WO2006091632A2

WO2006091632A2 - Vehicle body mount

Info

Publication number: WO2006091632A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/006192
Authority: WO
Inventors: T. Brian Browning; Neil J. Oberley
Original assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-02-23
Filing date: 2006-02-23
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Also published as: WO2006091632A3

Abstract

A body mount mounts an associated vehicle body to an associated frame via a threaded fastener. The body mount includes a first or upper cushion assembly that receives a threaded fastener therethrough. A cushion member thereof is received around a first staker and includes a non-circular extension dimensioned for receipt through a similarly shaped opening in the frame. This prevents relative rotation between the upper cushion assembly and the frame. A second or lower cushion assembly includes a second staker having a threaded opening that threadably cooperates with a fastener. A lower cushion member is received around the second staker and includes a non-circular cavity dimensioned to receive the extension of the first assembly cushion member. A retainer is operatively received over the second staker and includes a radial shoulder for retaining the first or upper cushion assembly and the second or lower cushion assembly in operative engagement on opposite faces of the frame.

Description

VEHICLE BODY MOUNT Background of the Invention

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application

60/655,691 , filed February 23, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to a vehicle body mount disposed between a vehicle body and support member, or frame, that cushions or damps vibration characteristics otherwise transferred between the body and frame. More particularly, the invention is directed to a body mount that may be hand assembled to the vehicle and permitting the body mount to stay securely together during further processing, and that allows torque to be applied to the body mount upon final installation in the vehicle without using inner metal shapes for contact.

[0003] Vehicles are typically equipped with a body mount that is used to isolate the transmission of vibrations and impact energy from the vehicle body and frame. Thus, the body mount is positioned between the vehicle body and frame and provides vibration damping characteristics or cushioning. It is common to have a first or upper cushion mount assembly disposed on one side of a support member, or vehicle frame, and a second or lower cushion assembly attached to the other side of the support member. A fastener typically extends lengthwise through the cushion assemblies and through a circular opening in the support body or frame. The fastener secures the upper and lower cushion assemblies into engagement with the frame so that the elastomeric material in the cushions can handle the vibration damping and energy isolating functions.

[0004] Commonly owned U.S. Patent Nos. 6,030,016; 6,502,883; and

6,435,489 are generally representative of related body mount assemblies. Because the upper and lower assemblies are attached to either side of the frame, it is deemed desirable to preliminarily mount the components to the frame and be sure that the separate components maintain the temporary mounting arrangement until securely fastened at a later stage in the vehicle assembly process. In addition, the elongated fastener used to interconnect the upper and lower cushion assembly to the frame exerts a torque that otherwise rotates the assemblies relative to the frame. As will be appreciated, in some instances this is undesirable and it becomes necessary to otherwise prevent rotation relative to the frame and between each of the upper and lower cushioning members.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] A body mount is provided and adapted to mount an associated vehicle body to an associated support member via an associated threaded fastener. The body mount includes a first assembly having a rigid first member with a through opening dimensioned to freely receive the threaded fastener. A cushion member is received around the first member and includes a non-circular extension dimensioned for receipt through and corresponding to the shape of a non-circular opening in the support member. This prevents relative rotation between the upper assembly and the associated support member. A second assembly includes a second member having a threaded opening that receives the fastener. A cushion member is received around the second member and includes a non-circular cavity dimensioned to receive the non-circular extension of the first assembly cushion member. A retainer interconnects the first and second members.

[0006] The cushion member of the second assembly may include an insert that is fusion bonded to a second assembly cushion member.

[0007] The insert includes a non-circular opening that receives a portion of the cushion member in the non-circular cavity.

[0008] Axially spaced shoulders at opposite ends of the second member engage and limit relative axial movement of the retainer relative to the second member.

[0009] The retainer is axially split to permit advancement and radial expansion over the second shoulder of the second member.

[0010] One benefit of the invention is the ability to pre-assemble the body mount to the frame by hand.

[0011] Another benefit of the invention resides in the ability to resist relative rotation between each of the cushion members and the frame.

[0012] Still another advantage of the invention resides in the ease of assembly, reduced costs to manufacture, and the ability to easily conform the components to alternative materials or configurations. [0013] Still other features and benefits of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the body mount.

[0015] FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body mount of

FIGURE 1 with the fastener shown in a detached state.

[0016] FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the first and second assemblies in exploded view on opposite sides of the support member or frame.

[0017] FIGURES 4A - 4B are various views of the first member or staker in the upper cushioning assembly.

[0018] FIGURES 5A - 5C are various views of the upper rubber cushion.

[0019] FIGURES 6A - 6C are various views of the insert molded into the upper cushion shown in FIGURES 5A through 5C.

[0020] FIGURES 7A - 7D are various view of the second member or staker in the second or lower cushion assembly.

[0021] FIGURES 8A - 8D are various views of the lower rubber cushion member.

[0022] FIGURES 9A - 9B are elevational and plan views of a molded insert used in the lower cushion assembly.

[0023] FIGURES 10A - 10C are various views of a retainer.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0024] Turning first to FIGURE 1 , a mounting fixture 20 is shown that mounts a vehicle body (not shown) to a support member or vehicle frame 22. The mounting fixture includes a first or upper cushion assembly 24 and a second or lower cushion assembly 26. As will be appreciated, the upper and lower cushion assemblies are generally disposed on opposite faces 22a, 22b of the support member or frame. It will be appreciated that the connotation as "upper" and "lower" does not necessarily correspond to upper and lower portions of the assembly as shown in the FIGURES. [0025] With continued reference to FIGURE 1 , and additional reference to

FIGURES 2 and 3, a preferred structural arrangement of the mounting fixture will be described in greater detail. The first or upper cushion member assembly 24 includes a rigid first member or staker 30 having an elongated circular opening 32. A first end includes a radially outward extending flange 34 and a second end includes a radially inward extending shoulder 36. Greater details of the upper staker are shown in FIGURES 4A-4D.

[0026] The staker cooperates with a first or upper cushion member 40, more particularly shown in FIGURES 5A-5C. A major portion of the composite cushion member is a molded elastomer or rubber 42 that dampens vibration and isolates energy transfer in a manner well known in the art. A first end 44 of the rubber abuttingly engages flange 34, while a second end 46 abuts against surface 22a of the frame. A non-circular extension 50 extends through non-circular opening 22c of the frame. Because the extension 50 is exposed to external forces, the extension is reinforced by a generally rigid insert 60 (FIGURES 6A-6C). The insert 60 includes a flange portion 62 at one end and an extension portion 64 at the other end. As will be appreciated, preferably the extension 64 of the insert also has a non-circular cross- section (FIGURE 6A) to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the extension portion 50 of the cushion member that extends through the non-circular opening of the frame.

[0027] Turning now to the second cushion assembly or lower cushion assembly 70, details of a second member or lower staker 72 are particularly shown in FIGURES 7A-7D, in addition to that shown in FIGURE 2. The staker 72 includes a flange 74 adjacent a first end and a radially outwardly extending shoulder 76 at a second end. A central opening is internally threaded as denoted by reference numeral 78. The threaded opening is adapted to cooperate with externally threaded fastener 80 (FIGURE 2) which is inserted through the staker of the first or upper cushion assembly and is sufficiently elongated as to threadably engage the internal threads of the second staker. It is common to join the staker to the second or lower cushion member 90 (FIGURES 8A-8B). The cushion member includes a first slightly enlarged end 92 that receives the flange 74 of the staker in a second end 94 that may also include a rubber molded insert 100 (FIGURES 9A and 9B). The external conformation of elastomer or rubber cushion 90, and the nylon insert 100 is circular, while the inner surface of each forms a cavity 104 having a non-circular conformation closely dimensioned to receive the extension 50 of the first cushion assembly. In this manner, the second cushion assembly does not rotate relative to the first cushion assembly, and likewise does not rotate relative to the frame. [0028] To provide a pre-mounting of the body mount to the frame, retainer 110

