Description:A bracket for restraining bush of anti-roll bar used in air Suspension
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an anti-roll bar used in air suspension of electric bus with monocoque frame structure . More particularly, the present invention relates to a bracket for restraining rubber bush of anti-roll bar used in bus’s air suspension.
Background of the Invention
The basic function of the anti-roll bar is to keep the bus level maintained during cornering event and bumps. Its ends are connected to the left and right side of axle assemblies. The bar attached to a strong part of the bus's frame is positioned between the ends. Overall, the bar acts like a bridge between the wheels on opposite sides, helping them work together to resist leaning during turns. Rubber bushings in anti-roll bar act as flexible connectors between the Anti-roll bar/stabilizer bar and the brackets holding it to the bus's frame. They allow twisting motion of the bar and sliding movement of the bar along its length and Movement of the bar inwards and outwards in a limited manner. The other function is that the rubber material provides dampening of vibrations in the anti-roll bar, contributing to a smoother ride.
These rubber bushes of anti-roll bar are prone to move out of the housing in prolonged use especially in case of Buses with monocoque frame structure. Due to this, bushes may get damaged and required to be replaced after certain intervals. To keep this rubber bushing in-place, additional metal stops are provided on anti-roll bar which are complex to manufacture, or circular support rings are welded to anti-roll bar or in some cases bushings are molded onto anti-roll bar itself, but this is a costly process.
KR102463446B1 discloses a stabilizer bush, and a steel clamp band mounted on the body of the stabilizer bar and a rubber mounted to surround the outside of the clasp chin band. It has a double structure including the bush. The present invention has the advantage of being mounted on the body of the stabilizer bar to improve durability and at the same time improve NVH performance. It has limitations that costly tooling is required for moulding of bush on bar itself also bush replacement in field is challenge.
A US patent prior art US6893034B2 discloses a stabilizer bar with bushings that remain fixed to the bar, wherein the stabilizer bar assembly includes bushings secured to the bar such that there is no relative rotary movement between an inner surface on the bushings and an outer surface on the bar, but it need costly tooling for moulding. In one example embodiment, the bushings are adhesively secured to the bar. This this prior art challenges are bush replacement in field is challenge.
In another example, the bushings are molded directly onto the bar as shown in the below drawings. It has limitations that costly tooling is required for moulding of bush on bar itself also bush replacement in field is challenge.

Another US patent prior art US7500685B2 discloses bushing support ring for stabilizer bar assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a stabilizer bar, a bushing mounted to the stabilizer bar, and a Support ring mounted onto the stabilizer bar adjacent the bushing to provide a stop to prevent the bushing from moving axially along the stabilizer bar.

