Suspension thrust bearing device and strut

• US 20080031562A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABet SKF
• Original Assignee: ABet SKF
• Inventors: Migliore, Jean-Sylvain, Poulle, Thierry, Houdayer, Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/618
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/15 Coil springs resisting deflection by winding up
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/068 specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/12 Wound spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/312 The spring being a wound spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1242 on a damper, e.g. MacPerson strut
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/128 Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/418 Bearings, e.g. ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/10 for axial load mainly
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/05 Vehicle suspensions, e.g. bearings, pivots or connecting rods used therein in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/54 Arrangements for attachment grommet-type rubber mounting springs per se F16F1/3732; construction of cylinder ends F16F9/3242; attachments to vehicles B60G13/001, B60G15/00

Abstract

The suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap. The filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.

Claims

1. Suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap, wherein the filtering element comprises at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the filtering element comprises a first flange which radially outwardly extends a radial portion of the filtering element.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the first flange extends radially beyond the periphery of the body of the lower support cap.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the filtering element comprises a second flange arranged around the bore of the filtering element and directed radially inwards.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the second flange has a bore diameter which is less than the bore diameter of the lower support cap.

6. Device according to claim 4, further comprising a cup provided with a bearing surface for a damping buffer, the second flange extending radially in the direction of the cup so as to form a narrow-passage seal.

7. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a stiffening reinforcement mounted against the filtering element and forming, together with the said element, a vibration-filtering and stress-distributing subassembly.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein a radial portion of the filtering element is arranged axially between the lower support cap and the stiffening reinforcement.

9. Device according to claim 7, wherein a radial portion of the stiffening reinforcement is arranged axially between the lower support cap and the filtering element.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the filtering element is obtained by molding at least one synthetic material.

11. Device according to claim 7, wherein the filtering element is overmolded onto the stiffening reinforcement.

18. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a stiffening reinforcement mounted against the filtering element and forming, together with the said element, a vibration-filtering and stress-distributing subassembly.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein a radial portion of the filtering element is arranged axially between the lower support cap and the stiffening reinforcement.

20. Device according to claim 18, wherein a radial portion of the stiffening reinforcement is arranged axially between the lower support cap and the filtering element.

12. Strut comprising a damper and a suspension thrust bearing device, the suspension thrust bearing device comprising:

a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap, wherein the filtering element comprises at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the filtering element comprises a first flange which radially outwardly extends a radial portion of the filtering element.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the first flange extends radially beyond the periphery of the body of the lower support cap.

15. Device according to claim 12, wherein the filtering element comprises a second flange arranged around the bore of the filtering element and directed radially inwards.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein the second flange has a bore diameter which is less than the bore diameter of the lower support cap.

17. Device according to claim 15, further comprising a cup provided with a bearing surface for a damping buffer, the second flange extending radially in the direction of the cup so as to form a narrow-passage seal.