Bearing Bracket Stabilizing Element for Multi-Stage Crash Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-car vehicle bearing bracket designs fail to provide a multi-stage energy absorption concept, lacking stabilization and energy dissipation in crash scenarios and occupying excessive space due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A bearing bracket system that connects a coupler or connection rod to a car, featuring a stabilizing element with a surface extending non-parallel to the rod's axis, allowing force flow and disconnection at predetermined force levels, incorporating energy-absorbing elements and damping systems to manage forces during normal operation and crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional bearing bracket design is used, then the structure is simple, but it lacks multi-stage energy absorption capability and stabilization in crash scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket is divided into multiple functional segments: a first energy-absorbing element (deformation tube) integrated into the bracket, a second energy-absorbing element (crash absorber) connected to the coupler rod, and a stabilizing element with shear-off connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific crash management functions at different force levels, providing multi-stage energy absorption while maintaining structural clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation tube is pre-installed and integrated into the bearing bracket structure, positioned to absorb energy in advance during normal operation and crash scenarios. The stabilizing element with its shear-off connection is pre-configured to provide stabilization forces before a crash occurs, then disconnect at predetermined force levels. This beforehand cushioning ensures that energy absorption and stabilization mechanisms are ready to activate immediately upon crash impact.
2Loss of energy
If the coupler rod is allowed to move freely during crash, then energy absorption is improved, but joint stability and alignment are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing element provides dynamic stabilization: during normal operation and initial crash phases, it maintains the coupler rod's alignment and position relative to the bearing bracket. When crash forces exceed the shear-off connection's strength, the stabilizing element automatically disconnects, allowing the coupler rod to move freely for maximum energy absorption. This dynamic behavior transitions from stabilization to free movement based on force levels, optimizing both alignment and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing element acts as an intermediary between the coupler rod and the bearing bracket. It provides controlled stabilization forces during normal operation and initial crash, then disconnects when forces exceed predetermined levels. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain joint stability when needed while enabling free movement for energy absorption when crash forces require it, mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and energy dissipation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If basic body with substantial longitudinal extent is used, then articulation function is achieved, but excessive space is occupied below the car
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket design moves the primary articulation mechanism from a vertical arrangement (basic body extending below the car) to a horizontal arrangement (swivel pins and articulation points positioned at the car's level). The top swivel pin and bottom swivel pin create articulation in the horizontal plane, eliminating the need for a long vertical basic body. This dimensional change maintains full articulation capability while dramatically reducing the volume occupied below the car.
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 effective force transmission and energy absorption during normal operation while providing stabilization and disconnection in crashes, reducing the risk of damage to the joint and allowing activation of additional crash absorbers, with a design that minimizes space occupation.
Implementation Method 1
arranged in the bearing bracket is a deformation tube that is arranged to absorb energy in a crash scenario
Implementation Method 2
the coupler rod or connection rod has at least one surface that extends in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupler rod or connection rod and that is arranged spaced apart from a surface of the bearing bracket and whereby once the adapter is set free to move relative to the bracket in the one direction, the surface of the coupler rod or connection rod moves in this direction to come into contact with the surface of the bearing bracket
Implementation Method 3
The shear-off connection is arranged to shear off, if a pushing force of a predetermined second strength is applied to the coupler rod or connection rod that points along the longitudinal axis of the coupler rod or connection rod in the operating condition where the surface of the coupler rod or connection rod is in contact with the surface of the bearing bracket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system of a bearing bracket suitable to connect a coupler rod or a connection rod (1) to a car, whereby the bearing bracket comprises an adapter (4) that the coupler rod or the connection rod is connected to or that is part of the coupler rod or the connection rod, a bracket (20) suitable for being connected to the car, a joint (6) arranged in such manner it allows the adapter to swivel relative to the bracket about at least one swivel axis, whereby the joint connects the adapter to the bracket in such a manner that the adapter is set free to move relative to at least some parts of the bracket in at least one direction, if a pushing force of a predetermined first strength is applied to the adapter that points into this at least one direction, and whereby the coupler rod or connection rod has at least one surface that extends in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupler rod or connection rod and that is arranged spaced apart from a surface of the bearing bracket and whereby once the adapter is set free to move relative to the bracket in the one direction, the surface of the coupler rod or connection rod moves in this direction to come into contact with the surface of the bearing bracket, whereby the surface that extends in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupler rod or connection rod is formed by an stabilizing element (7) attached to the further parts of the coupler rod or connection rod in such a manner that the further parts of the coupler rod or connection rod can move relative to the stabilizing element, if a pushing force of a predetermined second strength is applied to the coupling rod or connection rod that points along the longitudinal axis of the coupling rod or connection rod in the operating condition where the surface of the coupler rod or connection rod is in contact with the surface of the bearing bracket.