Fluid-filled bushing having radially displaceable intermediate sleeve

Abstract

A fluid-filled elastic bushing, including an inner sleeve, an intermediate sleeve disposed radially outwardly of the inner sleeve, an elastic body connecting the inner sleeve and intermediate sleeves, and an outer sleeve fitted on the intermediate sleeve so as to close pockets which are formed in the elastic body and exposed through windows formed in the intermediate sleeve. The pockets and the outer sleeve define fluid chambers which communicate with each other through an orifice passage. A sealing rubber layer is formed on an outer surface of the intermediate sleeve, and the intermediate sleeve has at least one axial slot formed therethrough so as to extend in its axial direction over the entire axial length. The elastic body has an axial cutout formed in its outer surface so as to extend in its axial direction over the entire length, in aligned relation with each axial slot in the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is radially inwardly deformed or displaced by a force applied by the outer sleeve, whereby the elastic body is radially inwardly pre-compressed.