阅读说明：本技术 弹簧连杆 (Spring connecting rod ) 是由 D·弗里森 O·米尔克 S·迈尔 J·胡梅尔特 T·克里 M·比格尔 于 2020-04-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于机动车车轮悬架的弹簧连杆,该弹簧连杆成型为由钢板制成的单壳金属板成型件。弹簧连杆在横截面中为大致U形的,其具有背部2,侧壁3、4通过金属板成型与背部2邻接,侧壁彼此间隔开并且分别具有与背部2连接的上侧壁区域15、20、与共同的背部2间隔开的下侧壁区域17、18和设置在上侧壁区域15、20和下侧壁区域17、18之间的中间侧壁区域16、19。弹簧连杆1具有用于固定弹簧连杆1的第一端部区段7和第二端部区段10并且和位于其间的一个宽度增大的弹簧座区域12。弹簧连杆1在弹簧座区域12中的横截面是大致Ω形的,该Ω形状在弹簧座区域12的中间长度区段中通过进一步向外悬伸的上侧壁区域15、20比在弹簧座区域12的端侧长度区段中更加明显。(The invention relates to a spring connecting rod for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, which is formed as a single-shell sheet metal profile made of sheet steel. The spring link is substantially U-shaped in cross section, having a back 2, with side walls 3, 4 adjoining the back 2 by sheet metal forming, the side walls being spaced apart from one another and each having an upper side wall region 15, 20 connected to the back 2, a lower side wall region 17, 18 spaced apart from the common back 2, and an intermediate side wall region 16, 19 arranged between the upper side wall region 15, 20 and the lower side wall region 17, 18. The spring linkage 1 has a first end section 7 and a second end section 10 for fastening the spring linkage 1 and a spring seat region 12 of increased width located therebetween. The cross section of the spring linkage 1 in the spring seat region 12 is substantially omega-shaped, which is more pronounced in the middle length section of the spring seat region 12 by the upper side wall regions 15, 20, which are cantilevered further outward, than in the end length sections of the spring seat region 12.)

1. A spring linkage for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle,

a) the spring link is formed as a single-shell metal sheet profile made of sheet steel,

b) the spring link (1) is substantially U-shaped in cross section and has a back (2) which is adjoined by sheet metal forming on the back (2) by side walls (3, 4) which are spaced apart from one another and each have an upper side wall region (15, 20) adjoining the back (2), a lower side wall region (17, 18) spaced apart from the common back (2) and an intermediate side wall region (16, 19) arranged between the upper side wall region (15, 20) and the lower side wall region (17, 18),

c) the spring linkage (1) has a first end section (7) and a second end section (10) for fixing the spring linkage (1) and

d) the spring link (1) has a spring seat region (12) of increased width between the end sections (7, 10), characterized in that,

e) the spring rod (1) has a substantially omega-shaped cross section in the spring seat region (12), which is more pronounced in a middle length section (M) of the spring seat region (12) by the upper side wall regions (15, 20) that are cantilevered further outward than in end length sections (E1, E2) of the spring seat region (12).

2. A spring link according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate side wall region (16, 19) is substantially straight in its extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spring link (1).

3. A spring link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate side wall region (16, 19) is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the spring seat region (12).

4. A spring connecting rod according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper side wall region (15, 20) is arched outwardly from the spring seat region (12) in its extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of the spring connecting rod (1).

5. A spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower side wall regions (17, 18) have flanges (13, 14) pointing outwards in opposite directions.

6. The spring linkage as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cross section of the spring linkage (1) is omega-shaped only in the spring seat region (12), a U-shaped or cap-shaped length section (L2) being adjoined by the length section (L1) of the omega shape.

7. The spring linkage as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4) have a greater spacing from one another at one end section (10) of the spring linkage (1) than at the other end section (7).

8. A spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the intermediate side wall regions (16, 19) each extend substantially straight inside a length section (L1) with an omega-shaped cross section, as seen from the end section (7) to the end section (10).

