Shock-absorbing assembly with radial projection

Abstract

A damping assembly is proposed comprising a base having a circular opening and a support (200) configured to fit into said circular opening of said base. The support (200) comprises a base plate (210) having a cylindrical outer lateral surface. The support (200) comprises a damping cylinder (220) having an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of said base plate (210) and an outer lateral surface (222) configured to rest on said circular opening. Said damping cylinder (220) comprises at least one radial projection (230) extending from the inner lateral surface of said damping cylinder (220) or from the outer lateral surface of said damping cylinder (220). [Fig. 4]

Description

Title of the invention: Damping assembly with radial projection technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of damping assemblies, for example, damping assemblies for vehicles (e.g., cars or trucks). Technical background

[0002] Damping assemblies can be used to absorb and / or dampen vibrations and / or shocks between mechanical parts forming part of the same assembly. Such damping assemblies can be used, in particular, in the automotive sector to connect different mechanical parts of a vehicle.

[0003] Such damping assemblies may, in particular, each consist of a base comprising a circular opening and a support configured to fit into the circular opening of the base. The support is generally configured to serve as a bearing for a mechanical part, which is then mechanically connected to the base via the support. The support generally includes a damping element for absorbing and / or damping vibrations and / or shocks between the base and the mechanical part bearing on the support.

[0004] Figure 1 shows an example of such a damping assembly support 100. The support 100 comprises a base 110 having a rod 112 having a cylindrical outer lateral surface and a shoulder 114 disposed at one end of said rod 112. The support 100 also comprises a damping cylinder 120 having an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of said rod 112 and an outer lateral surface 122 configured to rest on the circular opening of the base. Figure 2 shows the insertion of the support 100 of Figure 1 onto the base 130, and in particular the retention of the outer lateral surface 122 of the damping cylinder 120 on the circular opening 131 of the base 130 by inserting the edge of the circular opening 131 into a circumferential groove formed on the periphery of the damping cylinder 120.

[0005] The damping cylinder serves to absorb and / or dampen vibrations and / or shocks between the mechanical part bearing on the support and the base. The damping provided by such an assembly can notably be measured by a radial curve representing an applied force as a function of the radial displacement of the support (or of the mechanical part bearing on it) relative to the base, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of the damping cylinder.

[0006] Figure 3 shows an example of such a radial curve measured for an example of the damping assembly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In particular, the [Fig. 3] shows the radial curve 141 measured for a first example of a damping assembly in which the clamping force between the support and the base is minimal, and the radial curve 142 measured for a second example of a damping assembly in which the clamping force between the support and the base is maximal. In each of these examples, the clamping force between the support and the base results from dimensional variations induced by the manufacturing tolerances of the assembly components. These variations lead to a greater or lesser degree of clamping force between the support and the base.

[0007] A limitation of current damping assemblies is that damping performance can degrade depending on the clamping force when the support is centered on the circular opening. This degradation is caused in particular by the presence of play between the support and the base resulting from manufacturing tolerances of the assembly's components, leading to a decrease in stiffness at the origin. This is reflected on the radial curve by an accelerated decrease in stiffness around the origin. The decrease in stiffness at the origin for the radial curve measured for the second example can be seen in the example in [Fig. 3]. This decrease in stiffness degrades the vibration and / or shock absorption qualities of the damping assembly. Document DE 10 2022 106955 Al describes a vibration decoupling device. Document JP 2017 067150 A describes a support device for limiting vibration transmission. Document JP 2013 002614 A describes a device for routing an electrical cable through a room.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an improved damping assembly. Summary

[0009] A damping assembly is proposed for this purpose, comprising a base with a circular opening and a support configured to fit into said circular opening of said base. The support comprises a base plate having a cylindrical outer lateral surface. The support comprises a damping cylinder comprising an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of said base plate and an outer lateral surface configured to rest on said circular opening. Said damping cylinder comprises at least one radial projection extending from the inner lateral surface of said damping cylinder or from the outer lateral surface of said damping cylinder.

[0010] The assembly may include a circular gap between said base and said circular opening when the support is inserted into said circular opening. Said at least one radial projection may have a radial thickness greater than that of said circular gap.

[0011] The thickness of said at least one radial projection may be greater than the result of adding the manufacturing tolerance of the base or base and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder.

[0012] Said damping cylinder may include a single radial projection. Said single radial projection may be positioned longitudinally substantially at the center of said base.

