US 2016/0102726 A1 · MASS DAMPER

Abstract

A tuned vibration mass damper for isolating vibrations from the steering wheel or other vehicle component includes an elastically cantilever mounted lead mass and a unitary thermoplastic bracket member made from a super tough plastic material and including a first or coupling portion for coupling the tuned vibration damper to a structure of the vehicle, a second portion for coupling the unitary bracket member to the lead mass, and an intermediate bight portion. The second coupling portion includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped legs extending through holes in the lead mass and having their ends formed (in a heading operation) to couple the unitary bracket member to the lead mass and a pair of travel limiters extending beyond the mass for preventing the mass from contacting other structures once the mass damper is installed.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A tuned vibration damper for use in isolating a vibration in the vehicle suspension from the steering wheel of the vehicle, the tuned damper comprising:

a unitary bracket member consisting of a thermoplastic material and comprising a first coupling portion for coupling the tuned vibration damper to the vehicle, a second portion including a plurality of extension posts extending from a first side of the unitary bracket member and a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion;
and
a mass including a plurality of holes wherein each hole of the plurality of holes receives an extension post of the plurality of extension posts for coupling the mass to the unitary bracket member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mass damper

Life of this patent

Mass damper

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16