JPS61127932A - Bush built-up body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To bring an intrinsic torsion spring action reducing effect by a slide member into full play, by sealing a space between a rigid sleeve member and a retainer member. CONSTITUTION:A rigid sleeve member 16 is interposed between an elastic member 14 and a slide member 18, while seal rubber devices 24 and 26 are installed in an end part of the rigid sleeve member 16 and either of retainers 20 and 22 situated in an end part of an inner tube member 12. These rubber devices 24 and 26 are made contact with the other side of these members whereby sealing between at least the rigid sleeve member 16 and these retainers 20 and 22 is performed. With this constitution, earth, sand, etc., are in no case penetrated inside, and a torsion spring action reducing effect by the slide member 18 is brought into full play without entailing any damage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a bushing assembly, and more particularly to a bushing assembly suitable for use in a pivot joint of a vehicle suspension.

(Prior Art) A bushing assembly used in a pivot connection of a vehicle suspension, such as a control arm bushing used in a connection between a control arm and a vehicle body side member or an axle side member, generally has the following characteristics: A cylindrical elastic member made of a rubber material is interposed between two concentrically arranged inner and outer cylindrical members, and due to the spring characteristics of the elastic member, the cylindrical It is designed to absorb directional vibrations. However, in such a bushing assembly, due to the torsion spring action of the elastic member, increasing the rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the axis also increases the torsional rigidity around the axis.

Therefore, a sliding member (friction reducing means) is provided between the cylindrical member and the elastic member to reduce the torsional spring action by the elastic member.
For example, US Patent No. 333164
This method has been proposed in the specification of No. 2 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-153736. According to such a bushing assembly, since the frictional resistance between the cylindrical member and the elastic member is reduced by the sliding member, the cylindrical member and the elastic member are The elastic member can be rotated relative to the elastic member relatively easily around the axis, and therefore, the rigidity around the axis can be lowered while maintaining the rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in a bushing assembly including such a sliding member, solid particles such as soil and sand are present in the sliding portion between the sliding member and the cylindrical member. When water or mud enters, the sliding surfaces of these components may become scratched, or rust may occur on the sliding surfaces of cylindrical members, which are usually made of metal materials, causing damage to the cylindrical members and elastic members. As a result, there is a risk that the sliding member may not be able to fully exhibit the effect of reducing the torsional spring action.

(Means for Solving the Problems and Actions/Effects) The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its gist is to provide an inner cylinder member and an outer cylinder that are positioned concentrically. A bushing assembly comprising a predetermined elastic member interposed between the elastic member and the inner cylindrical member, and a sliding member interposed between the elastic member and the inner cylinder member to reduce the torsional spring action of the elastic member. , a rigid sleeve member is further interposed between the elastic member and the sliding member, and a retainer member located at an end of the rigid sleeve member and an end of the inner cylinder member. By providing a sealing rubber and bringing the sealing rubber into contact with the other of these members, at least the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member are sealed.

'In such a bushing assembly, a sealing rubber seals between the end of the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member positioned on the end of the inner cylinder member, so that soil, sand, muddy water can be kept from between them. etc. are effectively prevented from entering, and the sliding member interposed between the rigid sleeve member and the inner cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member and/or the inner cylinder member. The relative rotation is not impaired, and therefore the sliding member's original effect of reducing the spring action can be fully exerted.

Moreover, since the sliding member is interposed between the rigid sleeve member and the inner cylinder member, which have relatively high rigidity, and is protected by the rigid sleeve member and the inner cylinder member, it is protected from the outside. Deformation, cracking, etc. of the sliding member due to vibration loads etc. are prevented, a good rotational resistance reduction effect is ensured, and the life of the sliding member is effectively extended.

Further, the present invention provides that the sliding member in the bushing assembly having the above structure is constituted by two cylindrical bodies each having an outer flange portion extending radially outward at one end, and these two cylindrical bodies are When the flange portion is disposed between the inner cylindrical member and the rigid sleeve member such that the flange portion is located on the end side of the bushing assembly, the end portion of the two cylindrical bodies where the outer flange portion is not provided. Another feature is that a predetermined space is formed between them.

In such a bushing assembly, a predetermined space is formed between the ends of both cylindrical bodies serving as sliding members between the rigid sleeve member and the inner cylinder member. The lubricating oil stored or held in the space is gradually supplied to the sliding surfaces of the cylindrical body as the cylinder slides over time. This, together with the effect of the seal rubber to prevent muddy water from entering and the rigid sleeve member and inner cylinder member to protect the cylindrical body, further improves the rotational resistance reduction effect of both cylindrical bodies, and also reduces the sliding surface. Wear is reduced and the life of the bushing assembly is increased. Note that the predetermined space is set to a size that can function as such a reservoir for lubricating oil.

(Example) Next, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a bushing assembly according to the present invention. In this figure, 10 is a cylindrical metal outer cylinder member, and a predetermined distance is provided on the innermost side of the outer cylinder member. A cylindrical metal inner cylinder member 12 is arranged concentrically. A cylindrical rubber block 14 as an elastic member is interposed between the outer cylinder member 10 and the inner cylinder member 12.
A relatively rigid metal sleeve 16 serving as a rigid sleeve member and a pair of cylindrical bodies 18 and 18 made of an oil-impregnated plastic material (for example, made of oil-impregnated polyacetal resin) constituting a sliding member are interposed between the It is forced to intervene. By attaching retainer members 20 and 22 to both ends of the inner cylinder member 12,
While such a psosh assembly is assembled,
An annular sealing rubber 24.26 is provided between the retainer member 20.22 and the end of the sleeve 16.

Here, the outer cylinder member 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
As clearly shown in the figure, it has a stepped cylindrical shape consisting of a small diameter part 28 and a large diameter part 30, and the end on the large diameter part 30 side has an outer surface extending radially outward. While a flange portion 32 is provided, a tapered surface 34 is formed at the end on the small diameter portion 28 side, and from the small diameter portion 28 side,
It is press-fitted and fixed into a predetermined mounting hole of a suspension control arm (not shown) or the like.

Further, the sleeve 16 has a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter and a slightly larger axial length than the outer cylinder member 10, and as clearly shown in FIGS. Both ends have outer flange portions 36 extending radially outward.
38 are provided respectively, and the seal rubber 24.2 is further provided on the axially outer surface of the outer flange portion 36.38.
6 are fixed and formed respectively.

Note that one outer flange portion 36 of the sleeve 16 has a larger diameter than the other outer flange portion 38, and is positioned on the large diameter portion 30 side of the outer cylinder member IO in the assembled state.

The outer cylinder member 10 and the sleeve 16 are arranged concentrically, and the rubber block 14 is interposed between them. Such a rubber block 14 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, an outer cylinder member 10 and a sleeve 16 are arranged concentrically, and a predetermined rubber material is vulcanized in an annular space formed between them. Preferably molded. In this way, at the same time as the rubber block 14 is formed, the rubber block 14 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder member 10 and the sleeve 1.
These outer cylinder members 1 are vulcanized and bonded to the outer peripheral surfaces of
0. The sleeve 16 and the rubber block 14 have an integral structure. Thereafter, the outer cylinder member 10 is subjected to a drawing process, the rubber block 14 is pre-compressed, and the outer cylinder member 10, the rubber block 14 and the sleeve 16 are
is firmly fixed.

Here, in this embodiment, when the rubber block 14 is vulcanized, the sealing rubber 24, 26 is also
4, and are fixed and formed on the axially outer surfaces of both outer flange portions 36 and 38 of the sleeve 16, respectively. Also, seal rubber 24.26
each has a ring-shaped V on the end surface in the axial direction, that is, the surface on the side that comes into contact with the retainer member 20 and 22.
Grooves 40, 42 are formed to fully exhibit their sealing effect. Note that - this sealing rubber 24, 26 can be vulcanized and molded separately from the rubber block 14 using a different material, or it is also possible to integrally mold these rubber block 14 and sealing rubber 24, 26 in advance and use an adhesive or the like. There is no problem even if it is fixed to the outer cylindrical member 10 or the sleeve 16.

On the other hand, the cylindrical bodies 18.18 are all shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the sleeve 16 has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter approximately the same size as the inner diameter, and an outer flange portion 44 extending radially outward is provided at one end of the sleeve 16. , four axial grooves 46 are formed on the inner peripheral surface at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. These cylinders 18.18
are press-fitted into the cylinder of the sleeve 16 from the end 48 on the side where the outer flange 44 is not provided, and are fixed to the sleeve 16 with the outer flange 44 in contact with the end of the sleeve 16. At this time, a gap of a predetermined length is formed in the axial direction between the end portions 48, 48 of the centrifugal cylinder 18.18. The outer diameter of the outer flange portion 44 of the cylindrical body 18 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer flange portion 36.38 of the sleeve 16, and when the cylindrical body 18.18 is assembled, the seal rubber 24.26 Seal rubbers 24 and 26 are respectively fixed to the outer periphery of the outer flange portions 36 and 38 so as to abut against the retainers 20 and 22 (see FIG. 1).

