DE102021118414B3 - Elastomeric bush bearing with reduced torsional and cardanic stiffness - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastomeric bush bearing, comprising an inner sleeve, which has a spherical section on a radial outer surface, which is supported on a radial inner surface of a bearing shell element providing a sliding surface to set up mutual sliding contact, as well as an outer sleeve and a radial between bearing shell and outer sleeve arranged damping body, wherein the damping body is vulcanized to the outer sleeve. The bush bearing according to the invention is characterized in that the damping body is vulcanized with a radial inner surface on an outer surface of the bearing shell element for direct support of the damping body on the bearing shell element. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a bush bearing.

Description

The invention relates to an elastomeric bush bearing according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for its manufacture.

Such elastomeric bush bearings for providing reduced torsional and cardanic rigidity are known in the field and are used in particular as damping bushes in the area of the wheel suspension of motor vehicles, for example for designing a twist-beam rear axle and/or a multi-link axle of a motor vehicle. For example, the document describes DE 10 2011 054 631 B4 the use of such a damping bush as a connecting means for coupling a suspension system of a motor vehicle to a subframe of a vehicle body. Such an elastomeric bush bearing is also disclosed, for example, in the German patent application DE 10 2009 043 552 A1 disclosed.

A generic elastomeric bush bearing is disclosed in the patent application DE 101 50 189 A1 disclosed.

The object of the invention is to improve an elastomeric bush bearing of the generic type with regard to the sliding friction properties between the bearing shell element and the spherical section of the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve.

This object is already achieved by the present invention with an elastomeric bush bearing comprising the features of claim 1. The elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention has an inner sleeve which comprises a spherical section on a radial outer surface which, to set up mutual sliding contact on a, a sliding surface providing radial inner surface of a bearing shell element, for forming a ball-and-socket joint, as well as an outer sleeve and a damping body arranged radially between the bearing shell and the outer sleeve, which can be designed as an elastomer body, wherein the damping body is integrally connected to the outer sleeve, in particular can be vulcanized onto the outer sleeve. The damping body is materially connected to a radial inner surface on an outer surface of the bearing shell element, in particular vulcanized, for direct support of the damping body on the bearing shell element. The elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention is characterized in that the bearing shell element is molded onto the spherical section of the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve.

Because the bearing shell element, which provides the sliding surface for the spherical section of the inner sleeve, is also designed as an abutment or support element for the radially outer damping body, the structure of the bush bearing can be significantly simplified and thus more cost-effective production can be provided. Because the bearing shell element is molded onto the spherical section of the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve, the sliding surface of the bearing shell element associated with the spherical section of the inner sleeve is basically closed circumferentially without any calibration step. In this way, on the one hand, a possible loss of lubricant in the area of the bearing of the spherical section of the inner sleeve in the bearing shell element can be avoided or ruled out and, moreover, the friction in this arrangement with ball sleeve joint functionality can be further reduced.

The idea underlying the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention is to design the sliding shell for the ball sleeve joint integrated in the bush bearing at the same time as a component of the bush bearing, to which the damping body is materially connected or vulcanized, so that a design provided for conventional bush bearings with reduced torsional and cardanic rigidity, for example in the form of a plastic housing molded onto the bearing shell or a fixing ring arranged between the bearing shell and the damping body, can be omitted, which simplifies the structure of the bush bearing according to the invention compared to conventional bush bearings. In this respect, according to the invention, such an intermediate layer between the bearing shell element and the damping body can be omitted. In terms of the present invention, the bearing shell material provides the sliding surface for the spherical section of the inner sleeve to form a ball sleeve joint and a surface to which the damping body is materially connected, in particular to which the damping body can be vulcanized.

It should be noted that the term "spherical section" is not only limited to sections with a purely spherical surface area, but can mean very generally sections with a curved surface, in particular a convexly curved surface. In the same way, the inner surface of the bearing shell element to provide the corresponding sliding surface can be an associated or complementary curved surface, in particular a concavely curved surface that can be adapted to the convexly curved surface of the spherical section of the inner sleeve given as an example. It it can also be provided that the spherical section is concavely curved on the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve, and in a corresponding manner the corresponding sliding surface of the bearing shell element is convexly curved. In both versions, the specified ball sleeve hinge functionality of the bush bearing according to the invention can be provided.

