Bushing, temperature control system for bushing, and temperature control method for bushing

Abstract

To provide a bushing, a temperature control system for a bushing and a temperature control method for a bushing capable of suppressing change in temperature characteristics under a low-temperature environment while maintaining a temperature of a bushing.SOLUTION: A bushing 1 comprises an outer cylinder 11, an inner cylinder 12 arranged in a hollow part of the outer cylinder 11, and a bushing rubber 13 as an elastic body interposed between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 to connect the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12. The bushing rubber 13 is electrically conductive, and a pair of ring connectors 31, 31A, 31B, 32, 32A, 32B, which are energized by a power source 41, are attached to both end parts in an extension direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bushing, a bushing temperature control system, and a bushing temperature control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, automotive anti-vibration rubber is used in environments ranging from about -30°C to 50°C. In particular, because rubber hardens in low-temperature environments, the temperature characteristics of anti-vibration rubber differ between low-temperature environments and normal-temperature environments, resulting in changes in ride comfort, drivability, NVH performance, and the like. Therefore, anti-vibration rubber has been developed to minimize changes in temperature characteristics in low-temperature environments by devising rubber material compounding techniques (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-82822 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-118764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when attempts are made to suppress changes in temperature characteristics in low-temperature environments by compounding rubber materials, as in the case of the vibration-damping rubbers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, this may conflict with properties such as damping and dynamic magnification as well as durability of the rubber material, making it difficult to balance the temperature characteristics with other properties, and it cannot be said with certainty that changes in temperature characteristics in low-temperature environments are sufficiently suppressed.

[0005] Furthermore, in automobiles powered by engines, the temperature around the bushings where the anti-vibration rubber is used rises due to engine heat, causing the anti-vibration rubber to warm up as well, so changes in temperature characteristics in low-temperature environments can easily be overlooked.On the other hand, in the case of electric automobiles, the generator that serves as the power source does not generate as much heat as the engine, so the bushings can continue to be used in low temperatures, and changes in the temperature characteristics of anti-vibration rubber in low-temperature environments become more noticeable.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bush, a bush temperature control system, and a bush temperature control method that can maintain the temperature of the bush and suppress changes in temperature characteristics in a low-temperature environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a bushing comprising an outer tube, an inner tube disposed within the hollow portion of the outer tube, and an elastic body interposed between the outer tube and the inner tube to connect the outer tube and the inner tube, wherein the elastic body is electrically conductive and has a pair of connectors, which are energized by a power source, attached to both ends in the extension direction.

[0008] [2] More preferably, in the bushing according to [1], the pair of connectors are formed in an annular shape that contacts the outer surface of the elastic body.

[0009] [3] More preferably, in the bushing according to [1], the pair of connectors are attached to the inner tube side at both ends of the elastic body.

[0010] [4] More preferably, in the bushing according to [1], the pair of connectors are attached to the outer cylinder side at both ends of the elastic body.

[0011] [5] The present invention also provides a bush temperature control system comprising: a bush according to any one of [1] to [4]; the power source; and a controller that controls the magnitude of the current conducted from the power source to the pair of connectors to a value according to the outside air temperature.

[0012] [6] The present invention also provides a bushing temperature control system comprising: a bushing according to any one of [1] to [4]; the power source; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bushing; and a controller for controlling the output and stop of current output to the pair of connectors, wherein the controller determines whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature; if it determines that the temperature of the bushing is lower than the target temperature, it commands the output of current to the pair of connectors; thereafter, if the temperature of the bushing becomes equal to or higher than the target temperature, it commands the stop of current output to the pair of connectors; and if the temperature of the bushing becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature lower than the target temperature, it commands the restart of current output to the pair of connectors.

[0013] [7] The present invention also provides a method for controlling the temperature of a bush, characterized by using a bush described in any one of [1] to [4], the power source, and a controller that controls the magnitude of the current conducted from the power source to the pair of connectors to a value according to the outside air temperature, and by passing electricity through the elastic body of the bush to generate heat and control the temperature of the bush.

