CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application number 62/799,303, filed on January 31 , 2019. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to vehicle wheel suspension systems.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] In a vehicle, shock absorbers are used in combination with springs to reduce the effect of bumps in the road, thereby providing improved ride quality and vehicle handling. Shock absorbers are utilized in combination with suspension springs so that the shock absorber dampens the spring oscillations. Common shock absorbers use hydraulic fluid and/or pneumatic chambers along with valving to absorb excess energy from the springs. Shock absorbers have a tendency to be heavy and also require fluid sealing, which can result in periodic maintenance or repair.

[0005] These issues related to shock absorbers, among other issues related to noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and weight in motor vehicles, are addressed by the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0007] According to one form of the present disclosure, a shock absorber comprises a monolithic elastomeric body comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is located near a wheel and the second end is located near a vehicle chassis. The monolithic elastomeric body is configured to transfer loads and provide a variable dampening and a variable stiffness from the first end to the second end. [0008] In a variation, the monolithic elastomeric body includes a plurality of apertures disposed proximate the second end. In another such variation, the monolithic elastomeric body includes a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the first end.

[0009] In another variation, the monolithic elastomeric body includes a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the first end.

[0010] In a further variation, a first mounting fitting has a first connecting structure and a second mounting fitting has a second connecting structure. The monolithic elastomeric body is molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure. In other such further variations, the first connecting structure includes a plate-like structure embedded within the monolithic elastomeric body. In even other such further variations, the second connecting structure includes a plate-like structure embedded within the monolithic elastomeric body. In yet other such further variations, the plate-like structure is connected to the first mounting fitting by a reduced diameter neck region.

[0011] In a yet another variation, the elastomeric body further comprises apertures disposed proximate the second end, and the apertures define a honeycomb geometry. In a yet another such variation, a first mounting fitting has a first connecting structure and a second mounting fitting has a second connecting structure. The monolithic elastomeric body is molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure. In other such further variations, the first connecting structure includes a plate-like structure embedded within the monolithic elastomeric body. In even other such further variations, the second connecting structure includes a plate-like structure embedded within the monolithic elastomeric body. In yet other such further variations, the plate-like structure is connected to the first mounting fitting by a reduced diameter neck region.

[0012] In a still further variation, the shock absorber is connected between the vehicle chassis and a suspension arm. In a still further such variation, the monolithic elastomeric body includes a plurality of apertures disposed proximate the second connecting structure.

[0013] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0014] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel suspension system having a monolithic suspension module according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary monolithic suspension module according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0017] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1 , a vehicle wheel suspension system 10 is shown including a lower suspension arm 12 and an upper suspension arm 14 adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body or frame 16 (also referred to herein as a vehicle chassis). A steering knuckle 18 can be pivotally supported by the upper and lower suspension arms 14, 12. A wheel hub 20 is supported by the steering knuckle 18. The wheel hub 20 is adapted to support a wheel 22.

[0020] A monolithic suspension module 30 (also referred to herein as a shock absorber) is connected to the lower suspension arm 12 and the vehicle body or frame 16. As best shown in FIG. 2, the monolithic suspension module 30 can include a first mounting fitting 32 for connection to the lower suspension arm 12 and a second mounting fitting 34 for connection to the vehicle body or frame 16. The first and second mounting fittings 32, 34 can each include a mounting feature 36 for mounting to the lower suspension arm 12 and the vehicle body or frame 16, respectively. The mounting features 36 can take on various alternative forms including apertures, plates, clamps and other structures that can support or receive fasteners or connecting pins for mounting to the vehicle body or frame 16 and the suspension arm 12. The first and second mounting fittings 32, 34 each further include a connecting structure 40 embedded within a monolithic elastomeric body 42 such that the monolithic elastomeric body 42 is molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure. Either or both of the first connecting structures 40 can include a plate-like structure embedded within the monolithic elastomeric body 42. Further, the first mounting fitting 32 may disposed at a first end 52 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, and the second mounting fitting 34 may disposed at a second end 54 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42. The connecting structures 40 can include a plate-like structure that is connected to the first and second mounting fittings 32, 34 by a reduced diameter neck region 44.

