Multi-layer rubber ball hinge and assembly method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle shock-absorbing parts, and in particular to a multi-layer rubber ball joint and an assembly method thereof, wherein the multi-layer rubber ball joint is composed of at least two single-layer rubber ball joints, wherein the single-layer rubber ball joint includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a rubber body vulcanized between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and the outer diameter of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints matches the inner diameter of the inner sleeve of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint and is fitted and pressed tightly. The assembly method of the multi-layer rubber ball joint includes the following steps: S1: pre-compressing two or more single-layer rubber ball joints including a metal outer sleeve, a single rubber layer, and a metal inner sleeve; S2: designing a pressing tool and a pressing cylinder; S3: pressing each pre-compressed single-layer rubber ball joint into the pressing cylinder in turn through the pressing cylinder to form a finished multi-layer rubber ball joint. This solution can reduce the difficulty of pre-compression and vulcanization of the product and increase the service life of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle vibration damping parts, and in particular to a multi-layer rubber ball hinge and an assembling method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Rubber ball joints are important shock-absorbing connection components, commonly used in trains, high-speed trains, automobiles, ships, and aircraft. When the aircraft is subjected to complex load conditions such as radial, torsional, and deflection, the deformation of the rod-end rubber ball joint withstands the deflection angle and radial loads, preventing the aircraft from tipping over during operation. Current rubber ball joints typically utilize a single-layer rubber joint consisting of a metal outer sleeve, a single rubber layer, and a metal inner sleeve. These joints have low radial stiffness and can only withstand small radial loads, resulting in poor torsional and radial load resistance. Furthermore, the rubber layer is a one-piece structure with high deflection stiffness and low flexibility, making the joint highly susceptible to damage.

[0003] To address the above issues, the prior art has developed a multi-layer rubber ball hinge structure that can increase the load capacity of the rubber ball hinge:

[0004] 1. Patent number 201811168231.8, entitled "A Shock Reduction Method and Structure for a Rubber Ball Joint for an Axleless Bogie," incorporates a split metal partition between the inner and outer metal sleeves, with parting surfaces provided at the split locations to meet radial, axial, deflection, and torsional stiffness requirements. This invention improves the radial stiffness of the rubber ball joint while achieving minimal torsional stiffness. The parting surfaces provided at the split locations increase the free surface area of ​​the rubber, significantly reducing stress generated by extrusion, improving the fatigue life of the rubber, and extending the service life of the rubber ball joint.

[0005] 2. Patent number "201120260433.2," titled "A Connecting Rod Joint for a High-Speed ​​Train Torsion Bar System," is a utility model patent. It comprises a metal inner sleeve, a metal outer sleeve, an elastic rubber body, and a metal spacer. The elastic rubber body, outer sleeve, and metal spacer are vulcanized into a single unit. The metal spacer divides the connecting rod joint into a multi-layer structure. This solution reduces the torsional stiffness of the rubber ball joint elastic element and solves the problem of pre-compression of the elastic rubber body in ball-end rubber joints.

[0006] However, the above-mentioned multi-layer rubber ball hinge or multi-layer shock-absorbing component patents still have the following problems:

[0007] 1. Rubber has good compression performance but poor tensile performance. After vulcanization, the rubber ball hinge usually needs to be pre-compressed to ensure the reliability of product performance. The rubber ball hinge in the existing technology requires a spacer to be embedded in the rubber body, and some spacers need to be made into multi-petal type. During the pre-compression process of the rubber ball hinge, the spacer is prone to movement and affects the quality and performance of the product.

[0008] 2. A gap needs to be designed at the petal to ensure the movement of the spacer. Therefore, it is usually necessary to insert a mold insert to ensure the gap, which makes the mold structure complex and increases the difficulty of vulcanization. At the same time, after the rubber ball hinge product is pre-compressed, there will still be a certain gap at the petal of the multi-petal spacer, which will seriously affect the fatigue life of the product.

[0009] In summary, how to design a rubber ball joint that can ensure load capacity, reduce the difficulty of vulcanization, and ensure product performance and fatigue life is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a multi-layer rubber ball hinge and an assembly method thereof. At least two single-layer rubber ball hinges are pressed together by a pressing tool to form a multi-layer rubber ball hinge finished product. The multi-layer rubber ball hinge finished product is used to replace the rubber ball hinge with a spacer in the prior art, which can reduce the difficulty of vulcanization, solve the pre-compression problem, prevent the rubber ball hinge from jumping out during operation, and improve the service life of the product and the operating stability of the vehicle body.

