Multidirectional damping hydraulic supporting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydraulically damped bearing device (1) comprising: an axially extending inner element; an elastomer body (3); a cage element which engages at least in sections in the elastomer body (3), the elastomer body (3) elastically connecting the cage element and the inner element to each other; an outer sleeve (5) surrounding the inner element, the cage element and the elastomer body (3); at least one first, second, third and fourth fluid chamber (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), which are respectively arranged between the outer sleeve and the inner element and are connected by a fluid channel. Each of the at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) is configured and arranged to participate in performing a damping operation when the inner element and the cage element are displaced relative to each other in a first direction and when the inner element and the cage element are displaced relative to each other in a second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic damping support device, comprising an axially extending internal element, an elastomeric body and a retaining frame element at least partially embedded in the elastomeric body, wherein the elastomeric body elastically connects the retaining frame element and the internal element to each other, and an external sleeve surrounding the internal element, the retaining frame element and the elastomeric body, wherein at least one first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber are provided, and the fluid chambers are respectively arranged between the external sleeve and the internal element and connected by fluid channels. Background Art

[0002] For example, such a bearing device can be used as a bushing bearing device for chassis suspension control arm mounting or assembly mounting, in particular for engine mounting in a motor vehicle. In order to provide better damping than pure elastomer damping in a predetermined excitation frequency or amplitude range, in particular when operating such a motor vehicle, such a profiled bearing device is designed to perform hydraulic damping work under corresponding mechanical excitation. To this end, at least two fluid chambers connected by a fluid channel are designed in such a way that when the cage element is mechanically deflected relative to the inner element, the volume of one fluid chamber can be reduced and the volume of another fluid chamber associated with the first fluid chamber can be increased, so that fluid can be exchanged between the two fluid chambers. Preferably, the fluid is designed as a damping fluid. The fluid flows between the mutually connected fluid chambers via at least one fluid channel, thereby performing hydraulic damping work. The at least two fluid chambers connected by the damping channel can be segmentally limited by at least one gas spring section and / or at least one load-bearing spring section. Mechanical stresses on the bearing device (also called hydraulic bearing device) can cause the damping fluid to escape from one chamber into the other chamber via at least one damping channel and / or the relevant part of the expansion spring. For example, German patent application DE19007526A1 discloses a hydraulic support device of this type.

[0003] Depending on the application, the design of the hydraulic support device may not only take into account a single working direction or main damping direction, i.e. providing hydraulic damping according to a mechanical excitation of a predetermined excitation frequency or amplitude range, but also multiple directions, such as two excitation directions, in particular two excitation directions that can be arranged perpendicular to each other. For this purpose, DE07016399A1 describes a multi-directional damping hydraulic support device, which is arranged and designed to perform damping work in the axial and radial directions of the support device at the same time. For this purpose, the known hydraulic support device has a housing with an upper housing and a lower housing, which are connected to the upper housing, and also has an elastic damping device, which is accommodated by the housing and can act in the axial and radial directions. This damping device has at least one pair of chambers, which are arranged relative to each other in the axial direction, connected to each other by at least one channel, and extend over its entire circumference; and at least one pair of chambers for the hydraulic damping device, which are arranged relative to each other in the radial direction and in the circumferential direction of the hydraulic support device, and are connected to each other by at least one channel. The upper housing part forms a support body having an inner core, an outer wall of the upper housing part radially spaced from the inner core, and an elastic spring connected to the inner core and the outer wall by vulcanization and supporting the inner core on the outer wall in the axial direction. However, the structure of such a multi-directional damping hydraulic support device is very complicated and requires a large number of components. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a hydraulic support device which can perform hydraulic damping work in multiple working directions, especially mutually perpendicular working directions, and has a simple structure so that it can be manufactured at low cost. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by the preferred technical solution of the present invention. The hydraulic support device (or hydraulic suspension) of the present invention has an axially extending inner element, an elastomeric body, a cage element at least partially embedded in the elastomeric body, wherein the elastomeric body elastically connects the cage element and the inner element, an outer sleeve surrounding or radially surrounding the inner element, the cage element and the elastomeric body, and at least one first and second fluid chambers, which are respectively arranged between the outer sleeve and the inner element and connected by a fluid channel. The bearing device according to the invention is characterized in that, in addition to the first and second fluid chambers, it also comprises at least one third and fourth fluid chamber, which are located between the outer sleeve and the inner element, respectively, wherein the at least four fluid chambers are fluidically connected via at least one further fluid channel and each of the at least four fluid chambers participates in the damping operation in the case of a relative displacement of the inner element and the holder element in the first main direction and in the case of a relative displacement of the inner element and the holder element in the second main direction, i.e. each of the at least four fluid chambers is part of a hydraulic system in which hydraulic damping operation can be performed both in the case of a relative displacement of the inner element and the holder element in the first main direction and in the case of a relative displacement of the inner element and the holder element in the second main direction. The directions of the two main directions are preferably perpendicular to each other, in particular the axial direction and the radial direction.

[0005] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to form a multi-directional damping hydraulic support device (or hydraulic suspension) on the basis of the known uniaxial damping hydraulic support device, which in turn comprises a cage element embedded in an elastomeric body, wherein according to the invention at least four fluid chambers are provided, which are connected via fluid channels and which participate in the hydraulic damping work regardless of the load of the hydraulic support device in the first, second or main direction. This participation in the damping work mainly consists in the flow of damping fluid, in particular damping liquid, out of or into one of the fluid chambers through the associated fluid channel, wherein the hydraulic damping work is mainly carried out in the fluid channel, which connects the fluid chamber that releases the fluid and the fluid chamber that receives the fluid.