[0021] The monolithic elastomeric body 42 can include any material exhibiting elastic or rubber-like properties which may include various forms of rubbers, silicone and foams, including but not limited to natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, Chloroprene rubber, Butyl rubber, Styrene-butadiene Rubber Nitrile rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubbers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, Epichlorohydrin rubber, Polyacrylic rubber, Silicone rubber, Fluorosilicone Rubber, Fluoroelastomers, Perfluoroelastomers and open and closed cell foams.

[0022] The monolithic elastomeric body 42 can be in a shape of a square or rectangular block, a cylinder or other shape. The monolithic elastomeric body 42 can include apertures 46 and ribs 48 disposed between recesses 50 as shown in FIG. 1 in order to tune the monolithic elastomeric body 42 to include desired stiffness and dampening characteristics. In a variation, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 includes a plurality of apertures 46. The plurality of apertures 46 in a form are disposed proximate the second end 54. In another form, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 includes a plurality of ribs 48 disposed proximate the first end 52. The plurality of apertures 46 may define a honeycomb geometry.

[0023] By changing the features of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, the stiffness and dampening characteristics of the monolithic elastomeric body 42 can be controlled. As an example, as the first end 52 is located near the wheel 22 and the second end 54 is located near the vehicle body or frame 16, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 can be configured to transfer loads and provide a variable dampening and a variable stiffness from the first end 52 to the second end 54. More specifically, by including recesses 50 and/or ribs 48 near the first end 52 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, lower stiffness characteristics at the first end 52 can be realized. Similarly, by including apertures 46 near the second end 54 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, on the other hand, a higher dampening constant can be achieved. In this fashion, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 can be configured to absorb loads delivered to the wheel 22, and to provide predefined, desired dampening and stiffness characteristics, wherein the monolithic elastomeric body 42 has a lower stiffness near the first connecting structure 40 and a higher dampening constant near the second connecting structure 40. That said, it is believed that improving dampening characteristics can come at the cost of decreased stiffness characteristics and vice versa.

[0024] In yet other variations, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 has a first end 52 and a second end 54, and the first end 52 includes at least one of an aperture 46 and a rib 48, and the second end 54 includes at least one of an aperture 46 and a rib 48. In such a configuration, the first end 52 may be configured to absorb loads delivered to the wheel 22, whereas the second end 54 may be configured to provide dampening characteristics. In a further variation, the first end 52 may include a plurality of apertures 46 and the second end 54 may also include a plurality of apertures 46. As noted above, by including recesses 50 and/or ribs 48 near the first end 52 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, lower stiffness characteristics at the first end 52 can be realized. Similarly, by including apertures 46 near the second end 54 of the monolithic elastomeric body 42, on the other hand, a higher dampening constant can be achieved. In this fashion, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 can be configured to absorb loads delivered to the wheel 22, and to provide predefined, desired dampening and stiffness characteristics, wherein the monolithic elastomeric body 42 has a lower stiffness near the first connecting structure 40 and a higher dampening constant near the second connecting structure 40. It should thus be appreciated that any combination of geometric features (such as apertures, recesses, ribs, among others) and materials can be employed to achieve the variable dampening and stiffness along the length of the monolithic elastomeric body 42. As another example, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 may include reinforcements (i.e. forming a composite material) proximate the second connecting structure 40 to achieve a higher dampening constant. Accordingly, the term "monolithic elastomeric body" should be construed to mean a single-piece body comprising an elastomeric material, or a combination of elastomeric materials, in addition to other optional fillers. [0025] The monolithic suspension module 30 of the present disclosure replaces a heavy metal spring and a damper system that is commonly filled with fluid and requires expensive seals and valving to perform properly. The valving and seals can leak and may require maintenance. Accordingly, the monolithic elastomeric body 42 provides a significant weight reduction and eliminates the need for expensive seals and valving.

[0026] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word “about” or "approximately" in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.

[0027] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean“at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

[0028] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.