New Long-Linear Torque Roll Restrictor
New Long-Linear Torque Roll Restrictor from Trelleborg Automotive delivers increased linear deflection and improved isolation. Lo-Li torque restrictor also offers increased durability for longer product lifespan.
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 minimizes 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.
Image shows the LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor in position in an engine
Engineered to replace virtually any torque link in pendulum-style, powertrain mounting systems, the new design of Trelleborg Automotive’s LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor fits smaller space envelopes than conventional restrictors and features fully vulcanized metal components to help prevent corrosion.
Replacing the traditional steel or aluminum link with this steel reinforced vulcanized component also increases the torque rod’s 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 Restrictor’s 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.
New LoLi Torque Roll Restrictor
“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 rubber’s greatest strengths – linear behavior 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 Restrictor’s innovative design is its capability to fully utilize 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.