9. A spring link according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the respective intermediate side wall region (16, 19) extends substantially straight outside the length section (L1) with the omega-shaped cross section, respectively, as seen from the end section (7) to the end section (10).

10. The spring linkage as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the respective intermediate side wall regions (16, 19) each extend approximately parallel to one another outside the length section (L1) having the Ω -shaped cross section, as seen from the end section (7) to the end section (10).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a spring linkage for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Background

The spring link is a substantially rigid member that is used to support the wheel on the chassis of the running gear and to guide it in one or more directions. In the case of a rod-shaped connecting rod with two hingedly mounted end sections, a spring seat for a suspension spring, damper or spring damper element is located between the end sections of the connecting rod. The spring linkage should have the highest possible stability and rigidity, in particular a high resistance moment at the same time as a low weight and a small installation space. The spring linkage is mostly made of steel. Spring linkages made from one-piece sheet metal profiles are known.

EP 1832447B 1 discloses a connecting rod for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, which is formed as a single-shell sheet metal profile made of sheet steel. The spring link has a generally U-shaped cross section including a back and side walls, where intermediate side wall regions are each pressed inwardly directed to increase its resistive torque.

DE 102004009722 a1 discloses a wheel guide link of the prior art, which is designed as a sheet metal profile with an open cross section. This document proposes to asymmetrically configure the side walls connected to each other by the back in order to optimize the load.

A guide link and a method for producing the same are known from EP 1332029B 1. Between the first and second end sections, a widened spring seat region is provided, which has a greater width in the back region than in the end sections. The guide link is made of high-strength aluminum as a closed hollow profile by an extrusion process, the link initially having a rectangular cross section. The upper spring plate protrudes on both sides from a hollow profile with a substantially rectangular cross section. The shape of the hollow profile is formed by bending, pressing and cutting by means of mechanical cold working. In such a connecting rod, the profile is in particular trapezoidal in cross section. It has sidewalls that extend non-parallel.

A single-shell spring connecting rod is known from EP 2809531B 1, which is produced from a sheet metal blank by forming. Between the end sections there is a width increasing section for supporting the spring. Below the width increasing section is a side wall of the spring link. The spacing of the side walls generally follows the contour of the spring seat. The side walls are perpendicular to the spring seat and each have an inwardly shaped surface portion at their free ends remote from the spring seat, so that the increased width section has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

DE 102011053927 a1 discloses a spring linkage having a base body in the form of a closed hollow profile. Starting from an initial hollow profile, the spring rod is produced by forming through its initial cross section which is constant over its length. The rod-shaped spring link has a spring retainer region. The side walls can be pressed in on partial regions below the spring plate region and have a curvature produced by press forming in the transverse direction.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a spring linkage that can be produced inexpensively from sheet steel in a single-shell construction and has a high resistance moment at the lowest possible weight.

This object is achieved by a spring linkage having the features of claim 1.

The spring link is produced as a single-shell metal sheet profile made of sheet steel. The spring link has a generally U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped cross-section comprises a back portion, which in the mounted position is located on the upper side. The side walls are adjoined on both sides on the back by sheet metal forming. The two side walls are spaced apart from each other. Each sidewall is divided into three sections: the upper sidewall section abuts the back. The sidewall region disposed away from the common back is the lower sidewall region. Between which are intermediate sidewall regions, respectively.

The rod-shaped spring link has a first and a second end section for fixing the spring link to the chassis or the wheel carrier. The spring link is in particular a component of a multi-link axle, in particular a five-link axle. The spring link can be used in particular as a rear lower transverse link of a five-link rear axle.

In the installed position, the spring, in particular the spring of the rear axle, acts on the spring linkage. Furthermore, the vibration damper can also be supported indirectly or directly on the spring linkage. By providing a spring cushion between the spring link and the spring or the damper element, which spring cushion functions as a coupling or adapter to adapt the respective spring structure, an indirect support or connection between the spring link and the spring and/or the damper can be achieved. Spring cushions for the air spring and alternatively for the helical compression spring and the associated shock absorber can be provided. For this purpose, a spring seat region is provided between the end sections of the spring rods. The spring seat region is of increased width relative to other length sections of the spring link. Furthermore, in the present invention, the spring seat area is also wider than the other height areas of the spring link in the same cross section when viewed in the vertical direction.

