Elastic connectors with different elastic performances

Abstract

The present invention provides an elastic connecting member having different elastic performances, which includes a first sleeve (10) and a second sleeve (20). The first sleeve includes a first elastomer (16), a first inner skeleton (12) surrounded by the first elastomer, and a first outer skeleton (14) surrounding the first elastomer. The second sleeve includes a second elastomer (26), a second inner skeleton (22) surrounded by the second elastomer (26), and a second outer skeleton surrounding the second elastomer. The first elastomer and the second elastomer exhibit different elastic performances. This constitutes an improved elastic connecting member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of elastic connectors, such as elastic connectors for vehicles (e.g., automobiles or trucks). Background Art

[0002] Elastic connectors can be used to absorb and / or damp vibrations and / or shocks between mechanical components that form part of the same assembly. In particular, such connectors can be used in the automotive industry to connect different mechanical components of a vehicle.

[0003] Existing connectors are manufactured using complex methods and / or require very specific and / or expensive tools (such as dual-material and dual-injection molded parts) to shape the elastomer so as to impart different elastic properties to the elastomer in different directions.

[0004] In this context, there is a need for improved elastic connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To this end, an elastic connector is proposed, which includes a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve includes a first elastomer, a first inner skeleton surrounded by the first elastomer, and a first outer skeleton surrounding the first elastomer. The second sleeve includes a second elastomer, a second inner skeleton surrounded by the second elastomer, and a second outer skeleton surrounding the second elastomer. The first elastomer and the second elastomer exhibit different elastic performances.

[0006] According to a first alternative, in a first radial direction with respect to the axis of the connector, the first elastomer can have greater damping than the second elastomer, and in a second radial direction with respect to the axis, the second elastomer can have greater elasticity than the first elastomer.

[0007] In particular, according to this first alternative, the first elastomer can exhibit greater damping than the second elastomer. For example, the damping of the first elastomer is more than 1.5 times that of the second elastomer. Optionally, in the first radial direction, the first elastomer exhibits a damping of 0.10 to 0.24, such as approximately 0.14. Additionally, or alternatively, in the second radial direction, the second elastomer exhibits a damping of 0.04 to 0.11, such as approximately 0.07.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, according to this first alternative, the connector can be an elastic connector for a vehicle, the first radial direction is the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the second radial direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0009] Still additionally or alternatively, according to this first alternative, in the second radial direction, the first elastomer can include one or more end-of-travel stoppers, and in the first radial direction, the second elastomer can include one or more end-of-travel stoppers.

[0010] Further alternatively or additionally, according to this first alternative, the first elastomer and the second elastomer may have substantially the same shape, and the first radial direction and the second radial direction are substantially orthogonal.

[0011] According to a second additional or alternative alternative to the first alternative, the connecting member further includes a housing that integrally forms the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

[0012] According to a third additional or alternative alternative to the first and / or second alternatives, the connecting member further includes means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together, such as a connector, e.g., a vane, inserted into the central channels of the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton.

[0013] There is also proposed a method for manufacturing an elastic connecting member. The method includes providing and positioning a first inner skeleton and a first outer skeleton. The method includes providing and positioning a second inner skeleton and a second outer skeleton. The method further includes forming a first elastomer between the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton to obtain a first sleeve. The method further includes forming a second elastomer between the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton to obtain a second sleeve. The method further includes assembling the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

[0014] There is also proposed a method for manufacturing an elastic connecting member as described above. The method includes providing and positioning a first inner skeleton and a first outer skeleton, and providing and positioning a second inner skeleton and a second outer skeleton. The method further includes forming a first elastomer between the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton to obtain a first sleeve, and forming a second elastomer between the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton to obtain a second sleeve. The method further includes assembling the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

[0015] According to one example, assembling the first sleeve and the second sleeve includes implementing means for connecting the first sleeve and the second sleeve together. The implementation may consist of crimping the housing around the first sleeve and the second sleeve and / or inserting a connector (such as a vane) into the central channels of the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 Illustrates a first sleeve of an example of an elastic connecting member.

