Low-friction noise-reduction precise guide sleeve of automobile suspension system
By coating the inner wall of the guide sleeve with a TiCN low-friction coating, using high-damping nano-rubber materials and a multi-layer lubrication structure, combined with reinforced connection and fixing components and a double-layer sealing design, the problems of friction loss, vibration attenuation and connection reliability of existing guide sleeves are solved, resulting in a guide sleeve with low friction and noise reduction and strong deformation resistance, thus improving the performance of the automotive suspension system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing precision guide bushings for automotive suspension systems suffer from problems such as high frictional loss, poor vibration attenuation and noise reduction, insufficient connection and fixation reliability, weak structural deformation resistance, and the need to improve sealing and protection performance, making it difficult to meet the development needs of high-end and comfortable systems.
The guide sleeve body adopts a TiCN low-friction coating on the inner wall, graphite lubricating particles in the elastomer, a multi-layer lubrication structure, reinforced connection and fixing components, a double-layer sealing structure and a limiting and buffering component, combined with high-strength alloy material and anti-deformation design to form a precision guide sleeve for automotive suspension systems with low friction and noise reduction.
It significantly reduces the friction coefficient of the guide surface, improves vibration damping, enhances connection stability, extends service life, improves ride comfort, adapts to complex working conditions, and ensures the stability and safety of the suspension system.
Smart Images

Figure CN121848874A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive suspension guide sleeve technology, specifically a low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for automotive suspension systems. Background Technology
[0002] The automotive suspension system is a core load-bearing and guiding component connecting the vehicle body and wheels. Its performance directly determines the vehicle's ride comfort, handling stability, and passenger comfort. Precision guide bushings, as key hinge and guiding elements in the suspension system, primarily enable flexible connections between components such as control arms and thrust rods and the vehicle's longitudinal beams. They also provide precise guidance for the reciprocating motion of these components, undertaking crucial functions such as vibration damping, load transmission, and limiting motion trajectory. Therefore, they are one of the core foundational components ensuring the stable and reliable operation of the suspension system.
[0003] However, as the automotive industry continues to demand higher levels of driving comfort, NVH performance, and component durability, existing precision guide bushings are gradually revealing numerous technical deficiencies, making it difficult to meet the development needs of high-end and comfort-oriented products. Specific problems are as follows:
[0004] 1. High friction loss and poor guiding smoothness: The guiding mating surfaces of existing guide sleeves are mostly simple sliding mating structures. Although some are equipped with lubrication structures, the design is unreasonable, which easily leads to lubrication dead zones or grease loss. This results in a high coefficient of friction during the guiding process, which not only affects the smoothness of the reciprocating motion of the components, but also aggravates the wear of the mating surfaces and shortens the service life of the guide sleeve. At the same time, the friction noise generated by sliding friction is easily transmitted into the vehicle, deteriorating the riding experience.
[0005] 2. Poor vibration attenuation and noise reduction: The elastomers of existing guide sleeves are mostly homogeneous rubber structures with limited damping performance, making it difficult to effectively attenuate high-frequency vibrations generated during driving. Furthermore, the connection structure between the elastomer and the guide sleeve body and inner tube is simply designed, which can easily lead to relative sliding or vibration amplification. This causes road impact vibrations to be transmitted to the vehicle body in large quantities through the guide sleeve, resulting in resonance noise inside the vehicle. The noise problem is more prominent when driving on bumpy roads or at high speeds.
[0006] 3. Insufficient reliability of connection and fixing: In the existing connection and fixing components of the guide sleeve, the fitting and positioning accuracy between the reinforcing plate and the guide sleeve body is low, and the anti-loosening performance of the welded or threaded connection structure is poor. Under long-term high-frequency vibration load, problems such as loosening of weld points and loosening of bolts are prone to occur, which will cause the guide sleeve to shift in position. This not only affects the guiding accuracy, but may also cause interference and abnormal noise of components, and in severe cases, even endanger driving safety. At the same time, the stiffness design of the reinforcing structure is unreasonable and cannot effectively distribute the load, which is prone to local stress concentration.
[0007] 4. Weak structural resistance to deformation: The elastomer is prone to permanent deformation under long-term load, which leads to changes in the internal fit clearance of the guide sleeve, further aggravating friction and vibration; the guide sleeve body is mostly a smooth outer wall structure, and the connection stiffness with the connecting components is insufficient. Under complex load, it is prone to slight deformation, affecting the overall guiding accuracy; in addition, the existing structure lacks targeted anti-deformation reinforcement design, making it difficult to balance rigid support and elastic buffer.
[0008] 5. Sealing and protection performance needs improvement: Existing sealing components are mostly single-layer sealing structures, which are difficult to effectively prevent impurities from entering under complex working conditions such as mud, rain and snow. Impurities entering the guide mating surface will cause abrasive wear and damage the lubrication environment, further aggravating component failure. In addition, the anti-corrosion protection design on the outside of the guide sleeve body is simple, and it is easy to rust in corrosive environments such as de-icing agents and rainwater in winter, affecting structural strength and service life.
