Technical Field

The invention relates to a lightened strut mount for shock absorbers used in vehicle suspension systems, which isolate the motion transmitted from the wheel to the shock absorber from the chassis of the vehicle and provide vibration and noise insulation.

The invention specifically relates to a strut mount and a method for obtaining it, which is produced more easily and quickly, lightened without altering the product durability.

Prior Art

Strut mounts are suspension system components that transmit the motion from the wheel to the shock absorber, isolating it from the vehicle's chassis and providing vibration and noise insulation. They also provide the connection of the shock absorber shaft to the vehicle chassis. These strut mounts are crucial members of the shock absorber system for vehicle stability and road grip. They provide protect the driver and passengers from the effects of road roughness.

Strut mounts typically consist of a body, elastomer, and a cover. The body and cover of the strut mounts are usually made from various metals such as steel and steel alloys, aluminium, and aluminium alloys. Traditionally, strut mounts are made from a body produced from aluminium, an elastomer serving as an insulation element mounted inside the body, and a cover made from aluminium. The elastomer is typically made from rubber material and performs both spring and shock absorber functions.

In the prior art, after placing the elastomer inside the body, the cover is placed onto the body and fixed by applying radial and/or axial forces through a swaging process. Cracks can occur during the swaging process, leading to the scrapping of products. To address this issue, the swaging area of the body is subjected to a delicate process to eliminate surface roughness before swaging. This additional process results in both time and cost losses.

Body and cover production are carried out separately and are kept in intermediate stocks since their production times and locations differ. Covers and bodies taken from the stock for assembly are transported to the swaging process location. This practice slows down the production speed and leads to additional stock costs due to the need for stockpiling to ensure timely fulfilment of customer demands. Another disadvantage of the prior art is the added weight due to the use of metal. Nowadays, vehicle weight holds significant importance in fuel consumption, emission values, and increasing the range of electric vehicles. Additionally, the relatively high prices of metals and metal alloys contribute to the increase in product costs.

In the prior art, a lightweight shock tower structure is disclosed in the patent document US8109492B2. This enables weight reduction in the suspension system by incorporating polymer material in specific areas.

The patent document US5788262A discloses a shock absorber strut mount structure made from plastic material. This structure not only has high production costs but also involves a cumbersome production method.

In the patent document DE102009059168A1 , the elastomer part is pressed into a housing, and the housing is securely and fixedly attached to a flange via clip connections. However, this structure lacks any cover, protection, etc., for the elastomer, making it susceptible to external factors like dust, resulting in low lifespan durability.

In the patent document TR2022013069A2, the cover is attached to the body with tabs, and the resilient tabs enter a slot in the body, creating a lock. Since the tabs work in only one direction, it is not possible to disassemble them in case of any malfunction.

In conclusion, all the mentioned issues above have necessitated an innovation in the field.

Summary of the Invention

The main objective of the invention is to introduce a new structure for a strut mount for shock absorbers.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises at least one locking tab guide in the form of a channel and a locking tab as a protrusion that intersects exactly opposite, allowing the cover to be locked onto the body. Similarly, it consists of at least one pin tab to lock the cover to the body and a pin slot where the pin tab fits into the body and pins to ensure that the cover remains locked when closed.

Thus, a strut mount that is easier, faster, and more cost-effective to produce, while lightened without altering product durability, will be obtained. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body comprises at least one locking slot comprising an outer periphery, three inner peripheries, and a guide path extending axially between the outer and inner peripheries, allowing movement and flexion of the locking tab.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer periphery is provided in a primary length, and the inner peripheries are provided in a secondary length.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, surface of the outer periphery is angled.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, surface of the inner periphery is flat.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the lock slot, a locking cavity is provided at the point where the guide path ends.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the lock slot, a tab abutment surface is provided at the bottom of the outer periphery where the guide path ends.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the abutment surface is configured to be suitable with a hook upper surface of the locking tab.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is made of polymer composite material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is monolithic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking tab is angled.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking tab is at an opposite angle with the surface of said outer periphery.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking tab comprises a hook upper surface, a hook lateral surface, and a hook lower surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hook lateral surface is angle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lateral surface of the locking tab is angled as the surface of the outer periphery to prevent the locking tab from breaking. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the number of locking tabs and the number of locking slots are equal to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising two locking tabs.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising four locking tabs.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is made of polymer composite material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is monolithic.

A strut mount suitable for suspension system use, comprises a body, a cover, and an elastomer,

- the cover comprises at least one locking tab with a hook as a protruding shape that allows the cover to be locked to the body, or at least one pin tab having at least one pin slot, and at least one pin for fixing the pin tab,

- the body comprises at least one locking tab guide suitable with the locking tab or pin tab of the body.

A strut mount suitable for suspension system use, comprises a body, a cover, and an elastomer,

- the cover comprises at least one locking tab with a hook as a protruding shape that allows the cover to be locked to the body, and the body comprises at least one locking tab guide suitable with the locking tab, or

- the cover comprises at least one pin tab having a pin slot allowing the cover to be locked onto the body, at least one pin allowing attachment of the pin tab, and the body comprises at least one locking tab guide suitable with the locking tab.

