Elastic Bearing With Segmented Elastomer Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic bearings for vehicle parts face challenges in achieving low radial stiffness while maintaining linear axial stiffness and high inflation rigidity, leading to increased deflections and potential reduced service life due to progressive behavior under load.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an intermediate element between two elastomeric bodies, allowing the elastomeric bearing to be flexible in the axial direction and stiff in the radial direction, decoupling radial and axial directions, and enhancing inflation rigidity for high damping capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If wedge-shaped elastomeric pads are used to absorb increasing static loads, then the bearing can handle higher loads, but the bearing becomes very progressive requiring even lower unloaded initial stiffness, resulting in longer deflection paths and higher elongations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric bearing is segmented into multiple elastomeric pads arranged in a specific configuration. Instead of using a single wedge-shaped pad, the patent employs multiple pads that collectively support the static load while maintaining more favorable stiffness characteristics, reducing the progressive behavior and elongation issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of elastomeric pads with different orientations. Some pads are oriented to provide axial stiffness while others are oriented to provide radial stiffness, allowing independent optimization of stiffness in different directions rather than relying on progressive wedge-shaped pads
2Stability of the object's composition
If elastomeric thrust pads are aligned in the axial direction to reduce progression, then axial stiffness becomes more linear, but radial stiffness becomes too high since compressive stresses arise in the elastomeric pad
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the bearing structure are given different stiffness properties. The elastomeric pads are specifically oriented and positioned so that axial regions provide linear stiffness while radial regions maintain lower stiffness. This local differentiation allows each direction to be optimized independently for its specific functional requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only axial alignment to a multi-dimensional arrangement where pads are oriented at various angles. By introducing radial orientation components, the system can independently control radial stiffness without being constrained by axial alignment requirements, effectively decoupling the two stiffness characteristics
3Length of stationary object
If the bearing is designed to be relatively short in the axial direction to reduce space requirements, then axial deflection increases, but inflation rigidity becomes too high making it difficult to integrate sufficient pumping power for high damping
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into multiple elastomeric pads rather than using a single long elastomeric element. This segmentation allows the overall axial length to be reduced while maintaining adequate deflection characteristics, as the multiple shorter pads collectively provide the necessary compliance without requiring excessive axial space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining metal components (inner and outer parts) with elastomeric materials. This composite structure allows the elastomeric portion to be more compact while the metal framework provides structural support, enabling reduced axial length while maintaining both deflection and inflation rigidity characteristics
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 results in a durable bearing with linear axial behavior and low radial rigidity, reducing deflections and enhancing driving comfort by maintaining high axial loads and damping performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastomeric bearing that elastically connects the inner part and the outer part to one another
Implementation Method 2
dampens and/or absorbs the vibrations generated by the vehicle part, ie its dynamic loads
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an elastic bearing (10) for absorbing static and dynamic loads of a vehicle part, comprising an inner part (12) to which the vehicle part can be fixed, an outer part (14) which can be inserted into a receiving eye or fixed to a vehicle structure, and at least one elastomeric bearing (16) which elastically connects the inner part (12) and the outer part (14), wherein the inner sleeve (66) can be moved from a first position to a second position when absorbing a static load acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the elastomeric bearing (16), wherein the elastomeric bearing (16) comprises a first elastomeric body (28), a second elastomeric body (30) and an intermediate element (32) which is arranged between the two elastomeric bodies (28, 30) and to which the elastomeric bodies (28, 30) are metallurgically bonded.wherein the intermediate element (32) has at least one first attachment surface (34) for the first elastomer body (28) and at least one second attachment surface (36) for the second elastomer body (30), wherein the first attachment surface (34) extends to the longitudinal axis (L) of the elastomer bearing (16) such that the first elastomer body (28) is shear-flexible in the Z-direction and stiff in the X-direction and/or Y-direction in the second position for receiving loads, and wherein the second attachment surface (36) is oriented to the longitudinal axis (L) of the elastomer bearing (16) such that the second elastomer body (30) is shear-flexible and stiff in the Z-direction in the second position for receiving loads in the X-direction and/or Y-direction.