[0014] [8] The present invention also provides a method for controlling the temperature of the bushing by passing current through the elastic body of the bushing to generate heat, using the bushing according to any one of [1] to [4], the power source, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bushing, and a controller for controlling the output and stoppage of current output to the pair of connectors, wherein the controller determines whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature, and also includes a temperature determination step for determining whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature that is lower than the target temperature; and a current output step in which the controller commands the output of current to the pair of connectors when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing is equal to or higher than the target temperature, after the current output step; a current output stop step in which the controller commands the stop of output of current to the pair of connectors when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, after the current output stop step; and a current re-output step in which the controller commands the restart of output of current to the pair of connectors when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, after the current output stop step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the temperature of the bushing can be maintained and changes in temperature characteristics in a low-temperature environment can be suppressed. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a bush according to a first embodiment of the present invention together with a link member of a suspension. [Figure 2] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the bush before a pair of ring connectors are attached. FIG. [Figure 3]2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the bushing temperature control system according to the first embodiment and a functional block diagram showing the functions of a controller. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by a controller according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a bush according to Modification 1 together with a link member of a suspension. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a bush according to Modification 2 together with a link member of a suspension. [Figure 7] 10 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of a bush according to Modification 2 together with a link member of a suspension. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a bushing temperature control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention and functional blocks showing functions of a controller. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by a controller according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, as one aspect of the bushing according to each embodiment and each modified example of the present invention, an automotive bushing used for connecting a vibrating member in an automobile suspension or the like will be described as an example.

[0018] First Embodiment A bushing according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] (Bush 1 configuration) First, the configuration of the bush 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a bushing 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with a suspension link member 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the bushing 1 before a pair of ring connectors 31, 32 are attached.

[0021] The bushing 1 comprises an outer tube 11, an inner tube 12 disposed within the hollow portion of the outer tube 11, and a bushing rubber 13 as an elastic body interposed between the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12 to connect the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12.

[0022] In this embodiment, the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 are each formed of a cylindrical metal member. The outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 do not necessarily have to be cylindrical and may be, for example, rectangular. In other words, the end surfaces in the axial direction and the cross sections when cut in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 do not necessarily have to be circular and may be, for example, polygonal.

[0023] The hollow portion of the inner tube 12 is a bolt hole through which a bolt is inserted, and the bushing 1 is fastened to a fastened member (not shown) such as a bracket on the body side of the automobile or a bracket on the tire side by the bolt. Both axial ends of the inner tube 12 extend outward beyond the outer tube 11, and when the bushing 1 is fastened to the fastened member, the axial force of the bolt presses the bushing 1 firmly against the fastened member (also referred to as an abutting state or a pressure-welded state).

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, bushing 1 is attached, for example by press fitting, to the tip of a cylindrically shaped link member 2 of an automobile suspension, connecting the fastened member and link member 2 and absorbing vibrations generated in the fastened member and link member 2 with bushing rubber 13.

[0025] The rubber bushing 13 is conductive and is formed by mixing a conductive material, such as finely powdered carbon black or metal powder, with an insulating rubber material. In this embodiment, the rubber bushing 13 is used as an elastic body that connects the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12, but the elastic body does not necessarily have to be a rubber material and is not particularly limited as long as it is an elastic material that is conductive and can absorb vibrations.

[0026] 2, the bushing rubber 13 has annular grooves 131, 132 formed on the outer surface on the inner tube 12 side at both ends in the extension direction. Ring-shaped ring connectors 31, 32 formed by, for example, press molding are fitted into these grooves 131, 132. Note that the bushing rubber 13 does not necessarily need to have the grooves 131, 132 formed therein, but by forming the grooves 131, 132, the mounting positions (press-fitting positions) of the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 become clear.

[0027] Electricity is applied between the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 from a power source 41 (see FIG. 3). This causes current to flow through the bushing rubber 13, causing the bushing rubber 13 to heat up. In this way, the bushing rubber 13 generates heat, so that even when the bushing 1 is used in a low-temperature environment, the bushing rubber 13 is adjusted to the same temperature as in a normal temperature environment, allowing the bushing 1 to maintain appropriate temperature characteristics regardless of the ambient temperature.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pair of connectors attached to the rubber bushing 13 are ring connectors 31, 32, but they do not necessarily have to be ring-shaped connectors, and there are no particular restrictions on their shape as long as they are attached in contact with the outer surface of the rubber bushing 13 and can pass current through the rubber bushing 13. However, by forming the pair of connectors into a ring shape, current flows evenly throughout the rubber bushing 13, making the rubber bushing 13 more likely to generate heat overall.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the ring connectors 31, 32 are attached to the outer surface of the inner tube 12 at both ends of the bush rubber 13 in the extension direction, but this is not limited to this, and there are no particular restrictions on the attachment position as long as it is possible to contact the bush rubber 13 and pass an electric current through it.

[0030] (Bush 1 Temperature Control System 4) Next, a system for controlling the current flowing through the bush rubber 13, that is, a system for controlling the temperature of the bush 1 (bush rubber 13), will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the temperature control system 4 of the bushing 1 according to the first embodiment and functional blocks showing the functions of the controller 5. As shown in FIG.

