Elastomer Collar Stiffness Weakening for Bearing Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of bearing arrangements with elastomer collars is complex due to the need for strict tolerances, expensive tools, and additional securing elements, making the process costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement with an elastomer collar featuring a friction-connection surface and an elastomer fold that undergoes stiffness weakening, allowing for elastic deformation and increased normal forces on the friction-connection surface, thereby enhancing traction and securing the collar within the bearing carrier without the need for additional components or complex installation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional insert technology (pressing, forming, joining, or over-moulding) is used to hold the elastomer collar in the bearing carrier, then reliable holding is achieved, but the production process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer collar is designed to automatically secure itself in the bearing carrier through its own elastic deformation. The collar's elasticity enables it to deform during insertion and then elastically rebound to create self-inhibiting forces that prevent axial movement, eliminating the need for external pressing, forming, joining, or over-moulding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in the elastomer collar's physical parameters - specifically its elasticity and deformability - to achieve the holding function. By designing the collar with appropriate elastic properties and geometric features (such as folds or pre-deformations), the material itself provides the securing mechanism without requiring additional processing steps or tools.
2Reliability
If traditional insert technology with additional securing elements is used, then the elastomer collar is securely held, but the number of components and installation steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the additional securing elements (such as clips, fasteners, or separate locking components) from the traditional insert technology. The elastomer collar itself is designed to provide all necessary holding functions through its elastic deformation and geometric configuration, reducing the assembly to just the collar and bearing carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the elastomer collar and the securing mechanism into a single integrated component. The collar's elastic deformation and geometric features (folds, pre-deformations) combine the structural support and securing functions, eliminating the need for separate securing elements and simplifying the overall assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive injection-moulding tools and flanging tools are used for traditional production, then precise tolerances are achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach by utilizing the elastomer material's inherent deformability and elasticity during the injection-moulding process itself, rather than requiring subsequent pressing or forming operations. The collar is designed with geometric features (folds, pre-deformations) that are created directly during moulding, allowing standard injection-moulding tools to achieve the required precision without expensive specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, specialized flanging tools and forming tools with standard injection-moulding tools. The elastomer collar's design incorporates features that can be created using conventional moulding processes, eliminating the need for costly specialized tooling while maintaining the required precision and functionality.
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 solution simplifies the installation process by reducing the number of required operations and eliminating the need for expensive tools, while providing a secure and stable connection between the elastomer collar and the bearing carrier, effectively preventing axial movement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one axial force introduced into the bearing carrier via the pivot bearing results in the elastic deformation of the elastomer collar
Implementation Method 2
each change of the course of the fold leads to an elastic deformation and thereby to a deformation resistance, which sets the elastomer collar against a bearing carrier across its friction-connection surface
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing arrangement, which is provided for installation into a bearing carrier (1), has at least one pivot bearing (2) as well as at least one elastomer collar holding the pivot bearing (2), which has at least one friction-connection surface (5) formed in the for holding within the bearing carrier (1). An elastomer collar (4) has at least one elastomer fold (6), over the course of which the collar material has at least one stiffness weakening (7). The stiffness weakening (7) either features a reduction of material strength or an increase in elasticity.