[0006] The hydraulic damping support device of the present invention having the above structure is characterized in that a multi-directional damping support device is provided, which is composed of relatively few components and has a compact design. In addition, support devices with different damping characteristics can be arranged in two main load directions. According to the present invention, at least four fluid chambers are used together with the fluid channel to provide a hydraulic system that acts in the first direction and performs damping work and a hydraulic system that acts in the second direction and performs damping work. The two main directions are preferably perpendicular to each other; in particular, the first main direction can represent the axial direction of the support device, and the second main direction can represent the radial direction of the support device. In this embodiment, the design and arrangement of the at least four fluid chambers can make them act as fluid chambers of the damping system when the support device is loaded radially and axially, and these fluid chambers interact with one of the related fluid chambers in the other fluid chambers and the fluid channel connecting the two related fluid chambers to perform damping work.

[0007] Further features and developments according to the present invention are given in the following general description, drawings, descriptions of drawings and optional technical solutions.

[0008] In order to provide a hydraulic support device that can work in two directions (in particular the main direction), it can be provided that the support device of the invention has at least two pairs of fluid chambers, which are arranged axially one above the other and at least overlap in the circumferential direction of the support device, wherein the at least two pairs of fluid chambers are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The circumferential spacing of the two pairs of fluid chambers is preferably between 90° and 180°, and in particular the two extreme values ​​of the circumferential spacing, i.e. 90° or 180°, are also possible. It is particularly useful that the two pairs of fluid chambers arranged axially one above the other can be arranged radially opposite to each other, i.e. arranged diametrically opposite to each other, with a corresponding circumferential spacing of about 180°.

[0009] Depending on the embodiment, the two pairs of axially arranged fluid chambers may be arranged at different axial heights in the support device. It may be more appropriate for the two pairs of axially arranged fluid chambers to be located at the same axial height. As a result, a radial portion of the support device separating one pair of axially arranged fluid chambers, in particular a radial wall section of the support device, is at the same height as a radial portion of the support device separating the other pair of the two pairs of axially arranged fluid chambers.

[0010] The multi-directional hydraulic damping bearing device of the present invention can be designed in particular as a sleeve bearing device for being arranged in a relevant bearing device hole of a first component (e.g. a motor vehicle component), wherein the outer surface of the outer sleeve of the bearing device is designed to abut against a boundary surface of the first component, the boundary surface defining the bearing device hole and adapted to the outer surface of the outer sleeve, and the inner element is designed to be connected to a second component (in particular a second component of a motor vehicle). It can be provided that the inner element of the bearing device of the present invention has a bushing extending in the axial direction for receiving a fastening bolt to fasten the bearing device of the present invention to the second component of the motor vehicle.

[0011] In order to make the multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention have symmetrical response performance, it is appropriate to make the two fluid chambers in a pair of axially arranged fluid chambers extend substantially over the same circumferential section.

[0012] Preferably, at least four fluid chambers have substantially the same extension, i.e. the same extension in the circumferential direction of the support device. In particular, it can be provided that every two fluid chambers are arranged on the same circumferential section and are axially offset to form a first and a second pair of fluid chambers, wherein the circumferential offset of every two pairs of fluid chambers is approximately 180°.

[0013] In order to minimize the design effort, it can be provided that each of the at least four fluid chambers is fluidically connected to one of the other three fluid chambers via a fluid channel, wherein the mutually connected fluid chambers are radially opposite and axially consecutive, i.e. one above the other. In this embodiment, each fluid chamber has an associated fluid chamber for exchanging damping fluid and thus a damping channel between the associated fluid chambers, so that radial and axial loads can be damped by means of a substantially identical hydraulic damping system, since the respective damping channels or fluid channels are identical in both main load directions.

[0014] Preferably, each fluid channel is able to fluidically connect exactly two fluid chambers comprised by the support device according to the invention.

[0015] In order to adjust the hydraulic damping of the support device according to the invention separately in different directions, four fluid channels can be arranged between the at least four fluid chambers. In each case, two fluid channels for providing damping operation in a first main direction (e.g. axial direction) and two fluid channels for providing damping operation in a second main direction (e.g. radial direction) can be arranged between the at least four fluid chambers.

[0016] The fluid channels for providing damping in a first main direction (e.g. radial direction) and the fluid channels for providing damping in a second main direction (e.g. axial direction) are preferably designed with different geometries to determine the respective damping, in particular with regard to the diameter, length and / or curvature of the respective fluid channels. In this respect, the hydraulic support device of the invention can be designed so that when the support device is loaded in one of the main directions, the two hydraulic systems (each of which comprises an associated fluid chamber connected by an associated fluid channel) are always active, i.e. perform damping work.

[0017] Each of the at least four fluid chambers is connected to an associated axially spaced first fluid chamber via a fluid channel, while the first fluid chamber is connected to a circumferentially spaced second fluid chamber via another fluid channel. Advantageously, the hydraulic support device of the present invention can provide two hydraulic systems that simultaneously perform damping work under any mechanical load that causes relative displacement of the internal elements of the support device and the retaining frame elements. Whether the mechanical load on the hydraulic support device is applied in one of two main directions (the two directions are perpendicular to each other, for example, axial and radial), or a support device load component in the first main direction and a support device load component in the second main direction, the two hydraulic systems can be provided, and the two damping systems can perform damping work with the participation of all four fluid chambers and the fluid channels connecting them.

[0018] In order to separate two fluid chambers which are arranged in the same circumferential section and are axially spaced apart or successively therefrom and which are referred to above as a pair, it can be convenient to provide the cage element with a first transverse web in the longitudinal section of the support device, which can also be referred to as a radial web, which extends radially in the direction of the inner element, wherein the transverse web can be designed to provide a respective axial pumping surface for two fluid chambers which are arranged in a predetermined circumferential section and axially successively therefrom. The first radial or transverse web can preferably engage with a radially or diametrically opposite longitudinal web of the cage element or extend outwardly therefrom. It should be noted that such a transverse or radial web can be covered by an elastomeric material in order to define a respective boundary surface of two axially adjacent or consecutive fluid chambers, which can form a pair of axially adjacent fluid chambers.

[0019] In order to provide a further pair of axially consecutive or adjacent fluid chambers, a second transverse or radial web of the cage element may be provided, which is preferably diametrically opposite to the first transverse or radial web. In the longitudinal section of the support device, a radial web of the cage element is also provided, which, like the first transverse web, extends radially in the direction of the inner element, also in order to provide respective axial pumping surfaces for two further fluid chambers arranged on a predetermined circumferential section and axially consecutive, i.e. a second pair of axially consecutive fluid chambers. The two transverse or radial webs are preferably arranged at approximately the same axial height of the support device. Furthermore, the second transverse or radial web may also extend to a diametrically opposite longitudinal web of the cage element, to which the second transverse or radial web is also fastened.

[0020] It can be expediently provided that one of the two transverse webs, in particular both transverse webs, in the region of its transition to the respective longitudinal web of the cage element has a fork-shaped split, which comprises two axially spaced and axially opposite outlets or edges, which transition into the associated longitudinal web of the cage element or can be formed integrally with the latter. In order to provide the hydraulic support device according to the invention with a low radial stiffness within a predetermined circumferential range, it can be convenient for each transverse web or radial web to extend axially between the outlets (or extensions) or fastenings on the longitudinal web of the cage element and to be spaced apart from the inner element. Two inner elastomeric chamber wall sections can be provided, which are inclined in opposite directions and extend toward the inner element and are attached to the radial end of the respective transverse web facing the inner element, in order to axially divide two axially consecutive fluid chambers. Preferably, the two elastomeric chamber wall sections are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, so that the cavity formed between the two chamber wall sections and the inner element is filled with a gas medium, in particular air, in order to provide free space for the elastically deformable elastomeric chamber wall sections, in order to determine a particularly low radial stiffness of the support device.

[0021] The cage element of the hydraulic support device designed according to the invention can have at least two axially spaced annular sections connected by at least two, in particular diametrically opposed, longitudinal webs, wherein the aforementioned first and / or second transverse webs can be connected to the two longitudinal webs of the cage element by their longitudinal ends, in particular can be formed integrally with these webs. Depending on the embodiment, the cage element can consist of one or more parts.

[0022] The cage element is preferably designed in two parts so that the mutually cooperating contact surfaces can pass through the longitudinal webs which are diametrically opposed or circumferentially spaced apart. Preferably, the two parts of such a cage element have complementary acting connecting elements in the region of their contact surfaces, in particular connecting elements with positive locking sections which can engage in the axial direction and act in the radial direction.

[0023] According to the invention, the elastomer body can have a load-bearing spring section arranged radially between the longitudinal webs of the cage element and the inner element of the hydraulic bearing, which load-bearing spring section gives the bearing device a high radial stiffness due to the diametrical arrangement of the two longitudinal webs of the cage element in a predetermined radial direction of the bearing device. In contrast, the elastomer body can include two cavities extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the inner element, in particular in a straight line and parallel to each other, delimited by elastomer wall sections and, for example, filled with air, for example, each of which is adjacent to the inner element and therefore has a lower radial stiffness relative to the load-bearing spring section, which is circumferentially offset, in particular circumferentially offset by 90 degrees, in the radial direction relative to the diametrically opposed longitudinal webs of the cage element. It can be provided that these elastic wall sections are identical to the above-mentioned axially opposed and angled elastomer inner chamber wall sections, which extend from the radial ends of the respective transverse web and face the inner element.

[0024] In particular, in order to provide radially acting pumping surfaces for at least four fluid chambers and to provide fluid channels, the multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention can have a channel shell, which, for example, has two parts. The channel shell is axially arranged between the annular sections of the retaining frame element and separates the fluid chamber from the outer sleeve, and can have radial grooves for providing at least two, in particular at least four fluid channels, which can be formed at least by the radial grooves of the channel shell and the relevant inner wall sections of the outer sleeve.

[0025] Depending on the number of fluid channels extending from the fluid chamber, the designated radial grooves can be designed differently. In an embodiment in which only two fluid channels are formed between at least four fluid chambers, the two channel half shells of the two-part channel shell each have a radial groove for partially forming two fluid channels. In such an embodiment, four fluid channels are provided for fluidly connecting four fluid chambers, and one of the two channel half shells can have a complete fluid channel or a radial groove associated with a complete fluid channel for providing a fluid connection between a pair of axially adjacent or spaced fluid chambers, and a radial groove associated with a complete fluid channel. These grooves correspond to the two radial grooves of the other channel half shell in the assembled state of the two channel half shells and merge with each other, thereby providing two fluid channels for forming a fluid connection between two circumferentially spaced fluid chambers in each case. In order to provide a fluid connection between each radial groove and two related fluid chambers, the radial groove can have a radial perforation or through-hole passing through each half shell at its longitudinal end or one of its longitudinal ends.

[0026] In order to improve the stability of the hydraulic support device of the present invention to resist external forces, a radial through-portion can be conveniently provided on the channel shell. The radial through-portion is in the form of a receiving portion. In the assembled state of the support device, the radial extension portion of the transverse web of the retaining frame element extends into the radial through-portion. The radial through-portion separates two axially spaced fluid chambers in the above-mentioned pair of fluid chambers.

[0027] The internal element of the hydraulic support device according to the invention thus has an approximately quadrilateral cross section in the axial section in which the fluid chambers extend. This design of the internal element allows, on the one hand, a simple design of the load-bearing spring sections on opposite sides of the approximately quadrilateral cross section of the internal element, while providing radial spring sections facing the internal element on the other two sides of the quadrilateral cross section, the internal element separating axially adjacent fluid chambers and providing the described low radial stiffness in the axial extension of the fluid chambers of the support device in a direction approximately perpendicular to the last-mentioned two sides of the quadrilateral cross section. Thus, the above-mentioned relatively high radial stiffness of the support device can be approximately perpendicular to the diametrically opposite sides of the internal element on which the load-bearing spring sections of the elastomer are arranged.

[0028] In order to provide an inner continuation of the corresponding outer elastomer chamber diaphragm wall and to increase the axial effective pumping surface, the internal element preferably has a flange similar to a ring or a flange. Preferably, the internal element has a flange similar to a ring or a flange at both axial ends of the fluid chamber of a pair of fluid chambers. Depending on the embodiment, the flange can be circular, but can also be square, especially in the case where the internal element has an approximately quadrilateral cross-section in the axial section of the fluid chamber.

[0029] For example, the inner element can be made of plastic material or metal material.But the inner element also can be a metal core, with a plastic sheath, particularly a molded plastic sheath, which determines the circumferential shape of the inner element at least in sections.

[0030] The outer sleeve can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, such as aluminum or steel. Likewise, the cage element and the channel shell are preferably also made of a plastic material, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

[0031] In order to protect the multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention and prevent the elastomeric chamber wall section of the fluid chamber from having adverse force effects when the radial force increases, an annular stop element can be conveniently arranged at the axial end of the support device, and the stop element is located on the internal element on the axial outer side of the fluid chamber. In the unloaded state of the support device, the stop element maintains a certain radial distance with the elastomeric section on the inner surface of the annular element of the retaining frame element. When the mechanical radial load on the support device increases, the radial circumferential portion of the stop element will contact the relevant elastomeric section of the retaining frame annular element, thereby preventing further relative movement between the internal element and the retaining frame element or the outer sleeve of the support device. In this regard, the radial displacement of the internal element and the retaining frame element can be limited. The elastic portion of the annular element that cooperates with the stop element can be conveniently designed as an axial extension of the outer chamber diaphragm wall. In one embodiment, the annular stop element can also be integrally formed with the internal element.

[0032] The multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention can also preferably prevent excessive axial displacement of the inner element and the cage element or the outer sleeve. To this end, the axial end face of the cage can be covered with an elastic buffer, the axial position of which is lower than the end face of the inner element, so that when the end face of the inner element contacts the abutment surface of another component, the radial extension of the component exceeds the inner element in the installed state of the support device, and when the inner element and the cage element or the outer sleeve are displaced relative to each other, the displacement is minimized. This displacement is limited to the portion of the inner element end face that protrudes from the abutment surface of the elastic buffer associated with the axial end face of the cage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention will be explained below by describing an embodiment and modifications of the multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0034] Figure 1 : A perspective half-section view showing the multi-directional damping hydraulic support device of the present invention, including two mutually perpendicular sections;

[0035] Figure 2 : Show Figure 1 A perspective view of the internal elements of the hydraulic support device according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 : Show Figure 1 A perspective view of a cage element of a hydraulic support device according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 : Show Figure 1 one of the two channel half-shells of the hydraulic support device according to the invention;

[0038] Figure 5 : Show Figure 1 A (partial) exploded view of the hydraulic support device shown;

[0039] Figure 6 : Show Figure 1 A first full cross-sectional view of the hydraulic support device shown, and

[0040] Figure 7 : Show Figure 1 A second full cross-sectional view of the hydraulic support device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention will be explained below by taking a multi-directional hydraulic damping support device as an example, which can be used, for example, for assembly supports in the automotive industry, in particular for engine supports in a motor vehicle body. Figure 1 A perspective half-section of a multi-directional hydraulic damping bearing according to the invention is shown, comprising two sections, both of which are parallel to the bearing axis A and oriented perpendicularly to each other. The hydraulic bearing 1 is designed as a bushing bearing with an inner element 2, which in the embodiment described can have a hole 20 for receiving a fastening bolt for fastening to a first component of a motor vehicle. The hydraulic bearing 1 is radially closed over the main part of its axial extension by an outer sleeve 5, which in the installed position rests with its outer surface 50 (which can usually be cylindrical) against the boundary surfaces of the bearing eye receiving the hydraulic bearing 1, for example by pressing in or the like. These boundary surfaces can be designed as part of a second motor vehicle component, so that the hydraulic bearing 1 according to the invention can be designed for supporting the above-mentioned two motor vehicle components.

[0042] The bearing device has an elastomeric body arranged between the inner element 2 and the outer sleeve 5, which in the embodiment described can have two diametrically oppositely arranged load-bearing spring sections 31a, 31b, of which only the load-bearing spring section 31a extending substantially over the entire axial extension of the bearing device can be seen according to the illustration. The design of the two load-bearing spring sections 31a and 31b can be identical.

[0043] Conversely, two pairs of axially consecutive or axially adjacent fluid chambers 6a, 6b; 7a, 7b are arranged circumferentially offset from the radial arrangement of the bearing spring sections 31a, 31b by about 90°, wherein, due to Figure 1In the depicted illustration, only the fluid chambers 6a, 6b are visible as a pair of chambers. To form these fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, the hydraulic support device 1 according to the invention has a cage element, which will be described in more detail below, which is embedded at least in sections in an elastomer body, so that the elastomer body connects the cage element and the inner element 2 to each other. For example, the inner element 2 and the cage element can be elastically connected to each other by a plurality of elastomer segments, such as the described load-bearing spring segments 31a, 31b, and chamber wall segments for delimiting the respective fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b by electroplating of the elastomer segments.

