JPH0228745B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a rubber bush for a vehicle suspension, and more particularly to a hydraulically movable rubber bush for a suspension whose central axis can be moved by pressure input from the outside. It is related to.

Prior Art Conventionally, various types of rubber bushes for suspensions of vehicles such as automobiles have been proposed and actually used, depending on the various required characteristics of the location where they are installed.

For example, in the case of an automobile rear suspension as shown in FIG. 1, left and right rear wheels 102a,
Suspension arms 104a and 104b to which suspension member 102b is attached
The suspension member 106 is rotatably supported relative to the suspension member 106, and the suspension member 106 is supported by rubber bushes 108a and 108b, which are so-called member mounts.
It is designed so that it can be attached to the vehicle body via. And 10 rubber buttons like this
8a and 108b are inner cylinders 11 fixed to the vehicle body side.
0a, 110b and outer cylinders 112a, 112b fixed to the suspension member 106.

By the way, with conventional rear suspensions like this, the structure is such that the same bushings isolate vibrations from the road surface and support the side force when turning, so it is particularly difficult to overcome small bumps on the road surface. In order to isolate the front and back vibrations of the tires, the spring characteristics of the rubber bushings can be softened to reduce vibrations when the suspension member rotates, for example, when the side force F shown in Fig. 1 is applied to the rear wheels when the vehicle is turning left. The toe-out angle (hereinafter referred to as toe angle): α increases, causing a problem of deterioration of running stability at high speeds. On the other hand, in order to reduce the change in this toe angle: α, it is sufficient to make the spring characteristics of the rubber bushes 108a and 108b harder. The characteristics will also become hard, which will reduce the vibration absorption performance when riding over small bumps on the road surface as described above. Therefore, in order to improve running stability when turning, the spring characteristics of the rubber bushes 108a and 108b should be made soft to better absorb longitudinal vibrations, while the toe angle when inputting the side force F in the left and right direction: It is desirable to suppress the change (rotation) of the suspension member 106 in the B direction that would increase α.

For this reason, as a rubber bushing that can keep the toe angle α small as mentioned above,
Japanese Patent Publication No. 224802 discloses a hydraulically movable bushing in which the center axis of the bush can be moved by hydraulic pressure input from the outside.

This hydraulically movable rubber bush has a recess integrally formed in the rubber elastic body interposed between the inner and outer cylindrical metal fittings, and a predetermined pressure fluid is applied from the outside into the recess. By guiding the hydraulic pressure to the rubber elastic body and transmitting it to the inner cylindrical fitting, a relative displacement is caused between the inner cylindrical fitting and the outer cylindrical fitting. In order to be a rubber elastic body,
There is a problem in that it is difficult to form a closed recess for applying a predetermined hydraulic pressure, and the structure is complicated. On the other hand, the hydraulic pressure introduced to move the center axis acts directly on the rubber elastic body, which causes extra deformation and fatigue on the rubber elastic body, causing the damage between the outer cylinder fitting and the rubber elastic body. This has inherent problems such as causing peeling and reducing the durability of the rubber.
Furthermore, there was a risk that the rubber elastic body would be deteriorated by the pressure liquid itself supplied from the outside.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made against the background of the above, and its purpose is to provide an external An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber bushing for a vehicle suspension which is easy to manufacture and which minimizes the adverse effects of pressure derived from the air, especially pressure fluid.

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides an inner cylindrical metal fitting that is attached to either the vehicle body or the suspension member, and a center line that is parallel to the outside of the inner cylindrical metal fitting. are placed a predetermined distance apart,
A rubber bushing including an outer cylindrical metal fitting attached to the other of the vehicle body and the suspension member, and a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the outer cylindrical metal fitting; are connected by the rubber elastic body on both sides of the center line of the inner cylindrical metal fitting, so that there is a gap between the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the outer cylindrical metal fitting in the opposite direction of the connecting portion by the rubber elastic body. A pair of cavities are formed which are located opposite to each other across the center line of the inner cylindrical metal fitting in a direction substantially orthogonal to the inner cylindrical metal fitting. By arranging the pocket members fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical metal fitting, and closing the openings of the pocket members with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting, pressure is applied to both sides of the inner cylindrical metal fitting with the center line of the inner cylindrical metal fitting in between. A pressurized chamber is symmetrically formed to be inflated by the supply of water, and the pressurized chamber is connected to the outside through the cylindrical wall portion of the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the pocket member. By providing pressure supply and discharge passages that communicate with each other, and connecting the pressurized chambers to an external pressure supply source through the pressure supply and discharge passages, the pressurization can be performed by supplying pressure from the pressure supply source. The pressure chamber is selectively inflated to press the inner cylindrical metal fitting, so that the inner cylindrical metal fitting can be displaced relative to the outer cylindrical metal fitting in a direction perpendicular to its center line.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the rubber elastic body and the pocket member forming the pressurizing chamber are separated, and the pressurizing chamber is integrated within the rubber elastic body as in the past. Since the pocket member is not formed, the rubber material constituting the pocket member is different from the material of the rubber elastic body and is made of a rubber material that is not affected by the pressure medium such as the pressure fluid introduced. Of course, it is now possible to apply pressure force to the inner cylinder fitting through the pocket member that is separate from the rubber elastic body by expanding it, so that the rubber elastic body can be This effectively eliminates unnecessary deformation and fatigue, and advantageously improves durability.

