阅读说明：本技术 包括锁定系统的水弹性装置 (Water-elastic device comprising a locking system ) 是由 帕特里斯·勒奎尔杜芒特 帕特里斯·福特 于 2018-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：装置包括具有两个加强件(2、3)的固体力传递元件、阻尼体(6)、具有阻尼室(7)的阻尼空间,装置一般处于填充状态,在填充状态下阻尼空间填充有阻尼液(10),并且可能意外地处于填充损耗状态,装置具有特定且专有的缓和填充损耗的集成装置(11),集成装置(11)在填充状态下不活动,并且在填充损耗状态下变得活动,在填充损耗状态下,它们将水弹性装置(1)带到高水平刚度状态,这些装置(11)包括锁定系统,锁定系统包括整体刚性的锁定部分(12)和由装置的填充状态控制的可变形负载部分(13)。(The device comprises a solid force transmitting element with two reinforcements (2, 3), a damping body (6), a damping space with a damping chamber (7), the device being generally in a filled state in which the damping space is filled with a damping fluid (10) and possibly accidentally in a filling loss state, the device having specific and proprietary integrated devices (11) mitigating filling losses, the integrated devices (11) being inactive in the filled state and becoming active in the filling loss state in which they bring the hydroelastic device (1) to a high level of stiffness, these devices (11) comprising a locking system comprising an overall rigid locking part (12) and a deformable load part (13) controlled by the filled state of the device.)

hydro-elastic device (1) intended to be attached to two components of a machine or apparatus in order to connect them together and provide a force transmission from components to another component and damp or filter the vibrations between them, said hydro-elastic device comprising, on the one hand, a solid force transmission element comprising an inner reinforcement (2) and an outer reinforcement (3) spaced apart in such a way as to define a gap (4), and, on the other hand, a damping mass (6) which is relatively rigid but elastically deformable, positioned in said gap (4) and connected to said two reinforcements (2, 3), and on the other hand, a damping space comprising at least damping chambers (7) defined by the inner lateral surface (8) of said damping chamber (7) formed by the surface of the solid force transmission element, and attached to said damping mass (6), said hydro-elastic device (1) being normally in a full damping state, wherein said damping space is filled with said hydraulic fluid (10) and, after said hydraulic fluid (3511) is intended to be in a pressurized state, said hydraulic fluid locking device (3511) being adapted to be in such a state that said hydraulic fluid (3511) is not filled with a damping fluid (11) and, wherein said device (11) is not being adapted to be in a pressurized state, and in such a state, wherein said hydraulic fluid is not filled with a damping fluid (11) being filled with a damping fluid (11) and in a damping fluid (11) being adapted to be in a state, and in which, a damping fluid filled with a damping fluid filled state, and in which is not filled with a damping fluid (10) to be able to be in a damping fluid (11) to be able to be in a damping fluid filled state, and in which, on the hydraulic fluid filled state, and in which, on the hydraulic fluid is not to be filled with a damping fluid filled state (11) to be filled with a damping fluid (10) to be filled with a damping fluid, and in which, a damping fluid filled state (10) a damping fluid filled state, and in which.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the integrated filling loss mitigation device (11) comprises a self-supporting locking system (11) carried by the device (1) which integrates, associates and unites a load part (13) and a locking member (12), wherein the load part (13) is carried by and fixed to a solid force transmitting element (17) of the device (1) and the locking member (12) is carried by and fixed to the load part, the locking member (12) being located in a damping chamber (7) suitable and intended to be inactive in the filling state and to become active in the filling loss state, such that the fully rigid locking part (12) is suitable and intended to be moved by the load part (13) in a loading direction (M) of the locking part (12), and further taking up two extreme positions, namely an inactive position in the filling state, wherein the locking part (12) is not in the loading direction (1) of the device (1) and the locking member (13) is intended to be moved in the loading direction (M) when the loading state (13) is in the loading state and the loading loss direction (12) is changed from the loading state to the loading state (13) in the loading state and the loading state (13) to the loading state (13) so that the loading state is adapted and the loading state (13) is in the loading loss direction (1) is changed from the loading state to the loading state (13) so that the loading state and the loading state (13) is in the loading state and the loading state is changed from the loading state to the loading state (13) to the loading state, wherein the loading state (13) to the loading state, the loading state (12) is changed from the loading state, the loading state (1) is changed from the loading state, the loading state.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the elastically deformable load portion (13) is controlled by the state of the device (1) such that it changes from the expanded state to the compressed state during the change from the unfilled state to the full state, and it is adapted and intended to act on the locking portion (12) in order to move the locking portion (12) from an active position to an inactive position of the locking portion (12) during the change from the expanded state to the compressed state.

4. Device (1) according to , wherein the load part (13) comprises a support and attachment part (26) to a solid force transfer element (27) of the device (1), a support and attachment part (28) of the locking part (12), and at least self-supporting and deformable elongated parts (29) connecting the two support and attachment parts (26, 28), the at least self-supporting and deformable elongated parts (29) being controlled by the state of the device (1) to deform between their two states, the support and attachment part (28) of the locking part (12) moving in a loading direction (M) of the locking part (12).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said self-supporting and deformable portion (29) made of deformable material has or more hollow internal spaces, not communicating with the outside of said load portion (13), in which the pressure is lower than the pressure of the damping fluid (10) of said device (1) in the full state and greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure.

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said self-supporting and deformable portion (29) is compressed when said device (1) is in said filling state, said pressure in said or more internal hollow spaces being lower than said pressure of said damping fluid (10) so that it compresses said self-supporting and deformable portion (29), being deployed when said device (1) is in said filling loss state, said pressure in said or more internal cavities being greater than or equal to the atmospheric pressure in said damping chamber (7) due to the loss of damping fluid (10).

