Engine Mount Hook-Groove Coupling for Bracket Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine mounts made from plastic materials face challenges in assembly durability and cost-effectiveness, particularly due to the limitations of aluminum materials used for increased rigidity, which can lead to cracking and high processing costs.
Innovation Solution
An engine mount design featuring a plastic core with hooks that couple into a groove on the inner wall surface of a bracket, eliminating the need for curling aluminum and reducing the risk of cracking, while maintaining assembly durability and lowering production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aluminum material with high elongation percentage is used for the curled portion, then assembly durability is improved, but cost increases and strength/rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminum to plastic for the core component, and changes the connection mechanism from press-fitting to hook-groove coupling. This allows achieving assembly durability through the elastic deformation capability of the hook during insertion, while maintaining the inherent strength and rigidity advantages of plastic material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the curling process and aluminum material requirement from the design, eliminating the need for high-elongation aluminum materials. The hook-groove coupling mechanism achieves the same assembly durability function without requiring material curling or expensive aluminum alloys
2Strength
If aluminum material with low elongation percentage is used, then strength and rigidity are improved, but cracks form in the curled portion increasing defect rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminum to plastic and the connection mechanism from press-fitting to hook-groove coupling. The hook's elastic deformation during insertion provides the necessary assembly durability without requiring low-elongation materials, eliminating crack formation while maintaining strength and rigidity
3Strength
If bracket is forcibly press-fitted with main rubber body, then rigidity is improved and costs reduced, but processing costs increase and crack risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the forcibly press-fitted mechanical connection with a hook-groove coupling mechanism. The hook's elastic deformation during insertion provides the necessary connection without requiring excessive processing forces, reducing processing costs while maintaining rigidity and eliminating crack risk
4Reliability
If bracket is forcibly press-fitted, then assembly durability is improved, but fatigue strength deteriorates under continuous load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the forcibly press-fitted connection with a hook-groove coupling mechanism. The hook's elastic deformation capability allows it to absorb continuous loads and vibrations without permanent deformation, maintaining assembly durability while significantly improving fatigue strength under continuous operation
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 design reduces weight, improves assembly productivity, and prevents strength deterioration by avoiding excessive load on the bracket, thus enhancing durability and reducing fuel consumption and costs.
Implementation Method 1
inserting a hook (81) formed on the core (80) into a groove (13) formed in an inner wall surface of a body (11) of the bracket (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An engine mount for a vehicle includes: a core which is made of a plastic material and attached to an outer circumferential surface at a lower end of a main rubber body; and a cover which is coupled to the core to close a lower opening of a bracket, in which the core and the bracket are assembled by coupling the core and the cover and then inserting a hook formed on the core into a groove formed in an inner wall surface of a body of the bracket.