Vehicle comprising engine mounted on bracket by means of connecting rod

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a power system (5, 105), a bracket (3, 103) and a torque reaction link (110) by means of which the power system (5, 105) is mounted on the bracket (3, 103), the link (110) comprising a first end (112) mounted around a first axis of rotation (113) connecting two walls (116, 117) of the bracket (3, 103). According to the invention, the ball joint (125) is fixed to the first shaft (113), the first end (112) of the connecting rod (110) comprises a rigid ring (126) surrounded by a first resilient pad (127), the rigid ring (126) being mounted around the ball joint (125) such that, in the event that the connecting rod (110) pivots as a result of the movement of the power system (105), the rigid ring (126) moves around the ball joint (125) as a result of this pivoting, thereby minimizing forces on the first resilient pad (127).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle comprising an engine mounted on a bracket via a connecting rod.

[0002] In order to fully understand the positioning of the various components involved in the vehicle according to the present invention, it is described with reference to a direct orthogonal reference system XYZ, wherein X is the front-to-rear longitudinal axis of the vehicle toward the rear, Y is the lateral axis toward the right side of the vehicle, and Z is the vertical axis pointing upward.

[0003] The powertrain (GMP) of a motor vehicle is usually decoupled from the vehicle itself in order to avoid the transmission of shocks of the powertrain, including the engine and the gearbox, to the vehicle. This decoupling therefore prevents the transmission of the movements of the engine to the vehicle and also makes it possible to filter the vibrations of the powertrain towards the vehicle's passenger compartment, which are two rather unpleasant manifestations for the vehicle's passengers.

[0004] For example, a solution to ensure this decoupling consists in placing the engine on a support by means of a front support assembly and a rear support assembly fixed to the powertrain and the support.

[0005] Reference Figure 1 , 2 3, as an example, the rear support assembly 1 comprises a rear support 2 on the support 3 fixedly mounted on the support 3 and a rear support 4 on the power system 5 fixedly mounted on the power system 5, and an elastic connection 6 fixing the two rear supports 2 and 4 together. The elastic connection 6 is in the form of a joint 7 or "stud", which comprises an outer ring 8 made of plastic, a central spacer 9 made of aluminum and an elastic rubber part adhered to the central spacer 9 and the outer ring 8 made of plastic. The stud 7 is used to be installed in the cylindrical hole of the support support. Its height substantially corresponds to the thickness of the support. Once the stud 7 has been assembled in the support support, the connection is fixed to the power system support by bolts passing through the central spacer 9.

[0006] More precisely, the support 4 on the power system 5 has, at its end not fixed to the power system 5 , a U-shaped element 10 with a spacer 9 of the joint between its two flanges.

[0007] This embodiment of connecting the power system 5 to the bracket 3 is not exhaustive. In other cases, or in addition, there may be, for example, a left or right suspension in which the axis of the stud 7 is vertical instead of horizontal, such as Figure 1 , 2 and 3. In other cases, the axis of the stud 7 may be located at an intermediate position between the vertical position and the horizontal position.

[0008] The elastomers in the rear support mounted on the bracket or link must withstand the entire service life of the vehicle, since replacing the elastomer pads in the aftermarket is too complicated. In fact, in the case of an elastomer pad installed in the bracket side support, its replacement will require disassembly of the bracket and the use of a specific pressing tool to remove and install the new pad. The estimated intervention time is more than ten times the current replacement time of a conventional low suspension link. However, due to the structural limitations of the engine and the torque absorption, the engine tilts and / or shakes and no longer allows the elastomers of the torque link to function properly.

[0009] In practice, the elastomer is subject to forces and torques from the engine and transmitted to it through the central spacer, in particular, according to the embodiment shown, a torque along the vertical axis Z, which tends to press the left part of the elastomer towards the rear and the right part towards the front, since the studs are mounted without play on their outer diameter in the lateral supports of the bracket. This situation would lead to premature wear of the elastomer if no particular precautions were taken.

