GB2082528A - Vehicle transmission suspension tube - Google Patents

Vehicle transmission suspension tube Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2082528A
GB2082528A GB8124828A GB8124828A GB2082528A GB 2082528 A GB2082528 A GB 2082528A GB 8124828 A GB8124828 A GB 8124828A GB 8124828 A GB8124828 A GB 8124828A GB 2082528 A GB2082528 A GB 2082528A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tube
suspension tube
suspension
elastomeric material
motor vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8124828A
Other versions
GB2082528B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ford Motor Co Ltd
Ford Motor Co
Original Assignee
Ford Motor Co Ltd
Ford Motor Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ford Motor Co Ltd, Ford Motor Co filed Critical Ford Motor Co Ltd
Publication of GB2082528A publication Critical patent/GB2082528A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2082528B publication Critical patent/GB2082528B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K17/00—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles
    • B60K17/22—Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or type of main drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/38—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin, i.e. bushing-type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00—Springs
    • F16F1/36—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers
    • F16F1/42—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by the mode of stressing
    • F16F1/52—Springs made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers characterised by the mode of stressing loaded in combined stresses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2236/00—Mode of stressing of basic spring or damper elements or devices incorporating such elements
    • F16F2236/12—Mode of stressing of basic spring or damper elements or devices incorporating such elements loaded in combined stresses

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Motor Power Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)

Abstract

A suspension tube for a motor vehicle transmission assembly comprises two tubular members 2, 3 of different lengths, one end of one tubular member being received within one end of the other tubular member, one or more prestressed elements 4 of elastomeric material positioned circumferentially between and interconnecting the said ends of the tubular members, and mounting flanges at opposite ends of the suspension tube for connecting the suspension tube between a transmission unit and a drive unit of the motor vehicle transmissions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suspension tube for vehicle transmissions and suspensions The invention relates to suspension tubes for vehicle transmissions and shock absorbers.
German Patent Publication DE-AS 28 43 91 7 discloses a motor vehicle in which a forwardly disposed transmission unit supported on a front axle crosspiece is firmly fixed to a rearwardly disposed driving unit supported on a rear axle crosspiece by means of a suspension tube, which is a bending-and torsion-resistant connecting piece enclosing the propeller shaft. The suspension tube takes the form of a tube with a relatively large diameter having flanges welded onto its ends ends which are rigidly connected by screws on the one hand to the transmission unit and on the other hand to the driving unit, or differential.
It has been shown that vehicles incorporating such suspension tubes are susceptible to vibrations caused on the one hand by the engine and on the other hand by the propeller shaft which runs inside it.
According to German Patent Publication DE-AS 28 38 574 it is suggested that such vibrations of the suspension tube can be reduced by constructing the tube in the form of an outer tube and an inner tube mounted as a tight friction fit inside it. It is further suggested that a layer of elastic and vibration absorbent material be disposed between the two tubes. It is suggested that further improvements in vibration may be achieved by using different materials for the two tubes and using tubes of different length for the outer tube.
These measures involve relatively high manufacturing costs and are relatively difficult to adapt to particular problems of vibration.
According to the invention there is provided a suspension for a motor vehicle transmission assembly comprising two tubular members of different lengths, one end of one tubular member being received within one end of the other tubular member, one or more prestressed elements of elastomeric material positioned circumferentially between and interconnecting the said ends of the tubular members, and mounting flanges at opposite ends of the suspension tube for connecting the suspension tube between a transmission unit and a drive unit of the motor vehicle transmissions.
Preferably the outer tube is the larger tube.
Since the ends of the two tubes are joined by prestressed elements of elastomeric material it is possible by selecting the number, length and prestressing of the elastomeric elements to achieve a degree of absorption appropriate for the vibration expected during use so that the longer tube is no longer generating noise.
Nevertheless a connection between the transmission unit and the drive unit is assured which remains resistant to bending and torsion.
The invention is explained in more detail in the following description of several embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial section side view of a suspension tube in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section along the line Il-Il in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial section similar to Figure 1 through a further embodiment; Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line IV-IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a partial section similar to Figure 1 thrcugh a further embodiment; and Figure 6 is a vertical section along the line VI-VI in Figure 5.
In Fig. 1 a suspension tube unit 1 comprises an outer tube 2 having a relatively large diameter and a long length and an inner tube 3 having a smaller diameter and a shorter length fitting into the front end of the outer tube 2 and supported by prevulcanised elastic elements 4 on its external circumference which are radially stressed during insertion into the outer tube 2.
The outer tube 2 is welded at its rear end to a flange 5 by means of which it can be screwed to an extension on the differential of the vehicle driving unit. The smaller and shorter inner tube 3 is welded at its front end to a flange 6 by means of which it can be screwed to an extension on the transmission unit of the vehicle.
Through the interior of the suspension tube unit 1 is fitted either a multisectional propellor shaft or, as shown, a single-piece tubular drive shaft 7 which is suported by a centre bearing 8 in the outer tube 2. The ends of the tubular drive shaft 7 are connected in conventional fashion via splined connections to the output shaft of the transmission unit and the input shaft of the differential unit respectively.
In Figs. 3-6 further embodiments of the invention are shown, whereby similar components are provided with the same reference numbers but these are primed.
Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of axially elongated elastic column elements 4' between an outer tube 2', which is polygonal in crosssection and an inner tube 3' which is also formed in complementary fashion as a polygonal tube. The arrangement of the elastic column elements 4' can best be seen from the corresponding vertical section as in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of an elastic rubber sleeve 4" between a square inner tube 3" and a cylindrical outer tube 2", which in certain areas are provided with radial indentations 9. The rubber-torsion-connection resulting from this can best be seen from the vertical section as in Figure 6.
It will be appreciated that other configurations for the elastic connection between the two tubes may be used, depending upon the required damping properties.
Although the illustrated embodiments are all incorporating similar inner tubes, it is of course possible to form the tube using an inner tube as a one-piece socket with an integral attachment flange. Such a construction would be particularly convenient where the inner tube had a polygonal cross-section.
On the other hand it is equally possible to arrange the longer tube 2 to project into the shorter tube 3 so that the shorter tube becomes the outer tube. Similar elastic connections being incorporated between the two tubes. Moreover it is also possible in the case of difficult vibration problems to provide the elastic connections both at the front and also at the rear end of the suspension tube.

