# US 11,298,997 B2 · Multi-point link for an undercarriage of a motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,997 B2 - Document ID: US11298997B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/266,235 - Filed: 2019-07-10 - Published: 2021-09-23 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-08 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Applicants: Zf Friedrichshafen AG - Inventors: Andre Stieglitz; Ingolf Müller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298997B2 ## CPC - B60G 7/001: {Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence)} - B60G 2206/013: with embedded inserts for material reinforcement - B60G 2206/11: the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link - B60G 2206/7101: Fiber-reinforced plastics [FRP] - B60G 2206/821: by gluing - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle. The multi-point link has at least one profile portion with two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the profile portion, the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the profile portion. An outer circumferential surface of the profile portion is provided with at least one stiffening element to increase the stiffness of the multi-point link, and the stiffening element is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the profile portion by material bonding. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one stiffening element; at least one profile portion; two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the at least one profile portion and the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the at least one profile portion; and an entire outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is provided with the at least one stiffening element to increase a stiffness of the multi-point link, wherein an entire radially inner surface of the at least one stiffening element is in contact with and connected to the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion by material bonding. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is arranged between the at least one profile portion and the at least one stiffening element, wherein the adhesive layer connects the at least one profile portion and the at least one stiffening element to one another by material bonding. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein at least one contour area of the at least one profile portion is surroundingly enclosed by the at least one stiffening element such that the at least one profile portion is simultaneously connected to the at least one stiffening element in the at least one contour area via material bonding and positive engagement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein the at least one profile portion has a cross section with a crosspiece extending in a vertical direction (z) and a plurality of flanges that are spaced apart parallel to one another and connected to one another by the crosspiece, wherein the plurality of flanges extend in a transverse direction (y) oriented orthogonal to the vertical direction (z). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The multi-point link according to claim 4, wherein at least one free end of a respective flange is surroundingly enclosed by the at least one stiffening element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The multi-point link according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of flanges are arranged parallel to one another and are surroundingly enclosed by a same stiffening element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stiffening element has wall portions of different thickness. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stiffening element is formed as a hollow profile with at least one hollow chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is provided with a plurality of stiffening elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The multi-point link according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of stiffening elements are identically formed at least in cross section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The multi-point link according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of stiffening elements partially overlap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The multi-point link according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of stiffening elements communicate with one another circumferentially through one of catch connections, snap connections, and clip connections. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein the at least one profile portion is formed as a pultruded profile portion from a continuous fiber reinforced plastic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multi-point link according to claim 1, wherein at least one bearing area of the two bearing areas has a spline, and the spline and an end portion of the at least one profile portion mutually engage in one another in a common connection portion and are glued to one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The multi-point link according to claim 14, wherein the two bearing areas have a spline in each instance, and in that the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is completely covered by the at least one stiffening element between the respective splines. ### Claim 16 A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one stiffening element; at least one profile portion; two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the at least one profile portion and the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the at least one profile portion; and an outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is provided with the at least one stiffening element to increase a stiffness of the multi-point link, wherein the at least one stiffening element is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion by material bonding, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is provided with a plurality of stiffening elements, and wherein the plurality of stiffening elements surround the at least one profile portion completely, at least at one location. ### Claim 17 A multi-point link for a chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one stiffening element; at least one profile portion; two bearing areas arranged at opposite ends of the at least one profile portion and the two bearing areas are connected to one another by the at least one profile portion; and an outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion is provided with the at least one stiffening element to increase a stiffness of the multi-point link, wherein the at least one stiffening element is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the at least one profile portion by material bonding, wherein at least one bearing area of the two bearing areas has a spline, and the spline and an end portion of the at least one profile portion mutually engage in one another in a common connection portion and are glued to one another, wherein, in addition to the end portion of the at least one profile portion, at least one stiffening element inside of the common connection portion also engages in the spline.