The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following language is of the best presently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. The reference numerals as depicted in the drawings are the same as those referred to in the specification. For purposes of this application, the various embodiments illustrated in the figures each use the same reference numeral for similar components. The structures employ basically the same components with variations in location or quantity thereby giving rise to the alternative constructions in which the inventive concept can be practiced.
The mounting assembly includes a bar bushing 16 and a bushing liner 18. The bar bushing 16 has a generally torodial shape and a slit along the length of the bushing 16 so that the bushing 16 may be mounted onto the stabilizer bar 10. The bushing 16 has a constant internal radius RB and a varying external configuration. The constant internal bushing radius RB is greater than the outer radius RS of the stabilizer bar 10 by not more than 5 mm, preferably not more than 3 mm. Radius values of the stabilizer bar 10 and elements of the mounting assembly are measured relative to the centerline CL of the stabilizer bar 10, which corresponds to the centerline of the bushing 16 and liner 18.
The external configuration of the bushing 16 has a central compression area 20 and ledges 22 at the opposing ends of the bushing 16, see
Internal to the bushing 16 is a bushing liner 18. The bushing liner 18 has a defined length with a generally hose-like configuration and ledges 24 at the opposing ends of the liner 18. Similar to the bushing 16, the liner 18 has a slit 26 to permit application of the liner onto the stabilizer bar 10, see
The liner 18 is formed of a polymeric material having a low coefficient of friction and excellent abrasion resistance between the stabilizer bar 10 and the bushing 16. The coefficient of friction for the liner 18 is less than the coefficient of friction of the elastomer forming the bushing 16, the coefficients being that of friction against metal. Additionally, the liner 18 is formed of a flexible material to permit forming the liner 18 with a longitudinal shape other than strictly the straight shape that is currently illustrated; i.e. non-linear configurations.
The material used for the liner permits the liner 18 to be formed with a variety of bent configurations so that the bushing assembly may also be used to mount the stabilizer bar 10 to the vehicle frame 12 along a bent portion of the bar 10. One example of a bent bushing and liner is illustrated in
Alternatively, with a bent stabilizer bar 10, a straight bushing 30 and liner 18 may be located just on one arm of the bend of the bar. Another embodiment for the assembly that may be used with both a straight or bent stabilizer bar is shown in
Suitable, and preferred, materials of construction for the liner 18 include an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
Following manufacture of the bushing 16 and the liner 18, and even during assembly of the bushing assembly on the stabilizer bar, the liner 18 is maintained as a separate element from the bushing 16; i.e. the liner is not bonded or adhesively secured to the bushing. In preparing the bushing assembly, the bushing 16 may be affixed to the liner 18 and then the assembly mounted onto the stabilizer bar 10 or the liner 18 may first be mounted on the stabilizer bar 10 and the bushing 16 is mounted onto the liner.
By the use of the above described liner and bushing combination, the busing assembly has improved durability due to reduced abrasion between the bushing and the bar and reduced wear of the internal side of the bushing as the bushing no longer rubs against the metal stabilizer bar. Also, friction noise between the bushing and bar is eliminated due to the elimination of contact between the rubber bushing and the metal stabilizer bar.
This application claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/791,797 filed Apr. 13, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60791797 | Apr 2006 | US |