ELASTOMERIC MOUNTING (D)

Abstract: An elastomeric mounting (10) suitable for use in the suspension of an off-road vehicle comprises two rigid end members (11, 12) maintained spaced apart by an intervening tubular body (13) of elastomeric material which defines a central chamber (26), the interface between said body of elastomeric material and one (11) of the rigid end members being unbonded, said one (11) of the rigid end members comprising a tubular inner guide formation (34) which extends axially within the central chamber (26), coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the tubular body, for a part of the length of the tubular body, an outer surface of said tubular guide formation in normal use lying spaced from an inner surface of the tubular body, and an outer guide formation (29) which extends axially to surround an end portion of the outer surface (28) of the tubular body and in normal use contacts said end portion of the outer surface (28).

Description: "ELASTOMERIC MOUNTING" (D) This invention relates to an elastomeric mounting and in particular, although not exclusively, to a mounting intended normally to be loaded in compression and to resist subjecting the elastomeric material to tensile loading. The invention relates additionally, but not exclusively, to an elastomeric mounting suitable for use in a vehicle suspension such as the suspension of an off-road truck to transmit compression and tensile forces between two relatively movable components, especially between an axle and the end of a bogie pivot beam. One example of an elastomeric element normally loaded in compression and resistant to tensile loading of the elastomeric material is that described in the specification of US. Patent No. 4 615 513. That comprises an elastomeric body located between and bonded to rigid end plates. The elastomeric body incorporates a plurality of parallel, spaced, flat metal rings to prevent circumferential outwards bulging of the elastomeric body when the end plates are pressed together. The end plates are also held together by means of a mechanical connecting means in the form of holders which extend into the rubber body from the central portion of the respective end plates, and secondly a link element linked to the holders. In this construction the mechanical connecting means should provide a limitation to the maximum expansion of the elastomeric body, so as to prevent that body being subjected to tensile loading and a risk of tearing. In practice, when subjected to heavy duty use and the high shock loads experienced in use as part of the suspension of an off-road truck, it is found that the chain links and holders can deform and that the elastomeric material becomes torn. One object of the present invention, but not the exclusive object, is to provide an improved elastomeric mounting in which there is a better ability to withstand shock tensile loading and/or resist subjecting the elastomeric material to tensile load. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention an elastomeric mounting comprises two rigid end members maintained spaced apart by an intervening tubular body of elastomeric material which defines a central chamber, the interface between said body of elastomeric material and one of the rigid end members being unbonded, said one of the rigid end members comprising a tubular inner guide formation which extends axially within the central chamber, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, for a part of the length of the tubular body, an outer surface of said tubular guide formation in normal use lying spaced from an inner surface of the tubular body, and an outer guide formation which extends axially to surround an end portion of the outer surface of the tubular body and in normal use contacts said end portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of the tubular body preferably sealingly engages against the surrounding outer guide formation to resist ingress of foreign matter to the unbonded interface between the tubular body and end member. An annular recess may be provided in said one of the rigid end members at a surface which confronts the unbonded end of the tubular elastomeric body. The tubular elastomeric body may be formed, at the unbonded end face thereof, with an annular rib adapted normally to fit in and seal against said annular recess in the rigid end member. A substantially inextensible connecting means may be arranged to extend through the central chamber to interconnect the end members and resist more than a predetermined separation of the end members. The connecting means may be arranged to ensure that the end members, n normal use, cannot separate to a position at which the tubular body ceases to be surrounded by the outer guide formation. The connecting means may be arranged to maintain the tubular body loaded n residual axial compression in the absence of applied external forces. The tubular elastomeric body may be reinforced by annular reinforcing rings embedded therein. The rings each may be comprised by a flat annular disc. The rings may each have a major axis which is aligned and coaxial with the