Furthermore, such a pocket member can be easily installed into the space between the inner and outer cylindrical metal fittings by press fitting or other appropriate means, so that the desired pressurizing chamber can be located on the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting. Since the rubber bushing can be easily formed between the rubber bushing and the rubber bushing, the production of the rubber bushing was also extremely easy.

Furthermore, in the rubber bush according to the present invention, since the pressure supply and discharge passage for supplying and discharging the pressure medium into the pressurizing chamber is provided on the inner cylinder metal fitting side, when the rubber bushing is installed, the pressure medium is supplied to and discharged from the pressurized chamber. Another advantage is that interference of the pressure supply and discharge passage with other members when press-fitting into the suspension member can be effectively avoided.

A rubber bushing having such a structure is particularly suitable for use in a rear suspension device as a rubber bushing that can effectively isolate longitudinal vibrations of the tire and keep the toe angle of the rear outer wheel small when turning. It is.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, examples of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, in FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 2 denotes an outer tube fitting having a cylindrical shape, and an inner tube fitting 4 having a flat octagonal cross-sectional shape is concentrically arranged inside the outer tube fitting 2. Rubber elastic bodies 6 are arranged so as to be located on both flat sides of the inner cylinder fitting 4.
By arranging these, the outer cylindrical metal fitting 2 and the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4 are connected. That is, the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4 has a mounting hole 8 in its center for inserting a predetermined mounting shaft on the vehicle body or suspension member side, and also has a mounting hole 8 on both sides of the flat outer surface of the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4. The rubber elastic body 6 is fixed by vulcanization adhesion or the like so as to be located approximately in the diametrical direction of the bush, and an end portion is provided at the outer end of the rubber elastic body 6 so as to embrace it. The bent press-fit fitting 10 is fixed with vulcanization adhesive or the like,
The rubber elastic body 6 connects the outer cylindrical metal 2 and the inner cylindrical metal 4 by being press-fitted into the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal 2 through the press-fit fitting 10. is being done.

On the other hand, a pocket member 1 made of a predetermined rubber material
2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an outer cylindrical metal fitting 2 and an inner cylindrical metal fitting 4 are separated by a rubber elastic body 6.
By closing the opening with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical fitting 2, there is a gap between the inner surface of the outer cylindrical fitting 2 and the pocket member 12. A predetermined pressurizing chamber 14 is defined. In addition, the pocket member 12 is attached to the inner cylindrical fitting 4 by appropriate means such as vulcanization adhesion at its central portion, in other words, at the portion opposite to the inner cylindrical fitting 4 on the opposite side from the opening. On the other hand, an opening fitting 16 is embedded in the end facing the inner surface of the outer cylinder fitting 2, and the pocket member 12 having this opening fitting 16 is
The end portion is press-fitted into the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting 2. In addition, this pocket member 1
The press-fitting of the rubber elastic body 6 will be performed simultaneously with the press-fitting of the rubber elastic body 6, as will be described later.

As is clear from FIG. 5, inside the thick portion of the inner cylinder fitting 4 to which the pocket member 12 is fixed, there are pressure fluid supply and discharge passages 18, 18 along the axial direction thereof. are provided symmetrically from one end side to a substantially central portion thereof, and the pressure fluid supply and discharge passages 18, 18 are arranged symmetrically from one end side to a substantially central portion thereof, and the pressure fluid supply/discharge passages 18, 18 are connected to the pocket members 12, 12 in the central portion thereof.
The pressure chambers 14, 14 formed therein are communicated with each other. By the pressure of a pressure medium such as a predetermined pressure liquid supplied through the pressure fluid supply/discharge passage 18 provided in the wall of the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4, the pocket member 12 is moved to the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4.
This causes it to bulge out to the side.