The inner cylindrical member 12 is also clearly shown in FIGS. 1O and 11, and the outer diameter of the inner cylinder member 12 is
The inner diameter of the sleeve 16 is the same as or slightly smaller, and the length in the axial direction is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the length to both ends of the cylindrical body 18 press-fitted into the sleeve 16. . Therefore, such inner cylinder member 12
is inserted into the cylindrical bodies 18, 18 with its outer circumferential surface in contact with or very close to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 18.18, and the inner cylindrical member 12 and the cylindrical body 18.1
Relative rotation (sliding) with respect to 8 is allowed. Although not shown, a suitable inner shaft is inserted into the inner cylinder member 12, and the inner shaft is attached to the vehicle body via a suitable support member such as a bracket.

By the way, in this way, the inner cylindrical member 12 is a hundred cylindrical body 18.1.
8, an annular space 50 surrounded by the inner cylinder member 12 and the sleeve 16 is formed between both ends 48 and 48, and this space 50 is This is a place where lubricating oil such as rubber grease is sealed prior to insertion of the cylindrical member 12, or where lubricating oil applied to the sliding surfaces of the cylindrical body 18 and the cylindrical member 12 accumulates. In short, the space 50 functions as an oil reservoir for lubricating oil that lubricates the sliding surfaces between the cylindrical body 18 and the cylindrical member 12, and thereby the lubricating oil is distributed between the inner cylindrical member 12 and the cylindrical member 12. 18 and 18, allowing them to smoothly rotate relative to each other and reducing wear on the sliding parts. Furthermore, the grooves 46 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 18 facilitate the movement of lubricating oil especially in the axial direction, and thereby facilitate the movement of lubricating oil in the axial direction at both ends separated from the space 50. A good lubrication effect can also be obtained in this case. The space 50 has a size that can function as a lubricating oil reservoir, and the axial length of the cylindrical body 18 is such that the space 50 is large enough to function as a lubricating oil reservoir.
It is set based on the size of 0.

Retainer members 20.22 are attached to both ends of the inner cylindrical member 12, and these retainer members 20.22 are attached to the inner cylindrical member 12, as clearly shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. It has a donut shape in which round holes 52 and 54 having substantially the same dimensions as the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 12 are formed, and the outer diameters thereof are each larger than the outer flange portions 36 and 38. The retainer members 20,22 are also attached to the inner cylinder member 12 by collars 56,58, respectively. The collars 56, 58 each have a cylindrical portion 60, 62 having an outer diameter approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the inner cylinder member 12, as specifically shown in FIGS. 16 to 19. , and an outer flange portion 64.66 extending radially outward at one end of the cylindrical portion 60.62, and the cylindrical portion 60.62 is press-fitted into both ends of the inner cylindrical member 12. Thus, the retainer members 20 and 22 are fixed to both ends of the inner cylinder member 12.

At this time, the outer flange portion 36.38 of the sleeve 16
The tips of the seal rubbers 24.26 fixed to the retainer member 20.22 abut on the inner surfaces of the retainer member 20.22, and are compressively deformed between the outer flange portion 36.38 and the retainer member 20.22.

This creates an effective seal between the outer flanges 36, 38 and the retainer member 20, 22 to prevent ingress of dirt, sand, muddy water, etc.

Further, the retainer members 20.22 are opposed to the outer flange portions 44.44 of the cylindrical body 18.degree. 18 in a state in which they are in contact with or very close to each other, and relative rotation thereof is permitted.

As described above, a predetermined mounting shaft (inner shaft) is inserted into the inner cylindrical member 12 of the bushing assembly assembled in this way, and is used to attach the control arm of the intended suspension, for example, the A-arm, ■It will be attached to the vehicle body as the front bush, rear bush, and lower bush of the arm.

In the bushing assembly constructed as described above, the sealing rubbers 24 and 26 seal between both ends of the sleeve 16 and the retainer members 20 and 22, and dirt, sand, muddy water, etc. can enter between them. This effectively prevents the cylindrical body 18 .
The relative rotation between 18 and the inner cylinder member 12 causes dirt, sand,
There is no risk of damage due to intrusion of muddy water, etc.

