Suspension for a vehicle

Abstract

Suspension for a vehicle, wherein the suspension comprises: a bracket that is coupled to a vehicle body; a bushing held in the holder, wherein fluid flows into the bushing in response to an elastic deformation; an inner core that is movably coupled to the socket and arranged to put pressure on the socket; a tube that is inserted between the bracket and the socket and surrounds the socket; and a top part that is coupled to the bracket and covers the socket.

Description

Background area

[0001] Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a suspension for a vehicle, and more particularly to a suspension for a vehicle that can enhance ride comfort of the vehicle by both reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and improving ride and handling (R&H) performance. Description of the state of the art

[0002] A suspension for a vehicle typically connects an axle and a body of a vehicle to prevent vibrations or shocks transmitted by the vehicle's wheels from the road surface from being directly transmitted to the vehicle body while the vehicle is traveling, thereby preventing damage to the vehicle body and providing a comfortable ride for a passenger.

[0003] In the vehicle suspension, an isolator is attached to a piston rod for coupling to the vehicle body. The isolator includes a bushing with a damping function.

[0004] However, due to the nature of the bushing, it is difficult to both reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and improve ride and handling (R&H) performance. Therefore, improvements are needed to address this issue.

[0005] The prior art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0090310 (published on August 1, 2019, entitled “Suspension Device for a Vehicle”). Summary

[0006] Embodiments relate to a suspension for a vehicle that can improve the ride comfort of a vehicle by reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) as well as improving ride and handling (R&H) performance.

[0007] In one embodiment, a suspension for a vehicle may include: a bracket coupled to a vehicle body; a retainer received within the bushing and in which fluid flows in response to elastic deformation; an inner core movably coupled to the bushing and configured to pressurize the bushing; a tube interposed between the bracket and the bushing and surrounding the bushing; and a top coupled to the bracket and covering the bushing.

[0008] The bushing may include: a damper coupled to the inner core, having a chamber that receives the fluid, and configured to be elastically deformable when the inner core moves; and a fluid guide coupled to the damper and having a flow path that directs a flow of the fluid supplied from the chamber when the damper is elastically deformed.

[0009] The bushing may further comprise a reinforcement disposed within the damper and configured to reinforce a stiffness of the damper.

[0010] The chamber may comprise: a first chamber disposed on a first side of the damper and connected to a first end of the flow path; and a second chamber disposed on a second side of the damper and connected to a second end of the flow path.

[0011] The first chamber and the second chamber may be arranged at different heights with respect to an axial direction of the bushing.

[0012] A volume of one of the first chamber and the second chamber may be reduced to supply fluid to the flow path when the damper is elastically deformed. The other of the first and second chambers may receive fluid from the flow path to expand its volume when the damper is elastically deformed.

[0013] The inner core may include: an inner core body received within the damper; a first protrusion protruding from a first side of the inner core body and inserted into the damper and configured to pressurize the first chamber to reduce a volume of the first chamber; and a second protrusion protruding from a second side of the inner core body and inserted into the damper and configured to pressurize the second chamber to reduce a volume of the second chamber.

[0014] The first projection and the second projection may be arranged at different heights with respect to the axial direction of the bushing.

[0015] The flow path may include: a first fluid opening connected to the first chamber and through which the fluid passes; a second fluid opening connected to the second chamber and through which the fluid passes; and a flow path groove configured to connect the first fluid hole and the second fluid hole and in which the fluid flows.

[0016] The flow path groove may be arranged spirally along a circumferential direction of the fluid guide.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, the vehicle suspension may include the flow path guiding the fluid flow in the bushing and utilize elastic properties of the damper, which is elastically deformable in response to movement of the inner core, as well as damping properties in response to the fluid flow. Thus, the vehicle suspension may improve the performance and ride comfort of the vehicle by reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and improving ride and handling (R&H) performance.

[0018] Furthermore, the vehicle suspension according to the present disclosure can improve a damping performance of the damper by increasing the volume change of the chamber when the inner core is moved by the protrusions provided in the inner core and configured to pressurize the chamber. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a suspension for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a bushing in the vehicle suspension according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating an operating state of the vehicle suspension according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0019] A suspension for a vehicle will be described below using various exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the thickness of each line or the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and ease of description. Furthermore, the terms used herein are defined with functions of the present disclosure in mind, and these terms may change depending on the intention or practice of a user or operator. Therefore, these terms should be defined based on the entirety of the disclosure set forth herein.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a suspension for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a bushing in the vehicle suspension according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 5.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 to 6, the vehicle suspension 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a bracket 100, a bushing 200, an inner core 300, a tube 400, and a top 500, which will be described in detail below.

