Bearing Elastomer Preload via Integrated Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle bearings face challenges in maintaining service life and force path characteristics due to increased air gaps caused by elastomer material shrinkage and weight-induced spring strut compression, which limits the preload and rigidity of the elastomer body.
Innovation Solution
A bearing design featuring a recess filled with elastomeric material in the inner part, where the insert holder's stop deforms the elastomeric material to create a radial bias, allowing for adjustable preload and force path characteristics without additional manufacturing steps, using a one-piece insert holder and stop to save production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stop is introduced to prestress the elastomer body, then the service life and force path characteristic are improved, but the production complexity and cost increase due to additional work steps
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is integrated with the insert holder to form a single component, combining two previously separate parts (stop and insert holder) into one. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, reducing production complexity while maintaining the prestressing function that improves service life
Solution Approach 2:
The insert holder is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for insertion into the inner part and simultaneously acts as a carrier for the stop that prestresses the elastomer body. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and assembly steps required
2Force
If a metallic insert holder with stop is used to achieve preload, then the preload strength is improved, but the total travel of spring struts is reduced and rigidity increases suddenly
Solution Approach 1:
The material of the insert holder is changed from metal to elastomer, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties. This parameter change allows the stop to apply preload while maintaining flexibility, preventing the sudden rigidity increase that occurs with metallic components and preserving the progressive spring strut travel characteristic
3Reliability
If additional elastomeric or thermoplastic or metallic components are introduced into the air gap to shape spring strut progression, then the force path characteristic is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert holder with integrated stop serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for insertion, acts as a prestressing element through the stop, and shapes the force path characteristic by limiting spring strut travel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components to achieve each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining improved reliability
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 enhances the service life and adjustability of the bearing by allowing softer progression curves and varying material properties, maintaining the simplicity of production while avoiding the rigidity issues associated with metal stops, thus optimizing the bearing's performance.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric material of which is deformable by the stop (53) of the insert holder (5) in order to generate a bias in the radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a bearing (1) for a motor vehicle having an inner part (4), an outer part (2) which surrounds the inner part (4), an elastomer body which connects the inner part (4) and the outer part (2) to one another by means of at least one spring leg (3a, 3b) which is provided substantially below the inner part (4) in the direction of the weight force (G), and a plug-in holder (5) which is intended to be at least partially received by the inner part (4). The inner part (4) has a cutout (42) on one side, which is filled at least in some regions with an elastomer material (43). The plug-in holder (5) has a stop (53) opposite the cutout (42), which stop is intended to press the elastomer material (43) of the cutout (42) against the outer part (2).