DE102009046950A1 - Semi-active pendulum support for activating or deactivating stabilizer of vehicle, has blocking device i.e. piezoelectric actuator, integrated into support and blocking and releasing relative movement between external pipe and bar element - Google Patents

Abstract

The support has a bar element (2) guided in sections in an external pipe (1), where relative movement between the external pipe and the bar element is blocked in an activated condition and relative movement between the external pipe and the bar element is allowed in a non-activated condition. A blocking device e.g. piezoelectric actuator (5), is provided for blocking and releasing the relative movement and integrated into the support. The piezoelectric actuator is integrated into a wall (29) of the external pipe. The blocking device is selected from the group consisting of a magnet-rheologic actuator and an operatable ball catch mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a semi-active pendulum support for activating or deactivating a stabilizer of a vehicle according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. Art.

Chassis with pendulum supports are known from automotive engineering. Swing braces are commonly used to couple a stabilizer to the suspension of the landing gear. By so-called semi-active pendulum supports of the stabilizer z. B. activated during cornering or coupled to the suspension and deactivated during a straight-ahead or decoupled from the suspension. For this purpose, each pendulum support on a hydraulically controlled locking device. The hydraulic locking device is used to supply chambers inside the pendulum support with hydraulic fluid. In order to realize an activation or coupling of the stabilizer with the suspension, the supply of hydraulic fluid is blocked via the arranged outside the pendulum supports hydraulic control as a locking device. As a result, a relative movement between the outer tube and the inner rod is prevented in the pendulum support. Such pendulum support is also for example from the document DE 10 2005 045 177 A1 known.

In the known pendulum supports, there is the disadvantage that a separate provided outside the pendulum support blocking or blocking device is required so that corresponding supply lines are required for hydraulic supply. As a result, not only the manufacturing costs are increased, but also realized an increased need for maintenance.

The present invention is based on the object to propose a pendulum support of the type described above, in which an improved functionality is realized and also the manufacturing costs and also the need for maintenance are reduced.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the drawings.

Thus, a semi-active pendulum support for activating or deactivating a stabilizer of a vehicle is proposed with at least one outer tube or the like, in which at least partially a rod element or the like is guided, wherein in the activated state, a relative movement between the outer tube and the rod member is blocked and in im not activated state relative movement between the outer tube and the rod member is allowed. According to the invention for blocking and releasing the relative movement at least one blocking device or a locking device is provided, which is integrated in the pendulum support.

In this way, a particularly compact pendulum support is proposed without the required blocking device is arranged outside the pendulum support. As a result, not only the manufacturing cost but also the maintenance cost is minimized.

As part of a possible embodiment of the invention can be provided that at least one piezoelectric actuator is provided for blocking or releasing the pendulum support as a blocking device at least. The actuation of the actuator may be by any of piezoelectric materials such as piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric crystals, or the like. By appropriate energization of the actuator, which is arranged for example on the wall of the outer tube, a radially directed extension of the actuator can be generated in order to block or clamp the rod member in a predetermined position. For example, depending on the location of the arrangement, the bar member may also be held in its center position to activate and couple the stabilizer to the suspension. It is also possible that the rod element is braked guided in the middle position.

According to a possible development of the invention it can be provided that the piezoelectric actuator is integrated in the wall of the outer tube. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the actuator is arranged in the interior of the outer tube, preferably attached to the rod element. Other arrangement positions of the actuator are possible. However, an arrangement inside the outer tube is particularly advantageous because the components of the blocking device are protected from external influences.

A next possible embodiment variant of the invention can provide that an operable ball lock or the like for positive locking of the pendulum support is provided as the blocking device. With the example, electromagnetically or electromotively actuated Kugelverrastung a particularly simple functionality of the pendulum support can be realized. Preferably, as an electromagnetic actuation, a toroidal coil element or the like may be used with, for example, an axially movable armature which is used to activate or deactivate the Ball latch is connected to a plunger or the like. There are also other means of transmission possible to actuate the Kugelverrastung.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that the Kugelverrastung comprises an approximately pot-shaped executed element or the like, which z. B. is attached to the outer tube in the interior, wherein at the open end portion of the pot member a plurality of circumferentially distributed balls or the like are provided which are associated with a corresponding annular groove or the like. The annular groove may preferably be provided on an inner diameter of a receptacle of the rod element, in which the blocking element is received at least with its open end region. When actuated Kugelverrastung the balls z. B. removed from the annular groove, so that the rod member is freely movable. However, it is also another, reverse operation possible.

A next variant of the invention may provide that at least one actuatable nut element or the like is provided as a blocking device, for example, associated with a threaded portion on the rod element in order to block the rod element in the axial direction.