The spring link should be as compact, light and therefore slim as possible. The spring may be wider than the rod-shaped shaft link. In the present invention, however, material and therefore weight are saved by widening only the back for the support, rather than the lower or end section of the spring linkage remote from the back. At the same time, the transition from the spring seat region to the adjacent, more elongated region is smooth, rather than abrupt. Stress peaks are thereby avoided.

The spring linkage according to the invention has a special cross section, the cross section of which in the region of the spring seat is substantially omega-shaped. The omega shape varies over the length extension of the spring seat region, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the spring link. The Ω shape is more pronounced in the middle length section of the spring seat region by the upper side wall section which is cantilevered further outward than in at least one end-side length section of the spring seat region (lateral bulging). This results in a smooth transition to the remaining length section of the straight, i.e. perpendicular to the back, omega-shaped side wall. The spring seat region is desirably designed in that it does not have to be circular, but can have a substantially oval, drop-shaped or egg-shaped form. In this way, the transitions to adjacent length sections are rounded in order to achieve a stress-free extension.

It is considered to be advantageous if the intermediate side wall region is deformed as little as possible and extends somewhat straight from one end-side length section of the spring seat region to the other end-side length section of the spring seat region, while the upwardly adjoining upper side wall region, depending on the width of the spring seat region, continually overhangs outward toward the center of the spring seat region. The straight extension of the side walls in the middle side wall region saves material and at the same time provides a high resistance moment. In combination with the structured upper and lower sidewall sections, the middle sidewall section also has a high resistive moment against lateral forces. Thereby avoiding pumping motion of the side walls under alternating loads. This in turn prevents stress peaks and thus reduces the edge stress. So that the spring link as a whole has a longer durability.

In one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate side wall region is substantially straight in its extent in the longitudinal direction of the spring link. The term "substantially straight" is to be understood to mean that the side walls run straight in the respective functional region, i.e. in the end section for fixing the spring link and also in the region of the spring seat. Between these three functional regions there may be transition regions, respectively, in which the side walls may be slightly curved when transitioning to the next adjacent region.

The spacing of the side walls may not be the same in the two end sections. In particular, the distance for pressing in the bearing sleeve in the first end section can be relatively small. Another fixing method can be used on the opposite second end section of the spring linkage, in which, for example, bolts are passed through correspondingly calibrated openings in order to fix the fixing elements of the bearing blocks between them. The spacing of the side walls can be selected to be slightly larger.

However, since the walls extend parallel to one another in each bearing seat region, in spring links having end sections of different widths and substantially straight side walls, two small changes in direction must be present in the longitudinal extension, which are in particular not located in the respective functional region but in the transition region to the respective end section. Thus, the side wall as a whole is substantially straight in its extension in the longitudinal direction.

Another feature of the present invention is that the intermediate sidewall region is also oriented generally perpendicular to the spring seat. The intermediate side wall region of the substantially U-shaped spring link is not bent in the vertical direction. In the present invention, the intermediate sidewall region is disposed perpendicular to the flange and perpendicular to the spring seat. They are the connections between the upper and lower sidewall regions. Although the upper side wall region is inevitably bent about a bending axis which is oriented approximately in the longitudinal direction of the spring rod by way of different degrees of lateral projection and transition to the spring seat, in the present invention such a projecting bending about the longitudinal axis should be avoided as far as possible in the middle side wall region. The lower sidewall area (preferably with the flanges pointing outwards in opposite directions) also inevitably has a curvature. The flanges result in a hat-shaped or omega-shaped cross section according to the length section. It has been shown that the load-bearing capacity of the spring link is improved if the intermediate side wall region is as perpendicular as possible to the spring seat.

