Center-Bonded Mount Assembly for Independent Axial and Radial Stiffness

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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 axial and radial load functions, featuring elastomeric bodies with distinct neck and shoulder portions and sleeves to provide multiple stages of stiffness and frictional engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of axial and radial spring ratesVSAvoidmount structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric body is divided into distinct functional zones: a neck portion with reduced cross-section for radial flexibility, and a shoulder portion with larger cross-section for axial load bearing. This segmentation allows independent control of radial and axial spring rates through geometric differentiation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the elastomeric body are given different geometric properties: the neck portion has thinner walls and reduced cross-sectional area to provide radial flexibility, while the shoulder portion has thicker walls and larger area for axial stiffness. This local quality differentiation enables independent tuning of spring rates in different directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple center-bonded mount designs are created to meet different load function requirements, then the range of applications is covered, but the number of designs and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of load functions coveredVSAvoidnumber of mount designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The center-bonded mount design incorporates multiple functional capabilities in a single structure: it provides both axial and radial spring rates, vibration isolation, and shock absorption. The geometric parameters (neck thickness, shoulder diameter, elastomer composition) can be adjusted to tune the spring rates for different applications, allowing one design to serve multiple load function requirements without increasing the number of basic mount types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the elastomeric body dimensions are increased to provide higher load capacity, then the strength increases, but the vibration isolation performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload carrying capacityVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric body features curved, rounded surfaces rather than sharp edges or flat surfaces. The neck portion has a tapered, curved transition to the shoulder, and the overall shape is bulbous with smooth contours. These curved geometries distribute stress more evenly, allowing higher load capacity while maintaining flexibility for vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring rates and vibration isolation characteristics are controlled by changing geometric parameters (neck thickness, shoulder diameter, overall height) and material parameters (elastomer durometer, composition) rather than simply scaling the entire mount size. This allows independent optimization of strength and vibration isolation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The elastomers behave similarly to coil springs with added damping (hysteresis) based on the molecular structure of the elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentUS20090134292A1Center-bonded isolation mounting assembly

Publication Date: 2009.05.28 LORD CORP

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.