Further features according to the invention and developments of the invention are given in the following general description, the figures, the description of the figures and the dependent claims.

The bearing shell element, which can be configured in particular in the manner of a cylinder, comprising an inner jacket section adapted to the spherical section of the inner sleeve, can be closed circumferentially depending on the embodiment, but also slotted over its entire length. In the last-described embodiment, an elastomeric bush bearing designed according to the invention, which in the installed position can have a radial prestressing of the damping body or elastomer body, can be designed in that the damping body vulcanized onto the bearing shell element has complementary slots or is designed with a longitudinal gap in the form of a wedge , In which case the outer sleeve, to which the damping body is in turn vulcanized, can be designed to be closed around the circumference. After the inner sleeve has been combined with the semi-finished product described, which consists of the slotted bearing shell element and the peripherally closed outer sleeve as well as the damping body arranged between the two components and vulcanized onto them, the radial prestress described in the bush bearing according to the invention or in the damping body can be reduced by calibrating the composite camp are generated. During this calibration, the peripherally closed outer sleeve is plastically deformed to set a smaller diameter of the outer sleeve, such that the longitudinal slot of the bearing shell element and the gap aligned therewith in the damping body are closed. With the closure of the longitudinal slot of the bearing shell element, a peripherally uninterrupted sliding surface can be provided for the associated spherical section of the inner sleeve.

On the one hand, in order to provide the described ball sleeve joint functionality of the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention via a large cardanic deflection of the bearing and, on the other hand, a design option for fastening a sealing element to the bearing shell element, it can be provided according to the invention that the bearing shell element in the installed position extends axially at the end stem, i.e. in the longitudinal direction extends beyond the spherical portion of the inner sleeve. It can be provided that when the bearing shell element and inner sleeve are aligned coaxially with one another, the inner sleeve and the bearing shell element are in contact with one another over a predetermined partial axial section of the spherical section of the inner sleeve, while outside of the predetermined partial axial section they are at an increasing distance from the partial axial section have an increasing radial distance from one another in the axial direction, which in particular can increase continuously. Starting from the coaxial rest position described, the design described enables the inner sleeve to be tilted relative to the bearing shell element, which is referred to in the field as cardanic deflection.

Since there is no further intermediate layer between the bearing shell element and the damping body in the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention compared to the generic bush bearings, it can be expediently provided that the bearing shell element has a sleeve-like insert, particularly in embodiments of bush bearings according to the invention that are designed for use with high operating forces , Which can be substantially completely, in particular completely embedded in the bearing shell element. Provision can preferably be made for the material of the insert to be made harder than the bearing shell material, for example made of a hard plastic or metal, in order to reinforce the bearing shell element. It can be provided that the insert is axially limited essentially to the axial extent of the sliding surface in order to ensure that during operation the curvature of the sliding surface formed by the bearing shell element for the spherical section of the inner sleeve remains essentially unchanged in order to ensure that the to maintain specified ball sleeve joint functionality of the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention.

According to the invention, the bearing shell element is molded onto the spherical section of the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve in one manufacturing step. The material of the inner sleeve and the injection molding material for designing the bearing shell element can be selected and the injection molding parameters can also be set such that there is no material connection between the inner sleeve and bearing shell element after the injection molding process in the described injection molding process. Under certain circumstances can also be provided be to pretreat the inner sleeve before the injection molding process or the insertion into an associated injection mold in the region of the spherical section, for example to occupy or coat it, in order to prevent a material connection between the bearing shell material and the inner sleeve during the injection molding process.

