WO2006018684A1 - A bush - Google Patents

A bush Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006018684A1
WO2006018684A1 PCT/IB2005/002257 IB2005002257W WO2006018684A1 WO 2006018684 A1 WO2006018684 A1 WO 2006018684A1 IB 2005002257 W IB2005002257 W IB 2005002257W WO 2006018684 A1 WO2006018684 A1 WO 2006018684A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bearing
sleeve
resilient member
bush
concave
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2005/002257
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tobias Martin Huelsen
Original Assignee
Minebea Co. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minebea Co. Ltd. filed Critical Minebea Co. Ltd.
Priority to EP05760544A priority Critical patent/EP1776533A1/en
Publication of WO2006018684A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006018684A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C17/00Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C17/10Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for both radial and axial load
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C27/00Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C27/02Sliding-contact bearings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C27/00Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C27/06Elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports, for exclusively rotary movement by means of parts of rubber or like materials
    • F16C27/063Sliding contact bearings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16FSPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00Springs
    • F16F1/36Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/38Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin, i.e. bushing-type
    • F16F1/3807Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin, i.e. bushing-type characterised by adaptations for particular modes of stressing
    • F16F1/3814Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin, i.e. bushing-type characterised by adaptations for particular modes of stressing characterised by adaptations to counter axial forces
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16FSPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2230/00Purpose; Design features
    • F16F2230/04Lubrication

