FR3066002A1 - HYDROELASTIC DEVICE HAVING A DEPLACABLE RIGID BLOCKING PIECE - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises solid force transmission elements including two armatures (2, 3), a damping body (6), a damping space including a damping chamber (7), the device being normally in a state filling device where the damping space is filled with a damping liquid (10) and can accidentally be in a state of loss of filling, which comprises integrated palliative means of the loss of filling, inactive in the state fillers and rendered active in a state of loss of filling where they bring the hydroelastic device (1) to a state of stiffness of a high level so that it exhibits a stable behavior, although the space of damping is not filled with the damping liquid (10) under pressure, these palliative means comprising a locking piece (12), rigid, displaceable by biasing means (13) between an inactive position and an active position and means s (13) associated with the damping body (6) and controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device (1) with respect to filling, comprising at least one biasing appendix (14, 14a, 14b) and at least one deformable cavity (15).

Description

Hydroelastic device comprising a movable rigid blocking piece The invention relates to the field of hydroelastic devices. A more particular subject of the invention is, according to a first aspect, a hydroelastic device, and according to a particular embodiment, a hydroelastic articulation, whether the hydroelastic device is in the filling state or in the filling loss state, whether it is assembled or disassembled in whole or in part, according to a second aspect, palliative means for the loss of filling of such a hydroelastic device, according to a third aspect, a blocking part forming part of the palliative means for the loss of filling and, according to a fourth aspect, a method for compensating for the loss of filling of a hydroelastic device.

A hydroelastic device of the kind of that of the invention is typically intended to be mounted on a machine or equipment by being respectively fixed to two elements with a view firstly to assembling these elements so as to ensure transmission of forces from one to the other and, on the other hand, to dampen or filter the vibrations between these two elements. Such a hydroelastic device is for example implemented with a vehicle (train, automobile ...) for the connection to the ground. The expression “hydroelastic device” must be considered to designate a device sometimes also called “hydraulic antivibration support” or “hydraulic anti-vibration sleeve”, “hydromount” or, in English, “bushing” or “fluid-filled elastic mount ". On the other hand, in a particular case, the hydroelastic device is a hydroelastic joint.

A hydroelastic device of the type to which the invention can be applied comprises, in a known manner and in general, on the one hand, solid elements of force transmission including an internal frame and an external frame spaced apart delimiting an in-between, as well as a damping body, relatively rigid but elastically deformable, disposed in the in-between and associated with the two frames, on the other hand, a damping space including at least one damping chamber limited by one face lateral side of the damping chamber formed from the face of a solid force-transmitting element, the damping space being associated with the damping body. The hydroelastic device is normally such that the damping space is filled with a pressurized damping liquid which corresponds to a state called "filling state". This damping liquid is suitable and intended to be moved into the damping space consecutively to what is here called by ellipse "stressing of the frames" and which is the exercise on one of the frames with respect to the another armature of a force in a stressing direction of the armatures, called by ellipse "direction of stress of the hydroelastic device", so as to dampen or filter the vibrations.

According to the embodiments, the damping space filled with damping liquid includes one, two or more damping chambers. If several damping chambers are provided, these are arranged so as to be distributed in one and / or the other of the main directions of the hydroelastic device.

In the case of several damping chambers, either a damping chamber - or each of the damping chambers - is sealed and fluidly separated from another damping chamber - or other damping chambers - or a communication - or several communications - is planned between several depreciation rooms. Such a communication is typically a damping, connecting, elongated and narrow channel connecting communicatingly two damping chambers.

In the case where the hydroelastic device is a joint, as explained by the document FR 2 817 007, on the one hand, the external reinforcement laterally and concentrically surrounds the internal reinforcement, on the other hand, the in-between the armatures is annular, while the damping liquid is moved into the damping space in response to a radial stress on the armatures.

Such a hydroelastic articulation has a main axis and fits between two transverse end faces, the internal reinforcement emerging from at least one of the end faces so that it can be assembled to one of the two elements to which the hydroelastic articulation is ultimately intended, while the external frame can be associated with the other of the two elements.

In a particular type of embodiment of the type of hydroelastic articulation, to which the invention can be applied very particularly, the hydroelastic articulation comprises, in known manner, the following means: - a rigid internal reinforcement of generally cylindrical shape, - a rigid external reinforcement of generally cylindrical tubular shape, the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the internal reinforcement, so that the external reinforcement surrounds the internal reinforcement laterally and concentrically, - an in-between cylindrical annular s extending radially and axially between the two reinforcements spaced radially from each other, - a damping body, relatively rigid but elastically deformable, comprising a mass shaped as an elastomer, rubber or the like, placed in the in-between , extending radially and axially, and fixedly and rigidly associated inwardly with the arma internal and outward ture to the external reinforcement, - two damping chambers, provided by the conformation of the damping body, extending radially and axially, diametrically opposite, interposed between the damping body and the external frame, - an elongated and narrow damping, connecting channel interconnecting the two damping chambers, - a relatively low viscosity hydraulic damping liquid, filling the damping space formed under pressure by the two damping chambers and the damping channel.

By “cylindrical shape”, it is necessary to understand here, a shape obtained by the displacement of a generator which, in all or part, is of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear general shape, along a closed directing curve which in a embodiment may have a generally circular or pseudo-circular general shape and which, in other embodiments, may have a generally rounded or polygonal general shape. Consequently, the expression "cylindrical shape" should not be interpreted in a narrow and literal sense.

With a hydroelastic articulation of this particular type of embodiment, a relative radial force on one armature with respect to the other has the effect of compressing one of the damping chambers and expanding the other damping chamber, so that damping fluid is expelled from the compressed damping chamber towards the dilated damping chamber by circulating through the damping channel connecting the two damping chambers. The effect which has just been described is reversed as soon as the relative radial force on a reinforcement is itself reversed. This stressing of the armatures occurs at a certain frequency in correspondence with the frequency of resonance of the mass of liquid which crosses the damping channel, which induces the cross section and the length of said damping channel. Such a hydroelastic joint is in a state of low stiffness at low frequency and in a state of high stiffness above a given frequency. This is how vibrations are damped or filtered, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

A number of specific configurations of this type of particular embodiment of hydroelastic articulation are known which differ from one another by the specific embodiment of the means previously stated, as illustrated for example by the following documents: - FR 2 595 426: articulation hydroelastic further comprising two secondary connecting channels, - FR 2 618 508: hydroelastic articulation with two damping chambers connected by two connecting conduits, - FR 2 830 911: hydroelastic articulation with two damping bodies on both sides another of an intermediate frame, - FR 2 853 380: hydroelastic articulation with four damping chambers, - FR 2 926 864: damping device comprising two coupled hydroelastic articulations, - EP 0 304 349: hydroelastic articulation with second channel closable connection, - EP 1 348 885: C shape of an intermediate reinforcement, finally - EP 1 378 682, US 3,698,703 and GB 2,316,731.

Document JP 04 102741 provides for including in a damping chamber a blocking body capable of coming into abutment against the internal frame in the event of radial stress in order to limit the radial displacement.

Document WO 2008/071885 describes an elastic or hydroelastic articulation which comprises a cylindrical intermediate frame included in the damping body and which is provided with two blocking bodies located in two cavities forming the damping chamber of the body and which are capable to transmit a bearing force from the internal reinforcement to the external reinforcement when they undergo a relative radial displacement of an amplitude greater than a prefixed limit.

Document US 5,024,425 describes an arrangement in which the damping body has radially projecting stop buffers located in the damping chambers. Document FR 2 830 911 describes a similar structure.

Document US 4,899,997 describes a hydroelastic articulation with two damping chambers which comprises a preloaded column, of elastically deformable material, which can be flattened to compensate for radial static deviations.

Whatever the configuration of the hydroelastic device, it is important that the damping space filled with hydraulic damping liquid is sealed and leaktight so that there is no loss of liquid, which would be likely to compromise in a more or less serious, even even dangerous, way the proper functioning of the hydroelastic device. The hydroelastic devices of the state of the art are designed to ensure this sealing and this tightness, as mentioned in particular in the document FR 2 730 537 (presence of a collar ensuring a tight closure), the document EP 0 234 966 (hydroelastic articulation in two assembled parts), the document JP S 561 43 830 (presence of a seal), the document EP 0 296 062, the document US 3 642 268 (automatic closing of the liquid injection hole damping in the duly compressed damping body), document EP 0 894 998.

