Engine Mount Rubber Stopper with Projections for Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber stoppers in engine mounts face a trade-off between durability and soft stopper performance, with existing designs either suffering from stress concentration and early damage or inadequate shock absorption, leading to compromised durability and short lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A stopper structure featuring a rubber stopper with a tubular base and peripheral projections on one abutting plane, along with central projections on the other, which share functions to enhance durability and soft stopper performance by distributing load and reducing stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber stopper with flat plate configuration and thin constant wall thickness is used, then durability is enhanced through even pressure distribution, but shock absorbing performance deteriorates due to skyrocketed spring characteristics at initial abutting contact
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber stopper is segmented into multiple functional regions: a base portion with thin wall thickness for durability, and multiple projection portions (first, second, and third projections) with varying thicknesses for differentiated shock absorption. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rubber stopper have different wall thicknesses tailored to their specific functions. The base portion has thin wall thickness for durability and even pressure distribution, while the projection portions have progressively greater thicknesses to provide progressive shock absorption. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between durability and shock absorption.
2Ease of operation
If local abutting portions are provided on the abutting surface to ensure durability, then soft stopper performance is improved, but stress concentration occurs leading to early damage and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portions are designed to deform progressively under load, with the first projections deforming first, followed by second projections, and finally third projections. This dynamic, progressive deformation provides soft stopper performance while distributing stress over time and space, preventing stress concentration and early damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple projection portions are pre-configured with varying thicknesses to provide progressive cushioning. As load is applied, the thinner projections deform first to absorb initial shocks, while thicker projections remain intact. This beforehand cushioning design prevents stress concentration by distributing the load across multiple deformation stages.
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 proposed structure effectively absorbs shocks, prevents stress concentration, and maintains durability, enabling both excellent stopper characteristics and sufficient durability, as demonstrated by improved load-deformation characteristics and durability tests.
Implementation Method 1
a base portion of tubular shape in cross section, and being secured press-fit onto the rigid abutting member... pair of peripheral projections formed on laterally opposite sides of a first abutting plane of the base portion... at least one central projection formed on an intermediate area interposed between the pair of peripheral projections
Data Source
AI summary
A stopper structure including: a rigid abutting member extending in its longitudinal direction with a rectangular cross sectional shape; and a rubber stopper having a base portion of tubular cross sectional shape and secured press-fit onto the rigid abutting member without being adhesive thereto, two peripheral projections formed on laterally opposite sides of a first abutting plane of the base portion and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a central projection formed on an intermediate area interposed between the peripheral projections of the first abutting plane of the base portion. The peripheral projections are situated above laterally opposite edges of a first abutting plane of the rigid abutting member, and have a width dimension extending inside and outside the laterally opposite edges. The central projection projects outward from the first abutting plane of the base portion with the same height as the peripheral projections.