[0017] Figure 2 Illustrates a second sleeve of an example elastic connecting member.

[0018] Figure 3 Illustrates two sleeves assembled in an example connecting member.

[0019] Figure 4AIllustrates the housing of two sleeves around an exemplary connector.

[0020] Figure 4B Shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connector.

[0021] Figure 5 Illustrates that in an example of a method for manufacturing Figures 1 to 4B an exemplary elastomeric connector, an inner skeleton and an outer skeleton are provided and positioned, and an elastomer is formed between the skeletons.

[0022] Figure 6 Illustrates the assembly of the sleeves in an exemplary manufacturing method.

[0023] Figure 7 Illustrates the crimping of the housing around the sleeve in an exemplary manufacturing method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] There is proposed an elastomeric connector comprising a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve includes a first elastomer, a first inner skeleton surrounded by the first elastomer, and a first outer skeleton surrounding the first elastomer. The second sleeve includes a second elastomer, a second inner skeleton surrounded by the second elastomer, and a second outer skeleton surrounding the second elastomer. The first elastomer and the second elastomer exhibit different elastic behaviors.

[0025] This constitutes an improved elastomeric connector.

[0026] In fact, since the elastomeric connector has a structure of two independent sleeves, the elastomers of the elastomeric connector exhibit different elastic behaviors, and a single-material injection molding machine can be used to manufacture the elastomeric connector, which simplifies the manufacturing. Since the two elastomers can be molded separately, each elastomer can be fully molded but separately from the other elastomer. This avoids the need for a dual-injection press (or dual-material press). In other words, the proposed elastomeric connector is an elastomeric connector having a dual-material effect but can be obtained without using a dual-injection press. In addition, the two elastomers can be molded separately. These separate moldings can optimize the vulcanization parameters of each of the two sleeves, which would be more difficult to achieve with a dual-injection press. Therefore, the two elastomers can be molded separately and then assembled such that each elastomer includes one or more travel end stops for the other elastomer. Since the stops can be directly formed on the elastomer during the molding of the elastomer, no additional components are required to perform the function of these stoppers.

[0027] Each of the two sleeves includes at least two skeletons: an inner skeleton and an outer skeleton. Optionally, each of the two sleeves or one of the two sleeves may further include an intermediate skeleton. Each inner skeleton is a component made of a rigid material (such as metal or alloy or plastic). Each outer skeleton is also a component made of a rigid material (such as metal or alloy or plastic). Each outer skeleton can be generally tubular (e.g., circular cross-section, etc.). For example, each outer skeleton can be generally annular or collar-shaped. Each inner skeleton can be generally in an extruded shape (i.e., corresponding to extrusion along an axis and thus having a generally constant cross-section perpendicular to the axis along the axis). Alternatively, the inner skeleton is not extruded and can be, for example, cold formed, shaped and thus in any shape. The outer shell of each inner skeleton can be in a prismatic (e.g., cylindrical) shape. Each inner skeleton can include a central channel capable of receiving means (such as blades) attached to the inner skeleton of another sleeve. Alternatively, the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton can be in complementary interlocking shapes such that they can be connected to each other without additional fastening means (i.e., without additional components serving as connecting means). Alternatively, or additionally, the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton can be in complementary interlocking shapes such that they can be connected to each other without additional connecting means.

[0028] The first elastomer is surrounded by the first outer skeleton and surrounds the first inner skeleton. The first elastomer can be obtained by molding (e.g., with a single injection molding machine) and can be bonded to the first outer skeleton and the first inner skeleton such that the first elastomer, the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton are integral. For example, the first elastomer can be molded between the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton, and the molding can include bonding such that the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton are bonded to the first elastomer.

[0029] Similarly, the second elastomer is surrounded by the second outer skeleton and surrounds the second inner skeleton. The second elastomer can be obtained by molding (e.g., with a single injection molding machine) and can be bonded to the second outer skeleton and the second inner skeleton such that the second elastomer, the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton are integral. For example, the second elastomer can be molded between the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton, and the molding can include bonding such that the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton are bonded to the second elastomer.