When selecting the material for manufacturing the bearing shell element of the elastomeric bush bearing designed according to the invention, a compromise must be found between the lowest possible sliding friction value and the necessary stability of the material to absorb or dissipate the operating forces that occur. The use of a polyamide material or a polyimide material for the production of the bearing shell element, in particular by means of an injection molding process, has proven to be particularly expedient, possibly with the admixture of a reinforcing material, for example a glass fiber content. Depending on the embodiment, it can also be provided that a PTFE material or a polyoxymethylene material is used to produce the bearing shell element. It is also possible to use a composite material comprising a plurality of such materials to produce the bearing shell element. Furthermore, it can be provided that the bearing shell element made of a material with a low sliding friction value is coated with a material that has an even lower sliding friction value than the material of the inner sleeve, at least on its radial inner surface on which the inner sleeve rests, in order to further reduce the friction between the bearing shell element and the inner sleeve having. Such a material can be a PTFE material, for example.

In particular, an aluminum material or steel material can be used as the material for forming the inner sleeve. This also applies to the outer sleeve. In particular, elastomers can be used as the material for the damping body, for example vulcanizates of natural rubber and silicone rubber.

The damping body of the elastomeric bush bearing designed according to the invention can have an insert, in particular a sleeve-shaped insert, to increase the radial rigidity of the bush bearing, wherein the insert can be made of a material that is harder than the actual material of the damping body, for example hard plastic or metal. However, it is also possible to design the damping body in a single track, i.e. without such an insert, which simplifies the design and thus reduces the manufacturing costs. In this embodiment, the damping body can consist entirely of damping material, e.g.

According to the invention, the elastomer body lying directly on the bearing shell element can be vulcanized onto it and thus connected to it in a materially bonded manner. For this purpose, a so-called primer can be applied to the radial outer surface of the bearing shell element during production before the elastomer body is cast or sprayed on to the bearing shell element. It can also be provided that the bearing shell element and the damping or elastomer body have complementary form-fitting devices, in particular in the form of projections extending in the radial direction and recesses assigned to the projections, so that in this embodiment the bearing shell element and elastomer body are both materially bonded and form-fitted to one another are connected.

As a rule, the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention can have sealing means for sealing the mutually associated sections of the bearing shell element and the spherical section of the inner sleeve, which provide a type of ball-socket joint functionality of the bush bearing according to the invention.

In order to keep the relevant design effort for the sealing means low in the bush bearing according to the invention, it can expediently be provided that the bearing shell element and the inner sleeve each have associated fastening devices on their longitudinal end sections for fastening a sealing element, in particular a sealing collar. These fastening devices can each have a circumferential groove, i.e. a radial groove on the bearing shell element or on the inner sleeve, for receiving a fastening ring which presses an end section of the respective sealing element on the bearing shell element or on the inner sleeve. The seal described also makes it possible to provide a closed lubricant reservoir arranged between the outer lateral surface of the inner sleeve and the inner lateral surface of the bearing shell element in order to reduce friction in the area of the surfaces of the bearing shell element and inner shell that lie against one another and to prevent dust from entering the design of the described ball sleeve joint in the bush bearing according to the invention.

In another embodiment, it can be provided that the sealing element, in particular a sealing sleeve, is fastened to the inner sleeve as in the above-described embodiments by means of a fastening ring arranged in a circumferential groove of the inner sleeve, the fastening ring having an axial end section of the respective sealing element pressed against the inner sleeve. On the other hand, the attachment of the sealing element to the bearing shell element can be designed differently. The sealing sleeve can also be designed here to form a lubricant reservoir arranged between the outer lateral surface of the inner sleeve and the inner lateral surface of the bearing shell element, with the other axial end section of the sealing sleeve being clamped between the bearing shell element and the outer sleeve. For this purpose, the other axial end section of the sealing collar can extend axially into an intermediate space between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element. Such a jamming of the axial end section of the sealing collar between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element can be achieved in particular at the same time as the bush bearing according to the invention is being calibrated. As explained above, in an embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention in which the outer sleeve is completely closed and has no slot, a preload on the bearing or the damping body can be achieved by applying a radial force to reduce the diameter of the outer sleeve. Due to the compression, a preload is introduced into the bearing and at the same time the axial end section of the sealing element introduced into the intermediate space between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element is clamped between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element.

