Patent ID: 9545832
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: B60G,F16F

Claim:
1. A switchable locking torque strut assembly interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain that provides high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events as communicated thereto by an associated electronic control unit (ECU), the assembly comprising: a housing; a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing; a locking assembly interposed between the shaft and the housing for selectively locking the shaft relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the associated ICE, the locking assembly including one of a collet, elastomeric rubber, or grommet that in the unlocked state does not interact with the housing and allows relative movement between the shaft and the housing and provides a low elastomeric rate resistance, and in the locked state interacts with the housing to limit relative movement between the shaft and the housing and provides a high elastomeric rate resistance; and electrical wiring leading from the associated ECU to the locking assembly whereby in response to a signal from the associated ECU, the locking assembly switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, or vice versa.