Adjustable Strut Mount Bearing with Elastomer Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard dome bearings in motor vehicles lack adjustability in rigidity, making them unsuitable for both comfortable and dynamic driving styles, as the rigidity is fixed during production and cannot be altered during operation.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable top mount with an elastomer ring that can be engaged between the strut and the vehicle body, featuring an adjusting ring and actuator to vary the rigidity, allowing for axial displacement and controlled engagement of the elastomer ring to adapt to different driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard dome bearing with fixed rigidity is used, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the driving dynamics cannot be adapted to different driving situations
Solution Approach 1:
The dome bearing is segmented into two elastomer elements (first and second elastomer elements) with different rigidities, allowing the system to switch between different driving characteristics by engaging or disengaging one of the elements
Solution Approach 2:
The dome bearing transitions from a static fixed-rigidity design to a dynamic adjustable design, where the rigidity can be changed during operation based on driving conditions through the engagement mechanism controlled by the actuator
2Ease of operation
If a dome bearing designed for comfortable driving is used, then handling comfort is improved, but driving dynamics for sporty driving style deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dome bearing is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating two elastomer elements with different rigidities, enabling it to provide both comfortable handling and sporty driving dynamics depending on which element is engaged
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rigidity of the dome bearing is increased for sporty driving, then driving dynamics are improved, but handling comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rigidity of the dome bearing by switching between two elastomer elements, allowing the vehicle to transition between sporty driving dynamics and comfortable handling based on driving conditions
4Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable dome bearing with multiple elastomer elements is used, then adaptability to different driving styles is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary engagement mechanism with movable engagement elements is introduced to switch between the first and second elastomer elements, providing a practical solution for rigidity adjustment without requiring complete redesign of the bearing structure
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 adaptable driving dynamics by varying the rigidity of the dome bearing from low for comfort to high for sportiness, enhancing both occupant comfort and driving experience based on the driving situation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer element, the adjustable dome bearing being arranged on the one hand, preferably axially via a strut support bearing, on a chassis spring of a strut
Implementation Method 2
to at least connect the strut to the body in a dampening manner
Implementation Method 3
a ramp contour formed on the end face over the circumference, which interacts with a correspondingly configured ramp contour on the housing in order to realize an axial displacement of the adjusting ring in the housing when the adjusting ring is rotated
Implementation Method 4
an actuator, comprising an electric motor and a gear, is preferably arranged at least partially in or on the housing for rotating the adjusting ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
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 element (2); the adjustable strut mount (1) is arranged preferably 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 (6) in order to connect at least the suspension strut (5) in a dampening manner to the body (6). According to the invention, the adjustable strut mount (1) includes an elastomer ring (7) which extends radially about the elastomer element (2), is arranged axially between the suspension strut (5) and the body (6), and rests at least indirectly between the suspension strut (5) and the body (6) in order to increase the rigidity of the adjustable strut mount (1).