[0013] Said damping cylinder may comprise a plurality of radial projections. Said radial projections may be distributed longitudinally along said base.

[0014] The two ends of said damping cylinder may include a respective shoulder forming a circumferential groove around said cylinder. Said circular opening may include a circular edge. Said damping cylinder may be held onto said circular opening by inserting said circular edge of said circular opening into said circumferential groove.

[0015] Said damping cylinder may be made of elastomeric material.

[0016] Said at least one radial projection may extend over all or part of the circumference of said damping cylinder.

[0017] A support belonging to such an assembly is also proposed, in which said at least one radial projection emerges from the outer lateral surface of said cylinder.

[0018] A support belonging to such an assembly is also proposed, in which said at least one radial projection emerges from the inner lateral surface of said cylinder.

[0019] A method for manufacturing a support belonging to such an assembly is also proposed, in which said at least one radial projection protrudes from the outer lateral surface of said cylinder.

[0020] A method for manufacturing a support belonging to such an assembly is also proposed, in which said at least one radial projection protrudes from the inner lateral surface of said cylinder. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Non-limiting examples will be described with reference to the following figures:

[0022] [Fig.1] and [Fig.2] illustrate an example of an existing damping assembly.

[0023] [Fig.3] shows an example of a radial curve measured for examples of the existing damping assembly illustrated in [Fig.1] and [Fig.2].

[0024] Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an example of support.

[0025] Fig. 8 illustrates the radial projection of the support example in Figures 4 to 7.

[0026] Figure 9 shows the radial curve measured for an assembly including the example supporting figures 4 to 7.

[0027] Figures [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11] illustrate an example of a damping assembly.

[0028] Fig. 12 shows examples of radial curves measured for damping assemblies like that of Fig. 10.

[0029] Fig. 13 shows another example of a damping assembly.

[0030] Fig. 14 shows the radial projection of the example support of Fig. 13. Detailed description

[0031] A damping assembly is proposed comprising a base having a circular opening and a support configured to fit into said circular opening of said base. The support comprises a base having a cylindrical outer lateral surface. The support comprises a damping cylinder comprising an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of said base and an outer lateral surface configured to rest on said circular opening. Said damping cylinder comprises at least one radial projection extending from the inner lateral surface of said damping cylinder or from the outer lateral surface of said damping cylinder.

[0032] This constitutes an improved damping assembly.

[0033] Indeed, at least one radial projection fills the gap between the support and the base, thus preventing the damping from degrading around the origin. Specifically, this radial projection prevents such degradation without significantly altering the operation of the damping assembly. The damping assembly therefore provides equivalent damping without degradation around the origin.

[0034] In particular, the radial protrusion shape is especially well-suited to overcome the shape variations caused by manufacturing tolerances of the support and base. Indeed, it allows for greater or lesser compression in the gap between the support and the base to compensate for these dimensional variations. The proposed damping assembly therefore provides adequate damping regardless of these dimensional variations.

[0035] Furthermore, the damping assembly is particularly easy to manufacture. Indeed, by compensating for manufacturing tolerances, the presence of at least one radial projection allows the damping assembly to be manufactured without the need to excessively reduce and / or control these manufacturing tolerances, thus simplifying the manufacturing process. Moreover, manufacturing a damping cylinder comprising such at least one radial projection is not difficult, which contributes to improving the ease of manufacturing the damping assembly.

[0036] The damping assembly can be used in a vehicle. In this case, the base (also called the "housing") can be a structural part of the vehicle, that is, a part forming part of the vehicle's structure, and which can have a dimension significant in the vehicle. For example, the base may be part of the vehicle's chassis or engine. The support may serve as a bearing for a part that, via this support, is held onto the base; that is, a part smaller and / or lighter than the base. For example, the support may support a radiator, or any other part that needs to be held onto a base at a circular opening. The damping assembly is configured to ensure the connection between the base and this part that is held onto the base. Specifically, the damping assembly is configured to dampen vibrations and shocks between the base and this part, which rests on the support and is held onto the base.

[0037] The damping assembly can be formed along a principal axis. For example, the flange (also called the "inner frame") can be in the form of a rod with a central cylindrical hole. The damping cylinder and the base can be aligned along the same axis (the said principal axis). The circular opening in the base can, when the support is inserted into the circular opening, be oriented perpendicular to this axis of the rod formed by the base and the damping cylinder, and be centered on this axis.

[0038] The circular opening of the base may be perfectly circular, that is, it may include an edge whose cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the damping assembly is a circle. Alternatively, the opening of the base may be substantially circular, for example oval. In this case, the circular opening of the base may include an edge whose cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the damping assembly is oval or elliptical.

[0039] The base can be inserted into the circular opening when the support is inserted into the circular opening, that is to say that the two ends of the base can be located on either side of the circular opening when the support is inserted into the circular opening.

[0040] The base can serve as a support for a mechanical part (such as a radiator) without the latter coming into contact with the base. Such a mechanical part may include a rod configured to fit into the central cylindrical hole of the base. The support for the mechanical part may result from its contact with the base when the rod of the mechanical part is inserted into the central cylindrical hole, said contact blocking the movement of the mechanical part in directions perpendicular to the axis of the support and / or in the direction of the axis of the support.

[0041] When the support is inserted into the circular opening of the base, the damping cylinder is located between the base and the circular opening. In particular, the damping cylinder comprises an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of the base and an outer lateral surface configured to retain on said circular opening. The damping cylinder is thus configured to dampen vibrations and / or shocks between the base and the base supporting the part.

[0042] The damping cylinder can be made of an elastomeric material, that is to say, it can be made entirely or partially of an elastomer. For example, the damping cylinder can be made of elastomer (silicone or rubber or TPE).

[0043] The base can be made of metallic or plastic material. For example, the base can be made of aluminum. Similarly, the base can be made of metallic material (for example, aluminum) or plastic.

[0044] In some examples, the assembly may include a circular gap between the base and the circular opening when the support is inserted into the circular opening. The circular gap may be a clearance between the base, the damping cylinder, and the base when the support is inserted into the circular opening, which may be induced by the manufacturing tolerances of the various parts of the damping assembly (base, damping cylinder, and / or base).

[0045] According to a first option, this circular gap may be located between the damping cylinder and the circular opening, that is, between the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder and the edge of the circular opening. For example, the outer lateral surface of the cylinder may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the edge of the circular opening. In this first option, at least one radial projection may extend from the outer lateral surface of said damping cylinder, outwards from the damping cylinder. This at least one radial projection may thus fill this circular gap in the assembly, which is located between the damping cylinder and the circular opening of the base.

[0046] In this first option, there may be no play between the base and the damping cylinder. The inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder may be in contact with the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the base. For example, the damping cylinder may have been molded onto the base of the support (on its outer cylindrical lateral surface), with or without adhesion. Adhesive bonding may ensure contact between the damping cylinder and the base.

[0047] According to a second option, the circular gap may be located between the base and the damping cylinder, that is, between the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder and an outer lateral surface of the base. For example, the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical outer lateral surface of the base. In this second option, at least one radial projection may extend from the inner lateral surface of said damping cylinder towards the interior of the damping cylinder. This at least one radial projection may thus fill the circular gap in the assembly, which is located between the base and the damping cylinder.

[0048] In this second option, there may be no play between the damping cylinder and the circular opening in the base. The outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder may be in contact with the edge of the circular opening. The damping cylinder may have been molded, with or without reinforcement. For example, the damping cylinder may have an outside diameter slightly larger than that of the circular opening so that it is compressed within the circular opening when the support is inserted into the base. The damping cylinder can thus be press-fitted onto the circular opening. Alternatively, the damping cylinder may have been molded directly onto the circular opening in the base, with or without bonding. Bonding can ensure contact between the damping cylinder and the circular opening in the base.

[0049] In a third option, which is a combination of the first two, the assembly may include a first circular gap between the damping cylinder and the circular opening and a second circular gap between the base and the damping cylinder. In this case, the damping cylinder may include at least a first radial projection extending from the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder (as in the first option) and at least a second radial projection extending from the outer lateral surface of said damping cylinder (as in the second option).

[0050] In examples, in the first and second options, the damping cylinder may include a single radial projection. This radial projection may be positioned longitudinally substantially at the center of the base. In the third option, the damping cylinder may similarly include a single radial projection at each of the two circular spacings.

[0051] In other examples, in the first and second options, the damping cylinder may include a plurality of radial projections. These radial projections may be distributed longitudinally along the base. For example, the damping cylinder may include a first radial projection at the center, and two additional radial projections located longitudinally above and below this first radial projection, respectively. In the third option, the damping cylinder may similarly include a plurality of radial projections at each of the two circular spacings.

[0052] A radial projection is now discussed in more detail. These details apply to the radial projection of the damping cylinder when it comprises only one, or to each of the radial projections when the damping cylinder comprises several.

[0053] The radial projection extends from the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder or from the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder. The radial projection may have the general shape of a bump. The radial projection may have a cross-section of any what shape. For example, in a longitudinal section, the radial projection may have a cross-section generally shaped like a semicircle, a square, or a triangle. The radial projection may also include rounded edges at the junctions with the lateral surface from which the radial projection emerges. In such a longitudinal section, the cross-section of the radial projection may vary along the circumference of the damping cylinder (for example, in thickness or shape). Alternatively, the cross-section of the radial projection may be constant around the entire circumference.

[0054] The radial projection extends along all or part of the circumference of the lateral surface from which the radial projection emerges. The radial projection may extend over a portion of the circumference of the damping cylinder. For example, the radial projection may extend over at least 1% of the circumference, or at least 2%, for example, at least 50% or 80%. Within this percentage of the circumference, the radial projection may be continuous or discontinuous. Alternatively, the radial projection may extend over the entire circumference of the damping cylinder. In this case, the radial projection may be continuous over the entire circumference of the damping cylinder.

[0055] The radial projection may have a radial thickness greater than that of the cylindrical gap it fills. The radial thickness is that in the direction normal to the lateral surface from which the radial projection emerges. Such a radial thickness ensures compression of the radial projection when the support is inserted into the opening, thereby improving rigidity at the origin. For example, in the case of the first option, the thickness of the radial projection may be greater than the sum of the manufacturing tolerance of the base (e.g., that of the circular opening in the base) and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder (e.g., that of the diameter of the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder).For example, the radial protrusion can have a radial thickness equal to the sum of the tolerances plus a predetermined dimension (e.g., equal to the average of these tolerances). In the second option, the thickness of the radial protrusion can be greater than the sum of the manufacturing tolerance of the base (e.g., the outer diameter of the base) and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder (e.g., the diameter of the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder). For example, the radial protrusion can have a radial thickness equal to the sum of the tolerances plus a predetermined dimension (e.g., equal to the average of these tolerances). In both options, the radial thickness of the radial protrusion can also be less than twice the circular spacing.

[0056] In the third option, the thickness of at least one first radial projection extending from the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder can be the same as according to the first option, and that of at least a second radial projection coming out of the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder can be the same as according to the second option.

[0057] The width of the radial projection (in the direction of the support axis) may be less than the height of the damping cylinder. For example, the width of the radial projection may be less than 50% of the height of the damping cylinder and / or greater than 1% of the height of the damping cylinder (for example, the width may be between 2% and 15% of the height of the damping cylinder). The width of the radial projection may be equal to twice its thickness.

[0058] The damping cylinder can be held in place on the circular opening of the base in any way. In some examples, the damping cylinder can be held on the circular opening of the base by press-fitting it onto the opening. For example, the two ends of the damping cylinder may each have a shoulder forming a circumferential lip around the cylinder, the two lips forming a circumferential groove between them. The circular opening may have a circular edge. The damping cylinder can be held on the circular opening by inserting the circular edge of the opening into the two circumferential lips formed by the shoulders of the damping cylinder.

[0059] A support according to the first option is also proposed, that is to say, in which at least one radial projection extends from the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder. Such a support may comprise any one or any combination of the characteristics described above concerning the damping assembly.

[0060] A method for manufacturing a support according to the first option is also proposed, namely, in which at least one radial projection extends from the outer lateral surface of the damping cylinder. The manufacturing method comprises manufacturing the support with the damping cylinder including at least one radial projection. For example, the method may include manufacturing the base, then molding the damping cylinder onto the manufactured base. The molding may, in particular, be carried out on the base, on its outer cylindrical lateral surface. The molding of the damping cylinder onto the base may be performed with or without adhesion. The manufacturing method may then include inserting the manufactured support into the circular opening of the base. The manufacturing method may or may not include manufacturing this base (for example, before or after manufacturing the support).

[0061] A support according to the second option is also proposed, that is to say, in which at least one radial projection extends from the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder. Such a support may comprise any one or any combination of the characteristics described above concerning the damping assembly.