[0009] In summary, given the shortcomings of existing precision guide bushings for automotive suspension systems in terms of low friction, noise reduction, structural stability, and durability, there is an urgent need to develop a precision guide bushing that achieves low friction and noise reduction, improved connection reliability, and enhanced resistance to deformation through structural optimization. This is to meet the automotive industry's ever-increasing technical demands for suspension system performance. To address these issues, we propose a low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide bushing for automotive suspension systems. Summary of the Invention
[0010] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for automotive suspension systems, thus solving the aforementioned problems.
[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for an automotive suspension system, comprising a guide sleeve body, an elastomer, an inner tube, a guiding and mating assembly, a connecting and fixing assembly, a sealing assembly, and a limiting and buffering assembly; the elastomer is assembled inside the guide sleeve body, the inner tube is embedded inside the elastomer, the guiding and mating assembly is disposed inside the inner tube to achieve precision guidance, the connecting and fixing assembly is disposed on the outer side of the guide sleeve body at one end connected to the vehicle body longitudinal beam, for achieving a stable connection between the guide sleeve and the vehicle body longitudinal beam, the sealing assembly is symmetrically disposed at both ends of the guide sleeve body, and the limiting and buffering assembly is assembled at the end of the guide sleeve body and corresponds to the inner tube.
[0012] Preferably, the guide sleeve body is made of 35CrMo high-strength alloy after quenching and tempering, and has a cylindrical hollow structure with a wall thickness of 5mm and a load-bearing strength of ≥138.8KN. The inner wall of the guide sleeve body is also coated with a TiCN low-friction coating with a coating thickness of 3-5μm, a surface hardness of ≥HV2000, and a surface finish Ra≤0.05μm.
[0013] Preferably, the elastomer is made of high-damping nano-rubber material, and a number of lubricating particles composed of graphite solid are uniformly embedded inside the elastomer. The elastomer is integrated with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body and the outer wall of the inner tube through a vulcanization process. The Shore hardness of the elastomer is set to 60-70HA, and the damping coefficient is ≥0.35.
[0014] Preferably, the guiding and mating assembly includes a first C-shaped lubricating sleeve, a second C-shaped lubricating sleeve, and an axial limiting strip. The first C-shaped lubricating sleeve and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve are axially spaced and embedded inside the inner tube. The axial limiting strip is disposed between the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve, and both ends of the axial limiting strip are respectively engaged with the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve. The inner sidewalls of the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve are provided with annular oil reservoirs, and the annular oil reservoirs are filled with polyurea-based long-lasting grease.
[0015] Preferably, the guide fitting assembly further includes an end face corrugated spring, which is disposed on the side of the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve away from the axial limiting strip, with one end of the end face corrugated spring abutting against the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve and the other end abutting against the limiting buffer assembly.
[0016] Preferably, the connecting and fixing assembly includes an L-shaped reinforcing cross plate, a reinforcing plate, plug welding holes, an M14 threaded hole, a locking bolt, and a self-locking end cap. The L-shaped reinforcing cross plate wraps around the outside of the guide sleeve body and is fixed to the side of the vehicle body longitudinal beam by electric welding. The reinforcing plate is in contact with the lower end face of the guide sleeve body and is fixed by spot welding at four welding points. The plug welding holes are opened on the L-shaped reinforcing cross plate, with a quantity of 6 and a specification of 6×20mm. The M14 threaded hole is opened on the reinforcing plate. The locking bolt passes through the M14 threaded hole and is threadedly connected to the vehicle body longitudinal beam. The self-locking end cap is fitted onto the end of the locking bolt.
[0017] Preferably, the sealing assembly adopts a double-layer sealing structure, including an inner lip seal ring and an outer dustproof ring. The lip seal ring is made of fluororubber material and fits into the limiting buffer assembly. The dustproof ring is made of metal and is flared. Its large end is fixed to the end of the guide sleeve body, the outer wall surface of the small end fits into the lip seal ring, and the end of the small end is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the inner tube.
[0018] Preferably, the limiting and buffering assembly includes a symmetrically arranged bushing limiting ring and a buffer nylon sleeve. The bushing limiting ring is fitted into the inner side of the end of the guide sleeve body by interference fit and abuts against the end of the inner tube to achieve axial limiting. The buffer nylon sleeve is embedded on the side of the bushing limiting ring away from the inner tube. The crushing strength of the buffer nylon sleeve is ≥10KN, and the end face of the buffer nylon sleeve is provided with an annular buffer groove.
[0019] Preferably, the inner tube is made of SKD11 alloy tool steel, and its surface is treated with high frequency quenching, with a surface hardness of HRC45-50. The inner side of the inner tube is also provided with a spiral oil guide groove, which is connected to the annular oil storage groove of the guide fitting component.
[0020] Preferably, the outer circumference of the guide sleeve body is uniformly and integrally formed with several reinforcing ribs, the reinforcing ribs extend along the axial direction of the guide sleeve body, the reinforcing ribs are attached to the inner sidewall of the L-shaped reinforcing cross plate, and the two are fixedly connected by spot welding.
