Spring devices – Vehicle – Elastomeric
Patent
1996-08-13
1998-06-09
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Spring devices
Vehicle
Elastomeric
267292, B60G 1122
Patent
active
057623244
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an elastomeric mounting of a type which is failsafe. Failsafe means in this specification that even in the event of failure of elastomeric material which forms part of the elastomeric mounting, the mounting is still operative to prevent free and unrestricted separation of two points interconnected by the mounting.
An example of a failsafe type elastomeric mounting is described in DE-A-2803743.
The present invention relates to a failsafe type mounting and also, but not exclusively, to an elastomeric mounting manufacturable at low cost.
In one of its aspects the invention provides an elastomeric mounting comprising a pair of rigid members, an annular element of elastomeric material sandwiched between confronting surfaces of said members and a pillar member which extends substantially centrally through the annular element of elastomeric material into association with each of said rigid members, said pillar being secured rigidly relative to one of the rigid members and extending through an opening in the other rigid member with an all-round clearance between the pillar and the opening, and that end of the pillar extending through the apertured rigid member incorporating stop means engageable with the apertured rigid member to prevent unlimited free separation of the rigid members but allow the rigid members to move one towards the other to compress the elastomeric element therebetween when the mounting is subject to applied compression load, said apertured rigid member being provided with a recess in the region of the aperture at a side of that member which faces away from the elastomeric element, and said stop means being positioned in said recess.
The elastomeric element may be bonded to one or both of the rigid members, but the invention teaches that this is not an essential feature and that preferably the elastomeric material is not bonded to either of the rigid members.
The elastomeric element preferably lies spaced radially from the pillar. More preferably the elastomeric element is substantially free at least in part to deform in radially inwards and radially outwards directions.
The pillar has an axial length selected preferably to maintain the elastomeric element in compression between the rigid members even in the absence of applied compression load. More preferably the mounting is constructed such that the elastomeric element is maintained in compression even in the event of being subject to any load, such as a re-bound load, which tends to move said confronting surfaces axially away from one another.
Pillar adjustment means may be provided to enable adjustment of that maximum separation of the rigid members allowed by the pillar and in consequence allow adjustment of the residual compression load on the elastomeric element.
The pillar may be secured rigidly relative to one of the rigid members. It may be cast integrally as a part of a rigid member or, especially if the rigid member is not cast, it may be secured for example by swaging or welding.
The rigid members preferably have non-planar confronting surfaces at least over parts of their respective surfaces which lie in contact with the elastomeric element.
The non-planar confronting surfaces may be defined by cast rigid members or, to minimise costs, may be of pressed metal.
The non-planar confronting surfaces preferably are oriented such that in the event of relative transverse movement of the rigid members (relative movement in a direction parallel with a plane containing the annular elastomeric element) the elastomeric element is loaded in compression as well as shear and/or being subject to rolling.
Considered axially, in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, in the absence of applied load, the region at which one rigid member contacts the elastomeric element may lie wholly spaced axially from the region at which the other rigid member contacts the elastomeric element. As an alternative a part of the region at which one rigid member contacts the elastomeric element may be axially aligned with or overlap a part of
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patent: 4214738 (1980-07-01), Casper
patent: 4995598 (1991-02-01), Ingham
patent: 5131638 (1992-07-01), Hein
patent: 5242146 (1993-09-01), Tecco
patent: 5580028 (1996-12-01), Tomczak
PCT International Search Report, Apr. 10, 1995.
Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 9, No. 132 (M-385).
Bartz C. T.
Dunlop Limited
Oberleitner Robert J.
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