If the previous documents show that the sealing and sealing of the damping space must be ensured, none of them offers a solution to remedy their failure and the loss of damping liquid, which corresponds to a state here. called “filling loss state”, while this filling loss state has the effect that the hydroelastic device is in a state of low stiffness which does not guarantee stable behavior of the hydroelastic joint. The expression "loss of filling" should be understood to mean the loss of damping liquid from the damping space which is no longer filled with this liquid. Thus, the "filling loss" corresponds to the transition from the filling state to the filling loss state. The aim of the invention is therefore, in the case of a hydroelastic device, in particular a hydroelastic articulation, to compensate, to a certain extent, for a failure in sealing and sealing and a loss of damping liquid. To this end, the invention plans to integrate palliative means for filling loss into the hydroelastic device. The invention also relates to a method for compensating for the loss of filling of a hydroelastic device.

Below is a description of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a hydroelastic device intended to be fixed to two elements of a machine or of equipment, with a view to assembling them and ensuring a transmission of forces from one to the other and dampen or filter vibrations between them, of the kind comprising, on the one hand, solid elements of force transmission including an internal frame and an external frame spaced apart delimiting an in-between, as well as a body of damping, relatively rigid but elastically deformable, arranged in the in-between and associated with the two frames, on the other hand, a damping space including at least one damping chamber limited by an internal lateral face of damping chamber formed from the face of a solid force transmission element, and associated with the damping body, the hydroelastic device normally being in a filling state where the damping space issement is filled with a hydraulic pressurized damping liquid suitable and intended to be moved into the damping space following exercise on one of the armatures with respect to the other by force in one direction stressing the hydroelastic device, so as to dampen or filter vibrations, the hydroelastic device may accidentally be in a loss of filling state where the damping space is no longer filled with the damping liquid under pressure.

This hydroelastic device furthermore includes integrated palliative means for the loss of filling, inactive in the filling state and made active in the filling loss state where they bring the hydroelastic device to a stiffness state of a high level. so that it exhibits stable behavior, although the cushioning space is not filled with pressurized cushioning liquid.

According to one embodiment, the integrated palliative means for the loss of filling comprise: - a rigid blocking part, located in the damping chamber where it is suitable and intended, on the one hand, to be able to be moved by means of stress in a direction of blocking part bias, on the other hand, to occupy two extreme positions: o an inactive position in the filling state, in which the blocking part ensures a force transmission discontinuity in the direction of stressing of the hydroelastic device, not being blocked in the direction of stressing of the hydroelastic device, o an active position in the state of loss of filling, in which the blocking piece, being blocked in the direction of stressing of the device hydroelastic, ensures continuity of force transmission in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device and adds a e additional stiffness in this direction, - means for biasing the blocking part, controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device with regard to filling and suitable and intended to stress the blocking part in order to move it in the direction of part biasing blocking from an inactive position to the active position, or keep it in the active position.

According to a first possible embodiment, the means for biasing the blocking part are structurally associated with the damping body, and controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device with regard to filling, so as to be: - either in a standby condition in the filling state, - either in an activated condition in the loss of filling state, - or changed from the standby condition to the activated condition when changing from the filling state to the state loss of filling, the means for biasing the blocking part being suitable and intended to bias the blocking part to move it in the direction of biasing the blocking part, from an inactive position to the active position when passing from the standby condition to the activated condition, or maintain it in the active position as long as the biasing means are in the activated condition.

According to one embodiment, the biasing means are controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device so as to be changed from the activated condition to the standby condition during the transition from the loss of filling state to the filling state, and are suitable and intended to urge the blocking part to move it from its active position to an inactive position when they pass from the activated condition to the standby condition.

In the first possible embodiment previously mentioned, according to one embodiment, the means for biasing the blocking piece comprise: - at least one biasing appendage: o having a clean hold, o formed on the damping body and s extending in the damping chamber, o arranged so as to be able, on the one hand, to be in contact with the blocking part, on the other hand, to move it, o deformable or displaceable - in the direction of workpiece biasing blocking -, so that it can be presented in two configurations, namely a standby configuration when the biasing means are in the standby condition and an active configuration when the biasing means are in the activated condition, - and at least a deformable cavity: o formed in the damping body without communication with the damping space, o in which there is a pressure lower than the pressure of the damping liquid in the filling state, such as atmospheric pressure, so that it can be in two configurations, namely a compressed configuration in the filling state and an expanded configuration in the loss of filling state, so that when changing from the filling state to the loss of filling state, the cavity changes from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration and causes the appendage to deform or move - in the direction of stress of blocking part - from its standby configuration to its active configuration and consequently the displacement of the blocking part - in the direction in which the blocking part is biased - from a standby position to the active position.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking part has at least one clearance zone which - in the inactive position of the blocking part - is located in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device while being spaced apart and without contact with at least at least one corresponding facing clearance zone belonging to or associated with the interior lateral face of the damping chamber, so as to ensure the discontinuity of force transmission in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device.

According to one embodiment, the blocking part has either a single clearance zone or two opposite clearance zones, with, respectively, either a single facing clearance zone or two opposite facing clearance zones.

According to one embodiment, a facing clearance zone belonging to or associated with the interior lateral face of the damping chamber is a zone of the lateral face of a frame or of the damping body facing the damping chamber or a zone an engagement stop formed in the damping chamber.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking part has at least one engagement zone which - in the active position of the blocking part - is located in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device while being in contact with force transmission at least one contiguous engagement zone belonging to or associated with the inner lateral face of the damping chamber, so as to ensure the continuity of force transmission in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device.

According to one embodiment, the blocking piece has either a single engagement zone or two opposite engagement zones, with, respectively, either a single contiguous engagement zone or two contiguous engagement zones.

According to one embodiment, a contiguous engagement zone belonging to or associated with the internal lateral face of the damping chamber is an area of the lateral face of a frame or of the damping body facing the damping chamber or a zone an engagement stop formed in the damping chamber.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking part has a clearance zone and an engagement zone which are adjoining or adjacent.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking part has a contiguous or adjacent clearance zone and a zone of engagement which extend over a length corresponding to the displacement travel of the blocking part between its inactive extreme positions and active.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking part has at least one stressing zone which is in displacement contact with at least one corresponding stressing zone belonging to the stressing appendage - in the direction of the stressing part blocking -, so as to ensure the displacement of the blocking part - in the direction of blocking part biasing - from an inactive position to the active position when the biasing means from the standby condition to the activated condition.

According to one embodiment, the lateral face of the blocking piece has at least one holding zone which is in contact with holding at least one corresponding holding zone belonging to the loading appendage and / or to the internal lateral face of damping chamber being an area of the lateral face of a frame or of the damping body facing the damping chamber, in a direction for holding the locking piece so as to ensure the holding of the locking piece in the active position as long as the biasing means are in the activated condition.

According to one embodiment, a corresponding solicitation zone and a corresponding holding zone belonging to the solicitation appendage are combined, adjoining or adjacent.

According to one embodiment, the direction in which the locking piece is biased is or comprises a transverse component, in particular perpendicular or close to the perpendicular, relative to the biasing direction of the hydroelastic device.

According to one embodiment, the blocking part has at least two opposite holding zones with at least two corresponding holding zones.

According to one embodiment, a corresponding holding zone belongs to an appendage and an opposite corresponding holding zone belongs to the internal lateral face of the damping chamber being a zone of the lateral face of a frame or of the damping body facing the damping chamber.

According to embodiments taken separately or in combination, a biasing appendage is an integral part of the damping body, in particular coming from manufacture with it, a biasing appendage is formed by a part of the damping body close to its face turned towards the damping chamber or by a projection arranged on the face of the damping body facing the damping chamber. In particular, the hydroelastic device comprises at least two biasing appendages per blocking piece, with two directions of biasing blocking member arranged transversely to one another, in particular arranged perpendicularly or close to the perpendicular.

According to embodiments taken separately or in combination, a deformable cavity is an integral part of the damping body, in particular coming from manufacture with it, a deformable cavity is a channel formed in the damping body, opening to the outside of the device hydroelastic, disposed in the vicinity of a loading appendage, in particular in the vicinity of the face of the damping body facing the damping chamber. In particular, the hydroelastic device comprises at least one deformable cavity per loading appendage.

According to a second possible embodiment, the means for biasing the blocking part are the blocking part itself, which blocking part, subjected to the Archimedes thrust exerted on it by the damping liquid, has a density lower than the density of the damping liquid and is arranged relative to the damping chamber in which it is located so that it can be moved axially vertically between: - an extreme high retracted position which is the inactive position in the filling state, - a lower blocking position which is the active position in the state of loss of filling, in which the blocking part, being blocked in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device, ensures continuity of transmission force in the direction of bias of the hydroelastic device and adds additional stiffness in this direction.