[0030] The first elastomer and the second elastomer may or may not have a substantially similar shape. Although both the first elastomer and the second elastomer are made of an elastic material (such as rubber), they exhibit different elastic behaviors in the connecting member. For example, in a first radial direction relative to the axis of the connecting member, the first elastomer may have greater damping than the second elastomer. Conversely, in a second radial direction relative to the axis, the second elastomer may have greater elasticity than the first elastomer. For example, the two elastomers may be made of different materials and / or exhibit different properties (e.g., rubbers of different compositions and / or different structures). For example, the composition of the material making up the first elastomer may be different from the composition of the material making up the second elastomer. Alternatively, or in addition, the material constituting the first elastomer may exhibit a different structure (e.g., the arrangement of cells and / or cavities) from the structure (e.g., the arrangement of cells and / or cavities) of the material constituting the second elastomer. For example, these materials may also be the same or different in their composition. Alternatively, although the materials of the two elastomers may be the same in their structure and / or composition, the elastomers may be arranged in the connecting member in different ways (e.g., (i.e., rotated relative to each other by, for example, 90° along the axis of the connecting member), so as to exhibit different elastic behaviors in one or more radial directions (i.e., relative to the axis); in other words, for each corresponding radial direction of one or more radial directions, the elastic behaviors of the two elastomers are different according to the corresponding radial direction.

[0031] The axis of the connecting member is the axis along which the first sleeve and the second sleeve are positioned, such that the elastomers have a specific elastic behavior in the radial direction of the axis of the connecting member. For example, the first sleeve and the second sleeve may have a substantially prismatic (e.g., cylindrical) shape, in which case the axis may be the main direction of the prismatic shape (e.g., may substantially correspond to the axis of rotation in the cylindrical case). For example, when the connecting member is an elastic vehicle connecting member, the axis may be the transverse or substantially transverse direction of the vehicle, e.g., a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0032] The first radial direction and the second radial direction are directions substantially perpendicular to the axis of the connecting member. In the first radial direction, the first elastomer may have greater damping than the second elastomer, i.e., due to the damping of the first elastomer, the connecting member suppresses / absorbs shock and / or impact in the first radial direction. In the second radial direction, the second elastomer may have greater elasticity than the first elastomer, i.e., due to the elasticity of the second elastomer, the connecting member suppresses / absorbs noise and / or vibration in the second radial direction. The elasticity of the second elastomer can reduce energy dissipation and avoid dynamic hardening. Dynamic hardening increases stiffness, thereby increasing vibration. In contrast, the damping of the first elastomer increases the dynamic stiffness. Therefore, the first elastomer better absorbs shock in the first radial direction, while the second elastomer prevents the propagation of noise and / or vibration in the second radial direction. Moreover, the stiffnesses in the first radial direction and the second radial direction are thus independent.

[0033] The elastic connecting member can be a vehicle elastic connecting member, such as a connecting member mounted on a swing train (or H-type train). In this case, since this is beneficial for increasing noise and / or vibration, one can attempt to avoid dynamic hardening (elastic mixture) in the direction of the passenger compartment. Also, one can attempt to be able to suppress shock in the direction of vehicle travel. In this example, the first radial direction is the direction of vehicle travel, such as the front-back direction or substantially parallel to the front-back direction (e.g., forming an angle less than 30° with the front-back direction). Thus, in this direction, the first elastomer with greater damping than the other elastomer suppresses / absorbs shock and / or impact that may occur during vehicle driving and movement (e.g., due to obstacles, potholes, and / or speed bumps). The second radial direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle, in other words, the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel and pointing towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Therefore, the second elastomer with greater elasticity than the first elastomer suppresses / absorbs noise and / or vibration propagating towards the vehicle passenger compartment during vehicle driving.