[0021] Preferably, the elastomer has several annular metal skeletons embedded inside, the annular metal skeletons are spaced apart along the axial direction of the elastomer, and the inner ring of the annular metal skeleton is fitted with the outer wall of the inner tube, while the outer ring is fitted with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body with a clearance. Several through vulcanization holes are uniformly opened on the annular metal skeletons, the vulcanization holes are arranged vertically and cross each other, and the diameter of the vulcanization holes is 3mm. The elastomer achieves integrated vulcanization connection between the inner tube and the guide sleeve body through the vulcanization holes, thereby enhancing the deformation resistance of the elastomer.
[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for automotive suspension systems, which has the following beneficial effects:
[0023] 1. Low friction characteristics adapt to complex road conditions and extend service life: The TiCN low friction coating on the inner wall of the guide sleeve body and the self-lubricating effect of graphite lubricating particles in the elastomer, combined with the circulating lubrication structure of the guide mating components, significantly reduce the friction coefficient of the guide surface. In scenarios such as frequent vehicle turning and reciprocating motion on bumpy roads, it can effectively avoid lubrication dead angles and dry friction problems, reduce wear on mating surfaces, and extend the service life by more than 50% compared to traditional guide sleeves, reducing user maintenance and replacement costs.
[0024] 2. High damping vibration reduction and noise reduction, improving driving comfort: The elastomer uses high damping nano rubber material, and the internally embedded annular metal skeleton can suppress excessive deformation. Combined with the annular buffer groove structure of the buffer nylon sleeve in the limiting buffer component, it can effectively attenuate the high-frequency vibration generated by road impact. When driving at high speed, passing through speed bumps or unpaved roads, it can block the transmission path of vibration to the vehicle body, reduce the resonance noise in the vehicle, reduce the noise level in the vehicle by 8-12dB, and significantly improve the comfort and quietness experience of the driver and passengers.
[0025] 3. Multi-dimensional connection and fixation to ensure driving safety: The connection and fixation components are formed by spot welding the L-shaped reinforcing cross plate to the outer reinforcing rib of the guide sleeve body, and the four-point positioning spot welding of the reinforcing plate plus CO2 full welding reinforcement. Combined with the double anti-loosening design of plug welding holes and self-locking end caps, a multi-dimensional fixation structure of side wrapping and bottom support is formed. Under complex load conditions such as long-term high-frequency vibration, rapid acceleration and sudden braking, it can effectively avoid guide sleeve displacement caused by weld loosening and bolt loosening, ensure guiding accuracy, prevent component interference and abnormal noise, reduce driving safety hazards, and adapt to the suspension system requirements of various models such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
[0026] 4. Deformation-resistant structural design to maintain precise guidance: The annular metal skeleton arranged axially within the elastomer, together with the high-strength alloy material of the guide sleeve body and the integrally formed reinforcing ribs on the outside, can effectively suppress permanent deformation of the elastomer and minor deformation of the guide sleeve body. Under long-term load-bearing and high and low temperature cycling scenarios, it can stably maintain the internal fit clearance of the guide sleeve, avoid friction noise and guidance deviation caused by clearance changes, ensure the handling stability of the suspension system, and make the vehicle steering response more precise.
[0027] 5. Double-layer sealing protection, suitable for harsh environments: The sealing component adopts a double-layer structure of fluororubber lip seal and metal flared dustproof ring. The lip seal is interference-fitted with the inner tube, and the small end of the dustproof ring fits tightly with the inner tube. It can effectively block the intrusion of mud and sand in muddy road conditions, moisture in rainy and snowy weather, de-icing agents and other impurities in winter. Under complex outdoor working conditions, it can protect the guide mating surface and lubrication environment, avoid abrasive wear and corrosion problems, and make the guide sleeve resistant to salt spray corrosion ≥500h. It can ensure stable operation in harsh environments such as coastal areas, high cold, and dusty areas, and improve the environmental adaptability of the components.
[0028] 6. Structural Co-optimization, Balancing Rigidity and Buffering: This invention achieves a precise balance between rigid support and elastic buffering through a synergistic structural design that integrates the rigid support of the guide sleeve body, the buffering and vibration reduction of the elastic body, the impact absorption of the limiting buffer assembly, and the stiffness enhancement of the connecting and fixing components. In scenarios such as fully loaded vehicle driving and high-speed cornering, it can both bear large loads through high-strength structures and absorb impacts through the elastic body and buffer assembly, avoiding abnormal noises and damage caused by rigid contact. This ensures the stability of the suspension system under different working conditions and meets the high-end requirements of the automotive industry for ride comfort and handling stability. Attached Figure Description
[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the elastomer structure of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the inner tube of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the guiding and mating component structure of the present invention;
[0033] Figure 5 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the structural breakdown of the present invention;
[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the annular metal skeleton structure of the present invention.
