Vibration-damping mounting

Abstract

A vibration-damping mounting for a motor on a support comprises a holding means at the motor side and a receiving means arranged at the support. An elastic element which has a cavity therein is arranged between the holding means and the receiving means. The cavity of the element is closed at its end portion towards the receiving means and that end portion is held in positively locking relationship in a holder socket of the support.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of German Utility model application Serial No 20 2005 004 271.4 filed Mar. 15, 2005, the subject-matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a vibration-damping mounting, for mounting a motor on a support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One form of vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor on a support, as can be found in EP 1 265 022 A2, comprises a holding means at the motor side, and a receiving means which is arranged on the support. An elastic element which has a cavity therein is arranged between the holding means and the receiving means. That structure therefore involves a generally sleeve-shaped bushing of substantially column-shaped configuration with an upper and a lower opening for a fixing stud to pass therethrough, the fixing stud being fixed to the support. The bushing is fixed in a channel provided in the lower region of the fixing stud. At its upper end portion the fixing stud has a mushroom-shaped cap, the largest diameter of which is larger than the inside width of the upper opening of the bushing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a vibration-damping mounting for an electric motor, which while being of a simple structure can be inexpensively assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibration-damping mounting for an electric motor, comprising a small number of components which can be easily assembled together by simple mutual engagement.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration-damping mounting for a motor on a support which affords effective damping properties combined with a secure mounting action.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor on a support comprising a holding means at the motor side, a receiving means arranged at the support and an elastic element which has a cavity therein and which is operatively disposed between the holding means and the receiving means. The cavity in the element, at its end portion which is towards the receiving means, is closed. The end portion of the element is held in positively locking relationship in a holder socket on the support.

As will be seen from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments of the structure according to the invention, the fact that the end portion of the elastic element is fitted into the holder socket forming part of the receiving means on the support and held therein means that it is possible to dispense with additional components, thereby affording a cost advantage as well as ease of assembly.

In a preferred feature of the invention, the configuration of the end portion of the element corresponds at least in portion-wise manner to the inner shape of the holder socket, wherein that holder socket shape may be in particular cylindrical. The fact that the element is in a condition of bearing in positively locking relationship against the holder socket in the cylindrical cavity therein provides that the element is firmly held in position and thus affords a stable mounting effect.

In another preferred feature the mounting according to the invention has a first positively locking securing means arranged at the portion of the element, which is towards the motor side, and a first supporting means for the holding means, while there is a second positively locking securing means in the form of a groove in the wall of the elastic element. In that case it may be desirable for a wall of the groove to form a supporting means for being supported on the support on which the mounting is to be fixed.

In another preferred feature of the invention the end portion of the elastic element, that is towards the support, is of a smaller cross-section than the remaining or main portion of that element. That on the one hand facilitates engagement of the element in position while on the other hand also affording a saving of material.

In yet another preferred feature of the invention the respective end portions of the elastic element have a cone or taper. That ensures that the element can be easily and quickly pushed into the holding means and the holder socket respectively.

Another preferred feature can provide that the receiving means on the support has at least one support mounting means which can engage into the above-mentioned groove of the second securing means. The support mounting means can be arranged on the holder socket.

The above-mentioned groove may be in the form of an annular groove and the support mounting means can have at least one circular rib.

In another preferred feature the cavity in the elastic element can extend from the main portion thereof into the end portion.

That configuration affords particularly good damping properties, in particular even when the end portion is in contact relationship over wide regions of its outside periphery or end faces in the interior of the holder socket.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments by way of example thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a view in section through a first embodiment of the vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor on a support, and

FIG. 2 shows a view in section through a second embodiment of the vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor on a support.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a vibration-damping mounting indicated generally by reference numeral 1 for mounting a motor (not shown) on a support generally indicated at 2. The mounting 1 has a holding means 3 at the motor side. The holding means 3 can engage for example a mounting casing portion of an electric motor. Provided on the support 2 is a receiving means generally identified by reference 4. Reference 5 denotes an elastic element which is operatively disposed between the holding means 3 and the receiving means 4. At its lower end in FIG. 1 which in the assembled condition of the mounting 1 is towards the receiving means 4, the elastic element 5 has an end portion 9. The receiving means 4 includes, arranged on the support 2 in upstanding relationship as shown in FIG. 1, a holder socket 11 which embraces the end portion 9 of the elastic element 5 in positively locking relationship and holds it in place. The elastic element 5 has a cavity 5′ therein, the cavity 5′ being closed at the end portion 9 of the elastic element 5, which is towards the receiving means 4. The configuration of the end portion 9 corresponds at least in portion-wise manner to the inner shape of the holder socket 11, being for example cylindrical. The holder socket 11 can be for example a projection which is suitably formed in position by for example casting or molding in some other fashion and is thus generally of a cylindrical shape in the illustrated embodiment.

The element 5 with the cavity 5′ is generally in the shape of a bushing and, at a portion 6 which is towards the motor (not shown), has a first positively locking securing means 7 and a first supporting means 8 for the mounting means 3 for the motor. The positively locking securing means 7 in this embodiment is formed by a groove 13, while the supporting means 8 for the holding means 3 is formed by a side wall 12 of the groove 13.

A second positively locking securing means 10 is provided in the form of a further groove as indicated at 13 in the wall of the elastic element 5 in the lower portion of the element 5, which is towards the support 2. In that case also a side wall 12 of the groove 13 constituting the second securing means 10 forms a supporting means 10′ for the support 2.

The end portion 9 which is towards the support 2 is of a smaller cross-section than the remaining main portion as indicated at 15 of the element 5. That affords a particularly wide shoulder for the supporting means 10 on the element 5.

The receiving means 4 on the support 2 has a support mounting means 16 which in the illustrated embodiment is arranged on the holder socket 11 and engages into the groove 13 in the lower part of the elastic element 5. In the illustrated embodiment each respective groove 13 is in the form of an annular groove, in which case the support mounting means 16 and also the holding means 3 on the upper portion of the element each comprise a circular rib 18.

It can be clearly seen from FIG. 1 that the respective end portions 6 and 9 of the elastic element 5 are formed with a cone or taper as indicated at 14. In an embodiment which is not illustrated herein it can be provided that at least the cone or taper at the lower portion of the element is replaced by a cylindrical portion which completely fills the cylindrical internal space in the holder socket 11. In that way it is possible for the support which is generally formed by a housing portion to be left at that location with an opening which is substantially pressure-tightly or air-tightly closed off after insertion of the element 5.

In the illustrated embodiment the cavity 5′ in the elastic element 5 extends from the main portion 15 thereof into the end portion 9.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 2 showing a further embodiment of the vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor to a support. It will be clearly seen from FIG. 2 that the general configuration of this structure is closely similar to that shown in FIG. 1 so that full details thereof will not be described again at this juncture. It will be seen that, in this embodiment, the holding means 3 is provided with a slot 17 which makes it possible for the elastic element indicated at 5 in FIG. 1 to be pushed into the holding means 3, instead of being pushed through an opening in the holding means.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein solely by way of example. Thus it is for example possible for the configuration of the elastic element 5 not to be cylindrical but cuboidal. It is also possible for the grooves 13 not to be annular grooves but to be provided only over a predetermined portion, in Which case the wall thickness of the bushing formed by the element 5 can suitably vary from the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that various modifications and alterations may be made in the foregoing structures in accordance with the invention without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor on a support comprising: a holding means at the motor side, a receiving means arranged at the support and including a holder socket, an elastic element having a cavity therein and arranged between the holding means and the receiving means, the elastic element having an end portion which in the assembled condition of the mounting is towards the receiving means and the cavity of the element being closed at said end portion, and means for holding said end portion of the element in positively locking relationship in the holder socket of the support.

2. A mounting as set forth in claim 1wherein the configuration of the end portion corresponds at least in portion-wise manner to the inner shape of the holder socket.

3. A mounting as set forth in claim 2wherein the inner shape of the holder socket is cylindrical.

4. A mounting as set forth in claim 1wherein said element has a further portion that is towards the motor side, and comprising a first positively locking securing means arranged at said further portion of the element, a first supporting means for the holding means, and a second positively locking securing means in the form of a groove in the wall of the element.

5. A mounting as set forth in claim 4wherein said groove has a side wall forming a supporting means for the support.

6. A mounting as set forth in claim. 1wherein said the end portion of said element is of a smaller cross-section than the remaining main portion of the element.

7. A mounting as set forth in claim 4wherein the receiving means on the support has at least one support mounting means.

8. A mounting as set forth in claim 7wherein the support mounting means is arranged at the holder socket and engages into the groove.

9. A mounting as set forth in claim 7wherein the groove is in the form of an annular groove and the support mounting means has at least one circular rib.

10. A mounting as set forth in claim 1wherein the respective end portions of the element are formed with a taper.

11. A mounting as set forth in claim 1wherein the cavity of said element extends from the main portion thereof into said end portion.

12. A mounting as set forth in claim 1wherein the holding means has a slot adapted to permit said element to be inserted from the side into the holding means.

13. An assembly comprising a support and a vibration-damping mounting for mounting a motor to said support, comprising a holder socket on said support, a holding means for carrying a said motor, an elastic element having a cavity therein and having first and second end portions, a first end portion in the assembled condition of the mounting to the support being towards said holder socket and the cavity being closed at said first end portion, and means for holding said first end portion of said elastic element in positively locking relationship in said holder socket of the support, the arrangement being such that the elastic element which is held to said holder socket in positively locking relationship therewith is operatively disposed between said holding means and said holder socket.