Elastomeric Pin Isolator Assembly for Tool-Free Shock Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elastomeric isolators for shock and vibration isolation in consumer electronics are cumbersome to install, often requiring tools and hardware, making them inefficient for large-scale installation.
Innovation Solution
The elastomeric pin isolator assembly, which includes an elastomeric material configured to engage a support structure and a pin member that slidably engages with another support structure, allowing for easy installation without direct contact between the structures, using a pin and slot configuration or interference fit, and optionally featuring radial ribs or voids for adjustable stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional elastomeric isolators are used with threaded fasteners, then shock and vibration isolation is provided, but installation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming requiring tools and hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric isolator and fastener are merged into a single integrated component. The elastomeric material itself forms the fastening mechanism through friction-fit engagement with the mounting surface, eliminating the need for separate threaded fasteners, nuts, and washers. This integration maintains isolation performance while dramatically simplifying installation to a single-step push-in process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the traditional metal fastener system and transferred to the elastomeric isolator itself. The isolator's outer surface is designed with specific friction characteristics that enable direct engagement with the mounting hole, removing the dependency on threaded hardware and reducing installation complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional elastomeric isolators with threaded fasteners are used, then secure connection is achieved, but the number of components and hardware required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator and fastener are combined into one component. The elastomeric isolator includes an outer surface designed for friction-fit engagement with the mounting surface, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, nuts, and washers. This reduces the component count from multiple parts to a single integrated unit while maintaining secure connection through the elastomeric material's frictional engagement.
3Reliability
If conventional isolators requiring tools and hardware are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but installation time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool and hardware requirements are extracted from the installation process by transferring the fastening function to the elastomeric isolator itself. The friction-fit engagement mechanism allows direct push-in installation without screwdrivers, wrenches, or assembly/disassembly of multiple hardware components, dramatically increasing installation speed while maintaining secure mounting through the elastomeric material's frictional engagement.
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 provides a quick, easy, and space-efficient installation method for shock and vibration isolation, reducing the need for tools and hardware, while maintaining effective isolation performance, particularly in space-constrained applications like consumer electronics.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric material configured to engage a first support structure or mass
Implementation Method 2
Elastomer isolators may generally be used to provide shock and vibration isolation
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric pin isolator assembly is provided, including an elastomeric material, configured to engage a first support structure or mass, and a pin member, engaged with the elastomeric material, the pin member configured to slidably at least one of a second support structure or mass and the elastomeric material, and further wherein at least a portion of the elastomeric member is disposed between the first and second support structures or masses such that the first and second support structures or masses do not directly contact.