JP4614255B2 - Stabilizer bushing molding method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of molding a stabilizer bushing that supports the stabilizer bar incorporated in the suspension system of the vehicle to the vehicle body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a stabilizer bar incorporated in a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile is generally supported via a stabilizer bush made of an elastic member or the like in order to improve the steering stability and riding comfort of the vehicle. Yes.
[0003]
Such a stabilizer bush consists of a substantially cylindrical elastic member, and is comprised from the through-hole penetrated to the axial direction of this elastic member. The elastic member is provided with a slit portion that is divided from the inner surface to the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member over the axial direction of the through hole. And the slit part provided in the elastic member is expanded, and a stabilizer bar is mounted in the through hole. After that, for example, with the stabilizer bush sandwiched by a substantially U-shaped blanket, it is supported on the vehicle body side, for example, by bolting via a coupling portion provided so as to protrude on both sides in the width direction of the blanket. .
[0004]
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for vehicle handling stability and riding comfort, and there has been a need to set the spring constant of the stabilizer bush high. However, there is a problem that a sufficient spring constant (rigidity) cannot be obtained with a stabilizer bush made of only a conventional elastic member.
[0005]
In order to solve such a problem, for example, a stabilizer bush has been proposed in which a reinforcing member made of a ring-shaped metal material is embedded in an elastic member to improve the spring constant.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a stabilizer bush, a desired spring constant can be obtained by embedding a metal reinforcing member in the elastic member. However, since the rigidity of the elastic member is increased, it can be assembled to the stabilizer bar. There is a problem that is bad.
[0007]
In view of such circumstances, the spring constant can be greatly improved, and the assembling of the stabilizer bar and to provide a method of molding a good stabilizer bushing.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a substantially cylindrical elastic member , a through hole provided in the elastic member so as to penetrate in the axial direction, and an inner surface to an outer peripheral surface of the elastic member. In a method for forming a stabilizer bush having a slit portion provided in the through hole and holding the stabilizer bar in the through hole , the axial direction of the reinforcing member comprising a pair of metal arcuate members having a substantially arcuate cross section A plurality of end portions are held and held so as to be discontinuous at a position substantially opposed to the cut portion and the cut portion, and a region to be the cut portion near the axial end portion of the reinforcing member and the cut portion the parts and substantially opposed position with placing the rod-like member having a predetermined outer diameter, the end surfaces of the pair of arcuate members to the rod-like member in each state of being contact, said elastic member by press-forming, In the molding method of the stabilizer bushings, characterized in that for embedding the reinforcing member in the elastic member.
[0012]
In the present invention, by embedding a metal reinforcing member in the elastic member, the spring characteristics can be greatly improved, and the reinforcing member is discontinuous at the elastic deformation portion at a position substantially opposite to the slit portion. Since the elastic member can be expanded relatively easily by being embedded as described above, the stabilizer bush can be easily assembled to the stabilizer bar.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing a stabilizer bush according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizer bush 10 of the present embodiment includes a substantially cylindrical elastic member 11, and a through-hole 12 for mounting a stabilizer bar that is a component of a suspension device (not shown) has an elastic member 11. It is provided over the axial direction. Moreover, the slit part 13 which divided the elastic member 11 from the inner surface to the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member 11 is provided over the axial direction of the elastic member 11. This slit part 13 is for expanding the elastic member 11 when the stabilizer bush 10 is attached to the through hole 12 of the stabilizer bar.
[0015]
Further, flange portions 14 and 15 that are bent outward in the radial direction of the elastic member 11 are provided at both axial ends of the elastic member 11 so as to face each other.
[0016]
The material of the elastic member 11 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include natural rubber, butadiene rubber, butadiene-styrene rubber, butyl rubber, and blended members thereof. Further, the hardness of the elastic member 11 is preferably within a hardness region generally used as the stabilizer bush 10, for example, within the range of JIS A Hs 50 to 90 °, and more preferably JIS A Hs 60 to 80. °. Durability can be ensured by using an elastic member having such a hardness region.