Of particular importance is the upper side wall region, which can project outward relatively far in accordance with the length section and which defines the maximum width of the entire spring linkage in the middle length section of the spring seat region. In order to minimize stresses, the transition between the intermediate side wall region and the spring seat region should have as large a bending radius as possible. The upper side wall region is therefore not connected to the spring seat region downward in the vertical direction with a 90 ° bend as narrow as possible, but rather is first connected to the plane of the spring seat region, which continues in the transverse direction, cantilevered outward, tangentially, in order to form a transition from this plane with a large, inwardly directed arc to the middle side wall region. The term "omega-shaped" in the context of the present invention denotes the capital letter omega with a cross section similar to the greek letter, having an upper bulb part and an opening on the lower side, to which openings are connected stubs oriented in the horizontal direction, which are transferred into the cross section of the spring link corresponding to the flanges. The lateral projection in the region of the spring seat is produced in the invention by the large radius of the upper side wall region. The cross-sectional profile can also be referred to as omega-shaped, since the spring seat region is not round, but rather flattened.

The spring link is in particular designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to its central longitudinal axis, so that an omega-shaped or omega-shaped design of the spring link cross section is formed by the two lateral projections in the upper side wall section.

The cross section of the spring linkage is omega-shaped or omega-shaped only in the region of the spring seat. A U-shaped or cap-shaped length section with an outwardly directed flange adjoins the omega-shaped spring seat region. The bending radius in the length section of the U-shape or the cap-shape is not necessarily smaller than in the region of the spring seat, but there the back of the spring linkage is narrowed. There is no laterally projecting upper sidewall area. In contrast, in the hat-shaped cross section the side walls can run perpendicular to the back, and the outwardly pointing flanges can also run perpendicular to the side walls and thus parallel to the back.

In one embodiment of the invention, the side walls have a greater distance at one end section of the spring linkage than at the other end section. The side walls extend substantially straight between the end sections, in particular with respect to the intermediate side wall region. The end sections may have aligned channels or holes. The bearing sleeve may be pressed into the channel.

It is also possible for one or both end sections to have a fork shape and thus form a bearing receptacle into which the bearing sleeve can be welded. In this case, the bearing sleeve is not inserted from the longitudinal side of the spring link, but from the end face of the spring link.

One or more openings may be provided in the spring seat region. A spring washer, for example for an air spring or a steel spring, is arranged in the opening.

The spring rod can be protected against corrosion by means of galvanization and, if appropriate, additional lacquering, for example cathodic dip coating. The surface thereof may be sandblasted (strahlen) at least regionally. The spring link can be made of sheet steel, and its wall thickness can be 2 to 5mm, in particular less than 4 mm. It is preferably made of high-strength ferritic-bainitic (FB) hot-rolled steel, in particular FB780 with a tensile strength of at least 780N/qmm.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in a schematic drawing. The attached drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a spring link in perspective view;

FIG. 2 illustrates the spring link of FIG. 1 in a top view;

FIG. 3 shows the spring link of FIG. 1 in a bottom view;

FIG. 4 illustrates the spring link of FIG. 1 in a left side view;

FIG. 5 shows the spring link of FIG. 1 in a right side view;

FIG. 6 illustrates the spring link of FIG. 1 in an end view of a first end section;

FIG. 7 illustrates the spring link of FIG. 1 in an end view of an opposing second end section;

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the spring link of FIG. 1 along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line IX-IX of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view along line X-X of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view along line XV-XV of FIG. 5;

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a spring link in perspective view;

fig. 17 shows a manufacturing sequence of 11 manufacturing steps S1 to S11 for manufacturing the spring link of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a spring linkage 1 in a perspective view. The spring connecting rod 1 is made of a sheet metal blank. Fig. 17 shows the production sequence of the spring link in a plurality of steps S1 to S11 which follow one another in succession.

