Elastomer Bushing with Spring-Plate Detents for Higher Press-Out Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic outer sleeves in elastomer bearings have a low extrusion force compared to metallic ones, making it difficult to press the elastomer bearing out of its bearing receiving recess.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating spring plates with radially outward latching areas that can snap into recesses in the bearing mount, allowing for a form fit and increasing the pressing force, while being elastically deformable to facilitate insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If plastic outer sleeves are used instead of metallic ones, then cost and weight are reduced, but the ejection force is significantly lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The outer sleeve is segmented by incorporating multiple spring plates at different axial positions, each providing independent detent areas. This segmentation allows the plastic sleeve to achieve metal-like ejection force through distributed spring elements while maintaining the weight advantage of plastic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer sleeve combines plastic material with integrated spring plate elements to create a composite structure. This composite design provides the ejection force characteristics of metallic sleeves while retaining the cost and weight benefits of plastic construction.
2Force
If spring plates with detent areas are added to increase ejection force, then the pressing force is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plates are merged with the outer sleeve to form an integrated unit. The spring plates are positioned within the outer sleeve and work together as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced ejection force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plates serve multiple functions: they provide ejection force through their spring action, create detent areas for positive engagement with bearing receptacles, and can be integrated into the outer sleeve manufacturing process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
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 significantly enhances the pressing force of elastomer bearings with plastic outer sleeves, ensuring secure attachment and easy assembly by utilizing the elastic deformation of spring plates for increased stability and fit.
Implementation Method 1
the detent area of each spring plate can be moved elastically radially inwards during the pressing of the elastomeric bearing into the bearing receptacle by elastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Elastomeric bearing with an inner part (2) extending in an axial direction (x), an outer sleeve (3) made of plastic surrounding the inner part (2), which is provided in an axial sleeve end region (4) with at least one radially outwardly projecting stop (5, 6), an elastomeric body (7) arranged between the inner part (2) and the outer sleeve (3) and one or more spring plates (10) firmly connected to the outer sleeve (3), wherein each spring plate (10) has a detent area (23) projecting radially outward from the outer sleeve (4) at an axial distance to the axial sleeve end region (4), which is elastically movable radially inward.