TOP MOUNT ASSEMBLY HAVING ADJUSTABLE DAMPING CHARACTERISTICS

According to the present invention there is provided a top mount assembly (20) including a housing (28) for being connected to the frame of the vehicle. A rod connection assembly (42) is disposed in the housing for being attached to a piston rod (26) of the damper assembly. A chamber (66, 68) is defined between the rod connection assembly and the housing for receiving a fluid. A resilient member (44) is disposed between the rod connection assembly and the housing. A partition assembly is positioned between the resilient member and the housing and axially divides the chamber into an upper chamber region (66) and a lower chamber region (68). The partition assembly defines at least one passage (109) that extends between the upper chamber region and the lower chamber region. At least one electromagnetic coil (114) is disposed adjacent to the passage for selectively modifying the characteristics of the fluid passing through the passage to modify the damping characteristics of the top mount assembly.