Note that the pocket member 12 is prevented from expanding in the axial direction due to the supply of pressure fluid to the pressurizing chamber 14, and the expansion action can effectively act on the inner cylinder fitting 4. In addition, stopper fittings 20 are arranged at both ends of the outer cylinder fitting 2 in the axial direction, and a flange portion of the stopper fitting 20 extending inward in the radial direction allows the outside of the pocket member 12 to be closed. The expansion of the economy is now being regulated.

Further, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4, the rubber elastic body 6 connecting the outer cylindrical metal fitting 2 and the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4 has the pocket member 1 in its intermediate portion.
Intermediate plates 22, 22 are provided respectively, which are buried in positions facing each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plates 2, 12 face each other. That is, the rigidity of the rubber elastic body 6 in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 is increased.

Therefore, when manufacturing a rubber bushing having such a configuration, the rubber elastic body 6 and the pocket members 12, 12 are placed in advance at predetermined positions of the inner cylinder fitting 4 symmetrically (the rubber elastic body 6 and the pocket members 12 are approximately
After forming the inner cylindrical fitting unit by a vulcanization molding method or the like so that the inner cylindrical fitting unit is positioned so as to have a phase difference of 90°, this is attached to the outer cylindrical fitting 2 together with the stopper fitting 20. By press-fitting, the rubber elastic body 6 and the pocket member 12 can be press-fitted simultaneously.

Then, by applying an appropriate squeezing operation such as eight-way squeezing from the outer tubular fitting 2 side to the assembled body formed by press-fitting the inner tubular fitting unit into the outer tubular fitting 2, the rubber elastic body is Effective pre-compression is applied to the pocket member 12 to improve its durability, but at the same time, the pocket member 12
Pre-compression is also applied to
The durability of the pocket member 12 can also be effectively improved. In addition, by this squeezing operation of the outer cylindrical fitting 2, the sealing effect between the pocket member 12 and the inner surface of the outer cylindrical fitting 2 is enhanced, and the pressurized chamber 14 formed inside the pocket member 12 is
This makes it possible to effectively prevent leakage of the pressurized fluid supplied to the pump. After the drawing operation is performed, both ends of the outer cylindrical fitting 2 are swaged by roll crimping or the like, and the crimped portions 24 completely secure the attachment of the outer cylindrical fitting 2 to the inner cylindrical fitting unit. I consider it a thing.

In the rubber bushing having such a structure, pressurizing chambers are provided symmetrically on both sides of the rubber elastic body 6 that connects the outer cylindrical fitting 2 and the inner cylindrical fitting 4 with the inner cylindrical fitting 4 in between. 14, 14, a predetermined pressure fluid is selectively supplied from an external pressure supply source through the pressure fluid supply/discharge passages 18, 18 provided in the inner cylindrical fitting 4.
The inner cylinder fitting 4 is selectively bulged and held.
By pressing the inner cylinder fitting 4, it is possible to effectively displace the inner cylinder fitting 4 relative to the outer cylinder fitting 2 in a direction perpendicular to its center line. Pressurized chamber 14 that performs the action
Since the pocket member 12 is formed separately from the rubber elastic body 6 that connects the outer cylindrical metal fitting 2 and the inner cylindrical metal fitting 4, the above-mentioned rubber material constituting the pocket member 12 is used. It becomes possible to arbitrarily select a rubber material different from that of the rubber elastic body 6, and thereby the pressurized chamber 1
It is now possible to manufacture the pocket member 12 and form the pressurizing chamber 14 using any rubber material that is not affected by the pressure medium such as the pressurized liquid supplied into the pocket member 12.

Moreover, in this way, the rubber elastic body 6 and the pressurizing chamber 14
Since the pocket member 12 forming the rubber elastic body 6 is separated from the pocket member 12, the expansion action of the pressurizing chamber 14 does not directly act on the entire surface of one side of the rubber elastic body 6. As in the example, since the central portion of the pocket member 12 that is bulged out the most can be fixed to the inner cylinder fitting 4, it is possible to prevent unnecessary deformation and fatigue from being applied to the rubber elastic body 6. This allows it to be avoided as much as possible, and its durability can be increased. In particular, if the rubber elastic body 6 is attached to the outer cylinder fitting 2 by press fitting as in the above example, the influence on the rubber elastic body 6 due to the aforementioned bulge of the pocket member 12 can be minimized. This allows the outer cylinder fitting 2 of the rubber elastic body 6 to
This makes it possible to effectively eliminate problems such as peeling occurring at the connecting portions.