First, a metal slab is cut (step S1). In steps S2 and S3, the metal plate blank is deep-drawn to form a spring seat having a rear wall with a widened width. In step S4, the edges of the deep drawn sheet metal blank are trimmed. In step S5, the side wall of the substantially U-shaped spring link is oriented perpendicular to the spring seat by molding. In the subsequent step S6, further cutting is performed in the back area. The member is then rotated 180 °. It is rotated back to the initial position in the subsequent step S7 in the same manner. A fork receptacle for the connection is then formed in one end region by cutting or punching. The bearing receptacle in the end region is calibrated and a channel is provided. Finally, the spring link is finally calibrated and/or a sleeve is provided by means of a joining method (steps S8 to S11). Fig. 1 to 15 show such a single-shell spring linkage in different views and in section views, which is made of a sheet metal profile made of sheet steel.

The spring link 1 has a back 2, by means of which the side walls 3, 4 of the spring link are connected to one another. The side walls 3, 4 extend spaced apart from one another over the entire length of the spring link 1, forming a U-shape as the basic shape. The back 2 has different functional areas. In particular, the back 2 has a widened region, which is referred to as spring seat region 12. In this embodiment, the spring seat region 12 includes two openings 5, 6 with inwardly directed passages. The openings 5, 6 serve to receive adapter plates, not shown in detail, in order to accommodate different spring types, such as air springs or steel springs.

The spring linkage 1 has the possibility of connection to the wheel carrier on the one hand and to the vehicle body on the other hand. It is a rod-shaped link with two end-side hinge points. In its first end section 7, two bearing receptacles 8 are provided, aligned with one another, into which a bearing sleeve 9 is inserted. The bearing sleeve 9 serves to accommodate a rubber-metal bearing.

On the opposite end section 10, the side walls 3, 4 have a greater distance from one another. The end section 10 also has a calibrated opening 11 for connection to a motor vehicle. The axes of the bearing bushes 9 and/or the openings 11 in the end sections extend parallel to one another.

The longitudinal direction L of the spring link 1 extends from one end section 7 to the other end section 10. The transverse direction Q represents an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing sleeve 9 or the bearing receptacle 8 with reference to the spring linkage 1. The vertical axis H (height direction) is perpendicular to the transverse direction Q and the longitudinal direction L and is directed upwards in fig. 1. Accordingly, the terms "upper" and "lower" are used with reference to the spring link, or the term "length section" is used with reference to the longitudinal direction. The width specification relates to the transverse direction Q.

The spring seat region 12 is the widest region of the spring link 1 as viewed in the transverse direction Q. Its width B is not constant in the longitudinal direction L. The width increases towards the centre of the opening 6, seen from the respective end section 7, 10. The transition to the other length sections is smooth. In any case, the spring linkage 1 has a maximum width B in the spring seat region 12. The maximum width B of the spring seat region 12 is shown in fig. 2. The back 2, of which the spring seat region 12 is a constituent part, in particular narrows significantly toward the first end section 7.

As can be seen in the bottom view of the spring linkage 1 (fig. 3), the outwardly oriented flanges 13, 14 of the side walls 3, 4 pointing in opposite directions do not vary in width as much as the spring seat region 12. The spring seat region 12 extends over a length L1 (fig. 3) of the spring link 1. The spring seat region 12 is characterized in that the cross section of the spring linkage 1 in the spring seat region 12 is substantially omega-shaped. Fig. 5 shows the position of the various cross-sections. They are shown in figures 8 to 15.

Said omega-shape of the cross-section starts in the transition region between cross-sections X and XI (fig. 5, 10 and 11) and ends approximately in section IX of fig. 14. Fig. 15 shows a section XV without the Ω -shape, since the back of the spring link 1 has been removed in this region.

Fig. 9 and 10 show a hat-shaped profile in which the side walls 3, 4 with their flanges 13, 14 and back 2, respectively, form a series of bends at right angles to each other. The height of the side walls 3, 4 decreases from the section IX in fig. 9 to the section X in fig. 10. While the flanges 13, 14 are slightly widened. The hat-shaped cross section changes in sections XI to XIV, i.e. in the further extension in the spring seat region 12. At the same time, as is clear from the side views 4 and 5, the height of the side walls 3, 4 increases in the longitudinal direction L. The height of the spring linkage 1 is lowest between the sections X and XI, i.e. the spring seat region 12 begins there. The height increases in a direction towards the second end section 10. The spring seat region 12 is therefore at an angle to the undersides or flanges 13, 14, which extend substantially straight from one end section 7 to the other end section 10, except for a downwardly directed projection in the region of the opening 11 of the second end section 10.