major axis of the tubular body. The body may be reinforced by two groups of embedded rings. One group may have the radially outer edges thereof covered by elastomeric material. The body may have a smooth outer surface region which conceals the presence of said one group of rings at least when the elastomeric body is free from externally applied load. Inner edges of rings of said one group optionally may be exposed at a radially inner surface of the tubular elastomeric body. Said inner edges of rings of said one group may have a common diameter. The other group of the two groups of rings optionally may have the outer edges thereof exposed at a radially outer surface of the tubular body. Optionally those rings may have a common outer diameter. The inner edges of said rings of the second group preferably lie well spaced from the locally radially inner surface of the elastomeric material. The rings of the two groups may be uniformly spaced apart or, preferably, are selectively spaced axially to lie at positions determined to be optimal by the application of finite element analysis. Preferably rings of said one of the two groups lie closer to the unbonded end of the tubular elastomeric body than rings of the other group. It is further preferred that, even under high applied tensile loading which may cause the unbonded end of the tubular body to separate from the end plate, at least one of the embedded rings at all times lies axially at a position at which it surrounds the tubular inner guide formation. It is thereby ensured that the mounting is well able to resist transverse displacement of the tubular body and end member during any occurrence of a high applied tensile shock load. An elastomeric mounting the subject of the present invention may incorporate one or more other features such as are described in detail below, and also one or more of the features as disclosed more generally in any one or more of our co-pending UK patent applications of even date and entitled "Elastomeric Mounting (A)", "Elastomeric Mounting (B)" and "Elastomeric Mounting (C) M One embodiinent of the present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of an elastomeric mounting of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the mounting of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow "X" of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the mounting of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow "Y" of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section of an main body part of the mounting of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of a buffer body part of the mounting of Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a side view of a retention pin. An elastomeric mounting 10 for positioning between a vehicle axle structure and one end portion of a bogie pivot beam pivotally mounted in a vehicle frame is shown in Figure 1 to 6. The mounting 10 comprises two metal end plates 11,12, each of a square shape, and an interposed elastomeric body 13 which is subject to compression loading as the end plates move one toward the other. The body 13 is of a generally tubular form and has an annular cross-sectional shape. The body 13 is reinforced by two groups 14,15 of metal reinforcing rings 16-24 which are embedded in and bonded to the elastomeric material, in this case natural rubber, of the body. Each reinforcing ring 16-24 is a flat annular steel disc and is positioned in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting. In the first group 14 six rings 16-21 are provided, axially spaced apart, and each extends radially for a distance substantially equal to the local radial extent of the elastomeric body at that axial position. The inner edge 25 of each ring 16-21 is exposed to a central chamber 26 defined by the tubular body 13. The outer edge 27 of each of these rings lies just beneath the outer surface 28 of the elastomeric body. The body has a generally smooth profile at that region and conceals the presence of the embedded rings. The rings 16-21 have a corrsnon inner diameter 25. Three of those rings 18- 20 also have a coπmon outer diameter. A fourth ring 21 between that set 18-20 of identical rings and the rings 22-24 of the second group 15 has a smaller outer diameter intermediate the outer diameters of the neighbouring rings 20,22. At the other end of the set 18-20 the ring 17 has an outer diameter intermediate that of the rings 20 and 21. The end ring 16, nearest the end plate 11 has an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the ring 21, and also substantially equal to the outer diameter of a profiled annular shoulder 29 defined by the end plate 11. The rings 22 to 24 of the second group 15 have a common outer diameter 30 which is less than the outer diameter of any of the rings of the first group 14. The ring 22 closest to the first group has the largest inner diameter of the second group, the end ring 24 has the smallest inner diameter, and the intermediate ring 23 has an inner diameter intermediate that of the neighbouring rings 22,24. The ring 24, which has the smallest inner diameter of the second group, is of an