[0034] The first elastomer may exhibit greater damping than the second elastomer, e.g., the damping of the first elastomer is more than 1.5 times that of the second elastomer ( times). In this case, in the first radial direction, the first elastomer may exhibit a damping of 0.10 to 0.24, e.g., approximately 0.14, e.g., equal to 0.14. Alternatively, or additionally, in the second radial direction, the second elastomer may exhibit a damping of 0.04 to 0.11, e.g., approximately 0.07, e.g., equal to 0.07. Damping can also be referred to as the damping factor, or tangent δ (tan(δ)), or tangent φ (tan(φ)).

[0035] In the second radial direction, the first elastomer may include one or more end-of-travel stoppers (e.g., two stoppers), in other words, one or more end-of-travel stoppers for the second elastomer. Each stopper may be formed by an excess thickness of the elastomer, such as by forming a protrusion on the elastomer. For example, in the second radial direction opposite one or more recesses (in other words, material-free regions) of the second elastomer, the first elastomer may present one or more excess-thickness protrusions, for example, corresponding protrusions facing each recess. Each protrusion matches the facing recess, thereby allowing the second elastomer to begin its travel in the second radial direction until the second elastomer abuts against the corresponding protrusion of the first elastomer, which thereby forms an end-of-travel stopper for the second elastomer.

[0036] In the first radial direction, the second elastomer may include one or more end-of-travel stoppers (e.g., two stoppers), in other words, one or more end-of-travel stoppers for the first elastomer. For example, in the first radial direction opposite one or more recesses (in other words, material-free regions) of the first elastomer, the second elastomer may present one or more excess-thickness protrusions, for example, corresponding protrusions facing each recess. Each protrusion matches the facing recess, thereby allowing the first elastomer to begin its travel in the first radial direction until the first elastomer abuts against the corresponding protrusion of the second elastomer, which thereby forms an end-of-travel stopper for the first elastomer.

[0037] Thus, each end-of-travel stopper may correspond to an elastomer thickening in the form of a protrusion on the elastomer and may be received in a recess of the other elastomer opposite the protrusion. The stopper allows the travel to be limited. At the end of the travel, the stopper allows the stiffness outside the stroke center portion to saturate.

[0038] Thus, the first elastomer and the second elastomer may have a substantially complementary shape, with each elastomer having one or more end-of-travel stoppers in the travel direction of the other elastomer. For example, as described above, each stopper of one elastomer may form a protrusion that matches a recess of the other elastomer and faces the recess. Additionally, since the end-of-travel stoppers included in the first (second) elastomer are part of the first (second) elastomer and are thus made of the same material, the stoppers are made within the elastomer. Since there is no sudden change in stiffness at the end of the travel of the first elastomer or the second elastomer, this enables simple manufacturing and continuity of stiffness. Especially in the case of a vehicle (in other words, when the elastic connection is used in a vehicle), this avoids sudden changes in stiffness and improves comfort, especially during a major impact. Furthermore, since the stoppers are part of the elastomer, there is no need to add any specific components with a stopper function, which greatly simplifies manufacturing.

[0039] The first elastomer and the second elastomer may assume substantially the same shape, and the first radial direction and the second radial direction are substantially orthogonal. Accordingly, the end-of-travel stoppers of the two elastomers are arranged on substantially orthogonal axes, i.e., the end-of-travel stopper contained in the first elastomer lies on an axis (second radial direction) that is substantially orthogonal to the axis (first radial direction) on which the end-of-travel stopper contained in the second elastomer lies. Thus, the first elastomer and the second elastomer can be manufactured with the same single material injection molding press, with substantially the same settings for the shape and dimensions of the part to be molded, but are then installed (e.g., bonded to the skeleton) so as to be rotated 90° relative to each other about the axis of the connecting member. This ensures that the end-of-travel stopper in each elastomer lies in the travel direction of the other elastomer. This allows the elastomers and their stoppers to be manufactured particularly simply and avoids adding specific parts with a stopper function, which greatly simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0040] The first sleeve and the second sleeve are integral. In other words, the connecting member includes means for making the first sleeve and the second sleeve integral. For example, the connecting member may also include a housing that makes the first sleeve and the second sleeve integral. The housing is capable of or contributes to fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together. The housing fixes the sleeves by translation. Thus, the housing facilitates assembly and can also be used to add an additional stopper function. The housing can be made of (e.g., cationically electrophoresed and / or galvanized or other) aluminum and / or steel, and / or made of plastic.

