Vibration damping device for use in automotive suspension system and suspension system using the same

• US 7,246,807 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2007
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited, Tokai Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited, Tokai Rubber Industries Limited
• Inventors: Kubota, Yasuhiro, Nakajima, Shiro, Katagiri, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown; Drew J.
• Application Number:
  US11/619,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 203 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.5, 280/5.516, 280/5.523, 280/5.524, 280/124.134, 280/124.135, 280/124.136, 280/124.144, 267/292, 267/293, 267/140.12
• US Class Current: 280/124.144
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/1424 the lateral arm having an L-shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1431 of an L-shaped arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4104 Bushings having modified rigidity in particular directions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/02 Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle B60G7/006 takes precedence

Abstract

A vibration damping device for use in a automotive suspension system, adapted to be disposed at a linking portion between a body of the vehicle and a suspension member that connects and supports a wheel on the body is disclosed. The vibration damping device comprises a load sensing unit adapted to sense a signal corresponding to a load exerted between the body and the suspension member. A suspension system equipped with the same is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A vibration damping device for use in a suspension system of an automotive vehicle, adapted to be disposed at a linking portion between a body of the vehicle and a suspension member that connects and supports a wheel on the body, the vibration damping device comprising a load sensing unit adapted to sense a signal corresponding to a load exerted between the body and the suspension member,

wherein the vibration damping device comprises a rubber bushing including a first mounting member fixable to the body of the vehicle, a second mounting member fixable to the suspension member, and a rubber elastic body elastically connecting the first and second mounting members, and

wherein the load sensing unit comprises a deforming plate installed straddling a gap between the first mounting member and the second mounting member, and a sensor attached to the deforming plate for sensing an amount of deformation of the deforming plate.

2. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the deforming plate has a thickness dimension smaller than that of the rubber elastic body.

3. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a strain sensor.

4. A vibration damping device according to claim 1, wherein the deforming plate extends between the first and second mounting members in an axis perpendicular direction of the rubber bushing, and a space spreads axially on both sides of the deforming plate.