Elastomeric Compression Preloaded Support Insulator for Automotive Drive Shafts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vibration dampening devices for automotive drive shafts are prone to failure due to glue degradation, allowing water, dirt, and rust to enter and separate the rubber from the metal ring, rendering them useless within a year, and there is no effective method for repair without complete disassembly, which disrupts the driveline balance and causes vibration issues.

Innovation Solution

A compression preloaded elastomeric support insulator with a unique channel perimeter that locks inside the original support system, a split ring design for insertion without disassembly, and elastomeric materials for shock absorption, allowing for customization and repair of the drive shaft while maintaining driveline balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If glue is used to attach the rubber covering to the metal ring, then the device can be manufactured and assembled, but the glue fails within a year allowing water, dirt, and rust to enter and separate the rubber from the metal ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly methodVSAvoidattachment durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding method (glue) with a mechanical locking system consisting of a channel perimeter that engages with a corresponding rigid support structure. This mechanical interlock provides permanent attachment that does not degrade over time like adhesive bonds, eliminating the reliability issue while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separable components: a rubber elastomeric covering and a rigid support ring with channel perimeter. This segmentation allows the rubber to remain flexible for vibration dampening while the rigid support provides structural integrity and permanent mechanical attachment, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If complete disassembly is performed to repair the device, then the device can be replaced, but the driveline balance is upset causing severe vibration issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair accessibilityVSAvoidvibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rigid support ring with channel perimeter as a separate replaceable component from the rubber covering. This allows the support structure to be removed and replaced independently without disturbing the drive shaft and bearings, enabling repair while maintaining driveline balance and avoiding vibration issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel perimeter is pre-formed as an integral part of the rigid support ring design, allowing the component to be installed in a locked position that maintains proper alignment and balance. This preliminary design feature ensures that replacement components maintain factory driveline balance without requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If air is used to fill the area between the rubber covering and drive shaft bearings, then the device can provide shock absorbency, but water, dirt, and rust can enter and separate the rubber from the metal ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorbencyVSAvoidcontaminant ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the rubber elastomeric covering as a flexible shell that provides both shock absorbency through vibration dampening and protection against contaminant ingress. The rubber material inherently seals the interface between the rigid support ring and the drive shaft area, preventing water, dirt, and rust from entering while maintaining the shock absorption function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines two materials with complementary properties: rubber elastomer for flexibility and vibration dampening, and rigid support material for structural integrity and sealing. This composite construction allows the rubber to conform and seal around the rigid support, creating a protective barrier against contaminants while maintaining shock absorbency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a durable and customizable solution for drive shaft support, enabling on-vehicle repair without disassembly, extending the lifespan of components and maintaining driveline balance by using elastomeric materials and a split ring design to prevent water and dirt ingress.

Implementation Method 1

elastomeric materials for shock absorbency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorbency: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8556512B2Elastomeric compression preloaded support insulators

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 VERBOWSKI LARRY

AI summary

Elastomeric compression preloaded support insulators for automotive drive shafts.