Bearing bushing including a stop with an elastomer track on the outside

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing bushing (1), in particular a hydraulic bearing, for mounting a vehicle component against a vehicle body, comprising a core (2) extending along a central longitudinal axis (Z) of the bearing bushing (1), and an outer sleeve (3) surrounding the core (2) in the circumferential direction (U), wherein an elastic body (4) is arranged between the core (2) and the outer sleeve (3), and wherein the bearing bushing has at least one retaining half-shell (6) in a load path between the core (2) and the outer sleeve (3). The bearing bushing (1) is characterized in that an elastomer track (7) is arranged on an outer shell surface (9) of at least one retaining half-shell (6). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bearing bushing comprising a stop with an elastomer track on the outer side. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an elastomer bearing bushing. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Prior art elastomer bearing bushings are used as chassis or assembly bearings in motor vehicles to increase driving comfort by, for example, damping forces or shocks that may occur when driving over uneven surfaces or by isolating vibrations induced by driving. A conventional bearing bushing has a core, an outer sleeve surrounding the core in the circumferential direction, and an elastic body connecting the core and the outer sleeve at least in sections.

[0003] Hydraulic bearings represent a particular type of bearing bushing. They have at least two separate fluid chambers, which are generally connected by fluidic communication through channels. Hydraulic bearings further include half-shell-shaped retainers that are geometrically fixed, for example by a cage in the bushing, and which, on the one hand, serve to radially limit the deflection of the core and, on the other hand, in certain embodiments, can form the damping channels between the fluid chambers.

[0004] Hydraulic bearings, particularly hydraulic bearings that also provide radial damping, are well known. They are used, for example, for mounting chassis components. Dynamic force components occurring, for example, during braking and acceleration must be damped as much as possible.

[0005] CN 211117332 U describes, for example, a hydraulic bearing with a core and an outer sleeve, two retaining halves being arranged between the core and the outer sleeve, which have an elastomer race on their inner side (i.e., on the side facing the core). During a superposition of radial and torsional loads such that the radial load brings the elastomer race of the retaining halves into contact with the core, the elastomer race on the half-shell side is not only crushed but also subjected to tribological stress. This stress can lead to increased wear of the elastomer race on the half-shell side and thus premature failure of the entire hydraulic bearing. Furthermore, the elastomer race must be applied to the inner side of the half-shell. by means of vulcanization, requiring an adhesion promoter. This process is time-consuming and expensive. Description of the invention

[0006] The objective of the invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages in the prior art and to create a bearing sleeve that is more economical and more robust than the solutions known to date.

[0007] The objective is achieved by a bearing bushing, preferably a hydraulic bearing, intended for mounting a vehicle component against a vehicle body. The bearing bushing comprises a core extending along a central longitudinal axis of the bushing and an outer sleeve surrounding the core on its circumferential side. An elastic body is arranged between the core and the outer sleeve, and the bearing bushing has at least one retaining half-shell in a load path between the core and the outer sleeve. The bearing bushing is characterized in that an elastomer track is arranged on an outer surface of the retaining half-shell.

[0008] The elastic body is made of an elastomeric material and includes, at least in some places, the core of the bearing sleeve, the elastic body being bonded to the core by material interaction. It is also possible for the elastic body to completely enclose the bearing core. The elastic body can then be vulcanized, particularly against the core.

[0009] According to the invention, the elastomer track of the sleeve is brought not onto the side of the stop half-shell facing the core, but onto the side of the stop half-shell facing the outer sleeve. The elastomer track can in this case also be called an outer progression pad. An elastomer track arranged on the outer side of the stop half-shell has the advantage that even in the event of a loss of adhesion between the stop half-shell and the elastomer track, the elastomer track can hardly slip insofar as it is wedged, at least in sections, between the stop half-shell and the outer sleeve. In this regard, it has been observed that thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can also be used to manufacture the elastomer track, which are injected onto the outer shell surface of the stop half-shell using a 2K process.This discovery is surprising because TPEs can usually suffer a loss of adhesion in the presence of glycol, which is regularly used as a working medium in hydraulic bearings, as well as under the influence of temperature. However, thanks to the fixed arrangement of the track according to the invention, achieved through cooperation of form and / or force, the adhesion by material cooperation of the elastomer track against the outer shell surface of the stop half-shell is not affected. more permanently needed, but offers advantages especially when mounting the half-shell in the bearing.

