Bushing having rotatable inner elements and stabilizer bar assembly having the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9751376-B2
Application number	US-201615337105-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2016
Priority date	Jan 19, 2016
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

A bushing having rotatable inner elements which includes a plurality of housings and a plurality of rubbers and into which a stabilizer bar is inserted to be mounted on a vehicle body, may include an outer housing connected to a lower end of a rod connected to the vehicle body, an outer rubber attached on the inner surface of the outer housing, a first inner housing disposed in the outer rubber, a second inner housing disposed in the first inner housing to be rotated with respect to the first inner housing, an inner rubber disposed in the second inner housing, and being in contact with a surface of the stabilizer bar, and a retainer ring formed in a partially-cut ring shape such that the diameter thereof is increased, disposed between the first and second inner housings, and pressurizing the second inner housing toward the inner rubber.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bushing having rotatable inner elements which includes a plurality of housings and a plurality of rubbers and into which a stabilizer bar is inserted to be mounted on a vehicle body, the bushing comprising:
an outer housing connected to a lower end of a rod connected to the vehicle body;
an outer rubber formed of a buffer material and attached on the inner surface of the outer housing;
a first inner housing disposed in the outer rubber;
a second inner housing disposed in the first inner housing to be rotated with respect to the first inner housing;
an inner rubber formed of a buffer material, disposed in the second inner housing, and being in contact with a surface of the stabilizer bar; and
a retainer ring formed in a partially-cut ring shape such that the diameter thereof is increased, disposed between the first and second inner housings, and pressurizing the second inner housing toward the inner rubber.

2. The bushing of claim 1 , wherein the second inner housing includes a flange portion formed at an end thereof, and the flange portion is extended in a radial direction of the second inner housing from the end of the second inner housing, and
the retainer ring is disposed between the flange portion and an end of the first inner housing.

3. The bushing of claim 2 , wherein when the retainer ring is spread and separated from the second inner housing, the first and second inner housings are relatively rotated with respect to each other.

4. The bushing of claim 1 , further comprising a rotation stopper formed between the first and second inner housings to stop relative rotation between the first and second inner housings.

5. The bushing of claim 4 , wherein the rotation stopper comprises:
a coupling groove formed in at least one of the first and second inner housings; and
a coupling protrusion formed on a remaining one of the first and second inner housings.

6. The bushing of claim 5 , wherein the coupling groove is formed in the first inner housing, and the coupling protrusion is formed on the second inner housing.

7. The bushing of claim 6 , wherein the coupling protrusion is formed with a predetermined length from an end of the second inner housing to an inside of the second inner housing.

8. The bushing of claim 5 , wherein a plurality of coupling grooves are formed at intervals along a circumference of at least one of the first and second inner housings.

9. The bushing of claim 8 , wherein the coupling grooves are formed at even intervals.

10. A stabilizer bar assembly which comprises a bushing having rotatable inner elements, the stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
a pair of rods for coupling to a vehicle body through a bracket, with an interval provided therebetween;
the bushing having rotatable inner elements comprising:
an outer housing connected to lower ends of rods connected to the vehicle body;
an outer rubber formed of a buffer material and attached on the inner surface of the outer housing;
a first inner housing disposed in the outer rubber;
a second inner housing disposed in the first inner housing to be rotated with respect to the first inner housing;
an inner rubber formed of a buffer material, disposed in the second inner housing, and being in contact with a surface of the stabilizer bar; and
a retainer ring formed in a partially-cut ring shape such that the diameter thereof is increased, disposed between the first and second inner housings, and pressurizing the second inner housing toward the inner rubber, wherein the bushing is coupled to each of lower ends of the rods; and

a stabilizer bar formed in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body, having end portions which are bent in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body such that both ends thereof are connected to the vehicle body, and inserted and fixed to the bushing.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Seo Jae-Hwan

Classifications

• B60G2204/41

  Elastic mounts, e.g. bushings · CPC title

• B60G21/055 Primary

  Stabiliser bars · CPC title

• B60G21/0551 Primary

  Mounting means therefor · CPC title

• B60G2204/1222

  Middle mounts of stabiliser on vehicle body or chassis · CPC title

• B60G7/04 Primary

  Buffer means for limiting movement of arms {(stops limiting fluid passage in fluid dampers F16F9/49; stroke-limiting stops for fluid dampers F16F9/58)} · CPC title