To decouple the nut member from the threaded portion, it can be provided that the nut member is formed in several parts and connected to the outer tube, wherein each part z. B. spring-loaded by means of at least one magnet or the like in the radial direction of the threaded portion can be removed to release the rod member in the axial direction. There are also other operations conceivable.

In the embodiment described above, for example, the free end of the rod member in the outer tube, a rotary drive can be assigned, the rotor z. B. at the free end of the rod member rotatably but axially movable, so that when connected to the threaded portion nut member depending on the direction of rotation of the drive, an extension or shortening of the pendulum support can be realized. In this way, not only a magnetic clamping device for the rod element is realized, but also a spindle motor for setting a desired length in the semi-active pendulum support.

In the context of a further embodiment of the invention can also be provided that is provided as a blocking means attached to the rod member ring coil or the like, the annular space between the rod member and the outer tube in two with a z. B. magnetic rheological fluid or the like filled chambers, which are connected to each other via at least one axially extending in the annular coil connection, so that a relative movement between the rod member and the outer tube is blocked when a predetermined voltage is applied to the coil.

In this quasi magnetorheological actuator, an advantageous embodiment can be realized due to the lack of moving components, which is particularly low maintenance and low production. By changing the applied voltage, the blocking effect can also be specifically influenced. Instead of the magnetorheological fluid, other functional materials, such as an electrorheological fluid or the like can be used.

The present invention will be further explained with reference to the drawings, in which possible embodiment of the invention are shown. Show it:

1 a schematic view of a first possible embodiment of a pendulum support according to the invention with a piezoelectric actuator as a blocking device;

2 a schematic view of a second possible embodiment of the pendulum support with a piezoelectric actuator as a blocking device;

3 a schematic view of a third possible embodiment of the pendulum support with a mechanical locking device;

4 a schematic view of a fourth possible embodiment of the pendulum support with a magnetic blocking device; and

5 a schematic view of a fifth possible embodiment of the pendulum support with a magnetic rheological actuator.

In the figures, various embodiments of a semi-active pendulum support for activating or deactivating a stabilizer of a vehicle are exemplified.

Regardless of the respective embodiments, the pendulum support comprises an outer tube 1 in the at least partially a rod element 2 is guided to change the length of the pendulum support can. In the activated state of the pendulum support is a relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 blocked, wherein in the non-activated state of Pendulum support a relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 is allowed. Each end of the pendulum support has an attachment point 3 . 4 on, being at the attachment point 3 the suspension or a suspension link and at the attachment point 4 For example, the stabilizer are attached. In this way, when the pendulum support is activated, the stabilizer can act, for example, when cornering on the suspension and in the non-activated state of the pendulum support, for example when driving straight ahead, the stabilizer can be decoupled from the suspension.

According to the invention it is provided that for blocking and releasing the relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 at least one blocking device or the like is provided, which is integrated in the pendulum support. In this way, a particularly compact constructed pendulum support is realized, which is low production and low maintenance.

According to 1 is a piezoelectric actuator as a blocking device 5 provided in the wall 29 of the outer tube 1 the pendulum support is integrated to a non-positive locking of the relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the inner bar 2 to realize. This is done to the actuator 5 a corresponding voltage is applied so that the actuator 5 in the radial direction inwardly expands such that the rod element 2 for example, is clamped in a middle position and a further movement of the rod element 2 thus prevented.

In 2 a second possible embodiment of the invention is shown, in which also a piezoelectric actuator 5 for non-positive locking of the rod element 2 is used. In contrast to the first embodiment, the actuator 5 including its necessary sensors and electronics inside or in the interior 6 of the outer tube 1 arranged. This will be the actuator 5 protected against unwanted external influences. By appropriate energization can with the rod element 2 firmly connected actuator 5 expand radially outward and on the inner wall of the outer tube 1 be clamped, so that a relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the inner bar 2 in every state is possible. In particular, the rod element 2 also slowed down in z. B. a middle position are blocked.

A mechanical clamping or blocking device is according to a third embodiment in 3 exemplified. As a mechanical locking device is an actuated ball latch 30 for positive locking of the relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 intended. For the ball lock 30 is an electromagnetic actuation 32 provided, which is a toroidal coil element 31 with an axially movable armature 7 includes at the for activating or deactivating the ball detent a plunger 8th is attached.

