Hydraulic mount apparatus and a suspension system that utilizes the hydraulic mount apparatus

A suspension system comprising:

• a shock absorber;
• a link coupled to the shock absorber;
• and
• a hydraulic mount apparatus coupled to one of the shock absorber and the link, the apparatus including:
• a housing defining a cavity;
• an annular member disposed in the cavity and secured to the housing to split the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber;
• a pressure relief apparatus coupled to the housing and configured to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers in response to a predetermined pressure threshold being reached in at least one of the first and second chambers;
• an insert defining a hole;
• wherein:
• the pressure relief apparatus includes a blocking member disposed inside the hole, and the blocking member is movable between a closed position to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers and an actuated position to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers when the predetermined pressure threshold is reached;
• the blocking member includes a first portion that completely plugs the hole when the blocking member is in the closed position to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers;
• the insert defines at least one passageway spaced from the blocking member;
• the hole of the insert and the at least one passageway of the insert cooperate with each other to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers when the blocking member is in the actuated position;
• the hole of the insert includes a first end in direct fluid communication with the first chamber and a second end in direct fluid communication with the second chamber;
• the blocking member is further defined as a first blocking member, and the first blocking member blocks the first end of the hole when the first blocking member is in the closed position;
• the pressure relief apparatus includes a second blocking member disposed inside the same hole as the first blocking member, and the second blocking member is movable relative to the insert between a closed position in which the second blocking member blocks the second end of the hole to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers, and an actuated position in which the predetermined pressure threshold is reached in the second chamber which causes the second blocking member to move away from the second end to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers;
• a plurality of biasing members, with one of the biasing members abutting the first blocking member and another one of the biasing members abutting the second blocking member, and the biasing members continuously biases the respective first and second blocking members to the respective closed position;
• and
• a central support is disposed between the biasing members to present a space between the biasing members that allows the biasing members to bias relative to the central support.

A hydraulic mount apparatus comprising:

• a housing defining a cavity;
• an annular member disposed in the cavity and secured to the housing to split the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber;
• a pressure relief apparatus coupled to the housing and configured to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers in response to a predetermined pressure threshold being reached in at least one of the first and second chambers;
• an insert coupled to the housing and defining a hole having a first portion, and wherein the pressure relief apparatus is supported by the insert;
• wherein:
• the pressure relief apparatus includes a blocking member disposed inside the hole, and the blocking member is movable between a closed position to prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers and an actuated position to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers;
• the blocking member includes a first portion having a surface characterized by the absence of a bore such that the surface plugs the first portion of the hole when the blocking member is in the closed position;
• the pressure relief apparatus includes a biasing member continuously biasing the blocking member to the closed position;
• and
• at least one passageway that is non-concentric with the hole and in fluid communication with the hole, and the at least one passageway includes a first portion and a second portion connected to each other, and with the first portion of the at least one passageway disposed between the first portion of the hole and the second portion of the at least one passageway, and wherein the second portion of the at least one passageway increases in size in a direction that fluid flows out of the pressure relief apparatus.