Patent Description:
This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.

<CIT> relates to a device for damping vibrations which consists of a frame and a body. The body includes protrusions which abut against inner surfaces of an aperture of the frame. The device has a base including supports which extend from the body. The supports connect the body with the frame. <CIT> relates to a device for damping oscillations which includes a housing and an absorbing mass. The absorbing mass is supported by ribs and connected to the housing via spring members. A tuned mass damper for a vehicle seat is disclosed in <CIT>. <CIT> discloses a vibration damping device including a damper mass. <CIT> teaches a vibration absorber. The absorber damper including a bracket member and a vibratory mass, having a surface that acts as a movement limiter, said surface configured for contacting an inner surface of an angle bracket of the bracket member to limit movement of the mass relative to the bracket member. A plurality of connecting members are disclosed extending from the mass, the plurality of connecting members connecting the mass with the bracket member. An opposite outer side serves as a second movement limiter.

With some dampers, certain portions may be subject to forces that may result in undesirable wear or fatigue. Some dampers may produce an undesirable amount of noise. Some dampers may involve relatively complex assembly processes.

There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of dampers. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of scope.

According to the invention, a damper assembly includes the features of claim <NUM>. A plurality of connecting members may include substantially T-shaped or bow tie-shaped configurations.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and/or advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Some dampers, such as dampers used in a vehicle environment, may use blunt contact between planar surfaces as a travel limitation. Travel limitations may be utilized to improve an overall durability of working rubber. Dampers contacting panels in a vehicle may include or be connected to felt/flock tape and/or rubber pads to reduce noise.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a damper assembly <NUM> may include a damper <NUM> but in any event according to the invention includes a bracket <NUM>. A damper <NUM> may include a body or mass <NUM>, one or movement limiters <NUM>, and/or one or more connecting members <NUM>. A damper <NUM> may be connected with a bracket <NUM> via one or more connecting members <NUM> such that the body <NUM> may move, at least to some degree, relative to the bracket <NUM> (e.g., in an X-direction, which may include fore and aft directions). A damper <NUM> may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. For example and without limitation, a damper <NUM> may include a resilient material (e.g., a rubber) and/or a body <NUM> may include a resilient material formed or disposed around a mass, such as a mass of metal.

With embodiments, a bracket <NUM> may be configured for connecting a damper assembly <NUM> to a mounting component or surface <NUM>, such as a vehicle component or structure. A bracket <NUM> may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. For example and without limitation, a bracket <NUM> may include a metal, such as steel (see, e.g., <FIG>, <FIG>) and/or may include plastic (see, e.g., <FIG>). A bracket <NUM> includes side walls, namely a first side wall <NUM>, a second side wall <NUM>, a third side wall <NUM>, a fourth side wall <NUM>, and a fifth side wall <NUM>. The second side wall <NUM>, the third side wall <NUM>, the fourth side wall <NUM>, and the fifth side wall <NUM> extend from the first side wall <NUM> (e.g., perpendicularly), such as to generally form a rectangular prism configuration. A bracket <NUM> may include an open side <NUM> that may be disposed opposite the first side wall <NUM>. A bracket <NUM> may include one or more apertures <NUM> that may be configured to engage and/or at least partially receive a movement limiter. As generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an aperture <NUM> may, for example and without limitation, be disposed in and/or extend through the second side wall <NUM> and/or the fourth side wall <NUM> (e.g., at opposite sides of the bracket <NUM>). With embodiments, a bracket <NUM> may include one or more recesses <NUM> that may, for example, be disposed or formed at an inner surface of bracket <NUM>, such as at inner surfaces of the second side wall <NUM> and/or the fourth side wall <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>, and <FIG>).

In embodiments, a movement limiter <NUM> may be configured to restrict movement of the body <NUM> relative to the bracket <NUM>. A movement limiter <NUM> restricts movement of the body <NUM> toward the first side wall <NUM> and away from the first side wall <NUM> (e.g., fore and aft movement). In embodiments, a movement limiter <NUM> may impede or restrict movement in one or more other directions (e.g., in Z-directions), which may, with some examples, be parallel with a vertical direction), such as under large loads. A movement limiter <NUM> extends from the body <NUM> and may extend at least partially into an aperture <NUM> or recess <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. For example and without limitation, a movement limiter <NUM> may extend into and through an aperture <NUM> of a bracket <NUM>. A movement limiter <NUM> may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. For example and without limitation, a movement limiter <NUM> may include a generally triangular configuration but in any event according to the invention includes a plurality of ribs <NUM> that may be spaced from each other, such as in a Z-direction (e.g., a movement limiter <NUM> may include a castellated configuration). A plurality of ribs <NUM> may include, for example only, six ribs. The ribs <NUM> may be disposed such that upon movement of the body <NUM> (e.g., in an X-direction), the ribs <NUM> contact an inner surface or edge <NUM> of the aperture <NUM> or recess <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> and restrict additional movement of the body <NUM>.

