Electrically switchable locking torque strut

摘要

A switchable locking torque strut assembly and associated method are provided. The strut assembly is interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain to provide high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events. The strut assembly includes a housing and a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing. A locking assembly is interposed between the strut and the housing for selectively locking the strut relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the ICE.

主权项

1. A switchable locking torque strut assembly interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain that provides high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events as communicated thereto by an associated electronic control unit (ECU), the assembly comprising:
a housing; a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing; a locking assembly interposed between the shaft and the housing for selectively locking the shaft relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the associated ICE, the locking assembly including one of a collet, elastomeric rubber, or grommet that in the unlocked state does not interact with the housing and allows relative movement between the shaft and the housing and provides a low elastomeric rate resistance, and in the locked state interacts with the housing to limit relative movement between the shaft and the housing and provides a high elastomeric rate resistance; and electrical wiring leading from the associated ECU to the locking assembly whereby in response to a signal from the associated ECU, the locking assembly switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, or vice versa.