As can also be seen from fig. 4, the side wall 4 is divided into three height sections: the upper side wall section 15 adjoins the back 2. The upper side wall section 15 is in particular a bend oriented downward at 90 °, which forms the transition between the back 2 and an intermediate side wall section 16 adjoining the upper side wall section 15. The intermediate side wall section 16 is the largest part of the respective side wall 4 adjacent to the first end section 7 in terms of area. On the lower end of the respective side wall 4, a lower side wall section 17 adjoins. The lower side wall section 17 opens into the flanges 13, 14 protruding from the intermediate side wall section 16. With reference to the vertical direction of the side wall 4, the lower side wall section is the section with the smallest height fluctuation in each cross section. Furthermore, the lower side of the spring linkage 1 extends substantially straight, while the upper side with the back 2 and the spring seat region 12 is more strongly contoured.

As can be seen from the sectional views of fig. 9 to 15, the intermediate side wall section is perpendicular to the back 2. The flanges 13, 14 hardly change their width in the longitudinal direction L. Although the spring linkage 1 widens substantially continuously from the first end section 7 to the second end section 10, the relative width change for a particular length section is smaller in the region of the lower side wall section 17 than in the upper region of the spring linkage 1. This is also clearly seen in fig. 6 and 7. These two end views show that the spring linkage 1 is much less contoured in its lower height region than in its upper height region. The upper height region is intended in particular to mean the respective upper side wall section 15, 20 adjoining the back 2 or the spring seat region 12. Fig. 6 shows that the upper side wall sections 15, 20 are outwardly overhanging, bulge-like, relatively voluminous projections. They extend tangentially out of the upper spring seat region 12 and firstly result in a significant widening laterally in order then to bend with a bend having a large radius more than 90 ° and in particular 180 ° downward and toward the central longitudinal axis of the spring linkage 1. The cross sections XII and XIII in fig. 12 and 13 show that the lateral extent or width of the spring seat region 12 decreases smoothly and continuously toward the end section 10.

The intermediate side wall region 16 is substantially straight in its extension in the longitudinal direction L of the spring link 1. This is shown in particular in fig. 8, which shows the section VIII-VIII of fig. 5. The cross section VIII extends through the intermediate sidewall regions 16, 19. The two intermediate side wall regions 16, 19 start from the first end section 7 of the spring linkage 1 and first extend substantially parallel to one another. In the length section L1, i.e. in the spring seat region 12, they are also straight in themselves, but no longer run parallel to one another. The length section L1 represents a region designed to be omega-shaped. This makes it possible to see that the upper side wall sections 15, 20 each project in the transverse direction beyond the central side wall sections 16, 19.

The cross section of the length section L2 adjoining the length section L1 in the direction towards the first end section 7 of the spring link 1 (fig. 8) is hat-shaped. In the U-shaped or cap-shaped length section L2, the respective upper side wall section 15, 20 does not yet protrude beyond the middle side wall section 16, 19. This distinguishes the cap-shaped length section L2 from the Ω -shaped length section L1.

The length section L2, which is hat-shaped in cross-section, may also be referred to as a transition section. The side walls 3, 4, which initially extend parallel to one another, each begin to extend in an outward arc in this transition section. The pitch is slightly increased. The back 2 is also slightly widened. The outward bow terminates with the beginning of the length segment L1.

In the length section L1, the respective extension of the side walls 3, 4 is substantially straight, the spacing of the side walls 3, 4 increasing slightly in the further extension. Thus, the side walls 3, 4 are at an acute angle to each other, but they are perpendicular to the spring seat region 12.