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a bush and in particular to a bush capable of absorbing radial and axial forces exerted upon the bush.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a known type of bush 1 comprising a tubular bearing 2 and a sleeve 3 arranged coaxially such that the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 are free to rotate relative to one another about their longitudinal axis.
  • the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 are prevented from separating along the longitudinal axis by a radially-extending flange 6 and a washer 7 provided at opposite ends of the bearing 2.
  • the sleeve 3 consists of an elastomer 4 sandwiched between two layers 5 of a rigid material.
  • the elastomer 4 serves to absorb radial displacement of the bearing 2 relative to the sleeve 3.
  • the bush 1 is able to dampen vibrations as well as compensate for minor misalignments between the objects to be mounted.
  • the bush of Figure 1 has a significant advantage over conventional damping bushes, in which the bearing and sleeve are secured to one another by an interposing elastomer.
  • a stationary object mounted onto a rotating axle using a conventional damping bush. Friction between the rotating axle and the bearing creates shearing forces between the bearing and sleeve, causing the elastomer to degrade and eventually shear.
  • the bush 1 of Figure 1 With the bush 1 of Figure 1 , however, rotation of the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 is decoupled and consequently rotational shearing forces acting on the elastomer 4 are greatly reduced.
  • a problem with the bush of Figure 1 is that the flange 6 and washer 7 provided at opposite ends of the bearing 2, which are required to prevent the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 from separating, complicate the manufacture and assembly of the bush 1.
  • the washer 7 must be secured to the bearing 2 by press fitting or welding after the sleeve 3 has been fitted.
  • the flange 6 and washer 7 resist displacement of the bearing 2 relative to the sleeve 3 along the longitudinal axis, the resulting axial displacement exerts shearing forces upon the elastomer 4.
  • the elastomer 4 is susceptible to longitudinal shearing with repeated and/or excessive axial displacement.
  • the present invention provides a bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
  • the bush By compressing the resilient member whenever the bearing and sleeve are displaced longitudinally, the bush is able to effectively absorb and dampen axial forces exerted upon the bush. Additionally, the co-operating surfaces of the resilient member and the bearing and/or sleeve prevent the bearing and sleeve from separating along the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the bush does not require the provision of flanges or washers at the ends of the bush and therefore the manufacture and assembly of the bush may be simplified.
  • Compression of the resilient member preferably occurs in at least a direction normal to the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the surfaces of the resilient member, bearing and/or sleeve preferably co ⁇ operate such that compression of the resilient member increases as the bearing is further displaced relative to the sleeve. As a result, the bush is well-equipped at absorbing excessive axial forces.
  • the surfaces of the resilient member, bearing and/or sleeve preferably co-operate such that the bearing is able to rotate relative to the sleeve about the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the bush is able to accommodate not only axial and radial forces but also rotational forces acting upon the bush.
  • the surface of only one of the bearing and sleeve may be convex or concave, with the resilient member secured to the other so as to prevent the bearing and sleeve from separating.
  • the surfaces of both the bearing and sleeve may be convex or concave.
  • the surfaces of the resilient member adjacent the bearing and the sleeve are concave or convex.
  • the surfaces of the resilient member, the bearing and/or sleeve have non-spherical radii of curvature, i.e. the bearing is not a spherical bearing.
  • the resilient member preferably includes a layer of elastomeric material, such as rubber.
  • a layer of harder material may be provided over one or more surfaces of the elastomeric material, which protect the elastomeric material from frictional wear as the resilient member moves relative to the bearing and/or sleeve, e.g. due to axial or rotational movement of the bearing relative to the sleeve.
  • a lubricant or self-lubricating liner may additionally be provided between the resilient member and the bearing and/or sleeve to reduce friction.
  • the present invention provides a bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve include one or more protrusions and recesses, and the protrusions and recesses of the resilient member co-operate with those of the at least one bearing and sleeve such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
  • a method of manufacturing a bush comprising the steps of: providing a tubular bearing; surrounding the bearing with a sleeve; and providing a resilient member between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
  • the resilient member is described herein as being disposed between the bearing and sleeve, it is to be understood that the resilient member need not be immediately adjacent either the bearing or sleeve. Instead, one or more elements, such as a lubricating liner, may be disposed between the resilient member and the bearing and sleeve.
  • Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a prior art bush
  • Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bush in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bush in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the bush 10 of Figure 2 comprises a tubular bearing 11 , a sleeve 12 arranged about the bearing 11 , and a resilient member 13 disposed between the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12.
  • the innermost surface 14 of the bearing 11 defines a bore 16 through the centre of the bearing 10 for receiving a shaft, axle or the like.
  • the bore 16 preferably has a circular cross-section of substantially uniform diameter along its length. Nevertheless, alternative designs of bore 16 may be employed. This is particularly true since, as is discussed below, the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are preferably arranged so as to rotate freely with respect to one another. Consequently, the shaft or axle received by the bearing 11 need not necessarily rotate within the bore 16.
  • the resilient member 13 is secured to the sleeve 12 such that the bearing 11 is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve 12 and resilient member 13.
  • the bush 10 is able to accommodate rotational forces acting upon bush 10.
  • this has the advantage that rotational shearing forces acting upon the resilient member 13 are substantially reduced.
  • a lubricant or self-lubricating liner 19 may be disposed between the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 to reduce friction.
  • the resilient member 13 preferably extends completely around the bearing 11 to form a longitudinally-extending tube or collar between the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12.
  • the resilient member 13 may be formed as a plurality of resilient elements (not shown), each element being secured at different points around the surface of the sleeve 12.
  • the resilient member 13 comprises a first layer 17 of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, attached to a second layer 18 of a different material.
  • the first layer 17 is secured to the sleeve 12 of the bush 10 such that the second layer 18 is adjacent the bearing 11.
  • the second layer 18 is intended to prevent wear of the first layer 17 against the bearing 11 when the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 move relative to one another.
  • the second layer 18 is preferably of a material having a relatively high hardness and the surface of the second layer 18 adjacent the bearing 11 is preferably smooth.
  • the second layer 18, however, is not essential and may be omitted from the resilient member 13, particularly when the bush 10 is intended to be used in applications for which relative motion of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 is minimal.
  • the resilience of the resilient member 13 is preferably provided by a layer of elastomeric material, alternative means, such as a sealed fluid, may be used.
  • the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex such that the shape of the bearing 11 resembles that of a barrel.
  • the surface 20 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the bearing 11 mirrors that of the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 and is concave.
  • the interlock formed between the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 prevents the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 from separating. Nevertheless, movement of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 along the longitudinal axis is permitted. As the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis, the resilient member 13 is compressed. Additionally, as the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are further displaced relative to one another, compression of the resilient member 13 increases making it progressively more difficult to displace the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12.
