Thrust bearing and suspension for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8939439-B2
Application number	US-201013513990-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 9, 2010
Priority date	Dec 10, 2009
Publication date	Jan 27, 2015
Grant date	Jan 27, 2015

Abstract

Suspension thrust bearing device comprising a rolling bearing ( 2 ) and a bottom cover ( 4 ) having a bearing surface capable of accommodating a suspension spring ( 5 ), the bottom cover ( 4 ) comprising a reinforcing framework ( 8 ), which framework has a bearing collar ( 17 ) placed axially between the rolling bearing ( 2 ) and the bearing surface of the spring ( 5 ), the framework ( 8 ) also comprising an inner radial extension ( 19 ). The framework comprises an axial portion ( 20 ) extending in a direction away from the rolling bearing ( 2 ), protruding axially relative to the inner radial extension ( 19 ) and being situated radially outside the radial extension so as to be able to accommodate a shock-absorbing pad.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A suspension thrust bearing device comprising:
a bottom cover capable of receiving a bearing surface of a suspension spring and a rolling bearing, and directly contacting a shock-absorbing pad such that the bottom cover limits axial movement of the shock-absorbing pad in both axial directions, the bottom cover comprising a reinforcing framework provided with a bearing collar extending radially relative to the axis of the rolling bearing and placed axially between the rolling bearing and the bearing surface of the suspension spring in order to reinforce the mechanical strength of the bottom cover to the axial loads originating from the forces exerted by the suspension spring, the bearing collar being annular in shape, the reinforcing framework further provided with an inner radial extension, and wherein
the reinforcing framework comprises an axial portion extending in a direction away from the rolling bearing in axial protrusion relative to the inner radial extension while being situated radially outside the inner radial extension so as to be able to accommodate the shock-absorbing pad, the inner radial extension and the axial portion being respectively capable of reinforcing the mechanical strength of the bottom cover to the axial and radial forces originating from said shock-absorbing pad,
the reinforcing framework further comprises a connection portion adapted to directly connect the bearing collar to the axial portion and the inner radial extension.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing collar and the inner radial extension are substantially parallel, and wherein
the radial extension being offset axially relative to the bearing collar on the side away from the rolling bearing.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the connection portion is frustoconical, or partially toroidal with a centre of curvature of the torus situated on the side of the spring.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the axial portion protrudes axially from the connection portion.

5. The device according to one of claim 2 , wherein the inner radial extension consists of a plurality of angular sectors.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the axial portion consists of a plurality of lugs placed angularly in alternation with the angular sectors of the radial extension.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the framework is made of pressed metal sheet.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing collar has a plurality of through-holes.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom cover comprises a body made of synthetic material overmoulded all around the framework.

10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the body has a continuous annular portion coating the axial portion of the framework.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the body has a retaining rim protruding from the annular portion in an inner radial direction, said rim being situated at an axial distance from the inner extension of the framework.

12. A telescopic strut comprising a suspension thrust bearing device according to claim 1 wherein the suspension spring and a suspension cylinder are coaxial with the rolling bearing, and wherein one end of the shock-absorbing pad can rest against the bottom cover in a radial location that is between the radial ends of the inner radial extension of the framework and an axial location that is between the axial ends of the axial portion of the framework.

Assignees

• Corbett Richard
• Viault Samuel
• Skf Ab

Inventors

• Corbett Richard
• Viault Samuel

Classifications

• B60G2204/418

  Bearings, e.g. ball or roller bearings · CPC title

• B60G15/068 Primary

  specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension · CPC title