GB2275743A

GB2275743A - Vibration isolation mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2275743A
Application number: GB9304116A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin John Humphreys
Original assignee: Barry Controls Ltd
Current assignee: Barry Controls Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-01
Filing date: 1993-03-01
Publication date: 1994-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-01
Also published as: GB2275743B; GB9304116D0

Abstract

A mounting assembly comprises a spherical bearing 7 and collar 10 mounted between a pair of ring assemblies 2. Each ring assembly comprises an elastomeric member 3, 3' located between and bonded to a pair of annular metallic bushes 4, 4', 5, 5'. The mounting assembly may be protected by dust covers 14, 14' and shaped washers 16, 16'. <IMAGE>

Description

VIBRATION ISOLATION MOUNTING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to mounting assemblies, and in particular, to a mounting assembly adapted to provide protection and/or isolation to a bearing from noise and vibration generated by external disturbing forces.

In many fields of engineering, it is necessary to provide a bearing for a rotating rod or linkage arm which allows some freedom of angular movement. One example is found in the suspension systems of railway bogies, where the axles must be supported in such a way as to be able to twist slightly relative to the chassis. Hitherto, the bearings which have been used in these applications have allowed much noise and vibration to be transmitted between the axle and the chassis, which may substantially shorten the mechanical life of the moving parts. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the transmission of noise and vibration in these circumstances.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly which comprises: a housing including an aperture which is generally of cylindrical form; a spherical bearing, comprising a collar and a bearing ball, said collar being located within said aperture, and said bearing ball having an axial aperture intended to receive a rod or linkage arm; a first annular ring assembly comprising an elastomeric member located between and bonded to a pair of annular metallic bushes, said first ring assembly being force fitted into one side of said housing between the boundary of the bearing collar and the boundary of the aperture; a second annular ring assembly comprising an elastomeric member located between and bonded to a pair of annular metallic bushes, said second ring assembly being force fitted into the opposite side of said housing between the boundary of bearing housing and the boundary of the aperture; and a socket projecting from said housing and adapted to receive a retaining member for holding the mounting assembly in place relative to a chassis or the like.

It is to be understood that the term 'spherical bearing' relates to the standard type of bearing mounted in a collar housing, and includes bearings in which segments have been taken from the bearing ball.

In preferred embodiments of this invention, the elastomeric members are made of neoprene or natural rubber, and the metallic bushes are made of steel. The housing and socket are advantageously fabricated as a one-piece forging, and are generally made of steel.

In some applications of this invention, it may be necessary to provide environmental and/or chemical protection for the bearing. Accordingly, in a particular embodiment of the present invention, the assembly further comprises a pair of protective covers disposed about the spherical bearing and each having an aperture permitting communication with the axial aperture in the bearing ball. Conveniently, the protective covers are elastomeric and are bonded to, or form extensions of, the annular ring assemblies.

Generally, the protective covers will be dome-shaped.

Advantageously, the apertures are shaped so as to hold washers which are preferably provided with retaining flanges. In a preferred embodiment, the eyes of the washers are of the same diameter as the axial aperture of the bearing ball.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side elevation of a housing component for this invention; FIGURE 2 shows a side elevation of a first embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial cross-section through the embodiment depicted in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial cross-section through an alternative embodiment of this invention; and FIGURE 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 in use.

Turning now to Figure 1, there is shown a housing 1 which includes an aperture 11. Figure 2 shows a mounting assembly comprising housing 1 with a spherical bearing disposed in aperture 11. The spherical bearing is of a standard type, and comprises a collar 10 and a bearing ball 7, the bearing ball 7 being provided with an axial aperture 8. The spherical bearing is held within housing 1 by means of two annular ring assemblies 2, 6 (of which only one is visible in Figure 2) which are force fitted into the gap between the edge of collar 10 and the boundary of aperture 11 on either side of the mounting assembly. Each ring assembly comprises an elastomeric member 3 located between and bonded to a pair 4, 5 of annular metallic bushes. The mounting assembly also includes a socket 9, which is adapted to receive a retaining member (not shown) for holding the mounting assembly in place relative to a chassis or the like (not shown).

Figure 3 shows a partial cross-section through the mounting assembly of Figure 2. A spacer tube 12 is disposed around the bearing collar 10. The spacer tube 12 facilitates the accurate force fitting of the annular ring assemblies 2, 6 by providing, with housing projection 13, a stop for the metallic bushes 4, 5 and 4', 5'.

Turning now to Figure 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of this invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to that depicted in Figures 1 to 3, but with the addition of dome-shaped dust covers 14, 14' which cover the spherical bearing on either side of the mounting assembly. These dust covers 14, 14' are provided with apertures 15, 15' through which shaped washers 16, 16' are posted. The shaped washers 16, 16' are provided with retaining flanges 17, 17' which enable the washers to be held snugly against the bearing ball 7. Figure 5 shows a mounting assembly of the type shown in Figure 4, in use with a rod or linkage arm 18 disposed through the washers 16, 16' and the axial aperture 8, and a retaining member 19 in socket 9 holding the mounting assembly in place. Movement of the rod or linkage arm 18 along its axis of rotation relative to the mounting assembly is hindered by means of clamping washers 20, 20'.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mounting assembly which comprises: a housing including an aperture which is generally of cylindrical form; a spherical bearing, comprising a collar and a bearing ball, said collar being located within said aperture, and said bearing ball having an axial aperture intended to receive a rod or linkage arm; a first annular ring assembly comprising an elastomeric member located between and bonded to a pair of annular metallic bushes, said first ring assembly being force fitted into one side of said housing between the boundary of the bearing collar and the boundary of the aperture; a second annular ring assembly comprising an elastomeric member located between and bonded to a pair of annular metallic bushes, said second ring assembly being force fitted into the opposite side of said housing between the boundary of bearing housing and the boundary of the aperture; and a socket projecting from said housing and adapted to receive a retaining member for holding the mounting assembly in place relative to a chassis or the like.

2. A mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises a pair of protective covers disposed about the spherical bearing and each having an aperture permitting communication with the axial aperture in the bearing ball.

3. A mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective covers are elastomeric and are bonded to, or form extensions of, the annular ring assemblies.

4. A mounting assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elastomeric members are made of neoprene or natural rubber.

5. A mounting assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.