[0011] To achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following technical solution: a method for assembling a multi-layer rubber ball hinge, comprising the following steps:

[0012] S1: Pre-compress two or more single-layer rubber ball joints comprising a metal outer sleeve, a single-layer rubber layer, and a metal inner sleeve;

[0013] S2: Design press fitting tooling and press fitting barrel;

[0014] S3: Pressing the pre-compressed single-layer rubber ball hinges into the press-fitting cylinder in sequence to form a multi-layer rubber ball hinge product.

[0015] Preferably, the press-fitting tooling in step S2 is cylindrical and the inner diameter of the press-fitting tooling is matched with the outer diameter of the outer sleeve of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge after pre-compression; the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge sleeve is arranged in the press-fitting tooling and the outer wall of the outer sleeve of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed tightly against the inner wall of the press-fitting tooling.

[0016] Preferably, the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge of adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges is sleeved inside the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge, and the inner wall of the inner sleeve of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed tightly against the outer wall of the outer sleeve of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge.

[0017] Preferably, the press-fitting step of the single-layer rubber ball joint in step S3 includes:

[0018] S31: Use a press-fitting cylinder to hinge and press the outermost single-layer rubber ball into the press-fitting tool from top to bottom;

[0019] S32: Use a press-fitting cylinder to press-fit the second single-layer rubber ball hinge into the outermost rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by means of interference fit;

[0020] Press each single-layer rubber ball hinge into the previous single-layer rubber ball hinge in sequence according to the method in S32;

[0021] S3n: Press the innermost rubber ball hinge into the n-1 layer of rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by interference fit; completing the assembly of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge product.

[0022] Preferably, when each single-layer rubber ball hinge is press-fitted into the upper single-layer rubber ball hinge by interference fit, the interference force is greater than the axial bearing capacity of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge.

[0023] Preferably, the thickness of the rubber body in each single-layer rubber ball hinge is designed according to the total stiffness of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge, and the rubber body in each single-layer rubber ball hinge has equal strain.

[0024] A multi-layer rubber ball joint is assembled using the above method, including two or more single-layer rubber ball joints that are sleeved and press-fitted, the single-layer rubber ball joint comprising an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a rubber body vulcanized between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve; in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints, the outer diameter of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint is matched with the inner diameter of the inner sleeve of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint and is tightly fitted.

[0025] Preferably, the outer sleeve thickness of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints is smaller than the inner sleeve thickness of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint.

[0026] Preferably, the inner sleeve outer wall of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint and the outer sleeve inner wall of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints are both arc-shaped surface structures.

[0027] Preferably, in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints, the outer wall of the inner sleeve of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint bulges outward and forms arc surface one, and the inner wall of the outer sleeve of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint is concave toward the outside and forms arc surface two; the curvature radius of the convex top A in arc surface one is greater than the curvature radius of the concave bottom B in arc surface two.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] 1. Compared with the traditional multi-layer rubber ball joint in which metal spacers are added to the rubber body, the present invention does not require the design of metal spacers and spacer gaps, which can simplify the structure of the mold, reduce the difficulty of product vulcanization, and improve the fatigue life of the product.

[0030] 2. The single-layer rubber ball hinge in the present invention is first pre-compressed separately, and then the pre-compressed single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed together to form a multi-layer rubber ball hinge product, which can solve the problem of difficulty in pre-compression of traditional multi-layer rubber ball hinges and improve the processing efficiency of the product.

[0031] 3. In the present invention, adjacent rubber ball joints are press-fitted by interference fit. The interference fit design ensures that the rubber ball joints will not pop out during use, thereby improving the assembly stability and performance of the rubber ball joints and improving the operational stability of the vehicle body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-layer rubber ball joint provided according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an outer rubber ball joint provided according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an inner rubber ball joint provided according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the outer rubber ball joint provided according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the inner rubber ball hinge provided according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-layer rubber ball joint according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure numerals: 1. Outer sleeve; 1a. Outer sleeve one; 1b. Outer sleeve two; 2. Rubber body; 2a. Rubber body one; 2b. Rubber body two; 3. Inner sleeve; 3a. Inner sleeve one; 3b. Inner sleeve two; 4. Press-fitting tool; 5. Inner wall of press-fitting tool; 6. Press-fitting cylinder; 7. Outermost single-layer rubber ball joint; 8. Arc surface one; 9. Arc surface two. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the following Figure 1-6 It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate the present invention and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention. Example 1

[0040] A method for assembling a multi-layer rubber ball hinge comprises the following steps:

[0041] S1: Pre-compress two or more single-layer rubber ball joints including a metal outer sleeve, a single-layer rubber layer, and a metal inner sleeve; Figure 1 As shown, the single-layer rubber ball joint includes an outer sleeve 1, an inner sleeve 3 and a rubber body 2 vulcanized between the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 3.

