Elastomeric Bearing Element With Thrust-Loaded Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bearing elements for cooling modules in motor vehicles face challenges in decoupling components from vibrations and absorbing high forces without deformation, leading to potential damage and noise due to uneven force distribution and local extension peaks.
Innovation Solution
A bearing element with an elastomeric element featuring a support arm that connects the internal and outer connections, primarily subjected to thrust loads, reducing the load on the elastomeric element and distributing forces more uniformly, thereby increasing the service life and load-carrying capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the bearing element uses a conventional elastomeric element to decouple components from vibrations, then vibration decoupling is achieved, but the elastomeric element suffers from high extensions and local extension peaks that lead to damage and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element is segmented into multiple support arms (at least two) that extend between the internal and outer connections. This segmentation distributes the force transmission path, reducing local extension peaks in any single region and preventing concentrated stress that leads to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are arranged at different angles relative to the direction of force application, creating a multi-dimensional force distribution structure. This angular arrangement ensures that forces are distributed across multiple elastomeric pathways rather than concentrated in one direction, reducing peak extensions.
2Force
If the bearing element is designed to absorb high forces (e.g., 800-850 N at 3.5 bar charging pressure), then force absorption capability is improved, but the bearing element deforms strongly and may strike against the bearing or vehicle frame, causing contact vibrations and noises
Solution Approach 1:
The force absorption function is distributed across multiple support arms instead of a single elastomeric element. This segmentation allows the bearing element to absorb high forces through combined deformation of multiple arms, reducing the deformation magnitude of any single arm and preventing contact with surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each support arm is optimized with specific geometric characteristics (cross-sectional area, length, angular arrangement) to provide appropriate local stiffness. This allows the bearing element to absorb high forces while controlling deformation patterns to avoid contact with the bearing or vehicle frame.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elastomeric element has a simple structure for easy manufacture, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the force distribution is uneven leading to local extension peaks and reduced load-carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element is formed as a single piece with integrated support arms extending from the internal to the outer connection. This segmented structure within a monolithic component maintains manufacturing simplicity (suitable for casting or injection molding) while achieving superior force distribution through the multiple arm configuration.
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 design enhances the service life of the bearing element by reducing local extension peaks and distributing forces uniformly, effectively decoupling components from vibrations and absorbing high forces without causing damage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric element (12), which has an internal connection (6) for connection to a bearing pin (7) of the component (200), which is to be mounted
Implementation Method 2
for the substantially vibration-decoupling mounting of a component... decoupling a component, which is to be mounted therewith, essentially from vibrations
Implementation Method 3
the support arm (14) is subjected to a load predominantly by thrust... the force is distributed more uniformly over the support arm
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing element (1) for mounting a component, especially a cooling module, with an elastomeric element (12), the elastomeric element (12) having an inner connection (6) for connecting to a bearing pin (7) of the component to be mounted, an outer connection (8) for connecting to a bearing frame (10), and at least one support arm (14), which extends between the inner connection (6) and outer connection (8) and elastically connects these together, with a force transfer surface (16) of the outer connection (8) to the bearing frame (10) formed by an outer end face of the support arm (10), and the bearing element (1) formed such that, in the event of an elastic displacement of the inner connection (6) relative to the outer connection (8) in a predetermined, radial displacement direction relative to the bearing element (1) the support arm (14) is stressed predominantly by thrust.