7. Device (1) according to claims 4 to 6, wherein the self-supporting and deformable portion (29) is formed such that during the change from the full state to the unfilled state the supporting and attaching portion (28) moves in the force direction (M) of the locking portion (12).

8. Device (1) according to claims 4 to 7, wherein the load portion (13) comprises a self-supporting and deformable portion (29) in the form of two arms (29a) inclined on each other, converging towards the supporting and attachment portion (26) and diverging towards the supporting and attachment portion (28), there also being a double supporting and attachment portion of the locking portion (12).

9. Device (1) according to claims 4 to 8, wherein said supporting and attachment means (26) are supported by a supporting appendix (27) projecting from said surface (17) of the damping body (6), in particular produced with thereof.

10. Device (1) according to claims 2 to 9, wherein the side surface (18) of the lock (12) has at least clearance areas (19) which, in the inactive position of the lock (12), are located in the load direction (F) of the device (1) by at least corresponding facing clearance areas (19a) spaced apart and not in contact with the inner side surface (8) belonging to or attached to the damping chamber (7), thereby ensuring a discontinuity of the force transmission in the load direction (F) of the device (1).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the facing clearance area (19a) belonging to or attached to the inner side surface (8) of the damping chamber (7) is an area of a stiffener (2, 3) or a side surface of the damping body (6) turned to the damping chamber (7) or an area of an engagement stop (24) arranged in the damping chamber (7).

12. Device (1) according to claims 2 to 11, wherein the side surface (18) of the lock (12) has at least engagement areas (20) which, in the active position of the lock (12), are located in the load direction (F) of the device (1) by contacting at least abutting engagement areas (20a) belonging to or attached to the inner side surface (8) of the damping chamber (7) in the case of force transmission, thereby ensuring continuity of the force transmission in the load direction (F) of the device (1).

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the abutting engagement area (20a) belonging to or attached to the inner lateral surface (8) of the damping chamber (7) is an area of a stiffener (2, 3) or of a lateral surface of the damping mass (6) turned towards the damping chamber (7) or an area of an engagement stop (24) formed in the damping chamber (7).

14. Device (1) according to , wherein the side surface (18) of the locking portion (12) has a corresponding holding/force area belonging to the load portion (13), so that aspects ensure that the locking portion (12) is maintained in the active position or in the inactive position depending on whether the force piece (13) is in the compressed state or in the expanded state, and aspects ensure that the locking portion (12) moves from the inactive position to the active position in the force direction (M) of the locking portion (12) during the change of the load portion (13) from the compressed state to the expanded state.

15. Device (1) according to claim 14, wherein the side surface (18) of the locking portion (12) has, in the holding/loading region, a bearing and attachment portion (30) complementary to the bearing and attachment portion (28).

16. The apparatus (1) according to of any one of claims 2-15, wherein the locking portion (12) has a side surface (18), the side surface (18) being contoured as a polygon or a pseudo-polygon, or as part of a polygon or pseudo-polygon envelope.

17. Device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the side surface (18) of the locking portion (12) comprises a portion (23) formed with a recess, said portion (23) being substantially in the form of an inverted double L, with a clearance area (19) on the side and an engagement area (20) on the other side .

18. Device (1) according to of any one of claims 1 to 27, which may be a hydro-elastic joint (1) having a main axis (XX) and located between two transversal end faces (25), the inner reinforcement (2) emerging from at least of the end faces (25) for assembly thereof, wherein the inner reinforcement (2) is substantially cylindrical, the outer reinforcement (3) is substantially tubular cylindrical, with an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the inner reinforcement (2), so that the outer reinforcement (3) surrounds the inner reinforcement (2) transversally and concentrically, the intermediate portion (4) is substantially annular cylindrical in shape, extending radially and axially between the two reinforcements (2, 3) radially spaced apart from each other, the damping body (8) extends radially and axially and is fixedly and rigidly associated inwardly with the inner reinforcement (2) and outwardly with the outer reinforcement (3), two damping chambers (7) are provided by the design of the damping body (6), extending radially and axially between the damping chambers (7) and the damping fluid channel (F) is formed by the insertion of the damping fluid in the opposite loading direction (1), and the damping fluid channel (7) is in communication with the damping fluid channel (F) under the load.

19. Device (1) according to claim 18, wherein each damping chamber (7) is defined by an internal lateral surface (8) of the damping chamber (7), the internal lateral surface (8) being formed on the side by part of the damping chamber (7) of the internal surface (3a) of the external reinforcement (3) and on the side by the damping mass (6) through the surface of the damping chamber (7).

20. Device (1) according to claim 19, wherein each locking element (12) has a side surface (18) with a profile in the shape of a pseudo-rectangle or surrounded by an envelope of a pseudo-rectangle, wherein a -th portion (18a) of the surface is adjacent to an area of the surface of the damping chamber (7) of the damping mass (6), a second portion (18b) of the surface opposite to the -th portion (18a) of the surface is located towards the portion of the damping chamber (7) of the inner surface (3a) of the outer armature (3), and third and fourth portions (18c, 18d) of the surface opposite to each other connect the -th and second surface portions (18a, 18 b).

21. Device (1) according to claim 20, wherein the second face portion (18b) of the side surface (18) of each locking portion (12) has a portion (23) shaped with a recess, said portion (23) being substantially in the form of an inverted double L, and wherein the clearance area (19) of the side surface (18) is located in an intermediate position on the second face portion (18b) of the side surface (18).

