Elastic Bushing With Plastic Outer Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic bushings in vehicles face fatigue failure due to compression and torsion stresses, and existing solutions are costly and heavy due to metal construction and precise machining requirements, especially under medium to high loads.
Innovation Solution
An elastic bushing with a plastic outer sleeve featuring a convex 'barrel-like' profile that deforms to prestress the elastic ring during assembly, reducing machining precision and weight, and optionally using self-lubricating collars for stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an all-metal construction with elastic ring firmly fixed to both inner and outer sleeve is adopted to bear severe loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to expensive drawing process and strict tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal inner sleeve, elastic rubber ring, and plastic outer sleeve. This composite construction maintains load-bearing capacity while eliminating the need for expensive metal drawing processes and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to all-metal constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the outer sleeve from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the assembly method from interference fit with strict tolerances to a more tolerant assembly process, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If an all-metal construction with elastic ring firmly fixed to both inner and outer sleeve is adopted to bear severe loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to expensive drawing process and strict tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal inner sleeve, elastic rubber ring, and plastic outer sleeve. This composite construction maintains load-bearing capacity while eliminating the need for expensive metal drawing processes and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to all-metal constructions.
3Strength
If metal sleeves are used in the bushing construction, then the strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the weight of the bushing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal inner sleeve, elastic rubber ring, and plastic outer sleeve. This composite construction maintains load-bearing capacity while eliminating the need for expensive metal drawing processes and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to all-metal constructions.
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 extends the fatigue life of the elastic ring, reduces assembly costs and weight, and maintains performance under radial and torsional stresses without the need for expensive metal construction or precise tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic ring (2) having a substantially tubular form... The outer sleeve (3)... is able to buckle during the assembly of the bushing into a suitable seat, to allow to force the bushing in the seat and to prestress the elastic ring (2)
Implementation Method 2
the bushing comprises a self-lubricant layer between the two aforesaid elements... two self-lubricating collars, preferably made of Movelon®
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
An elastic bushing, particularly for the field of autovehicles, comprising an inner metal sleeve (1), an elastic ring (2) and an outer sleeve (3) made of a plastic material; said outer sleeve (3) is adapted to buckle for the forcing of said bushing in a respective mounting seat (100), and for obtaining a prestress of said elastic ring (2).