Top mount's high performance main resilient or elastomeric element
View Patent ↗One variation may include a product comprising a top mount for a strut comprising a first shell portion and a second shell portion and a main resilient or elastomeric element housed by the first shell portion and the second shell portion, the resilient or elastomeric element being split into at least two pieces and construct and arranged to receive a portion of a strut rod. One variation may include a product for using in a strut top mount comprising an outer shell and a main resilient or elastomeric element received in the outer shell, the main resilient or elastomeric element being split into at least two pieces and being constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a strut rod.
1. A product comprising a top mount for a strut comprising a first shell portion and a second shell portion and a main resilient or elastomeric element housed by the first shell portion and the second shell portion, the resilient or elastomeric element being split into at least four pieces and construct and arranged to receive a portion of a strut rod and further comprising an inner strut rod attachment component, and wherein the main resilient or elastomeric material surrounds at least a portion of the inner strut rod attachment component and further comprising a bearing received in the inner strut rod attachment component and further comprising an outer shell surrounding the main resilient or elastomeric element and received in the first shell portion and second shell portion.
2. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the main resilient or elastomeric element is split into at least a lower resilient or elastomeric element and an upper resilient or elastomeric element and wherein the upper resilient or elastomeric element is in axial compression.
3. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the main resilient or elastomeric element is split into at least four pieces by a radial split and an axial fore-aft split.
4. A product as set forth in claim 3 further comprising an outer shell and wherein the four pieces of the main resilient or elastomeric element is received in the outer shell.
5. A product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the outer shell is a single piece.
6. A product as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an outer shell comprising four pieces and wherein one of the four pieces of the main resilient or elastomeric element is received in a respective one of the four pieces of the outer shell.
7. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the main resilient or elastomeric element has a plurality of voids formed therein to reduce the fore and aft stiffness of the main resilient or elastomeric element.
8. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner strut rod attachment component has a cardiac shape.
9. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bearing is split into at least two pieces.
10. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner strut rod attachment component include at least two pieces including a first upper inner strut rod attachment portion and a first lower inner strut rod attachment.