Anti-vibration Rod Elastomer Merging and V-Shaped Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-vibration connecting rods for motor vehicles have high manufacturing costs due to multiple molding operations and limited anti-vibration effectiveness due to the small volume of elastomer used in the elastic connection between the inner frame and the ring.

Innovation Solution

The elastomer body is molded in one piece, extending over a major part of the ring's axial height, with V-shaped arms diverging from the internal frame to increase the volume of elastomeric material, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing anti-vibration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If two separately molded elastomer bodies are used to connect the internal frame to the ring, then the joint can be assembled, but the manufacturing cost increases and the anti-vibration efficiency is limited due to small elastomer volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidanti-vibration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separately molded elastomer bodies into a single one-piece molded elastomer body that connects the internal frame to the ring. This single elastomer body has a V-shaped configuration with arms that diverge from the internal frame to the ring, allowing it to perform the function of both original elastomer bodies while increasing the total volume of elastomer material. The merging eliminates the need for assembly operations and reduces manufacturing cost while improving anti-vibration efficiency through increased elastomer volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer body adopts a V-shaped configuration with arms that diverge in three-dimensional space from the internal frame to the ring. This dimensional arrangement allows the elastomer to occupy more volume within the available space between the internal frame and the ring, thereby increasing the amount of elastomer material used for vibration damping while maintaining the same assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If two separately molded elastomer bodies are used, then the joint structure can be formed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint structureVSAvoidmolding operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functionality of two separate elastomer bodies into a single molded piece. The one-piece elastomer body includes a V-shaped configuration with arms that diverge from the internal frame to the ring, maintaining the structural complexity needed for joint functionality while simplifying the manufacturing process to a single molding operation, thereby reducing production cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If more elastomer material is used in the joint, then anti-vibration efficiency improves, but the available volume inside the ring is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-vibration efficiencyVSAvoidavailable volume inside ring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer body is configured in a V-shape with arms that diverge in three-dimensional space between the internal frame and the ring. This spatial arrangement allows the elastomer to occupy more volume within the constrained space by utilizing the radial and axial dimensions efficiently. The arms extend outward and upward, maximizing the use of available volume while maintaining structural integrity and connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer body is segmented into multiple arms that diverge from the internal frame to different locations on the ring. This segmentation allows the elastomer material to be distributed more effectively throughout the available volume, increasing the total amount of elastomer used for vibration damping while maintaining a compact overall structure that fits within the ring's internal volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design reduces production costs and improves anti-vibration efficiency by allowing more elastomeric material to be used within the ring, resulting in a stronger and more effective joint.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer body overmolded onto the internal reinforcement and onto the inside of the ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

anti-vibration connecting rod comprising first and second joints and a rigid connecting rod body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2913542B1Anti-vibration rod
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 HUTCHINSON SA
  • EP2913542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2913542B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2913542B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An anti-vibration connecting rod comprising a connecting rod body (2) connecting first and second joints (3, 4). The second joint comprises a ring, having two nested coaxial pieces (14, 15), generally cylindrical external and internal respectively, having a central axis (Z1) and having a window passing through the walls of the coaxial pieces (14, 15) forming the contours (14a, 15a, 15b), an internal reinforcement (12) surrounded by the ring, and an elastomer body (16) overmolded onto the internal reinforcement (12) and onto the inside of the ring (14, 15), molded in one piece and extending over a major part of the axial height of the ring. The connecting rod body passes through the window in the ring and is fixed to the internal reinforcement.