  • the elastomer 4 fails to compress when the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.
  • the bush 1 is ill- equipped at absorbing axial forces and the elastomeric member 4 is found to shear with repeated and/or excessive axial displacement of the bearing 2 and sleeve 3.
  • the resilient member 13 is compressed upon axial displacement of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12.
  • the resistance to further axial displacement by the resilient member 13 increases. Accordingly, the bush 10 is well-equipped at absorbing axial forces and to resist excessive axial forces which would otherwise shear the elastomer 4 of the prior-art bush 1.
  • the bush 10 of the present invention is also capable of absorbing and applying a restorative force to cardanic forces which act upon the bush 10. Any cardanic force will cause the resilient member 13 to compress in at least a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the bush 10. Consequently, when the cardanic force is removed, the compressed resilient member 13 will act to restore the bush 10 to its former shape and position.
  • the shape of the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex and the shape of the adjacent surface 20 of the resilient member 13 is concave.
  • the same technical effect of providing a longitudinal interlock is provided if the shapes of these surfaces are reversed, i.e.
  • the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 may include any number of protrusions and recesses so as to form a longitudinal interlock.
  • the bearing 11 include a single protrusions in the form of a radially- projecting ring 22 formed halfway along the length of the bearing 11
  • the resilient member 13 include a corresponding groove 23 for receiving the ring 22.
  • Any protrusions and recesses formed in the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 are preferably smoothly varying such that no sharp corners are formed in the surface 20 of the resilient member 13. As a result, forces exerted on the resilient member 13 are more evenly distributed.
  • the resilient member 13 is compressed in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis.
  • the protrusions and recesses formed in the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 may be configured such that compression of the resilient member 13 occurs along a different or additional direction.
  • the resilient member 13 is compressed in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the convex surface 15 of the bearing 11 may be regarded as a single protrusion extending around the full radius and along the full length of the bearing 11.
  • the concave surface 20 of the resilient member 13 may be regarded as a single recess, extending around the full radius and along the full length of the resilient member 13.
  • the protrusions and recesses formed on or in the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 are preferably annular (i.e. extending completely around the surface), the protrusions and recesses may alternatively be formed around only part of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13.
  • the recess of each pair of mating protrusions and recesses must be annular.
  • the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 may include a single protrusion in the form of a pin.
  • An annular groove capable of receiving the pin would then need to be formed in the surface 20 of the resilient member 13 so as to ensure that the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 can rotate relative to one another.
  • the degree of resistance offered by the resilient member 13 to longitudinal displacement of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 will depend upon several factors, including the thickness and material used for the layer 17 of elastomeric material, as well as the shape and dimensions of the protrusions and recesses. For example, if the resilient member 13 has a single recess, the degree of resistance to axial forces for a shallow recess will be less than that for a deeper recess.
  • the resilient member 13 is secured only to the sleeve 12 such that bearing 11 is free to rotate relative to the sleeve 12 and resilient member 13. It will be appreciated, however, that the same result is achieved by alternatively securing the resilient member 13 to the bearing 11 rather than the sleeve 12.
  • the protrusions and recesses are formed on the surface 21 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the sleeve 12, and on the surface of the sleeve 12 adjacent the resilient member 4; no protrusions or recesses are formed on the bearing 11.
  • the resilient member 13 need not be secured to either the bearing 11 or the sleeve 12.
  • the surfaces 20,21 of the resilient member 13 adjacent both the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 would have one or more protrusions and recesses.
  • the surfaces of both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12 adjacent the resilient member 13 would include one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses. Consequently, the resilient member 13 forms an interlock with both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12, thereby preventing the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 from separating.
  • the protrusions and recesses in the bearing 11 , sleeve 12 and resilient member 13 may be configured such that the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are able to rotate independently of each other and the resilient member 13.
  • the resilient member 13, particularly in the embodiment described above in which the resilient member 13 is secured to neither the bearing 11 nor the sleeve 12, may include a further layer of hard material such that the layer of elastomeric material is sandwiched between two layers of hard material.
  • the resilient member 13 is at the very most secured to only one of the bearing 11 or the sleeve 12 such that rotation of the bearing 11 is decoupled from the sleeve 12.
  • the resilient member 13 may be secured to both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12 such that the bush 10 resembles that of a conventional damping bush.
  • the bush 10 would no longer be capable of decoupling rotation of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12, the bush 10 would nevertheless offer a significant advantage over that of a conventional damping bush.
  • the bush 10 of the present invention is better equipped at absorbing and damping axial forces than a conventional damping bush.
  • a conventional damping bush With a conventional damping bush, the rubber element between the bearing and sleeve is not compressed when the two are displaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.
  • conventional damping bushes suffer from the same problems as that identified above for the bush 1 of Figure 1 when subjected to axial forces.
  • rotation of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 is no longer possible and consequently there is no need for the protrusions and/or recesses to be annular.
  • the bush 10 is manufactured by first providing the bearing 11 , which is machined such that the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex.
  • the resilient member 13 is then formed by bonding a layer of an elastomeric material 17 over the outer surface of a cylindrical tube 18, the tube being deformable.
  • the resilient member 13 is then placed around the bearing 11 and the assembly is compressed radially by swaging.
  • the cylindrical tube 18 is deformed by the compression such that, when the compression is released, the surface 20 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the bearing 11 is concave and co-operates with the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11.
  • the exposed, barrel-like convex surface 21 of the layer of elastomeric material 17 is then machined to be substantially cylindrical.
  • the sleeve 12 is then placed over and secured to the resilient member 13, e.g. by press fitting or adhesive.
  • the resilient member 13 comprises only the layer of elastomeric material 17, the cylindrical tube 18 is omitted from the manufacturing process described above.
  • the resilient member 13 may then be formed by moulding the elastomeric material 17 around the bearing 11 in-situ.
  • the bush 10 may be manufactured by placing the sleeve 12 around the bearing 11 and moulding the elastomeric material between the bearing 11 and sleeve 12.
  • the bush of the present invention With the bush of the present invention, axial forces are absorbed and dampened more effectively than is possible with known bushes. Additionally, by having co-operable protrusions and recesses in the resilient member, the bearing and/or sleeve, the bush is able to accommodate axial, radial, cardanic and rotational forces without the need for flanges and washers to be provided at the ends of the bush. Consequently, the manufacture and assembly of the bush may be simplified.