[0010] According to another development, it can be provided that at least one retaining half-shell is a separate component from the core and the outer sleeve, which component is received in a cavity between the core and the outer sleeve, the retaining half-shell being entirely received within the cavity. A bearing bushing with a retaining half-shell manufactured separately and then mounted in the bushing is characterized by greater design freedom in terms of geometry compared to bearing bushings with one-piece molded half-shells. Separate manufacturing also has the advantage of allowing the stiffness of the elastomer race on the outer surface of the retaining half-shell to be chosen independently of the stiffness of the elastic body. Moreover, a different polymer than that used for the elastic body can be used for the elastomer race.Thus, a natural rubber-based elastomer can, for example, be used for the elastic body, while a thermoplastic elastomer can be used on the stop half-shell for the elastomer track. Manufacturing components from thermoplastic elastomers can therefore allow for significantly shorter cycle times than those achievable with chemically crosslinking elastomers such as natural rubber-based elastomers.

[0011] According to another development, the outer shell surface of at least one stop half-shell can be provided to be essentially entirely covered by the elastomer track. This simplifies the manufacture of the elastomer stop half-shell component. Furthermore, complete coverage of the outer shell surface with an elastomer reduces the risk of the elastomer track slipping on the stop half-shell in the event of a loss of adhesion. The elastomer track can preferably be applied as a continuous and essentially flat layer on the outer shell surface of the half-shell, so that a single injection point is sufficient to manufacture the elastomer track.

[0012] According to another development, the elastomer track can be provided to apply, at least in sections, against an inner surface of the outer sleeve. In this way, the flat elastomer track is wedged, at least in sections, between the outer surface of the stop half-shells and the inner surface of the outer sleeve, thereby preventing, or only to a lesser extent, undesired displacement or slippage of the elastomer track relative to the stop half-shell. Since the elastomer track of the stop half-shell applies against the inner surface of the outer sleeve and not against another, more inwardly oriented surface, for example, an intermediate tube, the circumferential extension of the stop half-shell, and Therefore, the surface area of ​​the elastomer raceway can be particularly large. A large surface area results in lower pressures for a given force, consequently lower stress and ultimately a particularly long service life. In other words: the further the elastomer raceway is positioned from the center of the bearing, the more robust it is.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the elastomer track can be connected by material cooperation and / or by shape cooperation to the outer shell surface of at least one half-shell of the retainer. A bond by shape cooperation of the elastomer track against the outer side of the half-shell of the retainer is created in particular when the elastomer track is wedged between the half-shell of the retainer and the outer sleeve. Shape cooperation can, for example, be achieved by a suitable bonding method followed by vulcanization, but preferably by 2K injection molding. 2K injection molding is particularly advantageous in the case of the bearing according to the invention because the elastomer track injected on the outer side of the half-shell is held in position by its shape complementarity between the half-shell and the outer sleeve.By doing so, the risk of premature loss of adhesion can be significantly reduced, which could otherwise occur due to the contact of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with common damping agents, such as glycol or glycol-water mixtures. The cost advantage of 2K injection molding compared to vulcanizing the elastomer track onto a half-shell can still be achieved.

[0014] According to another development, the elastomer track may be provided to comprise a thermoplastic elastomer. The use of TPE represents an advantageous alternative to natural rubber and can be easily applied to the outer shell surface of the retainer half-shell by means of injection molding. Since the elastomer track is applied to the outer side of the retainer half-shell and can be wedged at least in sections between the half-shell and the outer sleeve, the risk of premature loss of adhesion of the elastomer track to the half-shell is minimized. The service life of the entire bearing sleeve can thus be increased.

[0015] According to another development, it may be provided that the elastomer track and the stop half-shell are manufactured by means of 2K injection molding. In doing so, the stop half-shell and the elastomer track can be manufactured in a common production step.