Depending on the design, the outer sleeve of the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention can be designed as a closed, in particular closed, cylindrical outer sleeve. In this embodiment, an advantageous radial preload on the bearing or the damping body can be generated by a corresponding calibration of the assembled bush bearing according to the invention, in which the outer sleeve is formed into a sleeve with a smaller diameter. This applies, for example, to the embodiment already explained above, in which the bearing shell element is slotted longitudinally and the damping body attached to it is designed with a slot or wedge gap aligned with the slot path of the bearing shell element, so that when the bearing is calibrated by the plastic deformation of the outer sleeve, the slots are closed and so that a radial preload is applied to the damping body. Such a calibration of the elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention can also be carried out in an embodiment in which the bearing shell element is molded onto the inner sleeve in a closed manner by means of an injection molding process and then in a casting process in which the inner sleeve with the molded bearing shell element and the outer sleeve are cast in a mold or mold An injection mold is used and the elastomer body is then cast on between the bearing shell element and the outer sleeve, with the damping body being vulcanized onto the bearing shell element and the outer sleeve. In this embodiment, too, a radial preload can be generated in the damping body by means of a calibration by means of plastic deformation of the outer sleeve.

In a further embodiment, provision can also be made for the outer sleeve to be slit over its entire longitudinal extent, with the elastomer body also being able to have a complementary slot or wedge in this embodiment. In this embodiment, it can be provided that the bush bearing according to the invention is compressed when it is pressed into an associated bearing eye to such an extent that the respective slot on the outer sleeve and on the damping body is closed, so that the damping body can also be placed under radial prestress in this embodiment. This embodiment is suitable in particular in those configurations of the invention in which the bearing shell element, which is closed on the circumference, is injection-molded onto the inner sleeve.

• - Bereitstellen einer Innenhülse des Buchsenlagers, die an einer radialen Außenfläche einen sphärischen Abschnitt aufweist,
• - Anspritzen eines Lagerschalenelementes an die Innenhülse zur Herstellung eines Halbfabrikats;
• - Bereitstellen einer Außenhülse;
• - Einsetzen des Halbfabrikats und der Außenhülse in eine Spritzgießform;
• - Anspritzen bzw. Angießen des Dämpfungskörpers an die radial beabstandet zueinander in der Spritzgießform angeordneten Außenhülse und Lagerschalenelement.

The present invention solves the above problem in terms of the method with a method for producing a bush bearing, comprising an inner sleeve, which has a spherical section on a radial outer surface, which is supported, providing mutual sliding contact, on a radial inner surface of a bearing shell element providing a sliding surface, as well as an outer sleeve and a damping body arranged radially between the bearing shell element and the outer sleeve, the damping body being integrally connected to the outer sleeve. The method according to the invention has the following steps:

• - providing an inner sleeve of the bush bearing, which has a spherical section on a radial outer surface,
• - Injecting a bearing shell element onto the inner sleeve to produce a semi-finished product;
• - providing an outer sleeve;
• - Insertion of the semi-finished product and the outer sleeve in an injection mold;
• Injection molding or casting of the damping body onto the outer sleeve and bearing shell element arranged at a radial distance from one another in the injection mold.

• 1a ein erfindungsgemäß gestaltetes elastomeres Buchsenlagers in einer frontalen Stirnseitenansicht,
• 1b das in 1a gezeigte erfindungsgemäße Buchsenlager in einem Längsschnitt mit der in 1a angegebenen Schnittebene A-A,
• 2a ein Vorfabrikat einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Buchsenlagers in einer frontalen Stirnseitenansicht,
• 2b das in 2a angegebene Halbfabrikat einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Buchsenlagers in einer Schnittdarstellung in der in 2a angegebenen Schnittebene B-B,
• 2c das in 2a angegebene Halbfabrikat einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Buchsenlagers mit eingesetzter Innenhülse,
• 2d die in 2c dargestellte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Buchsenlagers in einer Schnittdarstellung in der in 2c angegebenen Schnittebene C-C,
• 3a eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäß gestalteten Buchsenlagers in einer Stirnseitenansicht,
• 3b das in 3a gezeigte erfindungsgemäße Buchsenlager in einer Längsschnittdarstellung in der in 3a angegebenen Ebene D-D,
• 4a eine dritte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäß gestalteten Buchsenlagers in einer Stirnseitenansicht,
• 4b das in 4a gezeigte erfindungsgemäße Buchsenlager in einer Längsschnittdarstellung in der in 4a angegebenen Ebene E-E,
• 5 eine Explosionsdarstellung zur Angabe der einzelnen Bauelemente der dritten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäß gestalteten Buchsenlagers, und
• 6 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Buchsenlagers in einem Längsschnitt

zeigt.The invention is carried out below with reference to the attached figures the description of some embodiments explained, wherein

• 1a an elastomeric bush bearing designed according to the invention in a front end view,
• 1b this in 1a bush bearing according to the invention shown in a longitudinal section with the in 1a specified cutting plane AA,
• 2a a preliminary product of an embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention in a front end view,
• 2 B this in 2a Specified semi-finished product of an embodiment of the bush bearing according to the invention in a sectional view in FIG 2a specified cutting plane BB,
• 2c this in 2a specified semi-finished product of an embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention with an inserted inner sleeve,
• 2d in the 2c illustrated embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention in a sectional view in 2c specified cutting plane CC,
• 3a a second embodiment of a bush bearing designed according to the invention in an end view,
• 3b this in 3a shown bush bearing according to the invention in a longitudinal section in the in 3a specified level DD,
• 4a a third embodiment of a bush bearing designed according to the invention in an end view,
• 4b this in 4a shown bush bearing according to the invention in a longitudinal section in the in 4a specified level EE,
• 5 an exploded view showing the individual components of the third embodiment of a bush bearing designed according to the invention, and
• 6 another embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention in a longitudinal section

indicates.

In the 1a, b discloses an elastomeric bushing bearing designed according to the present invention with ball and socket joint functionality to provide reduced torsional and gimbal stiffness. This bush bearing can, for example, be designed as a chassis bearing and used in the area of a wheel suspension for a steerable rear axle. The bush bearing 1 can be rotationally symmetrical to the axis R and can comprise an inner sleeve 2 with a passage 20.

The inner sleeve can be essentially cylindrical and, in the embodiment described, have a spherical section approximately axially centrally in the axial area B1 with a convex outer lateral surface 21. In the described embodiment, the specified inner sleeve, convex on its outer lateral surface in the axial area B1, can be made of a solid material be made. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to form the crowned section in area B1 onto a purely cylindrical inner sleeve, for example by means of injection molding.

To support the inner sleeve 2, the bush bearing 1 designed according to the invention has a bearing shell element 3, which in turn can be sleeve-shaped and, when the inner sleeve 2 and bearing shell element 3 are aligned coaxially, provides a sliding surface 30 adapted to the convex surface 21 of the inner sleeve within a central region B2, in such a way that the inner sleeve and bearing shell element components that are brought into contact provide a ball sleeve joint functionality, so that the bearing 1 can be deflected gimballed with very little cardanic rigidity. For this purpose, the material of the bearing shell element can be selected to be a material with a low coefficient of friction with respect to the material of the inner sleeve. Polyamide materials or polyimide materials, for example, are suitable for designing the bush bearing according to the invention.

In the embodiment described, the bearing shell 3 can have a predetermined minimum thickness in the radial direction to support the ball sleeve joint to the outer sleeve 7. An elastomer layer, here single-track, can be arranged radially between the outer sleeve 7 and the bearing shell element 3 to provide an elastomer body 8. In this respect, in the case of the bush bearing designed according to the invention, an operating force acting on the inner sleeve 2 is derived via the bearing shell element 3 directly onto the elastomer body 8 and from there onto the outer sleeve 7 .

In order to maintain the functionality of the described ball sleeve joint even with high operating forces, in 1a, b specified embodiment may be provided a metal insert in the form of a perforated sleeve, which is embedded in the material of the bearing shell element 3, so that it can be completely surrounded by the material of the bearing shell element in the embodiment described. On the side facing the elastomer body 8 in In the radial direction, the bearing shell element can provide a contact surface that is formed by the same material or material that forms the sliding surface 30 on the side facing the inner sleeve.

