# US 7,611,288 B2 · Plastic quick-snap centerbearing isolator mount and method of manufacturing and assembling same

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- Number: US 7,611,288 B2
- Document ID: US7611288B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/561,882
- Filed: 2004-07-06
- Published: 2007-07-26
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2003-07-03
- Assignees: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
- Inventors: John G. Lew
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611288B2

## CPC

- F16F 1/38: with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin {, i.e. bushing-type (hydraulically-damped bushes F16F13/14; suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of elastomeric spring members between rotating elements, driveline torque being transmitted therebetween F16F15/126, by making use of a dynamic damping mass attached to a rotating element by means of elastomeric springs F16F15/14; pivots per se F16C11/00; elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports F16C27/00; parts of sliding-contact bearings, e.g. bushes F16C33/04)}
- B60K 17/24: Arrangement of mountings for shafting
- F16C 27/06: by means of parts of rubber or like materials (F16C27/08 takes precedence; with sliding surfaces of rubber or synthetic rubber F16C33/22)
- Y10T 29/49696: Mounting
- F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A resilient mount (30), such as a center bearing isolator mount includes an inner sleeve (52) into which is molded an elastomer/rubber isolator (60), and an insert (70). These components are prepared as a sub-assembly (50) and axially inserted into the opening of an outer bracket (32), whereby fingers (76) deflect radially during insertion and snap-fit radially outward once received through the bracket opening to preclude disassembly. A lower insertion force is required to assemble the components.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A resilient mount assembly comprising:
a rigid, outer bracket having an opening therethrough, the bracket adapted to be mounted to a first member of an associated vehicle;
a rigid, inner mount dimensioned for receipt in the outer bracket;
a resilient member interposed between the inner mount and the outer bracket for damping vibrations therebetween; and
an insert fixedly secured to one of the outer bracket and the inner mount, and including a resilient snap member for selectively securing to an other of the outer bracket and inner mount.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the insert includes plural circumferentially spaced fingers that deflect radially to snap-fit the outer bracket and inner mount together.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The invention of claim 2 wherein the fingers include locking tabs that preclude separation of the outer bracket and inner mount once assembled.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the insert is molded to the resilient member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The invention of claim 4 wherein the resilient member is molded to the inner mount.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The invention of claim 4 wherein the insert is a polymer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the resilient member is molded to the inner mount.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the inner mount has a generally cylindrical conformation and is received in the outer bracket thereby defining an annular space therebetween that receives the resilient member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the outer bracket and insert include mating key portions for aligning the insert with the outer bracket.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the insert includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly biased fingers having respective locking tabs thereon that axially engage one end of the bracket.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the bracket is metal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The invention of claim 11 wherein the bracket is an extruded aluminum.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the inner mount is metal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The invention of claim 1 wherein the resilient member is rubber.

### Claim 15

A center bearing isolator mount assembly comprising:
an outer bracket adapted to be mounted on an associated vehicle, the outer bracket including an aperture extending therethrough;
an inner sleeve received in the outer bracket defining an annular space therebetween;
an insert member secured to the inner sleeve for receipt in the annular space and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outwardly biased fingers that engage the outer bracket; and
an elastomeric isolator member received in the annular space for providing vibration damping and isolation between the inner sleeve and outer bracket.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 15 wherein at least some of the fingers include locking tabs for precluding removal of the inner sleeve to the outer bracket.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 15 wherein the insert member is molded to the inner sleeve.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the isolator member is molded to the insert member.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 15 wherein the insert is a polymeric material.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 19 wherein the elastomeric isolator member is molded to the inner sleeve, and the insert is molded to the isolator member.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount assembly of claim 15 wherein the isolator member has a surface portion which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The center bearing isolator mount of claim 21 wherein the circumferentially spaced protrusions are in the form of circumferential projections that are deformable and formed with a profile to provide flexibility in the radial direction.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The center bearing isolator mount of claim 21 wherein the protrusions are arranged to extend radially outward from the inner sleeve member toward the insert member.

### Claim 24 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount of claim 15 wherein the outer bracket member is aluminum.

### Claim 25 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount of claim 15 wherein the insert member is a non-metallic material to prevent galvanic corrosion.

### Claim 26 (depends on 15)

The center bearing isolator mount of claim 15 wherein the inner surface of the annular ring and the insert member have mating, keyed configurations that provide for slidable insertion of the insert member in the annular ring for limiting relative movement of the insert member and providing an interlocking feature that allows the insert member and annular ring to merge and function as a single component.

### Claim 27

A method of manufacturing a vibration isolator assembly for damping vibrations having an outer bracket, an insert, an inner sleeve, and an elastomeric isolator, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an outer bracket;
mold bonding an inner sleeve and elastomeric isolator together;
providing an insert; and
inserting the bonded sleeve, isolator, and insert into the outer bracket.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 comprising the further step of mold bonding the inner sleeve, elastomeric isolator, and insert together.