Elastomer Shaft Bearing Attachment Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft bearings for motor vehicles face challenges in securely attaching the elastomer body to the bearing carrier and inner body, requiring complex fastening methods and additional processing steps, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An elastomer body with a slip-on groove and connecting section that allows for a non-positive attachment to the bearing support or inner body, enabling a simple, cost-effective attachment without the need for additional processing, and providing radial prestress for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening methods (retaining rings, positive connections) are used to attach the elastomer body to the bearing carrier, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from separate components (retaining rings, connection elements) and integrates it directly into the elastomer body through the groove structure. The groove is formed as an integral part of the elastomer body, eliminating the need for additional fastening components while maintaining secure attachment to the bearing carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the attachment function with the elastomer body itself by forming the groove directly in the elastomer material. This combines the fastening function with the vibration damping function in a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Strength
If complex fastening methods are used to secure the elastomer body, then the attachment strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-formed in the elastomer body during its manufacturing process (molding or extrusion), before assembly with the bearing carrier. This preliminary formation of the attachment structure eliminates the need for subsequent fastening operations, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring consistent attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer body attaches to the bearing carrier through its own integrated groove structure without requiring external fastening components or additional processing steps. The groove geometry itself provides the attachment mechanism, allowing the component to secure itself during assembly.
3Reliability
If additional fastening components are used to attach the elastomer body, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the quantity of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for separate fastening components (retaining rings, clips, or connection elements) by extracting the fastening function and integrating it directly into the elastomer body through the groove structure. This reduces the total number of components while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer body serves multiple functions: vibration damping, noise insulation, and mechanical attachment. The groove structure enables the attachment function to be performed by the elastomer body itself, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for dedicated fastening parts.
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 allows for a secure, cost-effective attachment of the elastomer body to the bearing carrier and inner body, maintaining freedom of movement and eliminating the need for additional fastening components, while ensuring effective vibration damping and noise insulation.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomer body begins to vibrate and dampens and/or isolates the vibrations introduced into the shaft bearing
Implementation Method 2
the elastomer body begins to vibrate and dampens and/or isolates the vibrations introduced into the shaft bearing
Implementation Method 3
The elastomer body is held in a prestressed state in the radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an elastomer body (16) for a shaft bearing (10) of a motor vehicle, which can be positioned in a gap (15) between a bearing support (14) and an inner body (12), comprising a first fastening limb (18), a second fastening limb (20) and a connecting section (22) interconnecting the two fastening limbs (18, 20), wherein at least one of the fastening limbs (18, 20) comprises a mounting groove (32), which can be interlockingly and/or frictionally mounted on the bearing support (14) or the inner body (12) such that the mounting groove (32) engages around the bearing support (14) or the inner body (12). The invention further relates to a shaft bearing (10) for a shaft of a motor vehicle.