(FIGURES 10A-10C) cooperates with the first and second cushion assemblies. More particularly, the retainer 110 is a split structure as referenced in FIGURES 10A and 10B by reference numeral 112. A first end 114 abuttingly engages the radially outwardly extending shoulder 76 of the second staker. A second end 116 abuts against the flange 74. Thus, the retainer is actively constrained between the shoulder 76 and flange 74 of the second staker and may be mounted by inserting the polyethylene or polypropylene retainer over the shoulder 76 and axially advance the retainer toward the flange 74. The polymer material, and split construction of the retainer, allows the retainer to expand over the shoulder and snap-fit into assembled relation as shown in FIGURE 2. The retainer includes a locking member or shoulder 118 that engages the radially inwardly extending shoulder 36 of the first staker. This arrangement provides the temporary mounting or pre-mounting of the first and second cushion members to opposite sides of the frame. This pre-mount arrangement is sufficient to secure the individual components to the frame while other processing is done in the assembly line of the vehicle. Subsequently, fastener 80 (FIGURE 2) is inserted into the through opening of the first staker and threadably engages the internal threads of the second staker. This draws the first and second cushion assemblies toward one another, and likewise against the body frame, in a manner that advantageously uses the elastomeric properties of the cushion assemblies to damp vibrations and isolate energy transfer between the body and frame.

[0029] In summary, the present invention provides a mounting fixture for mounting a vehicle body to a support member or vehicle frame. The mounting fixture includes upper and lower cushion assemblies attached to either side of a non- circular opening in the frame. Each of the upper and lower cushion assemblies includes a circular member or staker. The lower or second member acts as a nut and contains threads to accept a fastener or bolt for mounting purposes. The second member also has a retainer or retaining lip to allow the upper and lower assemblies to lock together. The upper or first member allows the bolt to pass through the inside diameter thereof to thread into the lower assembly and is also provided a ledge surface or shoulder so the retainer that is attached to the lower assembly will lock to the upper assembly when engaged. Upper and lower cushion members are positioned over the upper and lower circular members between the flanges and the frame member to provide a cushion between the frame and the vehicle body. The upper cushioning member includes a non-circular extension corresponding to the shape of the aperture or opening in the vehicle frame whereby relative rotation between the upper cushioning member and vehicle frame is prevented. The lower cushioning member with an attached lower member support has a corresponding shaped cavity to the upper non-circular extension that corresponds to the frame whereby relative motion of the lower cushion assembly relative to the frame is also prevented. In this manner, the upper cushion engages into the lower cushion assembly and allows the required torque to be applied and installed into the vehicle without using the inner metal shapes thereof for contact. This allows for hand assembly and the required retention to the vehicle to allow the body mount assembly to stay firmly together on the frame during further processing. [0030] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention is intended that the invention instead be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

1. A body mount adapted to mount an associated vehicle body to an associated support member via an associated threaded fastener through a non- circular opening in the associated support member, the body mount comprising:

^ a first cushion assembly including a rigid first member having a through opening dimensioned to freely receive the associated threaded fastener there, and a flange adjacent a first end and a radially extending shoulder adjacent a second end, and a cushion member received around the first member and including a non-circular extension dimensioned for receipt through and corresponding to the shape of the non-circular opening in the associated support member such that relative rotation between the first cushion assembly and the associated support member is prevented; and a second cushion assembly including a rigid second member having a threaded opening dimensioned to receive the associated threaded fastener, and a radially extending shoulder at a first end, a cushion member received around the second member and engaging the shoulder at a first end, and including a non-circular cavity dimensioned to receive the non-circular extension of the first cushion assembly cushion member, and a retainer operatively received over the second member and including a radial shoulder that operatively engages the shoulder of the first member for retaining the first cushion assembly and second cushion assembly in operative engagement on opposite faces of the associated support member.

2. The body mount of claim 1 wherein the cushion member of the second cushion assembly includes an. insert formed from a material more rigid than the second cushion member.

3. The body mount of claim 2 wherein the insert is fusion bonded to the second cushion member.

4. The body mount of claim 2 wherein the insert includes a non-circular opening that forms a portion of the second cushion member non-circular cavity.

5. The body mount of claim 1 wherein the second member includes a second radial shoulder at a second end that engages the retainer and limits relative axial movement therebetween.

6. The body mount of claim 5 wherein the retainer is axially split to permit axial advancement and radial expansion over the second shoulder of the second member.

7. The body mount of claim 1 further comprising a rigid insert received in the non-circular extension of the first cushion member.

8. The body mount of claim 1 wherein the cushion members are formed at least in part of an elastomeric material.

9. The body mount of claim 1 wherein the retainer is axially split and formed at least in part of a polymeric material.