Hydro Bushings - Innovative NVH Solutions in Chassis Technology

The conflicting requirements of high frequency structure-borne noise isolation versus low frequency shake control, and the inherent physical limitations of conventional elastomeric suspension joints in reconciling these conflicting requirements are explained as background and motivation for the development and application of hydraulically damped elastomeric bushings in suspension systems.

The operational principle of hydro bushings is introduced in physical and engineering terms, including computer aided modeling and simulation. Next, through several product examples, the various design features, experimental performance characterization results and potential tunability of hydro bushings are demonstrated and explained to provide an overview of opportunities in chassis applications. Finally, preliminary results and future outlook are presented concerning hydro-bushings with adaptive control over their dynamic characteristics, a technology which may become an integrated part of chassis control systems in future vehicle models.