TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a stabiliser link according to the preamble of claim 1 . BACKGROUND

Stabiliser links are used to connect a stabiliser in a vehicle with the vehicle's chassis. Such a stabiliser link has a first attachment end for attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser, and an opposite second attachment end for attachment to the vehicle's chassis. When a stabiliser link is mounted in a vehicle, there sometimes is a shortage of space, which hampers the mounting of the stabiliser link and requires good articulation around the articulated mounts in order to facilitate the assembly.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

One objective with the present invention is to achieve a stabiliser link, which facilitates the mounting of the stabiliser link when the stabiliser link is connected to a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objectives, which are set out in the description below, are achieved with a stabiliser link of the type specified above, and which also has the characteristics specified in the characterising portion of the enclosed independent patent claims. The preferred embodiments of the stabiliser link are defined in the enclosed non-independent patent claims.

According to the invention, the objectives of a stabiliser link are achieved in order to connect a stabiliser in a vehicle with the vehicle's chassis, wherein the stabiliser link has a first attachment end for attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser and an opposite second attachment end for attachment to the vehicle's chassis, wherein the stabiliser link is bisectional with a first link part, comprising the first attachment end, and a second link part, comprising the second attachment end, so that the first and the second link parts are arranged to be rigidly connected via a joint. Thus the mounting of the stabiliser link is facilitated. Thus the need for articulated attachment of the stabiliser link to the stabiliser and the vehicle chassis is reduced/eliminated with respect to mounting. Accordingly, a rigid attachment of the stabiliser link with the stabiliser and the vehicle chassis is facilitated. Further, from an assembly perspective, when there is a shortage of space, it is possible for the first and the second attachment ends for attachment to comprise rubber sleeves, which entails reduced rotation ability compared to e.g. a swivel, but with the advantage that noise which may arise with such swivels is reduced/eliminated. Thus, the first link part may be connected with the stabiliser link and the second link part with the chassis, before they are connected with the joint.

According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the joint comprises a positive locking joint. By using a positive locking joint, smaller dimensions are required in a complementary attachment joint such as a bolted joint, riveted joint, welded joint, locking pin joint or similar. According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the positive locking joint comprises a tabled splice joint. A tabled splice joint with a tabled splice joint part in the respective link part facilitates efficient form-locking of the link parts for a rigid joint. Such a tabled splice joint also entails that the dimensions of a complementary attachment joint, such as a screw joint or a rivet joint, may be reduced.

According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the joint comprises an attachment joint. By using an attachment joint, such as a screw joint, a rivet joint, a welded joint or similar, it is possible to achieve an efficient cohesion of the link parts. According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the first and the second link parts are arranged to be connected in an overlapping manner with said joint. Thus the connection of the link parts is facilitated during the mounting of the stabiliser link. According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the first and the second attachment ends are arranged to be attached with a respective link bolt for the purpose of said attachment. Thus an effective attachment of the respective link part is obtained.

According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the first and the second link parts are substantially mutually equal. Thus, the manufacture of the link parts is facilitated, since only one variant needs to be manufactured. Further, the mounting is facilitated, since the respective link part may be attached either at the chassis or at the stabiliser link.

According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the first and the second link parts are arranged to be connected through said joint, after the attachment of the first and the second attachment ends. Thus an efficient mounting procedure is achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood more easily with reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the enclosed drawings, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a stabiliser link according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 1 b schematically illustrates a top view of the stabiliser link in Fig. 1 a; Fig. 2a schematically illustrates a lateral view of the stabiliser link in Fig. 1 a;

Fig. 2b schematically illustrates a plane view of the stabiliser link in Fig. 1 a;

Fig. 3a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a link part in the stabiliser link in Fig. 1 a, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3b schematically illustrates a plane view of the link part in Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4a schematically illustrates a lateral view of the link part in Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the link part in Fig. 3a; Fig. 5a schematically illustrates a lateral view of a part of a link part, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5b schematically illustrates a plane view of the part in Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a schematically illustrates a perspective view of a link part in a stabiliser link, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6b schematically illustrates a lateral view of a part of the link part in Fig. 6a;

Fig. 6c schematically illustrates a lateral view of the part in Fig. 6b; and Fig. 6d schematically illustrates a plane view of the part in Fig. 6b.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 a-b and 2 a-b schematically illustrate different views of a stabiliser link 1 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 3 a-b and 4 a-b illustrate different views of a link part 10 of the stabiliser link. The stabiliser link 1 is designed to connect a stabiliser in a vehicle with the vehicle's chassis. The stabiliser link is bisectional, with a first link part 10 and a second link part 20. The first link part 10 and the second link part 20 are, according to this embodiment, substantially mutually similar. The first and the second link parts 10, 20 are arranged to be rigidly connected via a joint J. The first and the second link parts arranged to be connected in an overlapping manner for the said joint J. The joint J comprises a positive locking joint 30, comprising a tabled splice joint part. The joint J also comprises an attachment joint 40, in order to fixedly connect the respective link part. According to this embodiment, the attachment joint 40 consists of a screw joint 40. A screw joint 40 enables a releasable connection of the link parts 10, 20.

