Claims:1. A top mount assembly (20) for a suspension system (10) comprises;
a bottom cup (22) configured to be mount with BIW (body in white) of a vehicle (1);
a top cup (28) configured to be mounted on the bottom cup (22);
a resilient member (26) disposed between the bottom cup (22) and the top cup (28), wherein the stiffness of the resilient member (26) is configured to be varied by adjusting the top cup (28); and
a damper rod (32) of a strut (30) configured to pass through the bottom cup (22), the resilient member (26) and the top cup (28).
2. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom cup (22) is configured with two mounting provisions (23a, 23b) attached at outer surface for mounting with BIW of the vehicle.
3. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom cup (22) is configured with an upper part (22a) and a lower part (22b) separated by a seat (24), wherein the lower part (22b) is positioned on a damper (32) of the strut (30) and the upper part (22a) is configured with internal threads to receive the top cup (28).
4. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cup (28) is configured with outer threads for mounting on the upper part (22a) of the bottom cup (22).
5. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member (26) is configured to be sandwiched between the seat (24) and the top cup (28).
6. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member (26) is configured to absorb vibrations in the X and Y directions received from the damper rod (36) passing through an aperture (26a).
7. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member (26) is configured from a set of polyurethane (PU), microcellular urethane (MCU), natural rubber, or similar material.
8. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cup (28) is configured with grooves (28a) for engagement with protrusions (54) of an adjusting tool (50).
9. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cup (28) is configured to be rotated by the adjusting tool (50) for adjusting stiffness of the resilient member (26).
10. The top mount assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting tool (50) is configured with an aperture (58) to receive a holding pin (56) for handling the adjusting tool (50).
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A TOP MOUNT ASSEMBLY FOR A SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a suspension system, and more specifically to a top mount assembly for a suspension system.

BACKGROUND
[002] Motor vehicles typically include a suspension system that to absorb the unwanted motion of the vehicle due to uneven roads or the road bumps. The suspension generally comprises springs and dampers. Springs are provided to support the weight of the vehicle and dampers are provided to dampen the motion of the suspension components. The MacPherson strut-type suspension system is generally used in most of the motor vehicles. The MacPherson strut is configured with a long telescopic shock absorber strut surrounded by a coil spring. The upper end of the strut is connected to body or chassis of the vehicle through a top mount. The lower end of the strut is connected to tyres or axle of the vehicle. The top mount include some type of isolation arrangement to address NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) issues and to assist in tuning of the vehicle suspension. The top mount may consist of some resilient material to isolate the road induced vibrations which are transferring to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[003] The stiffness of the resilient material plays a vital role in defining the isolation characteristics of the top mount and to define quality of the vehicle secondary ride. For a particular type of the vehicle the stiffness is kept consistent which provides a consistent ride comfort for all the users. However the expectation of ride comfort may vary for various customer which is not possible to fulfill the demand of all customers by offering existing top mounts with same stiffness of the resilient material.
[004] The present subject matter discloses a novel suspension system to overcome the limitations stated above.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a top mount assembly configured for dampening the vibrations and noise to the vehicle body.
[006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a top mount assembly configured for varying the stiffness of a resilient member.
[007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a replaceable resilient member in the top mount assembly.

SUMMARY
[008] Before the present system is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or device, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a top mount assembly for a suspension system, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[009] The present subject matter discloses a top mount assembly for a suspension system. The top mount assembly comprises a bottom cup, a top cup and a resilient member. The bottom cup is configured to be mount with BIW (body in white) of a vehicle. The top cup is configured to be mounted on the bottom cup. The resilient member is disposed between the bottom cup and the top cup, wherein the stiffness of the resilient member is configured to be varied by adjusting the top cup. A damper rod of a strut is configured to pass through the bottom cup, the resilient member and the top cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and device disclosed in the document and the drawing. The detailed description is described with reference to the following accompanying figures.
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a suspension system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a top mount assembly for the suspension system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a section view of the suspension system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a view of the top mount assembly configured with an adjusting tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] Figure 5a, 5b and 5c illustrates various configurations of the resilient member for defining variable stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any devices and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, devices and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0018] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0019] Following is a list of elements and reference numerals used to explain various embodiments of the present subject matter.

Reference Numeral Element Description
1 Vehicle
2 Chassis/frame
4 Axle
10 Suspension system
20 Top mount assembly
22 Bottom plate
22a Upper part
22b Lower part
23a Mounting provision
23b Mounting provision
24 Seat
24a Aperture of seat
26 Resilient member
28 Top cup
30 Strut
32 Damper
34 Inner cylinder
36 Damper rod
38 Nut
40 Outer cover
50 Adjusting tool
52 Body of the adjusting tool
54 protrusions
56 Holding pin