[0044] exist Figure 1 The illustration of depicts two fluid chambers 6a, 6b arranged axially one above the other, which are separated in the horizontal direction by a transverse web 44, wherein the transverse web 44 extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis A of the support device of the internal element is constructed to be spaced apart from the internal element 2. Here, two axially opposite and angled inner elastomeric chamber wall sections 33a, 33b extend from radial end sections of the transverse web 44 to the outer side of the internal element 2 and are attached thereto, thereby forming a cavity between the two designated chamber wall sections 33a, 33b and the outer side of the internal element 2. In addition, the two inner chamber wall sections 33a, 33b are also arranged to be attached to the radial end sections of the transverse web 44 of the retaining frame element. In the axial direction, Figure 1 The fluid chambers 6a, 6b visible in the figure are arranged axially one above the other on the same circumferential section of the support device and are closed by chamber wall sections 35a, 35b used as inflatable membrane sections, which are arranged to be attached to the internal element 2 and the retaining frame element and extend radially between the two components.

[0045] In the embodiment, another pair of axially spaced and invisible fluid chambers 7a, 7b can be formed radially opposite the two fluid chambers 6a, 6b, which can be formed or arranged in the same manner as the fluid chambers 6a, 6b. In this regard, the two pairs of hydraulic support devices or fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b do not extend completely around the core (i.e., the inner element 2 of the hydraulic support device 1 of the present invention), but extend over a predetermined circumferential section and are each separated in the circumferential direction by the load-bearing spring sections 31a, 31b of the hydraulic support device 1.

[0046] The hydraulic bearing device 1 according to the invention can have an annular plate 9 on the axial end side, which is designed in a stepped manner and provides a contact surface for the inner element 2 and the relevant end faces of the cage element or the elastomeric body.

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, the hydraulic support device 1 of the present invention can perform damping work in two mutually perpendicular main working directions "radial / axial", wherein the response characteristics of the hydraulic support device 1 can be set to be highly dependent. The damping characteristics depend on the arrangement of the elastomeric sections of the elastomeric body on the one hand, and on the arrangement of the fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b on the other hand, which are fluidically connected via fluid channels. The first main working direction is related to the relative displacement of the internal element 2 and the cage element in the direction of the support device axis A of the hydraulic support device 1, and the second main working direction is related to the relative radial displacement of the internal element 2 and the cage element, wherein in Figure 1 The response characteristics in the radial direction may be quite different in the mutually perpendicular sections shown. Figure 1 The plane shown in FIG. 1 extends inside the plane, which includes the load-bearing spring section 31a and the radially opposite load-bearing spring section 31b not seen in the figure) has a high radial stiffness, while Figure 1 The hydraulic support device 1 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is radially deflected (i.e., the inner element 2 is relative to the cage element in the Figure 1 The cross-section shown in the figure has a low radial stiffness when displacement occurs (the cross-section includes the transverse web 44 and the chamber wall sections 33a, 33b on which the end stems extend in the direction of the inner element 2), which is mainly determined by the damping characteristics of the given elastomeric chamber walls 35a, 35b and 33a, 33b and the pairs of elastomeric fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b connected by fluid. After the basic structure of the hydraulic support device 1 is explained in detail with reference to the individual components, the functional mode of the multi-directional hydraulic damping hydraulic support device 1 of the present invention will be described below.

[0048] Figure 2 A perspective view of an inner element 2 for designing a hydraulic support device 1 according to the invention is shown. In the embodiment described, the hydraulic support device 1 has an inner core section 21 and an outer section 22, wherein the latter substantially provides an outer boundary surface at least over a large part of the axial extension of the inner element 2. In this case, the inner core section 21 can consist of a metallic material, such as aluminum or steel, and the outer section 22 can consist of an injection-molded portion 26 on the inner core section 21, such as a plastic material that is materially connected to the inner core section 21.

[0049] from Figure 2It can be seen that the inner element 2 can have an approximately rectangular boundary surface in the axial section, which has two opposite, approximately mutually parallel side surfaces 24a, 24b and 25a, 25b, respectively. In the embodiment described, the two boundary surfaces 24a and 24b can be assigned to a respective pair of fluid chambers 6a and 6b and 7a and 7b on the circumference, or can also approximately define these fluid chambers in an extension perpendicular to the bearing axis A. Similarly, the mutually opposite side surfaces 25a, 25b extending respectively perpendicular to the bearing axis A of the hydraulic bearing 1 can also be assigned to or determine the load-bearing spring sections 31 and 31b. The side surfaces 24a, 24b which are substantially flat or slightly curved and are assigned to the fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b can have flange rings 26a, 26b extending radially outward at least at one longitudinal end or, as in the described embodiment, at both longitudinal ends, which in the hydraulic support device 1 according to the invention serve in a manner still to be described as axial pump surfaces and / or connecting sections of chamber walls 35a, 35b which close the respective fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. In a modified embodiment, the flange rings 26a and 26b can also be circumferentially closed and / or annularly formed around the core section 21 of the inner element 2.

[0050] Figure 3 A perspective view showing an example structure of a cage element of a multi-directional hydraulic damping support device 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cage element 4 has two axially spaced annular segments 40a, 40b, which are connected to each other by two radially or diametrically opposed longitudinal webs 42a, 42b. The longitudinal webs 42a, 42b have curved thickened portions 421a, 421b extending radially inwardly toward the axial center, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The described load-bearing spring sections 31 a , 31 b adhere to the thickening, which in turn adhere radially inwardly to the inner element 2 , so that the inner element 2 and the cage element 4 are elastically connected to one another in the finished hydraulic bearing 1 .