22. Device (1) according to claims 20 to 21, the device (1) comprising, for each locking element (12), a clearance zone (19a) belonging to an engagement stop (24) arranged in the damping chamber (7), and possibly two facing engagement zones (19a) respectively formed by portions of the surface of the damping chamber (7) of the damping body (6) and belonging to the engagement stop (24).

23. Device (1) according to , wherein, when the damping space is filled with the damping fluid (10) under pressure, the device (1) is in the full state, the lock (12) associated with the damping chamber (7) is in an inactive position, and the load portion (13) is in the compressed state.

24. Device (1) according to of any one of claims 4-22, wherein, when the damping space is no longer filled with the damping fluid (10) under pressure, the device (1) is in the unfilled state, the lock (12) associated with the damping chamber (7) is in an inactive position, and the load portion (13) is in the expanded state.

25. Filling loss mitigation device (11) for a device according to any of the claims 1 to 25, , particularly adapted and intended to be additionally integrated into such devices (1), these devices (11) being specific and proprietary and comprising a locking system comprising a completely rigid locking portion (12) and a deformable load portion (13) controlled by the filling state of the device.

26, method for compensating the filling loss of a hydro-elastic device (1) by using a filling loss mitigation device (11) according to claim 25.

Background

The present invention relates to the field of hydroelastic devices, and to devices for overcoming the loss of damping fluid during filling, such hydroelastic devices being intended to be mounted on a machine, to be fixed to two elements, to assemble them, and to ensure the transmission of force from elements to the other elements, and to damp or filter the vibrations between them, for example for grounding in vehicles (trains, cars).

A hydroelastic device of the type to which the invention is applicable comprises, in a known manner, a force-transmitting solid element comprising an inner reinforcement and an outer reinforcement spaced apart so as to define a middle portion, and a damping body which is relatively rigid but elastically deformable, arranged in the middle portion and associated with the two reinforcements, and a damping space comprising at least damping chambers associated with the damping body.

In the case of a hydro-elastic device which is a joint (see FR 2817007), the outer reinforcement surrounds the inner reinforcement transversely and concentrically and the middle part is annular, the hydro-elastic joint has a main axis and is located between two transverse end faces, the inner reinforcement projecting from at least of which so as to be assembled onto of the two elements, while the outer reinforcement can be associated to the other of the two elements in a type of embodiment, the hydro-elastic joint comprises a substantially cylindrical rigid inner reinforcement, a substantially cylindrical tubular rigid outer reinforcement, the inner diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of the inner reinforcement, being surrounded transversely and concentrically by the outer reinforcement, and a radially and axially extending annular cylindrical middle part interposed between the two radially spaced reinforcements, a damping body comprising a shaped block of elastomer, rubber or the like, arranged in the middle part, extending radially and axially and fixedly and rigidly associated with the inner reinforcement and associated outwards with the outer reinforcement, two damping chambers provided by the design of the damping body, extending radially and axially, and connected in a narrow damping passage with the outer reinforcement, and with the damping fluid, and with the damping chamber, and with the damping fluid passage, and with the damping fluid.

By "cylindrical" is meant a shape obtained by moving a generator, which is wholly or partly substantially linear or pseudo-linear, along a closed substantially circular or pseudo-circular or rounded or polygonal reference curve.

With this hydro-elastic joint, the opposing radial force on the frames relative to the other frames compresses damping chambers and expands the other damping chambers, wherein damping fluid is transferred from the compressed damping chambers to the expanded damping chambers as it flows through the channels this stress on the stiffeners occurs at a frequency of , which corresponds to the resonant frequency of the liquid substance passing through the damping channels, which causes the cross-section and length of the channels.

Many specific configurations of such hydro-elastic joints are known, FR (two connecting channels), FR (two chambers and two conduits), FR (two damping bodies, middle section reinforcement), FR (four chambers), FR (two coupling joints), EP (second sealable connecting channel), EP (C-shaped middle section reinforcement), EP, US and GB 2316731, JP providing a locking body which, in the case of radial loads, can bear against the inner reinforcement to limit the displacement WO provides a cylindrical middle reinforcement included in the damping body provided with two blocking bodies located in two cavities forming a damping chamber, said middle reinforcement being able to transmit a bearing force from the inner reinforcement to the outer reinforcement in the case of relative radial displacements with an amplitude greater than a predefined limit, US and FR describe a damping body provided with a stop buffer.

Disclosure of Invention

In addition, the present invention provides for the additional integration of a fill loss mitigation device into the device, the mitigation device being a device having a lockout portion and a load controlled by the fill state of the device.

According to , the invention relates to hydroelastic devices of the aforementioned type, comprising a solid force transmitting element including an inner stiffener and an outer stiffener defining a middle portion, and a damping body which is relatively rigid but elastically deformable, disposed in the middle portion and associated with the two stiffeners, and a damping space including at least damping chambers, and associated with the damping body, the device is generally in a filled state in which the damping space is filled with a pressurized damping liquid, the damping liquid being adapted and intended to move in the damping space after a force is applied on stiffeners relative to the other stiffeners in a loading direction of the device, so as to damp or filter vibrations, the device may be accidentally in a filled loss state in which the damping space is no longer filled with the pressurized damping liquid, the device further comprising an integrated specific and proprietary means of filling loss, the mitigation means being inactive in the filled state and becoming active in the filled state in which they bring the device to a high level, so that the locking of the device in the locked state, including locking of the locking system of the damping liquid, and the locking system of the locking system in which the locking system is completely controlled by the locking of the locking system.