The first link part 10 comprises a first attachment end 12 for attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser, and the second link part 20 comprises a second attachment end 22 for attachment to the vehicle's chassis. According to this embodiment, the first attachment end 12 is arranged for articulated attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser and the second attachment end 22 is arranged for articulated attachment to the vehicle's chassis.

The stabiliser link 1 accordingly has a first attachment end 12 for articulated attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser and an opposite second attachment end 22 for articulated attachment to the vehicle's chassis. The stabiliser link 1 has a connecting arm A, arranged between the first attachment end 12 and the second attachment end 22.

According to this embodiment, the first attachment end 12 comprises a first link bolt 14, arranged for the attachment to the vehicle's stabiliser. The second attachment end 22 comprises a second link bolt 24, arranged for the attachment to the vehicle's chassis. The first and the second link parts 10, 20 are configured so that, when connected with each other, the first link bolt 14 and the second link bolt 24 are, according to this embodiment, directed in mutually different directions.

The respective attachment ends 12, 22 comprise a holder section 15, 25 arranged to retainingly enclose and hold the respective link bolts 14, 24. According to this embodiment, the holder section 14, 24 is mainly circular. The holder section may have any suitable design in order to fit with the attachment by a link bolt or another attachment element.

The first and the second attachment ends 12, 22 for articulated attachment comprise, according to this embodiment, rubber bushings 16a, 16b. As shown in Fig. 4b, the articulated attachment comprises rubber bushings 16a, 16b, comprising an inner rubber bushing 16a arranged to abut against and enclose an end section of the link bolt 14. The rubber bushings 16a, 16b also comprise an outer rubber bushing 16b, arranged to abut circumferentially against the internal surface of the holder section. Since the first and the second attachment ends for attachment comprise rubber bushings, noise which in relevant cases arises with corresponding swivels is reduced/eliminated. Further, articulated attachments with rubber bushings are not impacted to any extent by dirt, and hence wear due to dirt may be avoided. The first and second attachment ends 12, 22 for articulated attachment further comprise layers 17a, 17b, arranged between the inner rubber bushing 16a and the outer rubber bushing 16b of the rubber bushings 16a, 16b.

The respective link bolt 14, 24 has, according to this embodiment, a truncated conical shape tapering from the holder section 15, 25 to an end section 14a, 24a. The respective link bolt has a through-hole 14b, 24b for insertion of a pin at the link bolt's 14, 24 end section 14a, 24a during assembly, running across the link bolt's 14, 24 axial propagation.

The respective link part 10, 20 has an arm section 1 1 , 21 protruding from the attachment end 12, 22. The arm section 1 1 , 21 is arranged to protrude from the holder section 15, 25 and constitutes a protruding extension of the holder section 15, 25. The arm section 1 1 , 21 is, according to this embodiment, arranged to run primarily perpendicular in relation to the link bolt 14, 24. The arm section 1 1 , 21 may have any suitable angle in relation to the link bolt 14, 24, depending on the attachment to the stabiliser and the vehicle chassis.

The arm section 1 1 , 21 has a first side 1 1 a, 21 a and an opposite side 1 1 b, 21 b. According to this embodiment, the first side 1 1 a, 21 a faces the direction along which the link bolt 14, 24 is arranged to run.

The protruding arm section 1 1 , 21 has an end section 50, 60 arranged at a distance from the attachment end 12, 22 and a middle section 1 1 c, 21 c arranged between the attachment end 12, 22 and the end section 50, 60. The end section 50, 60 of the arm section 1 1 , 21 of the respective link part 10, 20 has a form-locking configuration 52, 62 arranged on the first side 1 1 a, 21 a, wherein the form-locking configuration 52 of the end section 50 of the first link part 10 is arranged to fit in a form-locking manner against the form- locking configuration 62 of the second link part 20, in order to achieve said form-locking joint 30.

The first side 1 1 a of the end section 50 of the first link part 10 is arranged to be facing the first side 21 a of the end section 60 of the second link part 20 for said overlapping connection.

The form-locking configuration 52, 62 of the end section 50, 60 of the respective link part 10, 20 of the arm section 1 1 , 21 consists of a tabled splice joint part 50, 60. The tabled splice joint part 50 of the first link part 10 and the tabled splice joint part 60 of the second link part 20 are arranged to fit by way of positive locking against each other, for said positive locking joint 30 in the form of a tabled splice joint.

