Bushing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bushing, preferably a hydraulic bushing, having an inner part, an outer part, at least one supporting spring which connects the inner part and the outer part radially to one another, and at least one stop element which is arranged between the inner part and the outer part, is connected to the inner part or the outer part, and is embodied in such a way that the stop element can limit the radial spring travel (D) between the inner part and the outer part in a predetermined fashion. The bushing is characterized in that the stop element is elastically connected to the inner part or to the outer part in such a way that the stop element can be elastically twisted relative to the inner part or relative to the outer part.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A bushing comprising: an inner part; an outer part; a supporting spring radially connecting said inner part and said outer part to each other; a stop element arranged between said inner part and said outer part; said stop element being connected to said inner part or to said outer part and being configured so as to cause said stop element to limit the radial spring travel (D) between said inner part and said outer part in a predetermined manner; and, said stop element being elastically connected to one of said parts so as to permit said stop element to elastically twist relative to the other one of said parts.

16. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element is connected to said inner part or to said outer part via an elastic connecting layer at least in sections over a surface.

17. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element is connected to said inner part or to said outer part via an elastic connecting layer over an entire surface.

18. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element has, at least in sections, an elastic outer layer which is oriented radially in the direction of the spring travel (D).

19. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element has, over the entire surface, an elastic layer which is oriented radially in the direction of the spring travel (D).

20. The bushing of claim 17, wherein said elastic outer layer has structuring configured to deform elastically on contact.

21. The bushing of claim 17, wherein said elastic layer has structuring in the form of radial projections and is configured to deform elastically on contact.

22. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element is formed substantially in the direction of said spring travel (D), and forms two stop regions which lie diametrically opposite one another.

23. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element is made narrower substantially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of the spring travel (D).

24. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said inner part and said stop element are made of different materials.

25. The bushing of claim 24, wherein said inner part is made of steel or aluminum and said stop element is made of plastic.

26. The bushing of claim 15, wherein the stop element has at least one passage which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (X).

27. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said stop element has several passages which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction (X).

28. The bushing of claim 25, wherein at least one passage is arranged in a first stop region and at least one passage is arranged in a second stop region.

29. The bushing of claim 15, wherein at least one first chamber and one second chamber are embodied between said inner part and said outer part; and, the two chambers are connected to one another in a media-conducting manner.

30. The bushing of claim 29, wherein said two chambers are filled with a fluid.

31. A chassis or assembly having at least one bushing as claimed in claim 15.

32. A vehicle having a chassis and/or an assembly as claimed in claim 31.

33. The bushing of claim 15, wherein said bushing is a hydraulic bushing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal section through a bushing according to the invention from the side; and,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a cross section A through a bushing according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0035] A bushing 1 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the Cartesian coordinates of a longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as an axial direction X, a transverse direction Y, and a vertical direction Z. The transverse direction Y can also be referred to as a width Y, and the vertical direction Z can also be referred to as a height Z. The bushing 1 has a longitudinal axis L, with respect to which a radial direction R is oriented perpendicularly. A circumferential direction U runs around the longitudinal axis L.

[0036] The bushing 1 has an inner part 10 in the form of an inner sleeve 10. The bushing 1 also has an outer part 11 in the form of an outer sleeve 11. Arranged in the height Z between the inner sleeve 10 and the outer sleeve 11 is an elastomer supporting spring 12 which connects the inner sleeve 10 and the outer sleeve 11 elastically to one another in the radial direction R, cf. for example, FIG. 1. The elastomer supporting spring 12 has here in the longitudinal direction X a left-hand supporting spring wall 12a and a right-hand supporting spring wall 12b.

[0037] Two fluid-full chambers 13, 14, which are connected in a fluid-conducting fashion to one another (not illustrated) and serve to perform fluidic damping of the bushing 1, are formed in the longitudinal direction X by the two supporting spring walls 12a, 12b and by the inner sleeve 10 and the outer sleeve 11 in the radial direction R. In this context, the first upper fluid chamber 13 is arranged in the height Z above the second lower fluid chamber 14, see for example, FIG. 2. The two fluid chambers 13, 14 are separated from one another by two horizontally running chamber walls 15.