The integrated mitigation device comprises a self-supporting locking system carried by the hydro-elastic device, the self-supporting locking system integrating, combining and joining a load part and a locking part, wherein the load part is carried by and secured to a solid force transmitting element of the hydro-elastic device, and the locking part is carried by and secured to the load part, located in the damping chamber, adapted and intended to be inactive in the filling state, and to become active in the loss filling state, such as a fully rigid locking part, adapted and intended to be movable in in the load direction of the locking part by the locking part, and further aspect occupying two extreme positions, namely an inactive position in the filling state, in which the locking part determines the discontinuity of the force transmission in the load direction of the hydro-elastic device, not locked in the loading direction of the hydro-elastic device, and an active position in the filling loss state, wherein the locking part in the load direction of the hydro-elastic device provides that force transmission continuity in the load direction of the hydro-elastic device, and adds additional stiffness in the direction, and such that the load part is changeable between the compressed state and the active position in the filling state, such that when it is in the filling state, the loading state, it is adapted to be in the expanding state, it is adapted to be deformed from the filling state to the loading state, and to be in the expanding state, such that it is adapted to be in the loading state, and to be in the expanding state, and to be in the loading.

The load portion is controllable by the state of the device such that it changes from an expanded state to a compressed state during a change from an unfilled state to a filled state, and is adapted and intended to act on the locking portion so as to move the locking portion from its active position to its inactive position during a change from an expanded state to a compressed state.

The load portion may comprise a support and attachment portion for the solid force transmitting element of the hydroelastic device, a support and attachment portion for the locking member, and at least elongated self-supporting and deformable portions connecting the two support and attachment portions, which are controlled by the state of the hydroelastic device so as to be deformed between its two states, the support and attachment portions of the locking member moving in the load direction of the locking member.

The deformable part of the load part made of deformable material has or more hollow inner spaces without communicating with the outside of the load part, where the pressure present is less than the pressure of the damping liquid of the hydro-elastic device in the full state and greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure the deformable part of the load part is compressed when the device is in the filled state, the pressure in the inner hollow space being lower than the pressure of the damping liquid of the device, so that the damping liquid compresses the deformable elongated part, or is expanded when the device is in the filled state, the pressure in the inner hollow space being greater than or equal to the atmospheric pressure in the damping chamber due to the loss of the damping liquid.

The support and attachment portion of the device to the solid force transmitting element may be carried by a support bracket projecting from the surface of the damping body.

The side surface of the locking portion may have at least clearance areas, in the inactive position of the locking portion, by at least corresponding facing clearance areas spaced apart and not contacting the inner side surface belonging to or attached to the damping chamber, in order to ensure a discontinuity in the force transmission in the force direction of the device.

The side surface of the locking part may have at least engagement areas, which in the active position of the locking part are located in the loading direction of the device by a force transmission contacting at least abutment engagement areas belonging to or attached to the inner side surface of the damping chamber, in order to ensure continuity of the force transmission in the loading direction of the device.

The abutting engagement region belonging to or attached to the inner side surface of the damping chamber may be a region of the side surface of the reinforcement or damping body that turns toward the damping chamber or a region of the engagement stopper formed in the damping chamber.

The side surface of the locking portion may have adjacent or adjacent clearance regions and engagement regions, or adjacent clearance regions and engagement regions, and extend for a length corresponding to the course of displacement of the locking portion between its extreme active and inactive positions.

The side surface of the locking part may have a holding/force area firmly associated with a corresponding holding/force area belonging to the load part, so that in respect it is ensured that the locking part is maintained in the active position or inactive position depending on whether the force element is in the compressed state or in the expanded state, and in respect it is ensured that the locking part is moved from the inactive position to the active position in the force direction of the locking part during the change of the load part from the compressed state to the expanded state.

The side surface of the locking portion may have a bearing and attachment portion in the holding/force area that is complementary to the bearing and attachment portion of the locking portion present on the load portion in the corresponding holding/force area. In particular, the lateral surface may have double support and attachment portions complementary to those of the locking portion, spaced apart and arranged along the force direction of the device.

The load direction of the locking portion is or comprises a lateral component, in particular a component which is perpendicular or almost perpendicular with respect to the load direction of the device.

The locking portion may have a side surface whose profile is polygonal or pseudo-polygonal in shape, or formed by an envelope of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shapes it may comprise a portion formed with a recess, said portion being in the general form of an inverted double L, with a clearance area on the side and an engagement area on the other side .

The locking portion may be hollow and lightweight.

The device may include a plurality of damping chambers, including at least pairs of damping chambers arranged in a load direction of the device, with a locking portion provided in each of at least pairs of damping chambers.

The device may be a hydroelastic joint having a main axis and located between two transversal end faces, an inner reinforcement protruding from at least end faces for its assembly, wherein the inner reinforcement is substantially cylindrical, the outer reinforcement is substantially tubular cylindrical, its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the inner reinforcement, so that the outer reinforcement surrounds the inner reinforcement transversally and concentrically, the middle part is substantially annular cylindrical in shape, extends radially and axially between the two reinforcements that are radially spaced apart from each other, the damping body extends radially and axially and is fixedly and rigidly associated inwardly with the inner reinforcement and outwardly with the outer reinforcement, the two damping chambers are provided by the design of the damping body, extend radially and axially, diametrically opposite in the load direction of the device, and are interposed between the damping body and the outer reinforcement, an elongated damping connecting channel communicates between the two damping chambers, in the filled state a hydraulic damping liquid fills under pressure the damping space formed by the two damping chambers and the damping channel, and the damping chamber is defined by the damping chamber , on the outer surface of each damping chamber , on the inner surface of the damping chamber side, and by the damping chamber 3683.