[0051] In the embodiment described, the diametrically opposed transverse webs 44, 45 can be formed and arranged to be integral with the two radial thickenings 421a, 421b of the longitudinal webs 42a, 42b and connect them to each other. The coupling of the transverse webs 44, 45 to the respective radial thickenings 421a, 421b can be achieved by means of associated fork arms 442a, 442b and 452a, 452b, which extend from the axial end faces of the respective transverse webs 44, 45 and fork toward the associated longitudinal webs 42a, 42b while forming respective fork openings 443, 453. Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown in the comparison of FIG. 1 , the transverse webs 44, 45 form a respective partition wall section of a respective pair of axially spaced fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b. In the embodiment described, the fork arms 442, 442b and 452a, 452b can serve as hinge surfaces for the elastomeric chamber wall sections 33a, 33b and 34a, 34b, which extend within the longitudinal extension of the transverse webs 44, 45 between the longitudinal webs 42a, 42b, see also Figure 1 .

[0052] The transverse webs 44, 45 have a substantially straight course at their end faces facing the internal element between the longitudinal webs 42a and 42b, and are engaged with the elastomeric chamber walls 33a, 33b and 34a, 34b axially spaced apart and axially in opposite directions, while the transverse webs 44, 45 have respective radial protrusions 441, 451 at their end faces facing away from the internal element 2, which extend radially into the respective channel shells 80a, 80b in a manner also to be described, and are used to separate two pairs of fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b arranged axially one above the other and separated by the transverse webs 44, 45 in the manner described.

[0053] In the embodiment, the channel shell 8 is used to radially limit the fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b relative to the outer sleeve 5 and provide fluid channels between the fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, thereby providing fluid exchange between the fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, and the channel shell is designed as two pieces. Figure 4 A perspective view of such a duct half shell 80 a is shown, looking toward an outer surface 81 a which points toward the outer sleeve 5 in the installed position, wherein a duct half shell 82 b (not shown) may be designed accordingly. Figure 4 The channel half shell 80a shown has a through-portion 83a, the axial center of which is approximately on a predetermined circumferential section (the circumferential section can be between 30° and 110°, for example) for receiving the associated radial projection 441 of the transverse web 44, see Figure 3 In this respect, the through-hole 83a marks the separation of the two fluid chambers 6a, 6b arranged axially one above the other, see Figure 1 .

[0054] In the embodiment described, each channel half-shell 80a, 80b (which here is respectively assigned to a pair of fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b arranged axially one above the other and delimits them radially) can have two channels or radial penetrations 8011, 8021 or 8012 and 8031 ​​for each fluid chamber 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, which lead to the assigned channel grooves 801, 802 and 803. These channel grooves 801a, 802a and 803a provide the relevant sections of the inner surface with fluid channels assigned to the outer sleeve 5, through which fluid exchange can be carried out between the fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b. For example, a channel groove 801a with associated radial through-holes 8011a and 8012a can fluidically connect two fluid chambers 6a, 6b arranged one above the other and arranged circumferentially in the same section or arranged overlapping, while in the installed position of the channel half shell, two diametrically opposite fluid chambers 6a and 7a are connected by Figure 4 The upper channel groove 802a shown in the figure is fluidically connected to the channel groove 802b of the second channel half shell 82b aligned therewith. The same method is also applicable to the two fluid chambers 6b and 7b located at the bottom (such as Figure 4 As shown in the embodiment shown, two fluid chambers 6b and 7b are fluidly connected by a channel groove 803a and an associated channel groove 803b aligned with the latter, and the two fluid chambers 6b and 7b are at substantially the same axial height in the installed position and are diametrically opposite in the radial direction. As the skilled person will appreciate, in the embodiment shown, each fluid chamber is fluidly connected to a fluid chamber on the same circumferential section and axially spaced apart, and further to a fluid chamber axially arranged at substantially the same height and diametrically opposite in the radial direction.

[0055] Depending on the embodiment, the duct shell 80 can be designed as an injection-molded part, in particular as a two-part injection-molded part, wherein an embodiment made of fiber-reinforced plastic also lies within the scope of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 5A partial exploded view of a multi-directional hydraulic damping bearing device 1 according to the present invention is shown, wherein the two-piece inner element 2, the outer sleeve 5, the two half shells 80a, 80b and the elastomer body 3 of the cage element 4 embedded at least in sections with an elastomer material are axially or radially spaced from each other in the embodiment. It can be seen that the two channel half shells each radially enclose a pair of axially arranged fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, which are axially separated by transverse webs 44, 45 of the cage element 4. The forked chamber walls 33a, 33b and 34a, 534b extending radially and axially in opposite directions form respective cavities 39a, 39b, which cannot be filled with a damping fluid, in particular a damping liquid. In order to make the chamber walls 33a, 33b and 34a, 34b have a higher mobility under the action of radial operating loads, in particular to make the multi-directional damping hydraulic bearing device 1 designed according to the present invention have a lower radial stiffness, it is preferred to fill and seal the two cavities 39a, 39b with a gas such as air.

[0057] from Figure 5 It can be seen that the inner element can have a core section 21 and an outer section in the form of an injection-molded section 26 , wherein the latter can define radial boundary surfaces of the inner element 2 in the region of the fluid chambers 6 a , 6 b and 7 a , 7 b .

[0058] As described above, in one embodiment, it can be provided that the multidirectional hydraulic damping support device 1 of the present invention comprises at least four fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, wherein in each case, a pair of fluid chambers 6a and 6b or 7a and 7b are arranged axially one above the other on the same circumferential section of the hydraulic support device 1 or at least on overlapping circumferential sections of the hydraulic support device 1, and opposite to the pair of fluid chambers 6a and 6b or 7a and 7b is a pair of circumferentially spaced fluid chambers, in particular a pair of fluid chambers diametrically opposite to the first pair of fluid chambers. Here, the second pair of fluid chambers is arranged on the same circumferential section or at least circumferentially overlapping and axially one above the other.