[0022] The bracket 100 is coupled to a vehicle body (not shown). The bracket 100 may include a bracket body 110 and a fastening element 120. The bracket body 110 may be arranged to face the vehicle body. The fastening element 120 may be exemplified by a bolt. The fastening element 120 may couple the bracket body 110 to the vehicle body to secure the bracket body 110 at a predetermined position on the vehicle body.

[0023] The support body 110 may include a through hole 111, a seat portion 112, and a connecting groove 113. The through hole 111 may be formed in a central portion of the support body 110 and may be formed by penetrating the support body 110 in its thickness direction (the vertical direction in Fig. 4) be trained.

[0024] The seat portion 112 may be formed in the through hole 111. The seat portion 112 may extend a predetermined length from an inner peripheral surface of the bracket body 110 toward the center portion of the bracket body 110 and may be formed along a circumferential direction of the bracket body 110. The bushing 200 and the tube 400 may be seated on the seat portion 112.

[0025] The coupling groove 113 can be formed on an outer side (the top side in Fig. 4) of the through hole 111. The coupling groove 113 may be concavely recessed on an inner surface of the bracket body 110 and may be formed along an edge of the bracket body 110. The upper part 500 may be locked to the coupling groove 113.

[0026] The bushing 200 may be received in the holder 100. The bushing 200 may be received in the holder body 110 and positioned inside the through-hole 111. The bushing 200 may be formed in an empty, hollow shape so that a central portion thereof can communicate with the through-hole 111.

[0027] The bushing 200 may seat on the seat portion 112 to prevent the bushing 200 from being removed from the bracket body 110 through the through-hole 111. In response to elastic deformation, fluid may flow into the bushing 200. The bushing 200 may include a damper 210, a fluid guide 220, and a reinforcement 230.

[0028] The damper 210 may be coupled to the inner core 300. The damper 210 may comprise an elastically deformable rubber material. The damper 210 may be elastically deformed when the inner core 300 moves.

[0029] The damper 210 may include a chamber 211. The chamber 211 is a space for containing fluid and may include a first chamber 211a and a second chamber 211b.

[0030] The first chamber 211a can hold fluid and can be arranged on a first side (the left side in Fig. 4) of the damper 210 and may be connected to a first end of the flow path 221, which will be described later.

[0031] The second chamber 211b can hold fluid and can be on a second side (the right side in Fig. 4) of the damper 210 may be arranged to be spaced from the first chamber 211a and may be connected to a second end of the flow path 221.

[0032] The first chamber 211a and the second chamber 211b may be arranged at different heights on the damper 210. The second chamber 211b may be arranged at a lower position than the first chamber 211a.

[0033] When the damper 210 is elastically deformed, the volume of one of the first chamber 211a and the second chamber 211b can be reduced to supply the fluid to the flow path 221. Furthermore, when the damper 210 is elastically deformed, the other of the first chamber 211a and the second chamber 211b can receive the fluid from the flow path 221 to increase its volume.

[0034] The fluid guide 220 may be coupled to the damper 210. The fluid guide 220 may include the flow path 221, which directs the flow of the fluid supplied from the chamber 211 when the damper 210 is elastically deformed.

[0035] The fluid guide 220 may include the flow path 221, which is supplied with the fluid from the chamber 211 when the damper 210 is elastically deformed, and through which the supplied fluid flows. The flow path 221 may include a first fluid hole 221a, a second fluid hole 221b, and a flow path groove 221c.

[0036] The first fluid hole 221a is connected to the first chamber 211a so that the fluid can flow therethrough. The first fluid hole 221a is connected to a first end of the flow path groove 221c and can supply the fluid received from the first chamber 211a to the flow path groove 221c or supply the fluid received from the flow path groove 221c to the first chamber 211a.

[0037] The second fluid hole 221b is connected to the second chamber 211b so that the fluid can flow therethrough. The second fluid hole 221b is connected to a second end of the flow path groove 221c and can supply the fluid received from the second chamber 211b to the flow path groove 221c or supply the fluid received from the flow path groove 221c to the second chamber 211b.

[0038] The flow path groove 221c is connected to the first fluid hole 221a and the second fluid hole 221b, allowing fluid to flow therethrough. The first end of the flow path groove 221c is connected to the first fluid hole 221a, and the second end of the flow path groove 221c is connected to the second fluid hole 221b, allowing fluid to flow therethrough.

[0039] The flow path groove 221c may be formed in a spiral shape. The flow path groove 221c may be arranged in a spiral shape along a circumferential direction of the fluid guide 220. Thus, the fluid can flow spirally along the flow path groove 221c toward an axial direction of the fluid guide 220.

[0040] The reinforcement 230 can be coupled to the damper 210 and can reinforce the stiffness of the damper 210. The reinforcement 230 can be disposed within the damper 210 and integrally coupled to the damper 210, thereby serving to reinforce the stiffness of the damper 210 and support the damper 210. Thus, the shape of the damper 210 can be maintained.

[0041] The inner core 300 may be coupled to the bushing 200. The inner core 300 may be movably coupled to the bushing 200 and may apply pressure to the bushing 200. The inner core 300 may be positioned within the holder 100.

[0042] The inner core 300 may be received in the through-hole 111. The inner core 300 may be formed in an empty, hollow shape so that a central portion thereof can communicate with the through-hole 111.

[0043] The inner core 300 may comprise a plastic or aluminum material. The inner core 300 may include an inner core body 310, a first protrusion 320, and a second protrusion 330. The inner core body 310 may be received in the damper 210.

[0044] The first projection 320 may be shaped to extend from a first side (the left side in Fig. 4) of the inner core body 310. The first projection 320 may be inserted into the damper 210 and coupled to the damper 210. The first projection 320 may be formed on one side (the lower side in Fig. 4) the first chamber 211a and can pressurize the first chamber 211a to reduce the volume of the first chamber 211a.

[0045] The second projection 330 may be shaped to protrude from a second side (the right side in Fig. 4) of the inner core body 310 so that it is spaced from the first projection 320. The second projection 330 can be inserted into the damper 210 and coupled to the damper 210. The second projection 330 can be formed on one side (the upper side in Fig. 4) the second chamber 211b and can pressurize the second chamber 211b to reduce the volume of the second chamber 211b.

[0046] The first protrusion 320 and the second protrusion 330 may be arranged at different heights. The second protrusion 330 may be arranged at a higher position than the first protrusion 320.

[0047] The tube 400 may be formed in a hollow shape so that a central portion thereof can communicate with the through-hole 111. The tube 400 may be received in the through-hole 111 and arranged between the support body 110 and the bushing 200 to surround a peripheral portion of the bushing 200.

[0048] An inner peripheral surface of the tube 400 may surround the fluid guide 220. Thus, the tube 400 may prevent the fluid flowing along the flow path 221 from leaking out. The tube 400 may be seated on the seat portion 112 to prevent the tube 400 from being removed downward from the holder body 110 through the through-hole 111.

[0049] The upper part 500 can be connected to the holder 100 and cover the socket 200. The upper part 500 can be connected to the holder body 110 to form an outer surface (the upper surface in Fig. 3) to cover the socket 200. The upper part 500 may be formed in an empty, hollow shape so that a central portion thereof can communicate with the through-hole 111.

[0050] An edge of the upper part 500 can be locked with the coupling groove 113. This can prevent foreign matter from entering the socket 200 and prevent the socket 200 from being removed upward from the holder body 110 through the through hole 111.

[0051] The following is a description of an operation of the vehicle suspension having the above-described configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating an operating state of the vehicle suspension according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] With reference to Fig. 1 to 7, in one embodiment, the damper 210 is elastically deformed when the vehicle body moves, thus causing the inner core 300 to move upward. At the same time, the first protrusion 320 pressurizes the first chamber 211a upward to reduce the volume of the first chamber 211a. At this time, the fluid held in the first chamber 211a is supplied to the flow path 221. The fluid flowing through the flow path 221 is supplied to the second chamber 211b to increase the volume of the second chamber 211b.