[0016] According to another development, it may be provided that the outer envelope surfaces of the stop half-shell are closed. In this regard, in the context of this disclosure, "closed" means that the stop half-shell has no A hole or opening running radially, such as a window, is a suitable opening. A fully enclosed outer shell surface of the retaining half-shell ensures an increased contact area between the shell surface and the elastomer track, resulting in less stress on the friction zone and ultimately stronger adhesion of the elastomer track to the shell surface. A fully enclosed outer shell surface also minimizes unwanted slippage of the elastomer track on the retaining half-shell, which in turn prevents premature wear of the bearing sleeve.

[0017] If the bearing sleeve is a hydraulic bearing having at least two fluid chambers filled with a liquid (also called working chambers), the fluid chambers can be connected together so as to conduct fluid through at least one pressure relief channel and / or a damping channel. One of the two fluid chambers is compressed during a relative movement of the core towards the outer sleeve. In doing so, the liquid in the compressed fluid chamber flows into the other fluid chamber through at least one channel. A damping and / or damping effect can thus be easily achieved.

[0018] According to another development, the stop half-shell may be provided that it has at least one overpressure channel and / or at least one damping channel on the outer circumference side. The at least one damping channel is preferably designed as a groove or channel-type recess, which recess is generally integrated, essentially in the circumferential direction, into the outer shell surface of the stop half-shell. If the at least one overpressure channel or damping channel is designed in the outer shell surface of the stop half-shell, it may be provided, according to another development, that it is at least partially lined or covered by the elastomer track. In this way, the at least one damping channel may, in particular, be entirely lined or covered by the elastomer track.The damping channel is then visible from the outside (i.e., from a top view on the outer side of the elastomer-coated retaining half-shell) as a groove-like recess in the elastomer track. However, the damping channel cannot be fully covered by the elastomer track, or only partially. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous that, despite the use of identical retaining half-shells with identical grooves, the coverage of these grooves with the elastomer track can be modified to accommodate different bearing settings. The resulting cross-section of the fluid-conducting damping channel can be adjusted solely by adjusting the [missing information]. coating with an elastomer and the maximum damping of the hydraulic bearing can thus be easily adjusted to different requirements despite the use of identical parts, such as the stop half-shells.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the bearing sleeve may be provided with two retaining halves. In this embodiment, the retaining halves are preferably arranged in the bearing sleeve so that they are diametrically opposed to each other. According to another embodiment, each of the two retaining halves may have its own elastomer track on its outer surface. However, it may equally be provided that only one of the two retaining halves has an elastomer track on its outer surface, and that the other retaining half consequently has no elastomer track. In this embodiment, the retaining half that preferably has an elastomer track on its outer side would be the one that would bear the braking loads in a proper installation of the bearing sleeve in the vehicle.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the bearing sleeve may be provided with at least one elastomer thrust stop arranged against the core. This at least one thrust stop advantageously serves to limit movement of the core in the radial direction and to minimize knocking noise upon initial contact between the core and the thrust stop half-shell. In this way, the thrust stop can strike the inner surface of the thrust stop half-shell in the event of sufficient core movement. The bearing sleeve may further have two thrust stops arranged diametrically opposite each other against the core. In this way, each thrust stop limits radial movement of the core in the direction of each of the thrust stop half-shells, which are then preferably also present in pairs within the bearing sleeve.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the core may be provided with at least one retaining pocket for receiving at least one elastomeric stop. The retaining pocket ensures reliable attachment of the stop against the core. In this way, the retaining pocket of the core may, in particular, be arranged to counteract movement of the stop in the circumferential direction. For this purpose, the retaining pocket may, for example, include two projections extending in the longitudinal direction of the core, each of which bears laterally against the stop and thus serves as lateral stops for the stop.

[0022] According to another development, the bearing sleeve may be provided to be a hydraulic bearing sleeve, which may also be called a hydraulic bearing or hydraulic bushing. Hydraulic bearings usually have two fluid chambers which are connected together so as to conduct fluid via channels. According to another development, it may be provided that one or both of the fluid chambers of the hydraulic bearing simultaneously function as a cavity, in which cavity at least one half-shell of the retainer is received, so that the half-shell of the retainer is completely surrounded by fluid.

