MXPA06006478A - High retention strenght jounce bumper assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in th e cup-shaped member.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF ELASTIC CUSHION OF GRADUAL REINFORCEMENT, OF HIGH RESISTANCE TO RETENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to suspension systems for motor vehicles and more particularly to an elastic cushion mounting of gradual reinforcement for the suspension as it approaches the end of its limit of travel, of high retention resistance, for use in a suspension system of a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The elastic cushions of gradual reinforcement for suspension as they approach the end of their travel limit are often mounted in a strut structure, as shown in US Pat. No. 5,487,535, wherein a gradual reinforcing elastic cushion encircles a piston rod of a strut suspension. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion prevents the strut mounting cylinder from strongly impacting the strut mounting structure. Gradient reinforcing elastic cushions are also commonly placed in other sites, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,203, wherein the gradual reinforcing elastic cushion is self-contained to prevent a control arm of the suspension system from hitting the frame or frame of the vehicle. Elastic reinforcement cushions can be mounted in a free state or with a rigid cup. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 6,158,726 of common assignment, describes a gradual reinforcing elastic cushion with the use of a rigid cup that is designed to connect to the frame of the vehicle. The rigid cup acts to connect the gradual elastic reinforcement cushion to the vehicle (or alternatively to the strut) and limits the distortion of elastic cushion of gradual reinforcement, thus increasing its coefficient of deflection against applied load. The force required to compress the gradual reinforcing elastic cushion increases as the elastic reinforcing cushion gradually compresses and absorbs the energy when compressed. As the gradually reinforcing elastic cushion is compressed, the compressive strength increases to the point where the elastic gradual reinforcement cushion acts as a solid and transfers the remaining energy of the impact to the vehicle. The use of a rigid cup or other restriction limits the bulging of the bumper, thereby reducing the amount of travel required to reach the point where the bumper becomes a solid. In general, when more energy needs to be removed, a larger bumper is used. The micro-cellular urethane bumpers (MCU) are used in vehicle suspensions to absorb energy during shocks or impacts and to act as an additional spring as shown in US Pat. No. 5,467,970. One consideration regarding the use of MCU bumpers is the ability to retain the MCU bumper that is subjected to both lateral and vertical load shedding forces. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to this, the gradual reinforcing elastic cushion assembly of the present invention includes a generally cup-shaped member adapted to be fixed to a portion of the motor vehicle. The generally cup-shaped member includes a side wall portion wherein a spacer formed of a first material and fully assembled within the side wall portion of the generally cup-shaped member is received. The spacer has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of a portion of the side wall of the generally cup-shaped member. A bumper formed of a second material, different from the first material, is connected to a front portion of the spacer inside the cup. The bumper extends out of the cup. The system of the present invention can be used in a strut assembly, with a piston rod of a strut suspension, which is received through central openings that are provided in the cup, spacer and bumper. Alternatively, the elastic reinforcing cushion assembly of the present invention can also be used as a stand-alone bumper to prevent a suspension control arm from hitting the vehicle frame. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the cup-shaped member includes at least one tongue that extends into a recess in the bumper to retain the bumper inside the cup-shaped member. The bumper is connected to the spacer with an adhesive, or alternatively it is molded into the spacer while providing the bumper with high holding strength. Additional areas of applicability of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that is provided below. It will be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gradual reinforcing elastic cushion assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cup support member of a gradual reinforcing elastic cushion assembly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the cup support member shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the spacer of a gradual reinforcing elastic cushion assembly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate gradual reinforcement elastic cushion assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The following description of the preferred embodiment (s) is simply exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its application or uses. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a step-up elastic cushion assembly 10 is illustrated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion assembly 10 includes a generally cup-shaped member 12 receiving a spacer 14. The spacer 14 can be made of any suitable engineering material including plastics or metals. An elastomeric bumper 16 is connected to the spacer 14 and extends outwardly of the generally cup-shaped member 12. The elastomeric bumper 16 can be made of any elastomeric material including micro-ceriet urethane. The cup-shaped member 12 is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and more specifically can be placed on a strut assembly or in an autonomous position. The generally cup-shaped member 12 includes a base portion 18 having a centrally located opening 12. The base portion 18 and the opening 20 are used to mount the cup-shaped member in the vehicle, either by receiving the piston rod from a strut suspension or by receiving a mounting bolt that mounts the cup in the frame of the strut. vehicle, as is known in the art. The generally cup-shaped member 12 includes a cylindrical sidewall portion 22 that includes a smaller diameter first portion 22a extending in from the base portion 18, an angular positioning transition portion 22b, a wall portion. relatively larger diameter side 22c extending from the transition portion 22b and a radially extending flange portion 22d extending from the larger diameter portion 22c. It should be understood that although the generally cup-shaped member 12 is illustrated with a cylindrical side wall portion 22, other geometries such as square, rectangular, octagonal and oval may also be employed. The larger diameter sidewall portion 22c is provided with a plurality of retaining tabs 24 extending radially inwardly as cutting portions, as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 , the retaining tabs 24 are spaced at 90 degree intervals such that four retaining tabs 24 are illustrated. However, it will be understood that a greater or lesser amount of retention tabs may also be used. With reference to Figures 4-6, the spacer 14 is preferably formed as an annular ring molded from an appropriate engineering material including an ABS / PA blend plastic. The spacer 14 has a central opening 28 which can receive the piston rod of a strut suspension in cases where the elastic reinforcing cushion 10 mounting is arranged in a strut assembly or can receive a mounting bolt in the cases wherein the elastic cushion mounting of gradual reinforcement is autonomous. The spacer body also includes an axially extending flange portion 30, concentric with the opening 28. For weight reduction, the spacer can be provided with axially recessed slots 32 which reduce the amount of material used for the spacer, in addition to reducing its weight. Vent ribs 34 are provided on the upper surface 36 and extend radially outwardly from the central opening 28. The ventilation ribs 34 allow air trapped in the center during compression of the bumper, to be directed to the outer edge of the assembly, where from there it is ventilated through the tabs in the cup. The free passage of air eliminates noise (ie, hissing, puffing and grinding).