The ball catch comprises a pot element 9 , which on the inner diameter of the outer tube 1 and on a housing 10 the electromagnetic actuation 32 is fixed in place. The pot element 9 is with its open end area 11 in a cup-shaped receiving area 12 of the rod element 2 taken, depending on the axial position of the rod member 2 the open end area 11 more or less in the reception area 12 is included. Over the circumference of the open end area 11 of the pot element 9 are several balls 14 distributed, a corresponding annular groove 13 at the inner diameter of the cup-shaped receiving area 12 of the rod element 2 assigned.

In the pot element 9 is again the one with the anchor 7 the electromagnetic actuation 32 connected plungers 8th taken, with its in the axial direction changing outer diameter an abutment for in the annular groove 13 located balls 14 forms. When the electromagnetic actuation 32 is activated, becomes the anchor 7 with the pestle 8th shifted to the right in the drawing plane, so that due to the decreasing outer diameter of the plunger element 8th the balls 14 from the ring groove 13 be conveyed, so that the positive connection between the receiving area 12 of the rod element 2 and the outer tube 1 over the pot element 9 the ball lock 30 is opened. Consequently, a relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 authorized. To reset the anchor element 7 or plunger 8th in the non-activated state of the operation 32 to realize, becomes a spring 15 between the pot element 9 and the anchor 7 provided, thereby the balls are 14 , as 3 shown due to the increasing outer diameter of the plunger element 8th in the ring groove 13 conveyed so that the positive connection between the receiving area 12 of the rod element 2 and the outer tube 1 over the pot element 9 the ball lock 30 is closed. It is also possible that the blocking of the rod element 2 or the Kugelverrastung also in the activated state of the electromagnetic actuation 32 takes place, so that then the release of the rod element 2 in the non-activated state of the electromagnetic actuation 32 is realized.

In 4 a fourth possible embodiment variant is shown in the blocking device as an operable nut member 16 is provided, which is a threaded portion 17 on the rod element 2 is assigned to the rod element 2 to block in the axial direction, and a relative movement between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 to lock.

The nut element 16 is in several parts, for example, in two parts and with the outer tube 1 fastened rotatably inside, with each part of the nut member 16 at least one spring element 18 is assigned, with which the nut element 16 in engagement with the threaded portion 17 can apply. Using a respectively assigned magnet or a ring magnet 28 can be the parts of the nut element 16 in the radial direction of the threaded portion 17 be removed again to the rod element 2 to release in the axial direction. Due to the quasi switchable nut element 16 If required, the pendulum support can be activated or deactivated.

The switchable nut element 16 and the threaded portion 17 on the rod element 2 are designed so that a dynamically self-locking system is created. This means in the event that the nut element 16 over the spring elements 18 is closed and thus the mother element 16 with the threaded section 17 engaged that a firm connection between the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 the pendulum support exists. Will the nut element 16 on the other hand, about the magnets 28 held open or from the threaded portion 17 solved, so can the two ends of the pendulum support or the outer tube 1 and the rod element 2 move freely to each other.

In the illustrated embodiment variant can also be provided that an electric motor 19 is provided as a rotary drive, whereby an active adjustment of the length of the pendulum support can optionally be made. In the locked state, so if the mother element 16 in engagement with the threaded portion 17 can exist over the electric motor 19 the active adjustment are made. The electric motor 19 includes one on the outer tube 1 fixed, housing-fixed stator 20 , where the rotor 21 at the free end of the rod element 2 is attached. About, for example, a spline 22 is a drehstar ^r e but axially movable connection between the rotor 21 and the rod element 2 provided, depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 19 with closed nut element 16 an elongation or shortening of the pendulum support is made possible.

According to 5 a fifth possible embodiment of the invention is shown, in which at least one magnetorheological actuator as a blocking device 23 is provided to activate or deactivate the pendulum support. This is the interior 6 of the outer tube 1 For example, filled with a magnetic rheological fluid, which can change its viscosity under the influence of a magnetic field. The magnetorheological actuator 23 includes one on the rod member 2 attached ring coil 24 that are so in the interior 6 of the outer tube 1 is arranged so that two chambers 25 . 26 be formed, wherein the toroidal coil 24 an axially extending gap 27 over which the two chambers 25 . 26 connected to each other. By applying a voltage to the toroidal coil 24 will the gap 27 flooded by a magnetic field, so that the flow through the gap 27 due to the change in viscosity changes and thereby a displacement of the rod member 2 opposite the outer tube 1 impeded or prevented. By changing the voltage at the toroidal coil 24 This blocking effect can be specifically influenced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

outer tube

2

bar member

3

attachment point

4

attachment point

5

piezoelectric actuator

6

inner space

7

anchor

8th

tappet

9

cup element

10

casing

11

open end area

12

reception area

13

ring groove

14

Bullet

15

feather

16

nut element

17

threaded portion

18

spring element

19

electric motor

20

stator

21

rotor

22

spline

23

magnetic rheological actuator

24

toroid

25

chamber

26

chamber

27

gap

28

magnet

29

wall

30

ball catch

31

Ring coil element

32

electromagnetic actuation

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005045177 A1 [0002]