[0062] A method for manufacturing a support according to the second option is also proposed, namely in which at least one radial projection extends from the inner lateral surface of the damping cylinder. The manufacturing method comprises manufacturing the support with the damping cylinder including the at least one radial projection. The manufacturing method may then include inserting the manufactured support into the circular opening of the base. The manufacturing method may or may not include manufacturing this base (for example, before or after manufacturing the support).

[0063] Examples of damping assemblies will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 14. In these examples, the damping assemblies can be used in a vehicle, for example for the support of a radiator.

[0064] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an example of a support 200. This example is for a damping assembly according to the first of the options discussed above. The support 200 comprises a base 210 having the shape of a rod with a cylindrical outer lateral surface.

[0065] The base 210 also includes a central cylindrical hole 216 centered on the axis of the support 200. The central cylindrical hole 216 passes through the middle of the base 210. The base 210 can serve as a support for a mechanical part, such as a radiator. Such a mechanical part may include a rod configured to fit into the central cylindrical hole 216 of the base 210. The support for the mechanical part may result from its contact with the base 210 when the rod of the mechanical part fits into the central cylindrical hole 216, said contact blocking the movement of the mechanical part in the directions perpendicular and normal to the axis of the support 217.

[0066] The support 200 also includes the damping cylinder 220. The damping cylinder 220 includes an inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of the base 210 and an outer lateral surface 222. The damping cylinder 220 includes in its middle a central cylinder 212 into which the base can be pressed. The inner lateral surface surrounding the outer lateral surface of the base 210 is formed in this central cylinder.

[0067] The outer lateral surface 222 is configured so that, when the support 200 is inserted into a base, it retains the support 200 on the base. In particular, the outer lateral surface 222 is configured to rest on the circular opening of the base. In this example, the two ends of said damping cylinder comprise respective shoulders 224, 225 forming a circumferential groove 226 around the cylinder. The damping cylinder 220 is held on the circular opening of the base by the insertion of the circular edge of the opening into this circumferential groove 226 formed by the shoulders 224, 225.

[0068] The damping cylinder 220 also includes a radial projection 230, which is unique in this example, and which extends from the outer lateral surface 222 of the damping cylinder 220. When the support 200 is inserted into the circular opening of the base, the radial projection 230 is compressed into the circular gap between the outer lateral surface 222 of the damping cylinder and the circular edge (or inner wall) of the base. The radial projection 230 runs around the circumference of the outer lateral surface 222. The radial projection 230 is positioned longitudinally, that is, along the axis 217 of the support, substantially at the center of the base 210 and the damping cylinder. The radial projection 230 is positioned longitudinally at the center of the circumferential groove 226 formed by the shoulders 224, 225.

[0069] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the support 200 illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 shows a view along section AA of this support 200.

[0070] The radial projection 230 is now discussed in more detail with reference to [Fig. 8]. In this example, the radial projection 230 has a generally semicircular cross-section. The radial projection 230 also includes rounded edges 232, 233 at the junctions with the outer lateral surface 222 of the damping cylinder. The cross-section of the radial projection 230 is constant around the entire circumference of the outer lateral surface 222. The radial projection 230 has a thickness 234 greater than the sum of the manufacturing tolerance of the base 210 (0.2 millimeters in this example) and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder 220 (0.2 millimeters in this example). The radial projection 230 has, for example, a thickness 234 of 0.5 millimeters or 0.6 millimeters.

[0071] Figure 9 shows the radial curve measured for an assembly including the support example illustrated in Figures 4 to 7. It can be seen that, by filling the gap between the support and the base, the radial projection prevents the damping from degrading around the origin. Indeed, the stiffness remains constant at the origin in both loading directions (the slope of the curve does not vary significantly near the origin). In particular, the radial projection allows this stiffness to be maintained without significantly altering the overall stiffness of the damping assembly. This means that, other than around the origin, the radial curve remains similar to that which would have been obtained for an equivalent assembly without a radial projection. The damping assembly therefore provides equivalent damping without degradation around the origin.

[0072] The radial protrusion shape allows, in particular, for adaptation to variations in shape caused by manufacturing tolerances of the support and the base. It allows for greater or lesser compression in the gap between the support and the base to compensate for these variations. The damping assembly therefore adapts to the variations caused by the manufacturing tolerances of the assembly's components. The damping assembly provides a adequate damping independent of dimensional variations induced by these tolerances.

[0073] Furthermore, the damping assembly is particularly easy to manufacture. Indeed, by compensating for manufacturing tolerances, the radial projection eliminates the need for excessive control of these tolerances, thus simplifying the manufacturing process. Manufacturing the damping cylinder with such a radial projection is also not difficult, which further contributes to the ease of manufacturing the damping assembly.

[0074] Figure 10 illustrates an example of a damping assembly. The damping assembly comprises the support 200 shown in Figures 4 to 7 and the base 240. The base 240 includes a circular opening 242. The support 200 is configured to fit into the circular opening 242 of the base 240. In particular, the two ends of said damping cylinder include a respective shoulder 224, 225 forming a circumferential groove 226 around the cylinder. The circular opening 242 includes a circular edge 241. The damping cylinder is held on the circular opening 242 by insertion, when the support 200 is pushed into the opening 242, of the circular edge 241 of the circular opening 242 into the circumferential groove 226 formed by the shoulders 224, 225. The base 240 and the base of the support 200 are made of aluminum in this example, and the damping cylinder 220 is made of silicone.The base 240 has a cylindrical internal shape in this example, but can have any shape in other examples.

[0075] Figure 11 shows the circular gap 250 between the base 220 and the circular opening of the base 240 when the support is inserted into the circular opening. The circular gap is determined by the manufacturing tolerances of the various parts of the damping assembly (base, damping cylinder, and / or base). This circular gap 250 is located between the damping cylinder 220 and the circular opening of the base 240, that is, between the outer lateral surface 222 of the damping cylinder and the edge 242 of the circular opening. The outer lateral surface 222 of the cylinder has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the edge 242 of the circular opening. The radial projection 230 extends from the outer lateral surface 222 of the damping cylinder 220 outwards from the damping cylinder 220.The radial projection 230 thus fills this circular gap 250 in the assembly, which is located between the damping cylinder 220 and the circular opening of the base 240.

[0076] Figure 12 shows examples of radial curves measured for damping assemblies like that of Figure 10. In particular, the figure shows a first radial curve 301 measured for a first example of a damping assembly in which the clamping between the support and the base is minimal, and a second radial curve 302 measured for a second example of a damping assembly in which the clamping The clamping force between the support and the base is maximal. In each of these examples, the clamping force between the support and the base results from dimensional variations induced by the manufacturing tolerances of the assembly parts, which lead to a greater or lesser degree of clamping force between the support and the base. The figure shows that in these two examples, the radial projection prevents the degradation of stiffness at the origin. Indeed, for both clamping forces, the stiffness remains constant at the origin. The figure therefore shows that the radial projection compensates for the dimensional variations of the parts induced by manufacturing tolerances. In fact, the two examples, although different in terms of dimensions, both provide consistent and adequate damping, even at the origin. The radial projection of these assemblies thus effectively prevents the degradation of stiffness otherwise observed in existing damping assemblies.

[0077] The tables below also show the results measured in static (left table) and dynamic (right table) conditions for the first example of a damping assembly in which the clamping between the support and the base is minimal. The results show that, even for such clamping, the stiffness remains within the lower and upper tolerances (“Toi. Inf.” and “Toi. Sup.”) of the desired specification value (“CDC”).

[0079] Figure 13 shows another example of a damping assembly. This other example is according to the second of the options discussed above. In this other example, the radial projection 330 extends from the inner lateral surface 323 of the damping cylinder 320. The damping assembly comprises a support 300 and a base 340 having a circular opening into which the support 300 can be inserted.

[0080] The support 300 includes a base 310 having a rod 312 having a cylindrical outer lateral surface 313 and a shoulder 314 disposed at one end of the rod 312. The shoulder 314 has the form of a disk centered and perpendicular to the axis 317 of the support 300, which is also that of the rod 312 and the damping cylinder 320. The shoulder 314 can serve as a support for a mechanical part, such as a radiator. The support for the mechanical part can result from its contact with an upper surface of the shoulder 314, this contact blocking the movement of the mechanical part in the direction of the axis of the support 317.

[0081] The support 300 also includes the damping cylinder 320. The damping cylinder 320 comprises an inner lateral surface 323 surrounding the outer lateral surface of the rod 312 and an outer lateral surface 322. The outer lateral surface 323 is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter slightly larger than that of the rod 312, resulting in a circular gap between the inner lateral surface 323 and the outer lateral surface 313 of the rod 312 when the support 300 is inserted into the circular opening of the base 340. This circular gap is filled by the radial projection 330 extending from the inner lateral surface 323.

[0082] The outer lateral surface 322 is configured so that, when the support 300 is inserted into the base 340, it retains the support 300 on the base 340. In particular, the outer lateral surface 322 is configured to rest on the circular opening of the base 340. In this example, the two ends of said damping cylinder comprise respective shoulders 324, 325 forming a circumferential groove 326 around the cylinder. The damping cylinder 320 is held on the circular opening of the base 340 by the insertion of the circular edge 341 of the circular opening into this circumferential groove 326 formed by the shoulders 324, 325.

[0083] The damping cylinder 320 includes the radial projection 330, which is unique and extends from the inner lateral surface 323 of the damping cylinder 320. When the support 300 is inserted into the circular opening of the base 340, the radial projection 330 is compressed in the circular gap between the inner lateral surface 323 of the damping cylinder and the outer lateral surface 313 of the rod 312. The radial projection 330 runs around the circumference of the outer lateral surface 323. The radial projection 330 is positioned longitudinally, that is, along the axis 317 of the support, substantially at the center of the rod 312 of the base 310 and the damping cylinder 320. The radial projection 330 is positioned longitudinally at the center of the inner lateral surface 323 of the damping cylinder.

[0084] The radial projection 330 is now discussed in more detail with reference to [Fig. 14]. In this example, the radial projection 330 has a generally semicircular cross-section. The radial projection 330 also includes rounded edges 332, 333 at the junctions with the inner lateral surface 323 of the damping cylinder 320. The cross-section of the radial projection 330 is constant around the entire circumference of the inner lateral surface 323. The radial projection 330 has a thickness 334 greater than the result of the addition of the manufacturing tolerance of the base 310 and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder 320.

Claims

Demands

1. A damping assembly comprising: • a base (240, 340) having a circular opening (242), and • a support (200, 300) configured to fit into said circular opening of said base, the support comprising: • a baseplate (210, 310) having a cylindrical outer lateral surface, and • a damping cylinder (220, 320) comprising an inner lateral surface (323) surrounding the outer lateral surface of said baseplate and an outer lateral surface (222, 322) configured to rest on said circular opening, wherein said damping cylinder comprises at least one radial projection (230, 330) projecting from the inner lateral surface (323) of said damping cylinder or from the outer lateral surface (222) of said damping cylinder, wherein the assembly comprises a circular spacing (250) between said damping cylinder (220,320) and said circular opening (242) or between said base (210, 310) and said damping cylinder (220, 320) when the support (200, 300) is inserted into said circular opening (242), said at least one radial projection (230, 330) having a radial thickness greater than that of said circular spacing (250), characterized in that the width of each radial projection is between 2 and 15% of the height of the damping cylinder.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said at least one radial projection (230, 330) is greater than the result of adding the manufacturing tolerance of the base (240, 340) or the base (210, 310) and the manufacturing tolerance of the damping cylinder (220, 320).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said damping cylinder (220, 320) comprises a single radial projection, said single radial projection being positioned longitudinally substantially at the center of said base.

4. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said damping cylinder (220, 320) comprises a plurality of radial projections, said radial projections being distributed longitudinally along said base.

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two ends of said damping cylinder (220, 320) comprise a respective shoulder (224, 225, 324, 325) forming a circumferential groove (226, 326) around said damping cylinder (220, 320), and said circular opening (242) comprising a circular edge (241, 341), said damping cylinder being held on said circular opening by insertion of said circular edge (241, 341) of said circular opening (242) into said circumferential groove (226, 326).

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said damping cylinder (220, 320) is made of elastomeric material.

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one radial projection extends over all or part of the circumference of said damping cylinder.

8. Support included in the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said at least one radial projection protrudes from the outer lateral surface (222) of said damping cylinder.

9. Support included in the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said at least one radial projection protrudes from the inner lateral surface (323) of said damping cylinder.

10. Method of manufacturing a support according to claim 8, the method comprising: • molding said damping cylinder on said base.

11. Method of manufacturing a support according to claim 9, the method comprising: • manufacturing the support with the damping cylinder comprising said less a radial projection.

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