Abstract

A bush (10) capable of absorbing radial and axial forces, the bush comprising a bearing (ll), a sleeve (12) arranged about the bearing, and a resilient member (13) disposed between the bearing and the sleeve. A surface of the resilient member and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve adjacent the resilient member is shaped such that the resilient member is compressed as the bearing is displaced relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.

Description

" A Bush"
The present invention relates to a bush and in particular to a bush capable of absorbing radial and axial forces exerted upon the bush.
Figure 1 illustrates a known type of bush 1 comprising a tubular bearing 2 and a sleeve 3 arranged coaxially such that the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 are free to rotate relative to one another about their longitudinal axis. The bearing 2 and sleeve 3 are prevented from separating along the longitudinal axis by a radially-extending flange 6 and a washer 7 provided at opposite ends of the bearing 2.
The sleeve 3 consists of an elastomer 4 sandwiched between two layers 5 of a rigid material. The elastomer 4 serves to absorb radial displacement of the bearing 2 relative to the sleeve 3. As a result, the bush 1 is able to dampen vibrations as well as compensate for minor misalignments between the objects to be mounted.
As the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 are free to rotate relative to one another, the bush of Figure 1 has a significant advantage over conventional damping bushes, in which the bearing and sleeve are secured to one another by an interposing elastomer. Consider, for example, a stationary object mounted onto a rotating axle using a conventional damping bush. Friction between the rotating axle and the bearing creates shearing forces between the bearing and sleeve, causing the elastomer to degrade and eventually shear. With the bush 1 of Figure 1 , however, rotation of the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 is decoupled and consequently rotational shearing forces acting on the elastomer 4 are greatly reduced.
A problem with the bush of Figure 1 is that the flange 6 and washer 7 provided at opposite ends of the bearing 2, which are required to prevent the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 from separating, complicate the manufacture and assembly of the bush 1. In particular, the washer 7 must be secured to the bearing 2 by press fitting or welding after the sleeve 3 has been fitted. Additionally, although the flange 6 and washer 7 resist displacement of the bearing 2 relative to the sleeve 3 along the longitudinal axis, the resulting axial displacement exerts shearing forces upon the elastomer 4. As a result, the elastomer 4 is susceptible to longitudinal shearing with repeated and/or excessive axial displacement.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bush that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bush that is more effective at absorbing axial forces.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
By compressing the resilient member whenever the bearing and sleeve are displaced longitudinally, the bush is able to effectively absorb and dampen axial forces exerted upon the bush. Additionally, the co-operating surfaces of the resilient member and the bearing and/or sleeve prevent the bearing and sleeve from separating along the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the bush does not require the provision of flanges or washers at the ends of the bush and therefore the manufacture and assembly of the bush may be simplified.
Compression of the resilient member preferably occurs in at least a direction normal to the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the surfaces of the resilient member, bearing and/or sleeve preferably co¬ operate such that compression of the resilient member increases as the bearing is further displaced relative to the sleeve. As a result, the bush is well-equipped at absorbing excessive axial forces.
The surfaces of the resilient member, bearing and/or sleeve preferably co-operate such that the bearing is able to rotate relative to the sleeve about the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the bush is able to accommodate not only axial and radial forces but also rotational forces acting upon the bush.
The surface of only one of the bearing and sleeve may be convex or concave, with the resilient member secured to the other so as to prevent the bearing and sleeve from separating. Alternatively, the surfaces of both the bearing and sleeve may be convex or concave. In this case, the surfaces of the resilient member adjacent the bearing and the sleeve are concave or convex.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the surfaces of the resilient member, the bearing and/or sleeve have non-spherical radii of curvature, i.e. the bearing is not a spherical bearing.
The resilient member preferably includes a layer of elastomeric material, such as rubber. A layer of harder material may be provided over one or more surfaces of the elastomeric material, which protect the elastomeric material from frictional wear as the resilient member moves relative to the bearing and/or sleeve, e.g. due to axial or rotational movement of the bearing relative to the sleeve. A lubricant or self-lubricating liner may additionally be provided between the resilient member and the bearing and/or sleeve to reduce friction.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve include one or more protrusions and recesses, and the protrusions and recesses of the resilient member co-operate with those of the at least one bearing and sleeve such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
A method of manufacturing a bush comprising the steps of: providing a tubular bearing; surrounding the bearing with a sleeve; and providing a resilient member between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
Although the resilient member is described herein as being disposed between the bearing and sleeve, it is to be understood that the resilient member need not be immediately adjacent either the bearing or sleeve. Instead, one or more elements, such as a lubricating liner, may be disposed between the resilient member and the bearing and sleeve.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a prior art bush;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bush in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bush in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
The bush 10 of Figure 2 comprises a tubular bearing 11 , a sleeve 12 arranged about the bearing 11 , and a resilient member 13 disposed between the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12. The innermost surface 14 of the bearing 11 defines a bore 16 through the centre of the bearing 10 for receiving a shaft, axle or the like. The bore 16 preferably has a circular cross-section of substantially uniform diameter along its length. Nevertheless, alternative designs of bore 16 may be employed. This is particularly true since, as is discussed below, the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are preferably arranged so as to rotate freely with respect to one another. Consequently, the shaft or axle received by the bearing 11 need not necessarily rotate within the bore 16.
The resilient member 13 is secured to the sleeve 12 such that the bearing 11 is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve 12 and resilient member 13. As a result, the bush 10 is able to accommodate rotational forces acting upon bush 10. As discussed above in regard to the prior-art bush 1 of Figure 1 , this has the advantage that rotational shearing forces acting upon the resilient member 13 are substantially reduced.
A lubricant or self-lubricating liner 19 may be disposed between the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 to reduce friction.
The resilient member 13 preferably extends completely around the bearing 11 to form a longitudinally-extending tube or collar between the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12. Alternatively, the resilient member 13 may be formed as a plurality of resilient elements (not shown), each element being secured at different points around the surface of the sleeve 12. The resilient member 13 comprises a first layer 17 of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, attached to a second layer 18 of a different material. The first layer 17 is secured to the sleeve 12 of the bush 10 such that the second layer 18 is adjacent the bearing 11. The second layer 18 is intended to prevent wear of the first layer 17 against the bearing 11 when the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 move relative to one another. Consequently, the second layer 18 is preferably of a material having a relatively high hardness and the surface of the second layer 18 adjacent the bearing 11 is preferably smooth. The second layer 18, however, is not essential and may be omitted from the resilient member 13, particularly when the bush 10 is intended to be used in applications for which relative motion of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 is minimal.
Although the resilience of the resilient member 13 is preferably provided by a layer of elastomeric material, alternative means, such as a sealed fluid, may be used.
The outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex such that the shape of the bearing 11 resembles that of a barrel. The surface 20 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the bearing 11 mirrors that of the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 and is concave. As a result, the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 co-operate to form a longitudinal interlock.
The interlock formed between the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 prevents the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 from separating. Nevertheless, movement of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 along the longitudinal axis is permitted. As the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis, the resilient member 13 is compressed. Additionally, as the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are further displaced relative to one another, compression of the resilient member 13 increases making it progressively more difficult to displace the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12.
With the prior-art bush 1 of Figure 1 , the elastomer 4 fails to compress when the bearing 2 and sleeve 3 move relative to one another along the longitudinal axis. As a result, the bush 1 is ill- equipped at absorbing axial forces and the elastomeric member 4 is found to shear with repeated and/or excessive axial displacement of the bearing 2 and sleeve 3. With the bush 10 of the present invention, on the other hand, the resilient member 13 is compressed upon axial displacement of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12. Moreover, as the axial displacement increases, the resistance to further axial displacement by the resilient member 13 increases. Accordingly, the bush 10 is well-equipped at absorbing axial forces and to resist excessive axial forces which would otherwise shear the elastomer 4 of the prior-art bush 1.
The bush 10 of the present invention is also capable of absorbing and applying a restorative force to cardanic forces which act upon the bush 10. Any cardanic force will cause the resilient member 13 to compress in at least a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the bush 10. Consequently, when the cardanic force is removed, the compressed resilient member 13 will act to restore the bush 10 to its former shape and position. In the embodiment described above and illustrated in Figure 2, the shape of the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex and the shape of the adjacent surface 20 of the resilient member 13 is concave. However, it will be appreciated that the same technical effect of providing a longitudinal interlock is provided if the shapes of these surfaces are reversed, i.e. such that the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is concave-shaped and the adjacent surface 20 of the resilient member 13 is convex-shaped. Moreover, the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and the resilient member 13 may include any number of protrusions and recesses so as to form a longitudinal interlock. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the bearing 11 include a single protrusions in the form of a radially- projecting ring 22 formed halfway along the length of the bearing 11 , and the resilient member 13 include a corresponding groove 23 for receiving the ring 22. Any protrusions and recesses formed in the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 are preferably smoothly varying such that no sharp corners are formed in the surface 20 of the resilient member 13. As a result, forces exerted on the resilient member 13 are more evenly distributed.
With the bush 10 of Figure 2, whenever the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are moved relative to one another along the longitudinal axis, the resilient member 13 is compressed in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis. Nevertheless, the protrusions and recesses formed in the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 may be configured such that compression of the resilient member 13 occurs along a different or additional direction. For example, when the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 of Figure 3 are displaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis, the resilient member 13 is compressed in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the convex surface 15 of the bearing 11 may be regarded as a single protrusion extending around the full radius and along the full length of the bearing 11. Similarly, the concave surface 20 of the resilient member 13 may be regarded as a single recess, extending around the full radius and along the full length of the resilient member 13. Whilst the protrusions and recesses formed on or in the surfaces 15,20 of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13 are preferably annular (i.e. extending completely around the surface), the protrusions and recesses may alternatively be formed around only part of the bearing 11 and resilient member 13. However, in order for the bearing 11 to rotate relative to the sleeve 12, at least the recess of each pair of mating protrusions and recesses must be annular. For example, the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 may include a single protrusion in the form of a pin. An annular groove capable of receiving the pin would then need to be formed in the surface 20 of the resilient member 13 so as to ensure that the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 can rotate relative to one another.
The degree of resistance offered by the resilient member 13 to longitudinal displacement of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 will depend upon several factors, including the thickness and material used for the layer 17 of elastomeric material, as well as the shape and dimensions of the protrusions and recesses. For example, if the resilient member 13 has a single recess, the degree of resistance to axial forces for a shallow recess will be less than that for a deeper recess.
In the embodiments of the bush 10 described thus far, the resilient member 13 is secured only to the sleeve 12 such that bearing 11 is free to rotate relative to the sleeve 12 and resilient member 13. It will be appreciated, however, that the same result is achieved by alternatively securing the resilient member 13 to the bearing 11 rather than the sleeve 12. In this alternative embodiment, the protrusions and recesses are formed on the surface 21 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the sleeve 12, and on the surface of the sleeve 12 adjacent the resilient member 4; no protrusions or recesses are formed on the bearing 11.
As a further alternative, the resilient member 13 need not be secured to either the bearing 11 or the sleeve 12. In order to prevent the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 from separating along the longitudinal axis, the surfaces 20,21 of the resilient member 13 adjacent both the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 would have one or more protrusions and recesses. Additionally, the surfaces of both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12 adjacent the resilient member 13 would include one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses. Consequently, the resilient member 13 forms an interlock with both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12, thereby preventing the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 from separating. The protrusions and recesses in the bearing 11 , sleeve 12 and resilient member 13 may be configured such that the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are able to rotate independently of each other and the resilient member 13. The resilient member 13, particularly in the embodiment described above in which the resilient member 13 is secured to neither the bearing 11 nor the sleeve 12, may include a further layer of hard material such that the layer of elastomeric material is sandwiched between two layers of hard material.
In the embodiments described above, the resilient member 13 is at the very most secured to only one of the bearing 11 or the sleeve 12 such that rotation of the bearing 11 is decoupled from the sleeve 12. In a further alternative embodiment, the resilient member 13 may be secured to both the bearing 11 and the sleeve 12 such that the bush 10 resembles that of a conventional damping bush. Although the bush 10 would no longer be capable of decoupling rotation of the bearing 11 and sleeve 12, the bush 10 would nevertheless offer a significant advantage over that of a conventional damping bush. Owing to the presence of the protrusions and recesses in the mating surfaces of the resilient member 13, the bearing 11 and/or sleeve 12, the resilient member 13 continues to be compressed whenever the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 are displaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the bush 10 of the present invention is better equipped at absorbing and damping axial forces than a conventional damping bush. With a conventional damping bush, the rubber element between the bearing and sleeve is not compressed when the two are displaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis. As a result, conventional damping bushes suffer from the same problems as that identified above for the bush 1 of Figure 1 when subjected to axial forces. With this particular embodiment of the present invention, rotation of the bearing 11 relative to the sleeve 12 is no longer possible and consequently there is no need for the protrusions and/or recesses to be annular.