[0042] S2: Design the press fitting 4 and the press fitting cylinder 6; Figure 4 As shown, the press-fitting tool 4 is cylindrical and the inner diameter of the press-fitting tool 4 is matched with the outer diameter of the outer sleeve 1 of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 after pre-compression; during the press-fitting process of the single-layer rubber ball hinge, the outer sleeve 1 and the rubber body 2 are deformable. During the press-fitting process, the rubber body 2 is squeezed and the outer sleeve 1 is permanently deformed after yielding. Matching the inner diameter of the press-fitting tool 4 with the outer diameter of the outer sleeve 1 of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 after pre-compression can ensure that the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 can be press-fitted into the press-fitting tool 4 and the stability of the press-fitting can be ensured; as shown Figure 5 As shown, after the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 is assembled, the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 is sleeved in the press-fitting tool 4 and the outer wall of the outer sleeve 1 of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 is pressed tightly against the inner wall 5 of the press-fitting tool.

[0043] S3: Press-fit the pre-compressed single-layer rubber ball hinges into the press-fitting cylinder 6 in sequence to form a multi-layer rubber ball hinge product.

[0044] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge of the adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinge is shown as M, and the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge is shown as N. During assembly, the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge of the adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinge is placed inside the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge, and the inner wall of the inner sleeve 3 of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge is fitted and pressed against the outer wall of the outer sleeve 1 of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge.

[0045] The press-fitting steps of the single-layer rubber ball joint include:

[0046] S31: Use the press-fitting cylinder 6 to press-fit the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 into the press-fitting tool 4 from top to bottom;

[0047] S32: Using a press-fitting cylinder 6, the second single-layer rubber ball hinge is press-fitted into the outermost rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by means of an interference fit. The interference force is greater than the axial bearing capacity of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge to ensure that the multi-layer rubber ball hinge does not move during use, thereby improving the assembly stability and performance of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge.

[0048] Press each single-layer rubber ball hinge into the previous single-layer rubber ball hinge in sequence according to the method in S32;

[0049] S3n: Press the innermost rubber ball hinge into the n-1 layer of rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by interference fit; completing the assembly of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge product.

[0050] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges, the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge includes an outer sleeve 1a, a rubber body 2a and an inner sleeve 3a, and the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge includes an outer sleeve 1b, a rubber body 2b and an inner sleeve 3b, wherein the inner sleeve 3a is made of a harder material, preferably 45 steel, and the outer sleeve 1b is made of a softer material, preferably 20 steel, to ensure the stability of the interference fit between the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge and the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge; those skilled in the art can also adjust the materials of the inner sleeve 3a and the outer sleeve 1b according to actual conditions.

[0051] This embodiment includes two layers of single-layer rubber ball joints, the outermost single-layer rubber ball joint 7 is the outermost single-layer rubber ball joint among adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints, and the second single-layer rubber ball joint is the innermost single-layer rubber ball joint among adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints; technicians in this field can also set three or more layers of single-layer rubber ball joints.

[0052] The assembly process of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 (the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge) is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the outermost single-layer rubber ball joint 7 is placed above the pressing tool 4 and is ensured to be coaxial with the pressing tool 4 as much as possible; then the outermost single-layer rubber ball joint 7 is pressed into the pressing tool 4 from top to bottom using the pressing cylinder 6; at this time, the outer wall of the outer sleeve 1a is pressed tightly against the inner wall 5 of the pressing tool.

[0053] The assembly process of the second layer single-layer rubber ball hinge (the inner layer single-layer rubber ball hinge) is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the second-layer single-layer rubber ball hinge is placed above the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 and the second-layer single-layer rubber ball hinge is ensured to be coaxial with the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 as much as possible; then the second-layer single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed into the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge 7 from top to bottom using the pressing cylinder 6; at this time, the outer wall of the outer sleeve 2 1b is pressed tightly against the inner wall of the inner sleeve 1 3a.

[0054] A multi-layer rubber ball joint is assembled using the above method, comprising two or more single-layer rubber ball joints that are sleeved and press-fitted, and in this embodiment, comprises two single-layer rubber ball joints; wherein the single-layer rubber ball joint comprises an outer sleeve 1, an inner sleeve 3 and a rubber body 2 vulcanized between the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 3; the outer diameter of the outer sleeve 1 of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints is matched with the inner diameter of the inner sleeve 3 of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint and is fitted and pressed tightly; the thickness of the rubber body 2 in each layer of the single-layer rubber ball joint is designed according to the total stiffness of the multi-layer rubber ball joint, and the rubber body 2 in each layer of the single-layer rubber ball joint is equally strained to improve the stable deformation of the multi-layer rubber ball joint; the thickness of the outer sleeve 1 of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints is less than the thickness of the inner sleeve 3 of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint to improve the overall stiffness of the multi-layer rubber ball joint and the stability of the interference fit between the outer single-layer rubber ball joint and the inner single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints. Example 2

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and the embodiment is that the outer wall of the inner sleeve of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint and the inner wall of the outer sleeve of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint in adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints are both arc-shaped surface structures, that is, the inner wall of the outer sleeve 1a and the outer wall of the inner sleeve 2 3b are both arc-shaped surface structures, which can improve the strain capacity between the rubber body 1 2a and the rubber body 2 2b and enhance the fatigue life of the multi-layer rubber ball joint.

