Elastic Bearing Geometry for Directional Rigidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber-metal bearings offer limited control over degrees of freedom, making it difficult to restrict specific translational or rotational movements, which is necessary for advanced applications like active undercarriages of rail vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The geometry of the rubber-metal bearing is adapted by positioning the elastic layer between the outer and inner bodies such that specific distances are maintained or minimized, effectively blocking certain degrees of freedom by ensuring minimal or no rubber layer in certain directions, allowing for defined rigidity and movement restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the elastic layer is positioned to maintain minimum distance in one direction and fill distance in another direction, then specific degrees of freedom are blocked and rigidity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to precise geometric positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic layer is positioned with different characteristics in different spatial directions: in the second direction (y-axis) it maintains a minimum distance to block translational movement, while in the third direction (z-axis) it fills the distance to allow controlled movement. This local differentiation of the elastic layer's positioning achieves direction-specific rigidity without requiring entirely separate structural components for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from controlling movement in one dimension to controlling movement across multiple dimensions by positioning the elastic layer with specific geometric relationships in both the second and third spatial directions. This multi-dimensional positioning approach blocks unwanted translational movement while preserving necessary rotational degrees of freedom.
2Ease of operation
If the elastic layer is positioned to block certain degrees of freedom, then unwanted movements are restricted, but the adaptability of the bearing to different application requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing design allows dynamic adjustment of degrees of freedom through the geometric positioning of the elastic layer. By modifying the positioning parameters (minimum distance in second direction, filled distance in third direction), the bearing can adapt its movement characteristics to match different application requirements while maintaining the core functionality of blocking unwanted translational movements.
3Ease of operation
If the outer body and inner body are positioned at minimum distance in one direction, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but the bearing achieves the desired movement restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The design applies minimum distance positioning only in the second spatial direction where movement restriction is needed, while allowing full distance filling in the third direction. This localized application of precision positioning reduces the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to constraining all directions equally.
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 configuration enables the creation of new running gear designs by restricting unwanted movements, enhancing rigidity in specific directions and allowing only necessary degrees of freedom, thus improving the performance of active chassis systems.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing is known from publication EP 0 905 405 A1. A rotational movement of bearing components in the longitudinal direction of the bearing and in the direction of two spatial axes perpendicular thereto are possible to a limited extent. A translational movement of the bearing components in the longitudinal direction of the bearing and in the direction of the spatial axes perpendicular thereto are possible to a limited extent.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elastic bearing comprising an inner body (IR1, IR2), an outer body (AR1, AR2) and an elastic layer (GUM1, GUM2). The outer body (AR1, AR2) surrounds the inner body (IR1, IR2) such that the outer body (AR1, AR2) and the inner body (IR1, IR2) have a common longitudinal axis (x), which forms the bearing longitudinal axis (LA1, LA2) as the first spatial axis of a 3D coordinates system. The elastic layer (GUM1, GUM2) is positioned between the outer body (AR1, AR2) and the inner body (IR1, IR2). In the direction of a second spatial axis (z), the distance between the outer body (AR1, AR2) and the inner body (IR1, IR2) is minimal, and free from the elastic layer (GUM1, GUM2). In the direction of a third spatial axis (y), the distance between the outer body (AR1, AR2) and the inner body (IR1, IR2) is always the same, and the elastic layer (GUM1, GUM2) is arranged therein in order to fill said same distance.