A method of obtaining a strut mount, the following steps are performed:

- placing the elastomer inside the elastomer slot in the body,

- positioning the cover on the body in a way that the locking tab align with the locking slots,

- applying preload to the cover and elastomer by compressing the elastomer slightly, exerting pressure from the cover to the body in a direction of A, - progressing the locking tab by stretching from the guide path to the reverse direction of the outer periphery in a direction of B, due to the outer periphery having opposite angle, while the hook lateral surface sliding over the angled outer periphery which has similar angles, due to the pressure applied,

- reaching the hook to the locking cavity, and returning to its original angled form by moving to a direction of B’,

- releasing the preload by removing the applied pressure, the compressed elastomer pushing the cover in a direction of A’ by returning the to its original state due to its natural tendency,

- holding the hook upper surface by the tab abutment surface by upward movement of the elastomer in the direction of A’ against the cover.

Objectives of the Invention

The present invention eliminates the problems mentioned above and necessitates a technical innovation in the related field.

The main objective of the invention is to introduce a new structure for a strut mount.

Another objective of the invention is to create a new strut mount structure with a locking cover configuration.

The invention also aims to reduce the number of processes involved in strut mount production, thereby lowering production costs.

Additionally, the invention aims to reduce labour times in strut mount production, further reducing production costs.

The invention seeks to eliminate the swaging process, thus reducing scrap rates of the strut mounts. It also aims to extend the material usage lifespan by allowing the cover to be removed in case of malfunction.

Another objective is to enable the production of lighter strut mounts.

To achieve all the aforementioned objectives, the present invention involves a strut mount structure comprising at least one arm with a protruding nail shape that locks the cover onto the body, at least one locking slot suitable with the arm on the body, or threaded nails and threaded guides, or at least one arm, at least one locking slot suitable with the arm on the body, and at least one securing pin that locks the arm into the slot. This invention methodically connects the cover and body without the need for swaging or precise machining processes, enabling the production of the strut mounts in an easier, faster, and more cost- effective manner with reduced scrap rates.

The strut mount, made of polymer composite material for both the body and cover, is lightened without altering product durability.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a representative overall view of the strut mount according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view representing one embodiment of the strut mount.

Figure 3 shows a representative view of the body.

Figure 4 shows a representative bottom view of the body.

Figure 5 shows a representative cross-sectional view of the body.

Figure 5a shows a detailed representation of the locking slot.

Figure 6 shows a representative view of the cover.

Figure 6a shows a detailed view of the nail.

Figure 7 shows a representative sectional view of one embodiment of the strut mount.

Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view representing an alternative embodiment of the strut mount.

Reference Numbers

1. Strut mount

10. Cover

11. Locking tab

110. Hook

111. Hook upper surface

112. Hook lateral surface

113. Hook lower surface

12. Cover shaft slot

13. Pin tab 131. Pin slot

14. Pin

20. Elastomer

30. Body

31. Mounting slot

32. Shaft slot

33. Locking tab guide

331. Outer periphery

332. Inner periphery

333. Guide path

334. Locking cavity

335. Tab abutment surface

34. Elastomer slot

35. Locking slot

L1. Primary length

L2. Secondary length

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the strut mount (1 ) according to the invention is described with examples solely for a better understanding of the subject, without imposing any limiting effects.

The invention relates to a strut mount (1 ) for shock absorbers used in suspension systems, which isolates the motion transmitted from the wheel to the shock absorber from the vehicle's chassis, providing vibration and noise insulation. The strut mount (1) in question is lighter, more cost-effective, and easier and faster to produce compared to the prior art.

The present invention comprises a strut mount (1) suitable for suspension system use, comprising a body (30), a cover (10), and an elastomer (20). The mentioned cover (10) comprises at least one locking tab (11 ) having a hook (110) extending outwardly that locks onto the body (30) and at least one locking tab guide (33) on the body (30) that is suitable with the locking tab (1 1 ).

In Figure 1 , a representative overall view of the strut mount (1 ) according to the invention is given, and in Figure 2, an exploded isometric view representing one embodiment of the strut mount (1 ) is given. The mentioned strut mount (1 ) comprises a body (30), an elastomer (20), and a cover (10) that ensures the elastomer (20) remains inside the body (30). Figure 3 illustrates a representative view of the body (30), and Figure 4 shows a representative bottom view of the body (30). The body (30) is made of polymer composite material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (30) is monolithic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mentioned body (30) is made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material.

The body (30) has mounting slots (31 ) for attaching the strut mount (1 ) to the vehicle, a shaft slot (32) through which the shock absorber shaft (not shown in the figures) passes, an elastomer slot (34) where the elastomer (20) is positioned and locking tab guides (33) for connecting the cover (10) to the body (30).