According to embodiments, the hydroelastic device comprises one, two or a greater number of damping chambers, or comprises a plurality of damping chambers, a blocking part being provided in all or only in part of the damping chambers .

According to one embodiment, the hydroelastic device comprises a plurality of damping chambers, at least one pair of damping chambers of which are arranged in the biasing direction of the hydroelastic device, a blocking part being provided in each of the damping chambers. at least one pair of damping chambers.

According to a particular embodiment, the hydroelastic device is a hydroelastic articulation having a main axis and falling between two transverse end faces, the internal reinforcement emerging from at least one of the end faces for its assembly, such as: - the internal reinforcement is of generally cylindrical shape, - the external reinforcement is of generally cylindrical tubular shape, the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the internal reinforcement, so that the external reinforcement surrounds laterally and concentrically the internal reinforcement, - the in-between is of generally annular cylindrical shape extending radially and axially between the two reinforcements spaced radially from one another, - the damping body extends radially and axially and is fixedly and rigidly associated inwardly with the internal reinforcement and outwardly with the external reinforcement, - two damping chambers are provided by the conformation of the damping body, extending radially and axially, being diametrically opposite in the direction of stress of the hydroelastic device, and interposed between the damping body and the external reinforcement, - an elongated and narrow damping channel connecting the two damping chambers in a communicating manner, - in the filling state, the hydraulic damping liquid fills the pressure space under pressure damping formed by the two damping chambers and the damping channel, - the stressing direction of the hydroelastic device is radial.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, the internal reinforcement and the external reinforcement are of generally cylindrical shape with a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a closed guiding curve of generally generally circular shape , pseudo-circular, rounded or polygonal and a damping chamber is generally cylindrical in shape with a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a closed generally generally circular directional curve, pseudo-circular , of rounded or polygonal curve.

According to one embodiment of this particular embodiment, each damping chamber is of generally cylindrical shape with a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a closed guiding curve of generally general shape of circular sector, pseudo -circular, rounded or polygonal.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, each damping chamber is limited by an internal lateral face of damping chamber formed on one side by a part of damping chamber of the inside face of the external frame. and on the other side by a damping chamber face of the damping body.

According to one possibility of this particular embodiment, for the first embodiment mentioned above, each face of the damping chamber of the damping body has a generally flat shape, by means of the presence thereon of at least one appendage of stress, more specifically two spaced stress appendages, one formed by a part of the damping body adjacent to the damping chamber face of the damping body and the other by a projection arranged on the chamber face damping of the damping body.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, each blocking part has a lateral face whose contour is of pseudo-rectangular shape or inscribing in an envelope of pseudorectangular shape, with a first part of the face adjacent to a zone of the damping chamber face of the damping body, a second face part, opposite to the first face part, situated towards the damping chamber part of the inside face of the external frame, and a third and a fourth face parts, opposite to each other, connecting the first and the second face parts.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, the second front part of the lateral face of each blocking part comprises a part shaped with a recess in the general shape of an inverted double L.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, the clearance zone of the lateral face of each blocking part is located in the middle position on the second face part of the lateral face of the blocking part.

According to one embodiment of this particular embodiment, the lateral face of each blocking part has two engagement zones, one located on the first face part and the other located in the middle position on the second face part .

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, the lateral face of each blocking part has two loading zones, one located on the first face part and the other located on a third face part.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, the lateral face of each blocking part has three holding zones, located respectively on the first face part, on the third face part and towards the junction of the second face part. and the fourth part from the front.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, for each blocking part, there is a facing clearance zone belonging to an engagement stop formed in the damping chamber.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, for each blocking piece, two engagement zones are provided which, respectively, is formed by a part of the damping chamber face of the damping body and belongs to a engagement stop made in the damping chamber.

According to one embodiment of this particular embodiment, for each blocking part, there are provided two corresponding stress zones of two spaced stress appendages, formed one by a part of the damping body close to the chamber face. the damping body and the other by a projection arranged on the damping chamber face of the damping body.

According to an embodiment of this particular embodiment, for each blocking part, there are provided three corresponding holding zones belonging respectively to one face of the damping chamber of the damping body, to a stressing appendage and to a part of the lateral face of the external reinforcement. The invention also relates to a hydroelastic device as described which is in the filling state where the damping space is filled with hydraulic damping liquid under pressure, the blocking part associated with a chamber damping in an inactive position. The subject of the invention is also a hydroelastic device as described which is in the filling loss state where the damping space is no longer filled with the hydraulic damping liquid under pressure, the blocking part associated with a damping chamber located in an active position. The invention also relates to a hydroelastic device as described both assembled and disassembled in whole or in part.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to palliative means for the loss of filling of a hydroelastic device as described above, specially suitable and intended to be integrated into such a hydroelastic device, comprising a part blocking, rigid and biasing means of the blocking piece.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a blocking part forming part of the palliative means for the loss of filling of a hydroelastic device as it has been described above, specially suitable and intended to be integrated into such a device. hydroelastic, such as: - it is rigid, - it is suitable and intended to be located in a damping chamber of the hydroelastic device in order, on the one hand, to be able to be moved by biasing means and on the other hand, to occupy two extreme positions respectively an inactive position and an active position, - its lateral face has zones cooperating with zones of the hydroelastic device, including palliative means, including: o at least one clearance zone, o at least one zone of commitment.

According to the embodiments of the blocking part: - it has a density less than the density of the damping liquid of the hydroelastic device, especially in the second embodiment mentioned, - it is hollow, - it has a lateral face whose contour is of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shape or is part of an envelope of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shape, - it has a lateral face which comprises a part shaped with a recess in the general shape of an inverted double L, with on one side a clearance zone and on the other side an engagement zone.

According to a fourth aspect, the subject of the invention is a method for compensating for the loss of filling of a hydroelastic device of the kind comprising, on the one hand, solid elements of force transmission including an internal frame and an external frame spaced apart delimiting an in-between, as well as a damping body, relatively rigid but elastically deformable, disposed in the in-between and associated with the two frames, on the other hand, a damping space including at least one chamber damping limited by an internal lateral face of the damping chamber formed from the face of a solid force-transmitting element, and associated with the damping body, the hydroelastic device no longer being in its normal filling state where the space d damping is filled with a damping liquid under pressure but accidentally in a loss of filling state where the space d Cushioning is no longer filled with pressurized cushioning liquid.

This process is such that the transition from the normal filling state to the accidental loss of filling state automatically and without further intervention solicits the establishment of a force transmission continuity in the stress direction of the hydroelastic device and the 'added additional stiffness in this direction.

According to one embodiment, the method is implemented by means of palliative of the loss of filling integrated into the hydroelastic device which comprise a blocking part and means for biasing the blocking part.

The figures of the drawings are now briefly described.

Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a possible theoretical embodiment of a hydroelastic device illustrating the kind of hydroelastic device to which the invention can be applied, that is to say which can be integrated means palliative of the filling loss - not shown here -.

FIG. 2 is a diagram in perspective and in section through a median axial plane of the hydroelastic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section with respect to its main axis, of a hydroelastic articulation according to a first possible embodiment of the invention, that is to say to which are integrated palliative means of the loss of filling - represented in the figure -, with automatic operation and which, in the event of loss of damping liquid in the damping space, bring the hydroelastic device to a state of stiffness of a high level suitable for this that he exhibits stable behavior. This figure 3 shows the internal and external armatures, the annular in-between between them, the damping body, the two damping chambers, hydraulic damping liquid filling the two damping chambers, a blocking piece in each damping chamber located in an inactive position, without blocking in the radial direction of biasing of the reinforcements, and means for biasing the blocking part being in standby condition, which include two appendages formed on the body d damping being in a standby position and several cavities formed in the damping body being in compressed configuration. This figure 3 illustrates the hydroelastic joint in the normal state in which there was no loss of damping liquid.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the hydroelastic joint according to the first possible embodiment previously mentioned, while accidentally there was loss of damping liquid, which corresponds to a filling loss state. This FIG. 4 shows each blocking part in an active position with blocking in the radial direction of biasing of the reinforcements, and the means for biasing the blocking part being in activated condition, the two appendages being in the active position and the cavities being in expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, of a locking piece like that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the invention and of various embodiments, with examples and reference to the drawings.

First of all, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of a possible theoretical embodiment of a hydroelastic device 1, illustrating the kind of hydroelastic device 1 to which the invention can be applied, that is to say say to which can be integrated palliative means of the loss of filling - here not shown. These FIGS. 1 and 2 show means and structural characteristics of such a hydroelastic device 1.

The hydroelastic device 1 is typically intended to be mounted on a machine or an equipment - here not shown -, respectively fixed to two elements - here not shown - with a view firstly to assemble these elements so as to ensure a transmission d 'efforts from one to the other and, on the other hand, to dampen or filter the vibrations between these two elements. Such a hydroelastic device 1 is for example implemented with a vehicle (train, automobile ...) for the connection to the ground.

Such a hydroelastic device 1 is of the type comprising, on the one hand, solid elements of force transmission including an internal frame 2, rigid, and an external frame 3, rigid, a gap 4 between the two frames 2 and 3 spaced from each other. Here, the hydroelastic device 1 is part of an outer envelope of generally generally parallelepipedic or pseudo-parallelepipedic shape.

With reference to the frontal plane of the hydroelastic device 1, the internal reinforcement 1 has in elevation a generally square or rectangular shape and the external reinforcement 2 has in elevation a general shape of U with a base 5a extending in a longitudinal direction L and two wings 5b extending in a longitudinal direction T, spaced and between which is the internal frame 1 which is also spaced from the base 5a. Thus, in the longitudinal direction L, the internal dimension of the external reinforcement 2 is greater than the internal dimension of the internal reinforcement 1, so that the external reinforcement 3 surrounds the internal reinforcement 1. And between -two 4 between the two frames 2 and 3 has a general shape of U.

The frontal plane extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L and the longitudinal direction T and the hydroelastic device 1 extends along the front-rear direction AR perpendicular to the frontal plane.

Such a hydroelastic device 1 is of the type comprising, on the other hand, two damping bodies 6, relatively rigid but elastically deformable, comprising a mass shaped as elastomer, rubber or the like, each part of an outer envelope of general shape generally parallelepipedic or pseudo-parallelepipedic, arranged in the in-between 4 and extending in the longitudinal direction L, being associated, in a fixed and rigid manner inwardly with the internal reinforcement 1 and outwardly with two wings 5b of the external frame 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, two damping chambers 7, distinct and separate, are provided respectively, in the two damping bodies 6 shaped for this purpose. Each damping chamber is limited in particular by an inner lateral face 8. The two damping chambers 7 are deformable like the two damping bodies 6. They extend in the longitudinal direction L, in the longitudinal direction T and in the direction AR. They are symmetrically opposite with respect to the transverse median axis of the hydroelastic device 1. A damping channel 9, of connection, elongated and narrow connectively connects the two damping chambers 7. A hydraulic damping liquid 10 to relatively low viscosity, fills under pressure the damping space 7 + 9 formed by the two damping chambers 7 and the damping channel 9. The damping liquid 10 under pressure is moved into the damping space 7 + 9 following the exercise on one of the armatures 2, 3, with respect to the other armature 3, 2, of a force in a direction F of biasing of the hydroelastic device 1, so as to dampen or filter vibrations.

The hydroelastic device 1 is normally in a state called in a purely conventional manner "filling state". In this filling state, the cushioning space 7 + 9 is filled with the cushioning liquid 10, as mentioned.

However, the hydroelastic device 1 may accidentally no longer remain in the filling state but pass into a state where the damping space 7 + 9 is no longer filled with the damping liquid under pressure 10. This accident can occur for example due to the presence of a leak. This state called in a purely conventional way "state of loss of filling".

The possible theoretical embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is given only by way of illustration of the type of hydroelastic device 1 to which the invention can be applied. This mode of execution is not limiting of other modes of execution. The different embodiments of hydroelastic device 1 can integrate means known in a purely conventional manner "palliative means of the loss of filling 11". These palliative means for the loss of filling 11 are automatic and, in the event of loss of damping liquid in the damping space 7 + 9, they bring the hydroelastic device 1 to a state of stiffness of a level high due to its stable behavior.

Such palliative means of the loss of filling 11 are now described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in a first particular embodiment incorporating them, in which the hydroelastic device 1 is a hydrostatic articulation. For reasons of simplification, the reference numeral 1 is used both for a hydroelastic device like that previously described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 and for a hydrostatic articulation (FIGS. 3 to 5). More generally, the same references have been kept subsequently as those previously used for parts and means similar to those previously described.

It is understood that with regard to the invention, the particular embodiment which is the hydroelastic articulation shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 integrating palliative means for the loss of filling 11, is not limiting, and that other modes of execution can be envisaged, the characteristics of the palliative means of the loss of filling 11 described in relation to this particular mode of execution being able to be transposed and if necessary adapted to function with these other modes of execution . The hydroelastic joint 1 has a main axis XX (perpendicular to the plane of Figures 3 and 4) and is between two transverse end faces - not shown here -. The internal frame 2 emerges from at least one of the end faces to allow its assembly. For example, the XX axis is vertical. The internal frame 2 of the hydroelastic joint 1 is of generally cylindrical shape with an axis XX. The external frame 3 is of generally tubular cylindrical shape with an axis XX. Its internal diameter is larger than the external diameter of the internal reinforcement 2, so that the external reinforcement 3 laterally and concentrically surrounds the internal reinforcement 2. The in-between 4 is of generally cylindrical annular shape with an axis XX extending radially and axially between the two plates 2 and 3, which are spaced radially from one another.

"Axial" means in the direction of the XX axis.

By "radial" is meant orthogonal to - and passing through - the axis XX (a radial direction is in the plane of Figures 3 and 4).

By “cylindrical shape”, it is to be understood in the particular embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, a shape obtained by the displacement of a generator which, in whole or in part, is of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape, along a closed directing curve which is generally generally circular or pseudo-circular in shape. This realization is not exclusive of others, in accordance with the broadest definition given to "cylindrical shape".

The damping body 6 extends radially and axially. It is fixedly and rigidly associated inwardly with the internal reinforcement 2 and outwardly with the external reinforcement 3. The hydroelastic articulation 1 comprises two damping chambers 7. Consequently, we will confine ourselves to describe only one damping chamber 7 and the associated members.

The two damping chambers 7 are first provided by the conformation of the damping body 6, extending radially and axially, and being diametrically opposite from each other symmetrically with respect to the axis XX, in the biasing direction F of the hydroelastic device 1, which here is a radial direction.

Then, the two damping chambers 7 are interposed between the damping body and the external frame 3.

Each of the two damping chambers 7 is of generally cylindrical shape and it should be understood by this, in the particular embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a curve closed director which is generally generally circular or pseudo-circular, rounded or polygonal in shape. This realization is not exclusive of others, in accordance with the broadest definition given to "cylindrical shape".

Each of the two damping chambers 7 is limited by a face 8 called the inner lateral face 8 of the damping chamber.

The internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber is formed on a first side by a part 16 of the internal face 3a of the external frame 3. In a purely conventional manner, this part 16 of the internal face 3a of the frame external 3 is called “part 16 of the damping chamber of the internal face 3a of the external frame 3”.

The damping chamber part 16 of the inner face 3a of the external frame 3 has a cylindrical arc shape.

The inner lateral face 8 of the damping chamber is formed on a second side by a face 17 of the damping body 6. In a purely conventional manner, this face 17 of the damping body 6 is called "face 17 of the damping chamber". 'damping of the damping body 6'.

The damping chamber face 17 of the damping body 6 has a generally flat shape, by means of the presence thereon of two biasing appendages 14a and 14b separated.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, two damping chambers are provided. However, this embodiment is not limiting and exclusive of others, a hydroelastic device 1 which may include, depending on the embodiment, one, two or a greater number of damping chambers. Like the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a damping channel (not shown here), connecting, elongated and narrow, which communicates connecting the two damping chambers 7 In the filling state, hydraulic damping liquid 10 with relatively low viscosity, fills under pressure the damping space 7 + 9 formed by the two damping chambers 7 and the damping channel.

Given that the hydroelastic joint 1 may accidentally be in a loss of filling state where the damping space 7 + 9 is no longer filled with the damping liquid under pressure, it is expected that the hydroelastic joint 1 further comprises palliative means for the loss of filling 11.

These palliative means of the loss of filling 11 are integrated into the hydroelastic articulation 1, being incorporated therein - in particular of manufacture - by forming with it a coherent whole.

The palliative means for the loss of filling 11 are inactive in the filling state.

The palliative means of the filling loss 11 are made active in the filling loss state. They then bring the hydroelastic joint 1 to a state of stiffness of a high level suitable for the hydroelastic joint 1 to exhibit stable behavior, although the damping space 7 + 9 is not filled with the liquid d pressure damping. The invention relates not only to the hydroelastic device 1 - in particular the hydroelastic articulation 1 -, which is integrated with the palliative means for the loss of filling 11, but also to the method for compensating for the loss of filling of such a device. hydroelastic 1. The invention relates to the hydroelastic device 1 - in particular the hydroelastic joint 1 - not only in the filling state, but also in the filling loss state. The invention relates to the hydroelastic device 1 - in particular the hydroelastic joint 1 - not only assembled and ready for use, but also disassembled in whole or in part.

The palliative means for the loss of filling 11 comprise a blocking piece 12 associated with a damping chamber 7 and means 13 for biasing the blocking piece 12.

And the means 13 for biasing the blocking piece 12 comprise at least one biasing appendage 14 and at least one deformable cavity 15.

The expressions “blocking piece 12”, “means 13 for biasing the blocking piece 12”, “biasing appendage 14” and “deformable cavity 15”, are used in a purely conventional manner and are not in themselves limiting, the structural and functional characteristics of these means being described below.

Thus, the method for overcoming the loss of filling is implemented by the palliative means for the loss of filling 11 integrated into the hydroelastic articulation 1, with the blocking piece 12 and the means 13 for biasing themselves comprising at least a loading appendage 14 and at least one deformable cavity 15. The invention relates not only to the hydroelastic device 1 - in particular the hydroelastic joint 1 -, but also to the palliative means for the loss of filling 11 and to the part blocking 12.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, two damping chambers 7 and therefore two locking pieces 12 are provided.

When, in other embodiments, there is a plurality of damping chambers 7, there is provided, depending on the embodiments, either a blocking piece 12 in all of the damping chambers 7 or a piece of blocking 12 in only part of the damping chambers 7.

In addition, when, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, there is a plurality of damping chambers 7 with a pair of damping chambers 7 arranged in the direction F of biasing of the hydroelastic device 1, it a blocking piece 12 is provided in each of the damping chambers 7 of the pair of damping chambers 7.

The blocking part 12 forming part of palliative means for the loss of filling 11 is specially adapted and intended to be integrated into the hydroelastic articulation 1.

The blocking piece 12 is rigid, having to collect and transmit the forces applied to the hydroelastic joint 1.

The blocking piece 12 has a density lower than the density of the damping liquid 10.

In one embodiment (Figure 5), the locking piece 12 is hollow.

The locking piece 12 is located in the damping chamber 7.

The blocking piece 12 is suitable and intended, on the one hand, to be able to be moved by the biasing means 13 in a direction M for biasing the blocking piece.

The locking piece 12 is suitable and intended, on the other hand, to occupy two extreme positions.

The two extreme positions of the locking piece 12 are, on the one hand, an inactive position, on the other hand, an active position. The expression “inactive position” applied to the blocking piece 12 must be understood to mean that in this position the blocking piece 12 does not ensure the blocking function of the palliative means for the loss of filling 11. Conversely, the expression "active position" applied to the blocking piece 12 must be understood to mean that in this position the blocking piece 12 performs the blocking function of the palliative means for the loss of filling 11.

The blocking piece 12 is in its inactive position in the filling state of the hydroelastic joint 1. In the inactive position, the blocking piece 12 ensures a force transmission discontinuity in the direction T of stressing of the joint hydroelastic 1. Indeed, the blocking piece 12 is then not blocked in the direction T of biasing of the hydroelastic joint 1. This is the function provided by the blocking piece 12 in the inactive position.

The blocking piece 12 is in its active position in the state of loss of filling of the hydroelastic joint 1.

In the active position, the blocking piece 12 ensures continuity of force transmission in the direction T of stressing of the hydroelastic articulation 1 and adds additional stiffness in this direction. Indeed, the blocking piece 12 is then locked in the direction T of biasing of the hydroelastic articulation 1. This is the function provided by the blocking piece 12 in the active position.

These are the two functions performed by the locking piece 12 according to its position.

The lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has functional areas cooperating functionally with corresponding functional areas of the hydroelastic joint 1, including palliative means for the loss of filling 11.

These functional zones of the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 are designated in a purely conventional manner, as follows: - at least one clearance zone 19, - at least one engagement zone 20, - at least one stressing zone 21, - at least one holding zone 22.

The term "clearance" applied to clearance zone 19 should be understood to mean that zone 19 is suitable and intended to be cleared, that is to say free and unimpeded.

The term "engagement" applied to the engagement zone 20 should be understood to mean that the zone 20 is capable and intended to interfere with an organ, with contact and force transmission.

The term "stress" applied to the stress zone 21 must be understood to mean that the zone 21 is suitable and intended to be stressed for its movement.

The term "holding" applied to the holding zone 22 must be understood to mean that the zone 22 is suitable and intended to be held in position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the blocking piece 12 of the hydroelastic articulation 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, has in this embodiment a lateral face 18 whose contour is inscribed in an envelope of generally pseudo-rectangular shape.

This embodiment is not limiting and exclusive of others, the blocking piece 12 may have a lateral face 18 whose outline is, more generally, of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shape or forming part of an envelope of polygonal shape or pseudo-polygonal.

In an embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 comprises, on the one hand, a first face part 18a, a second face part 18b. This first face part 18a and this second face part 18b are opposite to each other.

In this same embodiment, the lateral face 18 of the locking piece 12 comprises, on the other hand, a third face part 18c and a fourth face part 18d. This third face part 18c and this fourth face part 18d are opposite to each other. This third face part 18c and this fourth face part 18d connect the first face part 18a and the second face part 18b.

In this same embodiment, the second face part 18b has a part shaped with a recess 23 in the general shape of an inverted double L, as shown in the figure to which reference is made.

The first face part 18a of the blocking piece is adjacent to a zone of the face 17 of the damping chamber of the damping body 6.

The second face part 18b is situated towards the part 16 of the damping chamber of the internal face 3a of the external frame 3.

The locking piece 12 has a clearance zone 19 located in the middle position on its second face portion 18b.

The locking piece 12 has two engagement zones 20, one located on the first face portion 18a and the other located in the middle position on the second face portion 18b.

The locking piece 12 has two stressing zones 21, one located on the first face part 18a and the other located on the third face part 18c.

The locking piece 12 has three holding zones 22, located respectively on the first face part 18a, on the third face part 18c and towards the junction of the second face part 18b and the fourth face part 18d. As soon as the two functions performed by the blocking piece 12 according to its previously described position are fulfilled, the blocking piece 12 can be the subject of embodiments other than those described.

The means 13 for biasing the locking piece 12 are structurally associated with the damping body 6.

The biasing means 13 are controlled by the state of the hydroelastic articulation 1, with regard to filling, like this: - the biasing means 13 are in a standby condition in the filling state, - the means 13 of solicitation are in an activated condition in the state of loss of filling, - the means 13 of solicitation are changed from the standby condition to the condition activated during the transition from the filling state to the state of loss of filling. On the one hand, the biasing means 13 are suitable and intended to bias the blocking piece 12 to move it, in the direction of clamping piece biasing, from an inactive position to the active position when the condition passes. standby to the activated condition, On the other hand, the biasing means 13 are suitable and intended to bias the locking piece 12 to keep the piece in the active position as long as the biasing means are in the activated condition.

These are the functions performed by the means 13 of solicitation. As soon as the functions provided by the biasing means 13 are fulfilled, the biasing means 13 may be the subject of embodiments other than those described.

In one possible embodiment, the biasing means 13 are controlled by the state of the hydroelastic articulation 1 so as to be changed from the activated condition to the standby condition during the transition from the state of loss of filling to the filling state. The biasing means 13 are then suitable and intended in addition to bias the blocking piece 12 to move it from its active position to an inactive position when they pass from the activated condition to the standby condition. The solicitation appendage 14 forming part of the solicitation means 13 has a clean hold, so that it can perform its solicitation function. The stress appendage 14 is formed on the damping body 6, in particular is an integral part of the damping body 6, in particular for having come from manufacturing with it, and it extends in the damping chamber 7. It it should be understood by this that the biasing appendage 14 is capable of biasing the locking piece 12 which, itself, is located in the damping chamber 7. The biasing appendage 14 is arranged so as to be able to, on the one hand, being in contact with the blocking part 12, on the other hand, moving it. The biasing appendage 14 is deformable or movable - in the direction M of the locking piece biasing 12 -, so that it can be present in one or the other of two configurations. One of the two configurations is a standby configuration. The other of the two configurations is an active configuration. The solicitation appendage 14 is in the standby configuration when the solicitation means are in the standby condition. The solicitation appendage 14 is in active configuration when the solicitation means are in the activated condition.

In one embodiment, a biasing appendage 14 is formed by a part 14a of the damping body 6 adjacent to its face 17 of the damping chamber.

In another embodiment, a biasing appendage 14b is formed by a projection 14b disposed on its face 17 of the damping chamber.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the face 17 of the damping chamber of the damping body 6 has a generally flat shape, by means of the presence thereon of two stressing appendages 14a and 14b separated .

The embodiment with two appendices such as 14a and 14b allows two directions of biasing of the locking piece arranged transversely to one another, in particular arranged perpendicularly or close to the perpendicular.

These are the functions performed by an appendix 14. As soon as the functions performed by an appendix 14 are fulfilled, appendix 14 may be the subject of embodiments other than those described.

The deformable cavity 15 forming part of the biasing means 13 is formed in the damping body 6 in particular is an integral part of the damping body 6, in particular for having come from manufacturing with it.

The deformable cavity 15 is without communication with the damping space 7 + 9.

There prevails in the deformable cavity 15 a pressure always lower than the pressure of the damping liquid 10 in the filling state. Typically, atmospheric pressure prevails in the deformable cavity 15, the deformable cavity 15 being, in one embodiment, a channel formed in the damping body, opening out to the exterior of the hydroelastic joint 1.

The deformable cavity 15 can be in two configurations. One of the two configurations is a compressed configuration. The other of the two configurations is an expanded configuration.

The deformable cavity 15 is in a compressed configuration in the filling state.

The deformable cavity 15 is in the expanded configuration in the state of loss of filling.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the channel forming the deformable cavity 15 is formed in the damping body 6, extending in the axial direction XX and being arranged in the vicinity of a stress appendage 14, and in the vicinity of the face 17 of the damping chamber of the damping body 6.

In this embodiment, there is provided a deformable cavity 15 by biasing appendage 14. This embodiment is not exclusive of others where there are provided several deformable cavities by biasing appendage 14.

The operation is as follows. In the filling state, the deformable cavities 15 are compressed because the pressure of the damping liquid 10 is greater than the atmospheric pressure prevailing in the cavities 15.

During the transition from the filling state to the loss of filling state, the cavity changes from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration due to the pressure loss resulting from the loss of damping liquid 10.

This transition from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration results in the deformation or displacement of the stressing appendage 14 - in the direction M of blocking piece stressing. This is how the request appendix 14 changes from its standby configuration to its active configuration.

And, consequently, it follows the displacement of the locking piece 12 in the direction of biasing of the locking piece, from a standby position to the active position.

These are the functions performed by a cavity 15. As soon as the functions performed by a cavity 15 are fulfilled, the cavity 15 can be the subject of embodiments other than those described.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, there is provided for each blocking piece 12, a zone 19a called in a purely conventional manner facing release zone 19a, belonging to an engagement stop 24 provided in the chamber d damping 7. Such an engagement stop 24 is fixed and carried, for example, by the two end faces of the hydroelastic joint 1.

In this embodiment, there are provided for each blocking piece 12, two zones 20a called in a purely conventional manner contiguous engagement zones 20a. One of these two contiguous engagement zones 20a is formed by a part of the face 17 of the damping chamber of the damping body 6. The other of these two contiguous engagement zones 20a belongs to the stop d commitment 24.

In this embodiment, there are provided for each blocking piece 12, two zones 21a called in a purely conventional manner corresponding stress zones 21a. These two corresponding stress zones 21a belong to the two separated stress appendages 14a and 14b. The first, 14a, being formed by a part 14a of the damping body 6 and the second, 14b, being formed by a projection 14b.

In this embodiment, there are provided for each blocking piece 12, three zones 22a called in a purely conventional manner corresponding holding zones 22a. These three corresponding holding zones 22a respectively belong to the face 17 of the damping chamber of the damping body 6, to a stressing appendage 14 and to a part of the inner lateral face 3a of the external frame 3.

These are the functions performed by the facing clearance zone 19a, the contiguous engagement zones 20a. the corresponding loading zones 21a and the corresponding holding zones 22a in that they functionally cooperate with the release 19, engagement 20, loading 21 and holding 22 zones of the blocking piece 12. As soon as the functions performed by the facing clearance zone 19a, the contiguous engagement zones 20a. the corresponding loading zones 21a and the corresponding holding zones 22a are filled, the hydroelastic joint 1 can be the subject of embodiments other than those described.

If we generalize, it is expected that the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has at least one clearance zone 19 which - in the inactive position of the blocking piece 12 - is located in the direction F of biasing the hydroelastic device 1 while being spaced apart and without contact from at least one corresponding facing clearance zone 19a belonging to or associated with the internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber, so as to ensure the discontinuity of force transmission in the direction T of the hydroelastic device 1.

According to the embodiments, there is provided either a single clearance zone 19 or two opposite clearance zones 19, with, respectively, either a single facing clearance zone 19a or two opposite facing clearance zones 19a.

According to the embodiments, such a clearance zone 19a belongs to or is associated with the internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber, being a zone of the lateral face of a frame 2, 3, or of the damping body 6 turned. towards the damping chamber 7 or an area of an engagement stop 24 formed in the damping chamber 7.

If we generalize, it is expected that the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has at least one engagement zone 20 which - in the active position of the blocking piece - is located in the direction F of biasing of the hydroelastic device 1 while being in contact with force transmission of at least one contiguous engagement zone 20a belonging to or associated with the internal lateral face 8 of damping chamber, so as to ensure the continuity of force transmission in the direction F of the hydroelastic device 1.

According to the embodiments, there is provided either a single engagement zone 20 or two opposite engagement zones 20, with, respectively, either a single contiguous engagement zone 20a or two contiguous engagement zones 20a.

According to the embodiments, a contiguous engagement zone 20a belonging to or associated with the internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber is a zone 20a of the lateral face of a frame 2, 3, or of the damping body 6 facing the damping chamber 7 or a zone of an engagement stop 24 formed in the damping chamber 7.

According to the embodiments, the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has a clearance zone 19a and an engagement zone 20a which are adjoining or adjacent. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5, the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has a clearance zone 19 and an adjacent or adjacent engagement zone 20 which extend over a length in correspondence with the movement of movement of the blocking piece 12 between its extreme inactive and active positions.

If we generalize, it is expected that the lateral face 18 of the locking piece 12 has at least one stressing zone 21 which is in displacement contact with at least one corresponding stressing zone 21a belonging to the appendix of stress 14 - in the direction M of the blocking part request -, so as to ensure the displacement of the blocking piece 12 - in the direction M of the blocking part stress - from an inactive position to the active position during passage of the biasing means 13 from the standby condition to the activated condition.

If we generalize, it is expected that the lateral face 18 of the blocking piece 12 has at least one holding zone 22 which is in contact with holding at least one corresponding holding zone 22a belonging to the appendix of stress 14 and / or on the internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber being an area of the lateral face of a frame or of the damping body 6 facing the damping chamber 17, in a part holding direction blocking so as to maintain the blocking piece 12 in the active position as long as the biasing means 13 are in the activated condition.

According to the embodiments, a corresponding solicitation zone 21a and a corresponding holding zone 22a belonging to the solicitation appendage 14 are combined, adjoining or adjacent.

According to one embodiment, the direction M of the blocking part request is or comprises a transverse component, in particular perpendicular or close to the perpendicular, relative to the direction F of the request of the hydroelastic device 1.

According to one embodiment, the blocking piece 12 has at least two opposite holding zones 22 with at least two corresponding holding zones 22a. For example, a corresponding holding zone 22a belongs to an appendage 14 and a corresponding opposite holding zone 22a belongs to the internal lateral face 8 of the damping chamber being a zone of the lateral face of a frame or of the body. damping 6 facing the damping chamber.

According to a second possible embodiment, the means 13 for urging the locking piece 12 are the locking piece 12 itself. These biasing means 13 are therefore not structurally associated with the damping body 6. The hydroelastic device 1 can dispense with having the mechanical means described for the first embodiment described above, namely a biasing appendage and a deformable cavity. Of course, this second embodiment can nevertheless include such mechanical means, as a complement.

