Anti-vibration Device Attachment Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-vibration devices for engine installation on vehicle bodies require complex manufacturing and additional costs due to elastic clip fitting means, which limit material choices and do not meet the strength requirements of recent OEM specifications.
Innovation Solution
An anti-vibration device with an integrated attachment element that is displaced by a tool from a non-coupling to a coupling position within the damping unit and support, eliminating the need for external structural elements and allowing for any material choice, while enhancing resistance to meet OEM specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic clip fitting means are used to attach the anti-vibration unit to the support, then the assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase, and material choices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from separate elastic clip fitting means and integrates it into a single attachment element that is part of the damping unit. This attachment element has a first portion that engages with the support and a second portion that couples to the damping unit, eliminating the need for additional clip fitting components and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural connection between the support and damping unit, enables attachment and detachment operations, and replaces the need for separate elastic clip fitting means. This consolidation reduces manufacturing complexity and material variety.
2Ease of operation
If elastic clip fitting means are used to attach the anti-vibration unit to the support, then the assembly is simplified, but the strength is limited and cannot satisfy OEM specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the attachment element, including its dimensions, material properties, and geometric configuration. The attachment element can be designed with optimized cross-sectional area, length, and material selection to achieve the required attachment strength while maintaining ease of assembly. This allows satisfaction of OEM strength specifications that elastic clip fitting cannot meet.
3Device complexity
If an integrated attachment element is used instead of elastic clip fitting means, then manufacturing is simplified and material choices are expanded, but a tool is required to displace the attachment element
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element is preliminarily positioned in a first position where the second portion is engaged with the damping unit but the first portion is not yet engaged with the support. This preliminary positioning allows the attachment element to be pre-installed on the damping unit, and then a tool simply needs to displace it to the final engaged position, reducing the complexity of assembly operations.
4Extent of automation
If the attachment element is held by a breakable retaining element, then automatic positioning is achieved, but an additional step of breaking the retaining element is required
Solution Approach 1:
The breakable retaining element holds the attachment element in a preliminary position during assembly, allowing automatic positioning of the attachment element relative to the damping unit before the tool is applied. The retaining element is designed to break when the tool displaces the attachment element to its final position, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms.
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
Simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and improves resistance to meet OEM specifications by integrating the attachment element within the damping unit or support, allowing for automatic positioning and reduced parts manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer body capable of deforming at least along a main vibration axis
Implementation Method 2
anti-vibration unit comprising a first stiffener assembled to a second stiffener by means of an elastomer body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an anti-vibration device (40) for the installation of an engine on a vehicle body, comprising a damping unit (10) and a support (30); the damping unit (10) comprising a first guide element (12) configured to guide the damping unit (10) along an insertion direction (X) into the support (30), the damping unit (10) being configured to dampen vibrations along at least one main vibration direction (Z) perpendicular to the insertion direction (X); the damping unit (10) comprising at least one attachment housing (16) configured to be moved along the main vibration direction (Z) using a tool; the support (30) comprising a first attachment housing (39) extending along the main vibration direction (Z), the housing being configured to partially hold the attachment element (16) so as to block the movement of the damping unit (10) relative to the support (30) along the insertion direction (X).