[0023] According to another development, it may be provided that the fluid chamber in which at least one half of the stop shell is received is filled with a fluid which includes glycol. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the text of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments from the drawings:

[0025] [Fig.1] shows a schematic cross-section of one possible embodiment of the bearing sleeve according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] shows a schematic longitudinal section of another form of mode of fabrication of the bearing sleeve according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of the bearing bushing 1 according to the invention, the bearing bushing 1 being a hydraulic bushing. The cross-sectional plane is thus perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis Z of the bearing bushing 1. The example shown in Figure 1 comprises a core 2 extending along the central longitudinal axis Z from a first front side 18 to a second front side 19 of the bearing bushing 1 (not shown in Figure 1). The core 2 is held in the circumferential direction U by an outer sleeve 3, the outer sleeve 3 having the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical tube formed by the outer sleeve 3 corresponds to the longitudinal axis Z of the bearing bushing 1. The core 2 is arranged inside the outer sleeve 3 and connected at least in sections to the outer sleeve 3 via a flexible body 4.The bearing core 2 also has a recess 16 into which a fixing element can be inserted.

[0028] It is clear from the example in [Fig. 1] that the elastic body 4, constructed between the core 2 and the outer sleeve 3, defines two cavities 8, each cavity 8 being, in the example shown, a fluid chamber 14 filled with a liquid. The fluid chambers 14 are coupled by a pressure relief channel 24 so as to conduct fluid. This type of coupling allows pressure compensation between the fluid chambers 14, for example in the case of sudden stresses. Furthermore, 11 corresponding damping channels can for example be designed in the half-shells.

[0029] The bearing sleeve Iqui shown has two retaining half-shells 6a,b, which are respectively arranged in a load path between the core 2 and the outer sleeve 3. As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the outer envelope surfaces 9 of the two retaining half-shells 6a,b are each completely covered respectively by an elastomer track 7. The two elastomer tracks 7 apply externally to the retaining half-shells 6a,b; they are therefore respectively arranged on the side of the retaining half-shells 6a,b opposite the core 2 (or on the side facing the inner surface 10 of the outer sleeve 3).

[0030] The bearing sleeve 1 shown in [Fig. 1] includes a cage 15 for connecting the elastomer track 7 on the outer circumferential side. Simultaneously, the cage 15 guides the circumferential side of the retaining half-shells 6a,b within the bearing sleeve 1. In this respect, the cage 15 consists of a first support ring 21 and a second support ring 22 (not shown in [Fig. 1]), which are connected by means of cross members 23 extending in the axial direction. In [Fig. 1], only the cross members 23 of the cage 15 are visible in cross-section.

[0031] The example shown in [Fig. 1] of a stop sleeve 1 further includes two stoppers 12, which are respectively made of an elastomeric material. The stoppers 12 limit the movement of the core 2 in the radial direction R by striking against the inner surface of the respective stopper half-shell 6a,b in the case of sufficient movement of the core 2 in the radial direction R. According to [Fig. 1], the two stoppers 12 are arranged against the core 2 diametrically opposite each other, so that each stopper 12 limits the radial movement of the core 2 in the direction of each of the stopper half-shells 6a,b. The core 2 of the example shown has two stop pockets 13 for receiving the stoppers 12.Each stop pocket 13 includes two projections 17 extending in the longitudinal direction Z of the core 2 and protruding in the radial direction R, which act as lateral limits for the stop 12 received respectively and thus protect the stop from overloading.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of another embodiment of the bearing bushing 1. The longitudinal section runs along the central longitudinal axis Z of the bearing bushing 1, which is also a hydraulic bushing.

[0033] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the stop half-shells 6a,b may have damping channels 11, the example shown comprising respectively, a damping channel 11 per stop half-shell 6a,b. The two damping channels 11 are designed as groove-like recesses that run respectively in the circumferential direction U into the outer envelope surfaces 6 of the stop half-shells 6a,b. The damping channel 11 of the stop half-shell 6b is entirely covered by the elastomer track 7. The damping channel 11 of the stop half-shell 6a has no elastomer covering; it is therefore free of the elastomer track 7. The cross-section of the damping channels 11 can be easily adjusted to different requirements by varying the elastomer covering of the groove.

