JP2008081116A - Stabilizer bushing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stabilizer bushing preventing sediment from entering to the contact surface of the shaft hole of the stabilizer bushing and a stabilizer while maintaining the operation stability and riding comfortability of an automobile. <P>SOLUTION: The stabilizer bushing 4 is held by inserting the torsion part 2a of the stabilizer 2 to the shaft hole 4b bored in an elastic body 4a. The outer peripheral surface 4c of the elastic body 4a is held by a bracket 5 mounted on a vehicle body. The shaft hole 4b is so formed that the inner diameters d1, d2 are gradually reduced from the axial center outward. The stabilizer 2 is so formed that the axis is curved radially outward toward the one axial end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stabilizer bush for holding a torsion portion of a vehicle stabilizer (also referred to as an anti-roll bar).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a torsion portion of a stabilizer of a vehicle is attached to a vehicle body by a bracket through a vibration-proof stabilizer bush made of a rubber elastic body formed in a substantially cylindrical shape (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  Thus, the stabilizer buffers the vibration and impact of the vehicle body by attaching the stabilizer bush to the vehicle body. And like the stabilizer bush of patent document 1, the lip | stick which closely_contact | adheres to a stabilizer is each formed in the opening end of the right and left of a shaft hole. The stabilizer bush prevents the sand, dust, muddy water, and the like from entering the sliding surface with the stabilizer in the shaft hole by the lip.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of a conventional stabilizer bush.
As shown in FIG. 10, the stabilizer bush 100 is formed in a thick cylindrical shape and is made of a rubber elastic body including lubrication, and a shaft hole 110 for inserting and holding the stabilizer 200 in the center. Is drilled. The stabilizer bush 100 has a substantially U-shaped outer surface when viewed from the side, and is formed with a slit 130 for press-fitting from the outer peripheral surface 120 into the shaft hole 110 and assembling the stabilizer 200.

At both ends of the stabilizer bush 100 in the left-right direction of the vehicle, flanges 140 are formed. A bracket (not shown) for mounting a vehicle body is engaged between the flanges 140, and the bracket is fixed to the vehicle body with bolts. Is done.
The stabilizer bush 100 is usually formed with a certain fastening allowance, and is firmly attached to the vehicle body by compressing the fastening allowance.
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-11710 (Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration, FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, the stabilizer bush as shown in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the lip is liable to deteriorate due to the formation of a concave gap between the back side of the lip and the stabilizer.

  Further, the lip is easily deformed elastically by being formed from a thin protruding piece. For this reason, when the stiffness of the stabilizer bush is lowered, the stabilizer is vibrated or elastically deformed by the vertical movement of the left and right wheel suspensions during travel, and a gap is generated between the stabilizer bush and the stabilizer. There is. Then, earth and sand may enter the inside of the lip from the gap, and the earth and sand may stay in the recess inside the lip.

  If earth and sand stays inside the lip, friction increases due to the earth and sand, and sounds such as stick-slip noise (abnormal noise) are generated, and earth and sand scrapes the stabilizer coating to promote rust degradation. There is a problem that the reliability of the stabilizer is lowered by scratching the metal surface of the stabilizer.

  In general, in order to prevent soil and sand from entering between the stabilizer bush and the stabilizer, it is possible to increase the tightening allowance between the stabilizer bush and the stabilizer.

  However, when the tightening allowance is increased, there is a problem that the friction when the stabilizer rotates and the steering stability and riding comfort of the automobile are lowered, so the tightening allowance cannot be increased. .

  Further, in the stabilizer bush having the slit 130 as shown in FIG. 10, it is easily deformed as much as the slit 130 is formed. Therefore, a gap S is formed between the shaft hole 110 and the stabilizer 200, and earth and sand or muddy water is formed. Etc. are easy to invade.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been invented to solve the above-mentioned problems, and earth and sand etc. enter the contact surface between the shaft hole of the stabilizer bush and the stabilizer while maintaining the steering stability and riding comfort of the automobile. It is an object to provide a stabilizer bush that prevents this.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the stabilizer bush according to claim 1 is configured to insert and hold the torsion portion of the stabilizer in the shaft hole formed in the elastic body, and to fix the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body to the vehicle body. The stabilizer bush held by the bracket to be attached is characterized in that the shaft is curved radially outward toward one axial end.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the stabilizer bush has a shaft that is curved radially outward toward one axial end, so that the vicinity of the opening end comes into close contact with the stabilizer. Therefore, it is possible to stably secure the tightening allowance. Furthermore, even if an excessive stress is applied to the opening end, the vicinity of the opening end is prevented from being deformed so as to be bent, and local distortion is eliminated.