[0038] Arranged at the inner sleeve 10, within the two fluid chambers 13, 14, is a stop element 16 which extends radially away from the inner sleeve 10 and as result limits the spring travel D in the radial direction R, by virtue of the fact that the radially outer edge of the stop element 16 can enter into contact with the inner side of the outer sleeve 11. In order to reduce the weight of the bushing 1, the stop element 16 is fabricated from plastic. The inner sleeve 10 is fabricated from steel, in order to be able to absorb relatively high loads. The inner sleeve 10 has at the end side knurl-like toothing arrangements, in order to prevent rotation in the installed state (not illustrated).

[0039] The stop element 16 is embedded in the elastic material of the supporting spring 12, in the longitudinal direction X between the two supporting spring walls 12a and 12b, and is completely surrounded by them. In this way, the stop element 16 is elastically connected to the inner sleeve 10 via the elastic material of the supporting spring 12 as an elastic connecting layer 17a. In this context, the elastic connecting layer 17a is dimensioned in respect of its thickness, that is, in the radial direction R, in such a way that when there is contact between the stop element 16 and the inner side of the outer sleeve 11, possible torsional loading relatively between the inner sleeve 10 and the outer sleeve 11 can be as far as possible completely absorbed by the elastic connecting layer 17a. This can relieve the torsional loading acting on the stop element 16 and as a result increase the service life of the stop element 16. In addition, the connecting layer 17a brings about acoustic decoupling, that is, the penetration or passing on of an acoustic signal into the vehicle structure can as a result be prevented or at least reduced.

[0040] The elastic material of the supporting spring 12 also surrounds the stop element 16 in such a way that an elastic outer layer 17b of the stop element 16 is also formed, which elastic outer layer 17b performs the contact with the inner side of the outer sleeve 11. As result, torsional loading can also be accommodated elastically. In order to improve this, the elastic outer layer 17b of the stop element 16 has structuring 19 in the form of radial projections 19 which can deform elastically and as a result effectively absorb loading.

[0041] This stop element 16 has a first stop region 16a, which is the upper one in terms of the height Z, and a second stop region 16b, which is the lower one in terms of the height Z, with the result that the bushing 1 has an effect of the stop element 16 substantially in terms of the height Z. No stop effect occurs transversely with respect thereto, that is, in the transverse direction Y. The two fluid chambers 13, 14 are substantially arranged in this region.

[0042] The two stop regions 16a, 16b each have a multiplicity of passages 18 which run in the longitudinal direction X and are penetrated by the elastic material of the supporting spring 12. As a result, a more durable connection can be produced between the elastic material of the supporting spring 12 and the stop element 16.

[0043] In this way, according to the invention a bushing 1 can be formed with an improved service life of the stop element 16. In particular, the wear of the stop element 16 can be reduced. This is done simply and cost-effectively. At the same time, a comparatively large stop surface can be formed. Such a bushing 1 also offers additional possibilities for the adjustment of the stop characteristic curve and additional Cardanic flexibility of the stop element 16.

[0044] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0045] A Cross section [0046] D Spring travel in the radial direction R [0047] L Longitudinal axis [0048] R Radial direction [0049] U Circumferential direction [0050] X Axial direction; longitudinal direction [0051] Y Transverse direction; width [0052] Z Vertical direction; height [0053] 1 (Hydraulically damping) bushing [0054] 10 Inner part; inner sleeve [0055] 11 Outer part; outer sleeve [0056] 12 Elastomer supporting spring [0057] 12a Left-hand supporting spring wall [0058] 12b Right-hand supporting spring wall [0059] 13 First (upper) (fluid) chamber [0060] 14 Second (lower) (fluid) chamber [0061] 15 Chamber wall between first chamber 13 and second chamber 14 [0062] 16 Stop element [0063] 16a First (upper) stop region of the stop element 16 [0064] 16b Second (lower) stop region of the stop element 16 [0065] 17a Elastic connecting layer [0066] 17b Elastic outer layer [0067] 18 (Longitudinal) passages of the stop element 16 [0068] 19 Structuring or radial projections of the first stop region 16a or of the second stop region 16b