Center Bearing Support Diagonal Connection Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Block type center bearing supports with block-shaped rubber-like elastic bodies face challenges in axial behavior capability and durability against large displacement inputs, compared to bellows type supports.

Innovation Solution

The center bearing support features a block-shaped rubber-like elastic body with a shaft hole, including inner and outer peripheral bored portions that are alternately arranged circumferentially and overlap, with connection portions extending diagonally to enhance axial behavior capability, and a concavity-like hollow shape to reduce reaction force and vibration by combining shear and compression springs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bored portions are arranged around the shaft hole in a block type center bearing support, then the axial behavior capability is improved, but the durability against large displacement input deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial behavior capabilityVSAvoiddurability against large displacement input

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bored portions are segmented into inner peripheral side bored portions and outer peripheral side bored portions that are alternately arranged circumferentially. This segmentation creates multiple connection portions between the bored portions, allowing the rubber-like elastic body to deform more effectively in the axial direction while maintaining structural integrity for large displacement inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection portions are extended in a direction inclined to both the circumferential direction and the axially perpendicular direction, creating different local qualities in different regions of the rubber-like elastic body. The inner peripheral side connection portions and outer peripheral side connection portions have different orientations, optimizing both axial behavior capability and durability against large displacement inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rubber-like elastic body is made more flexible to improve following capability to axial behavior, then the axial behavior capability is improved, but the support rigidity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefollowing capability to axial behaviorVSAvoidsupport rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber-like elastic body is segmented into multiple connection portions between alternately arranged inner and outer peripheral bored portions. This segmentation allows localized flexibility in the connection portions for axial movement while maintaining overall structural rigidity through the distributed pattern of bored portions throughout the block-shaped body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The center bearing support combines the rubber-like elastic body with a center bearing installed in the shaft hole. The rubber-like elastic body provides flexible axial behavior through its bored portion structure, while the center bearing provides rigid support, creating a composite system that achieves both following capability and support rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 improves the axial behavior capability and durability of the propeller shaft by increasing connection portion length and reducing reaction force and vibration, while maintaining support rigidity.

Implementation Method 1

a block-shaped rubber-like elastic body 12... supporting in a vibration-proof manner a propeller shaft via a center bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the connection portions are extended in a direction which is inclined to both of a circumferential direction and an axially perpendicular direction... improving the axial behavior capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear deformation: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

combining shear and compression springs... reduce reaction force and vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS9528548B2Center bearing support

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 NOK CORP

AI summary

In a center bearing support, a plurality of bored portions corresponding to spaces passing through a rubber-like elastic body in an axial direction are provided around a shaft hole. The bored portions are constructed by a combination of inner peripheral side bored portions arranged comparatively near the shaft hole, and outer peripheral side bored portions arranged comparatively far from the shaft hole. The inner peripheral side bored portions and the outer peripheral side bored portions are alternately provided circumferentially, and are provided so as to overlap in a part circumferentially, thereby having connection portions constructed by a part of the rubber-like elastic body between the inner peripheral side bored portions and the outer peripheral side bored portions. The connection portions are extended in a direction which is inclined to both of a circumferential direction and an axially perpendicular direction as seen from one side of the axial direction.