U.S. patent application number 12/797807 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for vehicle stabilizer.
This patent application is currently assigned to NHK Spring Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yurika Goto, Kiyoshi Kurimoto, Shigeru Kuroda, Shinichi Nishizawa, Hironobu SUGIURA.
Application Number | 20100244395 12/797807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40985680 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100244395 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUGIURA; Hironobu ; et
al. |
September 30, 2010 |
VEHICLE STABILIZER
Abstract
A stabilizer bar is intended for use in a vehicle, and a torsion
part of the stabilizer bar is fixed to the vehicle body by a fixing
member. A resin sheathing is provided integrally on an outer
peripheral surface of the stabilizer bar. The fixing member is
composed of the sheathing, a rubber bush disposed on the outer
periphery of the sheathing, and a mounting fixture for mounting the
rubber bush on the vehicle body side so as to cover the outer
periphery of the rubber bush. The sheathing and the rubber bush are
immovably assembled to each other. Thus, there may be provided a
vehicle stabilizer, highly durable, easily mountable and
replaceable, low-cost, and highly operable.
Inventors: |
SUGIURA; Hironobu;
(Yokoham-shi, JP) ; Kuroda; Shigeru; (Yokoham-shi,
JP) ; Kurimoto; Kiyoshi; (Yokohama-shi, JP) ;
Goto; Yurika; (Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Nishizawa;
Shinichi; (Wixom, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman & Chick, P.C.
16th Floor, 220 Fifth Avenue
New York
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Assignee: |
NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
Yokohama-shi
MI
NHK International Corp.
Wixon
|
Family ID: |
40985680 |
Appl. No.: |
12/797807 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2009/053616 |
Feb 20, 2009 |
|
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12797807 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/124.107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60G 2204/44 20130101;
B60G 21/0551 20130101; B60G 2202/144 20130101; B60G 2204/125
20130101; F16F 1/16 20130101; B60G 2202/134 20130101; B60G
2204/1222 20130101; B60G 2204/45 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/124.107 |
International
Class: |
B60G 21/055 20060101
B60G021/055 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 2008 |
JP |
2008-040500 |
Claims
1. A vehicle stabilizer comprising a stabilizer bar, wherein: a
fixing member includes: a sheathing provided integrally on an outer
surface of the stabilizer bar; a rubber bush disposed on the outer
periphery of the sheathing; and a mounting fixture attached to a
vehicle body in such a manner as to cover the outer periphery of
the rubber bush; and the fixing member fixes a torsion part of the
stabilizer bar to the vehicle body and immovably assembles the
sheathing and the rubber bush to each other.
2. A vehicle stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the sheathing
is provided by injection molding on the stabilizer bar which is
shot-peened before a coating process.
3. A vehicle stabilizer according to claim 2, wherein: the
sheathing has an outer surface on which a rugged configuration
including irregularities along the circumference of the stabilizer
bar is formed; the rubber bush is provided with a through-hole
having an inner surface shape corresponding to the rugged
configuration; and the rugged configuration permits the sheathing
and the rubber bush to be assembled so as not to be movable
relative to each other along the circumference of the stabilizer
bar.
4. A vehicle stabilizer according to claim 2, wherein an outer
surface of the sheathing is concaved, convexed, or tapered along an
axis of the stabilizer bar, the rubber bush is provided with a
through-hole having an inner surface shape corresponding to the
concave, convex, or tapered shape, and the sheathing and the rubber
bush are assembled so as not to be movable relatively to each other
in at least one direction along the axis of the stabilizer bar by
the concave, convex, or tapered shape.
5. A vehicle stabilizer according to claim 2, wherein the sheathing
is provided with a collar portion extending radially of the
stabilizer bar, and the sheathing and the rubber bush are assembled
so as not to be movable relatively to each other in at least one
direction along an axis of the stabilizer bar with the rubber bush
in engagement with the collar portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation application of PCT Application No.
PCT/JP2009/053616, filed Feb. 20, 2009, which was published under
PCT Article 21(2) in English.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-040500,
filed Feb. 21, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a vehicle stabilizer
provided with a stabilizer bar.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] A vehicle stabilizer provided with a stabilizer bar connects
the stabilizer bar to a suspension of a vehicle and stabilizes the
attitude of the vehicle by utilizing a reaction force of the
stabilizer bar. For example, the vehicle stabilizer is constructed
so that opposite ends of the U-shaped stabilizer bar are coupled to
operating parts of the suspension, and a torsion part of the
stabilizer bar is fixed to a vehicle body by a fixing member and
serves to receive a torsional reaction force.
[0007] Conventionally, a rubber bush is used for the fixing member
to fix the torsion part of the stabilizer bar to the vehicle body
frame. Specifically, the rubber bush is provided with a hole
portion through which the stabilizer bar is passed and a notch for
opening the hole portion. The notch is opened in assembling the
rubber bush to the stabilizer, and the rubber bush is attached to
the vehicle body frame by means of bolts or the like with the aid
of, for example, a U-shaped mounting fixture.