In particular, the seal rubber 24.26 is provided with V grooves 40, 42, and is adapted to abut and press against the retainer member 20.22 in surface contact.
A reliable sealing effect can be obtained.

In addition, the outer flange portion 36.38 of the sleeve 16 and the retainer member 20.38 are provided with the seal rubber 24.26.
22, there is an outer flange portion 44 of the cylindrical body 18.18.
．． 44 is interposed to prevent relative displacement in the axial direction between the two, the seal rubbers 24 and 26 are not elastically deformed by axial load input, and a good sealing effect can always be obtained. Seal rubber 24
It is possible to enjoy the advantage of longer life of ゜26. In addition, -
If the seal rubber 24, 26 is vulcanized and molded integrally with the rubber block 14 as shown above, there is an advantage that no special process is required for providing the seal rubber 24, 26 when manufacturing the bushing assembly. arise.

In addition, since the cylindrical bodies 18.18 are press-fitted into the sleeve 16, the sleeve 16 functions as a resistor against deformation of the cylindrical bodies 18, thereby causing the cylindrical bodies 18.18 to be subjected to external vibration loads, etc. It does not deform or crack due to heat, always maintains a high roundness, ensures a good effect of reducing torsion spring action, and also plays a role in increasing durability against heat etc. , its lifespan can be effectively improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a space 50 is formed between the ends 48, 48 of the cylindrical bodies 18, 18, and this space 50 is filled with lubricating oil such as rubber grease that is gradually supplied to the sliding surface. Since it functions as a reservoir, the lubricating oil is sufficiently distributed over the entire sliding area between the cylindrical body 18.18 and the inner cylinder member 12, effectively reducing wear thereon, and the cylindrical body 18.18 The effect of reducing the torsional spring action is further improved. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the axial groove 46 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 18.18, a sufficient lubrication effect can be obtained even in a portion remote from the space 50. be.

In the above embodiment, both the retainer members 20 and 22 are attached to both ends of the inner cylinder member 12 by the collars 56 and 58, but unlike this, the second retainer member 20.
As shown in FIG. 0, when the bushing assembly is attached to a predetermined mounting shaft 68, both retainer members 20 and 22 are fixed to both ends of the inner cylinder member 12 by threading the nuts 70. There is no harm in doing so. In addition, in the figure, 72 is a suspension arm, and 74 is a bracket fixed to a vehicle body side member (not shown). Also, leave this bracket 74 as is and use the retainer 20.22.
It is also possible to use it as

Further, in the above embodiment, the axial groove 46 is formed only on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 18.18, but as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, in addition to the groove 46, hand,
By forming concave portions 76 at four locations corresponding to the grooves 46 on the axially outer surface of the outer flange portion 44, the sliding portions between the outer flange portion 44 and the retainer members 20 and 22 can also be well lubricated. It will be done. Note that the recess 76 does not necessarily have to be formed in correspondence with the groove 46, and even if the recess 76 is alone, it can function as an oil reservoir in the same way as the space 50.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail based on the drawings, the present invention may be implemented in other embodiments as well.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the seal rubbers 24 and 26 are integrally molded at the same time as the rubber block 14 and are fixed to the sleeve 16, but they are formed separately from the rubber block 14 and the sleeve 16 Alternatively, there is no problem even if it is fixed to the retainer member 20, 22, and a certain sealing effect can be obtained even if the groove 40, 42 at the tip is not particularly formed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cylindrical body 18.18 and the inner cylindrical member 1
However, the cylindrical body 18.18 may be fixed to the inner cylinder member 2 so that the sleeve 16 and the cylindrical body 18.18 can be rotated relative to each other, or It is also possible to configure the cylindrical body 1'8, 18 not to be fixed to any, but to be able to rotate relative to both the sleeve 16 and the inner cylindrical member 12.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the sliding member is composed of two cylindrical bodies 18.
．． 18, and a predetermined lubricating oil storage space 50 is formed between the ends 48 and 48, but it is not necessary to form the space 50, and the sliding member is formed into an integral cylinder. It is also possible to configure it with a shaped member.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cylindrical body 18, 18 constituting the sliding member is made of an oil-impregnated plastic material, but it is of course possible to make it of metal such as an oil-impregnated bearing alloy.