[0017]
Furthermore, a metal reinforcing member 16 is embedded in the elastic member 11. That is, the reinforcing member 16 is embedded in the elastic member 11 so as to surround the through-hole 12 substantially concentrically with the elastic member 11, and is embedded in the axial direction of the elastic member 11. The reinforcing member 16 includes a pair of arc-shaped members that are arranged substantially symmetrically through the through-hole 12 and have a substantially arc-shaped cross section. The reinforcing member 16 is an elastic deformation portion 17 at a position substantially opposite to the split portion 13. It is embedded in the elastic member 11 so as to be discontinuous. As will be described in detail later, the elastic deformation portion 17 is provided at a position substantially opposite to the cut portion 13 when mounted on the stabilizer bar. Therefore, the elastic deformation portion 17 is elastically deformed by being expanded from the cut portion 13. The elastic member 11 is bent. The reinforcing member 16 is not particularly limited as long as it is a metal material, and examples thereof include an SP material and a SUS (stainless steel) material. The reinforcing member 16 and the elastic member 11 can be joined by, for example, applying a vulcanized adhesive on the surface of the reinforcing member 16 or providing a plurality of holes in the reinforcing member 16.
[0018]
In addition, a plurality of recesses 18 in which a part of the reinforcing member 16 is exposed substantially concentrically with the elastic member 11, the slits 13 on both axial ends of the elastic member 11, and elasticity A portion corresponding to the deformable portion 17 has a hole portion 19 having an inner diameter substantially the same as the interval between the pair of arcuate members.
[0019]
As a method of manufacturing such a stabilizer bush 10, the stabilizer bush 10 is integrally formed with the rubber material by press molding so as to surround the through hole 12 substantially concentrically with the elastic member 11. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member 16 are gripped at a plurality of locations using, for example, a cylindrical gripping member 20 having a predetermined diameter. That is, the reinforcing member 16 is supported by having a groove at the tip of the gripping member 20 and engaging the end of the reinforcing member 16 in this groove. In addition, for example, a cylindrical engagement member 21 having a predetermined diameter is disposed at a portion corresponding to the cut portion 13 and the elastic deformation portion 17, and each end portion of the reinforcing member 16 is abutted against the engagement member 21. By contacting, a predetermined space is secured between the pair of reinforcing members 16. And the elastic member 11 is shape | molded by the rubber | gum vulcanization method, for example, electrothermal press molding in the state which hold | gripped the reinforcement member 16. FIG. That is, the reinforcing member 16 and the elastic member 11 are integrally formed. Further, when the elastic member 11 is molded, for example, a magnet is provided at the distal end portion of the gripping member 20 in order to prevent the reinforcing member 16 from falling or shifting in the mold, and the reinforcing member 16 is positioned by this magnet. You may do it.
[0020]
Thus, the stabilizer bush 10 which consists of the elastic member 11 which embed | buried the reinforcement member 16 can be formed comparatively easily by carrying out the electrothermal press molding in the state which supported the reinforcement member 16 with the holding member 20 and the engaging member 21. FIG. Further, the reinforcing member 16 can be positioned relatively easily and with high accuracy.
[0021]
Further, in order to perform the electrothermal press molding in a state in which the reinforcing member 16 is supported by the gripping member 20 and the engaging member 21, the axially opposite ends of the reinforcing member 16 are recessed in the portions gripped by the gripping member 20. 18 will be formed. Moreover, the hole 19 is formed in the part which made the reinforcing member 16 discontinuous by the engagement member 21 at a predetermined interval, that is, the cut portion 13 and the elastic deformation portion 17.
[0022]
In addition, the shape of the front-end | tip part of the holding member 20 will not be specifically limited if the reinforcement member 16 can be hold | gripped. In addition, the shape of the distal end portion of the engaging member 21 is not particularly limited as long as the reinforcing member 16 can be discontinuous at a desired interval in portions corresponding to the cut portion 13 and the elastic deformation portion 17.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, such a stabilizer bush 10 is expanded from the split portion 13, whereby bending is applied to the elastic deformation portion 17 at a position substantially opposite to the split portion 13. Thereafter, the stabilizer bar 22 is engaged with the through hole 12, and the stabilizer bush 10 is attached to the stabilizer bar 22. The stabilizer bush 10 has a lower rigidity than the elastic member 11 portion other than the elastic deformation portion 17 because the reinforcing member 16 is discontinuous at the elastic deformation portion 17 at a position substantially opposite to the cut portion 13. When the stabilizer bush 10 is attached to the stabilizer bar 22, the elastic deformation portion 17 is bent relatively easily, so that the stabilizer bush 10 can be easily expanded.
[0024]
As described above, the stabilizer bush 10 of the present invention can greatly improve the spring constant of the elastic member 11 by the metal reinforcing member 16 embedded in the elastic member 11, and is substantially opposed to the slit portion 13. Since the elastic deformation portion at the position is discontinuous, the elastic member 11 can be easily expanded from the split portion 13 while ensuring sufficient rigidity, and can be easily assembled to the stabilizer bar 22. it can.
