Elastic Insertion Bearing Radial Shell Precompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic insertion bearings for strut towers in vehicles experience noise nuisances due to friction sites between the elastomeric body and cap, leading to jolt and squeaking noises under load.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing at least two outer shell sections made of high-resistance, low-wear plastics material that surround the elastomeric body, allowing for radial movement and precompression, which eliminates friction noise and enhances durability by eliminating the need for complex clamping devices and additional fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a cap is bolted to the vehicle body to preload the elastomeric body, then the useful life of the insertion bearing is improved, but friction sites materialize causing jolt and squeaking noise nuisance
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into multiple shell sections (at least two) that can move radially relative to each other. This segmentation allows the cap to compress the elastomeric body without creating fixed friction sites, as the shell sections can slide past each other during operation, eliminating the squeaking noise while maintaining the preloading function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism between the cap and the elastomeric body through the movable shell sections. These sections act as mediators that transfer the compressive force to the elastomeric body while allowing relative motion that prevents friction-based noise generation.
2Reliability
If outer shell sections are added to surround the elastomeric body, then durability is improved through low-wear material, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell sections serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide a durable, low-wear protective layer around the elastomeric body, acts as the preloading mechanism through radial movement, and eliminates the need for separate clamping devices and fasteners. This multi-functionality improves durability while avoiding excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the cap, clamping devices, and protective housing into a single integrated structure consisting of the movable shell sections. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components and fasteners, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining durability benefits.
3Force
If the cap is bolted to preload the elastomeric body, then precompression is achieved for high-performance damping, but complicated clamping devices and fasteners are required
Solution Approach 1:
The movable shell sections are designed to automatically generate the necessary precompression force through their own radial movement during installation and operation. The sections self-adjust to compress the elastomeric body to the optimal level without requiring external clamping devices, bolts, or fasteners, thereby achieving high-performance damping with minimal complexity.
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 effectively reduces noise nuisances caused by friction, improves durability, and reduces costs by eliminating the need for complex clamping devices, while allowing for precise tuning of the dynamic response through varying the number of outer shell sections.
Implementation Method 1
the outer shell sections, when fitted, can be moved radially on each other such that the circumferential spacing is reduced in precompression of the elastomeric body
Implementation Method 2
an elastic insertion bearing for supporting a component extending substantially axially... The core is surrounded by an elastomeric body
Implementation Method 3
Such insertion bearings are often employed to elastically locate a strut mount of a spring damping system
Implementation Method 4
at least two outer shell sections radially surrounding the elastomeric body are provided circumferentially spaced away from each other in the unfitted or unmounted condition and which, on being fitted, can be moved radially on each other
Data Source
AI summary
In an elastic insertion bearing for supporting a component extending substantially axially, such as a damper rod for a strut tower on a vehicle body and for fitting in a vehicle body-side mount, comprising a rigid core to which the component can be secured, and an elastomeric body radially surrounding the core, it is provided for that at least two of the outer shell sections radially surrounding the elastomeric body are provided circumferentially spaced away from each other in the unfitted condition and which on being fitted can move each radially on the other such that the circumferential spacing is reduced in precompression of the elastomeric body.