Floating rod guide for monotube strut
A motor vehicle strut and a rod guide assembly for the same. The strut includes a body, a rod slidable within the body, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a housing assembly with a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve. An aperture is formed within the housing assembly. A bearing receives the rod, is positioned substantially within the aperture, and engages the sleeve. At least one seal is positioned substantially within the aperture. A seal cover and a retainer are operably attached to the housing assembly. Lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.
1. A guide assembly for a rod of a motor vehicle strut, the guide assembly comprising:
a housing assembly including a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve, the housing assembly including an aperture formed therein; wherein the compliant member defines at least one opening formed therein for carrying a fluid;
a bearing for receiving the rod, the bearing positioned substantially within the aperture and engaging the sleeve;
at least one seal positioned substantially within the aperture; and
a seal cover and a retainer operably attached to the housing assembly; wherein lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.
2. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises a scraper seal for engaging the rod of the motor vehicle strut.
3. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises a fluid seal including an energizer, the fluid seal for engaging the rod of the motor vehicle strut.
4. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the compliant member comprises a resilient material.
5. The guide assembly of claim 4 wherein the resilient material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastic, acrylic, silicone, vinyl, and urethane.
6. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the bearing comprises a low-friction material.
7. The guide assembly of claim 6 wherein the low-friction material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of Teflon, plastic, steel, aluminum, metal, and metal alloy.
8. The guide assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retaining ring operably attached to the housing assembly.
9. The guide assembly of claim 1 further comprising an O-ring disposed adjacent an outer groove of the housing assembly.
10. A strut for a motor vehicle, the strut comprising:
a body;
a rod slidable within the body; and
a guide assembly including:
a housing assembly including a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve, the housing assembly including an aperture formed therein; wherein the compliant member defines at least one opening formed therein for carrying a fluid;
a bearing for receiving the rod, the bearing positioned substantially within the aperture and engaging the sleeve;
at least one seal positioned substantially within the aperture; and
a seal cover and a retainer operably attached to the housing assembly; wherein lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.
11. The strut of claim 10 wherein the seal comprises a scraper seal for engaging the rod of the motor vehicle strut.
12. The strut of claim 10 wherein the seal comprises a fluid seal including an energizer, the fluid seal for engaging the rod of the motor vehicle strut.
13. The strut of claim 10 wherein the compliant member comprises a resilient material.
14. The strut of claim 13 wherein the resilient material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastic, acrylic, silicone, vinyl, and urethane.
15. The strut of claim 10 wherein the bearing comprises a low-friction material.
16. The strut of claim 15 wherein the low-friction material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of Teflon, plastic, steel, aluminum, metal, and metal alloy.
17. The strut of claim 10 further comprising a retaining ring operably attached to the housing assembly.
18. The strut of claim 10 further comprising an O-ring disposed adjacent an outer groove of the housing assembly.