  A stabilizer bush according to a second aspect is the stabilizer bush according to the first aspect, wherein a lubricant is applied in the shaft hole.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the lubricant is applied in the shaft hole, the stabilizer bushing has a reduced coefficient of friction in the shaft hole and is easily deformed so that the whole is swelled. Even if an excessive stress is applied to the end, local deformation is prevented. Further, since the lubricant has water repellency, it is possible to prevent infiltration of muddy water.

  A stabilizer bush according to a third aspect is the stabilizer bush according to the second aspect, wherein a recess for storing the lubricant is formed in the shaft hole.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by forming the recess for storing the lubricant in the shaft hole, the lubricant stored in the recess even if the oil component near the opening end is washed away by the muddy water. Is supplied in the vicinity of the opening end, so that the water repellency is maintained for a long time.

  The stabilizer bush according to claim 4 is the stabilizer bush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shaft hole has an inner diameter gradually decreasing from an axial center toward an outer side. It is formed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the shaft hole of the stabilizer bush is formed such that the inner diameter gradually decreases from the center in the axial direction toward the outside. As a result, the left and right opening end sides of the shaft hole are brought into relatively strong contact with the sliding contact surface of the stabilizer, and the center side of the shaft hole comes into weak sliding contact with the sliding contact surface of the stabilizer. As a result, the left and right opening ends of the shaft hole are closed in close contact with the stabilizer, thereby preventing intrusion of earth and sand, dust, muddy water, and the like.

  According to the stabilizer bush according to the present invention, while maintaining the steering stability and ride comfort of the automobile, the durability of the opening end of the shaft hole is also maintained, and the contact surface between the shaft hole of the stabilizer bush and the stabilizer is provided. By adhering to each other, earth and sand, dust, muddy water, and the like can be prevented from entering the shaft hole.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stabilizer showing an installation state of a stabilizer bush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

≪Stabilizer configuration≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizer 2 suppresses rolling of the vehicle body when the vehicle turns, and is attached to the independent suspension 1 of the vehicle body so that the left and right wheels W can move independently. Yes. The stabilizer 2 includes a torsion part 2a formed of a rod-shaped spring member, and bolt insertion holes (not shown) for fastening with bolts 3 are formed on the left and right ends. A stabilizer bush 4 is fitted in the middle of the left and right sides of the stabilizer 2.

≪Stabilizer bush configuration≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizer bush 4 is held by pushing the end portion of the stabilizer 2 into the shaft hole 4b formed in the elastic body 4a and moving it to the torsion portion 2a. A bracket 5 attached to the vehicle body is mounted on the outer peripheral surface 4c (see FIG. 2) of the elastic body 4a forming the stabilizer bush 4.

  Drawing 2 is a figure showing a stabilizer bush concerning an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an expanded sectional view and (b) is an expanded side view.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the stabilizer bush 4 has a shaft hole 4b through which the stabilizer 2 is inserted in the lateral direction. The stabilizer bush 4 is formed in a thick-walled cylinder by, for example, a rubber vibration-proof elastic body 4a containing a lubricant.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the stabilizer bush 4 has flange portions 4d engaged with brackets 5 (see FIG. 1) having a substantially letter-shaped cross section at both ends in the left-right direction. It is fixed to the vehicle body by bolting to the vehicle body. Between the left and right flange portions 4d, a curved convex portion 4g with which the bracket 5 is pressed is formed.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the stabilizer bush 4 has an outer peripheral surface 4 c formed in a substantially U shape and a top surface 4 f formed in a curved shape when viewed from the side.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the shaft hole 4b is formed continuously in the circumferential direction with the inner diameters d1 and d2 gradually decreasing from the center in the axial direction toward the outside. That is, in the shaft hole 4b, the inner diameter d1 of the left and right opening ends 4e is formed shorter than the inner diameter d2 of the central portion in the shaft hole 4b. For this reason, the angle θ of the left and right opening ends 4e is formed at an acute angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing a stabilizer bush according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the stabilizer bush, and FIG. 3B shows a state when a large load is applied to the stabilizer. It is an expanded sectional view.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the opening end 4e is always located near the opening end 4e of the stabilizer bush 4 when the stabilizer 2 is inserted into the shaft hole 4b and assembled. It is designed to be assembled in a state of being in close contact with and pressed against.

<< Operation of stabilizer bush >>
Next, the operation of the stabilizer bush 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
When a normal load is applied to the stabilizer 2 to which the stabilizer bush 4 is press-fitted, as shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft hole 4b receives a relatively large force at the opening end 4e. The central portion of the shaft hole 4b is pressed against the stabilizer 2 with a relatively small force.