With reference to Figure 1, the bumper 16 is formed of an elastomeric material and is molded to the spacer 14 such that the bumper 16 surrounds the axially extending flange portion 30 of the spacer and extends partially over the side walls. of the main body of the spacer 14 in the vicinity of the transition portion 22b of the cup 12. The spacer 14 has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of the small diameter portion 22a of the cup 12. The bumper 16 includes a shoulder portion 40 which engages the retaining tabs 24 of the cup 12. The recessed shoulder portion 40 is axially in the vicinity of the axially extending flange portion 30 of the spacer 14. A second shoulder portion 42 of the bumper 16 is positioned against the radially extending flange portion 22d of the side wall 22 of the cup member 12. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the step-up elastic cushion assembly 10 has a total length of approximately 120 millimeters with the cup member having a length of 56 millimeters and the spacer having a total length of 39 millimeters with the main body portion of the spacer (excluding the axially extending flange portion 30 which is about 29 millimeters.The bumper portion 16 $ e extends beyond the main body portion of the spacer 14, a length of about 90 millimeters with the portion of the bumper 16 extending from the cup 12 which is approximately 64 millimeters In this way, the cup member 12 provides approximately 26 millimeters of overlap with the bumper 16.

The bumper 16 has a central opening 44 which is capable of receiving a piston rod from a strut suspension, when the elastic stiffening cushion is used in a strut assembly, or it can receive a bolt, nut, adjusting fastener by quick coupling or other fastening device wherein the elastic reinforcing cushion assembly 10 is self-supporting. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion 16 can also be provided with recessed portions 46, 48 extending in a radially inward direction from the outer surface or radially outwardly from the inner surface in order to specifically adjust the impact absorption capabilities of the assembly of gradual reinforcing elastic cushion 10. In the embodiment shown, a recessed portion 46 is provided on the outer surface and a recessed portion 48 is provided on the inner surface. Although it will be understood that additional recesses may be employed or removed as well as the depth of the recessed portions may be increased to specifically adjust the impact absorption capabilities. As illustrated in Figure 7, an alternating arrangement of the gradual reinforcement elastic cushion 10 'is illustrated where the bumper 16' is adhesively attached to the spacer 14 as an alternative to molding the bumper 16 with the spacer 14, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. Further, as illustrated in Figure 7, the amount of shoulder overlap 42 'over the radially extending split portion 22d' can be varied to properly adjust the elastic cushion assembly of gradual reinforcement 10 ', according to desired applications. In addition, the angle of the transition portion b of the side wall 22 of the cup member 12 can be provided at different angles in order to further adjust and support the bumper 16. The step-up elastic cushion assembly 10 of the present invention , provides extraordinary retention of the gradual reinforcement elastic cushion 16 inside the cup 12, without having to use a large notch and complex pattern. The bond that is achieved by molding or adhesive does not allow the gradual reinforcing elastic cushion 16 to decrease the cross-sectional area when subjected to pulling forces in both the vertical and lateral load directions. The description of the invention is simply exemplary in nature and thus variations which do not depart from the essence of the invention, are intended within the scope of the invention. These variations should not be considered as a separation of the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A gradual elastic reinforcement cushion assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a generally cup-shaped member adapted to be fixed to a portion of a motor vehicle, the generally cup-shaped member has a side wall; a spacer formed of a first material and fully assembled within the side wall portion of the generally cup-shaped member, the spacer has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of a portion of the side wall; and a bumper formed of a second material different from the first material and connected to a front portion of the spacer inside the cup, the bumper extends out of the cup.
2. 2. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the generally cup-shaped member includes a tongue extending in a recess in the bumper.
3. 3. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumper is connected to a spacer with an adhesive.
4. 4. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumper is molded in the spacer.
5. 5. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the bumper includes a notched portion and the generally cup-shaped member includes at least one tongue extending into the notched portion to hold the bumper inside the bumper. member generally in the form of a cup.
6. 6. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material is plastic.
7. 7. The gradual reinforcing elastic cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the second material is micro-cellular urethane.
8. 8. An elastic cushion mounting of gradual reinforcement, characterized in that it comprises: a generally cup-shaped member adapted to be fixed to a portion of a motor vehicle, the generally cup-shaped member has a side wall; a spacer mounted entirely within the side wall portion of the generally cup-shaped member, the spacer has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of a portion of the side wall; and a bumper formed of micro-cellular urethane and molded into the spacer within the cup, the bumper extends out of the cup, the bumper includes a notched portion and a generally cup-shaped member includes at least one tongue that is extends in the notched portion to hold the bumper within the generally cup-shaped member.