[0032] In the temperature control system 4 for the bush 1, the controller 5 controls the amount of current supplied from the power source 41 to the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 of the bush 1, thereby adjusting the amount of heat generated by the bush rubber 13 and controlling the temperature of the bush 1.

[0033] The controller 5 is configured by connecting a CPU, RAM, ROM, HDD, input I / F, and output I / F via a bus. The outside air temperature sensor 42 is connected to the input I / F, and the amplifier 43 is connected to the output I / F.

[0034] The outside air temperature sensor 42 is mounted on the automobile and detects the temperature T of the outside air (hereinafter referred to as "outside air temperature T"). The amplifier 43 converts the current output from the power supply 41 from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and adjusts the control current value of the current guided to the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 in accordance with a command signal output from the controller 5.

[0035] In such a hardware configuration, the CPU reads out a control program (software) stored on a recording medium such as a ROM, HDD, or optical disk, expands it on RAM, and executes the expanded control program, whereby the control program and hardware work together to realize the functions of the controller 5.

[0036] The controller 5 includes a data acquisition unit 51, a control current value selection unit 52, a storage unit 53, and a current command unit .

[0037] The data acquisition unit 51 acquires the outside air temperature T detected by the outside air temperature sensor 42 .

[0038] The control current value selection unit 52 selects a control current value according to the outside air temperature T acquired by the data acquisition unit 51, based on the correlation between the outside air temperature and the control current value.

[0039] The correlation between the outside temperature and the control current value is such that the higher the outside temperature, the smaller the control current value (i.e., the higher the outside temperature, the smaller the current flowing through the bush rubber 13), as shown in Fig. 3, and is expressed by, for example, a quadratic equation or a map. The correlation between the outside temperature and the control current value is stored in the memory unit 53.

[0040] The current command unit 54 generates a command signal relating to the control current value selected by the control current value selection unit 52 and outputs it to the amplifier 43 .

[0041] (Processing executed by controller 5) Next, the flow of processing executed by the controller 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the controller 5 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] In the controller 5, first, the data acquisition unit 51 acquires the outside air temperature T output from the outside air temperature sensor 42 (step S501).

[0044] Next, the control current value selection unit 52 reads out the correlation between the outside temperature and the control current value stored in the storage unit 53, and selects the control current value according to the outside temperature T acquired in step S501 (step S502).

[0045] Then, the current command unit 54 outputs a command signal relating to the control current value selected in step S502 to the amplifier 43 (step S503). After completing the process of step S503, the controller 5 returns to step S501 and repeats the process.

[0046] In this way, the controller 5 controls the magnitude of the current flowing through the bush rubber 13 to a value corresponding to the outside air temperature T, so that the bush 1 is adjusted to a temperature that matches the temperature of the usage environment, and it is possible to accurately suppress changes in temperature characteristics, particularly in low-temperature environments.

[0047] <Variation 1> Next, a bushing 1A according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the following modifications 1 to 3 and the second embodiment, components that are common to those described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the bushing 1 according to the first modification together with a link member 2 of a suspension.

[0049] In the bushing 1A according to the present modification 1, the shape of the pair of ring connectors 31A, 32A is different from the shape of the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, each of the pair of ring connectors 31A, 32A is formed, for example, by winding a wire rod into a circle, and a portion of the ring connector is double-layered.

[0050] As a result, the pair of ring connectors 31A, 32A can pass current through the bush rubber 13 more efficiently than a single-layer ring connector such as the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 of the first embodiment, making it easier to quickly adjust the temperature of the bush 1 to match the temperature of the usage environment.

[0051] <Variation 2> Next, a bushing 1B according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the bushing 1B according to Modification 2 together with a link member 2 of the suspension. Fig. 7 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of the bushing 1B according to Modification 2 together with a link member 2 of the suspension.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, the bush 1B of this modified example 2 has a pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B attached at different positions from the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 of the first embodiment and the pair of ring connectors 31A, 32A of the modified example 1.

[0054] Specifically, the pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B are attached to the outer surface of the outer tube 11 at both ends in the extension direction of the bushing rubber 13. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the wiring 310, 320 led out from the pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B can be routed along the link member 2.

[0055] The pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B are connected to a harness 35 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 7) on the body side via a relay connector 34 on the outer periphery of the link member 2. The pair of wires 310, 320 are held to the outer periphery of the link member 2 by a circular wire holder 33, and are routed compactly so as not to interfere with surrounding components.

[0056] In this way, when a pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B are connected to the body side harness 35, the wiring 310, 320 can be easily arranged by attaching the pair of ring connectors 31B, 32B to the outer surface of the outer tube 11 at both ends in the extension direction of the bush rubber 13.