Like in particular 1b As can be seen, the axial extent of the bearing shell element 3 can be greater than the axial extent B2 of the sliding surface 30, so that the bearing shell element 3 extends axially beyond the ball sleeve joint section B1 of the inner sleeve 2. As a result, a cavity 40 can be formed between the bearing shell element 3 and a section of the inner sleeve, which can run in a straight line, in particular cylindrically, outside of section B1, which cavity can be formed approximately wedge-shaped in longitudinal section. On the one hand, this cavity can enable the desired cardanic deflection of the inner sleeve relative to the bearing shell element and can also be used to hold a lubricant. For this purpose, a sealing sleeve 50 can be provided on the longitudinal end sections of the bearing shell element 3 and the inner sleeve 2, which can be fastened to the bearing shell element 3 and the elastomer body 5 in these end sections.

To fasten the sealing sleeve, a respective groove 23, 33 can be provided both on the outside of the bearing shell element 3 and on the outside of the inner sleeve 2 to accommodate a respective clamping ring 60, with which a respectively assigned end section of the sealing sleeve 50 can be pressed onto the respective component.

To fasten the bush bearing according to the invention, it can be provided that the inner sleeve is connected to a first motor vehicle component by means of a bolt connection, while the bush bearing itself is inserted into a bearing eye, so that the outer surface of the outer sleeve 7 can be arranged in a non-positive connection with a second motor vehicle component .

That in relation to the 1a, b The elastomeric bush bearing described according to the invention and designed according to the invention can be designed differently depending on the embodiment with regard to certain features and/or the respective manufacturing method, which will be discussed below by way of example.

the 2a-d relate to a first embodiment, in which the bearing shell element 3 can be produced as a longitudinally slotted component with a continuous longitudinal slot separately from the other components, for example by means of an injection molding process. In this embodiment, the outer sleeve 7 can be designed as a peripherally closed, cylindrical sleeve. The elastomer body 8 can be carried out by an injection molding or casting step in a corresponding mold, in which the slotted bearing shell element 3 and the outer sleeve 7 are arranged in the mold and the elastomer body is radially fixed between these components via a casting and vulcanizing step on the outer sleeve and the Bearing shell element is formed adhesive. To ensure a material connection between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element on the elastomer body, they can be coated with a primer.

How out 2a As can be seen, the elastomer can be arranged radially between the bearing shell element 3 and the outer sleeve 7 in such a way that, aligned with the longitudinal slot 35 of the bearing shell element 3, the elastomer body 8 has a wedge gap 82 that widens inward to the gap width of the longitudinal slot 35, which in a subsequent and calibration step discussed below is closed along with the longitudinal slot of the bearing shell member.

2 B shows the semi-finished product 2a this embodiment of an elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention in a longitudinal section similar to the representation of 1b . With regard to the further design of the components can fully refer to the explanations of 1b be referred to.

2c shows a manufacturing situation with reference to FIG 2a-d described embodiments, in which the inner sleeve, which is identical to that with reference to the 1a-b described inner sleeve can be designed in the in the 2a, b semi-finished product shown is pushed in axially. 2d shows the situation of 2c in a longitudinal section, which shows that with the insertion of the inner sleeve with respect to the 1a, b described ball sleeve joint is formed, in which the sliding surface 30 of the bearing shell element 3 is aligned axially to the convex surface 21 of the inner sleeve. Subsequent calibration of the bush bearing according to illustrations 2c, d by plastic deformation of the outer sleeve, such that the outer sleeve has a smaller outer diameter, leads to the closing of the longitudinal slot 35 and the wedge gap 82 and to the provision of a radial prestress of the elastomer body.

the 3a, b and 4a, b exhibit in contrast to the with regard to the 2a-d The embodiment described shows a difference in the manufacturing process in that the bearing shell element 3 is not manufactured separately, but rather directly onto the spherical section as part of an injection molding process the inner sleeve is injected. In these embodiments, too, the inner sleeve can otherwise be configured identically to the inner sleeve of the embodiment described so far, in particular slotted in the longitudinal direction or closed circumferentially, ie without slotting.