Furthermore, since the pressurizing chamber 14 is defined between the pocket member 12, which is separate from the rubber elastic body 6, and the inner surface of the outer cylinder fitting 2, there is a pressurizing chamber inside the rubber elastic body. It is easier to manufacture than the conventional structure in which the pocket member 12 is formed, and it is even easier to manufacture it, especially if the pocket member 12 is press-fitted at the same time as the rubber elastic body 6 is press-fitted, as in the above example. This makes it possible to improve the effect.

Further, in the structure of the above example, a pressure fluid supply/discharge passage is provided as a connection means to an external pressure supply source for supplying a pressure medium such as pressure oil to the pressurization chamber 14 formed by the pocket member 12. 18 passes through the thick wall of the inner cylindrical fitting 4 in the axial direction, and is opened at one end thereof.
There is an advantage that connection between the opening 8 and an external pressure supply source can be easily made without any consideration of interference with other members surrounding the rubber bush. In addition, when this pressure fluid supply and discharge passage 18 is provided on the outer cylinder metal fitting 2 side, it is necessary to avoid interference with a suspension member or a member on the vehicle body side that is attached to the outside of the outer cylinder metal fitting 2. Therefore, it becomes necessary to give consideration to

Moreover, in the structure of the above example, since the pressurizing chamber forming wall portion of the pocket member 12 is inclined with respect to the inner cylindrical fitting 4, its spring constant can be kept low and the moving distance can be increased. is possible,
This makes it possible to further transmit the expansion action of the pressurizing chamber 14 to the inner cylinder fitting 4.

Furthermore, since the illustrated rubber bushing has the stopper fittings 20, 20 disposed on both sides of the pocket member 12 forming the pressurizing chamber 14, This effectively prevents the bulging of the rubber elastic body, thereby allowing the pressure of the pressure medium such as the introduced pressure fluid to be effectively applied to the inner cylindrical fitting 4. By embedding the intermediate plate 22 in the rubber elastic body 6, the spring characteristics of the rubber elastic body 6 in the compression direction can be changed, thereby exerting an effect such as correcting the toe angle or compensating for the difference in the toe angle. is possible.

The rubber bushings having such characteristics are the bushings 108 arranged at symmetrical positions in the rear suspension structure as illustrated in FIG.
It will be suitably used as a, 108b. More specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 58-224802,
In particular, as shown in Fig. 5, pressurized chambers whose volumes change due to deformation of the rubber bushings are provided in symmetrical positions on the vehicle body, with corresponding pressurized chambers in each rubber bushing, and these left and right pressurized chambers are not located in symmetrical positions. They are communicated with each other (through cross piping), and one pressurizing chamber of one rubber bushing is used as a pressure supply source for one pressurizing chamber of one rubber bushing. However, when the vehicle turns such that the toe angle changes, the pressurizing chamber of the other rubber bushing, which is not located symmetrically among the left and right rubber bushings, is subjected to a shrinking deformation action, and the pressure medium at a predetermined pressure is then discharged. It is.

In addition to the structure in which the two pressurizing chambers of the left and right rubber bushings are connected by cross piping, the pressurizing chambers of each rubber bushing are connected to an independent pressure supply source such as a pressure tank,
It is also possible to inflate the pressurizing chambers of each rubber bushing independently by switching with a valve or the like, and by independently controlling the pressurizing chambers of the left and right rubber bushings, , it is possible to control the change in toe angle as described above more effectively and with a greater degree of freedom. The valves that switch the supply of pressure medium from the independent pressure supply source to each pressurizing chamber of each rubber bushing are connected to appropriate sensors that detect the running state of the vehicle, such as detecting the operation state of the steering wheel that causes the vehicle to turn. The toe angle is controlled by signals from sensors, etc., and operations such as reducing the change in the toe angle are performed.

