design of the edges <b>15</b>; <b>17</b> approximately to the wall thickness of the sheet metal blank <b>19</b> has, as can easily be seen from this figure, the advantage that in order for the form process the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> lie on a common axis and Umformaufwand for tabs <b>21</b>; <b>23</b> and the connecting web <b>7</b> conceivable ge ring are. Further need in the sheet blank at the transitions of the United bond web <b>7</b> to the edges <b>15</b>; <b>17</b> the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> no open cuts be made for the shaping of the supporting body to the connecting web.

One can the with its sleeve <b>13</b> parallel to the connecting web <b>7</b> extending supporting body <b>5</b> with the connecting web in addition with a weld <b>25</b> connect to the strength of the overall joint support <b>1</b> to increase.

The group of figures <b>2</b>a-<b>2</b>d shows a modification to <b>Fig.</b> 1 in such a form that the sleeves <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> are formed in the same direction in the sheet metal blank and in Fer tigzustand in mirror image to axially outside of the connecting web <b>7</b> are arranged. This variant can be manufactured very easily.

With the group of figures <b>3</b>a-<b>3</b>d should be made clear that it also quite can be useful to both sleeves <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> mutually axially aligned. It gives A particularly short build joint support <b>1</b>Belonging to the optional each a weld <b>25</b> with the parallel connecting web <b>7</b> verbun can be the.

The group of figures <b>4</b>a-<b>4</b>d represents a further group of figures <b>3</b> represent. The length of the sleeves <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> is dimensioned such that the aligned end face <b>27</b>; <b>29</b> Sleeve <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> touch and the sleeves <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> thus form a tubular body, the length of the Verbin training web <b>7</b> equivalent. One can by suitable welding processes Vorse hen that the sleeve body are connected and thus an extremely stable Ge steering support is present. Furthermore, there is the possibility of the sleeve body au ßenseitig via an axially extending weld <b>31</b> with the connecting web <b>7</b> connect to.

The <b>Fig.</b> 5a-5d show a further development of a joint support <b>1</b> from the leadership after Figurengruppe <b>2</b>, Starting from the edge<b>15</b>; <b>17</b> the Stützkör pers <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> extends a Übergangsgsbogen <b>33</b>; <b>35</b>That the radial Ausdeh tion of the rim <b>15</b>; <b>17</b> towards a jacket <b>37</b> the piston Cylinder unit compensates. The transition curve ensures a favorable State of stress within the joint support <b>1</b> and prevents cracking at this point. Thus it can be achieved that the connecting web<b>7</b> at the Coat is applied. As shown in the<b>Fig.</b> 5b it can be seen, the connecting web, a arcuate cross-sectional shape. Thus, a full-surface contact of the Connecting web can be achieved on the jacket.

A close contact as possible between the connecting web <b>7</b> and the jacket <b>37</b> opens the possibility that axially extending welding seams <b>39</b>; <b>41</b> can be carried out between the connecting web and the shell. If necessary, the connecting web and in the tabs recesses <b>43</b> be carried out to reduce the mass of the joint support.

With the group of figures <b>6</b> should be made clear that the support body <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> not necessarily a sleeve <b>11</b>; <b>13</b> must have. So you can at the Ab development of joint support by <b>Fig.</b> 6d a tongue-like attachment tab <b>45</b> in the field of recording <b>9</b> recognize that on the finished joint support in the axial direction the piston-cylinder unit runs and also an arcuate having cross-sectional shape to particularly reliably to the casing <b>37</b> to be welded. A fastening tab requires a significantly low ren Umformaufwand, wherein the entire cut out for inclusion in can divide multiple fastening straps.

The group of figures <b>7</b> is also made of the variant according to <b>Fig.</b> 2 developed and differs in particular in that the supporting body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> one under have different diameters and axially on holding surface <b>47</b>; <b>49</b> at the coat <b>37</b> supported. For this, the jacket is a stepped design. So you can the joint support <b>1</b> axially on the jacket <b>37</b> the piston-cylinder unit on Push and un by at least one embossed radially outward holding surface low the support body <b>5</b> fix in both directions. This type of fastening tion then makes sense if a consuming weldable material such Example, aluminum, is used.

In the group of figures <b>8th</b> comes a jacket according to the group of figures <b>1</b> to Application. Notwithstanding, a joint support<b>1</b> according to the group of figures <b>1</b> used in which also the support body <b>3</b>; <b>5</b> By a different having knife and the connecting web <b>7</b> on a larger pitch circle of out than the support body <b>3</b> with the smaller diameter. The sleeve<b>13</b> is supported with its end face <b>51</b> on the retaining surface <b>47</b> the jacket <b>37</b> from.