KNUCKLE AND BUSHING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions.

主权项

1. A bushing for a knuckle and bushing assembly for use in a suspension system of a vehicle, the bushing comprising:
an axial passage extending from a first end of the bushing to a second end of the bushing in an x-direction, a metal inner member having a length in the x-direction and generally having axial symmetry, the length of the metal inner member having a first end region proximate the first end of the bushing and a second end region proximate the second end of the bushing, a central region proximate the middle of the length, a first narrow region between the first end region and the central region and a second narrow region between the second end region and the central region, wherein the first and second narrow regions have a thickness less than a thickness of the central region and less than a thickness of the first and second end regions; an elastomeric outer member over the metal inner member, wherein the elastomeric outer member covers substantially the entire length and is attached to substantially the entire length of the metal inner member, wherein the elastomeric outer member has first and second end regions, a central region covering the central region of the metal inner member, a first ear between the first end region and the central region of the elastomeric outer member, and a second ear between the second end region of the outer member, wherein the outer member has a first axial opening generally in the axial direction between the first ear and the first end region of the outer member, a second axial opening generally in the axial direction between the second ear and the second end region, a first annular reduced portion located in an exterior surface of the bushing between the first ear and the central region of the outer member, and a second annual reduced portion located in an exterior surface of the bushing between the second ear and the central region of the outer member.