Spring devices – Resilient shock or vibration absorber – Including energy absorbing means or feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2002-04-23
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Resilient shock or vibration absorber
Including energy absorbing means or feature
C267S140140, C267S140150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375172
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hydraulically damping engine bearing with restrictively deflectable diaphragms separating fluid-filled chambers bordered at least partially by elastic walls and with at least one channel connecting the chambers, whereby the damping characteristics of the bearing are adjustable by an adjustment arrangement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art hydraulically damping engine bearings in which a separating wall is arranged between two chambers are known (e.g., DE 34 46 725 C2) wherein one chamber has an elastic diaphragm running in annular fashion around the outer wall. In this case, the intermediate space formed between the elastic diaphragm and the rigid outer wall can be pressurized with an underpressure for the purpose of attaining high rigidity of the engine bearing. To change the bearing characteristic to “hard” during driving operation, it is necessary to apply an underpressure to the intermediate space, so that the elastic wall rests directly on the outer wall of the bearing.
Further prior art engine bearings are known (e.g., DE 42 38 752 C1) in which chambers separated by a diaphragm are equipped, for the purpose of changing the bearing characteristic, with a flexible wall arranged in one of the chambers. At a low rigidity of the bearing, the bearing characteristic is changed by virtue of at least one of the hydraulic chambers working against a gas volume enclosed in an intermediate space. At a high rigidity of the bearing, the flexible wall comes at least partially to rest on a stop. To aerate the intermediate space, a switch opens a flow connection to the atmosphere or releases a pressure storage device, while de-aeration of the intermediate space occurs via a valve in the flow connection. In this design, the flexible wall is a direct component of the complete rubber bearing.
In addition, there are prior art rubber bearings that, although they are embodied with controllable rigidity and relate to conventional bearings (e.g., DE 41 14 879 A1, DE 41 20 841 C1, DE 41 30 362 C2 and DE 41 03 028 C2), require auxiliary energy in the form of pressurized air or hydraulic pressure. The device shown in FIG. 4 of DE 41 30 362 C2 is equipped with a mechanical adjustment device.
Another prior art hydraulically-damping engine bearing with a conventional suspension spring (e.g., WO 96/17184) connected in series is also known. However, the conventional suspension spring is placed out of operation in the hard position. For this purpose, in addition to an expensive circuit module, auxiliary energy in the form of pressure is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a hydraulically-damping engine bearing that insulates the engine stimuli, especially in idle, and is controllable for additionally decreasing the static and dynamic rigidity level.
To attain this object, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a bearing having first and second primary chambers and an auxiliary suspension spring that forms, with the controllable flow connection, a closed or open auxiliary chamber that is connectable to the first primary chamber.
It is advantageous that, because of the auxiliary suspension spring, a serial connection is established by the engine bearing together with the actual elastic walls. The auxiliary suspension spring contains an auxiliary chamber that is connected to the first primary bearing chamber via the flow connection. In the open state of the flow connection, the damping fluid is pumped without dynamic resistance from the auxiliary chamber to the first primary chamber and back, so that the static spring rate of the auxiliary suspension spring comes into effect for attaining the “soft” position.
When the flow connection is closed, a substantially larger expansion spring rate of the auxiliary spring comes into effect, and the “hard” position is established.
According to a further essential feature, one of the first and second primary bearing chambers is a compensating chamber having a compensating diaphragm. It is advantageous that, given suitable arrangement of the auxiliary chamber and of the working chambers embodied on both sides of the primary bearing chamber having the compensating diaphragm, a design is created in which the compensating chamber is effective for both the first and second primary chambers.
In a further embodiment, the first primary chamber interacting with the auxiliary chamber has the compensating diaphragm.
A simple-to-produce embodiment is created when the wall separating the auxiliary chamber from the adjacent first primary chamber comprises the flow connection. Advantageously, the cross-section of the flow connection can be modified by at least two parts movable relative to each other.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the two movable parts comprise disks equipped with openings that correspond with each other.
In a further embodiment, the flow connection can be influenced via a control device arranged outside of the engine bearing. Advantageously, a servomotor is provided as the control device.
To influence the flow connection, according to an advantageous embodiment, the servomotor moves via a rotary drive at least one of the two movable parts so that the two movable parts move relative to each other.
In a further embodiment, the auxiliary suspension spring has a different rigidity than the elastic wall of the chambers. Advantageously, thanks to the serial connection of the suspension spring, a soft total spring rate comes into effect in the axial and radial directions.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
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Mason, Frederick of Thomson Corporation Co., Oct. 1989, American Machinist vol. 133 No. 10 p. 84.
Bungart Ernst
Meyer Heinrich
Quast Jörn-Rainer
Burch Melody M.
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Mannesmann Boge GmbH
Oberleitner Robert J.
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