In this second embodiment, the blocking piece 12, subjected to the Archimedes thrust exerted on it by the damping liquid 10 is arranged in the first place so as to have a density lower than the density of the liquid damping 10, for example by being hollow. Secondly, the blocking piece 12 is arranged relative to the damping chamber 7 in which it is located so that it can be moved axially along the axis X disposed vertically between two positions. One is an extremely high retracted position. And this extreme high position is the inactive position in the filling state. The other is a lower blocking position. And this lower position is the active position in the filling loss state.

With this second embodiment, the blocking piece 12, being blocked in the direction of biasing of the hydroelastic device 1, ensures continuity of force transmission in the direction of biasing of the hydroelastic device 1 and adds additional stiffness in this direction.

The biasing means 13, which are none other than the blocking piece 12 itself, are in a standby condition in the filling state. And this standby condition corresponds to the extreme high retracted position of the locking piece 12.

The biasing means 13, which are none other than the blocking piece 12 itself, are in an activated condition in the filling loss state. And this activated condition corresponds to a lower blocking position of the blocking piece 12.

And, like the first embodiment, the biasing means 13 are changed from the standby condition to the condition activated during the transition from the filling state to the loss of filling state.

The locking piece 12 can have the same characteristics as those described above for the first embodiment, as with a side face 18 whose outline is inscribed in an envelope of general polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shape or inscribed in an envelope of polygonal or pseudopolygonal shape, in particular a pseudo-rectangular shape, with front portions 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d. The locking piece 12 can also have a recess 23 in the general form of an inverted double L, as previously described. The locking piece 12 may also have a lateral face 18 comprising at least one clearance zone 19 and at least one engagement zone 20, with which functionally cooperate at least one facing clearance zone and at least one engagement zone. contiguous.

Claims (42)

