Adjustable Suspension Strut Bearing Assembly for Motor Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard dome bearings in motor vehicles are not adjustable during operation, making it impossible to change the rigidity to suit different driving styles, which compromises both driving comfort and dynamics.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable dome bearing arrangement featuring a base ring with axial recesses for stamps, an adjusting ring, and an elastomer ring, allowing for the adjustment of rigidity via an actuator and control element, enabling dynamic stiffness changes based on driving conditions or driver preference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard strut mount with fixed stiffness is used, then the manufacturing is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different driving styles is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The strut mount transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness design to a dynamic, adjustable system. The adjusting ring with ramp contours allows the stiffness to be changed during operation by rotating the ring, which moves the plungers axially to compress or relieve the elastomer ring. This enables the same strut mount to adapt to different driving styles (comfortable or dynamic) without requiring multiple different mounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of stiffness by altering the compression state of the elastomer ring. By rotating the adjusting ring, the axial position of the plungers changes, which directly modifies the compression force on the elastomer ring. This parameter change allows the strut mount to provide different stiffness characteristics suitable for different driving conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stiffness is adjusted during operation, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the adjusting ring with ramp contours, multiple plungers with corresponding ramp contours, and the elastomer ring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to achieve stiffness adjustment. The plungers are distributed around the circumference and can be independently positioned by the rotating adjusting ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting ring acts as an intermediary mechanism between the control input (rotation) and the stiffness adjustment output. When the adjusting ring rotates, its ramp contours interact with the ramp contours on the plungers, translating the rotational motion into axial displacement of the plungers. This intermediary mechanism provides a mechanical advantage and allows for controlled, incremental adjustment of the elastomer ring compression.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed stiffness design is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer ring is pre-compressed to a specific degree during manufacturing to provide the base stiffness characteristic. The adjusting mechanism is pre-configured with ramp contours that are designed to provide controlled, incremental adjustments from this pre-set state. This preliminary action allows the strut mount to start in a known state and provides a foundation for subsequent adjustments without requiring complex real-time calculations or controls.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time adjustment of dome bearing rigidity to enhance both driving comfort and dynamics, supporting sporty or comfortable driving styles by altering the force path through the elastomer ring's varying axial areas and punch positions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer ring (2), wherein the adjustable top mount (1) is arranged axially on a suspension spring (4) of a strut (5) via a dome bearing (6, 10, 2) and, at the same time, comes into contact with a body (7) of the motor vehicle at least indirectly via a base ring (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a suspension strut bearing assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an adjustable strut mount (1) which includes an elastomer ring (2); the strut mount (1) is arranged axially on a chassis spring (4) of a suspension strut (5) via a suspension strut bearing (3) and rests at least indirectly on a motor vehicle body (7) via a bottom ring (6) in order to connect the suspension strut (5) in a dampening manner to the body (7). According to the invention, the bottom ring (6) has at least two axial recesses (8) for guiding a plunger (9a, 9b) each, and the at least two plungers (9a, 9b) axially rest between the elastomer ring (2) and a setting ring (10) in order to modify the rigidity of the strut mount (1).