[0041] The connector may further include means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together. The means may fix the sleeves rotationally and / or translationally. The means may include a connector inserted into the inner skeleton. More specifically, the connector is a component (e.g., a metal component such as steel), such as a blade (e.g., a metal blade such as steel), that is inserted (e.g., forcefully pushed) into the central channels of the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton. The connector inserted into the inner skeleton fixes the two sleeves translationally. The connector and the inner skeleton may also present such friction and / or arrangement that the inserted connector additionally fixes the two sleeves translationally. Alternatively, or additionally, the means may include a housing that fixes the sleeves translationally as described above. In addition to the connector inserted into the inner skeleton, there may be a housing to cooperate with the connector to fix the sleeves. Thus, in this case, the housing fixes the sleeves translationally, while the connector inserted into the inner skeleton fixes the sleeves rotationally. Alternatively, the means for fixing the sleeves together may not include a connector inserted into the inner skeleton. In this case, the two inner skeletons may present complementary shapes to interlock with each other instead of inserting a connector into the inner skeletons. Additionally, or alternatively, the two outer skeletons may present complementary shapes to interlock with each other. These complementary shapes enable the sleeves to be fixed rotationally. As a further alternative, the connector may include a connector inserted into the inner skeleton, and the inner skeleton and / or the outer skeleton may also have complementary shapes. In this case, the connector may or may not include a housing.

[0042] Examples of resilient connectors will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4B In these figures, the U-axis is the axis of the connector, and the V-axis and W-axis are the radial directions. The resilient connector in this example may be used in a vehicle.

[0043] Figure 1Shows a first sleeve 10 of a connector. The first sleeve 10 includes a first elastomer 16. The first elastomer 16 surrounds a first inner skeleton 12 and is surrounded by a first outer skeleton 14. The first inner skeleton 12 includes a central channel 120. The first elastomer 16 is molded between the first inner skeleton 12 and the first outer skeleton 14, where molding may include bonding the first elastomer 16 to the skeletons 12 and 14. The first elastomer 16 includes two depressions 162 (only one is visible in the figure) in a first radial direction W. By "in", it means that the two depressions 162 are located on the axis corresponding to the first radial direction W, on both sides of the inner skeleton 12. The two depressions 162 are symmetric with respect to a second radial direction V. The first elastomer 16 further includes two protrusions 160 (only one is visible in the figure) in the second radial direction V. By "in", it means that the two protrusions 160 are located on the axis corresponding to the second radial direction V, on both sides of the inner skeleton 12. The two protrusions 160 are symmetric with respect to the first radial direction W. Each protrusion 160 forms a stroke end stop in the second radial direction V, in other words, a stroke end stop for the second elastomer.

[0044] Figure 2 Shows a second sleeve 20 of a connector. The second sleeve 20 includes a second elastomer 26. The second elastomer 26 surrounds a second inner skeleton 22 and is surrounded by a second outer skeleton 24. The second inner skeleton 22 includes a central channel 220. The second elastomer 26 is molded between the second inner skeleton 22 and the second outer skeleton 24, where molding may include bonding the second elastomer 26 to the skeletons 22 and 24. The second elastomer 26 includes two depressions 262 (only one is visible in the figure) in the second radial direction V. By "in", it means that the two depressions 262 are located on the axis corresponding to the second radial direction V, on both sides of the inner skeleton 22. The two depressions 262 are symmetric with respect to the first radial direction W. The second elastomer 26 further includes two protrusions 260 (only one is visible in the figure) in the first radial direction W. By "in", it means that the two protrusions 260 are located on the axis corresponding to the first radial direction W, on both sides of the inner skeleton 22. The two protrusions 260 are symmetric with respect to the second radial direction V. Each protrusion 260 forms a stroke end stop in the first radial direction W, in other words, a stroke end stop for the first elastomer.