[0054] In another embodiment, the damper 210 is elastically deformed when the vehicle body moves and thus the inner core 300 moves in one direction (to the left in Fig. 7). When the inner core body 310 pressurizes the first chamber 211a, the volume of the first chamber 211a is reduced. At this time, the fluid contained in the first chamber 211a is supplied to the flow path 221. The fluid flowing through the flow path 221 is supplied to the second chamber 211b to increase the volume of the second chamber 211b.

[0055] With reference to Fig. 1 to 6 and Fig. 8, in one embodiment, the damper 210 is elastically deformed when the vehicle body moves and the inner core 300 moves downward. At the same time, the second protrusion 330 exerts downward pressure on the second chamber 211b to reduce the volume of the second chamber 211b. At this time, the fluid contained in the second chamber 211b is supplied to the flow path 221. The fluid flowing through the flow path 221 is supplied to the first chamber 211a to increase the volume of the first chamber 211a.

[0056] In another embodiment, the damper 210 is elastically deformed when the vehicle body moves and the inner core 300 moves in the other direction (to the right in Fig.8). When the inner core body 310 pressurizes the second chamber 211b, the volume of the second chamber 211b is reduced. At this time, the fluid contained in the second chamber 211b is supplied to the flow path 221. The fluid flowing through the flow path 221 is supplied to the first chamber 211a to increase the volume of the first chamber 211a.

[0057] The vehicle suspension 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosures may include the flow path 221 in the bushing 200, which guides the fluid flow, and utilize elastic properties of the damper 210, which is elastically deformable in response to movement of the inner core 300, and damping properties in response to the fluid flow. Thus, the vehicle suspension 1 can improve the performance and ride comfort of the vehicle by reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and improving ride and handling (R&H) performance.

[0058] The vehicle suspension 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosures can improve a damping performance of the damper 210 by increasing the volume change of the chamber 211 when the inner core 300 is moved by the protrusions 320 and 330 provided in the inner core 300 and configured to pressurize the chamber 211.

[0059] Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The true technical scope of the disclosure should therefore be defined by the following claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2019-0090310

[0005]

Claims

[1] Suspension for a vehicle, the suspension comprising: a bracket coupled to a vehicle body; a bushing received in the holder, wherein fluid flows into the bushing in response to elastic deformation; an inner core movably coupled to the bushing and arranged to pressurise the bushing; a tube inserted between the bracket and the bushing and surrounding the bushing; and an upper part that is coupled to the bracket and covers the socket. [2] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the bushing comprises: a damper coupled to the inner core, having a chamber that receives the fluid, and configured to be elastically deformable when the inner core moves; and a fluid guide coupled to the damper and having a flow path that directs a flow of the fluid supplied from the chamber when the damper is elastically deformed. [3] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the bushing further comprises a reinforcement disposed within the damper and configured to reinforce a stiffness of the damper. [4] Suspension for the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the chamber comprises: a first chamber disposed on a first side of the damper and connected to a first end of the flow path; and a second chamber disposed on a second side of the damper and connected to a second end of the flow path. [5] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are arranged at different heights with respect to an axial direction of the bushing. [6] Suspension for the vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: a volume of one of the first chamber and the second chamber is reduced to supply the fluid to the flow path when the damper is elastically deformed, and the other of the first and second chambers receives the fluid from the flow path to expand its volume when the damper is elastically deformed. [7] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the inner core comprises: an inner core body housed within the damper; a first projection projecting from a first side of the inner core body and inserted into the damper and configured to pressurize the first chamber to reduce a volume of the first chamber; and a second protrusion protruding from a second side of the inner core body and inserted into the damper and configured to pressurize the second chamber to reduce a volume of the second chamber. [8] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the first projection and the second projection are arranged at different heights with respect to the axial direction of the bushing. [9] Suspension for the vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the flow path comprises: a first fluid opening connected to the first chamber, wherein the fluid passes through the first fluid opening; a second fluid opening connected to the second chamber, wherein the fluid passes through the second fluid opening; and a flow path groove configured to connect the first fluid hole and the second fluid hole, wherein the fluid flows in the flow path groove. [10] The suspension for the vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the flow path groove is arranged spirally along a circumferential direction of the fluid guide.

Images