The injection molding of the bearing shell element 3 onto the inner sleeve 2 can be carried out in such a way that there is no firm material connection between the bearing shell element and the inner sleeve, but instead both parts can be deflected cardanically to one another after the assembly of the bush bearing according to the invention by applying a predetermined torque threshold to form the described ball sleeve joint. In the described injection molding of the bearing shell element 3 onto the inner sleeve 2, it can also be provided that an insert 10, in particular in the form of a metal sleeve, which can be perforated or slotted to provide a form fit between the insert and the base material of the bearing shell element, in the injection mold at a distance from the To arrange inner sleeve and thus embed in the material of the bearing shell element produced.

At the in 3a, b specified embodiment, the bush bearing has a peripherally closed outer sleeve 7, so that the semi-finished product, comprising the inner sleeve 2 and the bearing shell element 3 molded onto it, is placed in a casting or injection mold at a distance from the peripherally closed outer sleeve 7 and then the material for forming the Elastomer body 8 is introduced. The elastomeric bush bearing according to the invention produced in this way show the 3a, b , where 3b again shows a longitudinal section in the in 3a specified level DD represents. Subsequent calibration can in turn be carried out by plastic deformation of the outer sleeve. For this purpose, the elastomer body 8 can have free surfaces 83, particularly in the area of its axial end sections, on which the elastomer can be displaced axially outwards due to the non-compressibility of the material during a radial movement of the conductor shell element 3 relative to the outer sleeve 7.

The related to the 4a, b The described embodiment of an elastomeric bush bearing designed according to the invention differs from the previously described embodiment essentially in that the outer sleeve 7 is not closed on the circumference, but instead has a longitudinal slot 70 running along its length. In contrast, in this embodiment, too, the bearing shell element 3 is molded onto the inner sleeve 2 as described and then inserted as a semi-finished product together with the slotted outer sleeve 7 into an injection mold or casting mold to form the elastomer body 8, the mold being designed in such a way that in the area of the elastomer body 8 a wedge gap 84 adapted to the longitudinal slot 70 is formed, see FIG 4a . In this embodiment, the generation of a bias in the elastomer body is carried out by pressing in the 4a, b specified camp in an associated bearing eye, the pressing process being adjusted so that the longitudinal slot 70 of the outer sleeve and the wedge gap 84 of the elastomer body are closed.

The explained embodiments of an inventively designed bush bearing ultimately all lead to the reference to 1a, b discussed embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention with reduced torsional and gimbal stiffness due to the ball sleeve joint formed between the inner sleeve 2 and bearing shell element 3.

example shows 5 in an exploded view the design of the individual components of the bush bearing according to the invention for with reference to the 4a, b described embodiment of the bush bearing. As can be seen from these figures, provision can also be made to provide a positive connection between the bearing shell element 3 and the elastomer body 8 in addition to a material connection, here by providing radially extending projections 85 on the elastomer body 8, which extend through associated radial passages 36 of the Bearing shell element 3 extend.

6 shows a further embodiment of a bush bearing according to the invention in a longitudinal section, which differs from the previously discussed embodiments with sealing collars 50 in relation to the fastening of the sealing collars 50'. This in 6 specified bush bearing according to the invention can have a peripherally closed outer sleeve 7, ie is formed without a continuous longitudinal slot, according to the embodiments of 2a) - i.e ) and 3a, b .

In the embodiment of 6 It can be provided that the sealing element, in particular a sealing collar 50', is fastened to the inner sleeve 2 as in the above-described embodiments by means of a fastening ring 60 arranged in a circumferential groove 23 of the inner sleeve 2, the fastening ring 60 having an axial end section 51 'a of the respective sealing element 50' is pressed against the inner sleeve 2. On the other hand, the attachment of the sealing element 50' to the bearing shell element 3 can be designed differently. The sealing sleeve 50' can in turn be arranged to fix a lubricant reservoir 40 formed between the outer lateral surface of the inner sleeve 2 and the inner lateral surface of the bearing shell element 3, the other axial end section 51'b of the sealing sleeve 50' being clamped between the bearing shell element 3 and the outer sleeve 7. For this purpose, the other axial end section 51 ′ b of the sealing sleeve 50 ′ can extend axially into an intermediate space 5 between the outer sleeve 7 and the bearing shell element 3 . The clamping of the axial end section 51'b of the sealing collar 50' between the outer sleeve 7 and the bearing shell element 3 can be achieved at the same time as calibrating the bush bearing according to the invention, in which a preload is applied to the elastomer body or the bush bearing. During the calibration process, a radial force can be applied to reduce the diameter of the outer sleeve, whereby a preload is introduced into the bearing and at the same time the axial end section of the sealing element introduced into the space between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element is clamped between the outer sleeve and the bearing shell element. This axial end section of the sealing element can have an annular insert 52, which can be embedded in the sealing collar in this area of the sealing element 50'.