[0036] In the diagram: 1. Guide sleeve body; 2. Elastomer; 3. Inner tube; 4. Lubricating particles; 5. First C-type lubricating sleeve body; 6. Second C-type lubricating sleeve body; 7. Axial limiting strip; 8. Annular oil reservoir; 9. End face corrugated spring; 10. L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate; 11. Reinforcing plate; 12. Plug weld hole; 13. M14 threaded hole; 14. Locking bolt; 15. Self-locking end cap; 16. Lip seal ring; 17. Dustproof retaining ring; 18. Bushing limiting ring; 19. Buffer nylon sleeve; 20. Annular buffer groove; 21. Oil guide groove; 22. Reinforcing rib; 23. Annular metal skeleton; 24. Vulcanization hole. Detailed Implementation
[0037] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0038] Please see Figure 1-7 A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system includes a guide sleeve body 1, an elastic body 2, an inner tube 3, a guiding and mating assembly, a connecting and fixing assembly, a sealing assembly, and a limiting and buffering assembly. The elastic body 2 is assembled inside the guide sleeve body 1, and the inner tube 3 is embedded inside the elastic body 2. The guiding and mating assembly is located inside the inner tube 3 to achieve precision guidance. The connecting and fixing assembly is located on the outer side of the guide sleeve body 1 at one end connected to the vehicle body longitudinal beam to achieve a stable connection between the guide sleeve and the vehicle body longitudinal beam. The sealing assembly is symmetrically arranged at both ends of the guide sleeve body 1, and the limiting and buffering assembly is assembled at the end of the guide sleeve body 1 and corresponds to the inner tube 3. This structural layout enables the components to work together, providing a basic support for low-friction, noise reduction, and structural stability.
[0039] Furthermore, the guide sleeve body 1 is made of 35CrMo high-strength alloy after quenching and tempering, and has a cylindrical hollow structure with a wall thickness of 5mm and a load-bearing strength ≥138.8KN. The inner wall of the guide sleeve body 1 is also coated with a TiCN low-friction coating with a coating thickness of 3-5μm, a surface hardness ≥HV2000, and a surface finish Ra≤0.05μm. The combination of high-strength material and low-friction coating not only ensures load-bearing capacity but also significantly reduces the friction coefficient of the guide surface.
[0040] Furthermore, the elastomer 2 is made of high-damping nano-rubber material, and a number of lubricating particles 4 composed of graphite solid are uniformly embedded inside the elastomer 2. The elastomer 2 is integrated with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body 1 and the outer wall of the inner tube 3 through a vulcanization process. The Shore hardness of the elastomer 2 is set to 60-70HA, and the damping coefficient is ≥0.35. The high-damping material and the self-lubricating particles 4 work together to improve the vibration damping effect and reduce the relative friction between the elastomer 2 and the internal and external components.
[0041] Furthermore, the guiding and mating assembly includes a first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5, a second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6, and an axial limiting strip 7. The first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6 are axially spaced and embedded inside the inner tube 3. The axial limiting strip 7 is disposed between the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6, and both ends of the axial limiting strip 7 are respectively engaged with the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6. The inner sidewalls of the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6 are provided with annular oil reservoirs 8, which are filled with polyurea-based long-lasting grease. The combination of the rolling and sliding mating structure and the long-lasting lubrication design avoids lubrication dead zones and reduces frictional loss during the guiding process.
[0042] Furthermore, the guide fitting assembly also includes an end face corrugated spring 9, which is disposed on the side of the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6 away from the axial limiting strip 7. One end of the end face corrugated spring 9 abuts against the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6, and the other end abuts against the limiting buffer assembly. The end face corrugated spring 9 realizes automatic compensation of the fitting gap, avoiding friction noise and accuracy deviation caused by excessive or insufficient gap.
[0043] Furthermore, the connecting and fixing assembly includes an L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10, a reinforcing flat plate 11, plug welding holes 12, M14 threaded holes 13, locking bolts 14, and a self-locking end cap 15. The L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10 wraps around the outside of the guide sleeve body 1 and is fixed to the side of the vehicle body longitudinal beam by electric welding. The reinforcing flat plate 11 is in contact with the lower end face of the guide sleeve body 1 and is fixed by spot welding at 4 welding points. The plug welding holes 12 are opened on the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10, with a quantity of 6 and a specification of 6×20mm. The M14 threaded holes 13 are opened on the reinforcing flat plate 11. The locking bolts 14 pass through the M14 threaded holes 13 and are threadedly connected to the vehicle body longitudinal beam. The self-locking end cap 15 is fitted onto the end of the locking bolts 14. The multi-dimensional fixing structure improves the connection rigidity, avoids loosening and displacement caused by long-term vibration, and ensures guiding accuracy.
[0044] Furthermore, the sealing assembly adopts a double-layer sealing structure, including an inner lip seal ring 16 and an outer dustproof ring 17. The lip seal ring 16 is made of fluororubber and fits into the limiting buffer assembly. The dustproof ring 17 is made of metal and is flared. Its large end is fixed to the end of the guide sleeve body 1, and the outer wall surface of its small end fits into the lip seal ring 16. The end of the small end is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the inner tube 3. The double-layer sealing structure effectively prevents impurities from entering, protects the lubrication environment and the guide mating surface, and extends the service life.
[0045] Furthermore, the limiting and buffering assembly includes a symmetrically arranged bushing limiting ring 18 and a buffer nylon sleeve 19. The bushing limiting ring 18 is fitted into the inner side of the end of the guide sleeve body 1 by interference fit and abuts against the end of the inner tube 3 to achieve axial limiting. The buffer nylon sleeve 19 is embedded in the side of the bushing limiting ring 18 away from the inner tube 3. The crushing strength of the buffer nylon sleeve 19 is ≥10KN, and the end face of the buffer nylon sleeve 19 is provided with an annular buffer groove 20. The limiting and buffering structure are combined to absorb axial impact, avoid hard contact between components, and reduce impact noise and structural damage.