A method of manufacturing the bush 10 of Figure 2 will now be described. The bush 10 is manufactured by first providing the bearing 11 , which is machined such that the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11 is convex. The resilient member 13 is then formed by bonding a layer of an elastomeric material 17 over the outer surface of a cylindrical tube 18, the tube being deformable. The resilient member 13 is then placed around the bearing 11 and the assembly is compressed radially by swaging. The cylindrical tube 18 is deformed by the compression such that, when the compression is released, the surface 20 of the resilient member 13 adjacent the bearing 11 is concave and co-operates with the outermost surface 15 of the bearing 11. The exposed, barrel-like convex surface 21 of the layer of elastomeric material 17 is then machined to be substantially cylindrical. The sleeve 12 is then placed over and secured to the resilient member 13, e.g. by press fitting or adhesive.
When the resilient member 13 comprises only the layer of elastomeric material 17, the cylindrical tube 18 is omitted from the manufacturing process described above. The resilient member 13 may then be formed by moulding the elastomeric material 17 around the bearing 11 in-situ. Similarly, when both the bearing 11 and sleeve 12 include protrusions and/or recesses, the bush 10 may be manufactured by placing the sleeve 12 around the bearing 11 and moulding the elastomeric material between the bearing 11 and sleeve 12.
It will, of course, be appreciated that other methods conventionally employed in bush manufacture may alternatively or additionally be used in the manufacture of the present invention, and that the process described above is provided by way of example only.
With the bush of the present invention, axial forces are absorbed and dampened more effectively than is possible with known bushes. Additionally, by having co-operable protrusions and recesses in the resilient member, the bearing and/or sleeve, the bush is able to accommodate axial, radial, cardanic and rotational forces without the need for flanges and washers to be provided at the ends of the bush. Consequently, the manufacture and assembly of the bush may be simplified.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms
"comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein the bearing and sleeve are free to rotate relative to one another, a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex along the full length of the resilient member and has a non- spherical radius of curvature, and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
2. A bush as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the bearing adjacent the resilient member is convex along the full length of bearing.
3. A bush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the surface of the bearing adjacent the resilient member is barrel-shaped.
4. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient member is compressed in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction.
5. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces of the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve co-operate such that the resilient member is increasingly compressed as displacement of the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction is increased.
6. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces of the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve co-operate so as to permit rotation of the bearing relative to the sleeve.
7. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of only one of the bearing and sleeve is convex or concave and the resilient member is secured to the other of the bearing and sleeve.
8. A bush as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein surfaces of the resilient member adjacent both the bearing and the sleeve are concave or convex and surfaces of the bearing and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member are conversely convex or concave.
9. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient member includes a layer of elastomeric material.
10. A bush as claimed in claim 9, wherein the resilient member further includes one or more layers of a material having a hardness greater than that of the elastomeric material, the layers of harder material being disposed over surfaces of the elastomeric material.
11. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lubricant provided between the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve.
12. A method of manufacturing a bush comprising the steps of: providing a tubular bearing; surrounding the bearing with a sleeve; and providing a resilient member between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein the bearing and sleeve are free to rotate relative to one another, a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex along the full length of the resilient member and has a non-spherical radius of curvature, and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the resilient member comprises an elastomeric material bonded to a tube.
14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the surface of the bearing is convex or concave and the step of providing a resilient member includes bonding the elastomeric material to the tube, placing the tube around the bearing, and compressing the bearing and tube to deform the tube such that the surface of the tube adjacent the bearing is conversely concave or convex.
15. A method as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the step of providing a resilient member further includes machining an exposed surface of the elastomeric material to form a substantially cylindrical surface.
16. A method as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein the step of surrounding the bearing with a sleeve comprises placing the sleeve over the elastomeric material.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the sleeve is placed over the elastomeric material by press-fitting.
18. A bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
19. A bush as claimed in claim 18, wherein the resilient member is compressed in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction.
20. A bush as claimed in either claim 18 or 19, wherein the surfaces of the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve co-operate such that the resilient member is increasingly compressed as displacement of the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction is increased.
21. A bush as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the surfaces of the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve co-operate so as to permit rotation of the bearing relative to the sleeve.
22. A bush as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 21 , wherein the surfaces of the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve have non-spherical radii of curvature.
23. A bush as claimed in any one Claims 18 to 22, wherein a surface of only one of the bearing and sleeve is convex or concave and the resilient member is secured to the other of the bearing and sleeve.
24. A bush as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein surfaces of the resilient member adjacent both the bearing and the sleeve are concave or convex and surfaces of the bearing and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member are conversely convex or concave.
25. A bush as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 24, wherein the resilient member includes a layer of elastomeric material.
26. A bush as claimed in claim 25, wherein the resilient member further includes one or more layers of a material having a hardness greater than that of the elastomeric material, the layers of harder material being disposed over surfaces of the elastomeric material.
27. A bush as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 26, further comprising a lubricant provided between the resilient member and the at least one bearing and sleeve.
28. A bush comprising a tubular bearing, a sleeve surrounding the bearing, and a resilient member disposed between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve include one or more protrusions and recesses, and the protrusions and recesses of the resilient member co-operate with those of the at least one bearing and sleeve such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
29. A method of manufacturing a bush comprising the steps of: providing a tubular bearing; surrounding the bearing with a sleeve; and providing a resilient member between the bearing and the sleeve, wherein a surface of the resilient member is concave or convex and a surface of at least one of the bearing and sleeve is conversely convex or concave and co-operates with the surface of the resilient member such that the resilient member is compressed upon displacing the bearing relative to the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
PCT/IB2005/002257 2004-08-12 2005-05-24 A bush WO2006018684A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05760544A EP1776533A1 (en) 2004-08-12 2005-05-24 A bush