claims 1. Hydroelastic device (1) intended to be fixed to two elements of a machine or of equipment, with a view to assembling them and ensuring a transmission of forces from one to the other and of damping or filtering vibrations between. them, of the kind comprising, on the one hand, solid elements of force transmission including an internal reinforcement (2) and an external reinforcement (3) spaced delimiting an in-between (4), as well as a damping body (6), relatively rigid but elastically deformable, disposed in the in-between (4) and associated with the two frames (2, 3), on the other hand, a damping space including at least one damping chamber ( 7) bounded by an inner lateral face (8) of damping chamber (7) formed of faces of solid elements of force transmission, and associated with the damping body (6), the hydroelastic device (1) being normally in a filling state where the damping space is filled with a hydraulic pressurized damping liquid (10) suitable and intended to be moved into the damping space following exercise on one of the reinforcements (2, 3) with respect to each other of u does not force in a direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), so as to dampen or filter vibrations, the hydroelastic device (1) possibly accidentally being in a state of loss of filling where the damping space n is more filled with the damping liquid (10) under pressure, characterized in that it further comprises integrated means for palliative of the loss of filling (11), inactive in the filling state and made active when state of loss of filling where they bring the hydroelastic device (1) to a state of stiffness of a high level suitable for it to exhibit a stable behavior, although the damping space is not filled with the liquid d cushioning (10) under pressure. 2. Hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 1, in which the integrated palliative means for the loss of filling (11) comprise: - a rigid locking part (12) located in the damping chamber (7) where it is suitable and intended, on the one hand, to be able to be moved by biasing means (13) in a direction (M) for biasing the locking piece (12), on the other hand, to occupy two extreme positions: o an inactive position in the filling state, in which the blocking part (12) ensures a discontinuity of force transmission in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), not being blocked in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), o an active position in the loss of filling state, in which the blocking piece (12), being blocked in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), provides a cont inuity of force transmission in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1) and adds additional stiffness in this direction, - biasing means (13) of the blocking part (12), controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device (1) having regard to filling and capable and intended to urge the blocking part (12) to move it in the direction (M) of blocking part biasing from an inactive position to the active position, or the keep in active position. 3. hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means (13) of the locking piece (12) are structurally associated with the damping body (6), and controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device (1) with regard to filling, so as to be: - either in a standby condition in the filling state, - or in an activated condition in the loss of filling state, - or changed from the standby condition in the condition activated during the transition from the filling state to the loss of filling state, the biasing means (13) of the blocking piece (12) being suitable and intended to bias the blocking piece. (12 ) to move it in the direction (M) for biasing the blocking part, from an inactive position to the active position when changing from the standby condition to the activated condition, or to keep it in the active position as long as the means of solicitation (13) n / a nt in the activated condition. 4. hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the biasing means (13) are controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device (1) so as to be changed from the activated condition to the standby condition during the passage from the filling loss state to the filling state, and are able and intended to urge the locking piece (12) to move it from its active position to an inactive position when they pass from the activated condition to the standby condition. 5. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the biasing means (13) of the locking piece (12) comprise: - at least one biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b) : o having a clean hold, o formed on the damping body (6) and extending in the damping chamber (7), o arranged so as to be able, on the one hand, to be in contact with the part blocking (12), on the other hand, move it, deformable or displaceable - in the direction (M) of biasing of blocking piece (12) -, so that it can be presented in two configurations, namely a configuration standby when the biasing means (13) are in the standby condition and an active configuration when the biasing means (13) are in the activated condition, - and at least one deformable cavity (15): o formed in the body cushioning (6) without communication with the cushioning space, o in the there is a pressure lower than the pressure of the damping liquid (10) in the filling state, like atmospheric pressure, so that it can be in two configurations, namely a compressed configuration in the filling state and an expanded configuration in the loss of filling state, so that when passing from the filling state to the loss of filling state, the cavity (15) changes from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration and causes the deformation or displacement of the appendage (14, 14a, 14b) - in the direction (M) of biasing of the locking piece (12) -, from its standby configuration to its active configuration and consequently the displacement of the locking piece locking (12) - in the direction (M) of the locking piece (12) - from a standby position to the active position. 6. hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the side face (18) of the locking piece (12) has at least one clearance zone (19) which - in the inactive position of the blocking piece (12) - is located in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1) being spaced apart and without contact from at least one corresponding facing clearance zone (19a) belonging to or associated with the face lateral interior (8) of damping chamber (7), so as to ensure the discontinuity of force transmission in the direction (F) of stress of the hydroelastic device (1). 7. A hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 6, in which a facing clearance zone (19a) belonging to or associated with the interior lateral face (8) of damping chamber (7) is a zone of the lateral face d 'a frame or damping body (6) facing the damping chamber (7) or an area of an engagement stop (24) formed in the damping chamber (7). 8. hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, in which the lateral face (18) of the locking piece (12) has at least one engagement zone (20) which - in the active position of the blocking part (12) - is located in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1) while being in contact with force transmission of at least one contiguous engagement zone (20a) belonging to or associated with the face . lateral interior (8) of damping chamber (7), so as to ensure the continuity of force transmission in the direction (F) of stress of the hydroelastic device (1). 9. A hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 8, in which a contiguous engagement zone (20a) belonging to or associated with the interior lateral face (8) of the damping chamber (7) is an area of the lateral face d '' an armature (2, 3) or of the damping body (6) facing the damping chamber (7) or an area of an engagement stop (24) formed in the damping chamber (7) . 10. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, in which the lateral face (18) of the locking piece (12) has a clearance zone (19) and an engagement zone (20) which are adjoining or adjacent. 11. Hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 10, in which the lateral face (18) of the blocking piece (12) has a clearance zone (19) and an engagement zone (20) adjoining or adjacent which s 'extend over a length corresponding to the travel of movement of the locking piece (12) between its extreme inactive and active positions. 12. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 11, in which the lateral face (18) of the blocking piece (12) has at least one stressing zone (21) which is in contact with displacement d '' at least one corresponding stress zone (21a) belonging to the stress appendage (14, 14a, 14b) - in the direction (M) of the blocking part stress (12) -, so as to ensure the displacement of the blocking part (12) - in the direction (M) for biasing the blocking part (12) - from an inactive position to the active position when the biasing means (13) pass from the standby condition to the condition activated. 13. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 12, in which the lateral face (18) of the blocking piece (12) has at least one holding zone (22) which is in contact with holding d '' at least one corresponding holding zone (22a) belonging to the loading appendage (14, 14a, 14b) and / or to the internal lateral face (8) of the damping chamber (7) being a zone of the face lateral of an armature (2, 3) or of the damping body (6) facing the damping chamber (7), in a direction for holding the blocking piece (12) so as to maintain the locking piece (12) in the active position as long as the biasing means (13) are in the activated condition. 14. hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 12 and 13, in which the direction (M) of biasing locking piece (12) is or comprises a transverse component, in particular perpendicular or close to the perpendicular, with respect to to the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1). 15. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the blocking piece (12) has at least two opposite holding zones (22) with at least two corresponding holding zones (22a). 16. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, in which a corresponding holding zone (22a) belongs to an appendage (14, 14a, 14b) and a corresponding corresponding holding zone (22a) belongs to the inner lateral face (8) of the damping chamber (7) being a region of the side face of a frame (2, 3) or of the damping body (6) facing the damping chamber (7) . 17. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 16, in which a biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b) is an integral part of the damping body (6), in particular which comes from manufacturing with it and / or is formed by a part of the damping body (6) adjacent to its face facing the damping chamber (7) or by a projection disposed on the face of the damping body (6) facing the chamber d amortization (7). 18. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 17, which comprises at least two biasing appendages (14, 14a, 14b) per blocking part (12), with two directions of biasing blocking part ( 12) arranged transversely with respect to one another, in particular arranged perpendicularly or close to the perpendicular. 19. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 18, in which a deformable cavity (15) is a channel formed in the damping body (6), emerging outside the hydroelastic device (1) , disposed in the vicinity of a biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b), in particular in the vicinity of the face of the damping body (6) facing the damping chamber (7). 20. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 19, which comprises at least one deformable cavity (15) per biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b). 21. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 20, in which a deformable cavity (15) is an integral part of the damping body (6), in particular coming from manufacture with it. 22. Hydroelastic device according to claim 2, in which the means (13) for biasing the locking piece (12) are the locking piece (12) itself, which locking piece (12), subjected to the thrust Archimedes exerted on it by the damping liquid (10), has a density lower than the density of the damping liquid (10) and is arranged relative to the damping chamber (7) in which it is located so that it can be moved axially vertically between: - an extreme high retracted position which is the inactive position in the filling state, - a lower blocking position which is the active position in the loss of filling state, in which the blocking piece (12), being blocked in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), ensures continuity of force transmission in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic deviceq ue (1) and adds additional stiffness in this direction. 23. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22, which is a hydroelastic articulation (1) having a main axis (XX) and falling between two transverse end faces, the internal reinforcement (2) emerging of at least one of the end faces for its assembly, in which: - the internal reinforcement (2) is of generally cylindrical shape, - the external reinforcement (3) is of generally cylindrical tubular shape, the internal diameter of which is larger than the external diameter of the internal reinforcement (2), so that the external reinforcement (3) surrounds the internal reinforcement (2) laterally and concentrically, - the in-between (4) is of general shape cylindrical annular extending radially and axially between the two reinforcements (2, 3) spaced radially from each other, - the damping body (6) extends radially and axially and is associated in a fixed and rigid manner inward at the armature e internal (2) and outwards to the external frame (3), - two damping chambers (7) are provided by the conformation of the damping body (6), extending radially and axially , being diametrically opposite in the direction (F) of biasing of the hydroelastic device (1), and interposed between the damping body (6) and the external frame (3), - a damping channel, of connection , elongated and narrow, connectively connects the two damping chambers (7), - in the filling state, the hydraulic damping liquid (10) fills under pressure the damping space formed by the two chambers damping (7) and the damping channel, - the direction (F) biasing the hydroelastic device (1) is radial. 24. Hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 23, in which the internal reinforcement (2) and the external reinforcement (3) are of generally cylindrical shape with a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a closed generally curved, generally circular, pseudo-circular, rounded or polygonal shape and a damping chamber (7) is of generally cylindrical shape with a generator in whole or in part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a guiding curve closed of generally general shape of circular, pseudo-circular sector, of rounded or polygonal curve, and / or each damping chamber (7) is of generally cylindrical shape with a generator in whole or part of generally rectilinear or pseudo-rectilinear shape and a closed guiding curve of general overall shape of circular, pseudo-circular sector, of rounded or polygonal curve. 25. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 23, 24 in that they depend on claims 3 to 21, in which each damping chamber (7) is limited by an inner lateral face (8) of the chamber damping (7) formed on one side by a damping chamber part of the inner face of the external frame (3) and on the other side by a damping chamber face (17) of the body depreciation (6). 26. Hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 25, in which each face (17) of the damping chamber of the damping body (6) has a generally flat shape, provided that there is at least one biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b), more particularly of two separated biasing appendages, one formed by a part of the damping body (6) adjacent to the face (17) of the damping chamber of the body d 'damping (6) and the other by a projection disposed on the face (17) of the damping chamber of the damping body (6). 27. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 25, 26, in which each blocking part (12) has a lateral face (18) whose outline is of pseudo-rectangular shape or inscribed in an envelope of pseudo-rectangular shape, with a first face part (18a) adjacent to a region of the face (17) of the damping chamber of the damping body (6), a second face part (18b), opposite the first face part (18a), located towards the damping chamber part (7) of the inner face of the external frame (3), and a third and a fourth face parts (18c, 18d), opposite l 'to one another, connecting the first and the second face parts (18a, 18b). 28. Hydroelastic device (1) according to claim 27, in which the second face part (18b) of the lateral face (18) of each blocking part (12) comprises a part shaped with a recess (13) in general form inverted double L. 29. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 and 28, in which the clearance zone (19) from the side face (18) of each locking piece (12) is located in the middle position on the second face part (18b) of the lateral face (18) of the locking piece (12). 30. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 29, in which the lateral face (18) of each locking piece (12) has two engagement zones (20), one located on the first face part (18a) and the other located in the middle position on the second face part (18b). 31. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 30, in which the lateral face (18) of each locking piece (12) has two biasing zones (21), one located on the first part face (18a) and the other located on a third face part (18c), or has three holding zones (22), located respectively on the first face part (18a), on the third face part (18c ) and towards the junction of the second face part (18b) and the fourth face part (18d). 32. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 31, which comprises, for each locking piece (12), a facing clearance zone (19a) belonging to an engagement stop (24) formed in the damping chamber (7). 33. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 32, which comprises, for each locking piece (12), two facing engagement zones (20) which, respectively, is formed by a part of the face (17) of the damping chamber of the damping body (6) and belongs to an engagement stop (24) formed in the damping chamber (7). 34. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 33, which comprises, for each blocking piece (12), two corresponding stress zones (21a) of two spaced stress appendages (14, 14a, 14b) , one formed by a part of the damping body (6) adjacent to the damping chamber face (17) of the damping body (6) and the other by a projection arranged on the face (17) damping chamber of the damping body (6). 35. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 27 to 34, which comprises, for each blocking piece (12), three corresponding holding zones (22a) belonging respectively to one face (17) of damping chamber of the damping body (6), to a biasing appendage (14, 14a, 14b) and to a part of the lateral face of the external frame (3). 36. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 35, which is in the filling state where the damping space is filled with the hydraulic damping liquid under pressure (10), the part of blocking (12) associated with a damping chamber (7) being in an inactive position, the biasing means (13) of the blocking part (12) being in the standby condition. 37. Hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 35, which is in the loss of filling state where the damping space is no longer filled with the hydraulic damping liquid under pressure (10) , the blocking piece (12) associated with a damping chamber (7) being in an active position, the biasing means (13) of the blocking piece (12) being in the activated condition. 38. Blocking piece (12) forming part of palliative means for the loss of filling (11) of a hydroelastic device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 37, specially adapted and intended to be integrated into such a device. hydroelastic (1), such that: - it is rigid, it is suitable and intended to be located in a damping chamber (7) of the hydroelastic device (1) in order, on the one hand, to be able to be moved by means of stress (13) and on the other hand, occupy two extreme positions respectively an inactive position and an active position, - its lateral face (18) has zones cooperating with zones of the hydroelastic device (1), including palliative means, including: o at least one clearance zone (19), o at least one engagement zone (20). 39. Locking piece (12) according to claim 38 which has a density lower than the density of the damping liquid (10) of the hydroelastic device (1). 40. Locking piece (12) according to one of claims 38 and 39, which is hollow. 41. Locking piece (12) according to one of claims 38 to 40, which has a lateral face (18) whose outline is of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shape or is inscribed in an envelope of polygonal or pseudo- shape. polygonal. 42. Locking piece (12) according to one of claims 38 to 41, the lateral face of which comprises a part shaped with a recess (13) in the general shape of an inverted double L.