Top mount for vehicle suspension and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

A top mount for a vehicle suspension and a method for manufacturing same are disclosed in the present invention, which is the research outcome of the 2023 Chungbuk-based parts and equipment technology development support project, conducted with the support of Chungcheongbuk-do and the Chungbuk Innovation Institute of Science & Technology, as well as a lightweight insulator development project for the initial application of the laser welding method. The disclosed top mount for a vehicle suspension comprises: a bracket coupled to a chassis and having a receiving port inside; a bush arranged in the receiving port; an upper cap provided on the bracket to be seated on the upper side of the receiving port so as to support the upper surface of the bush; and a lower cup inserted into a lower side of the receiving port and coupled to the bracket so as to support the lower surface of the bush, wherein the bracket and the upper cap are integrally formed and made of plastic.

Description

Top mount for vehicle suspension and manufacturing method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a top mount for a vehicle suspension and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a lightweight top mount for a vehicle suspension and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] This invention is the result of research on the development of a lightweight insulator using the first laser welding method, a project of the 2023 Chungbuk Materials, Components, and Equipment Field Technology Development Support Project, which is being carried out with the support of Chungcheongbuk-do Province and the Chungbuk Science and Technology Innovation Institute.

[0003] The suspension of a vehicle is provided between the body and the axle to absorb vibration and impact energy transmitted from the road surface, and many vehicles are equipped with a shock absorber and a suspension spring installed around the shock absorber.

[0004] The suspension spring cushions the shock received from the road surface, and the shock absorber suppresses the free vibration of the suspension spring, and through a complementary action with the suspension spring, further reduces the vibration applied to itself.

[0005] A shock absorber has a cylinder fixed to the wheel side, a piston slidably accommodated within the cylinder, and a piston rod whose end is connected to the piston and whose other end extends outside the cylinder and is fixed to its own side, thereby attenuating vibrations and shocks transmitted from the road surface to the vehicle body while repeating compression and rebound strokes during vehicle driving.

[0006] At this time, the vehicle's suspension is equipped with a top mount and is mounted to the vehicle body. The top mount includes a bushing that connects to the end of the shock absorber's piston rod, and a bracket that supports the bushing and is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0007] A top mount like this dampens vibrations transmitted from the piston rod to the vehicle body through the elastic deformation of the bushing while the piston rod of the shock absorber is mounted to the vehicle body.

[0008] Meanwhile, conventional vehicle suspension top mounts were mainly made of metal, such as brackets, but recently, efforts are being made to make top mounts out of various materials to improve fuel efficiency due to vehicle weight reduction.

[0009] The present embodiment aims to provide a top mount for a lightweight vehicle suspension and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0010] The present invention provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein durability is maintained, supplemented and improved.

[0011] The present embodiment aims to provide a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method for manufacturing the same, which reduces the number of parts and improves productivity.

[0012] The present embodiment provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension with improved assembly performance and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0013] The present embodiment aims to provide a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method for manufacturing the same, which improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and enhances economic efficiency and marketability.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body comprising: a bracket coupled to a body and having a receiving portion therein; a bushing disposed on the receiving portion; an upper cap provided on the bracket to be seated on an upper side of the receiving portion and support an upper surface of the bushing; and a lower cup inserted into a lower side of the receiving portion and coupled to the bracket to support a lower surface of the bushing; wherein the bracket and the upper cap are integrally formed and made of plastic.

[0015] The above bracket and the upper cap may be made of a plastic mixed with nylon-based plastic and glass fiber reinforced plastic.

[0016] The above bracket may include a main body portion having the receiving port provided therein, and a flange portion formed to extend obliquely to both sides of the main body portion.

[0017] The above main body portion may include a first protrusion that is formed to protrude outward from the outer surface and extends in a vertical direction, and is provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart along the outer surface.

[0018] The upper cap may include a second protrusion formed to protrude upward from the upper surface and extend in a radial direction from an opening provided at the center, and a plurality of second protrusions provided and spaced apart along the periphery of the opening.

[0019] The flange portion may include a third protrusion formed to protrude downward from the lower surface and extend in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion, and provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart along the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion that contacts the flange portion.

[0020] The first protrusion may be formed to extend from the circumference of the upper cap to the lower side of the main body portion, and the portion where the main body portion and the flange portion come into contact may be formed to extend to the portion where the flange portion comes into contact.