Each locking portion has a side surface, wherein the contour is pseudo-rectangular in shape or is surrounded by an envelope of the pseudo-rectangular shape, wherein a th portion of the surface is adjacent to a region of the surface of the damping chamber of the damping body, a second portion of the surface is opposite to a th portion of the surface and is located towards a portion of the damping chamber of the inner surface of the outer reinforcement, and a third portion and a fourth portion of the surface are opposite to each other and connect the th surface portion and the second surface portion.

The device may be in a fill state wherein the locking portion is in an inactive position and the load portion is in a compressed or fill-depleted state, the locking portion is in an active position and the load portion is in an extended state.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to specific and proprietary devices for mitigating the filling loss of devices as described above, said mitigating devices being particularly suitable and intended to be additionally integrated into such devices, these mitigating devices comprising a locking system comprising a completely rigid locking portion and a deformable load portion controlled by the filling state of the device.

According to a third aspect, the object of the invention is to compensate the filling loss of a device of the aforementioned type by implementing mitigation means for the filling loss.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a possible theoretical embodiment of the hydroelastic device, illustrating the kind to which the invention is applicable, and fig. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a median axial plane of the device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a hydro-elastic joint according to a possible embodiment of the invention, in which the filling loss mitigation means shown in the figure are integrated.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hydro-elastic joint without damping fluid loss, and fig. 5 is a similar view of the hydro-elastic joint with accidental loss of damping fluid.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a hydroelastic device 1 according to embodiments, which do not exclude other embodiments, said hydroelastic device 1 showing the type to which the invention is applicable, being part of a substantially parallelepiped or pseudo-parallelepiped shaped casing, and comprising a solid force transmitting element comprising an inner rigid reinforcement 2 and an outer rigid reinforcement 3, a middle part 4 between the two reinforcements 2 and 3 spaced apart from each other, the inner reinforcement 2 having a substantially square or rectangular shape in elevation, and the outer reinforcement 3 having a substantially U-shape, with a base 5a extending in the longitudinal direction L and two spaced apart wings 5b extending in the longitudinal direction T, and the inner reinforcement 1 being located between the two, the inner reinforcement 1 being further spaced apart from the base 5a, in the longitudinal direction L, the inner dimension of the outer reinforcement 3 being greater than the inner dimension of the inner reinforcement 2, the outer reinforcement 3 surrounding the inner reinforcement 2, the middle part 4 having a substantially U-shape, and being further spaced apart from the base 5a longitudinal direction L, the inner reinforcement 3 in the longitudinal direction L, and the inner reinforcement 3 being further spaced apart from the longitudinal direction T2, and being able to be displaced in a direction c.e.g. a damping fluid flow path extending in a direction c.g. a direction c.c.c.c. a damping fluid, and a damping fluid is provided in a damping fluid flow path substantially parallel to a damping fluid flow path substantially vertical direction c.7, and a damping fluid flow path, which is formed in a damping fluid flow direction c.c.c.c.c. a damping fluid flow through a damping fluid flow path substantially vertical direction c.c. a damping fluid flow path substantially vertical direction c.c.c. a damping fluid flow path, which is formed in a damping fluid flow path 7, and a damping fluid flow path 7, which is formed in a damping fluid flow path 7, which is arranged in a damping fluid flow direction c.s.c.c. a damping fluid flow direction c.c. a damping fluid 3, which is arranged in a damping fluid flow direction c. a damping fluid flow direction c.s 7, and a damping fluid 7, which is arranged in a damping fluid 3 which is arranged in a damping fluid flow direction c.c.s.s.

A detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, is given below.

Different embodiments of the apparatus 1 may comprise what is conventionally referred to as "filling loss mitigation means 11" or simply "mitigation means 11". These mitigation means 11 are automatically operated and, in case of loss of damping fluid in the 7+9 damping space, they put the device 1 in a state of high stiffness, so that the device 1 exhibits stable performance. These mitigation means 11 have a locking portion and a load controlled by the filling state of the device 1. These mitigation means 11 mitigate or eliminate the consequences of damping which would otherwise occur due to damping fluid losses. These mitigation means 11 are specific and proprietary, since their original and proprietary features are to compensate for the filling losses. These means 11 are therefore different from both the damping body 6 and the damping fluid 10 filling the damping space.

Such a filling loss relaxation device 11 is described with reference to fig. 3 to 5, and fig. 3 to 5 show the device 1 as a hydro-elastic joint.

Such filling loss mitigation devices 11 are described in integrated embodiments with reference to fig. 3 to 5, wherein the device 1 is a hydrostatic joint, for simplicity reference numeral 1 is used for both the device according to fig. 1 and 2 and the hydrostatic joint (fig. 3 to 5) more the same reference numerals as previously used for similar parts and devices have been retained.

The hydraulic joint 1 has a main axis XX, for example vertical and located between two transverse end faces 25, the inner stiffener 2 emerges from at least of the end faces 25 to allow its assembly (in fig. 3, the two end faces 25), the inner stiffener 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape with the axis XX the outer stiffener 3 has a substantially cylindrical tubular form with the axis XX its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the inner stiffener so that the outer stiffener surrounds the inner stiffener transversely and concentrically.