A further length L3 toward the second end section 10 adjoins the spring seat region 12 or length L1, which is omega-shaped in cross section, in which the straight extent of the intermediate side wall regions 16, 19 continues. A recess 21 is provided in the back 2, which extends over almost the entire width of the back 2. In this transition region (length section L3), the lateral projection of the two upper side wall regions 15, 20 decreases continuously.

In the last length section L4 extending to the end of the second end section 10 of the spring link 1, the side walls 3, 4 again extend substantially parallel to one another as in the first end section 7 of the spring link 1. Thus, in the transition from length section L3 to length section L4, the respective side wall 3, 4 is slightly curved.

In this last length section L4, the upper side wall regions 15, 20 again run parallel to one another (fig. 1). In this case, there is no back 2 at all, so that the upper side wall regions 15, 20 no longer have an inwardly directed curvature, as in the spring seat region 12 or the transition region L2.

Fig. 8 shows that the middle length section L1 of the spring seat region 12 includes three further length sections M, E1, E2. The middle length section M of the spring seat region 12 represents the region of maximum width B. The intermediate length section M is spaced from the end of the spring seat region 12. The end-side length sections E1 and E2 of the spring seat region 12 are also spaced apart from the middle length section M. The end side length sections E1 and E2 are located in the spring seat region 12. In these length sections E1, E2, the width of the upper side wall sections 15, 20 is smaller than in the middle length section M. The omega shape is most pronounced where the difference in width between the upper side wall sections 15, 20 and the intermediate side wall sections 16, 19 is greatest, on account of the intermediate side wall sections 16, 19, which each extend substantially straight. This is the case in the intermediate length section M.

The width of the flanges 13, 14 also varies in the longitudinal direction L of the spring link 1. As can be seen from fig. 3, the width of the flanges 13, 14 increases continuously from the first end section 7 and in the transition region L2 each has its maximum width (see fig. 8). The flanges 13, 14 are also the widest regions of the entire spring linkage 1. Its width decreases in further extension in the direction of the second end section 10 and even falls behind the widened spring seat region 12. Fig. 3 shows that the upper side wall sections 15, 20 also project laterally beyond the flanges 13, 14 in the spring seat region 12. This changes again in the length sections L3 and L4, in which the omega-shaped cross section is no longer continued, since the back 2 has a recess 21.

Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of a spring link 1, the basic construction of which is very similar to that of the spring link described above. Reference is therefore made to the preceding description of figures 1 to 15 for components of substantially the same construction. The main difference is the design of the end section 7. The bearing sleeve 9 is accommodated in a bearing receptacle 8, but the bearing sleeve 9 is welded in instead of being pressed in. The bearing receptacle 8 also does not completely surround the bearing sleeve 9. The bearing receptacle 8 is fork-shaped and open toward the first end section 7, so that the bearing sleeve 9, but not the bearing receptacle 8, forms the outermost end region of the spring linkage 1. The bearing receptacle 8 surrounds the bearing sleeve 9 over a circumferential region of not more than 180 °, in particular exactly 180 °. The bearing sleeve 9 can therefore be inserted into the bearing receptacle 8 from the outermost end of the end section 7 and welded thereto. The rubber-metal bearing is arranged in the bearing sleeve 9.

It can also be seen that openings are provided in the region of the spring seats, which have slightly different cross-sectional profiles and lateral recesses, in order to accommodate different spring types or spring cushions.

List of reference numerals

1 spring connecting rod

21 back part

31 side wall

41 side wall

512 opening in the container

Opening in 612

71 first end section

87 bearing housing

98 bearing sleeve

101 second end section

1110 in the figure

12 spring seat area

133 of a flange

144 of the flange

154 of the upper side wall region

164 intermediate sidewall region

174 of the lower side wall region

183 lower side wall region

193 middle sidewall region

203 upper sidewall area

212 of the design reside in the recess

Maximum width of B12

End side length section of E112

End side length section of E212

H vertical direction

Q transverse direction

L longitudinal direction

Length segment of L112

L2 transition section

L3 adjoining length section L1

L4 Length section adjoining 10

Middle length section of M12