[0056] In adjacent single-layer rubber ball joints, the outer wall of the inner sleeve 3 of the inner single-layer rubber ball joint bulges outward and forms an arc surface 8, and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 1 of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint is concave outward and forms an arc surface 2 9; the curvature radius of the convex top A in the arc surface 1 8 is greater than the curvature radius of the concave bottom B in the arc surface 2 9, so that the inner sleeve 2 3b is thicker, which can improve the installation stability and rigidity of the multi-layer rubber ball joint; at the same time, the rubber body 1 2a is thicker, which can increase the rigidity of the outer single-layer rubber ball joint and improve the load-bearing capacity of the multi-layer rubber ball joint.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The above specific embodiments of the present invention do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a multi-layer rubber ball hinge, characterized in that: The steps include: S1: Pre-compress two or more single-layer rubber ball joints comprising a metal outer sleeve, a single-layer rubber layer, and a metal inner sleeve; S2: Design a press-fitting tool (4) and a press-fitting cylinder (6); the press-fitting tool (4) is cylindrical and the inner diameter of the press-fitting tool (4) matches the outer diameter of the outer sleeve (1) of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge (7) after pre-compression; the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge (7) is sleeved in the press-fitting tool (4) and the outer wall of the outer sleeve (1) of the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge (7) is pressed tightly against the inner wall (5) of the press-fitting tool; S3: Pressing each pre-compressed single-layer rubber ball hinge into the press-fitting cylinder (6) in sequence to form a multi-layer rubber ball hinge finished product; the press-fitting steps of the single-layer rubber ball hinge in S3 include: S31: Using a press-fitting cylinder (6), press-fit the outermost single-layer rubber ball hinge (7) into the press-fitting tool (4) from top to bottom; S32: Using a press-fitting cylinder (6), the second layer of the single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed into the outermost layer of the rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by means of interference fit; Press each single-layer rubber ball hinge into the previous single-layer rubber ball hinge in sequence according to the method in S32; S3n: Press the innermost rubber ball hinge into the n-1th layer of rubber ball hinge from top to bottom by interference fit; completing the assembly of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge product; The inner single-layer rubber ball hinge sleeve of the adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinge is arranged in the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge, and the inner wall of the inner sleeve (3) of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed tightly against the outer wall of the outer sleeve (1) of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge.

2. The method for assembling a multi-layer rubber ball hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: When each single-layer rubber ball hinge is pressed into the upper single-layer rubber ball hinge by interference fit, the interference force is greater than the axial bearing capacity of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge.

3. The method for assembling a multi-layer rubber ball hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the rubber body (2) in each single-layer rubber ball hinge is designed according to the total stiffness of the multi-layer rubber ball hinge, and the rubber body (2) in each single-layer rubber ball hinge has equal strain.

4. A multi-layer rubber ball hinge assembled by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The invention comprises two or more single-layer rubber ball hinges which are sleeved and pressed together, wherein the single-layer rubber ball hinge comprises an outer sleeve (1), an inner sleeve (3) and a rubber body (2) vulcanized between the outer sleeve (1) and the inner sleeve (3); in adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges, the outer diameter of the outer sleeve (1) of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge is matched with the inner diameter of the inner sleeve (3) of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge and is pressed tightly together.

5. The multi-layer rubber ball hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thickness of the outer sleeve (1) of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge in adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges is smaller than the thickness of the inner sleeve (3) of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge.

6. The multi-layer rubber ball hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer wall of the inner sleeve (3) of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge and the inner wall of the outer sleeve (1) of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge in adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges are both arc-shaped surface structures.

7. The multi-layer rubber ball hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that: In adjacent single-layer rubber ball hinges, the outer wall of the inner sleeve (3) of the inner single-layer rubber ball hinge bulges outward and forms an arc surface 1 (8), and the inner wall of the outer sleeve (1) of the outer single-layer rubber ball hinge is concave outward and forms an arc surface 2 (9); the curvature radius of the convex top A in the arc surface 1 (8) is greater than the curvature radius of the concave bottom B in the arc surface 2 (9).

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