[0008] Also known is an example in which a rubber bush is fixed to
a stabilizer bar with an adhesive agent or by vulcanization molding
or the like. In the case of this rubber bush, no gap is formed
between the stabilizer bar and the rubber bush. If a torsional
motion acts on the stabilizer bar as the suspension moves up and
down, the rubber bush is deformed correspondingly. Thus, functions
and effects for the stabilizer can be obtained by the deformation
of the rubber bush as well as by a torsional action of the torsion
part.
[0009] [Patent Document 1] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2006-27311
[0010] However, the fixing member configured so that the stabilizer
bar is passed through the hole portion of the rubber bush and fixed
to the frame by means of the mounting fixture cannot fully restrain
the movement of the stabilizer bar.
[0011] In some cases, therefore, the stabilizer bar may rotate
around its axis or move axially with respect to the rubber bush.
Thereupon, a noise may be produced by the stabilizer bar and the
rubber bush that rub against each other, and the stabilizing effect
of the stabilizer may vary.
[0012] Further, fixing the rubber bush to the stabilizer bar
requires, for example, a process for holding them in a heating
furnace for a long time and entails a high cost. In replacing the
rubber bush, moreover, the rubber bush must be removed from the
stabilizer bar by cutting, melting, or some other operation. In
addition, a new rubber bush must be fixed to the stabilizer bar
with an adhesive agent or by vulcanization molding or the like,
thus the replacement of the rubber bush requires much labor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A fixing member for fixing a torsion part of a stabilizer
bar of the vehicle stabilizer to a vehicle body is composed of a
sheathing provided integrally on an outer surface of the stabilizer
bar, a rubber bush disposed on the outer periphery of the
sheathing, and a mounting fixture for mounting the rubber bush on
the vehicle body so as to cover the outer periphery of the rubber
bush. The sheathing and the rubber bush are immovably assembled to
each other.
[0014] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a
stabilizer according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of the
stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mounting fixture of
the stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rubber bush of the
stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sheathing of the
stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the fixing member of the
stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of the
sheathing;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the
sheathing; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the
fixing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following is a description of one embodiment of a
vehicle stabilizer according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a suspension 20 for front wheels of a vehicle
provided with a stabilizer 10. The suspension 20 (indicated by
two-dot chain lines) is a double-wishbone suspension. The front
wheels and the like (not shown) are mounted on left- and right-hand
axle portions 21.
[0027] The stabilizer 10 is composed of a stabilizer bar 12, fixing
members 14 that fix the stabilizer bar 12 to a vehicle body (not
shown), stabilizer links 16 that connect end portions of the
stabilizer bar 12 individually to operating parts of the suspension
20, etc.
[0028] The stabilizer bar 12 is composed of a torsion part 13
spanning the width of the vehicle body and arm portions 15
individually formed on the opposite ends of the torsion part 13 and
which is substantially U-shaped. When the operating parts of the
suspension 20 move up and down, the arm portions 15 of the
stabilizer bar 12 follow such actions, whereupon the torsion part
13 is twisted so that the suspension 20 is kept stable by its
torsional reaction force.
[0029] The pair of fixing members 14 are provided individually on
the axially opposite ends of the torsion part 13. As shown in FIG.
2, each fixing member 14 is composed of a mounting fixture 22, a
rubber bush 24, and a sheathing 26, and is fixed to a frame part
(not shown) of the vehicle body.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting fixture 22 is a
substantially U-shaped metal plate, and lugs 27 extend individually
sideways from the opposite ends of the fixture 22. A bolt hole 28
is formed in each lug 27. A bolt (not shown) is passed through each
bolt hole 28, whereby the mounting fixture 22 is fixed to the frame
of the vehicle body.
[0031] The rubber bush 24 is formed of a rubber material with a
predetermined hardness and has a shape suitable for the U-shape
inside the mounting fixture 22. Further, the rubber bush 24 is
formed with a through-hole 30 that penetrates the substantial
center of the rubber bush 24. The through-hole 30 has an inner
surface shape corresponding to the external shape of the sheathing
26. Furthermore, the rubber bush 24 is formed with a cut portion 32
that extends from inside the through-hole 30 to the outer surface
of the rubber bush 24. The cut portion 32 in the rubber bush 24
enables the through-hole 30 to open above and below the cut portion
32.
[0032] The sheathing 26 is made of a resin and composed of a collar
portion 34 and a cylinder portion 36 continuous with the collar
portion 34, as shown in FIG. 5. The sheathing 26 is formed by, for
example, injection molding and is integrally fixed to the
stabilizer bar 12.