[0020] The present subject matter relates to a top mount assembly of a suspension system for a vehicle. The top mount assembly is configured to provide variable stiffness to the resilient member as per the requirement of an individual user.
[0021] Referring to figure 1 a suspension system 10 for a vehicle 1 is illustrated comprising a top mount assembly 20 in accordance an embodiment of the present subject matter. The suspension system 10 is configured to be mounted on the chassis 2 or axle 4 of the vehicle by a lower end. The upper end is configured to be connected to body or passenger compartment (not shown) of the vehicle. Figure 2 illustrates the top mount assembly 20 comprising a bottom cup 22, a top cup 24 and a resilient member 26. The bottom cup 22 is configured with two mounting provisions (23a, 23b) attached at outer surface for mounting with the body or BIW (body in white) of the vehicle. The bottom cup 22 is further configured with a seat 24 comprising of an aperture 24a at the center. The seat 24 divides the bottom cup 22 into two parts; an upper part 22a and a lower part 22b. The lower part 22b is configured to be positioned on a damper 32. The upper part 22a is configured with threads on inner surface of the bottom cup 22. The top cup 24 is configured with external threads configured to mount with the threads on the upper part 22a of the bottom cup 22. The resilient member 26 is configured to be seated on the seat 24, between the bottom cup 22 and the top cup 28 and covers the internal surface of the upper part 22a of the bottom cup 22. The resilient member 26 is also provided with an aperture 26a similar to that of bottom cup 22.
[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the suspension system 10 wherein a strut 30 is configured to be mounted with the top mount 20. The strut 30 is configured with an inner cylinder 34 having a damper rod 36 passing through it axially. The damper 32 is positioned above the inner cylinder 34 and a portion of the damper road 36 passes through the damper 32. Further the damper road 36 is fixedly mounted on the top cup 28 through a nut 38. Further an outer cover 40 is provided on the inner cylinder 34 to prevent entry of dust particles inside the strut.
[0023] The damper 32 is configured to absorb the shocks and vibrations in the Z direction by compressing or expanding in the Z direction and therefore the passenger compartment or body of the vehicle realize much damped vibrations. Similarly the resilient member 26 is configured to absorb vibrations in the X and Y directions received from the damper rod 36 passing through the aperture 26a to improve secondary ride quality.
[0024] As illustrated in figure 4, an adjusting tool 50 is configured to rotate the top cup 28 for adjusting the stiffness of the resilient member 26. The adjusting tool 50 may be configured with two protrusions 54 on a body 52 to complement with two grooves 28a on the top cup 28 for adjustment purpose. The adjusting tool 50 is further configured with an aperture to receive a holding pin 56 for handling during adjustment. As the adjusting tool 50 is rotated to tighten the top cup 28, the stiffness of the resilient member 26 increases and as it is rotated to loosen the top cup 28, the stiffness of the resilient member 26 decreases. The stiffness of the resilient member 26 may be varied based on the user requirement for level of ride comfort.
[0025] In an embodiment, the top cup 28 may be removed to replace the resilient material 26 based on the requirement. In another embodiment, the resilient material 26 is chosen from polyurethane (PU), microcellular urethane (MCU), natural rubber, or any other similar material.
[0026] Figure 5a, 5b and 5c illustrates three possible configurations of the resilient member 26 having variable stiffness. Figure 5a illustrates the resilient material 26 in uncompressed condition where the top cup 28 is adjusted just to touch the top surface of the resilient material 26. Figure 5b illustrates the resilient material 26 in partially compressed condition by tightening the top cup 28. Figure 5c illustrates the resilient material 26 in fully compressed condition by completely tightening the top cup 28.
[0027] The present subject matter discloses a top mount assembly 20 for a suspension system 10. The top mount assembly 20 comprises a bottom cup 22, a top cup 28 and a resilient member 26. The bottom cup 22 is configured to be mount with BIW (body in white) of a vehicle. The top cup 28 is configured to be mounted on the bottom cup 22. The resilient member 26 is disposed between the bottom cup 22 and the top cup 28, wherein the stiffness of the resilient member 26 is configured to be varied by adjusting the top cup 28. A damper rod 36 of a strut 30 is configured to pass through the bottom cup 22, the resilient member 26 and the top cup 28.
[0028] The bottom cup 22 is configured with two mounting provisions 23a, 23b attached at outer surface for mounting with BIW of the vehicle. The bottom cup 22 is further configured with an upper part 22a and a lower part 22b separated by a seat 24, wherein the lower part 22b is positioned on a damper 32 of the strut 30 and the upper part 22a is configured with internal threads to receive the top cup 28.
[0029] The top cup 28 is configured with outer threads for mounting on the upper part 22a of the bottom cup 22.
[0030] The resilient member 26 is configured to be sandwiched between the seat 24 and the top cup 28. Further the resilient member 26 is configured to absorb vibrations in the X and Y directions received from the damper rod 36 passing through an aperture 26a. The resilient member 26 is configured from a set of polyurethane PU, microcellular urethane MCU, natural rubber, or similar material.
[0031] The top cup 28 is configured with grooves 28a for engagement with protrusions 54 of an adjusting tool 50. The top cup 28 is configured to be rotated by the adjusting tool 50 for adjusting stiffness of the resilient member 26. Further the adjusting tool 50 is configured with an aperture 58 to receive a holding pin 56 for handling the adjusting tool 50.
[0032] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0033] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide a top mount assembly configured for dampening the vibrations and noise to the vehicle body.
[0034] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide a top mount assembly configured for varying the stiffness of a resilient member.
[0035] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide a replaceable resilient member in the top mount assembly.
Equivalents
[0036] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[0037] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0038] Although implementations for a top mount assembly for a suspension system have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementation for the top mount assembly for a suspension system.