US-12623504-B2 - Assembly comprising stud member with anti-slipping feature

US12623504B2US 12623504 B2US12623504 B2US 12623504B2US-12623504-B2

Abstract

An assembly for supporting pulling forces of a suspension member of a vehicle comprises a stud member comprising a shaft portion having one or more ribs extending in a radial direction on an outer wall of the shaft portion, a clamping member comprising a main body with a bore defined by an inside wall and arranged to receive the shaft portion, and a fastening member arranged to fasten the clamping member around the shaft portion when the shaft portion is inside the bore, wherein the main body of the clamping member is made of a first material, and the shaft portion of the stud member is made of a second material, and wherein the first material is softer than the second material.

Inventors

Magnus Nordell

Assignees

VOLVO CAR CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250221
Priority Date: 20240301

Claims (13)

1 . An assembly for supporting pulling forces of a suspension member of a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a stud member comprising a shaft portion having one or more ribs extending in a radial direction on an outer wall of the shaft portion; a clamping member comprising a main body with a bore defined by an inside wall and arranged to receive the shaft portion; and a fastening member arranged to fasten the clamping member around the shaft portion when the shaft portion is inside the bore; wherein the main body of the clamping member is made of a first material, and the shaft portion of the stud member is made of a second material; wherein the first material is softer than the second material; wherein the bore extends in a first direction and the clamping member comprises an opening extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to receive the fastening member; wherein the shaft portion comprises a depression extending in the radial direction on the outer wall; and wherein the shaft portion comprises one or more ribs at one side of the depression and one or more ribs at the opposite side of the depression.
2 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the radial direction forms an angle between 90 and 45 degrees with an axial direction of the shaft portion and wherein, when the clamping member is fastened around the shaft portion, the one or more ribs deform an inside wall of the clamping member to increase grip.
3 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more ribs protrude between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters from the outer wall of the shaft portion.
4 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first material comprises aluminum and the second material comprises steel.
5 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening member comprises a screw, the opening of the clamping member configured to receive the screw.
6 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more ribs are arranged to form a helix shape.
7 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more ribs protrude from the outer wall of the shaft portion forming a semicircular shape.
8 . The assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the screw, when inserted in the opening of the clamping member, lies against the depression.
9 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the stud member comprises a ball portion formed at an end of the shaft portion.
10 . A wheel suspension system comprising the assembly according to claim 1 .
11 . A vehicle comprising the assembly according to claim 1 .
12 . A method for assembling the assembly according to claim 1 , the method comprising: inserting the shaft portion of the stud member into the bore of the clamping member; and fastening the clamping member around the shaft portion with the fastening member such that the one or more ribs deform the inside wall of the clamping member to increase grip.
13 . A method for manufacturing the assembly according to claim 1 , the method comprising: providing the stud member; forming the one or more ribs using a serration machine around the outer wall of the shaft portion or pressing the outer wall of the shaft portion using a cutting tool; providing the clamping member; and providing the fastening member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority of co-pending European Patent Application No. 24160875.1, filed on Mar. 1, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the fastener field, in particular studs used in conjunction with clamping members for supporting pulling forces. BACKGROUND Current axial loaded studs depend on friction between the stud and the knuckle when clamped. If the stud and knuckle are not well clamped, the connection between them risks ending up with play, thereby causing noise in the vehicle. To overcome the low friction normally found in these kind of assemblies, large screws are used to secure a safe attachment of the stud and the knuckle. This helps to withstand pulling forces and prevent the stud from slipping. However, larger screws increase costs and weight of an assembly. SUMMARY According to an embodiment, an assembly for supporting pulling forces of a suspension member of a vehicle comprises a stud member comprising a shaft portion having one or more ribs extending in a radial direction on an outer wall of the shaft portion, a clamping member comprising a main body with a bore defined by an inside wall and arranged to receive the shaft portion, and a fastening member arranged to fasten the clamping member around the shaft portion when the shaft portion is inside the bore, wherein the main body of the clamping member is made of a first material, and the shaft portion of the stud member is made of a second material, and wherein the first material is softer than the second material. Providing a stud member with one or more ribs extending in a radial direction results in a better gripping between the stud member and the clamping member, which is less dependent on friction. The one or more ribs extending radially on the outer of the shaft creates friction or clamping forces between the shaft and the clamping member. This helps to protect the assembly from pulling forces which can help to minimize or prevent slippage. Also, the risk of grease stuck on the shaft, that potentially reducing the friction, is decreased. This also allows an assembly to reduce the size of fastening parts such screws due to the reduced pulling forces acting on the stud member. Reducing screw size can be done without sacrificing clamping force because, as compared to a conventional stud, the one or more ribs generates a larger clamping force. This may allow to reduce cost, materials and weight of an assembly. The radial direction may form an angle between 90 and 45 degrees with an axial direction of the shaft portion and, when the clamping member is fastened around the shaft portion, the one or more ribs may deform an inside wall of the clamping member to increase grip. This may increase the gripping between both parts. The one or more ribs may protrude between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters from the outer wall of the shaft portion. This is a suitable size that allows the one or more ribs to grip on the inside wall of the clamping member. The one or more ribs may comprise serrations. The first material may comprise aluminum and the second material may comprise steel such as phosphorous steel. Steel is a strong and cost-effective material that may be suitable for vehicle parts. Other materials may be suitable for other applications. In addition to being strong and cost effective, steel is a readily available material. Also, aluminum is a cost effective and readably available material. A shaft portion of the stud member made of steel and a clamping member made of aluminum are able to generate a strong gripping thereby helping to protect the assembly from pulling forces. The fastening member may comprise a screw, the bore may extend in a first direction and the clamping member comprises an opening extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to receive the screw. This allows the fastening member to be easily loosened or tightened. The one or more ribs may be arranged to form a helix shape. This is a suitable arrangement for the one or more ribs that allows the one or more ribs to grip on the inside wall of the clamping member. Also improves the manufacturing process of the assembly. The one or more ribs may protrude from the outer wall of the shaft portion forming a semicircular shape. This shape allows the rib to create a suitable gripping on the inside wall of the clamping member thereby improving the gripping function of the assembly to avoid slipping due to possible fatigue events on the assembly. The semicircular shape may be a half circle or have a softer radius. The shaft portion may comprise a depression extending in the radial direction on the outer wall. The depression or groove and the fastening member may match providing a locking function that further prevents the shaft portion from losing grip at, for instance, very high loads. The s