[0010] The vehicle according to the invention has a powertrain mounted on a support by means of a connecting rod designed to slow down or even eliminate wear of the elastomer.

[0011] The subject of the invention is a vehicle comprising: a powertrain, a support, and a torque reaction link, the powertrain being mounted on the support via the torque reaction link, the link comprising a first end mounted around a first rotation axis connecting two walls of the support.

[0012] According to the invention, the ball joint is fixed to the first shaft, the first end of the connecting rod comprises a rigid ring surrounded by a first elastic pad, the rigid ring being mounted around the ball joint so that in the event of a pivoting of the connecting rod due to the movement of the power system, the rigid ring moves around the ball joint to accompany the pivoting, thereby minimizing the force on the first elastic pad. The core of the invention consists of a ball joint, the presence of which will prevent the elastic pad from working in rotation. In fact, the power system is fixed to the vehicle by tilting, so that at a certain stage of the vehicle's travel, it will move, causing the connecting rod to move slightly by pivoting. Normally, during the pivoting of the connecting rod, the elastic pad placed around the ring will work both under traction and in rotation. Due to the presence of the ball joint, the elastic pad will work only under traction, because the presence of the ball joint will minimize or even eliminate the rotational forces on the pad. Therefore, during the service life of the vehicle, the elastic pad will be subjected to less force and will therefore be preserved for a longer time without the need to replace it. It should be noted that the connecting rod is mounted to rotate about a first rotation axis extending perpendicular to the first axis, and that during the vehicle driving phase, the pivoting of the connecting rod caused by the movement of the power system is carried out in such a way that the connecting rod is no longer strictly perpendicular to the first axis. The function of the ball joint is to reduce or even eliminate the rotational forces applied to the elastic pad to slow down the wear of the pad. The ball joint preferably has a spherical shape and is fixed to the first rotation axis. Advantageously, the first rotation axis has a cylindrical shape. For example, the connecting rod can be arranged in the vehicle by extending horizontally along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, or it can be arranged in the vehicle by extending vertically. Other intermediate orientations are also possible. It is naturally assumed that the ball joint is fixed to the first rotation axis and is arranged between the two walls of the bracket.

[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the rigid ring is in contact with the ball joint. For this embodiment, there is no interposed coating or intermediate layer between the rigid ring and the ball joint. During the vehicle driving phase, during the pivoting of the connecting rod due to the movement of the power system, the rigid ring will pivot directly and synchronously on the ball joint. The rigid ring is similar to a crown extending in a first direction aligned with the diameter of the ball joint, and it can move around the ball joint to extend in a second direction aligned with the diameter of the ball and different from the first direction.

[0014] According to a possible feature of the invention, the rigid ring has a circular inner surface conforming to the shape of the ball joint, and the pivoting of the connecting rod causes the rigid ring to synchronously pivot around the ball joint. In other words, the inner surface of the rigid ring closely fits the shape of the ball joint, so that the rigid ring rotates by sliding on the ball joint.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the rigid ring is non-deformable at the level of the force generated on the first end of the connecting rod when the connecting rod pivots. The rigid ring accompanies the pivoting of the connecting rod without deforming to facilitate this pivoting movement.

[0016] According to a possible feature of the invention, the ball joint is spherical. This is a preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0017] According to a possible feature of the invention, the ball joint is metallic.

[0018] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the ball joint extends along the first axis of rotation so as to be in contact with two walls of the support.

[0019] According to a possible feature of the invention, the connecting rod has a body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being mounted around a second rotation axis connecting the two walls of the power system, the second end being traversed by a hole provided for the passage of the second rotation axis and in which a second elastic pad intended to surround the second rotation axis has been placed. The body of the connecting rod is elongated, the first end and the second end of the connecting rod being considered to be along the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod. When the power system moves during the vehicle driving phase, the two walls of the power system also move and cause the connecting rod to pivot, thereby allowing the rigid ring of the first end to move on and around the ball joint. The presence of the second elastic pad makes it possible to weaken the forces generated between the second rotation axis connecting the two walls of the power system and the second end of the connecting rod when the connecting rod pivots.