[0034] Two pockets 20 are further integrated into the elastomer track 7 applied to the stop half-shell 6b. The pockets 20 ensure that the elastomer track 7 does not apply entirely against the inner surface 10 of the outer sleeve 3. In doing so, the corresponding stop half-shell 6b has "air"; it can first stretch softly and, once the pockets have been pulled, move towards a characteristic curve of strongly progressive elasticity.

[0035] The longitudinal section shown in [Fig.2] further shows the first support ring 21 and the second support ring 22 of the cage 15. The two stop half-shells 6a,b are thus arranged between the two support rings 21, 22 and are received in this way by the cage.

[0036] Far from being limited to one of the embodiments described above, the invention can be implemented in various ways.

[0037] All features and advantages arising from the claims, description and drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, may be essential to the invention both in itself and in the most diverse combinations. List of reference signs

[0038] 1 Bearing bushing

[0039] 2 Core

[0040] 3 Outer sleeve

[0041] 4 Elastic body

[0042] 5 Load path

[0043] 6a,b Half-shell of stop

[0044] 7 Elastomer track

[0045] 8 Cavity

[0046] 9 Outer envelope surface

[0047] 10 Interior surface

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064] 11 Damping channel 12 Stop 13 Stop pocket 14 Fluid chamber 15 Cage 16 Receiving 17 Projection 18 First front side 19 Second front side 20 Pocket 21 First support ring 22 Second support ring 23 Cross member 24 Overpressure channel Z Central longitudinal axis R Radial direction U Circumferential direction

Claims

Demands

1. Bearing bushing (1) for mounting a vehicle part against a vehicle body, comprising a core (2), which extends along a central longitudinal axis (Z) of the bearing bushing (1), and an outer sleeve (3) surrounding the core (2) in the circumferential direction (U), in which an elastic body (4) is arranged between the core (2) and the outer sleeve (3), and in which the bearing bushing has at least one stop half-shell (6) in a load path between the core (2) and the outer sleeve (3), characterized in that an elastomer track (7) is arranged on an outer envelope surface (9) of the at least one stop half-shell (6).

2. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one stop half-shell (6) is a separate component of the core (2) and outer sleeve (3), which component is received in a cavity (8) between the core (2) and the outer sleeve (3), in which the stop half-shell (6) is in particular entirely received in the cavity (8).

3. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer envelope surface (9) of at least one half of the stop shell (6) is covered essentially entirely by the elastomer track (7).

4. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer track (7) applies at least in sections against an inner surface (10) of the outer sleeve (3).

5. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer track is connected by material cooperation and / or by shape cooperation with the outer envelope surface (9) of at least one stop half-shell (6).

6. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer track (7) comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer race (7) and the au less than half of the stop shell (6) are manufactured using 2K injection molding.

8. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer envelope surface (9) of at least one half of the stop shell is closed.

9. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one half of the stop shell (6) has at least one damping channel (11) on the outer circumference side.

10. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one damping channel (11) is at least partially coated by the elastomer track (7).

11. Bearing sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing sleeve (1) has two stop half-shells (6).

12. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that each stop half-shell (6) each has a separate elastomer track (7) on its outer shell surface (9).

13. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that only one of the stop half-shells (6) has the elastomer track (7) on its outer shell surface (9), and in that the other stop half-shell (6) does not have any elastomer track.

14. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing bushing (1) has at least one stop stop (12) made of elastomer arranged against the core (2).

15. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the core (2) has at least one stop pocket (13) intended to receive at least one stop stop (12) made of elastomer.

16. Bearing bushing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing bushing (1) is a hydraulic bushing.

17. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the cavity (8) in which at least one half of the stop shell (6) is received is a fluid chamber (14) of the hydraulic bushing.

18. Bearing bushing (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the fluid chamber (14) in which the at least one The stop half-shell (6) is filled with a fluid that includes glycol.

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