  In the stabilizer bush 4, for example, a large load is applied to the stabilizer 2 in the downward direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. Then, since the stabilizer bush 4 receives a large load of the stabilizer 2 on the lower surface in the shaft hole 4b, the stabilizer 2 is deformed so as to be pressed and crushed against the lower surface in the shaft hole 4b, and the upper surface in the shaft hole 4b. A slight gap S is formed at the center. Then, the left and right open ends 4e are deformed so that they are crushed by applying a load that is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the outer side smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the central portion, and are in close contact with the stabilizer 2 (FIG. 2). (See (a)). In FIG. 3B, the gap S is exaggerated in order to represent the gap S.

In this way, the stabilizer bush 4 is in a pressure contact state with the left and right opening ends 4 e always in close contact with the stabilizer 2. As a result, the stabilizer bush 4 can prevent earth and sand, dust, muddy water, and the like from entering the shaft hole 4b, and can prevent the earth and sand from entering the shaft hole 4b and slidingly contacting the stabilizer 2 to generate abnormal noise. it can.
Further, when the stabilizer bush 4 is assembled to the vehicle body, the protrusion 4g is in close contact with the bracket 5 shown in FIG. 1, and the top surface 4f is in close contact with the vehicle body, so that no play or the like occurs.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the shaft hole 4b is formed continuously from the center in the axial direction toward the outer side, gradually decreasing from the inner diameter d2 to the inner diameter d1, and continuously in the circumferential direction. The fastening margin of the stabilizer 2 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) can be greatly increased.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, even when a large load is applied and the stabilizer bush 4 moves greatly, the state in which the opening end 4e is in close contact with the stabilizer 2 is maintained, and the opening end 4e Since it does not open, it is possible to reliably prevent intrusion of earth and sand.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an operation in the case where particles B such as earth and sand have entered the stabilizer bush 4 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state when particles such as earth and sand enter the shaft hole.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the unlikely event that particles B such as earth and sand enter the shaft hole 4b of the stabilizer bush 4, the opening end 4e of the shaft hole 4b is formed with an acute angle and a thin state. Thus, the inner diameter d1 gradually decreases toward the outside, and the thickness is reduced (see FIG. 2). For this reason, the opening end 4e presses against particles B such as earth and sand with a small surface pressure C in the diagonally inner direction.

  Then, from the inside of the particle B such as earth and sand, the stabilizer bush 4 is thickened, so that it is pressed diagonally outward against the particle B such as earth and sand with a surface pressure D larger than the surface pressure C. To do.

  As a result, the particles B such as earth and sand move to the outside of the arrow E along the surface of the stabilizer 2 due to the large surface pressure D, and are discharged to the outside of the shaft hole 4b. Thus, even if the particles B such as earth and sand enter the shaft hole 4b, the stabilizer bush 4 causes the particles B such as earth and sand to act by the force in the gradient direction of the surface pressures C and D. There is a function to discharge to the outside.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea. The present invention extends to these modifications and changes. Of course.

≪Modification≫
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, first to fourth modified examples of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention will be sequentially described.

<First Modification>
FIG. 5 is a view showing a first modification of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is an enlarged sectional view and (b) is an enlarged side view.

Like the stabilizer bush 6 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a groove 6e is formed along the opening end 6d of the shaft hole 6b at the end 6c on the side surface in the axial direction of the elastic body 6a. It may be a thing.
In this case, the groove 6e is formed in an annular shape in the vicinity of the opening end 6d. The groove 6e is, for example, a groove having a substantially semicircular cross section. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, an annular projecting piece 6f projecting outward in the length L is formed at the opening end 6d.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a first modified example of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an enlarged sectional view showing the assembled state of the stabilizer bush, and (b) is a large load applied to the stabilizer. It is an expanded sectional view showing a state of time.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the stabilizer 2 is curved radially outwardly toward one axial end so that the stabilizer bush 6 does not move beyond a predetermined range with respect to the stabilizer 2. The bent portion 2b may be formed.
In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6B, the stabilizer bush 6 moves to the bent portion 2b side of the stabilizer 2 so that the annular protruding piece 6f of the opening end 6d rides on the bent portion 2b and warps. May be deformed.

In such a case, since the stabilizer bush 6 is formed along the annular groove 6e in the vicinity of the opening end 6d, the compressive deformation of the annular projecting piece 6f is alleviated, thereby preventing the occurrence of wrinkles or the like. it can.
By forming the groove portion 6e in the vicinity of the opening end 6d of the stabilizer bush 6 in this way, the groove portion 6e is deformed into a curved shape and does not buckle, thereby preventing an excessive stress from being applied to the opening end 6d. Thus, durability can be improved.