It is clear from the above drawings of the 1st prior art, support ring is welded onto anti roll bar which may cause fatigue cracks at the weld’s heat affected zones in long run. In the second prior art, bush is directly molded onto Anti roll bar bush, but this requires expensive mould tooling.
It is, therefore, desirable to work on an alternative solution for bringing improvement in the existing anti-roll bar of bus monocoque frame structure, overcoming challenges and obviates complexity existing in the prior arts.
Summary of the Invention
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter’s scope.
Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing summary and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.
It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure which is cost effective and solves the existing issues in a cheaper manner.
It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure which does not require extra fastening arrangement as the existing bracket bolts is used in securing it.
It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure which has no restriction to functioning and causes no damage or alteration to anti-roll bar as no welding is involved.
It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure that eliminates field failure.
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure and are made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” , “/” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure, comprising a sheet metal bracket with perpendicular legs, wherein said bracket is having a provision to pass the anti-roll bar through it and configured to restrict axial movement of rubber bushings along the anti-roll bar, wherein said bracket is securely mounted on a vertical chassis structure bracket using existing fasteners.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure, comprising a sheet metal bracket with perpendicular legs, wherein said bracket is having a provision to pass the anti-roll bar through it and configured to restrict axial movement of rubber bushings along the anti-roll bar, wherein said bracket is securely mounted on a vertical chassis structure bracket using existing fasteners, wherein said perpendicular legs of the bracket are configured to hold the rubber bushings at an intended position and prevent lateral movement along the length of the anti-roll bar.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for handling and stability of a bus with a monocoque frame structure, comprising installing the bracket assembly on the bus, wherein the bracket securely holds the rubber bushings connecting the anti-roll bar to the bus monocoque frame structure, thereby preventing the rubber bushings from sliding back and forth along the anti-roll bar during cornering events and bumps.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for handling and stability of a bus with a monocoque frame structure, comprising installing the bracket assembly on the bus, wherein the bracket securely holds the rubber bushings connecting the anti-roll bar to the bus monocoque frame structure, thereby preventing the rubber bushings from sliding back and forth along the anti-roll bar during cornering events and bumps, wherein said method further comprises of securing the bracket assembly on the vertical chassis structure bracket of the bus using existing fasteners, thereby ensuring the rubber bushings remain in their intended positions and reducing the need for frequent replacements due to damage.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings connecting an anti-roll bar to a bus monocoque frame structure, comprising a sheet metal bracket with perpendicular legs, wherein said bracket is having a provision to pass the anti-roll bar through it and configured to restrict axial movement of rubber bushings along the anti-roll bar, wherein said bracket is securely mounted on a vertical chassis structure bracket using existing fasteners, wherein the bracket is designed to eliminate the need for welding a support ring onto the anti-roll bar, thereby reducing the risk of fatigue cracks at the weld's heat-affected zones.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows the bracket for restraining anti-roll bar bush used in monocoque bus’s air suspension.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.
In the present invention, a bracket is provided that holds the rubber bushings connecting the anti-roll bar to the bus monocoque frame structure. This bracket prevents the bushings from sliding back and forth along the bar, potentially improving the bus's handling and stability. In prior arts Support ring is welded onto anti roll bar which may cause fatigue cracks at the weld’s heat affected zones in long run. In other prior art bush is directly molded onto Anti roll bar bush but this requires expensive mould tooling. The present invention solves all existing problems as the bracket is not welded or molded to anti-roll bar but it uses existing bolts to secure its position on the anti-roll bar.
Further, the bracket is made up of sheet metal with perpendicular legs, having provision to pass anti roll bar through it but restricts the axial movement of rubber bush. It holds bush as this bracket is securely mounted on the vertical chassis structure bracket with the help of existing fasteners.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a bracket assembly comprising a bracket (1) for restraining Anti roll bar bush that prevents the bushings from sliding back and forth along the bar, anti roll bar (2) provides improved handling of vehicle, and the Bracket (3) mounted on Bus Monocoque structure acts as a pivot point, an end (4) of anti-roll bar mounted on Axle bracket (1) are force application points and rubber bushing (5) provides damping.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, some embodiments have been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail above. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention by those examples and the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments described in this specification.
The embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner and focus of description in each embodiment is the difference from other embodiments. For same or similar parts of each embodiment, reference may be made to each other.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above description was in respect of preferred embodiments and that various alterations and modifications are possible within the broad scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention with the necessary modifications.
Based on the description of disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art can implement or apply the present disclosure. Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons skilled in the art, and general principles defined in the specification can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments in the specification but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistent with the principle and the novel features disclosed in the specification. , Claims:We Claim:
1. A bracket assembly for securing rubber bushings (5) connecting an anti-roll bar (2) to a bus monocoque frame structure, comprising a sheet metal bracket (1) with perpendicular legs, wherein said bracket (1) is having a provision to pass the anti-roll bar (2) through it and configured to restrict axial movement of rubber bushings (5) along the anti-roll bar (2), wherein said bracket (1) is securely mounted on a vertical chassis structure bracket (3) using existing fasteners.

2. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perpendicular legs of the bracket (1) are configured to hold the rubber bushings (5) at an intended position and prevent lateral movement along the length of the anti-roll bar (2).

3. A method for handling and stability of a bus with a monocoque frame structure according to claim 1, comprising:
installing the bracket assembly of any one of claims 1-2 on the bus, wherein the bracket (1) securely holds the rubber bushings (5) connecting the anti-roll bar (2) to the bus monocoque frame structure, thereby preventing the rubber bushings (5) from sliding back and forth along the anti-roll bar (2) during cornering events and bumps.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprises of securing the bracket assembly on the vertical chassis structure bracket of the bus using existing fasteners, thereby ensuring the rubber bushings (5) remain in their intended positions and reducing the need for frequent replacements due to damage.

5. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (1) is designed to eliminate the need for welding a support ring onto the anti-roll bar (2), thereby reducing the risk of fatigue cracks at the weld's heat-affected zones.