[0059] It can be provided that the two fluid chambers 6a and 6b or 7a and 7b of each pair of fluid chambers are fluidically connected via a single fluid channel and each fluid chamber of the fluid pair is connected to the corresponding other fluid chamber 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b of the other fluid pair at approximately the same axial position, so that in this embodiment, each of these fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b is part of a hydraulic system in which damping work can be performed not only in the case of a radial relative displacement of the cage element 4 and the inner element 2 but also in the case of an axial relative displacement of the cage element 4 and the inner element 2. In this case, it can be provided that the corresponding channel parameters such as the channel length and the channel diameter are adapted to the desired damping, so that the hydraulic damping characteristics of the hydraulic support device 1 according to the invention can be adjusted independently of each other in the radial working direction and the axial working direction.

[0060] In another embodiment, it can also be provided that the four fluid chambers 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b are connected by only two fluid channels, the fluid chambers each comprising a pair of fluid chambers arranged axially one above the other, in particular in such a way that a single fluid chamber of a first pair of fluid chambers 6a and 6b is connected to a single fluid chamber of a second pair of fluid chambers 7a and 7b, wherein the fluid chambers connected in a fluid manner are offset from each other in the circumferential direction, in particular diametrically opposite and additionally axially offset from each other. In this embodiment, each of the at least four fluid chambers forms part of a hydraulic system that acts not only when the hydraulic support device 1 is subjected to axial loads but also when the hydraulic support device 1 is subjected to radial loads. In contrast to the embodiment with four fluid channels, the hydraulic damping characteristics here are set to be the same, which is basically determined by the design of the fluid channel connecting the respective two fluid chambers.

[0061] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 1 is a longitudinal full section through a hydraulic support device 1, looking at the pairs of fluid chambers 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b, which are arranged diametrically opposite here and are separated by transverse webs 44, 45 and chamber walls 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, which engage in the corresponding transverse webs and extend to the inner element 2. In addition, the two channel half shells 80a, 80b and their channel grooves 801a, 802a and 803a, as well as the corresponding channel through-holes 8011a, 8011b, 8012a, 8012b, 8021a, 8021b and 8031a, 8031b can be seen. Figure 6 The fluid chambers 6a, 6b in the left pair of fluid chambers are axially bounded on the outside by elastic chamber walls 35a, 35b. Figure 6 The fluid chambers 7a, 7b of the right pair of fluid chambers are bounded by outer chamber walls 36a, 36b.

[0062] The hydraulic support device 1 designed according to the present invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings has a design feature for limiting the radial relative displacement of the inner element 2 and the cage element 4 or the outer sleeve 5 and a design feature for limiting the axial relative displacement of the inner element 2 and the cage element 4 or the outer sleeve 5. In order to limit the radial relative displacement, an annular stop element 23 is arranged on the radial boundary surface of the axial end section of the inner element 2, which in another embodiment can be integrally formed with the injection molded part 26 on the core section 21 of the inner element 2, for example. The radial outer surface of the stop element 23 is radially spaced apart from the radial inner surface of the cage element 4 covered with elastomer by a distance d1. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the elastomer coating layer assigned to the radial surface of the stop element or stop ring 23 can be configured as an axial outlet or edge of the outer chamber wall 35a, 36a in the circumferential section of the fluid pair 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b.

[0063] In the hydraulic support device 1 of the present invention, the relative axial displacement of the inner element and the cage element 4 or the outer sleeve 5 can be limited in that the inner element 2 (at Figure 6 The mounting element 4 is fastened in the upper section to a component which extends radially outwards into the end face region of the mounting element 4, wherein the elastomeric stop elements 37a and 37b are arranged on the end face of the mounting element (see Figure 1 ).like Figure 6 As shown, the axial spacing of the installed hydraulic support device 1 designed according to the invention is therefore limited to the distance d2.

[0064] Figure 7 Show Figure 1 A full sectional view of the hydraulic support device 1 is shown, with a view to radially or diametrically opposed load-bearing spring sections 31a, 31b, which in this embodiment are attached to the associated radial thickenings 421a, 421b of the longitudinal webs 42a, 42b of the retaining element 4 and to the outer sleeve section of the inner element 2 and are thus materially connected. Figure 7 The sectional view also shows another axial stop, which is composed of the inner axial surface of the annular plate 9 and the elastomeric stops 38a and 38b arranged on the lower end side of the retaining element 4 in the figure, and is used to limit the axial displacement of the inner element 2 and the outer sleeve 5 to a dimension d3.

[0065] List of reference numerals:

[0066] 1Hydraulic support device

[0067] 2 Internal components

[0068] 3. Elastomer body

[0069] 4 Cage elements

[0070] 5 External sleeve

[0071] 6a, 6b fluid chambers, first pair of fluid chambers

[0072] 7a, 7b fluid chambers, second pair of fluid chambers

[0073] 8 channel shell

[0074] 9 Ring plate

[0075] 20 holes

[0076] 21 Core Section

[0077] 22 External Segment

[0078] 23 stop element

[0079] 24a, 24b side

[0080] 25a, 25b side

[0081] 26Injection molding department

[0082] 26a, 26b flange ring

[0083] 31a, 31b load spring section

[0084] 33a, 33b room wall

[0085] 34a, 34b room wall

[0086] 35a, 35b External chamber wall

[0087] 36a, 36b External chamber wall

[0088] 37a, 37b elastic stop

[0089] 38a, 38b elastic stop

[0090] 39a, 39b cavity

[0091] 40a, 40b annular segments

[0092] 41 Flange

[0093] 42a, 42b longitudinal web

[0094] 44 Transverse web

[0095] 45 Transverse web

[0096] 50 Outer Surface

[0097] 51 Inner Surface

[0098] 80a, 80b channel half shell

[0099] 81a, 82b outer surface

[0100] 82a, 82b inner surface

[0101] 83a, 83b through-portion

[0102] 90 radial distance

[0103] 411 flange end side

[0104] 421a, 421b radial thickening portion

[0105] 441 radial protrusion

[0106] 442a, 442b Fork arms

[0107] 443 Fork

[0108] 451 radial protrusion

[0109] 452a, 452b Fork arms

[0110] 453 Fork

[0111] 801a, 801b channel slot

[0112] 802a, 802b channel slots

[0113] 803a, 803b channel slots

[0114] 805a, 805b radial receiving portion

[0115] 8011a Radial penetration

[0116] 8011b radial penetration

[0117] 8012a Radial penetration

[0118] 8012b radial through part

[0119] 8021a Radial penetration

[0120] 8021b radial through part

[0121] 8031a Radial penetration

[0122] 8031b radial through part

[0123] A axis

[0124] d1 radial distance

[0125] d2 axial distance

[0126] d3 axial distance.

Claims

1. A hydraulic damping support device (1), comprising: - an axially extending inner element; - an elastomeric body (3); a cage element which is at least partially embedded in the elastomeric body (3), wherein the elastomeric body (3) elastically connects the cage element and the inner element to one another; - an outer sleeve which surrounds the inner element, the cage element and the elastomeric body (3); at least one first and second fluid chamber (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), respectively arranged between the outer sleeve and the inner element, said first and second fluid chambers being connected by a fluid channel, It is characterized in that it also includes at least one third and fourth fluid chambers, which are respectively arranged between the outer sleeve and the internal element, and at least four fluid chambers are connected by at least one other fluid channel, wherein when the internal element and the retaining frame element are relatively displaced in the first direction and when the internal element and the retaining frame element are relatively displaced in the second direction, each of the at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) participates in performing damping work.

2. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support device (1) has at least two pairs of fluid chambers (6a and 6b; 7a and 7b) arranged axially one above the other, wherein the at least two pairs of fluid chambers are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and are particularly arranged radially opposite to each other at the same axial height.

3. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two fluid chambers (6a and 6b or 7a and 7b) of a respective pair of fluid chambers arranged axially one above the other extend substantially over the same circumferential section.

4. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) have substantially the same extension in the circumferential direction of the support device (1).

5. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) is connected to a fluid chamber which is radially opposite to the respective fluid chamber and in particular is arranged at the same axial height by means of a relevant fluid channel, and is connected to a fluid chamber which is axially spaced apart from the respective fluid chamber and in particular is arranged on the same circumferential segment by means of a relevant fluid channel.

6. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Two fluid passages for providing damping work in the axial direction and two fluid passages for providing damping work in the radial direction are respectively arranged between the at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

7. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) is connected to one of the other three fluid chambers through a fluid channel, wherein the mutually connected fluid chambers are arranged radially opposite to each other and axially successively.

8. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The retaining frame element has a first transverse web (44) in a longitudinal section of the support device (1), which extends radially in the direction of the inner element and is used to provide respective axial pumping surfaces for two of the at least four fluid chambers (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) arranged on a predetermined circumferential section and axially consecutively.

9. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The retaining frame element has a second transverse web (45) in the longitudinal section of the support device (1), which is spaced circumferentially from the first transverse web (44) and extends radially in the direction of the inner element to provide respective axial pumping surfaces for two other fluid chambers arranged on a predetermined circumferential section and axially consecutively.

10. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: Attached to the radial end sections of the respective transverse webs (44, 45) facing the internal element, two axially opposite and angled elastomeric inner chamber wall sections (33a, 33b, 34a, 34b) are attached and extend to the internal element for axially defining two axially consecutive fluid chambers (6a, 6b or 7a, 7b).

11. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that: The cage element has at least two axially spaced-apart annular sections which are connected by at least two, in particular diametrically opposed, longitudinal webs, wherein a first and / or second transverse web (44, 45) is connected to the two longitudinal webs (42a, 42b).

12. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: In a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the inner element, the bearing device comprises at least two cavities which extend, in particular, linearly and parallel to one another and are delimited by elastomeric wall sections and which are respectively adjacent to the inner element.

13. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: A channel shell, in particular a two-part shell, is provided which is arranged axially between the annular sections of the retaining element and closes the fluid chamber (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) relative to the outer sleeve and has radial grooves for providing at least two, in particular four, fluid channels having associated inner wall sections of the outer sleeve.

14. The hydraulic damping support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The inner element has an approximately quadrilateral cross section in an axial section of the fluid chamber (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

15. The hydraulic damping bearing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The inner element has a flange-like, in particular quadrilateral, flange for providing an inner projection of the respective outer chamber membrane wall.

16. The hydraulic damping bearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that: At the axial end section of the support device (1), an annular stop element (23a, 23b) is arranged on an internal element axially outside the fluid chamber (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), which is radially spaced apart from an elastomeric section arranged on the inner surface of one of the annular elements of the retaining frame in the unloaded state of the support device (1).

17. The hydraulic damping bearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: The axial end face of the cage is covered with an elastomeric buffer which is located axially below the end face of the end side of the inner element.

18. The hydraulic damping bearing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The cage element is composed of two parts, wherein the two parts can be assembled in a longitudinal plane in a transverse direction and have radially acting complementary locking means which, after locking, provide an axial positive fit between the two cage elements.

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