[0045] From Figure 1 And Figure 2As can be seen, the radial directions V and W are substantially orthogonal. The recess 262 of the second sleeve 20 faces the projection 160 of the first sleeve 10 in the second radial direction V, and the projection 160 of the first sleeve 10 is also in the second radial direction V. The recess 162 of the first sleeve 10 faces the projection 260 of the second sleeve 20 in the first radial direction W, and the projection 260 of the second sleeve 20 is also in the first radial direction W. Thus, the projection 160 forms a travel end stop in the second radial direction V, in other words, a travel end stop for the second elastomer 26. Similarly, the projection 260 forms a travel end stop in the first radial direction W, in other words, an end stop for the first elastomer 16. From Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the elastomer 16 and the elastomer 26 have substantially complementary and substantially the same shape. The elastomer 16 and the elastomer 26 are arranged in the connector to rotate relative to each other by approximately 90° about the U-axis of the connector, such that the stop projection of one elastomer faces the recess of the other elastomer and vice versa. From Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the central channel 120 and the central channel 220 are aligned. This allows a connector (such as a blade) to be inserted through the central channels of the two sleeves.

[0046] Figure 3 Shows two sleeves 10 and 20 assembled in the connector and rotationally integrated therewith by a connector, in this case a blade 30 inserted through the central channel 120 and the central channel 220. The blade 30 is also shown separately in Figure 3 The blade 30 has protrusions 32 that engage with the recesses of the central channel 120 and the central channel 220, thereby fixing the blade to the two inner skeletons 12 and 22. The protrusions are complementary and matched to the recesses such that once the blade is inserted into the recesses, it is firmly fixed there.

[0047] Figure 4A Shows a housing 40 surrounding the two sleeves 10 and 20, thereby making the two sleeves 10 and 20 translationally integrated. The two ends of the housing 40 form radially inwardly curved inner flanges. The inner flanges are provided with axial stops for one end of the first inner skeleton and the other end of the second inner skeleton respectively. Figure 4B Shows a cross-section of the connector, particularly the housing, which includes an axial stop 42. The recess 1200 is also shown in Figure 4B The

[0048] Now a method for manufacturing an elastic connector will be described.

[0049] The manufacturing method includes providing and positioning a first inner skeleton and a first outer skeleton, and providing and positioning a second inner skeleton and a second outer skeleton. These operations can be completed successively, that is, first position an outer skeleton and an inner skeleton, then complete the molding of an elastomer between these skeletons, and then position another outer skeleton and another inner skeleton, and complete the molding of another elastomer between these skeletons. In this case, the two moldings can be completed with the same injection molding machine, which is a particularly simple manufacturing process.

[0050] The manufacturing method further includes molding a first elastomer between the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton to obtain a first sleeve, and molding a second elastomer between the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton to obtain a second sleeve.

[0051] Optionally, the molding can further include bonding the inner and / or outer skeletons. In other words, the molding of each elastomer can include: for each sleeve, pre-treating the outer surface of the inner skeleton and / or the inner surface of the outer skeleton, which, before molding, includes using a specific adhesive to bond the inner and / or outer skeletons. During the vulcanization process that occurs during molding, this bonding can establish a bond between the skeleton and the elastomer.

[0052] The method further includes the assembly of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

[0053] The assembly can include the implementation of means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together. The implementation of means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together can include curling the housing around the first sleeve and the second sleeve. Alternatively, or additionally, the implementation of means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together can include inserting (e.g., pushing forcefully) a connector (i.e., a component made of a metal such as steel) (such as a blade) through the central channels of the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton. Alternatively, or additionally, the implementation of means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together can include the interlocking assembly of the two inner skeletons and / or the two outer skeletons. In this case, the two inner fittings and / or the two outer fittings have complementary shapes for interlocking, in other words, the two inner fittings interlock and / or the two outer fittings interlock.