Claims (6)

1. A suspension tube for a motor vehicle transmission assembly comprising two tubular members of different lengths, one end of one tubular member being received within one end of the other tubular member, one or more prestressed elements of elastomeric material positioned circumferentially between and interconnecting the said ends of the tubular members, and mounting flanges at opposite ends of the suspension tube for connecting the suspension tube between a transmission unit and a drive unit of the vehicle transmissions.
2. A suspension tube as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said ends of the tubes are of complementary polygonal radial cross-section and the said elements comprise axially elongated strips of elastomeric material.
3. A suspension tube as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end of one tube is square and the end of the other tube is cylindrical and is provided with radial indentations.
4. A suspension tube as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said element comprises a single tube of elastomeric material.
5. A suspension tube as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the smaller tube is made as a one-piece component with an integral mounting flange.
6. A suspension tube for a motor vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, of Figs. 3 and 4, or Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
GB8124828A 1980-08-16 1981-08-13 Vehicle transmission suspension tube Expired GB2082528B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19803031039 DE3031039C2 (en) 1980-08-16 1980-08-16 Support tube for an engine and chassis arrangement for motor vehicles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2082528A true GB2082528A (en) 1982-03-10
GB2082528B GB2082528B (en) 1984-03-14

Family

ID=6109781

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8124828A Expired GB2082528B (en) 1980-08-16 1981-08-13 Vehicle transmission suspension tube

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DE (1) DE3031039C2 (en)
GB (1) GB2082528B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2512495A1 (en) * 1981-09-09 1983-03-11 Kioritz Corp VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE FOR GRASS MOWER AND THE LIKE

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3307085C2 (en) * 1983-03-01 1987-04-02 Audi AG, 8070 Ingolstadt Support tube for a drive unit for motor vehicles
DE3822638A1 (en) * 1988-07-05 1990-01-18 Daimler Benz Ag Drive assembly of a motor vehicle with a connecting pipe between the engine-transmission unit and a remotely situated axle transmission
DE102011100031A1 (en) * 2011-04-29 2012-10-31 GM Global Technology Operations LLC (n. d. Gesetzen des Staates Delaware) Steering cross beam arrangement of motor vehicle, has steering cross beam which is biased and/or twisted at flange element in predetermined direction

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE882961C (en) * 1951-04-18 1953-07-13 Daimler Benz Ag Motor vehicle with differential gear for oscillating semi-axles pivoted about a longitudinal axis against the action of return springs

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2512495A1 (en) * 1981-09-09 1983-03-11 Kioritz Corp VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE FOR GRASS MOWER AND THE LIKE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3031039A1 (en) 1982-02-25
GB2082528B (en) 1984-03-14
DE3031039C2 (en) 1987-01-02

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Legal Events

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee