Force strut brace
AssigneeZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
InventorsFrank Budde, Jochen Kruse, Stefan Schonhoff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention pertains to the design of a force connection strut (1) of a chassis of a passenger car or utility vehicle for the non-positive connection between a chassis and a wheel carrier, preferably an axle strut or a chassis control arm, comprising an elongated basic body (G) and at least two end-side mount supports (5) for introducing and leading out forces. The present invention is characterized in that the basic body (G) is composed of a plurality of elements made of plastic and metal, wherein the connection between the metal elements and the plastic elements is brought about by a deformation of a part of the plastic elements.
Claims22
Force connection strut of a chassis of a motor vehicle with an elongated basic body and at least two end-side mount supports for introducing and leading out forces, wherein the said basic body is composed of at least one said element (3) made of said plastic (K) and at least one said element (1, 2) made of said metal (M), and the connection between the said metal elements (1, 2) and the said plastic elements (3) is formed by a deformation of one part of the said plastic elements (5, 9).
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that ultrasonic riveting or ultrasonic beading is used as the deformation for at least one connection.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that the connection between a said metal element and a said plastic element (3) is achieved by means of a said plastic pin (5), which passes through a said opening (6) in a said metal element (1, 2) from one side and is broadened on the other side such that a rigid connection is formed.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that the connection of at least one said metal element (1, 2) with a said plastic element (3) is achieved by placing the said plastic element (3) from one side on the said metal element in the area of a said opening (6) in the said metal element (1, 2) and a said plastic fastening element (7), which has a said fastening leg (9) and a said locking leg (8), is brought into contact from the other side by the said fastening leg (9) through the said opening (6) with the said plastic element (3) and is welded to same.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that the said basic body is formed from at least two said metal elements (1, 2) located opposite each other, preferably flat sheet metals, which are connected to one another and are maintained at spaced locations from one another by a said plastic element (3), preferably a plastic web.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) is a punched-out sheet metal part.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) is a deep-drawn sheet metal part.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal part (1, 2) is a tailored blank or tailored strip.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that the said plastic elements (3) used have at least partially fiber reinforcements, preferably glass fibers, carbon fibers or aramide fibers.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) consists of steel or an iron-based alloy.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) consists of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) has a corrosion-inhibiting surface protection.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one metal element (1, 2) and preferably all said metal elements are deburred.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that at least one said metal element (1, 2) has beads.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that in the area of the connection with a said plastic element (43, 45), at least one said metal element (41, 42) has at least one bend, which preferably engages a said groove (44) in the said plastic element connected thereto.
Force connection strut in accordance with one of the patent claims above, characterized in that in the area of the connection with a said metal element (31, 32), at least one said plastic element (34, 35) has at least one contact surface (37), preferably in the form of a web or a plurality of webs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.