<Second Modification>
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a second modification of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the stabilizer bush 7 substantially matches the shape of the bent portion 2 b formed in the torsion portion 2 a of the stabilizer 2, and is centered toward the opening end (end portion) 7 c in one axial direction ( Axis) O1-O1 may be curved radially outward. Then, the shaft hole 7b of the elastic body 7a is shaped so that at least the vicinity of the opening end 7c on the bent portion 2b side in the shaft hole 7b is bent and bent in the radially outward direction.
That is, the central axis O1-O1 of the stabilizer bush 7 is bent substantially along the central axis O2-O2 of the bent portion 2b of the stabilizer 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening end 7c on the bent portion 2b side is formed in a state of opening in an oblique direction because the vicinity of the opening end 7c is curved.

  As described above, the vicinity of the opening end 7 c of the stabilizer bush 7 is formed to be curved radially outward in accordance with the shape of the stabilizer 2, so that the outer corner portion F near the opening end 7 c is in close contact with the stabilizer 2. As a result, the tightening allowance can be secured stably. Furthermore, since the inner corner portion G near the opening end 7c is formed in accordance with the shape of the stabilizer 2, excessive stress is applied to the opening end 7c, and the fatigue deterioration of the rubber due to locally high strain is caused. Since the invasion is eliminated, the durability can be improved.

<Third Modification>
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As in the stabilizer bush 8 shown in FIG. 8, a lubricant L having an attacking property and water repellency against rubber such as silicon oil and silicon grease may be applied to the shaft hole 8b of the elastic body 8a.

Since the lubricant L is applied in the shaft hole 8b in this way, the friction coefficient in the shaft hole 8b is reduced, and the stabilizer bush 8 is easily deformed so as to swell as a whole. Even if a large amount of stress is applied, the local deformation is prevented, so that the durability can be improved.
Further, by applying water-repellent oil (lubricant L) in the shaft hole 8b, it is possible to more effectively prevent muddy water from entering.

<Fourth Modification>
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a fourth modification of the stabilizer bush according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As in the stabilizer bush 9 shown in FIG. 4, a recess 9d for storing a lubricant La made of grease or highly viscous oil may be formed in the shaft hole 9b of the elastic body 9a. In this case, the recess 9d is formed of, for example, an annular groove formed in the center portion in the shaft hole 9b or a groove formed intermittently.

  Since the recess 9d for storing the lubricant La is formed in the shaft hole 8b in this way, even if the oil in the seal portion 9e near the opening end 9c is washed away by muddy water, the lubrication stored in the recess 9d. The agent La is stably supplied to the seal portion 9e, so that the water repellency is maintained for a long time.

<Other variations>
In the above-described embodiment, the left and right symmetrical stabilizer bushes 4 and 6 have been described as examples. However, the left and right symmetrical shapes are not necessary, and the shapes may be appropriately changed.

  Further, the shaft holes 4b and 6b may be formed so that the inner diameters d1 and d2 gradually decrease from the center in the axial direction toward the outside. 6d may be tapered, or only the vicinity of the opening ends 4e and 6d in the shaft holes 4b and 6b may be tapered.

It is a perspective view of the stabilizer which shows the installation state of the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is an expanded sectional view, (b) is an enlarged side view. It is a figure which shows the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is an expanded sectional view which shows the assembly state of a stabilizer bush, (b) is an expanded sectional view which shows a state when a big load is applied to a stabilizer. is there. It is a figure which shows the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows a state when particles, such as earth and sand, penetrate | invade in a shaft hole. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is an expanded sectional view, (b) is an enlarged side view. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the stabilizer bush which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is an expanded sectional view which shows the assembly | attachment state of a stabilizer bush, (b) is a state when a big load is applied to a stabilizer. It is an expanded sectional view shown. It is an expanded sectional view showing the 2nd modification of a stabilizer bush concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the 3rd modification of a stabilizer bush concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the 4th modification of a stabilizer bush concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the attachment state of the conventional stabilizer bush.

Explanation of symbols

2 Stabilizer 2a Torsion part 2b Bending part 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 Stabilizer bush 4a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a Elastic body 4b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b Shaft hole 4c Outer peripheral surface 4e, 6d, 7c, 8c, 9c Open end 5 Bracket 6c End 6e Groove 9d Depression B Particles such as earth and sand d1, d2 Inner diameter L, La Lubricant

Claims (4)

In the stabilizer bush that inserts and holds the torsion portion of the stabilizer in the shaft hole drilled in the elastic body, and holds the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body by a bracket attached to the vehicle body,
A stabilizer bush, wherein the shaft is curved radially outward toward one axial end.   The stabilizer bush according to claim 1, wherein a lubricant is applied in the shaft hole.   The stabilizer bush according to claim 2, wherein a recess for storing the lubricant is formed in the shaft hole. The stabilizer bush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shaft hole has an inner diameter that gradually decreases from an axial center toward an outer side.

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