Elastomer Mount Calibration via Removable Web Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating elastomer springs in automotive mounts are inefficient and costly, as they require complex and expensive mold redesigns to adjust the bias and dynamic response, which can lead to tensile stress and reduced durability due to shrinkage during vulcanization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a receiving part with core guides and a web that is removed before or during insertion of the mount core, allowing for precise definition of the orifice shape and size, and adjustment of the mount core dimensions to set the elastomer spring bias, using simple metalworking techniques, and optionally incorporating guide rails and a buffer for improved damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex mold redesign is used to adjust elastomer spring bias, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving part is segmented into core guides spaced from each other and interconnected by a removable web. This segmentation allows the web to be removed after vulcanization, enabling the mount core to be inserted and bias the elastomer spring without requiring complex mold redesign. The segmentation principle resolves the contradiction by providing a simple structural modification that achieves precise bias adjustment while avoiding complex molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The web is pre-attached to connect the core guides during vulcanization, ensuring proper positioning and shape definition. After vulcanization, the web is removed as a preliminary action before mount core insertion. This preliminary action allows the elastomer spring to be vulcanized with precisely defined geometry while maintaining simple mold design, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent mold modifications are made to adjust dynamic response, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving part incorporates a removable web that can be selectively removed or retained based on desired dynamic response. By controlling whether the web is removed before or during mount core insertion, the elastomer spring bias and dynamic response can be adjusted. This dynamic approach allows adaptability in mounting different core dimensions without requiring mold modifications, thereby maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the web is removed before insertion, then manufacturing precision of orifice is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The web removal is performed as a preliminary action before mount core insertion, ensuring the orifice shape and size are precisely defined before the core is positioned. This preliminary removal prevents any interference with the core insertion process and ensures accurate bias application. The time loss is minimized by performing the removal in a simple operation that does not require complex tooling or processes.
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 approach simplifies and cost-effectively sets the dynamic response of the mount, reducing tensile stress and enhancing durability by allowing precise control of the elastomer spring bias without the need for frequent mold modifications, while also improving vibration isolation and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomer spring is molded and vulcanized to support the receiving part in the housing
Implementation Method 2
The elastomer spring of such a mount is produced by vulcanization, during which, shrinkage actions may occur resulting in the elastomer receiving internal tensile stress
Implementation Method 3
The elastomer spring is biased on insertion of the core... compressive stress has hardly any effect on the durability of elastomers, whereas tensile stress greatly shortens their durability
Data Source
AI summary
A mount has a housing and a mount core. An elastomer spring supports the mount core on a housing and a receiving part is vulcanized into the elastomer spring. The receiving part has a receiving opening for the mount core. As the mount core is inserted, a preload is applied to the elastomer spring. The receiving part has at least one first core guide and a second core guide, between which the mount core is held. The receiving part also has a web which connects the core guides to one another in a first state and which is removed before or during the insertion of the mount core. The production of a mount of this type is simplified in this way.