[0020] According to a possible feature of the invention, the main body of the connecting rod is made of aluminum. In this way, the connecting rod has good mechanical strength while remaining lightweight.

[0021] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the body of the connecting rod extends horizontally along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle so that the second end is located in front of the first end. This positioning of the connecting rod is effective when the power system is not in operation and therefore does not cause the connecting rod to pivot.

[0022] With reference to the following drawings, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention is given below:

[0023] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic diagram of a vehicle bracket, an engine and a supporting assembly of the engine on the bracket according to the prior art,

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of an area of ​​the support assembly,

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 3 Exploded perspective view of the area.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a support, a power system and a connecting rod between the support and the engine of a vehicle according to the present invention, wherein the connecting rod is in a first position,

[0027] Figure 5is a schematic diagram of a support, a power system and a connecting rod between the support and the engine of a vehicle according to the present invention, wherein the connecting rod is in a second position,

[0028] It has been described previously Figure 1 , 2 and 3.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The vehicle according to the invention comprises a power system 105, a bracket 103 and a connecting rod 110, the power system 105 being mounted on the bracket 103 via the connecting rod 110. In practice, since the power system 105 may move and generate vibrations during the driving phase of the vehicle, it is mounted in the vehicle by being decoupled from the vehicle to prevent the movement and vibrations from being transmitted to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The purpose of the connecting rod 110 is in particular to ensure the decoupling between the power system 105 and the vehicle.

[0030] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The connecting rod 110 comprises an elongated body 111, a first end 112 of which is pivotally mounted about a first axis 113 of the support 103 and a second end 114 of which is pivotally mounted about a second axis 115 of the power system 105. The body 111 is advantageously made of aluminum. The first end 112 and the second end 114 of the connecting rod 110 are considered relative to its longitudinal axis. The support 103 comprises two parallel walls 116, 117, which are connected to each other by a first screw 118 extending perpendicularly to the walls 116, 117. A cylindrical insert 119 surrounds the first screw 118 by abutting against the two walls 116, 117, and the cylindrical insert 119 constitutes the first axis 113. The cylindrical insert 119 serves as a spacer between the two walls 116, 117 of the support 103. The power system 105 comprises two parallel walls 120, 121, which are connected to each other by a second screw 122 extending perpendicularly to the walls 120, 121. The cylindrical insert 123 surrounds the second screw 122 by abutting against the two walls 120, 121, the cylindrical insert 123 constituting the second shaft 115. The cylindrical insert 119 acts as a spacer between the two walls 120, 121 of the power system 105.

[0031] The second end 114 of the connecting rod 110 has a through hole extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body 111 of the connecting rod 110. A second elastic pad 124 in the form of a hollow cylinder and made of an elastomer is placed in the through hole of the second end 114. The second end 114 of the connecting rod 110 is mounted to rotate around a cylindrical insert 123, which is placed around the screw 122, so that the second elastic pad 124 directly clamps the insert 123. The second elastic pad 124 extends over the entire length of the through hole, that is to say, over the entire width of the second end 114 of the connecting rod 110, without protruding from the connecting rod 110.

[0032] The cylindrical insert 119 placed around the screw 118 (which connects the two walls 116, 117 of the bracket 103) carries a spherical ball joint 125, preferably made of metal, and placed between the two walls 116, 117 of the bracket 103. The ball joint 125 is fixed to the cylindrical insert 119, without the possibility of movement relative to the cylindrical insert 119. Preferably, the ball joint 125 is tangential to the two walls 116, 117 of the bracket 103. In other words, in this case, the ball joint 125 extends over the entire length of the cylindrical insert 119.

[0033] The first end 112 of the connecting rod 110 comprises a rigid ring 126, which is cylindrical and has a cylindrical internal passage, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the diameter of the ball joint 125. The rigid ring 126 is surrounded by a first elastic pad 127, preferably made of an elastomer, the first elastic pad 127 being cylindrical. The rigid ring 126 and the elastic pad 127 are arranged concentrically relative to each other, that is, they are arranged so that their axes of rotation coincide, the rigid ring 126 being placed inside the elastic pad 127. The assembly consisting of the rigid ring 126 and the elastic pad 127 is placed in a through hole of the first end 112 of the connecting rod 110, the hole being cylindrical and having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the elastic pad 127. The assembly is advantageously pressed into the through hole of the first end 112 of the connecting rod 110.

[0034] The first end 112 of the connecting rod 110 is mounted about the ball joint 125 such that the rigid ring 126 is placed about and in contact with the ball joint 125 .

[0035] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the connecting rod 110 extends horizontally along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle. It should be noted that, according to a variant embodiment of the invention, the connecting rod 110 may extend vertically.

[0036] refer to Figure 4 When the power system 105 is not running, the connecting rod 115 extends horizontally along the longitudinal direction X and the horizontal axis of the vehicle. It extends perpendicularly to the first screw rod 118 connecting the two walls 116, 117 of the bracket 103 and the second screw rod 122 connecting the two walls 120, 121 of the power system 105.

[0037] refer to Figure 5, when the power system 105 is in operation, for example during the driving phase of the vehicle, it rises slightly from the position in which the power system 105 is not in operation, causing the connecting rod 110 to pivot slightly in the vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle. The connecting rod 110 no longer extends perpendicularly to the first screw 118. The ball joint 125 facilitates the pivoting of the connecting rod 110 by reducing or even eliminating the rotational forces on the first elastic pad 127 through the rigid ring 126 on and around the ball joint 125, wherein the first elastic pad 127 is no longer stressed except under traction. Therefore, due to the presence of the ball joint 125, the first elastic pad 127 of the first end 112 of the connecting rod 110 is subjected to less stress and will therefore remain longer. Therefore, during the service life of the vehicle, it is not necessary to frequently replace the first elastic pad 127 of the connecting rod 110.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising a power system (5, 105), a bracket (3, 103) and a torque reaction link (110), wherein the power system (5, 105) is mounted on the bracket (3, 103) via the torque reaction link (110), the link (110) comprising a first end (112) mounted around a first rotation axis (113) connecting two walls (116, 117) of the bracket (3, 103), characterized in that: A ball joint (125) is fixed to the first shaft (113), and the first end (112) of the connecting rod (110) includes a rigid ring (126) surrounded by a first elastic pad (127), and the rigid ring (126) is installed around the ball joint (125) so that when the connecting rod (110) pivots due to the movement of the power system (105), the rigid ring (126) moves around the ball joint (125) to accompany the pivoting, thereby minimizing the force on the first elastic pad (127).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The rigid ring (126) is in contact with the ball joint (125).

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rigid ring (126) has a circular inner surface matching the shape of the ball joint (125), and the pivoting of the connecting rod (110) causes the rigid ring (126) to pivot synchronously around the ball joint (125).

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rigid ring (126) is non-deformable at a level of force generated on the first end (112) of the link (110) when the link (110) pivots.

5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The ball joint (125) is spherical.

6. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The ball joint (125) is made of metal.

7. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The ball joint extends along the first axis (113) so as to be tangential to two walls (116, 117) of the bracket (103).

8. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The connecting rod (110) has a body (111), which includes a first end (112) and a second end (114) mounted around a second rotation axis (115) connecting two walls (120, 121) of the power system (105), and the second end (114) is penetrated by a hole, which is provided for the second rotation axis (115) to pass through, and wherein a second elastic pad (124) is placed around the second rotation axis (115).

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that The main body (111) of the connecting rod (110) is made of aluminum.

10. The vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The body (111) of the connecting rod (110) extends horizontally along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle such that the second end (115) is located in front of the first end (112).

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