BEARING ELEMENT HAVING AN OUTER BEARING RING CONSISTING OF A RING OF METAL AND FORMED BY INJECTING PLASTIC MATERIAL THEREIN TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a bearing element comprising a metal bush intended for being used in suspension systems in vehicles and for providing operating torque (i.e. moment) applied thereto.

The invention, in particular, relates to a bearing element having an outer bearing produced by injecting metal layer and plastic material together for absorbing vibrations.

PRIOR ART

In the vehicles used today, developments for a safer travel are being made. The suspension system located between the vehicle body and wheels is intended for absorbing vibrations resulting from road structure. Suspension system is needed for driving comfort and safety.

The suspension system operates in cooperation with steering system, front geometry, and wheels.

Road handling capability of the vehicles is the most significant factor in providing driving safety. The connection of vehicles with the ground, as well as road handling, is ensured by various components operating together. Spaceframe, steering system, suspension system, brake system and the wheels are connected to the vehicle body in a certain order. The suspension system not only carries vehicle weight, but it also helps the tires to grip the road. Active safety, balance, and comfort of the vehicle are dependent on the fact that this system functions properly.

One of the most important parts of said system is torque rod. Torque rods and V-stays are connecting pieces used in heavy and light commercial vehicles. They have a crucial role in next generation vehicles with suspension and load carrying properties thereof. They are effectively used in independent suspension in buses. Torque rods are the connecting pieces between the chassis and the axle and they limit lateral movement; moreover, they are designed for taking the forces resulting from braking, acceleration, and sudden impacts. Track control arm and ball joints connected thereto are integrated with axle carrier, steering system components, anti roll bar, spring and shock absorbers in front suspension systems. Since the outer part of the bearing element provided in rod end within the prior art is made of plastic, it corrodes in a short time; thereby causing the tires to make an uncontrolled angle with respect to the ground. This, in turn, causes fatal accidents by affecting driver control negatively, for example pulling the vehicle right/left.

In the state of the art, cost of assembly and cost of parts regarding the bearing system are high.

^■ Again in the state of the art, mounting of the bearing element takes quite a long time.

Further, in the state of the art, torque (i.e. moment of rotation) values of the bearing element vary during operating time of the part.

It is obvious, inspired by the state of the art, that a novel bearing element is needed to be introduced for bearing elements within suspension systems in order to solve the aforementioned problems. The present invention is for solving the above mentioned problems.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bearing element to be used in suspension systems which meets the needs stated above, reduces product costs, and provides some other advantages.

The object of the invention is to form a plastic layer between the metal bush and metal layer. In prior art, the outermost layer is made of plastic material, which is subjected to corrosion; in the present configuration, however, the outer part of the plastic layer is made of metal material.

An object of the invention is to inject plastic material into the inner surface of the outermost metal layer during production. Thus, an outer bearing, the inner surface of which has a plastic layer and the outer surface of which comprises metal material, is obtained. Another object of the invention is to minimize the cost of parts by using injection method while forming the outer bearing.

Another object of the invention is to increase the duration in which the parts need to be replaced by preventing corrosion to occur in the outer bearing by utilizing injection method in outer bearing formation.

Yet another object of the invention is to reduce the damage to the other components of the vehicle due to the problems resulting from corrosion.

A further object of the invention is to minimize torque difference of the bearing element of the vehicle during operation. In order to achieve the above mentioned objects, the invention relates to a bearing element comprising a metal bush and used in suspension systems; wherein it comprises a metal layer having an inner surface with plastic layer where said metal bush is centered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES ALLOWING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is the schematic view of the bearing element used within the state of the art.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the plastic layer injected into the inner surface of the bearing element according to the invention, together with the mounting process. Fig. 3 is the overall perspective view of the bearing element according to the invention when the metal bush is mounted in the bearing element.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10. Metal bush 20. Plastic outer bearing 30. Outer bearing

31. Metal layer

32. Plastic layer A. Bearing element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bearing element (A) comprising a metal bush (10) and used in suspension systems; wherein it comprises a metal layer (31) having an inner surface with plastic layer (32) where said metal bush (10) is centered.

It performs a safety use for preventing the vibrations on the vehicle and taking the loads applied due to operating conditions. Therefore, it is required that torque rods and V-stays are long lasting and resistant against external factors. In Fig. 1 , the perspective view of the bearing element used within the state of the art is shown. In this technique, an outer bearing (20) made of plastic material is placed in the outer part of the metal bush (10). The fact that the outer bearing (20) is made of plastic material, as well as the vibration and forces applied on the element, causes corrosion in a short time. As shown in Fig. 2 of the invention, the metal layer (31) and the plastic material are integrally produced, i.e. by injecting the plastic layer (32) into the metal layer (31).

In Fig. 3, the top view of the bearing element according to the invention is given in mounted state. The plastic layer (32) is injected into the metal layer (31) and the outer bearing (30) in which the metal bush (10) will be embedded is produced. Afterwards, the metal bush (10) is positioned in the outer bearing and the bearing element according to the invention is made ready to be used in the suspension system.

The protection scope of the present application is defined in claims and cannot be limited to the descriptions made for illustrative purposes in any way. It is obvious that the skilled person can apply the novelty of the present invention in other fields serving similar purposes. Therefore, it is also clear that such embodiments will lack the criteria of novelty and in particular exceeding the state of the art.