Damper Mount Structure Reducing Stress Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damper mount structures have a high number of parts and complex assembly processes, leading to stress concentration in rubber damping members and potential water ingress, as they require a tubular retaining member between the vehicular body and the damper rod.
Innovation Solution
A damper mount structure with an annular upper and lower damping member, a collar, and a beveled opening corner, which eliminates the need for a tubular retaining member by dispersing loads through a projection and collar, and incorporates a water entry prevention mechanism using a rib and groove, ensuring easy assembly and reduced stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular retaining member is used to retain the rubber damping member, then the damping member is securely retained and prevented from contacting the vehicular body member, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is integrated directly with the vehicular body panel as a single piece structure, eliminating the need for a separate tubular retaining member. The collar's inner circumferential surface directly contacts and retains the projection of the damping member, merging the retention function into the existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a retention mechanism for the damping member. The beveled corner of the opening portion provides both structural integrity and retention of the damping member, eliminating the need for dedicated retaining components.
2Reliability
If a tubular retaining member is used to retain the rubber damping member, then the damping member is securely retained, but assembly becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is integrated directly with the vehicular body panel as a single piece structure, eliminating the need for a separate tubular retaining member. The collar's inner circumferential surface directly contacts and retains the projection of the damping member, merging the retention function into the existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a retention mechanism for the damping member. The beveled corner of the opening portion provides both structural integrity and retention of the damping member, eliminating the need for dedicated retaining components.
3Force
If the damping member is compressed without proper load distribution, then the damping function is achieved, but stress concentration occurs in the rubber damping member
Solution Approach 1:
The projection on the damping member creates a localized contact area with the collar, distributing the compressive force evenly across the contact surface. The annular shape of the projection and collar ensures uniform stress distribution around the circumference, preventing stress concentration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular projection and collar have curved surfaces that provide optimal contact geometry for force distribution. The rounded contours of the projection fitting into the collar's inner circumferential surface ensure even load distribution and prevent stress concentration at sharp edges or corners.
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
The solution reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly, minimizes stress concentration in the damping members, and effectively prevents water ingress by dispersing loads and using a rib-and-groove mechanism, enhancing the durability and functionality of the damper mount structure.
Implementation Method 1
an upper stationary disk facing toward an upper surface of the vehicular body panel and subjected to a pressure of a nut screwed onto the end portion of the rod; an annular upper damping member contacting the vehicular body panel and compressed by the upper stationary disk
Implementation Method 2
a damper mount structure including a rod of a damper of a suspension system, the rod having an end portion; a vehicular body panel having an opening portion, the end portion of the rod being inserted through and fastened to the opening portion
Implementation Method 3
an annular projection protruding from one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member toward the other one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member; a collar having an inner circumferential surface fitting around an outer circumferential surface of the projection
Data Source
AI summary
A damper mounting structure is provided with a top buffer member and a bottom buffer member. The bottom buffer member has a protruding section that protrudes with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom buffer member. The damper mounting structure mates with the protruding section and is anchored to a vehicle body panel, and is provided with a collar formed at substantially the same height as the height of the protruding section. The corner of an opening formed on the vehicle body panel, which comes into contact with the top buffer member, is chamfered.