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0417996.6 2004-08-12
GB0417996A GB2417054B (en) 2004-08-12 2004-08-12 A resilient bush

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006018684A1 true WO2006018684A1 (en) 2006-02-23

Family

ID=33017401

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2005/002257 WO2006018684A1 (en) 2004-08-12 2005-05-24 A bush

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1776533A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2417054B (en)
WO (1) WO2006018684A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8979376B2 (en) 2007-04-04 2015-03-17 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Spherical plain bearing
US9022656B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2015-05-05 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Vibration-damping plain bearing composite and plain bearing bushing and plain bearing assembly
CN105392644A (en) * 2013-07-24 2016-03-09 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Compression-limiting ring link assembly
US11794828B2 (en) 2020-06-30 2023-10-24 Soucy International Inc. Pivot assembly for a ground-contacting wheel assembly

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008043097A2 (en) 2006-10-06 2008-04-10 Lord Corporation Vehicle with elastomeric bearing suspension system and elastomeric bearing therefor
JP2009196505A (en) * 2008-02-21 2009-09-03 Nhk Spring Co Ltd Vehicle stabilizer
WO2009125238A1 (en) 2008-04-07 2009-10-15 Kongsberg Automotive As Reaction rod arrangement
CN107061582A (en) * 2016-10-21 2017-08-18 南漳富元鼎航空器材配件有限公司 A kind of vehicle shock absorber bushing
US10604244B2 (en) * 2017-11-16 2020-03-31 Aktiebolaget Skf Combination elastomeric and ellipsoidal plain bearing
US10371200B2 (en) * 2017-12-06 2019-08-06 Aktiebolaget Skf Combination elastomeric and cylindrical plain bearing