The tabled splice joint part 52, 62 of the respective link part 10, 20 consists of a flash-shaped profile running along the first side 1 1 a, 21 a of the end section 50, 60 of the link part 10, 20. The tabled splice joint 52, 62 has a first recess 52a, 62a running from the intermediate section 1 1 c, 21 c in a direction away from the attachment end 12, 22. The tabled splice joint 52, 62 has a second recess 52b, 62b running from the first recess 52a, 62a in a direction toward the arm section's end 1 1 , 21 . The first recess 52a, 62a creates a channel running across the longitudinal extent of the arm section 1 1 , 21 . The transition between the first recess 52a, 62a and the second recess 52b, 62b forms a step 53, 63, running across the longitudinal extent of the arm section 1 1 , 21 .

Thus the tabled splice joint 52 of the first link part 10 is arranged to fit against the tabled splice joint 62 of the second link part 20, so that the second recess 52b of the first link part 10 abuts against the first recess 62a of the second link part 20 and vice versa. The first and second recesses 52a, 62a, 52b, 62b of the arm section 1 1 , 21 of the respective link part 10, 20 are designed in such a manner, that in case of connection of the respective link part 10, 20, the respective arm section 1 1 , 21 forms the connecting arm A with substantially the same thickness.

The first recess 52a, 62a of the respective link part 10, 20 has a first through- opening O1 across the longitudinal and width extent of the arm section 1 1 , 21 for a first screw unit 42 for the screw joint 40, and the second recess 52b, 62b of the respective link part 10, 20 has a second through-opening O2 across the longitudinal and width extent of the arm section 1 1 , 21 for a second screw unit 44 for the screw joint 40.

According to one embodiment of the stabiliser link, the first and the second link parts are arranged to be connected through said joint after the attachment of the first and the second attachment ends, in order to make assembly easier.

Figs. 5a and 5b schematically illustrate different views of a link part 1 10 in the stabiliser link, with a positive locking configuration 152 for a positive locking joint, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the positive locking configuration 152 of the end section in the respective link part comprises a saw-tooth profile, comprising a set of saw teeth 154, for said positive locking joint. Herein, saw teeth 154 are in the form of ridges running across the longitudinal extent of the arm section 1 1 1 .

The first recess 152a and the second recess 152b of the end section 150 of the respective link part 1 10 herein comprises saw teeth 154, in the form of ridges running across the longitudinal extent of the arm section 1 1 1 .

Figs. 6a-d schematically illustrate different views of a link part 210 in the stabiliser link, with a positive locking configuration 252 for a positive locking joint, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to this embodiment, the positive locking configuration 252 of the end section of the respective link part comprises a check pattern with tracks and adjacent elevations for said positive locking joint, running diagonally across the longitudinal extent of the arm section 21 1 .

The first recess 252a here comprises a check pattern with a track 254, running diagonally across the arm section's longitudinal extent, and the second recess 252b of the end section 250 of the respective link part 210 here comprises a check pattern with elevations 256 for said positive locking joint, running diagonally across the arm section's longitudinal extent.

Alternatively, the tracks and recesses are arranged to run across the arm section's longitudinal extent, i.e. at a right angle in relation to the arm section's longitudinal extent.

Above, the connection of the first and second link parts via a joint comprising a positive locking joint and attachment joint has been described. According to an alternative variant, the joint consists only of an attachment joint, wherein the attachment joint may consist of any suitable attachment joint in order to rigidly connect the first and the second link parts. The attachment joint may e.g. consist of a screw joint, a rivet joint, a welded joint, or similar.

Above, a positive locking joint comprising a tabled splice joint has been described. Any suitable positive locking joint may, however, be used. Above, link bolts in the form of trucated cones have been described. Alternatively, any suitable link bolt may be used, such as a cylindrically designed link bolt.

A stabiliser link arranged to be assembled with the link bolts facing mutually different directions has been described above. According to an alternative variant, the link bolts face in the same direction. The link bolts may face each other with any relative angle.

A stabiliser link comprising link bolts arranged in the respective attachment end has been described above. According to an alternative variant, the link bolts are mounted in the stabiliser and vehicle chassis, for connection with the bisectional stabiliser link. Herein, the first link part of the stabiliser link is arranged to be assembled with the link bolt of the stabiliser at its attachment end, and the second link part with the link bolt of the vehicle chassis at its attachment end. Alternatively, the stabiliser has a link bolt for mounting of the first link part, and the second link part has a link bolt for assembly with the vehicle chassis or vice versa. In the embodiment where the first and the second link parts are substantially mutually similar, the first and second link parts, excluding the link bolt, are substantially similar, if applicable.

Above, a stabiliser link where the first and second link parts are substantially mutually similar has been described. According to an alternative variant, the first and second link parts have different designs.

Above, a stabiliser link comprising an attachment joint in the form of a screw joint for attaching the respective link part has been described. The attachment joint may consists of any suitable attachment joint such as a rivet joint, a welded joint, a detention pin joint or similar.

The bisectional stabiliser link according to the present invention may be manufactured in any suitable manner, e.g. by casting or milling. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been furnished for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explicate the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to thereby enable one skilled in the art to understand the invention in terms of its various embodiments and with the various modifications that are applicable to its intended use.