inner diameter greater than that of any of the rings of the first group. The rings 22-24 of the second group have their outer edges exposed at the outer surface 28 of the elastomeric body, or if covered by a thin protective elastomeric layer nevertheless still have an identifiable presence. At their inner edges the rings 22-24 lie well space from the locally radially inner surface of the elastomeric material. Successive rings in the second group are uniformly axially spaced apart in the direction A-A, but the rings 16-21 of the first group are non-umformly spaced. In the first group the rings 18-20 of iraxi um outer diameter are the most closely spaced. The spacing of the neighbouring end rings 21,22 of the two groups 14,15 equals the spacing of the rings of the second group 15. The elastomeric body is bonded to the end plate 12, but is located relative to the other end plate 11 only by shape features. Adjacent the aforedescribed annular shoulder 29 the end plate 11 has an annular recess 31. The body 13 has an annular end rib 32 which seats in the recess 31, with the radially outer edge 33 of the rib abutting the inner face of the shoulder 29. The shoulder 29 has a smooth, curved top region 33 to provide an abutment surface for the outer surface 28 of the body 13 when under axial compression. End plate 11 has an integral support sleeve 34 the outer diameter of which is slightly less than the inner diameter of the rings 16-21 of the first group 14. It extends axially beyond at least the first two rings and is intended to cooperate with the rings to ensure, in conjunction with the should 29 and recess 31, that the unbonded end of the body 13 is retained transversely aligned even when the mounting is loaded in tension and the end face of the body can lift away from the plate 11. The support sleeve 34 provides location for a retention pin 35 that captures an end link of three chain links 36 extending axially in the chamber 26. The other end of the chain is secured to a buffer member 37 by a half link 38. Buffer member 37 is of a frusto-conical shape at each of its radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces 39,40. The inner surface 39 is provided with a shallow groove 41 to locate the half link 38 and restrain any tendency for the chain to twist between its ends, when the end plates are similarly restrained. Outer face 40 has a buffer layer 42 of elastomeric material bonded thereto. The end plate 12 has a frusto-conical portion 44 and the outer surface 43 of the buffer layer 42 is arranged in the assembly to be supported by the radially inwardly facing surface 47 of that portion. The outwardly facing surface 45 of portion 44 has the elastomeric body 13 bonded thereto. Similarly, body 13 is bonded to a planar outer surface zone 46 of the plate 12. The angle of the surface 45 relative to axis A-A is equal to, and opposite, the angle of a notional line connecting the inner diameter edges of the three rings 22-24 of the second group 15. The axially inner extremity of the plate portion 44 lies substantially aligned with the axial position of the ring 22 of the second group 15 lying closest to the first group 14. To assemble the mounting the pin 35 is fitted to the spigot 34 with an end link of the chain thereby being held captive. The unbonded end of the body 13 is then presented to the end plate 11 to locate the rib 13 relative to the plate recess 31 and shoulder 29. The chain is extended through the chamber 26, and with the buffer member seated in the end plate 12 against surface 47, the body is compressed sufficiently to allow the end half link 38 to be threaded through the end of the chain. The half link is positioned with its free ends aligned with the plane of the outer end faces 50,51 of the buffer member and plate 12, and the applied compression load is then released. The chain then holds the body 13 under residual compression. In use of the mounting in a vehicle suspension the faces 50,51 are located against a vehicle member such as an axle housing. or suspension arm. That vehicle member thereby locks the half link 38 in position so that it is not free to move and become disengaged from the chain end link. In normal use, compression loads are withstood by the elastomeric body 13. In the event of applied tensile load, the chain acts resiliently through the buffer member to limit separation of the vehicle members interconnected by the mounting and the unbonded end of the body 13 ensures that the body 13 is protected against tensile load damage.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An elastomeric mounting (10) comprising two rigid end members (11,12) maintained spaced apart by an intervening tubular body (13) of elastomeric material which defines a central chamber ( 26 ) , characterised m that the interface between said body (13) of elastomeric material and one (11) of the rigid end members is unbonded, said one of the rigid end members (11) comprises a tubular inner guide formation (34) which extends axially within the central chamber, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, for a part of the length of the tubular body, an outer surface of said tubular guide formation in normal use lying spaced from an inner surface of the tubular body ( 13 ) , and an outer guide formation ( 29 ) which extends axially to surround an end portion (33) of the outer surface of the tubular body (13) and m normal use contacts said end portion of the outer surface. 2. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface (33) of the tubular body sealmgly engages against said surrounding outer guide formation (29) to resist ingress of foreign matter to the unbonded interface between the tubular body and end member. 3. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised n that an annular recess (31) is provided in said one (11) of the rigid end members at a surface which confronts the unbonded end of the tubular elastomeric body ( 13 ) . 4. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised m that the tubular elastomeric body (13) is formed, at the unbonded end face thereof, with an annular rib (32) adapted normally to fit in and seal against said annular recess (31) m the rigid end member. 5. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of the preceding claims. characterised m that a substantially inextensible connecting means (36) is arranged to extend through the central chamber (26) to interconnect the end members and resist more than a predetermined separation of the end members. 6. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 5, characterised in that the connecting means is arranged to ensure that the end members, in normal use, cannot separate to a position at which the tubular body (13) ceases to be surrounded by the outer guide formation ( 29 ) . 7. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 5 or claim 6 , characterised n that the connecting means (36) maintains the tubular body (13) loaded in residual axial compression in the absence of applied external forces. 8. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular elastomeric body (13) is reinforced by annular reinforcing rings (16-24) embedded therein. 9. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 8, characterised n that at least one of said rings (16-24) is a flat annular disc. 10. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 8 or claim 9 , characterised in that the rings (16-24) each have a major axis which is aiiqned and coaxial with the major axis (A-A) of the tubular body. 11. An elastomeric mounting according to anv one of claims S to 10, characterised m that the body (13) is reinforced by two groups (14.15) of embedded rings, one group (14) having the radially outer edges thereof covered oy elastomeric material. 12. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 11, characterised in that the elastomeric body has a smooth outer surface region which conceals the presence of said one group (14) of rings at least when the elastomeric Dodv is free from externally applied load. 13. An elastomeric mounting according o claim 11 or claim 12. characterised i _that inner edges (25) of nnσs of said one group 14 ) are exposed at a radially inner surface of tne tunuiar elastomeric boαv 14. .An elastomeric mounting according to claim 13, characterised m that said inner edges (25) of rings of said one group have a common diameter. 15. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of claims It to 14. characterised in that the other group (15) of the two groups of rings has the outer edges thereof exposed at a radially outer surface of the tubular body. 16. An elastomeric mounting according to claim 15, characterised in that said rings of the other group (15) have a common outer diameter. 17. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of claims 11 to 16. characterised in that the inner edges of said rings (22-24) of the other , second group (15) lie well spaced from the locally radially inner surface of the elastomeric material. 18. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of claims 11 to 17 , characterised in that the rings of the two groups (14,15) are selectively spaced axially to lie at positions determined to be optimal by the application of finite element analysis. 19. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterised in that rings of said one (14) of the two groups lie closer to the unbonded end member (11) than rings of the other group. 20. An elastomeric mounting according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterised m that even under high applied tensile loading which may cause the unbonded end of the tubular body to separate from the end plate, at least one of the embedded rings at all times lies axially at a position at which it surrounds the tubular inner guide formation ( 31 ) . 21. A vehicle suspension characterised in that it comprises a suspension member and an elastomeric mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an end member of said mounting s secured to said suspension member.

Inventors: NEWMAN DONALD JAMES, NEWMAN, DONALD, JAMES
Applicants: BTR INDUSTRIES LTD, NEWMAN DONALD JAMES, BTR INDUSTRIES LIMITED, NEWMAN, DONALD, JAMES
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F16F1
IPC codes: B60G7, B60G11, B61F5, F16F1, F16F15