[0054] Now reference will be made to Figures 5 to 7 Describe an example of the manufacturing method. In particular, the drawings illustrate the manufacturing of an example elastic connector described with reference to Figures 1 to 4B Describe.

[0055] As Figure 5 shown, the method includes providing and positioning an inner skeleton 22 and an outer skeleton 24, and molding an elastomer 26 between the skeleton 22 and the skeleton 24 (see Figure 1to Figure 4) molding 50 to obtain the sleeve 20. The molding is performed by a single-material injection molding press. The method further includes providing and positioning the inner skeleton 12 and the outer skeleton 14, and disposing the elastomer 16 between the skeleton 12 and the skeleton 14 (see Figure 1 to Figure 4) molding 52 to obtain the sleeve 10. The molding is accomplished by a single-material injection molding press.

[0056] As Figure 6 shown, the method further includes assembling the sleeve 10 and the sleeve 20. The assembly includes providing 60 the blades 30, then inserting the blades 30 into 62 the sleeve 20, and then inserting the blades 30 into 64 the sleeve 10. Alternatively, the blades may be inserted into the sleeve 10 and then into the sleeve 20.

[0057] As Figure 7 shown, the method further includes curling the housing 40 around the sleeve 10 and the sleeve 20.

Claims

1. An elastic connector, comprising: A first sleeve (10), which includes a first elastomer (16), a first inner skeleton (12) surrounded by the first elastomer, and a first outer skeleton (14) surrounding the first elastomer; And A second sleeve (20), which includes a second elastomer (26), a second inner skeleton (22) surrounded by the second elastomer, and a second outer skeleton (24) surrounding the second elastomer, The first elastomer and the second elastomer exhibit different elastic behaviors, In a first radial direction (W) relative to the axis (U) of the connector, the first elastomer has greater damping than the second elastomer, In a second radial direction (V) relative to the axis (U), the second elastomer has greater elasticity than the first elastomer.

2. The connecting member according to claim 1, wherein, The first elastomer exhibits greater damping than the second elastomer, and the damping of the first elastomer is more than 1.5 times that of the second elastomer, where: In the first radial direction, the first elastomer exhibits a damping of 0.10 to 0.24, and / or In the second radial direction, the second elastomer exhibits a damping of 0.04 to 0.

11.

3. The connecting member according to claim 1, wherein, The first elastomer exhibits greater damping than the second elastomer, and the damping of the first elastomer is more than 1.5 times that of the second elastomer, where: In the first radial direction, the first elastomer exhibits a damping of approximately 0.14, and / or In the second radial direction, the second elastomer exhibits a damping of approximately 0.

07.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connector is an elastic connector for a vehicle, the first radial direction is the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the second radial direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, In the second radial direction, the first elastomer includes one or more end-of-travel stoppers, In the first radial direction, the second elastomer includes one or more end-of-travel stoppers.

6. The connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first elastomer and the second elastomer exhibit substantially the same shape, and the first radial direction and the second radial direction are substantially orthogonal.

7. The connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The connector further includes a housing (40) that integrally connects the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connector further includes means for fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together, the means including a connector inserted into the central channels (120) of the first inner skeleton and the central channels (220) of the second inner skeleton, and the connector is a blade (30).

9. A method for manufacturing the elastic connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising: Providing and positioning the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton; Providing and positioning the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton; Molding the first elastomer between the first inner skeleton and the first outer skeleton to obtain the first sleeve; Molding the second elastomer between the second inner skeleton and the second outer skeleton to obtain the second sleeve; Assemble the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Assembling the first sleeve and the second sleeve includes implementing means for securing the first sleeve and the second sleeve together: crimping the housing around the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and / or inserting a connector into the central channels of the first inner skeleton and the second inner skeleton, the connector being a vane.

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