The damping body 6 extends radially and axially, it is attached to the inside of the inner reinforcement 2 and the outside of the outer reinforcement 3 in a fixed and rigid manner the hydraulic joint 1 has two similar damping chambers 7, and therefore only damping chambers and associated mechanisms are described, these two damping chambers 7 are first formed by the design of the damping body 6, extend radially and axially, and are symmetrically opposed to each other radially in the F direction symmetrically with respect to the XX axis, which is the radial direction here, then the two damping chambers 7 are interposed between the damping body and the outer reinforcement 3, each of the two damping chambers 7 is substantially cylindrical and defined by a face 8 called the inner face 8 of the damping chamber, the inner face 8 of the chamber is formed on the side by a portion 16 of the inner face 3a of the outer reinforcement 3, said portion 16 being conventionally called the "chamber portion 16 of the inner face 3a of the outer reinforcement 3". the chamber portion 16 of the inner face 3a of the outer reinforcement 3 has a cylindrical shape, the inner face 8 of the chamber is formed on the second side by a portion 17 of the damping body 6, said damping face 17 having a generally planar shape 17.

Two damping chambers are provided, however, this embodiment is not limiting and does not exclude other embodiments, as the device 1 may have , two or more damping chambers as in the case of the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, an elongated damping channel (not shown here) is provided, which connects the two damping chambers 7 in a communicating manner.

In the full state, a hydraulic damping fluid 10 with a relatively low viscosity fills under pressure the damping space 7+9 formed by the two damping chambers 7 and the damping channels, since the device 1 may accidentally be in a filling loss state, a filling loss mitigation device 11 integrated into the device 1 is also provided, which is incorporated into the device 1, in particular during manufacture, thus forming a coherent, automatically operating, specific and proprietary whole with the device 1 .

The mitigation means 11 is not active in the filled state. Which is activated in a loss-of-fill state and then places the device 1 in a high stiffness state such that the device 1 exhibits a stable behavior, although the 7+9 damping space is not filled with damping fluid under pressure.

The invention relates to a device 1, in particular a hydro-elastic joint 1, with mitigation means 11, and a process for compensating for the filling loss of such a device 1. It concerns a device 1 in a filled or filled state, ready to be used, assembled or disassembled in whole or in part.

The mitigation means 11 includes a blocking system (when confused with the mitigation means 11) also referred to with reference numeral 11. This locking system 11 is particularly suitable and intended to be integrated into the device 1. Which integrates, combines and combines a completely rigid locking portion 12 with lateral surfaces 18 and a substantially self-supporting and deformable carrying portion 13.

The load part 13 comprises a support part 26 and is attached to the solid force transmitting element 27 of the device 1 and to a support and attachment part 28 of the locking part 12, finally it comprises at least self-supporting and deformable parts 29 connecting these two support and attachment parts 26 and 28.

The locking system 11 is self-supporting and is supported by the device 1, i.e. a solid force-transmitting element 27, which solid force-transmitting element 27 is, in the embodiment shown, a supporting attachment provided on the damping body 6 by projecting from its side 17, which side 17 is part of the inner side 8 of the damping chamber 7 and is referred to as the chamber face 17 of the damping body 6. The term "self-supporting" must be understood to mean that the locking system 11 supported by the device 1 and the locking portion 12 that is part of it remain in place and have an overall retention force due to its own construction.

On its side surface 18, the locking portion 12 has a bearing and attachment portion 30, said bearing and attachment portion 30 being complementary to the bearing and attachment portion 28 provided on the load portion 13. Thus, the locking portion 12 is carried by the load portion 13 and is fixed to the load portion 13.

The locking system 11 located in the damping chamber 7 is suitable and intended to be inactive during the filling state and to become active during the filling loss state.

The procedure for compensating for the filling loss is thus performed by the mitigation means 11 integrated into the device 1, wherein the locking portion 12 and the load portion 13 themselves comprise the deformable elongated portion 29.

There are two locking systems 11 due to the provision of two damping chambers 7, in case there are a plurality of damping chambers 7, depending on the embodiment, locking systems 11 are provided in all damping chambers 7, or locking systems 11 are provided only in part of damping chambers 7, in addition, when there are a plurality of damping chambers 7 as in the embodiment of fig. 3 to 5 and are arranged in the F direction for the damping chambers 7, there is a locking system 11 in each of the damping chambers 7.

The clamping portion 12 and the load portion 13 are separate parts rigidly engaged at by means of a bearing and attachment portion 28 provided on the load portion 13 and a bearing and attachment portion 30 provided on the locking portion 12, these two bearing and attachment portions 28 and 30 being complementary to each other and being rigidly engaged at , however, in other possible embodiments, the locking portion 12 and the load portion 13 form a single-piece unit 12+13 from production, in which case the two bearing and attachment portions 27 and 30 are not separate, but form an interface between the portion 12 (locked) and the portion 13 (loaded) of the single-piece assembly 12+13, the terms "locking portion 12", "load portion 13", "bearing and attachment portions" 28 and 30 must be understood and interpreted in this way, the terms "locking portion 12", "carrying portion 13", "bearing and attachment portions" 26, 28, 30 "," solid transmission element 27 "," attachment "," self-supporting and deformable portion 29 "are used in a conventional manner, as such are not limitative, and the structural and functional equivalents of these devices will be described in several possible non-exclusive ways but in the following embodiments.

The locking part 12, which is completely rigid to accommodate and transmit forces exerted on the device 1, may be light, need not be heavy, since it is carried by the load part 13 according to an embodiment, the locking part 12 is hollow, the locking part (12) is located in the damping chamber 7, wherein the locking part (12) is adapted and intended to be displaced by the load part (13) in load directions M of the locking part, and in the other it occupies two extreme positions, namely an inactive position in respect of and an active position in respect of the expression "inactive position" must be understood to mean that in this position the locking part 12 does not perform the locking function of the mitigation means 11.

