Bushing Design for Uniform Stress Distribution in Connecting Arms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting arms in vehicles fail to distribute external forces and stress uniformly, leading to increased deformation and reduced service life of bearings due to uneven load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A connecting arm design featuring a core within the intersection area of two circles, with lugs and holes that minimize horizontal forces and allow for axial and radial movement, ensuring a homogeneous stress distribution through a flexible bearing surrounding the core.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional bushing design is used, then the connecting arm can be assembled, but the external forces and stress are not distributed uniformly, leading to increased deformation and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of bearingVSAvoiduniform distribution of external forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing design incorporates specific geometric features (circles intersecting at two points with holes positioned at these intersection points) to create localized stress distribution optimization. This local quality modification ensures uniform force distribution at critical locations while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing geometry utilizes asymmetric circle intersections and strategically positioned holes that are not uniformly distributed but rather placed at specific geometric centers of intersecting circles. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the stress distribution pattern to match the actual load paths in the connecting arm, improving both force distribution uniformity and bearing service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If the bushing allows axial or radial movement of the bearing, then deformation in the bearing is reduced, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation reduction in bearingVSAvoidbushing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing design incorporates dynamic capabilities by allowing axial and radial movement of the bearing relative to the core. The geometric configuration with circles intersecting at two points and holes at these intersections creates natural movement paths that accommodate bearing displacement. This dynamic feature reduces bearing deformation under load while the elegance of the geometric solution keeps the added complexity minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 extends the service life of the bearing by reducing deformation and ensuring uniform force distribution across the bushing axis during vehicle movement, enhancing the structural integrity and durability of the connecting arm.

Implementation Method 1

Connecting arms typically include a bearing made of a flexible material such as rubber or similar material, surrounding the core. Form of the bushing allows axial or radial movement of the bearing around the core during the movement of the vehicle so that deformation in the bearing is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3110638B1A connecting arm with a bushing
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SAMPA OTOMOTIV SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3110638B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3110638B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3110638B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This invention is related with a connection arm (1) containing at least one bushing (4) that has at least one core (2) and at least two lugs (3) extending outwards from the core (2), and at least one hole (5, 105) which is arranged on the lug (3).