Elastomeric Spring Latching for Anti-roll Bar Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The preparation of anti-roll bars is complex, tedious, and time-consuming due to the intricate structure and assembly process of elastomeric springs and anti-roll bar support armatures, which involves bonding and mounting steps that are labor-intensive and difficult to streamline.

Innovation Solution

The use of latching portions on elastomeric spring parts and anti-roll bar support armature elements allows for easy assembly by engaging and deforming to block relative movements, simplifying the structure and assembly process, and the incorporation of internal stiffening reinforcements and divisible linkages facilitates handling and connection, while polymeric materials enable easier bonding via electromagnetic induction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elastomeric spring is bonded to the anti-roll bar and the armature is mounted by forcing in, then the assembly is secure and reliable, but the preparation process becomes complex, tedious, and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly reliabilityVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric spring is divided into a first part and a second part, each with their own latching portions. This segmentation allows the spring to be assembled with the armature in a simpler, less time-consuming manner while maintaining secure connection through the latching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional bonding and forcing-in mechanical assembly methods are replaced with a latching system. The latching portions engage with complementary features on the armature elements, providing secure connection without requiring complex bonding processes or forceful insertion, thereby reducing preparation time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the elastomeric spring and armature have intricate structures to ensure proper function, then the anti-roll bar performance is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-roll bar performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the elastomeric spring and the armature are segmented into multiple parts (first part and second part of the spring; first element and second element of the armature). Each segment has simplified individual structures with specific latching portions, making the overall assembly process less complex while maintaining the intricate functional requirements through the coordinated interaction of segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latching portions are extracted as distinct functional features from the overall structure. These latching portions are specifically designed to engage with complementary features on the armature elements, separating the connection function from the structural function and simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If traditional bonding and mounting methods are used, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process is labor-intensive and difficult to streamline

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional bonding and forcing-in methods are replaced with a latching mechanism. The latching portions engage with complementary features on the armature elements through elastic deformation, providing secure connection without requiring bonding materials or forceful insertion tools, thereby significantly improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching portions are designed to self-align and self-secure during assembly. The elastic deformation of the latching portions during engagement automatically creates the secure connection without requiring external bonding agents or complex mounting tools, making the assembly process simpler and more manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 the assembly and preparation of anti-roll bars by reducing the complexity of the assembly process, making it more efficient and reliable, and allows for easier handling and bonding, thereby optimizing the anti-roll bar preparation time and structure.

Implementation Method 1

Latching (or snapping-in) is a method of assembling two parts by engagement and elastic deformation (generally local deformation of only one part of a part, for example of a tongue, or of a peripheral element of said part, or also by deformation of the whole of the parts involved in assembly)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

polymeric materials enable easier bonding via electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3458291B1Elastomeric spring for an Anti-roll bar, support armature for an Anti-roll bar, Anti-roll bar support and preparation process for an Anti-roll bar
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 VIBRACOUSTIC NANTES SAS
  • EP3458291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3458291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3458291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an elastomeric spring (10) for an anti-roll bar comprising a latching portion (16) configured for working together by latching with a support armature (20) for an anti-roll bar, a support (20) for an anti-roll bar comprising at least one latching portion (26) configured for working together by latching with an elastomeric spring (10) for an anti-roll bar, and an anti-roll bar support comprising such an elastomeric spring and such an armature.