In the filled state, the locking portion 12 is in its inactive position. In the inactive position it provides a force transmission discontinuity in the load direction F of the hydro-elastic joint 1. In fact, the locking portion 12 is not locked in the F direction. In the filling loss state, the locking portion 12 is in its active position. In the active position it ensures a continuous force transmission in the direction F and adds additional stiffness in that direction. In fact, the locking portion 12 is then locked in the direction F. These are the functions provided by the locking portion 12 in the inactive position and the active position, respectively.

The side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has a functional area which functionally cooperates with a corresponding functional area of the device 1 comprising the mitigation means 11. These functional areas are conventionally designated as follows: clearance area 19, engagement area 20, retention/loading area. The term "gap" should be understood to mean that the region 19 is adapted and intended to be cleared, i.e. free and unobstructed. The term "engage" must be understood to mean that the region 20 is capable of and intended to interfere with the mechanism by contact and transmission of force. The term "holding/loading" must be understood to mean that the corresponding region is adapted and intended for holding and carrying the locking portion 12.

The locking portion 12 has sides 18, the outline of which sides 18 is part of an envelope of a generally pseudo-rectangular shape this embodiment is not limiting and does not exclude other embodiments, the locking portion 12 may have sides 18, the outline of which sides 18 is more generally polygonal or pseudo-polygonal in shape, or formed by an envelope of polygonal or pseudo-polygonal shapes.

, the side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has a third and a second 18b facing each other, another aspect, which also includes a third 18c and a fourth 18d facing each other, which face portions connect the and second 18b face portions, the second 18b face portion having a shaped portion with a substantially double L-shaped counter recess 23, the face portion 18a being adjacent to the area of the chamber face 17 of the damping body 6, the second face portion 18b being located towards the chamber portion 16 of the face 3a of the external reinforcement 3.

The locking portion 12 has a clearance zone 19 in the middle of its second face portion 18b, two engagement zones 20- on the th face portion 18a and another in the middle of the second face portion 18b, a holding/bearing zone on of the two face portions 18a and 18c, corresponding to a support and attachment portion 30 provided on the locking portion 12, which is complementary to the support and attachment portion 28 provided on the load portion 13, the two support and attachment portions 28 and 30 being rigidly engaged at . , once these two functions are fulfilled, the locking portion 12 can be used for other purposes than those mentioned above.

The load part 13, more precisely the deformable elongated part 29, is deformable between a compressed state and an expanded state and is designed and arranged for this purpose. As far as filling is concerned, it is controlled by the state of the device 1, as follows: the device 1 is in a compressed state when in a filled state, in an expanded state when the device 1 is in a filled, depleted state, and deformed from the compressed state to the expanded state when changing from the filled state to the filled, depleted state.

The load part 13, more specifically the deformable elongated part 29, is adapted and intended to load the locking part 12 so as to move it from the inactive position to the active position in the loading direction M of the locking part when changing from the compressed state to the extended state and to keep it in the active position as long as the load part 13 is in the extended state once said function is fulfilled, the load part 13 may be the subject of embodiments other than the described embodiments.

The load portion 13 is controlled by the state of the hydro-elastic joint 1 such that the load portion 13 can be changed from an expanded state to a compressed state when changing from a filled, worn state to a filled state, then, in addition to loading the locking portion 12, it is also possible and intended to move the locking portion 12 from its active position to an inactive position when changing the load portion 13 from an expanded state to a compressed state, the self-supporting and deformable portion 29 can be the subject of different design variants, all of which perform the function in the expanded or compressed state, or the function of switching from states to another states depending on the filled state of the device, the term "portion" in relation to the portion 29 should be understood to mean that the portion 29 is an element of the load portion 13 in addition to the supporting and attaching portion 26 and the supporting and attaching portion 30, the portion 29 forms a single-piece unit that has been manufactured, according to an embodiment, the portions 29, 26 and 30 may be separate elements assembled in other embodiments that they may be assembled in other embodiments, self-supporting and deformable portion itself may be a single-piece or composite unit, the term "may mean that the self-supporting and deformable portion 29 may be a self-supporting and may be formed under the load portion, and may be deformed in a self-supporting and may be deformed in a length-adjustable condition, such as a length-adjustable load portion 29-adjustable, a length-adjustable load-adjustable element, which may be able to be changed from an expanded state, such as a load portion, such as a length-adjustable, such as a load portion 29-adjustable, which is able to be changed from a load portion, in a length-to be changed from.

The feature that the elongated portion 29 is self-supporting and deformable can be obtained by different embodiments depending on the case that all or almost all of the portion 29 is deformable, or only or more defined and selected areas are deformable, while the other areas are substantially non-deformable, depending on the case that deformation is uniform for all or almost all of the portion 29, or distinguished according to or more areas determined and selected from the portion 29, some areas are more easily deformable, while the other some areas are not so easily deformable, these formations make it possible to give the portion 29a selected optimal shape in the compressed or expanded state, the elongated portion 29 can be made of deformable material, or comprise deformable material, such as an elastomer, selecting the features of such material, the structure, shape and dimensional characteristics of the portion 29, and more their constructional characteristics, such that the portion 29 is self-supporting, in another embodiment, the elongated portion 29 is arranged in a manner similar to a telescopic structure in order to perform the same function, and not to exclude other embodiments and other embodiments, such that the portion 29 is self-supporting, such that the hollow portion 29 is arranged in a compressed state with a larger pressure-expansion-like-expansion-like-that it is arranged to prevent the pressure-expansion of the inner-expansion-under the inner-pressure-expansion-and-expansion-pressure-expansion-under the pressure-expansion-pressure-of the inner-expansion-pressure-induced expansion-of the inner-expansion-pressure-expansion-of the inner-expansion-pressure-of the inner-expansion-pressure-expansion-of-expansion-pressure-expansion-of the inner-expansion-of the inner-expansion-pressure-expansion-of the inner-expansion-of the inner-expansion-.