[0033] The collar portion 34 is a discoid that is formed
substantially at right angles to the stabilizer bar 12, as shown in
FIG. 6. The cylinder portion 36 is formed substantially parallel to
the axis of the stabilizer bar 12 and has a rugged configuration on
its outer peripheral surface. The rugged configuration is a
point-symmetric shape such that its cross section perpendicular to
the central axis of the stabilizer bar 12 has six uniform tops.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the fixing member 14 taken along a
line that passes through the tops and bottoms of the rugged
configuration of cylinder portion 36.
[0034] Further, the sheathing 26 basically has a sufficient
hardness such that it cannot be easily deformed and is fixed in
close proximity to the stabilizer bar 12 without a gap. The
sheathing 26 is molded after the outer surface of the stabilizer
bar 12 is shot-peened and before the outer surface of the
stabilizer bar 12 is coated. Fine irregularities are formed on the
surface of the stabilizer bar 12 by shot peening, so that the bite
of the sheathing 26 on the stabilizer bar 12 is improved by the
anchor effect of the irregularities.
[0035] The shot peening may be that conventionally performed to
improve the durability and the like of the stabilizer bar 12.
Further, any other processing means may be used for the purpose as
long as the bite of the resin on the stabilizer bar 12 can be
improved. Depending on the type of the resin, furthermore, the
sheathing 26 may be molded on the stabilizer bar 12 with a smooth
surface provided that the resin of the sheathing 26 and the
stabilizer bar 12 to be combined are fully fixed. If the adhesion
of the resin to the stabilizer bar 12 is unsatisfactory, in
contrast with this, a molded portion of the sheathing 26 may
additionally be knurled or serrated after being shot-peened.
[0036] Further, the rubber bush 24 has an external shape larger
than the internal shape of the mounting fixture 22, and the
through-hole 30 is formed with a shape smaller than the external
shape of the cylinder portion 36 of the sheathing 26. Thus, if the
mounting fixture 22 is fitted on the outside of the rubber bush 24,
which is mounted on the sheathing 26, and fixed to the vehicle body
frame, the rubber bush 24 is pressed inward by both the sheathing
26 and the mounting fixture 22. Accordingly, the fixing member 14
that is fixed to the vehicle body frame is kept in a state such
that a compressive force (preload) is continually applied to the
inside of the rubber bush 24. Preferably, the preload should be set
to a sufficiently large value such that it cannot be reduced to
zero when the stabilizer 10 operates.
[0037] The through-hole 30 may be formed with a shape equal to or
larger than the external shape of the sheathing 26. Also in this
case, the through-hole 30 is formed so that the sheathing 26 is
pressed inward and subjected to a compressive force by the rubber
bush 24 when the rubber bush 24 is attached to the mounting fixture
22.
[0038] The following is a description of functions and effects of
the stabilizer 10.
[0039] Since the sheathing 26 is formed on the surface of the
stabilizer bar 12 by injection molding, the stabilizer bar 12 and
the sheathing 26 closely contact each other, thereby preventing
water or dust from infiltrating or adhering between them.
Accordingly, the surface of the stabilizer bar 12 between the
stabilizer bar 12 and the sheathing 26 can be prevented from
rusting, so that its durability can be improved. Since the
sheathing 26 and the stabilizer bar 12 cannot be dislocated from
each other, moreover, no noise can be produced.
[0040] Since the sheathing 26 is formed on the stabilizer bar 12 by
injection molding, it can be provided with ease. Further, the
sheathing 26 can be securely fixed to the stabilizer bar 12 by the
shot peening for the stabilizer bar 12 before molding without
requiring any special processing before the injection molding.
Thus, the time required for labor and processing can be shortened,
so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced considerably, as
compared with the case where a conventional rubber bush is
adhesively bonded or vulcanization-molded.
[0041] The rubber bush 24 can be opened at its cut portion 32 and
assembled to the sheathing 26, so that the stabilizer bar 12 can be
easily attached to the vehicle body frame. Since the rubber bush 24
and the sheathing 26 are not adhesively bonded, moreover, the
rubber bush 24 can be easily removed from the sheathing 26. Thus,
the rubber bush 24 can be replaced by a simple operation, so that
the replacement cost can be reduced.
[0042] Since the sheathing 26 is in close contact with the rubber
bush 24, the stabilizer effect can be fully exhibited. Let it be
supposed that a wheel on one side drops into a depression so that
one side of the suspension 20 lowers while the vehicle is running.
Thereupon, an angle is formed or extended between the left- and
right-hand arm portions 15, which twists the torsion part 13 and
produces a reaction force. As the arm portions 15 then rock, the
sheathings 26 are also rotated around their respective axes, so
that the cylinder portions 36 rotate, thereby compressing the
rubber material of the rubber bushes 24 between the tops of the
cylinder portions 36 in the rotating direction of the stabilizer
bar 12. Thereupon, the compressive reaction force of the rubber
bushes 24 is transmitted to the arm portions 15, whereby the
responsiveness at the initial stage of rolling is improved, so that
the driving stability of the vehicle is enhanced.
[0043] Since the faculty of the stabilizer can be partially
allocated to the rubber bushes 24 with the sheathings 26 fixed to
the stabilizer bar 12, the rigidity and spring constant of the
stabilizer bar 12 can be reduced. Thus, the stabilizer 10 can be
reduced in weight and cost.
[0044] The sheathing 26 may be fixed to the stabilizer bar 12 by
adhesive bonding or welding instead of injection molding. Although
the sheathing 26 should preferably be formed of a resin, moreover,
it may alternatively be formed of another material, e.g., hard
rubber, synthetic rubber, etc.
[0045] The following is a description of another example of the
stabilizer 10.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a sheathing 26. In this example, the sheathing
26 has an axially rugged configuration on its outer peripheral
surface. It is formed so as not to be circumferentially dislocated
from a rubber bush 24 and is axially tapered on one side. Further,
a rugged configuration for integral assembly is formed on the inner
surface of a through-hole 30 of the rubber bush 24 so as to
correspond to the rugged configuration of the sheathing 26.
[0047] When the sheathing 26 formed in this manner is assembled to
the rubber bush 24, the sheathing 26 is prevented from rotating
circumferentially and from moving axially in a direction in which
the diameter of the sheathing 26 increases. Thus, in the stabilizer
10 in which such sheathings 26 are bilaterally molded on a
stabilizer bar 12, fixing members 14 can prevent the stabilizer bar
12 from rotating around the axis and moving axially, so that the
same effect as aforementioned can be exhibited.
[0048] Further, FIG. 8 shows another example. In this example, each
top part of a cylinder portion 36 has a convex shape in
cross-section when cut along a plane that passes through the
central axis of a stabilizer bar 12. If a sheathing 26 formed in
this manner is assembled to a rubber bush 24 that has a
through-hole 30 corresponding to this rugged configuration,
circumferential dislocation can be restrained by the top parts.
Since the top parts are convex with respect to the axial direction,
moreover, an axial movement can also be restrained. In this
example, each top part of the cylinder portion 36 may have a
concave shape, depressed in the center, instead of being
convex.
[0049] FIG. 9 shows an example in which the transverse width of a
rubber bush 24 is longer than that of a sheathing 26 along the axis
of a stabilizer bar 12. Thus, the sheathing 26 covers the inside of
the rubber bush 24 so that water, dust, etc., can be prevented from
infiltrating between the rubber bush 24 and the sheathing 26.
Further, the sheathing 26 may be formed so that its axial width is
longer than that of the rubber bush 24 along the stabilizer bar 12,
that is, the sheathing 26 is exposed on the opposite sides of the
rubber bush 24.
[0050] Although the sheathing 26 is formed axially with the
stabilizer bar 12 in the example described above, they need not
always be coaxial with each other. Further, the cross section of
the stabilizer bar 12 may be of any desired shape other than a
circular shape and may be either hollow or solid. Although the
fixing member 14 is provided on the frame of the vehicle body, the
distal end of the arm portion may be attached to the frame.
[0051] The sheathing 26 should only be formed with one irregularity
provided that the rubber bush 24 and the sheathing 26 can engage
each other at least circumferentially. The collar portion 34 may be
formed in any desired position along the axis, e.g., in the center
of the sheathing 26, instead of being formed on the axial end
portion of the sheathing 26.
[0052] The outer surface of the sheathing 26 and the inner surface
of the rubber bush 24 need not be in close contact with each other
throughout the circumference of the sheathing 26. Further, the
sheathing 26 and the rubber bush 24 may be configured so that a gap
is formed between them when the stabilizer 10 is driven to twist
the stabilizer bar 12.
[0053] Furthermore, the sheathing 26 may be provided with a
projection member that is configured to be inserted through the
inner surface of the rubber bush 24. Specifically, the projection
member may be inserted into a crack that is formed in the inner
wall surface of the through-hole 30 of the rubber bush 24 by the
projection member. Alternatively, a plurality of projections may be
formed on the surface of the sheathing 26 and caused to engage with
the inner surface of the through-hole 30 of the rubber bush 24.
[0054] The rubber bush 24 may be attached to the sheathing 26
through the axial end of the stabilizer bar 12 without being formed
with the cut portion 32.
[0055] The mounting fixture 22 may be fitted into a hollow that is
formed in the outer peripheral surface of the rubber bush 24. If
this is done, the rubber bush 24 can be prevented from being
disengaged from the mounting fixture 22 even when the rubber bush
24 is subjected to a force along the axis of the stabilizer bar
12.
[0056] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *