Elastomer Bearing with Integrated Axial Stops for Simpler Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of elastomeric bearings is complex and costly due to the need for multiple steps and components to achieve axial stops, which complicates the coupling of components and transmission of mechanical vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A bearing design featuring an inner core and outer cage connected by an elastomer body with integrated stop projections, allowing for a single vulcanization step and simplified production, where the inner and outer stop faces overlap to provide axial support and limit movement, thereby reducing material consumption and production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components and multiple production steps are used to achieve axial stops in elastomeric bearings, then the bearing can provide adequate axial support and limit movement, but the production complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the axial stop function directly into the elastomeric bearing body by integrating stop projections (6, 7) that extend from the inner and outer surfaces of the elastomer. This merging of the stop mechanism into the main bearing structure eliminates the need for separate stop components and reduces production steps while maintaining adequate axial support and movement limitation.
2Reliability
If additional components are used to provide axial stops, then the bearing can limit movement effectively, but material consumption and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stop projections (6, 7) are formed as integral parts of the elastomeric bearing material itself, eliminating the need for separate stop components. This reduces material consumption by eliminating redundant parts while maintaining effective movement limitation through the geometric design of the overlapping stop projections.
3Reliability
If complex geometries of inner member and outer member are used, then the bearing can provide adequate support, but extensive production steps are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the stop projections directly into the elastomeric bearing during a single vulcanization process, combining multiple functions (axial support, movement limitation) into one production step. This eliminates extensive post-production assembly steps and improves production efficiency while maintaining adequate support capability through the geometric design of the integrated stops.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple production steps are used to create axial stops, then the bearing can achieve precise stop positioning, but production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stop projections (6, 7) are formed during the initial vulcanization process of the elastomeric bearing, rather than being added in subsequent steps. This preliminary formation of the stop structures ensures precise positioning is achieved during the main production process, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-production adjustments or assemblies.
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 enables efficient transmission of mechanical vibrations, reduces noise, and enhances durability by simplifying the production process and eliminating the need for additional components, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective bearing solution.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer body (40) which resiliently connects the inner core (10) and the outer cage (20) together
Implementation Method 2
to transmit, preferably to transmit in a damped manner, mechanical vibrations between the at least one first element and the at least one second element
Implementation Method 3
the inner stop face (30) and the outer stop face (17) overlap in an axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a bearing, having an inner core, an outer cage which surrounds the inner core in a radial direction, and an elastomer body which resiliently connects the inner core and the outer cage together, wherein the outer cage has an inner stop projection, wherein the inner stop projection protrudes radially inwards from an inner circumferential face of the outer cage and has an inner stop face, wherein the inner core has an outer stop projection, wherein the outer stop projection protrudes radially outwards from an outer circumferential face of the inner core and has an outer stop face which faces the inner stop face, and wherein the inner stop face and the outer stop face overlap in an axial direction. The disclosure relates further to a method for producing a bearing.