As generally illustrated in <FIG>, in embodiments a distance D1 between a movement limiter <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of an aperture <NUM> or recess <NUM> of a bracket <NUM> may be less than a distance D2 between a body <NUM> of the damper <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> such that the movement limiter <NUM> contacts the inner surface <NUM> of the aperture <NUM> or recess <NUM> before the body <NUM> contacts the bracket <NUM>.

In embodiments, a movement limiter with ribs <NUM> may reduce overall surface contact between the damper <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>, such as compared to a movement limiter without ribs, including movement limiters with planar contact portions. For example and without limitation, reducing surface contact may, inter alia, reduce noise produced via contact between the damper <NUM> and the bracket, such as, for example, a slapping noise. With embodiments, a movement limiter <NUM> or a plurality of movement limiters <NUM> may be the only portions of a damper <NUM> that may contact a bracket <NUM>. In embodiments, the size of the movement limiter <NUM> may remain substantially the same and the aperture <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> may be modified to set a working travel distance (e.g., distance D1) of the damper <NUM>.

In embodiments, a damper <NUM> includes a pair of movement limiters <NUM> that may be disposed at opposite ends of the body <NUM> and may extend at least partially into corresponding apertures <NUM> or recesses <NUM> at opposite sides (e.g., the second side wall <NUM> and the fourth side wall <NUM>) of the bracket <NUM>.

With some embodiments, dampers may be directly molded to a body/mass and a bracket, and a bonding agent may be applied to the bracket. Such molding may involve larger cavities or molds to accommodate the mass and the bracket. Some embodiments may use "pull through carrot" style components instead of molding the mass to the bracket. Pull through carrot embodiments may involve a post assembly step of cutting excess material once assembled, which may add complexity to assembly.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, connecting members <NUM> may be configured to connect a body <NUM> with a bracket <NUM>. As generally illustrated in <FIG>, a connecting member <NUM> may include one or more arms or wings <NUM> and/or a leg <NUM>. A leg <NUM> may extend from the body <NUM> in a Z-direction (e.g., perpendicularly from the body <NUM>) and/or may connect the one or more arms <NUM> with the body <NUM>. The arms <NUM> may extend in opposite directions from each other and/or perpendicularly to the leg <NUM> (e.g., may extend in Y-directions). The arms <NUM> and the leg <NUM> may, for example, form a generally T-shaped or bow tie-shaped configuration. A damper <NUM> may include, for example only, four connecting members <NUM> that may include two connecting members <NUM> extending from a first side (e.g., a top) of the body <NUM> and two connecting members <NUM> extending from a second side (e.g., a bottom) of the body <NUM>.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> may include one or more retainers <NUM> that may correspond to the one or more connecting members <NUM>. For example and without limitation, a retainer <NUM> may include forked configurations. Connecting a connecting member <NUM> with the bracket <NUM> may include snapping or pulling the arms <NUM> over a forked retainer <NUM> such that a leg <NUM> is disposed at least partially in the forked retainer <NUM>. Snapping or pulling the arms <NUM> over the forked retainer <NUM> may include at least some deformation and/or stretching of the leg <NUM>, such as in an axial direction of the leg <NUM>, which may be a Z-direction. Deformation and/or stretching of the leg <NUM> may be only temporary during a connection process, and once connection is complete, the leg <NUM> may return to an initial state and/or may not be materially deformed, stretched, and/or stressed in a rest state (e.g., in an assembled configuration). For example and without limitation, in an assembled configuration, a connecting member <NUM> may not under a material amount of tensile strain to impart major deformation and/or fatigue (e.g., a leg <NUM> may be stretched about <NUM>% or less, which may not cause substantial/material fatigue). A connection process may include snapping one or more movement limiters <NUM> into corresponding apertures <NUM>, which may include at least some deformation of the movement limiters <NUM>. Connecting a damper <NUM> with a bracket <NUM> via the connecting members <NUM> may not involve any post assembly operations as the connecting members <NUM> may not include any excess portions to be removed.

In embodiments, a retainer <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> that may be spaced from the first portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be disposed in a fork-like configuration. A distance D3 between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may correspond to a width 72W of a leg <NUM> of a corresponding connecting member <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). A retainer <NUM> may include one or more lip or flange portions <NUM> that may extend from a first portion <NUM> and/or from a second portion <NUM>. The lip or flange portions <NUM> may extend away from the body <NUM>, such as in a Z-direction and/or in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the leg <NUM> of a corresponding connecting member <NUM>, which may be parallel to a Z-direction. Connecting a damper <NUM> with a bracket <NUM> may include lifting/pulling arms of a connecting member <NUM> outward beyond a lip or flange portion <NUM>, sliding a leg <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and/or releasing the arms <NUM> to rest on the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

With some embodiments, dampers may be attached to upper and lower sections of a C-channel or cross member. A damper may be connected to a C-channel or cross member via upper and lower brackets, such as to accommodate or compensate for differences in attachment distances (e.g., if an attachment distance is on the low or high side of dimensional specifications). Some dampers may be directly bonded to an upper and lower bracket. If the attachment distance is not within a specified range, rubber legs of the damper may either be stretched or compressed while the damper is attached (and at rest) and/or during use. Such stretching or compression may cause durability issues or premature wear for the damper.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, a mounting portion, such as mounting portions <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may include tabs <NUM> that may have an L-shaped configuration. Tabs <NUM> may extend from a side of mounting portions <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> and/or may be configured to facilitate connection of a bracket <NUM> with a mounting component <NUM>.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, a damper assembly <NUM> may include a bracket <NUM> that may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> (e.g., first and second halves). A damper assembly <NUM> may include one or more connectors 106A, 106B that may connect the first portion <NUM> with the second portion <NUM>. A connector 106A, 106B may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example and without limitation, a connector 106A, 106B may include a tube-shaped and/or shaft-shaped configuration, among other configurations. A bracket <NUM> may include recesses 104A, 104B that may be configured to at least partially receive connectors 106A, 106B, respectively. The first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> may cooperate to form recesses 104A, 104B, respectively (e.g., first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> may each include about half of recesses 104A, 104B).

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, a connecting member <NUM> may be configured to transfer stress of a leg <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> to a different area or location, such as to the arms <NUM>. For example and without limitation, an arm <NUM> may include a stress relief or transfer portion <NUM>. A stress relief or transfer portion <NUM> may correspond to a portion of the arm <NUM> with a reduced thickness that may be configured for deflection under stress. Stress relieved or transferred via a stress relief or transfer portion <NUM> may otherwise be experienced by a leg <NUM> (e.g., arms <NUM> or stress relief portions <NUM> may be designed to flex or deform before the leg <NUM> flexes or deforms).

With embodiments, relocating or transferring stresses to a non-functioning feature (e.g., the arms) may improve durability and overall life of the damper <NUM>. The arms of the connecting members <NUM> may be angled (e.g., toward the body <NUM>) and/or may act as a preload if the legs <NUM> are in compression, which may improve durability of the legs <NUM>. A damper <NUM> with stress relieving connecting members <NUM> may provide improved, such as, for example, if an attachment distance is outside of a nominal range on a high end or a low end (e.g., ±<NUM>).

With embodiments, a connecting member <NUM> may include a substantially round or cylindrical portion <NUM>. The arms of a connecting member <NUM> may extend from the round or cylindrical portion <NUM>. The round or cylindrical portion <NUM> may be connected to the leg <NUM>.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be configured to move (e.g., translate or slide) relative to each other, such as if an attachment distance is greater than or less than a nominal/design distance.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> may include one or more mounting portions <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM> may be configured for connecting a damper assembly <NUM> and/or a bracket <NUM> with a mounting component <NUM>, such as a portion of a vehicle (e.g., a vehicle seat structure). A mounting portion <NUM> may, for example and without limitation, include a threaded portion <NUM>, such as nut welded to the mounting portion <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM> may extend from a side wall of a bracket, such as from a second side wall <NUM> and/or from a fourth side wall <NUM>. A mounting portion (e.g., mounting portion <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) may extend from an end of a side wall, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. For example and without limitation, a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may extend from an end of a second side wall <NUM> and/or a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may extend from an end of a fourth side wall <NUM>, such as for a rear-side mounting configuration.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a mounting portion (e.g. mounting portion <NUM><NUM>) may extend from a side of a second side wall <NUM> and/or a mounting portion (e.g. mounting portion <NUM><NUM>) may extend from side of a fourth side wall <NUM>, such as for an overhead mounting configuration. Mounting portions <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may be disposed substantially parallel with the third side wall <NUM> and/or the fifth side wall <NUM>.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a mounting portion <NUM> may extend from a third side wall <NUM> and/or a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may extend from a first side wall <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM> may be disposed between (e.g., relative to a Y-direction) a first retainer <NUM><NUM>/a first connecting member <NUM> and a second retainer <NUM><NUM>/a second connecting member <NUM>. A first retainer <NUM><NUM> and a second retainer <NUM><NUM> may extend from a common side of the bracket <NUM>. A pair of connecting members <NUM> (e.g., first and second connecting members) may extend from a common side of the damper <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may be disposed between a third retainer <NUM><NUM> and a fourth retainer <NUM><NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM> may extend at an angle (e.g., an oblique or right angle) relative to third side wall <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM> may extend substantially parallel with first side wall <NUM>. Mounting portions <NUM> may, for example and without limitation, include generally rectangular configurations.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may extend from a third side wall <NUM> and/or a mounting portion <NUM><NUM> may extend from a fifth side wall <NUM>. Mounting portions <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may, for example and without limitation, include generally triangular and/or V-shaped configurations that may taper away from the first side wall <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. A mounting portion <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may extend substantially parallel with the third side wall <NUM> and/or a mounting portion <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may extend substantially parallel with the fifth side wall <NUM>. Mounting portions <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may include apertures <NUM> that may be configured to receive a fastener for connecting the bracket <NUM> with a mounting component <NUM>.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> a bracket <NUM> may include one or more clips <NUM> (e.g., flexible mounting clips). A clip <NUM> may be configured to engage a mounting component <NUM> to at least temporarily retain a bracket <NUM> relative to the mounting component <NUM> and/or to facilitate alignment of mounting portions <NUM> with the mounting component <NUM>. A clip <NUM> may be flexible/resilient and/or may be configured to bend or flex into and/or out of engagement with a mounting component <NUM>. For example and without limitation, during a connection with a mounting component <NUM>, the one or more clips <NUM> may initially flex (e.g., in a Y-direction and/or in a Z-direction) and/or may snap back and into engagement with the mounting component <NUM>.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a damper assembly <NUM> may include a damper <NUM> but in any event according to the invention includes a bracket <NUM>. A damper <NUM> may include connecting members <NUM> that may connect the damper <NUM> with the bracket <NUM>. A connecting member <NUM> may include a head <NUM> and/or a leg <NUM> that may connect the head <NUM> with a body <NUM> of the damper <NUM>. A head <NUM> may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example and without limitation, a head <NUM> may include a rectangular, square, and/or diamond-shaped configurations, among other configurations. With embodiments, a head <NUM> may be disposed substantially perpendicular to a leg <NUM>.

In embodiments, a bracket <NUM> may include one or more retainers <NUM> that may be configured to at least partially receive and/or retain connecting member <NUM>. Retainers <NUM> may be configured as recesses and/or chambers. A bracket <NUM> may include a first portion 224A and a second portion 224B. The first portion 224A and the second portion 224B may cooperate to form or define one or more retainers <NUM> (e.g., each portion 224A, 224B may provide half of a retainer <NUM>). Connecting members <NUM> and/or retainers <NUM> may be configured for connecting members <NUM> to be compressed, at least to some degree, within the retainers <NUM>. For example and without limitation, one or more inner dimensions of a retainer <NUM> may be at least somewhat smaller than outer dimensions of a head <NUM> of a connecting member <NUM>. A shape of a retainer <NUM> may correspond to the shape of a head <NUM>. A damper assembly <NUM> may include one or more connectors <NUM> that may connect the first portion 224A with the second portion 224B. A connector <NUM> may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example and without limitation, a connector <NUM> may include a tube-shaped configuration, among other configurations. A damper <NUM> includes movement limiters that may be configured in the same or a similar manner as movement limiters <NUM>. A bracket <NUM> may include apertures and/or recesses that may correspond to the movement limiters and may be configured in the same or a similar manner as apertures <NUM> and/or recesses <NUM>. The first portion 224A with the second portion 224B may include corresponding latch members <NUM> that may be configured for connecting the first portion 224A with the second portion 224B.

Claim 1:
A damper assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a body (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a movement limiter (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) extending from the body (<NUM>, <NUM>), the movement limiter (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) including a plurality of ribs (<NUM>) configured for contacting an inner surface of an aperture (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to limit movement of the body (<NUM>, <NUM>) relative to the bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a plurality of connecting members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) extending from the body (<NUM>, <NUM>), the plurality of connecting members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) connecting the body (<NUM>, <NUM>) with the bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a second movement limiter (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>), wherein the movement limiter (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) and the second movement limiter (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) extend from opposite sides of the body (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a first side wall (<NUM>), a second side wall (<NUM>), a third side wall (<NUM>), a fourth side wall (<NUM>), and a fifth side wall (<NUM>); the second side wall (<NUM>), the third side wall (<NUM>), the fourth side wall (<NUM>), and the fifth side wall (<NUM>) extend from the first side wall (<NUM>); the aperture (<NUM>) is disposed in one of the second side wall (<NUM>), the third side wall (<NUM>), the fourth side wall (<NUM>), and the fifth side wall (<NUM>); and the movement limiters (<NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) are configured to restrict movement of the body (<NUM>, <NUM>) toward the first side wall (<NUM>) and away from the first side wall (<NUM>).