Elastic Positioning Section for Interface Element Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interface elements in electrical devices face challenges with mechanical robustness, contamination resistance, and vibration resistance due to the limitations of hard component sections that can lead to breakage under impact loads and loss of relative adjustment over time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a positioning section made of elastic material between the hard component sections of the interface element and receptacle, allowing for relative movement through elastic deformation, which enhances mechanical strength, contamination resistance, and vibration damping while maintaining exact positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hard component sections are used for interface elements, then mechanical strength is improved, but resistance to impact loads deteriorates due to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidresistance to impact loads
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface element combines a hard component section (first material) with an elastic component section (second material having different elastic properties). This composite structure allows the hard section to provide mechanical strength while the elastic section absorbs impact loads through deformation, preventing breakage and improving reliability under impact conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If fixed positioning is used for interface partners, then positioning accuracy is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as relative adjustment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidrelative adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interface element transitions from fixed positioning to dynamic positioning through the elastic component section. This elastic section allows controlled relative movement and adjustment between interface partners while maintaining precise positioning through its elastic restoring forces, thereby providing both positioning accuracy and adaptability for tolerance compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If floating positioning with mechanical spring elements is used, then adaptability is improved for tolerance compensation, but mechanical robustness deteriorates due to potential damage to spring elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensation capabilityVSAvoidmechanical robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameters by using an elastic component section with specifically tailored elastic properties instead of traditional mechanical spring elements. This elastic material provides the necessary compliance for tolerance compensation while having superior damage resistance and mechanical robustness, eliminating the fragility issue of conventional spring elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If hard component sections are used for interface elements, then manufacturing precision is improved, but resistance to contamination deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcontamination resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interface element applies different material qualities to different sections: the hard component section provides precise positioning and structural integrity, while the elastic component section provides contamination resistance and adaptability. This local differentiation of material properties allows each section to optimize its specific function, with the elastic section protecting against contamination while the hard section maintains precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides increased mechanical robustness, improved vibration resistance, and optimized accuracy of fit by enabling relative movement through elastic deformation, while maintaining exact positioning and resisting contamination, thus overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a positioning section (9) made of an elastic material is provided between the hard component section (6) of the interface element (1) and a hard component section (11) of the interface element receptacle (2), which positioning section (9) allows a relative movement between the two hard component sections (6, 11) of the interface partners due to its own elastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

In general, all known interface partners have the disadvantage that impact loads are absorbed by hard component sections and, particularly in the case of permanent loading, lead to breakage or other damage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2240303B1Interface element, interface element holder and electrical appliance
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2240303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2240303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2240303B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an interface element (1) to be fixed on and/or in an interface element holder (2) of an electrical appliance, said element comprising a hard component portion (6). The invention provides a positioning portion (9) which is formed from an elastic material and makes it possible for the hard component portion (6) to move relative to the interface element holder (2) as a result of deformation. The invention also relates to an interface element holder (2) and to an electrical appliance.