Foam-Layer Bearing Laminate With Low Dynamic Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance-free slide bearings lack effective vibration damping, tolerance compensation, and wear resistance, while also requiring a cost-efficient design and manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A bearing laminate comprising a metal support layer, a polymeric foam layer, and a sliding layer with a polymer matrix, where the foam layer provides exceptional vibration damping properties through its closed or open cell structure and anisotropic properties, and the layers are joined using adhesives and pressure/heat treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional layered bearing structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but vibration damping capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal support layer with a polymeric foam layer containing rubber particles. This composite structure integrates the high strength and stiffness of metal with the superior vibration damping properties of the polymeric foam, achieving effective vibration damping while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials through the polymeric foam layer with its cellular structure containing rubber particles. The porous foam structure provides excellent vibration damping capability by dissipating vibrational energy through the cellular architecture and rubber particle deformation, while adding minimal weight and maintaining cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If existing slide bearing materials are used, then cost efficiency is maintained, but wear resistance and tolerance compensation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of metal support and polymeric foam provides enhanced wear resistance through the durable metal substrate while the foam layer offers tolerance compensation through its compliant nature. This combination achieves improved reliability without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity, as both materials can be processed using conventional techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the density, cell structure, and rubber particle distribution within the polymeric foam to optimize both wear resistance and tolerance compensation. By controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the bearing achieves enhanced performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standard production processes.
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
The bearing laminate achieves high damping ratios and low dynamic stiffness, enhancing vibration and sound damping capabilities while maintaining a cost-efficient design and manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the foam layer provides exceptional vibration damping properties through its closed or open cell structure and anisotropic properties
Implementation Method 2
the layers are joined using adhesives and pressure/heat treatment
Implementation Method 3
joining the metal support layer, the foam layer, and the sliding layer using at least one adhesive and applying pressure and/or heat treatment
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing laminate can include a metal support layer, a foam layer overlying the metal support layer, the foam layer including a polymeric foam; and a sliding layer overlying the polymeric foam layer, the sliding layer comprising a polymer matrix. Bearing articles made from the bearing laminate can have exceptional damping properties, such as a high damping ratio combined with a low dynamic stiffness.