[0046] Furthermore, the inner tube 3 is made of SKD11 alloy tool steel, and its surface is treated with high frequency quenching, with a surface hardness of HRC45-50. The inner side of the inner tube 3 is also provided with a spiral oil guide groove 21, which is connected to the annular oil storage groove 8 of the guide fitting component. The high-strength wear-resistant inner tube and oil guide groove design ensure the guiding accuracy while realizing the grease circulation supply and improving the lubrication stability.
[0047] Furthermore, the outer circumference of the guide sleeve body 1 is uniformly and integrally formed with several reinforcing ribs 22. The reinforcing ribs 22 extend along the axial direction of the guide sleeve body 1. The reinforcing ribs 22 are attached to the inner sidewall of the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10, and the two are fixedly connected by spot welding. The reinforcing ribs enhance the rigidity of the guide sleeve body, while improving the fitting and fixing effect with the connecting components and reducing vibration deformation.
[0048] Furthermore, the elastomer 2 is internally embedded with several annular metal skeletons 23. The annular metal skeletons 23 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the elastomer 2, and the inner ring of the annular metal skeleton 23 is fitted to the outer wall of the inner tube 3, while the outer ring is in clearance fit with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body 1. Several through vulcanization holes 24 are uniformly opened on the annular metal skeleton 23. The vulcanization holes 24 are arranged vertically and cross each other. The diameter of the vulcanization holes 24 is 3mm. The elastomer 2 achieves integrated vulcanization connection between the inner tube 3 and the guide sleeve body 1 through the vulcanization holes 24, which enhances the deformation resistance of the elastomer 2. The annular metal skeleton and the vulcanization hole structure work together to improve the elastomer's resistance to permanent deformation, ensure the stability of the fit clearance, and balance elastic buffering and structural rigidity.
[0049] Example
[0050] Example 1: The guide sleeve body 1 provides the basic load-bearing structure for the entire guide sleeve. It is made of 35CrMo high-strength alloy, and the inner wall TiCN low-friction coating reduces friction with the elastomer 2. The elastomer 2 is integrally connected to the guide sleeve body 1 and the inner tube 3 through a vulcanization process. The internal annular metal skeleton 23 and vulcanization holes 24 enhance the resistance to deformation. Graphite lubricating particles 4 achieve self-lubrication. The inner tube 3 is made of SKD11 alloy tool steel, and the surface is high-frequency quenched to improve wear resistance. The inner oil guide groove 21 is connected to the annular oil reservoir 8 of the guide fitting assembly to realize the circulation supply of grease. In the guide fitting assembly, the first C-type lubricating sleeve body 5 and the second C-type lubricating sleeve body 6 are fixed by the axial limiting strip 7. The polyurea-based grease in the annular oil reservoir 8 is kept in place. The lubrication system features an end-face corrugated spring 9 that automatically compensates for clearance. In the connecting and fixing components, the L-shaped reinforcing cross plate 10 is spot-welded to the outer reinforcing rib 22 of the guide sleeve body 1. The reinforcing plate 11 is fixed to the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body by locking bolts 14. The plug weld hole 12 strengthens the connection strength. The lip seal ring 16 and the dustproof ring 17 of the sealing component form a double layer of protection. The bushing limiting ring 18 of the limiting buffer component achieves axial limiting. The annular buffer groove 20 of the buffer nylon sleeve 19 absorbs impact. During operation, the components work together to significantly reduce the coefficient of friction, effectively attenuate vibration and noise, and ensure stable connection without loosening. Through multi-structure collaborative optimization, a comprehensive improvement in low friction, noise reduction, and deformation resistance is achieved, making it suitable for the comfort suspension system requirements of high-end passenger vehicles.
[0051] Example 2: Four reinforcing ribs 22 are integrally formed on the outer side of the guide sleeve body 1, which are tightly fitted and spot-welded to the L-shaped reinforcing cross plate 10 to improve connection rigidity and vibration stability. Three annular metal skeletons 23 are set at intervals inside the elastic body 2, and the vulcanization holes 24 are vertically and crosswise distributed to make the vulcanization connection between the elastic body 2, the guide sleeve body 1, and the inner tube 3 more solid, effectively suppressing permanent deformation under long-term load. The oil guide groove 21 on the inner side of the inner tube 3 is a spiral large pitch design, which is efficiently connected to the annular oil reservoir 8 of the first C-type lubricating sleeve body 5 and the second C-type lubricating sleeve body 6 to ensure the supply of grease under harsh working conditions. The end face corrugated spring 9 of the guide mating component is made of high elasticity material to accurately compensate for gap deviations caused by temperature changes or wear. In the fixed assembly, the four welding points of the reinforcing plate 11 are evenly distributed, and together with the self-locking end cap 15, the locking bolt 14 is doubly prevented from loosening. The dustproof ring 17 of the sealing assembly is made of stainless steel, and the interference of the lip seal ring 16 is optimized to 0.25mm, which improves the dustproof sealing effect under complex road conditions. The crushing strength of the buffer nylon sleeve 19 of the limiting buffer assembly reaches 12KN, and the depth of the annular buffer groove 20 is increased to enhance the impact absorption capacity. During operation, the guide sleeve maintains a low friction and low noise state under high-frequency vibration and complex road conditions. The connection is stable and the deformation is small, which enhances the adaptability under harsh working conditions. The structural stability and durability are further improved, making it suitable for SUVs, commercial vehicles and other models with high requirements for the reliability of the suspension system.
[0052] Structural Description
[0053] The guide sleeve body 1, as the core load-bearing component of the entire guide sleeve, has a cylindrical hollow structure and is made of 35CrMo high-strength alloy after quenching and tempering. It has a wall thickness of 5mm and a load-bearing strength of ≥138.8KN. It provides an installation foundation and rigid support for each internal component. The TiCN low-friction coating on its inner wall reduces the friction coefficient of the guide surface.
[0054] The elastomer 2 is assembled inside the guide sleeve body 1. It is made of high-damping nano rubber material and has lubricating particles 4 and annular metal skeleton 23 uniformly embedded inside. It is integrated with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body 1 and the outer wall of the inner tube 3 through vulcanization process. It has a Shore hardness of 60-70HA and a damping coefficient ≥0.35, realizing the functions of buffering, vibration reduction and self-lubrication.
[0055] The inner tube 3 is embedded inside the elastomer 2. It is made of SKD11 alloy tool steel and the surface is treated with high frequency quenching to achieve a hardness of HRC45-50. A spiral oil guide groove 21 is opened on the inner side, which is connected to the annular oil reservoir 8 to provide a grease circulation channel for the guide and mating components, while ensuring the precision guiding accuracy.
[0056] The guide fitting assembly is located inside the inner tube 3 and includes a first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5, a second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6, an axial limiting strip 7, an annular oil reservoir 8, and an end-face corrugated spring 9. The first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6 are axially spaced apart. The axial limiting strip 7 positions the two together. The annular oil reservoir 8 stores grease. The end-face corrugated spring 9 compensates for the fitting clearance and reduces guide friction.
[0057] The connecting and fixing components are located on the outside of the guide sleeve body 1 at the connection end with the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body. The components include an L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10, a reinforcing flat plate 11, a plug welding hole 12, an M14 threaded hole 13, a locking bolt 14, and a self-locking end cap 15. The L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10 wraps around the guide sleeve body 1 and is fixed to the side of the longitudinal beam. The reinforcing flat plate 11 fits against the lower end face of the guide sleeve body 1. Multi-dimensional fixing is achieved through bolts and welds to ensure a stable connection.
[0058] The sealing components are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the guide sleeve body 1 and have a double-layer structure, including a lip seal 16 and a dustproof ring 17. The lip seal 16 is made of fluororubber and is fitted with the limiting buffer component. The dustproof ring 17 is a metal flared shape, with the large end fixed to the guide sleeve body 1 and the small end interference fit with the inner tube 3 to prevent impurities from entering.
[0059] The limiting and buffering assembly is assembled at the end of the guide sleeve body 1, including a bushing limiting ring 18 and a buffer nylon sleeve 19. The bushing limiting ring 18 is fitted into the inner side of the guide sleeve body 1 by interference fit and abuts against the end of the inner tube 3 to achieve axial limiting. The buffer nylon sleeve 19 is embedded on the outer side of the bushing limiting ring 18 and has an annular buffer groove 20 on its end face. The crushing strength is ≥10KN, which absorbs axial impact.
[0060] Lubricating particles 4 are composed of solid graphite and are uniformly embedded inside the elastomer 2. Through material transfer during the friction process, they form a self-lubricating film, reducing the coefficient of friction between the elastomer 2 and the guide sleeve body 1 and the inner tube 3.
[0061] The first C-type lubricating sleeve 5 is the core component of the guide fitting assembly. It is embedded in the inner side along the axial direction of the inner tube 3. An annular oil storage groove 8 is opened on the inner side wall. It cooperates with the second C-type lubricating sleeve 6 to achieve rolling and sliding guidance and reduce friction loss.
[0062] The second C-type lubricating sleeve 6 has the same structure as the first C-type lubricating sleeve 5. It is arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the inner tube 3. One end is positioned with the first C-type lubricating sleeve 5 by the axial limiting strip 7, and the other end abuts against the end face corrugated spring 9, together forming a stable guiding structure.
[0063] Axial limiting strip 7 is set between the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6. Both ends are respectively engaged with the two lubricating sleeves to limit the axial displacement of the two lubricating sleeves and avoid relative sliding that may cause abnormal noise.
[0064] An annular oil reservoir 8 is formed on the inner sidewall of the first C-shaped lubrication sleeve 5 and the second C-shaped lubrication sleeve 6. The reservoir is filled with polyurea-based long-lasting grease to provide continuous lubrication for the guide mating surfaces and eliminate lubrication dead zones.
[0065] The end face corrugated spring 9 is located on the side of the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6 away from the axial limiting strip 7. One end abuts against the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve 6, and the other end abuts against the limiting buffer assembly. It automatically compensates for the fitting gap through elastic deformation to maintain the optimal guiding state.
[0066] The L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10 is an important component for connecting and fixing the assembly. It is wrapped around the outside of the guide sleeve body 1 and fixed to the side of the vehicle body longitudinal beam by electric welding. It has 6 plug welding holes 12 with a specification of 6×20mm to enhance the connection strength with the guide sleeve body 1.
[0067] The reinforced plate 11 is attached to the lower end face of the guide sleeve body 1 and fixed by spot welding at 4 welding points. An M14 threaded hole 13 is opened on it for passing through the locking bolt 14 to connect with the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body, so as to achieve stable support at the bottom of the guide sleeve.
[0068] Six plug welding holes 12 are made on the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10, with a size of 6×20mm. The plug welding process further strengthens the connection between the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10 and the guide sleeve body 1, and avoids loosening of the fit caused by vibration.
[0069] M14 threaded hole 13 is provided on the reinforcing plate 11 to provide installation thread for locking bolt 14. The threaded connection enables the reinforcing plate 11 to be detachably fixed to the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body, which is convenient for maintenance and replacement.
[0070] Locking bolt 14 passes through the M14 threaded hole 13 on the reinforcing plate 11 and is threaded to the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body. The end is fitted with a self-locking end cap 15 to achieve a firm lock between the reinforcing plate 11 and the longitudinal beam of the vehicle body, preventing vibration from loosening it.
[0071] The self-locking end cap 15 is fitted onto the end of the locking bolt 14 and abuts against the reinforcing plate 11 for locking. It utilizes its own structure to achieve an anti-loosening function and enhances the long-term reliability of the connection and fixing components.
[0072] The lip seal 16 is the inner sealing element of the sealing assembly. It is made of fluororubber and fits into the limiting buffer assembly. It achieves grease sealing through interference fit with the inner tube 3 to prevent leakage.
[0073] Dustproof ring 17 is the outer dustproof component of the sealing assembly. It is made of metal and is flared. The large end is fixed to the end of the guide sleeve body 1, and the small end is fitted with the lip seal ring 16 and has an interference fit with the inner tube 3 to prevent external dust and mud from entering.
[0074] The bushing limiting ring 18 is a limiting component of the limiting and buffering assembly. It is fitted into the inner side of the end of the guide sleeve body 1 by interference fit and abuts against the end of the inner tube 3 to limit the axial displacement of the inner tube 3 and avoid excessive movement that could cause structural damage.
[0075] The buffer nylon sleeve 19 is a buffer component of the limiting buffer assembly. It is embedded in the bushing limiting ring 18 on the side away from the inner tube 3. The crushing strength is ≥10KN. The end face is provided with an annular buffer groove 20 to absorb axial impact load and reduce impact noise.
[0076] The annular buffer groove 20 is formed on the end face of the buffer nylon sleeve 19. The groove structure enhances the elastic deformation capability of the buffer nylon sleeve 19, improves the impact absorption effect, and further weakens the transmission of impact vibration.
[0077] The oil guide groove 21 is located inside the inner tube 3 and is spiral in shape. It is connected to the annular oil reservoir 8 of the guide mating component to realize the circulation and uniform distribution of grease and ensure continuous lubrication of the guide mating surface.
[0078] The reinforcing rib 22 is integrally formed on the outer side of the guide sleeve body 1, evenly distributed in the circumference, and extends along the axial direction of the guide sleeve body 1. It is attached to the inner side wall of the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate 10 and spot welded to enhance the structural rigidity of the guide sleeve body 1 and reduce vibration deformation.
[0079] The annular metal skeleton 23 is embedded inside the elastic body 2 and is spaced apart along the axial direction of the elastic body 2. The inner ring is fitted to the outer wall of the inner tube 3, and the outer ring is fitted with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body 1 with a clearance, thereby improving the deformation resistance and load-bearing stiffness of the elastic body 2.
[0080] Vulcanization holes 24 are formed on the annular metal skeleton 23 and are arranged vertically in a cross pattern with a diameter of 3mm. This allows the elastomer material to achieve integrated vulcanization connection with the guide sleeve body 1 and the inner tube 3 through the vulcanization holes 24, thereby enhancing the connection strength.
[0081] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system, comprising a guide sleeve body (1), an elastomer (2), an inner tube (3), a guiding and mating assembly, a connecting and fixing assembly, a sealing assembly, and a limiting and buffering assembly, characterized in that: The elastomer (2) is assembled inside the guide sleeve body (1), the inner tube (3) is embedded inside the elastomer (2), the guide fitting assembly is set inside the inner tube (3) to achieve precision guidance, the connecting and fixing assembly is set at the end of the guide sleeve body (1) connected to the vehicle body longitudinal beam to achieve a stable connection between the guide sleeve and the vehicle body longitudinal beam, the sealing assembly is symmetrically arranged at both ends of the guide sleeve body (1), and the limiting buffer assembly is assembled at the end of the guide sleeve body (1) and cooperates with the inner tube (3).
2. The precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide sleeve body (1) is made of 35CrMo high-strength alloy after quenching and tempering, and has a cylindrical hollow structure with a wall thickness of 5mm and a load-bearing strength of ≥138.8KN. The inner wall of the guide sleeve body (1) is also coated with a TiCN low-friction coating with a coating thickness of 3-5μm, a surface hardness of ≥HV2000, and a surface finish of Ra≤0.05μm.
3. The precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastomer (2) is made of high-damping nano-rubber material, and a number of lubricating particles (4) composed of graphite solid are uniformly embedded inside the elastomer (2). The elastomer (2) is integrated with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body (1) and the outer wall of the inner tube (3) through a vulcanization process. The Shore hardness of the elastomer (2) is set to 60-70HA and the damping coefficient is ≥0.
35.
4. The precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guiding and fitting assembly includes a first C-shaped lubricating sleeve (5), a second C-shaped lubricating sleeve (6), and an axial limiting strip (7). The first C-shaped lubricating sleeve (5) and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve (6) are axially spaced and embedded inside the inner tube (3). The axial limiting strip (7) is located between the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve (5) and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve (6), and both ends of the axial limiting strip (7) are respectively engaged with the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve (5) and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve (6). The inner walls of the first C-shaped lubricating sleeve (5) and the second C-shaped lubricating sleeve (6) are provided with annular oil reservoirs (8), and the annular oil reservoirs (8) are filled with polyurea-based long-lasting grease.
5. A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide fitting assembly also includes an end face corrugated spring (9), which is located on the side of the second C-type lubricating sleeve (6) away from the axial limiting strip (7), and one end of the end face corrugated spring (9) abuts against the second C-type lubricating sleeve (6), and the other end abuts against the limiting buffer assembly.
6. The precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting and fixing components include an L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate (10), a reinforcing flat plate (11), a plug welding hole (12), an M14 threaded hole (13), a locking bolt (14), and a self-locking end cap (15). The L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate (10) wraps around the outside of the guide sleeve body (1) and is fixed to the side of the vehicle body longitudinal beam by electric welding. The reinforcing flat plate (11) is attached to the lower end face of the guide sleeve body (1) and is fixed by spot welding at 4 welding points. The plug welding hole (12) is opened on the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate (10), with a quantity of 6 and a specification of 6×20mm. The M14 threaded hole (13) is opened on the reinforcing flat plate (11). The locking bolt (14) passes through the M14 threaded hole (13) and is threaded to the vehicle body longitudinal beam. The self-locking end cap (15) is fitted onto the end of the locking bolt (14).
7. A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing assembly adopts a double-layer sealing structure, including an inner lip seal ring (16) and an outer dustproof ring (17). The lip seal ring (16) is made of fluororubber material and is fitted with the limiting buffer assembly. The dustproof ring (17) is made of metal material and is in the shape of a trumpet. Its large end is fixed to the end of the guide sleeve body (1), and the outer wall surface of the small end is fitted with the lip seal ring (16). The end of the small end is interference-fitted with the inner wall surface of the inner tube (3).
8. A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting and buffering assembly includes a symmetrically arranged bushing limiting ring (18) and a buffer nylon sleeve (19). The bushing limiting ring (18) is fitted into the inner side of the end of the guide sleeve body (1) by interference fit and abuts against the end of the inner tube (3) to achieve axial limiting. The buffer nylon sleeve (19) is embedded on the side of the bushing limiting ring (18) away from the inner tube (3). The crushing strength of the buffer nylon sleeve (19) is ≥10KN, and the end face of the buffer nylon sleeve (19) is provided with an annular buffer groove (20).
9. A low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for an automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner tube (3) is made of SKD11 alloy tool steel and its surface is treated with high frequency quenching, with a surface hardness of HRC45-50. The inner side of the inner tube (3) is also provided with a spiral oil guide groove (21), which is connected to the annular oil storage groove (8) of the guide fitting component.
10. A precision guide sleeve for a low-friction, noise-reducing automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer circumference of the guide sleeve body (1) is uniformly integrally formed with several reinforcing ribs (22). The reinforcing ribs (22) extend along the axial direction of the guide sleeve body (1). The reinforcing ribs (22) are attached to the inner sidewall of the L-shaped reinforcing horizontal plate (10), and the two are fixedly connected by spot welding.
11. A low-friction, noise-reducing precision guide sleeve for an automotive suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastomer (2) is internally fitted with several annular metal skeletons (23). The annular metal skeletons (23) are spaced apart along the axial direction of the elastomer (2). The inner ring of the annular metal skeleton (23) is fitted with the outer wall of the inner tube (3), and the outer ring is fitted with the inner wall of the guide sleeve body (1) with a clearance. Several through vulcanization holes (24) are evenly opened on the annular metal skeleton (23). The vulcanization holes (24) are arranged vertically and cross each other. The diameter of the vulcanization holes (24) is 3mm. The elastomer (2) achieves integrated vulcanization connection between the inner tube (3) and the guide sleeve body (1) through the vulcanization holes (24), thereby enhancing the deformation resistance of the elastomer (2).