[0025]
In addition, after the stabilizer bar is mounted on the stabilizer bush 10, the stabilizer bar 10 is sandwiched in the substantially U-shaped blanket 23 while being mounted on the stabilizer bar 22 as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the stabilizer bush 10 has, for example, a joint 24 protruding in the width direction of the blanket 23 in a state where the inner sides of the flange portions 14 and 15 provided at both ends in the axial direction are sandwiched by the blanket 23. Are coupled to the vehicle body 26 by bolts 25 or the like. At this time, the stabilizer bush 10 is fixed in a compressed state on the vehicle body side. Thereby, the reinforcing member 16 embedded in the elastic member 11 is compressed in the direction in which the reinforcing members 16 approach each other, and the stabilizer bar 22 inside thereof can be more firmly fixed. Further, since the stabilizer bush 10 is sandwiched between the flange portions 14 and 15, the stabilizer bush 10 does not come off in the axial direction.
[0026]
Here, the stabilizer bush of the following Example and the comparative example was produced, and the relationship between these loads and bending was investigated. The result is shown in FIG.
[0027]
Example 1
The elastic member made of natural rubber and the metal reinforcing member made of PS material were integrally molded by vulcanization by electrothermal press molding at 170 ° C. for 15 minutes at a pressure of 200 kg / cm ² . At this time, the reinforcing member is integrally formed with the elastic member in a state where the both end portions in the axial direction of the reinforcing member are gripped at a plurality of positions so as to be discontinuous at the elastically deforming portion at a position substantially opposite to the slit portion. did. The rubber hardness of the elastic member was JIS A Hs80 °.
[0028]
(Comparative Example 1)
Using an elastic member made of natural rubber, vulcanization molding was performed by electrothermal press molding under the same conditions as in Example 1 to obtain a stabilizer bush of this comparative example. The rubber hardness of the elastic member was JIS A Hs80 °. In this comparative example, the reinforcing member is not embedded in the elastic member.
[0029]
(Comparative Example 2)
By using an elastic member made of natural rubber and a metal reinforcing member made of SP material, vulcanization integral molding was performed by electrothermal press molding under the same conditions as in Example 1 to obtain a stabilizer bush of this comparative example. . The rubber hardness of the elastic member was JIS A Hs80 °. Note that the reinforcing member used in this comparative example is not discontinuous at the elastic deformation portion.
[0030]
When the relationship between the load and the deflection of the stabilizer bush of the example and the comparative example was tested, as shown in FIG. 5, the stabilizer bush of the example in which a discontinuous metal reinforcing member was embedded in the elastically deformed portion was Compared with the stabilizer bush in which the metal reinforcing member continuous in the elastically deforming portion is embedded, the result shows that the same high spring constant can be obtained. Moreover, the result showed that the spring constant can be significantly increased as compared with the stabilizer bush of the comparative example in which the reinforcing member is not embedded.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the stabilizer bush of the present embodiment, the spring constant can be greatly improved by embedding the discontinuous reinforcing member at the elastically deforming portion in the elastic member, and the stabilizer bar can be easily provided. Can be assembled.
[0032]
Further, by gripping both ends of the reinforcing member in the axial direction at a plurality of locations, the reinforcing member can be easily embedded at a predetermined position in the elastic member so that the reinforcing member is discontinuous at a predetermined interval. Play.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view and a cross-sectional view showing a stabilizer bush according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a method for forming a stabilizer bush according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a usage example of a stabilizer bush according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stabilizer bush according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle body.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between load and deflection in the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Stabilizer bush 11 Elastic member 12 Through hole 13 Split part 16 Reinforcement member 17 Elastic deformation part 18 Recessed part 19 Hole part

Claims (1)

A substantially cylindrical elastic member ; a through hole provided through the elastic member in the axial direction thereof; and a slit provided between an inner surface and an outer peripheral surface of the elastic member; In the method of forming the stabilizer bush that holds the stabilizer bar inside ,
A plurality of axial ends of the reinforcing member made of a pair of metal arcuate members having a substantially arc shape in cross section are gripped at a plurality of positions so as to be discontinuous at a position substantially opposed to the slit portion. held,
A rod-shaped member having a predetermined outer diameter is disposed in a region that becomes the cut portion in the vicinity of the axial end portion of the reinforcing member and a position substantially opposite to the cut portion, and the pair of arc-shaped members are disposed on the rod-shaped member. With the end faces in contact with each other,
A method for forming a stabilizer bush, wherein the elastic member is press-molded, and the reinforcing member is embedded in the elastic member.

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