Consumables
New Long-Linear Torque Roll Restrictor from Trelleborg Automotive Delivers Increased Linear Deflection and Improved Isolation
Wednesday 10. June 2009 - Trelleborg Automotive, a leading provider of comfort solutions to the automotive industry, has introduced the LoLi (Long-Linear) Torque Roll Restrictor to complement its existing range of conventional torque restrictors.
Featuring a large central shear element to provide long linear deflection, the new LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor delivers increased durability for an enhanced product life span, as well as greater isolation performance. Depending on requirements, the combination of attributes in the LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor offers an optional variant to standard torque links.
In transverse engine configurations, the torque roll restrictor absorbs the impact of torque by restricting engine roll during load transfer. At the same time, it also minimises vibration and noise transfer from the engine block to the chassis, which helps isolate vehicle occupants from vibration caused by the acceleration, deceleration and idling of the engine.
Engineered to replace virtually any torque link in pendulum-style, powertrain mounting systems, the new design of Trelleborg Automotives LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor fits smaller space envelopes than conventional restrictors and features fully vulcanised metal components to help prevent corrosion.
Replacing the traditional steel or aluminium link with this steel reinforced vulcanized component also increases the torque rods natural linear movement. While this linear movement is intentionally limited early on in traditional designs to prevent tearing, this has the adverse effect of also limiting acoustic performance. The LoLi Torque Restrictors shear friendly movement delivers the same degree of initial stiffness but much better noise isolation in lower gears, while also increasing durability to ensure an enhanced product life span.
“Thanks to a design that comprises simple steel inserts, which are fully covered with rubber, our new LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor delivers the manufacturing advantage of zero assembly and swaging”, explains Enrico Kruse, Advanced Engineering Manager at Trelleborg Automotive. “Trelleborg Automotive has specially developed this concept to take full advantage of one of natural rubbers greatest strengths – linear behaviour and good durability under shear loading.”
In addition, conventional torque rods consist of two bushings connected by a metal link, but the space between the bushings is typically only used to achieve a rigid connection and not to improve elastomeric isolation or durability. An added benefit of the LoLi Torque Restrictors innovative design is its capability to fully utilise this former dead-space between the two bushings for a large rubber shear element. This further improves acoustic isolation and rubber durability without using the invariably limited packaging space at the ends of the link.
The design of Trelleborg Automotives new LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor is protected under patents in Europe, with patents pending in a number of other countries.