Further, in the above embodiment, seal rubbers 24 and 26 are provided at both ends of the bushing assembly, but if muddy water or the like cannot enter from one end due to the mounting position of the bushing assembly, etc. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the seal rubber 24 or 26 only at the other end.

Although other examples will not be given, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an axial (longitudinal) cross-sectional view of a bushing assembly that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view showing the outer cylinder member of the bushing assembly in FIG. 1, and FIG.
This is a recovery from the right side in the figure. FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the rigid sleeve member of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a view taken from the right side of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the bushing assembly of FIG. 1 in which an elastic member is vulcanized between the outer cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member. FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view showing the cylindrical body as a sliding member in the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a view taken from the right side in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7. 10 is an axial sectional view showing the inner cylinder member of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a view taken from the right side in FIG. 10. 12 is a front sectional view showing one retainer member of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is a plan view thereof. 14 is a front sectional view showing the other retainer member of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 15 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 16 is an axial sectional view showing one collar of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 17 is a view taken from the right side in FIG. 16. 18 is an axial sectional view showing the other collar of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 19 is a view taken from the right side in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is an explanatory axial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention attached to a predetermined attachment shaft. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the main parts of another embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view showing a cylindrical body as a sliding member from the outer flange side, and FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the x in FIG.
It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of xn-xx■. 10: Outer cylinder member 12: Inner cylinder member 14: Rubber block (elastic member) 16: Sleeve (rigid sleeve member) 18 Two cylindrical bodies (sliding member) 20.22: Retainer member 24.26: Seal rubber 36.38i Outer flange portion 44: Outer flange portion 46: Groove 50: Space

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) A predetermined elastic member is interposed between an inner cylinder member and an outer cylinder member that are positioned concentrically, and a torsion spring action by the elastic member is created between the elastic member and the inner cylinder member. A bushing assembly including a sliding member interposed therebetween, further comprising a rigid sleeve member interposed between the elastic member and the sliding member, and an end portion of the rigid sleeve member;
By providing a seal rubber on either one of the retainer members located at the end of the inner cylinder member and bringing the seal rubber into contact with the other of the members, at least the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member are sealed. A bushing assembly characterized in that a seal is formed between the bushings. (2) The rigid sleeve member is configured to include an outer flange portion extending radially outward at an end, and the seal rubber is provided on an axially outer surface of the outer flange portion. The bushing assembly described in section. (3) The elastic member is vulcanized and bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder member and the outer circumferential surface of the rigid sleeve member, respectively, to form an integral structure. Bushing assembly according to paragraph 2. (4) The bush assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sliding member is made of an oil-impregnated plastic material. (5) Claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing mechanism between the end of the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member by the seal rubber is provided at both ends of the bushing assembly in the axial direction. The bush assembly according to any of the above. (6) A predetermined elastic member is interposed between the inner cylinder member and the outer cylinder member which are positioned concentrically, and a torsion spring action by the elastic member is created between the elastic member and the inner cylinder member. A bushing assembly including a sliding member interposed therebetween, further comprising a rigid sleeve member interposed between the elastic member and the sliding member, and an end portion of the rigid sleeve member;
By providing a seal rubber on either one of the retainer members located at the end of the inner cylinder member and bringing the seal rubber into contact with the other of the members, at least the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member are sealed. the sliding member comprises two cylindrical bodies each having an outer flange extending radially outwardly at one end; When disposed between the inner cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member so as to be located on the end side of the bushing assembly, a predetermined gap is formed between the ends of the two cylinders where the outer flange part is not provided. A bushing assembly characterized in that a space is formed. (7) An axial groove is formed in at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the rigid sleeve member, the outer circumferential surface and inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical member. Bushing assembly according to range 6. (8) The rigid sleeve member is configured to include an outer flange portion extending radially outward at an end thereof, and the seal rubber is provided on an axially outer surface of the outer flange portion. The bushing assembly according to item 7 or item 7. (9) The elastic member is vulcanized and bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder member and the outer circumferential surface of the rigid sleeve member, respectively, to form an integral structure. The bushing assembly according to any of clause 8. (10) The bushing assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the cylindrical body is made of an oil-impregnated plastic material. (11) Claims 6 to 10, wherein the sealing mechanism between the end of the rigid sleeve member and the retainer member by the seal rubber is provided at both ends of the bushing assembly in the axial direction. The bush assembly according to any of the above.