Coil Spring End-Turn Damping for Easier Suspension Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rear suspension systems for vehicles face issues with the spring seat rubber coming loose or becoming displaced during assembly, leading to reduced manufacturing productivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a viscoelastic material to cover the end turn portions of the coil spring, which functions as a spring seat rubber, eliminating the need for a separate spring seat rubber and reducing assembly-related troubles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a spring seat rubber is provided between the coil spring and vehicle body, then vibration and noise transmission is suppressed, but the spring seat rubber may come loose or become displaced during assembly, reducing manufacturing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring seat rubber with the coil spring by providing grooves in the spring seat rubber that engage with protrusions on the coil spring, or by integrating the rubber directly onto the spring structure. This combination ensures the rubber remains properly positioned during assembly while still providing vibration and noise suppression, eliminating the loosening and displacement issues that reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary engagement mechanism (grooves and protrusions) between the spring seat rubber and coil spring. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator that secures the rubber in place during assembly, preventing it from coming loose or displacing, while maintaining the rubber's vibration-dampening function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a spring seat rubber is used to suppress vibrations, then noise transmission is reduced, but assembly troubles occur due to loosening or displacement, increasing manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spring seat rubber with the coil spring through integrated grooves and protrusions, the invention ensures the rubber stays in position during assembly. This eliminates assembly troubles such as loosening and displacement, reducing manufacturing time while maintaining noise suppression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements preliminary action by pre-forming engagement grooves in the spring seat rubber and protrusions on the coil spring before assembly. This preliminary structuring ensures proper positioning is achieved automatically during assembly, preventing loosening and displacement issues that would otherwise require rework and increase manufacturing time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate spring seat rubber is provided, then vibration suppression is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring seat rubber with the coil spring into a single integrated component structure. The rubber is provided with grooves that engage with protrusions on the spring, or is directly formed on the spring structure. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate, loosely-fitted rubber components while maintaining vibration suppression functionality.
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 solution effectively suppresses vibrations and noise transmission, improving vehicle manufacturing productivity by eliminating the need for a spring seat rubber and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
An end turn portion on at least one end of the coil spring is covered by a viscoelastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension for a vehicle, includes a coil spring interposed between a vehicle body and an axle. An end turn portion on at least one end of the coil spring is covered by a viscoelastic material.