Center-Bonded Mount Assembly with Interchangeable Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Center-bonded mounts lack independent control over axial and radial spring rates, limiting their versatility in applications requiring specific load functions.
Innovation Solution
A center-bonded mount assembly with interchangeable mating members varying in material, modulus, or dimension to customize downward axial, upward axial, and radial load functions, featuring elastomeric bodies with distinct neck and shoulder portions and sleeves to provide multiple stages of stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a center-bonded mount uses a single elastomeric body with fixed geometry, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the axial and radial spring rates cannot be independently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric body is divided into distinct functional zones: a shoulder portion for axial load bearing and a neck portion for radial load bearing. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling independent control of axial and radial spring rates while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the elastomeric body are given different geometric characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The shoulder portion has a larger cross-sectional area optimized for axial compression, while the neck portion has a reduced cross-sectional area optimized for radial flexibility. This local differentiation of properties enables independent spring rate control without requiring completely separate components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple center-bonded mount designs are created to meet different load function requirements, then various application requirements can be satisfied, but the number of designs and inventory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mount incorporates a tunable geometric parameter (neck portion cross-sectional area) that can be adjusted to dynamically change the radial spring rate while maintaining the same basic design and manufacturing process. This allows a single design platform to serve multiple application requirements by simply modifying one dimensional parameter rather than creating entirely different mount designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter variation within a unified design framework - specifically, varying the neck portion dimensions (cross-sectional area, length) to achieve different radial spring rates. This approach allows multiple spring rate configurations to be produced using the same mold and manufacturing process, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining design flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the elastomeric body geometry is modified to change spring rates, then load function customization is achieved, but the structural integrity and vibration isolation performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric body is pre-compressed between the support member and supported member during assembly, establishing an initial static deflection that optimizes the operating point for vibration isolation. This preliminary compression ensures that the mount operates in its optimal nonlinear region for both vibration attenuation and load bearing, maintaining reliability while enabling spring rate customization through geometric modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount utilizes the composite behavior of the elastomeric material itself, which provides both flexibility for vibration isolation and strength for load bearing. By carefully selecting elastomer compounds with appropriate durometers and damping characteristics, the design maintains vibration isolation performance while allowing geometric modifications to adjust spring rates.
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
Enables precise and extensive customization of load functions without increasing the number of mount designs, enhancing the range of applications for resilient mounting systems.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomers behave similarly to coil springs with added damping (hysteresis) based on the molecular structure of the elastomer. The center-bonded mounts exhibit both axial and radial stiffness.
Implementation Method 2
The elastomers behave similarly to coil springs with added damping (hysteresis) based on the molecular structure of the elastomer.
Implementation Method 3
A channel is formed in the neck portion of the first elastomeric body... The projection formed by the neck portion of the second elastomeric body is arranged to extend within the channel formed in the neck portion of the first elastomeric body.
Data Source
AI summary
Center-bonded mounts for resiliently connecting a supported structure to a support structure are assembled from members that are adapted to disproportionately affect the axial and radial stiffness of the mount. Each of the members includes a shoulder portion for engaging an opposite side surface of the support structure and a neck portion that extends within a socket formed through the support structure. The shoulder portion of one member disproportionately affects the downward axial stiffness of the mount, and the neck portion of the other member disproportionately affects the radial stiffness of the mount. A mount stiffness characteristic of the individual members can be varied, and the varied members can be interchangeably combined to provide both a greater selection and a greater range of axial and radial stiffness characteristics for a given part count.