Axially Damping Elastomer Bearing Drainage Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Axially damping elastomer bearings in motor vehicles often form water-collecting geometrical regions that can lead to impairment and damage due to freezing water, and existing drainage solutions are costly and complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An axially damping elastomer bearing with a crucible-formed receptacle featuring a drainage opening that extends in the demoulding direction, allowing for simplified manufacturing through casting without the need for expensive sliders, ensuring effective drainage and reduced production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drainage openings are introduced using sliders in die-casting tools, then drainage functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drainage opening formation from the complex slider mechanism and integrates it directly into the die-casting tool's cavity structure. The drainage opening is formed as an integral part of the tool cavity, eliminating the need for separate slider components and their associated operating directions perpendicular to the demoulding direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage opening formation function is merged with the main die-casting cavity structure. The clearance extending in the demoulding direction is integrated into the tool cavity design, combining the drainage function with the existing demoulding mechanism rather than requiring a separate slider system.
2Reliability
If drainage openings are introduced using sliders in die-casting tools, then drainage functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive slider mechanism is extracted and replaced by a simplified cavity design. The drainage opening is formed directly in the tool cavity with a clearance in the demoulding direction, eliminating the need for costly slider components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple, inexpensive cavity design that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than investing in complex, expensive slider mechanisms. The clearance-based drainage opening is integrated into the tool cavity structure, providing a cost-effective solution.
3Productivity
If the housing part is designed as a die-cast part, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but adding drainage openings becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage opening formation is merged with the die-casting process itself. The clearance extending in the demoulding direction is integrated into the tool cavity design, allowing drainage openings to be formed simultaneously with the housing part during the same die-casting operation, maintaining high manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool cavity design serves multiple functions: it forms the housing part geometry, provides the demoulding function, and creates the drainage opening with clearance in the demoulding direction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drainage opening formation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An axially damping elastomer bearing suitable for a motor vehicle, with a crucible-formed receptacle (13) for surrounding receiving an elastomeric support spring (15). The crucible-formed receptacle (13) is manufactured through casting and can be demolded in a demolding direction (39) and has a peripheral wall (19) with at least one drainage opening (33), wherein the at least one drainage opening (33) has a clearance (43, 45, 65) extending in the demolding direction (39).