Hydroelastic Bearing Radial Stop Inversion
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydroelastic bearings face challenges in durability and manufacturing complexity due to insufficient radial stops at the interior mounting connection, which require enlarged installation spaces and complex support frames for access.
Innovation Solution
A spring functional component with a sleeve-shaped support frame made of rigid material, featuring radially inward extending radial stops integrated into the working chambers, which are formed during manufacturing using a single-piece design and elastomer injection, providing enhanced rigidity and durability without the need for separate support frames or complex access structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radial stops are placed at the interior mounting connection, then movement amplitude is limited, but durability is insufficient and installation space is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the radial stop at the interior mounting connection (traditional location), the invention inverts the location to the exterior mounting connection. The radial stop is now formed as an integral part of the exterior mounting connection, which is surrounded by elastomer material. This inversion allows the radial stop to achieve sufficient durability through the surrounding elastomer support while maintaining compact axial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial stop is formed as a composite structure combining rigid material (the mounting connection itself) and elastomer material (surrounding the mounting connection). The rigid mounting connection provides the radial stop function, while the surrounding elastomer provides durability and flexibility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both durability and compact size.
2Reliability
If separate radial stops are inserted into each working chamber, then durability is improved, but support frame complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the radial stop function with the exterior mounting connection structure. Instead of requiring separate radial stops and a complex support frame for access, the exterior mounting connection itself is designed to provide the radial stop function. The elastomer material surrounding the exterior mounting connection integrates the support and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior mounting connection serves multiple functions: it provides the radial stop function, acts as a mounting interface, and the surrounding elastomer provides sealing and support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate support frame structures and access mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining durability.
3Strength
If radial stop planar extension is enlarged, then rigidity is sufficient, but installation space is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating the rigidity where needed - the exterior mounting connection has sufficient radial extension to provide rigidity as a radial stop, while the axial dimension remains compact. The surrounding elastomer material provides additional local support and flexibility, allowing the radial stop to achieve sufficient rigidity without enlarging the axial installation space.
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 solution allows for a hydroelastic bearing with improved durability and simplified manufacturing, achieving sufficient rigidity with short axial extension radial stops and enabling efficient fluid exchange between working chambers for effective dampening, while reducing manufacturing complexity and installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The spring body at least partially limits two working chambers for receiving a dampening fluid. The working chambers can be in fluid communication via a junction channel in order to permit for a fluid exchange between the working chambers at a predefined cross-sectional constriction in order to induce the dissipation losses through the flow between the working chambers
Implementation Method 2
The spring body couples the mounting connections to one another in order to permit a relative movability of the mounting connections. The spring body at least partially limits two working chambers for receiving a dampening fluid
Implementation Method 3
at least one radial stop is fastened on the radial inside of the support frame, which radial stop limits the relative radial movability of the mounting connections of the spring functional component in at least one radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A spring functional component for a hydroelastic bearing (1), comprising an inner mounting connection and comprising an outer mounting connection that radially surrounds the inner mounting connection, comprising a spring body which at least partially delimits at least two working chambers (21, 23) for receiving a damping fluid and which couples the inner mounting connection and outer mounting connection to one another in order to permit a relative movement between the inner mounting connection and the outer mounting connection, and comprising a supporting frame (7) which surrounds the inner mounting connection and which is composed of a rigid material such as plastic or metal, wherein each of the at least two working chambers (21, 23) issues into at least one radial opening which is open to the radially outer side of the spring functional component and which can be closed off by a connection part for coupling to the outer mounting connection, wherein at least one radially inwardly extending radial stop is fastened to a radial inner side (13) of the supporting frame (7) in order to limit the relative mobility of the mounting connections at least in a radial direction.