Elastic Bushing with Integrated Axial Stop for High Load Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elastic bushings require additional components and assembly steps for axial travel restriction, and existing plastic stoppers may not adequately handle higher loads.

Innovation Solution

An elastic bushing design featuring a core with a radially extending wing and an elastomer body between the core and outer tube, where the wing and curved outer tube portion provide an axial overlap to limit movement, eliminating the need for separate stoppers and enhancing load handling capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate plastic stopper is used for axial travel restriction, then the bushing can provide axial movement limitation, but additional components and assembly steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial travel restrictionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the axial stop function into the outer tube by forming an integral axial stop feature directly on the outer tube surface. This eliminates the need for separate plastic stoppers and reduces assembly steps, while maintaining reliable axial travel restriction through the geometric design of the integrated feature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate plastic stopper is used for axial travel restriction, then the bushing can provide axial movement limitation, but additional assembly steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial travel restrictionVSAvoidassembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The axial stop function is combined with the outer tube manufacturing process. The axial stop feature is formed integrally with the outer tube through processes such as bending or forming operations already used in tube fabrication, eliminating separate assembly steps while ensuring reliable axial travel restriction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a plastic stopper is used for axial travel restriction, then the bushing can limit axial movement, but it may not be sufficient for handling all levels of higher loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial travel restrictionVSAvoidload handling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to elastomer for the bushing body. The elastomer material provides superior load handling capabilities while the integrated axial stop feature on the outer tube maintains effective axial travel restriction, solving both the strength and reliability requirements simultaneously

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

This design integrates axial limitation without additional components, providing improved load handling and simplified assembly by using an elastomer body to ensure secure attachment and deformation resistance.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer body disposed between the core and the outer tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4273416A1Bushing with integrated axial stop feature
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 VIBRACOUSTIC USA INC
  • EP4273416A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4273416A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4273416A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

An elastic bushing includes a core, an outer tube, and an elastomer body disposed between the core and the outer tube. The core includes an inner central portion and a wing extending radially from the inner central portion. In embodiments, the inner central portion and the wing of the core are integrally formed as a one-piece component. In embodiments, a portion of the wing and a curved or bent portion of the outer tube provide an overlap in an axial direction that forms an axial limitation.