Multi-storage isolator with non-perpendicular rib

Abstract

Isolator assemblies and isolators between separate parts or components, and, particularly, multi stage isolators, especially, isolators useful in automotive applications are described. The isolators have non perpendicular ribs, made of the same material as the isolator body, which can flex when in a deflection phase or stage, or can compress in a compression phase or stage, thus allowing for reduced wear and/or longer life for both the isolator and the parts and components separated thereby.

1 . An isolator of a generally uniform stiffness for use between parts or components wherein the isolator is made of a single durometer material and has at least one non-perpendicular rib.  
   
   
       2 . An isolator as in  claim 1 , wherein the isolator comprises at least two portions, at least one portion having the at least one non-perpendicular rib.  
   
   
       3 . An isolator, as in  claim 2 , wherein at least one portion is a compression portion and wherein at least one portion is a deflection portion.  
   
   
       4 . An isolator as in  claim 2 , wherein at least one portion is a deflection portion, and wherein the at least one portion having the at least one non-perpendicular rib is found on the deflection portion.  
   
   
       5 . An isolator as in  claim 4 , having at least two non-perpendicular ribs on the deflection portion, and wherein the at least one other portion is a compression portion.  
   
   
       6 . An isolator as in  claim 5 , wherein the isolator form part of an isolation system of at least two other components, each adjacent to one another, and at least one non-perpendicular, rib is at least partially deflected at low inertial load conditions at the time of contact with the adjacent component in the isolation system.  
   
   
       7 . An isolator as in  claim 5 , further comprising a hollow.  
   
   
       8 . An isolator as in  claim 7 , wherein at least one rib, in compression, nests in the hollow.  
   
   
       9 . An isolator, as in  claim 8 , having at least two hollows and wherein at least one of the at least two non-perpendicular ribs nests completely in the at least one hollow.  
   
   
       10 . An isolator, as in  claim 7 , having at least two hollows and wherein each of the at least two non-perpendicular ribs rests in a hollow.  
   
   
       11 . An isolator, as in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the at least two ribs is a curved rib.  
   
   
       12 . An isolator, as in  claim 5 , wherein the at least two non perpendicular ribs slow the initial acceleration of the adjacent component as it moves closer towards the contact surface.  
   
   
       13 . An isolator, as in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the non-perpendicular ribs is deflected upon low inertia contact, and wherein the at least one non-perpendicular rib deflects, at least partially, into the hollow, and, thereafter, nests in the hollow when fully deflected under high inertia contact conditions.  
   
   
       14 . An isolator and heat exchanger assembly, having an isolator as in  claim 5 , wherein at least one first part or component is a heat exchanger or portion of a heat exchanger and at least one second part or component is a part or component of, or a portion of a part or component of, a motor vehicle.  
   
   
       15 . An isolator and heat exchanger assembly, as in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one first part is a heat exchanger or a portion of a heat exchanger and wherein the at least one second part is a mounting frame or portion of a mounting frame of an automotive vehicle.  
   
   
       16 . An isolator and component assembly comprising: 
 an isolator having at least one wall;    at least one non-perpendicular wiper rib forming part of the at least one wall;    a component having a component contact surface facing an isolator wall;    wherein the isolator is made of a single durometer material of generally uniform stiffness and wherein the isolator has at least one wall in alignment with an adjacent component contact surface.    
   
   
       17 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 16 , wherein the component contact surface is adjacent to the at least one wall.  
   
   
       18 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one non-perpendicular wiper rib has length of at least two time its average thickness.  
   
   
       19 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 18 , wherein the isolator wall aligned to the adjacent component contact surface is in contact with the at least one rib, and wherein the at least one wiper rib is non-perpendicular to the tangential adjacent component contact surface or the isolator wall.  
   
   
       20 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 18 , wherein the isolator wall aligned to the adjacent component contact surface is in contact with at least one wiper rib , and wherein the at least one wiper rib is non-perpendicular to the adjacent component contact surface and the isolator wall.  
   
   
       21 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 16 , having at least one hollow in a portion of the isolator, and having two or more wiper ribs, wherein the wiper ribs are oriented such that a load applied to the contact surface causes the at least one or more ribs to be deflected into the hollow.  
   
   
       22 . An isolator and component assembly as in  claim 20 , wherein the depth of the hollow is approximately equivalent to the depth of the at least one wiper rib.  
   
   
       23 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 22 , wherein the at least one wiper rib, when completely deflected, nests in the hollow.  
   
   
       24 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 23 , wherein the wiper rib and adjacent isolator surface outside of the hollow, form an approximate uniform contact surface such that a plane can be drawn that is approximately flat when nested in the hollow.  
   
   
       25 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 22 , wherein the at least two wiper ribs, when deflected into the hollow, are, at the compression phase at a much slower rate such that the displacement occurs more slowly with decreasing load.  
   
   
       26 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 25 , wherein the two wiper ribs are adjacent to one another, and the length of each wiper rib is such that the free end of each wiper rib has approximately the same thickness as its adjacent wiper rib.  
   
   
       27 . An isolator and component assembly, as in  claim 26 , wherein the two wiper ribs, when fully deflected, are of a thickness such that the two wiper ribs and the adjacent isolator surfaces, form an approximate uniform planer contact surface.  
   
   
       28 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising: 
 a heat exchanger;    an isolator and component assembly; and    at least one isolator mount,    wherein the isolator and component assembly comprises at least one isolator having a wiper rib and a hollow, and wherein the wiper rib is a non-perpendicular wiper rib.    
   
   
       29 . A heat exchanger assembly, as in  claim 28 , having at least two wiper ribs.  
   
   
       30 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 28 , having at least two isolators.  
   
   
       31 . A heat exchanger assembly as in  claim 30 , having at least two isolator mounts.