According to an embodiment, the load part 13 comprises a part 29 in the form of two arms 29a, which arms 29a are generally of elongate or overall elongate shape, being inclined over the other on either sides of the load direction M of the locking part, the two arms 29a converging towards the support and attachment part 26 and diverging towards the support and attachment part 28, according to this embodiment the side surface 18 of the locking part 12 has a double support and attachment part 30, which double support and attachment part 30 is complementary to the double support and attachment part 28 provided on the load part 13, on the two arms 29a, these double support and attachment parts 28, 30 being spaced apart and positioned in the load direction F of the device 1.

The shape and configuration of the portion 29 in the compressed state is determined by the design features of itself and, if applicable, of the locking portion 12. Thus, the locking portion 12 can be such that the front portions 18a, 18c, where the holding/loading zone is located, have two half-face portions inclined with respect to each other, against which the two arms 29a abut in the compressed state.

In the embodiment with two arms 29a, the portion 29 also comprises a block portion 31 extending in the loading direction M of the locking portion, and a bearing and attachment portion 26 of the accessory 27 on the side opposite the locking portion 12 the solid portion 31 comprises a bearing and attachment portion 28 on the same side as the locking portion 12, said bearing and attachment portion 28 cooperating with the bearing and attachment portion 30, the locking portion 12 and the loading portion 13 then being separate portions rigidly assembled together at .

The two support and attachment portions 28 and 30 may have complementary shapes with protrusions and recesses for relative positioning. They may be rigidly joined to each other by gluing, welding or the like.

In the embodiment according to fig. 3 to 5, each locking portion 12 has a region, conventionally called the facing gap 19a, belonging to an engagement stop 24 formed in the damping chamber 7, this engagement stop 24 extending parallel to the axis XX and being rigidly fixed at both ends to the end face 25, in the vicinity of the inner face 3a of the external stiffener 3. this embodiment does not exclude other embodiments in which the engagement stop function is achieved in a different way according to this embodiment, two regions 20a, conventionally called abutment engagement regions 20a, are provided for each locking portion 12, of which are formed by parts of the chamber face 17 of the damping body 6, and a further region belongs to the engagement stop 24. for each locking portion 12, a holding/loading region is provided, which is a bearing and attachment portion 30 on the locking portion 12, which bearing and attachment portion 30 is complementary to and rigidly fixed to a corresponding holding and loading region of the loading portion 13, which is itself a bearing and attachment portion 28 on the loading portion 13.

These are the functions performed by the opposing clearance zones 19a, the adjacent engagement zones 20a, the corresponding retention/loading zones, as they cooperate functionally with the clearance zones 19, the engagement 20, the retention/loading of the locking portion 12. the device 1 may be the subject of achievements other than those described once the functions performed by these zones 19a, 20a and the maintenance/loading zones are satisfied.

More generally , the side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has at least clearance areas 19, which clearance areas 19, in the inactive position of the locking portion 12, are situated in the direction F by being spaced apart from, without contact, at least corresponding facing clearance areas 19a belonging to, or attached to, the inner side surface 8 of the chamber, so as to ensure a discontinuity in the transmission of force in the load direction F of the device 1, depending on the case, a single clearance area 19 or two opposite clearance areas 19 are provided, respectively a single facing clearance area 19a or two opposite facing clearance areas 19a, depending on the case, such a facing clearance area 19a belonging to, or attached to, the inner side surface 8 of the chamber, which is the area where the side surface of the reinforcement 2, 3 or the damping body 6 turns towards the damping chamber 7 or the area arranged in the damping chamber 7 engages the stop 24.

More generally , it is provided that the side surface 18 of the locking part 12 has at least engagement areas 20, which engagement areas 20 in the direction F in the active position of the locking part are in force-transmitting contact with at least adjacent engagement areas 20a belonging to or associated with the inner side surface 8 of the chamber, in order to ensure continuity of the force transmission in the direction F, there will be a single engagement area 20 or two opposite engagement areas 20, respectively a single abutment engagement area 20a or two abutment engagement areas 20a, depending on the case, the abutment engagement area (20a) belonging to or attached to the inner side surface 8 of the chamber is the area 20a of the side surface of the stiffener 2, 3 or the area 20a of the damping body 6 turned towards the damping chamber 7 or the area formed in the damping chamber 7 engaging the stopper 24.

According to an embodiment, the side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has adjacent or adjacent clearance areas 19 and engagement areas 20. For example, the side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has a clearance area 19 and an engagement area 20, which are adjacent or adjacent and extend for a length corresponding to the course of displacement of the locking portion 12 between its extreme active and inactive positions.

Finally, the side surface 18 of the locking portion 12 has at least load/holding areas which are in displacing contact in the direction M with at least corresponding load areas belonging to the load portion 13 in order to ensure that the locking portion 12 is displaced from the inactive position to the active position in the direction M during the change of the loading means 13 from the compressed state to the expanded state.

The load direction M of the locking portion 12 is or comprises a lateral component, in particular a component which is perpendicular or almost perpendicular with respect to the direction F.

As long as the load portion 13 is self-supporting and is carried by the appendage 27, the load portion 13 is rigidly fixed to said appendage 27, with the locking portion 12 rigidly fixed to the load portion 13, the device 1 can be operated with its axis XX in any direction, the compressed or expanded state of the load portion 13 being a function of its external pressure.