[0021] The lower cup may include an insertion portion whose outer surface is inserted into the lower side of the receiving port, and a step portion that is formed protruding at the lower end of the insertion portion to support the lower end of the bracket.

[0022] The above bushing may include an inner pipe positioned at the center of the receiving port and fixedly installed at the upper end of the piston rod, an outer pipe press-fitted into the receiving port of the bracket, and an anti-vibration rubber interposed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.

[0023] The above flange portion may include a bolt joint formed obliquely through the flange portion.

[0024] It may further include a washer coupled to one side of the above bolt joint.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension is provided, comprising: forming a bracket that is coupled to a vehicle body and has a receiving port inside, and an upper cap that is provided on the bracket and is seated on the upper side of the receiving port, and forming the bracket integrally with the bracket and made of plastic; inserting the bracket into the lower side of the receiving port so as to place a bushing inside the receiving port; inserting a lower cup coupled to the bracket from the lower side to the upper side of the receiving port so as to support a lower surface of the bushing; and welding and joining the bracket and the lower cup.

[0026] The lower cup includes an insertion portion having an outer circumference inserted into the lower side of the receiving portion, and a step portion protruding from a lower end of the insertion portion to support the lower end of the bracket, and a method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension device may be provided, the method including inserting the insertion portion from the lower side of the receiving portion to the upper side so that the lower end of the bracket is seated and supported by the step portion, and welding and joining the bracket and the insertion portion.

[0027] The above bracket and the above upper cap can be provided with a method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension device by injection molding.

[0028] The present embodiment provides a top mount for a lightweight vehicle suspension and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0029] The present invention provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein durability is maintained, supplemented and improved.

[0030] The present embodiment provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method for manufacturing the same, which reduces the number of parts and improves productivity.

[0031] The present embodiment provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension with improved assembly performance and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0032] The present embodiment provides a top mount for a vehicle suspension system and a method for manufacturing the same, which improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and enhances economic efficiency and marketability.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a top mount for a vehicle suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a top mount for a vehicle suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of a top mount for a vehicle suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention is cut off and viewed from above.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of a top mount for a vehicle suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state before assembly of a top mount for a vehicle suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are provided to sufficiently convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented herein and may be embodied in other forms. To clarify the present invention, the drawings may omit portions irrelevant to the description, and the sizes of components may be slightly exaggerated to facilitate understanding.

[0039] The suspension of a vehicle in which a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension is adopted is for reducing vibration and shock transmitted from the road surface to the vehicle body, and is provided with a shock absorber (not shown) and a coil spring (not shown) installed around the shock absorber (not shown).

[0040] A shock absorber (not shown) has a cylinder fixed to the wheel side, a piston slidably accommodated within the cylinder, and a piston rod having one end connected to the piston and the other end extending outside the cylinder and fixed to its own side.

[0041] Therefore, the shock absorber (not shown) reduces vibration and shock transmitted from the road surface to the vehicle body by repeating the compression stroke and rebound stroke according to the reciprocating motion of the piston sliding against the cylinder while the vehicle is driving.

[0042] A coil spring (not shown) is installed around the shock absorber (not shown) to elastically support the distance between the cylinder and the piston rod, thereby increasing the vibration damping effect of the shock absorber (not shown).

[0043] These vehicle suspensions are fixed to the wheel side at the lower end and are mounted to the vehicle body at the upper end via a top mount. That is, the top mount allows the piston rod of the shock absorber (not shown) to be mounted to the vehicle body, thereby damping vibrations transmitted from the piston rod to the vehicle body.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a top mount (10) for a suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a top mount (10) for a suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket (100), an upper cap (300), a lower cup (400), and a washer (500).

[0046] The bracket (100) is a configuration that forms the external skeleton of the top mount and is connected to the vehicle body.

[0047] Conventional brackets (100) are generally made of a metal material, such as aluminum, for example. This has the advantage of ensuring high rigidity of the bracket (100), but increases the weight, which in turn increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

[0048] Accordingly, the bracket (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is made of a plastic material rather than a metal material to achieve weight reduction of the top mount, and further improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle through weight reduction of the vehicle, while maintaining and supplementing durability by improving the shape of the bracket (100) itself.

[0049] The bracket (100) includes a main body (110) located at the center and a flange part (120) formed to extend laterally from the main body (110), and the main body (110) and the flange part (120) are made of plastic.