Reference List

1

bush bearing

2

inner sleeve

3

bearing shell element

5

space

7

outer sleeve

8th

Elastomer body, damping body

10

Insert, metal sleeve

20

execution

21

convex surface

23

groove

30

sliding surface

33

groove

35

longitudinal slit

36

radial passage, recesses

40

Cavity, lubricant reservoir

50

Sealing sleeve, sealing element

50'

Sealing sleeve, sealing element

51'a

axial end section of the sealing sleeve

51'b

axial end section of the sealing sleeve

52

depositor

60

clamping ring

70

longitudinal slit

82

wedge gap

83

open space

84

wedge gap

85

head Start

R

axis

Claims (11)

Elastomeric bush bearing (1), comprising an inner sleeve (2) which has a spherical section on a radial outer surface which is supported on a radial inner surface of a bearing shell element (3) providing a sliding surface (30) in order to establish mutual sliding contact, and a Outer sleeve (7) and a damping body (8) arranged radially between the bearing shell element (3) and the outer sleeve (7), the damping body (8) being vulcanized onto the outer sleeve, the damping body having a radial inner surface on an outer surface of the bearing shell element (3) is vulcanized for direct support of the damping body (8) on the bearing shell element (3), characterized in that the bearing shell element (3) is molded onto the spherical section of the radial outer surface of the inner sleeve (2). Elastomer bush bearing (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the bearing shell element (3) is slotted over its longitudinal extent. Elastomer bush bearing (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the bearing shell element (3) in each case extends axially at the end stem beyond the spherical section of the inner sleeve (2), with a coaxial alignment of the bearing shell element (3) and inner sleeve (2) extending over a predetermined partial axial section of the spherical Section of the inner sleeve (2), inner sleeve (2) and bearing shell element (3) are in contact with one another, and with a radial spacing from one another that increases in the axial direction outside of the predetermined partial axial section. Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the bearing shell element (3) has a particular sleeve-like insert (10) in the Substantially completely embedded in the bearing shell material. Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the material of the bearing shell element (3) is a polyamide material or a polyimide material. Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 or 5 , characterized in that the damping body (8) is single-track, ie is designed without inserts. Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that bearing shell element (3) and damping body (8) have complementary form-fitting devices, in particular in the form of radially extending projections (85) and the projections associated recesses (36). Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the bearing shell element (3) and the inner sleeve (2) have at their longitudinal end sections associated fastening devices for the respective fastening of a sealing element. Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that a sealing collar (50, 50') is provided to form a lubricant reservoir (40) arranged between the outer lateral surface of the inner sleeve (2) and the inner lateral surface of the bearing shell element (3), one of the axial end sections of the sealing collar (50') is clamped between an inner lateral surface of the outer sleeve (7) and an outer lateral surface of the bearing shell element (3). Elastomeric bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the outer sleeve (7) is slotted over its longitudinal extent. A method of manufacturing a bush bearing (1) comprising an inner sleeve (2) having on a radially outer surface a spherical portion which bears against a radially inner surface of a bearing shell member (3) providing a sliding surface (30) providing mutual sliding contact , and an outer sleeve (7) and a damping body (8) arranged radially between the bearing shell element (3) and the outer sleeve (7); in particular a bush bearing (1) according to one of Claims 1 - 10 comprising the steps of: - providing an inner sleeve (2) of the bush bearing, which has a spherical section on a radial outer surface, - molding a bearing shell element (3) onto the inner sleeve (2) to produce a semi-finished product; - Providing an outer sleeve (7); - Insertion of the semi-finished product and the outer sleeve (7) in an injection mold; - Injecting the damping body (8) onto the outer sleeve (7) and bearing shell element (3) arranged radially spaced apart from one another in the injection mold.

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