In Figure 5, a representative cross-sectional view of the body (30) is shown, and in Figure 5a, a detailed view of the locking tab guide (33) is given. The mentioned locking tab guide (33) comprises an outer periphery (331 ), three inner peripheries (332), and a guide path (333) extending axially between the outer and inner peripheries (331 , 332), allowing movement and flexion of the locking tab (1 1 ) for attaching the locking tab (1 1) in the cover (10). It also comprises a locking cavity (334) where the hook (110) will be placed and a tab abutment surface (335) that enables the connection and fixation of the hook (1 10). The mentioned guide path (333) deepens axially and extends along the outer periphery (331 ). The surface of the inner peripheries (332) is flat, and the surface of the outer periphery (331 ) is angled. The mentioned outer periphery (331 ) is provided at a primary length (L1 ), and the inner peripheries (332) are provided at a secondary length (L2). Wherein, the primary length (L1 ) is smaller than the secondary length (L2). The presence of the locking cavity (334) where the guide path (333) ends is ensured by the primary length (L1 ) being smaller than the secondary length (L2). The tab abutment surface (335) is configured where the guide path (333) ends and the underneath the outer periphery (331 ). The tab abutment surface (335) is configured to be suitable with the hook upper surface (1 11 ), which extends radially.

In Figure 6, a representative view of the cover (10) is given. The cover (10) is made of polymer composite material.

In Figure 8, an exploded isometric view representing an alternative embodiment of the strut mount is shown. The locking slot (35) comprises an outer periphery (331 ), three inner peripheries (332), and a guide path (333) extending axially between the outer and inner peripheries (331 , 332), allowing movement and flexion of the pin tab (13) for attaching the pin tab (13) in the cover (10). It also comprises a locking cavity (334) where the pin tab (13) will be placed and a tab abutment surface (335) that enables the connection and fixation of the pin tab (13). The mentioned guide path (333) deepens axially and extends along the outer periphery (331 ). The surface of the inner peripheries (332) is flat, and the surface of the outer periphery (331 ) is angled. The mentioned outer periphery (331 ) is provided in a primary length (L1 ), and the inner peripheries (332) are provided in a secondary length (L2). Wherein, the primary length (L1 ) is smaller than the secondary length (L2). The presence of the locking cavity (334) where the guide path (333) ends is ensured by the primary length (L1 ) being smaller than the secondary length (L2). The tab abutment surface (335) is configured where the guide path (333) ends and the underneath the outer periphery (331 ). The tab abutment surface (335) is designed to be suitable with the hook upper surface (1 11 ), which extends radially. The pins (14) are inserted into the pin slot (131 ) on the pin tab (13), allowing the cover (10) to be locked onto the body (30) by passing at least one pin (14) with a larger length through the mentioned pin slot (131 ) located at the bottom of the pin tab (13) entering the locking tab guide (33). Thus, the cover (10) is locked onto the body (30).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover (10) is monolithic. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mentioned cover (10) is made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite material. The mentioned cover (10) has at least one locking tab (11 ) with a hook (110) as a protruding shape that ensures attachment to the body (30).

In Figure 6a, a detailed view of the locking tab (11 ) is provided. The locking tab (1 1 ) facilitates the connection of the cover (10) to the body (30). The locking tab (1 1 ) is configured at an angle. The locking tab (1 1 ) is angled opposite to the outer periphery (331 ) surface of the locking tab guide (33).

The hook lateral surface (1 12) is provided in a protruding shape similar to the outer periphery (331 ) surface, reducing the coefficient of friction to prevent the locking tab (1 1 ) from breaking.

The locking tab (1 1 ) is configured in number to fit into the locking slots (35).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two locking tab (1 1 ) and two locking tab guides (33).

Figure 7 provides a sectional representation of an embodiment of the strut mount (1 ).

The method of obtaining the locked (assembled) strut mount (1 ) by connecting the cover (10) to the body (30) is carried out through the following steps: placing the elastomer (20) inside the elastomer slot (34) in the body (30), - positioning the cover (10) on the body (30) in a way that the locking tab (11 ) align with the locking slots (35),

- applying preload to the cover (10) and elastomer (20) by compressing the elastomer (20) slightly, exerting pressure from the cover (10) to the body (30) in a direction of A,

- progressing the locking tab (11 ) by stretching from the guide path (333) to the reverse direction of the outer periphery (331 ) in a direction of B, due to the outer periphery (331 ) having opposite angle, while the hook lateral surface (1 12) sliding over the angled outer periphery (331 ) which has similar angles, due to the pressure applied,

- reaching the hook (1 10) to the locking cavity (334), and returning to its original angled form by moving to a direction of B’,

- releasing the preload by removing the applied pressure,

- the compressed elastomer (20) pushing the cover (10) in a direction of A’ by returning the to its original state due to its natural tendency,

- holding the hook upper surface (1 11 ) by the tab abutment surface (335) by upward movement of the elastomer (20) in the direction of A’ against the cover (10).

This way, there is no need for any additional process when mounting the cover (10) onto the body (30). The cover (10) and body (30) can be made from the same material or different materials.

The scope of the invention is as defined in the claims, and it cannot be limited solely to the examples provided in this detailed description for illustrative purposes. It is evident that a person skilled in the art could create similar structures based on the above description without departing from the main theme of the invention.