Then, by supplying pressure medium from an external pressure supply source to the pressurizing chambers of the rubber bushes attached to the left and right sides of the vehicle body, the pressurizing chambers are bulged, and the central axis (inner) of the rubber bushes is expanded. The suspension geometry can be effectively changed by displacing the cylindrical metal fittings).
In addition to effectively solving the problem of unstable steering due to changes in toe angle when the vehicle turns, etc., the rubber elastic body can be made of a rubber material with the same soft spring characteristics as conventional rubber materials, making it possible to avoid bumps on the road surface. At the same time, it was also possible to ensure isolation characteristics for longitudinal vibrations when riding over.

Of course, the rubber bush according to the present invention is suitably used as a rubber bush for a rear suspension, a so-called member mount, as described above, but is not limited thereto, and can be used for suspensions in which it is desirable to forcibly move the central axis. The structure of the present invention can be applied to all rubber bushings, and thereby the objects and effects of the present invention can be satisfactorily enjoyed.

Furthermore, the rubber material constituting the pocket member 12 is appropriately selected from a material that is not affected by the pressure medium, and as long as it satisfies such requirements, it may be made of the same material as the rubber elastic body 6. They may be warm or made of different materials.

In addition, although not listed in detail, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications, improvements, modifications, etc., based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit thereof. It goes without saying that this also includes such embodiments.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a conventional rear suspension, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing an example of a rubber bushing according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a plan sectional view (corresponding to the - sectional view in Fig. 5), and Fig. 4 is the - sectional view in Fig. 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of - in FIG. 3.
FIG. 2: Outer cylinder metal fitting, 4: Inner cylinder metal fitting, 6: Rubber elastic body, 12: Pocket member, 14: Pressurizing chamber, 18:
Pressure fluid supply and drainage passage, 20: Stopper fitting, 22: Intermediate plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An inner cylindrical metal fitting attached to either the vehicle body or the suspension member, and an inner cylindrical metal fitting arranged at a predetermined distance apart so that the center line is parallel to the outside of the inner cylindrical metal fitting, and the vehicle body and the suspension member an outer cylinder fitting that is attached to the other side of the
In a rubber bushing including a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the outer cylindrical metal fitting, on both sides of the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the said outer cylindrical metal fitting across the center line of the inner cylindrical metal fitting, By connecting them with the rubber elastic body, the center line of the inner cylinder metal fitting is formed between the inner cylinder metal fitting and the outer cylinder metal fitting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opposing direction of the connecting portion by the rubber elastic body. A pair of cavities are formed which are positioned opposite to each other, and an elastic pocket member is provided in both cavities, the elastic pocket member being open to the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting and having a bottom side fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical metal fitting. By respectively arranging the pocket members and closing the openings of the pocket members with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical fitting, a pressurized chamber is formed on both sides of the inner cylindrical fitting across the center line thereof, which is expanded by the supply of pressure. are formed symmetrically, and a pressure supply/discharge passage is provided in the cylindrical wall portion of the inner cylindrical metal fitting to connect the pressurized chamber to the outside through a fixed portion between the inner cylindrical metal fitting and the pocket member, and By connecting these pressurized chambers to an external pressure supply source through the pressure supply and exhaust passages, the pressurized chambers are selectively inflated by the supply of pressure from the pressure supply source, and the internal pressure is expanded. 1. A rubber bushing for a vehicle suspension, characterized in that a cylindrical metal fitting is pressed so that the inner cylindrical metal fitting can be displaced relative to the outer cylindrical metal fitting in a direction perpendicular to its center line. 2. The rubber bushing according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the pocket member is closed by being press-fitted into the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting. 3. The rubber elastic body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rubber elastic body is fixed to the outer surface of the inner cylindrical metal fitting, and is attached to the inner surface of the outer cylindrical metal fitting by press fitting. Rubber button. 4. A patent in which the rubber elastic body is provided with intermediate plates embedded in both sides of the inner cylindrical metal part with the center line thereof in between, facing each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the pocket member faces. A rubber bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein stopper members are provided at both ends of the pocket member in the direction of the bush axis to prevent the pocket member from expanding outward. Rubber bushings described in . 6. The rubber bushing according to claim 5, wherein the stopper member is attached to the outer cylindrical metal fitting side, and the expansion of the pocket member is prevented by a flange portion extending toward the inner cylindrical metal fitting side. 7. The rubber bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rubber bushing is used as a bushing for a rear suspension device. 8. Claim 1, wherein the rubber elastic body and the pocket member are made of different materials.
The rubber bushing according to any one of Items 7 to 7.