[0057] Second Embodiment Next, a temperature control system 4A of a bushing 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a temperature control system 4A of a bushing 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention and functional blocks showing the functions of a controller 5A. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the controller 5A according to the second embodiment.

[0059] In the temperature control system 4A for the bushing 1 according to this embodiment, the controller 5A switches on and off the power supply to the pair of ring connectors 31, 32 based on the temperature Tb of the bushing 1 (hereinafter referred to as "bush temperature Tb").

[0060] In this embodiment, the bushing temperature Tb is detected by a temperature sensor 44 provided on the outer tube 11, the inner tube 12, or the bushing rubber 13. If the resistance value of the conductive bushing rubber 13 is temperature dependent, the temperature of the bushing 1 can be indirectly derived based on the relationship between the current flowing through the bushing rubber 13 and the voltage applied to the bushing rubber 13, in which case the temperature sensor 44 is not necessary.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 5A includes a data acquisition unit 51A, a temperature determination unit 55, a storage unit 53A, and a current command unit 54A.

[0062] The data acquisition unit 51A acquires the bushing temperature Tb detected by the temperature sensor 44.

[0063] The temperature determination unit 55 determines whether the bushing temperature Tb acquired by the data acquisition unit 51A has reached a predetermined target temperature T1. This "predetermined target temperature T1" is the lowest temperature of the bushing 1 when the temperature characteristics of the bushing 1 do not change. Therefore, when the bushing temperature Tb falls below the predetermined target temperature T1, the temperature characteristics of the bushing 1 begin to change.

[0064] The temperature determination unit 55 determines whether the bushing temperature Tb acquired by the data acquisition unit 51A has reached a predetermined threshold temperature T2. This "predetermined threshold temperature T2" ​​is a temperature lower than the predetermined target temperature T1, and is the temperature at which the temperature characteristics of the bushing 1 begin to change significantly.

[0065] The predetermined target temperature T1 and the predetermined threshold temperature T2 are each stored in the storage unit 53A.

[0066] When the temperature determination unit 55 determines that the bush temperature Tb has not reached the predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb < T1), the current command unit 54A outputs a command signal for controlling the magnitude of the current output from the power supply 41 to a predetermined current value to the amplifier 43. Note that this "predetermined current value" is a value set based on the current that needs to flow through the bush rubber 13 until the bush temperature Tb reaches the predetermined target temperature T1.

[0067] After that, when the temperature determination unit 55 determines that the bush temperature Tb has reached the predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb ≥ T1), the current command unit 54A outputs a stop command signal for interrupting the current output from the power supply 41 to the amplifier 43. As a result, the supply of current from the power supply 41 to the pair of ring connectors 31 and 32 is stopped.

[0068] Furthermore, after that, when the temperature determination unit 55 determines that the bush temperature Tb has reached the predetermined threshold temperature T2 (Tb ≤ T2), the current command unit 54A outputs a command signal for controlling the magnitude of the current output from the power supply 41 to a predetermined current value to the amplifier 43 again. As a result, the supply of current from the power supply 41 to the pair of ring connectors 31 and 32 is resumed.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 9, in the controller 5A, first, the data acquisition unit 51A acquires the bush temperature Tb output from the temperature sensor 44 (step S511).

[0070] Subsequently, the temperature determination unit 55 determines whether or not the bush temperature Tb acquired in step S511 is lower than the predetermined target temperature T1 (step S512; temperature determination step).

[0071] If it is determined in step S512 that the bush temperature Tb is lower than the predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb < T1) (step S512 / YES), the current command unit 54A outputs a command signal for controlling the magnitude of the current output from the power supply 41 to a predetermined current value to the amplifier 43 (step S513; current output step).

[0072] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S512 that the bush temperature Tb is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb≧T1), since the temperature of the bush 1 is maintained at an appropriate temperature, the processing in the controller 5A ends.

[0073] Next, the data acquisition unit 51A re-acquires the bush temperature Tb output from the temperature sensor 44 (step S514).

[0074] Subsequently, the temperature determination unit 55 determines whether or not the bush temperature Tb re-acquired in step S514 is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature T1 (step S515; temperature determination step).

[0075] If it is determined in step S515 that the bush temperature Tb is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb≧T1) (step S515 / YES), the current command unit 54A outputs a stop command signal for cutting off the current output from the power supply 41 to the amplifier 43. (Step S516; current output stop step).

[0076] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S515 that the bush temperature Tb is lower than a predetermined target temperature T1 (Tb<T1) (step S515 / NO), the process returns to step S514 and does not proceed to step S516 until the bush temperature Tb becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined target temperature T1.

[0077] Next, the data acquisition unit 51A re-acquires the bush temperature Tb output from the temperature sensor 44 (step S517).

[0078] Subsequently, the temperature determination unit 55 determines whether or not the bush temperature Tb re-acquired in step S517 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature T₂ (step S518; temperature determination step).

[0079] If it is determined in step S518 that the bushing temperature Tb has become equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold temperature T2 (Tb≦T2) (step S518 / YES), the current command unit 54A re-outputs a command signal to the amplifier 43 to control the magnitude of the current output from the power supply 41 to a predetermined current value (step S519; current re-output step).

[0080] When the process of step S519 ends, the controller 5A returns to step S514 and repeats the process.

[0081] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S518 that the bush temperature Tb is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature T2 (Tb>T2) (step S518 / NO), the temperature of the bush 1 is maintained at a level that does not significantly change the temperature characteristics, and there is no need to immediately pass current through the bush rubber 13, so processing in the controller 5A ends.

[0082] In this way, the controller 5A controls whether or not to pass current through the bush rubber 13 depending on the temperature of the bush 1, so that the bush 1 is always maintained at an appropriate temperature, and it is possible to accurately suppress changes in temperature characteristics, particularly in low-temperature environments.

[0083] The temperature control of the bush 1 may be performed only by the controller 5 according to the first embodiment, or only by the controller 5A according to the second embodiment, or may be performed by a combination of the control by the controller 5 according to the first embodiment and the control by the controller 5A according to the second embodiment.

[0084] The above describes the embodiments and modifications of the present invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various other modifications are also included. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of this embodiment and modifications with configurations of other embodiments, and it is also possible to add configurations of other embodiments to the configuration of this embodiment and modifications. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of this embodiment and modifications with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1, 1A, 1B: Bush 5,5A: Controller 11: Outer cylinder 12: Inner cylinder 13: Bush rubber (elastic body) 31, 31A, 31B, 32, 32A, 32B: Ring connector (connector) 41: Power supply 44: Temperature sensor T: Outside temperature T1:Target temperature T2: Threshold temperature

Claims

1. An outer cylinder and an inner cylinder disposed in a hollow portion of the outer cylinder; an elastic body interposed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to connect the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder; In a bushing comprising: The elastic body is It has conductivity, A pair of connectors that are energized from a power source are attached to both ends in the extension direction. A bush characterized by:

2. 2. The bushing of claim 1, The pair of connectors The elastic body is formed in a ring shape that contacts the outer surface of the elastic body. A bush characterized by:

3. 2. The bushing of claim 1, The pair of connectors The elastic body is attached to the inner cylinder side at both ends thereof. A bush characterized by:

4. 2. The bushing of claim 1, The pair of connectors The elastic body is attached to the outer cylinder side at both ends thereof. A bush characterized by:

5. A bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the power source; a controller that controls the magnitude of the current conducted from the power source to the pair of connectors to a value according to an outside air temperature; Contains A bush temperature control system.

6. A bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the power source; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bushing; a controller that controls the output and stop of current to the pair of connectors; Including, The controller determining whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature; When it is determined that the temperature of the bushing is lower than the target temperature, a command is given to output a current to the pair of connectors; Thereafter, when the temperature of the bushing reaches or exceeds the target temperature, a command is issued to stop the output of current to the pair of connectors; Thereafter, when the temperature of the bushing becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature that is lower than the target temperature, a command is issued to resume outputting current to the pair of connectors. A bush temperature control system.

7. A bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the power source; a controller that controls the magnitude of the current conducted from the power source to the pair of connectors to a value according to an outside air temperature; Using The elastic body of the bush is energized to generate heat and control the temperature of the bush. A method for controlling the temperature of a bush.

8. A bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the power source; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bushing; a controller that controls the output and stop of current to the pair of connectors; Using controlling the temperature of the bushing by passing current through the elastic body of the bushing to generate heat; a temperature determination step in which the controller determines whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined target temperature, and determines whether the temperature of the bushing detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold temperature that is lower than the target temperature; a current output step in which, when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing is lower than the target temperature, the controller commands the output of a current to the pair of connectors; a current output stopping step in which, after the current output step, when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing has reached or exceeded the target temperature, the controller issues a command to stop outputting current to the pair of connectors; a current re-output step in which, after the current output stop step, when it is determined in the temperature determination step that the temperature of the bushing has become equal to or lower than the threshold temperature, the controller commands the restart of current output to the pair of connectors; Contains A method for controlling the temperature of a bush.

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