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB637901A (en) * 1948-03-23 1950-05-31 Silentbloc Improvements in or relating to self-aligning joints or bearings
GB1016060A (en) * 1963-10-09 1966-01-05 Metalastik Ltd Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of flexible joints or bearings
GB1020799A (en) * 1963-05-10 1966-02-23 Riv Officine Di Villar Perosa Resilient joint for interconnecting machine parts generally
DE3613123A1 (en) * 1986-04-18 1987-10-29 Lemfoerder Metallwaren Ag Elastic pivot-slide bearing for chassis parts in motor vehicles
EP0400198A1 (en) * 1989-06-02 1990-12-05 Friedrich Maurer Söhne GmbH & Co. KG Device for resiliently clamping supporting beams in a roadway bridging construction
WO1994013967A1 (en) * 1992-12-16 1994-06-23 TAYLOR, Norma, Elsie A bush assembly
DE4428870C1 (en) * 1994-07-06 1995-11-30 Bruno Huesch & Co Kg Long life, self-lubricating, rubber bushed link bearing
DE19623612A1 (en) * 1995-06-13 1996-12-19 Btr Antivibration Syst Inc Slide bush construction
FR2764242A1 (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-12-11 Allevard Ressorts Automobile Locking of vehicle anti-roll bar bearings
DE20015921U1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2001-03-08 Trelleborg Gmbh Joint bushing
EP1132642A2 (en) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-12 ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG Rubber support

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0306027A2 (en) * 1987-09-04 1989-03-08 Barry Wright Corporation Laminated bearing
US5143547A (en) * 1991-08-26 1992-09-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Specific dye set for thermal ink-jet printing on plain and coated papers
CA2108983A1 (en) * 1992-11-10 1994-05-11 Robert L. Carper Bushing for an automobile suspension system
DE10204975B4 (en) * 2001-02-12 2006-05-11 The Pullman Co., Milan swivel

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB637901A (en) * 1948-03-23 1950-05-31 Silentbloc Improvements in or relating to self-aligning joints or bearings
GB1020799A (en) * 1963-05-10 1966-02-23 Riv Officine Di Villar Perosa Resilient joint for interconnecting machine parts generally
GB1016060A (en) * 1963-10-09 1966-01-05 Metalastik Ltd Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of flexible joints or bearings
DE3613123A1 (en) * 1986-04-18 1987-10-29 Lemfoerder Metallwaren Ag Elastic pivot-slide bearing for chassis parts in motor vehicles
EP0400198A1 (en) * 1989-06-02 1990-12-05 Friedrich Maurer Söhne GmbH & Co. KG Device for resiliently clamping supporting beams in a roadway bridging construction
WO1994013967A1 (en) * 1992-12-16 1994-06-23 TAYLOR, Norma, Elsie A bush assembly
DE4428870C1 (en) * 1994-07-06 1995-11-30 Bruno Huesch & Co Kg Long life, self-lubricating, rubber bushed link bearing
DE19623612A1 (en) * 1995-06-13 1996-12-19 Btr Antivibration Syst Inc Slide bush construction
FR2764242A1 (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-12-11 Allevard Ressorts Automobile Locking of vehicle anti-roll bar bearings
EP1132642A2 (en) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-12 ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG Rubber support
DE20015921U1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2001-03-08 Trelleborg Gmbh Joint bushing

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8979376B2 (en) 2007-04-04 2015-03-17 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Spherical plain bearing
US9022656B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2015-05-05 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Vibration-damping plain bearing composite and plain bearing bushing and plain bearing assembly
CN105392644A (en) * 2013-07-24 2016-03-09 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Compression-limiting ring link assembly
US10054179B2 (en) 2013-07-24 2018-08-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Compression-limiting ring link assembly
US11794828B2 (en) 2020-06-30 2023-10-24 Soucy International Inc. Pivot assembly for a ground-contacting wheel assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0417996D0 (en) 2004-09-15
GB2417054A (en) 2006-02-15
GB2417054B (en) 2006-06-28
EP1776533A1 (en) 2007-04-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2006018684A1 (en) A bush
EP1645760B1 (en) A bearing assembly
EP1548303B1 (en) Sliding bearing
US5540420A (en) Method of making a bearing structure and bearing so made
EP3404275B1 (en) Slide bearing
KR101134667B1 (en) Thrust slide bearing
US5257680A (en) Surface effect dampers having both hysteresis and a frictional component
US7993061B2 (en) Sliding bearing
EP1469212B1 (en) Thrust sliding bearing
KR101364251B1 (en) Thrust sliding bearing and combination mechanism of the thrust sliding bearing and a piston rod
US8801318B2 (en) Joint
EP3495676B1 (en) Combination elastomeric and cylindrical plain bearing
RU2428600C2 (en) Damper
CA2309570C (en) Compliant pivot socket for automotive steering
EP3486511B1 (en) Combination elastomeric and ellipsoidal plain bearing
US8851755B2 (en) Self-aligning track roller bearing
US20030057622A1 (en) Slipper bushing
EP3214324B1 (en) Synthetic resin sliding bearing
EP3372857B1 (en) Synthetic resin slide bearing
JP2001099218A (en) Strut mount
EP2708387B1 (en) Bearing
GB1586057A (en) Resilient mountings
JP7111745B2 (en) sliding bearing
JP3632262B2 (en) Thrust roller bearing
JPS62278331A (en) Bush assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2005760544

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2005760544

Country of ref document: EP