Transmission mount

Abstract

An automotive transmission mount comprises a top bracket, a bottom bracket and a polyurethane material overmolding to top and bottom brackets. The top bracket is attachable to a tail shaft of a transmission housing. The bottom bracket is attachable to a cross member of a vehicle frame. The polyurethane material includes a lateral relief hole extending therethrough and being oriented parallel to the top bracket. The lateral relief hole is adapted to deform during compression of the resilient material as a result of relative movement of the top bracket toward the bottom bracket to prevent shearing of the polyurethane. The top bracket and bottom brackets are also interlocked to one another to prevent their separation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001](Not Applicable)STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002](Not Applicable)BACKGROUND[0003]The present invention relates generally to mounting devices and, more particularly, to an interlocking automotive transmission mount that is specifically adapted to allow downward movement of the transmission relative to a vehicle frame to which the transmission is secured without torque-induced breakage of the resilient material overmolding the transmission mount.[0004]In automotive applications, transmissions are typically installed in motor vehicles such as automobiles by mounting on a cross member which, in turn, is attached to the frame of the vehicle. The cross member is typically oriented laterally with respect to the vehicle frame. The transmission is typically disposed above the cross member and is secured thereto by a transmission mount.[0005]Factory-installed transmission mounts generally comprise a vertically-spaced pair...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The above-described deficiencies and drawbacks associated with transmission mounts of the prior art are specifically addressed and alleviated by the present invention which provides a transmission mount for a motor vehicle that is capable of increased deformation of the resilient material without shearing. In its broadest sense, the transmission mount comprises a top bracket, a bottom bracket interlocked to the top bracket, a resilient material such as polyurethane overmolding the top and bottom brackets, and a lateral relief hole extending through the polyurethane. Advantageously, the lateral relief hole is adapted to deform during compression of the polyurethane as a result of movement of the top bracket relative to the bottom bracket such that shearing or tearing of the polyurethane under load is prevented.

[0017]The lateral relief hole extends through the polyurethane material and is preferably oriented parallel to the top plate portion and is generally centered relative to the vertical plate portion. The lateral relief hole is also preferably equidistantly spaced between a plate edge of the vertical plate portion and an inner surface of the horizontal web. The lateral relief hole is specifically adapted to deform during compression of the resilient material as a result of movement of the top bracket toward the bottom bracket such that shearing of the resilient material is prevented.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the rubber core of the transmission mount absorbs vibration that would otherwise be transmitted to the remainder of the motor vehicle resulting in a loss of comfort to driver and passengers.

Although such contemporary automotive transmission mounts have proven generally suitable for their intended purposes, they possess certain deficiencies which detract from their overall utility.

For example, the transmission mount disclosed in the Kelly reference includes an inherent deficiency wherein the upper and lower plates are not interlocked.

As a result, deterioration and / or debonding of the rubber interconnecting the top and bottom plates can, over time, result in complete detachment of the upper plate from the lower plate and thereby rendering the Kelly automotive transmission mount ineffective.

In addition, as is typical of prior art automotive transmission mounts, the rubber used in the Kelly reference is susceptible to degradation over time due to various environmental factors.

In addition, rubber is known to deteriorate as a result of extended exposure to atmospheric contaminants such as ozone and smog which can attack and degrade the rubber over time.

In addition, rubber is known to shrink and harden over time due to a loss of polymers from the rubber.

The deleterious effects on vehicle performance as a result of worn, damaged or hardened transmission mounts is even more pronounced when motor vehicles are operated in extreme conditions such as in off-road driving and during competition such as in automobile racing.

As may be appreciated, over-stressing the rubber core may result in shearing of the rubber which can result in complete detachment of the upper plate from the lower plate.

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