[0050] The main body (110) is provided in a cylindrical shape, has a receiving port (111) provided inside, and may include a first protrusion (112) formed to protrude outward from the outer surface.

[0051] The receiving area (111) receives a bush (200). The bush (200) will be described in detail later.

[0052] A plurality of first protrusions (112) are provided, and each of them is formed to extend in a vertical direction, but can be spaced apart along the outer surface.

[0053] The first protrusion (112) may be formed to extend to the contact portion when the main body (110) and the flange portion (120) to be described later are in contact. In other words, when the lateral outer surface of the main body (110) is in contact with the inclined flange portion (120) as shown in FIG. 1, the first protrusion (112) may be formed to extend from the periphery of the upper cap (300) to be described later to the lower side of the main body (110), but may be formed to extend to the contact portion between the main body (110) and the flange portion so that the vertical length thereof sequentially becomes shorter.

[0054] Accordingly, the bracket (100) can increase the rigidity of the bracket (100) by providing a first protrusion (112) on the main body (110) against a vertical external force applied by a shock absorber (not shown) that moves up and down.

[0055] The flange portion (120) is formed to extend obliquely to both sides of the main body, and may include a bolt joint hole (122) formed on the outer portion and a third protrusion (121) formed to protrude downward from the lower surface.

[0056] The bolt joint hole (122) can be formed to penetrate the flange portion (120) at an angle on the outer portion. Accordingly, the bracket (100) can be fixed to the vehicle body by mounting a fastening bolt to the bolt joint hole (122).

[0057] A plurality of third protrusions (121) are provided, and each of them is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion (120), but can be spaced apart along the outer surface of the main body portion (110) that is in contact with the flange portion (120).

[0058] The third protrusion (121) may be formed to have different horizontal lengths, starting from the outer surface of the main body (110) as shown in Fig. 2 and extending to a portion where a bolt joint hole (122) is provided or a point formed by a depression around the bolt joint hole (122).

[0059] Accordingly, the bracket (100) can increase the rigidity of the bracket (100) by providing a third protrusion (121) on the main body (110) for a horizontal external force applied by a shock absorber (not shown) that moves up and down in the bolt joint (122).

[0060] The upper cap (300) is provided on the bracket (100) to be mounted on the upper side of the receiving port (111) and to support the upper surface of the bush (200). The upper cap (300) is made of plastic, like the bracket (100).

[0061] The upper cap (300) may have an opening (320) provided in the center and may include a second protrusion (310) formed to protrude upward from the upper surface.

[0062] A plurality of second protrusions (310) are provided, and each of them extends radially from the opening (320), but can be spaced apart along the perimeter of the opening (320).

[0063] The second protrusion (310) may be formed to be inclined so that the height decreases toward the opening (320) and increases as it moves away from the opening (320), as shown in FIG. 1.

[0064] Accordingly, the upper cap (300) can increase the rigidity of the upper cap (300) by providing a second protrusion (310) for the horizontal external force applied by the shock absorber (not shown) moving up and down in the bolt joint (122).

[0065] The upper cap (300) is formed integrally with the bracket (100). In general, the conventional upper cap (300) is not only made of metal, but is also formed as a separate component from the bracket (100), requiring an assembly process with the bracket (100). Accordingly, the upper cap (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed integrally with the bracket (100) and is made entirely of plastic, thereby reducing the weight of the top mount and shortening the assembly process.

[0066] The bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) may be made of a plastic mixed with a nylon-based plastic and a glass fiber reinforced plastic. For example, the bracket (100) may be a plastic mixed with PA66 and GF50. However, the plastic of the bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) of the present invention is not limited thereto, and as long as it is a plastic made of a material that is lighter than a metal material, it may include a plastic mixed with various plastics in various mixing ratios in addition to a nylon-based plastic and a glass fiber reinforced plastic.

[0067] The lower cup (400) is configured to be inserted into the lower side of the receiving port (111) and combined with the bracket (100) to support the lower surface of the bush (200).

[0068] The lower cup (400) is provided in a hollow cylindrical shape. Specifically, the lower cup (400) is provided with cup openings on the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the cup opening on the upper surface has a smaller diameter than the cup opening on the lower surface, and a plurality of sunken holes may be provided on the lower surface. The side surface of the lower cup (400) may be provided with an insertion portion (410) and a step portion (420), such that at least a portion thereof is provided to be in close contact with the inner surface of the receiving portion (111). The insertion portion (410) and the step portion (420) will be described in detail later.

[0069] A washer (500) is attached to one side of a bolt joint hole (122) to expand the area of ​​force applied when a fastening bolt is attached to the bolt joint hole (122), thereby dispersing the pressure and improving the durability of the flange portion (120). The washer (500) may be made of a metal material, and for example, may be made of aluminum.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention is cut off and viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention is assembled.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bush (200).

[0072] The bush (200) is configured to flexibly support the end of the piston rod of the shock absorber (not shown) by being placed inside the receiving port (111) provided in the bracket (100), and includes an inner pipe (210), an outer pipe (230), and an anti-vibration rubber.

[0073] The inner pipe (210) is positioned at the center of the receiving port (111) and is fixedly installed at the upper end of the piston rod. The inner pipe (210) is provided in a hollow cylindrical shape with a through hole formed in the center so that the piston rod of the shock absorber (not shown) can be inserted through it, and has a flat portion at the bottom so as to be fixed to the anti-vibration rubber (220), so that it can be formed in an "ㅗ" shape. The inner pipe (210) can be provided with a cold-headed carbon steel material, which is a metal material.

[0074] The outer pipe (230) is provided in a hollow cylindrical shape and is press-fitted into the receiving port (111) of the bracket (100). The outer pipe (230) may be provided with plastic. For example, the outer pipe (230) may be a plastic mixed with PA66 and GF35. However, the outer pipe (230) of the present invention is not limited thereto, and includes a plastic in which various plastics are mixed at various mixing ratios in addition to nylon-based plastic and glass fiber reinforced plastic as long as the plastic is provided with a light material compared to a metal material.

[0075] The anti-vibration rubber (220) is interposed between the inner pipe (210) and the outer pipe (230). The anti-vibration rubber (220) is provided in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the upper surface may have a rough shape with concave and convex portions repeated along the circumference to increase the cushioning effect performed in a state of vertical compression. The anti-vibration rubber (220) may be provided with a rubber material, and in particular, may be provided with natural rubber that has strong elasticity, flexibility, and high tensile strength.

[0076] The lower cup (400) is provided with an insertion portion (410) and a step portion (420) on the side of the lower cup (400) to be combined with a bracket (100) that accommodates a bush (200).

[0077] The insertion portion (410) has an outer surface inserted into the lower side of the receiving port (111), and a step portion (420) is formed to protrude at the lower end of the insertion portion (410) to support the lower end of the bracket (100). At this time, the insertion portion (410) is formed to be relatively thicker than other parts of the lower cup (400), and the bracket (100) may be formed to be thinner than other parts of the main body (110) of the bracket (100) at a part that comes into contact with the insertion portion (410) corresponding to the position of the insertion portion (410).

[0078] The lower cup (400) can be welded and joined to the bracket (100). That is, the insertion portion (410) of the lower cup (400) can be welded and joined to the bracket (100). As an example of the welding method, a laser welding method using a laser can be applied. By welding and joining the lower cup (400) and the bracket (100) in this way, the assembling performance of the top mount can be improved.

[0079] Below, a method for manufacturing a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension according to this embodiment is described.

[0080] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state before assembly of a top mount (10) for a vehicle suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by sequentially assembling a bracket (100), a bush (200), and a lower cup (400) formed integrally with an upper cap (300) and made of plastic.

[0082] First, a bracket (100) that is coupled to a body and has a receiving port (111) inside, and an upper cap (300) that is installed on the upper side of the receiving port (111) and provided on the bracket (100) are formed as one piece, and are all made of plastic. At this time, the bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) can be formed by injection molding. Accordingly, the first protrusion (112) and the third protrusion (121) provided on the bracket (100) and the second protrusion (310) provided on the upper cap (300) can also be formed by injection molding together when the bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) are formed as one piece.

[0083] Afterwards, the lower cup (400) that is combined with the bracket (100) is inserted from the lower side to the upper side of the receiving portion (111) to support the lower surface of the bush (200). At this time, the lower cup (400) can be inserted from the lower side to the upper side of the receiving portion (111) with the insertion portion (410) so that the lower end of the bracket (100) is seated and supported by the step portion (420).

[0084] Afterwards, the bracket (100) and the lower cup (400) can be joined by welding. At this time, the bracket (100) and the insertion part (410) can be joined by welding, and a laser welding method using a laser can be applied.

[0085] In this way, the top mount (10) for a suspension device according to one embodiment of the present invention is made of plastic together with the upper cap (300), thereby achieving a weight reduction of the top mount compared to the existing one made of metal, and consequently realizing a weight reduction of the vehicle, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. In addition, the bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) are made of plastic, which has relatively low durability, but the durability can be maintained, supplemented, or improved by improving the shape of the structure itself through the first protrusion (112), the second protrusion (310), and the third protrusion (121). In addition, the bracket (100) and the upper cap (300) are provided as a single body and are provided through injection molding, thereby reducing the number of parts and the assembly process and improving productivity. In addition, the bracket (100) and the lower cup (400) are fused and joined, thereby improving the assembling ability. This, of course, improves the economy and marketability of the vehicle.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A bracket that is attached to the body and has a receiving compartment inside; A bush placed in the above-mentioned container; An upper cap provided on the bracket to be mounted on the upper side of the above-mentioned receiving port and to support the upper surface of the above-mentioned bushing; and A lower cup is inserted into the lower side of the above-mentioned receiving port and is combined with the above-mentioned bracket to support the lower surface of the above-mentioned bush; A top mount for a vehicle suspension, wherein the above bracket and the upper cap are formed as one piece and are made of plastic.

2. In paragraph 1, The above bracket and the above upper cap A top mount for a vehicle suspension made of a plastic mixture of nylon-based plastic and glass fiber reinforced plastic.

3. In paragraph 1, The above brackets A main body part in which the above-mentioned accommodation is provided inside, A top mount for a vehicle suspension device including a flange portion formed to extend obliquely on both sides of the main body portion.

4. In paragraph 3, The above main body part A top mount for a vehicle suspension device, comprising a first projection formed to protrude outwardly from an outer surface and extend in a vertical direction, and a plurality of projections provided and spaced apart along the outer surface.

5. In paragraph 1, The upper cap above A top mount for a vehicle suspension device, comprising a second protrusion formed to protrude upward from a top surface and extend in a radial direction from an opening provided at the center, and a plurality of second protrusions provided and spaced apart along the periphery of the opening.

6. In paragraph 3, The above flange part A top mount for a vehicle suspension, comprising a third protrusion formed to protrude downward from the lower surface and extend in the length direction of the flange portion, and provided in multiple numbers and spaced apart from each other along the outer surface of the main body portion that contacts the flange portion.

7. In paragraph 4, The above first protrusion A top mount for a vehicle suspension device, which is formed to extend from the periphery of the upper cap to the lower side of the main body, and the part where the main body and the flange come into contact is formed to extend to the part where the flange comes into contact.

8. In paragraph 1, The above lower cup An insertion part whose outer surface is inserted into the lower side of the above-mentioned receiving device, A top mount for a vehicle suspension device, comprising a step portion formed protruding at the lower end of the insert portion to support the lower end of the bracket.

9. In paragraph 1, The above bush An inner pipe positioned at the center of the above-mentioned receiving area and fixedly installed at the upper end of the piston rod, An outer pipe that is press-fitted into the receiving port of the above bracket, A top mount for a vehicle suspension device including an anti-vibration rubber interposed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.

10. In paragraph 3, The above flange part A top mount for a vehicle suspension comprising a bolt-joint hole formed at an angle.

11. In paragraph 10, A top mount for a vehicle suspension device, further comprising: a washer coupled to one side of the above bolt joint.

12. A bracket that is connected to the body and has a receiving port inside, and an upper cap that is installed on the upper side of the receiving port and provided on the bracket are formed as one piece, and are made of plastic. Insert the bushing into the lower part of the above-mentioned container and place it inside the above-mentioned container, A lower cup that is combined with the above bracket is inserted from the lower side to the upper side of the receiving port to support the lower surface of the above bush, A method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension, comprising welding and joining the above bracket and the lower cup.

13. In paragraph 10, The lower cup has an insertion portion whose outer surface is inserted into the lower side of the receiving port, and a step portion that is formed protruding at the lower end of the insertion portion to support the lower end of the bracket. The lower cup is inserted from the lower side to the upper side of the receiving port so that the lower end of the bracket is secured and supported on the step portion, A method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension, comprising welding and joining the above bracket and the above insert.

14. In paragraph 12, A method for manufacturing a top mount for a vehicle suspension, wherein the above bracket and the above upper cap are injection-molded.

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