The present invention relates to bushings generally, and more specifically, to bushings having anti-walkout features.
Bushings are typically used in a variety of vehicle suspensions. One common use of bushings in vehicle suspensions is to facilitate connection between a vehicle suspension component and another vehicle suspension component, or alternatively, between a vehicle suspension component and the vehicle frame or a frame hanger associated therewith. Conventional bushings used for this purpose typically have three layers. A metal inner component, such as a barpin or thru-bolt, typically forms the first layer. An elastomer typically surrounds the metal inner component, forming the second layer. An outer metal sleeve typically surrounds the elastomer, forming the third layer. Conventional bushings are also referred to as canned bushings by those skilled in the art.
Sleeveless bushings have also been developed. Sleeveless bushings eliminate the outer metal sleeve, i.e., third layer. Sleeveless bushings are also referred to as spool bushings by those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will recognize that sleeveless bushings are ordinarily less expensive than conventional three-layer bushings having an outer metal sleeve. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that sleeveless bushings reduce suspension system weight, which, in the case of commercial vehicles, translates into greater payload capacity.
One recognized problem of bushings is that they have a tendency to walk out of the vehicle suspension component after prolonged use of the suspension. For example, bushings have a tendency to walk out of leaf spring eyes during use. Prior art bushings have incorporated anti-walkout features to reduce the likelihood of walk out.
For purposes of background,
An axle clamp assembly 22 clamps axle 12 to vehicle suspension 14, including leaf spring 18. The distal end of leaf spring 18 serves as a mounting surface for an air spring 26, which is connected to frame 10 by way of an air spring mounting bracket 28.
As illustrated in
Prior art bushings incorporating anti-walkout features, such as prior art bushing 30 illustrated in
The above-noted deficiencies of prior art bushings incorporating anti-walkout features are a result of the anti-walkout feature being integrated with the outer metal sleeve.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to develop a bushing that provides anti-walkout control, even in the event of elastomer degradation.
It is further desirable to develop a sleeveless bushing that provides anti-walkout control.
It is further desirable to develop a bushing that integrates an anti-walkout feature with the inner metal component of the bushing.
It is further desirable to develop a bushing that includes an anti-walkout feature in the form of a flange attached to the inner metal component of the bushing.
It is further desirable to develop a bushing that includes an anti-walkout feature in the form of one or more pins that are attached to the inner metal component of the bushing.
These and other desired benefits of the preferred forms of the invention will become apparent from the following description. It will be understood, however, that a device could still appropriate the claimed invention without accomplishing each and every one of these desired benefits, including those gleaned from the following description. The appended claims, not these desired benefits, define the subject matter of the invention. Any and all benefits are derived from the preferred forms of the invention, not necessarily the invention in general.
The present invention is directed to a bushing having an anti-walkout feature. The bushing includes an inner metal component. The anti-walkout feature is integrated with the inner metal component. An elastomer is bonded to the inner metal component. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anti-walkout feature is a flange. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the anti-walkout feature is a pin.
The bushing is preferably installed within a leaf spring eye. In the case of the preferred embodiment utilizing a pin as the anti-walkout feature, the leaf spring eye preferably includes an opening extending through it to permit the pin to be press-fit into the inner metal component of the bushing.
Throughout this description, reference has been and will be made to the accompanying views of the drawing wherein like subject matter has like reference numerals, and wherein:
Bushing 50 is installed within a leaf spring eye. During use, flange 56 bears on the leaf spring eye as bushing 50 attempts to walk. This helps to retain bushing 50 within the leaf spring eye, and further reduces the likelihood of walk out.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the addition of an outer metal sleeve to sleeveless bushing 50 would form a traditional three-layer bushing. That construction would still have the anti-walkout feature integrated with the inner metal component of the bushing, and would therefore exhibit the benefits associated therewith.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that barpin 60 could be used in traditional three-layer bushings having an outer metal sleeve and in sleeveless bushings that do not have an outer metal sleeve. Either construction would still have the anti-walkout feature integrated with the inner metal component of the bushing, and would exhibit the benefits associated therewith. In the case of traditional (canned) bushings, the outer metal sleeve would also preferably have openings to permit pins 64 to be inserted.
While this invention has been described with reference to certain illustrative aspects, it will be understood that this description shall not be construed in a limiting sense. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrative embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any such changes and modifications will be recognized by those skilled in the art as an equivalent to one or more elements of the following claims, and shall be covered by such claims to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10135873 | Apr 2002 | US |
Child | 11283644 | Nov 2005 | US |