Claims (15)

Semi-active pendulum support for activating or deactivating a stabilizer of a vehicle, with at least one outer tube ( 1 ), in which at least in sections a rod element ( 2 ) is guided, wherein in the activated state, a relative movement between the outer tube ( 1 ) and the rod element ( 2 ) is blocked and wherein in the non-activated state, a relative movement between the outer tube ( 1 ) and the rod element ( 2 ), characterized in that for blocking and releasing the relative movement, at least one blocking device is provided, which is integrated in the pendulum support. Pendulum support according to claim 1, characterized in that as blocking means at least one piezoelectric actuator ( 5 ) is provided for frictional blocking or releasing. Pendulum support according to claim 2, characterized in that the piezoelectric actuator ( 5 ) on the outer tube ( 1 ) is arranged that the energized actuator ( 5 ) by a radially directed expansion of the rod element ( 2 ) is stuck in a predetermined position. Pendulum support according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the piezoelectric actuator ( 5 ) in the wall ( 29 ) of the outer tube ( 1 ) is integrated. Pendulum support according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the piezoelectric actuator ( 5 ) in the interior ( 6 ) of the outer tube ( 1 ) is arranged. Pendulum support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as blocking means an actuatable ball lock ( 30 ) for positive locking of the rod element ( 2 ) is provided. Pendulum support according to claim 6, characterized in that as electromagnetic actuation ( 32 ) an annular coil element ( 31 ) with an axially movable armature ( 7 ) is provided for activating or deactivating the ball lock ( 30 ) with a pestle ( 8th ) connected is. Pendulum support according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the Kugelverrastung ( 30 ) a pot element ( 9 ), which at the inner diameter of the outer tube ( 1 ), wherein at the open end region ( 11 ) of the pot element ( 9 ) several circumferentially distributed balls ( 14 ) are held, which correspond to a corresponding annular groove ( 13 ) at the inner diameter of a cup-shaped receiving area ( 12 ) of the rod element ( 2 ) assigned. Pendulum support according to claim 8, characterized in that when unconfirmed Kugelverrastung ( 30 ) the balls ( 14 ) for the positive locking of the rod element ( 2 ) in the annular groove ( 13 ) are provided, and that when actuated Kugelverrastung ( 30 ) the balls ( 14 ) for releasing the rod element ( 2 ) from the annular groove ( 13 ) are removed. Pendulum support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as blocking means at least one actuatable nut element ( 16 ) is provided that a threaded portion ( 17 ) on the rod element ( 2 ) is assigned to the rod element ( 2 ) in the axial direction. Pendulum support according to claim 10, characterized in that the nut element ( 16 ) formed in several parts and with the outer tube ( 1 ) is rotatably connected, wherein each part of the nut member ( 16 ) against at least one spring element ( 18 ) by means of at least one magnet ( 28 ) in the radial direction of the threaded portion ( 17 ) is removable to the rod element ( 2 ) in the axial direction. Pendulum support according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the free end of the rod element ( 2 ) in the interior ( 6 ) of the outer tube ( 1 ) an electric motor ( 19 ), whose stator ( 20 ) rotatably with the outer tube ( 1 ) and its rotor ( 21 ) via a spline ( 22 ) rotatably but axially movable with the rod member ( 2 ) are connected, so that with the threaded portion ( 17 ) connected nut element ( 16 ) depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor ( 19 ) an elongation or shortening of the pendulum support can be realized. Pendulum support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as blocking means at least one magnetorheological actuator ( 23 ) is provided. Pendulum support according to claim 13, characterized in that the magnetorheological actuator ( 23 ) one on the rod element ( 2 ) fixed ring coil ( 24 ) having the annular interior ( 6 ) between the rod element ( 2 ) and the outer tube ( 1 ) in two chambers filled with a magnetorheological fluid ( 25 . 26 ), which via at least one in the toroidal coil ( 24 ) axially extending gap ( 27 ) are interconnected, so that a relative movement between the rod element ( 2 ) and the outer tube ( 1 ) is blockable when at the gap ( 27 ) through a magnetic field Applying a voltage at the toroidal coil ( 24 ) is producible. Pendulum support according to claim 14, characterized in that the blocking effect is controllable by the change of the applied voltage.

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