Engine Mount Stopper Structure to Suppress Spring Constant Rise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional anti-vibration devices experience a sudden increase in spring constant after contact, leading to adverse effects on ride comfort when used as engine mounts due to the integral stopper portion being supported by a second attachment member.

Innovation Solution

The anti-vibration device features a stopper supported by an elastic member, with the inner member having a through portion, allowing the stopper to be supported by the elastic member, thereby suppressing the increase in spring constant after contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stopper portion is formed integrally with the elastic member and supported by the second attachment member, then the stopper can restrict relative movement between members, but the spring constant increases immediately after contact with the bracket

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestriction of excessive displacementVSAvoidspring constant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is separated from the second attachment member and supported only by the elastic member. This segmentation allows the stopper to function independently with the original spring constant of the elastic member, preventing the sudden increase in spring constant that occurs when the stopper is integrated with and supported by the rigid second attachment member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the stopper portion is formed integrally with the elastic member, then soft spring properties can be achieved when in contact with the bracket, but the actual spring properties become stiff immediately after contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring properties during contactVSAvoidspring constant consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is extracted from the support structure of the second attachment member and repositioned to be supported solely by the elastic member. This extraction ensures that the stopper maintains the soft spring properties of the elastic member throughout its operation, eliminating the sudden stiffening that occurs when supported by the rigid second attachment member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If the stopper is supported by the elastic member through a through portion in the inner member, then the spring constant increase is suppressed, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring constant controlVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is positioned within the through portion of the inner member, creating a nested configuration where the stopper resides inside the inner member's through portion while being supported by the elastic member. This nesting approach achieves the desired spring constant control while utilizing the existing inner member structure, thereby minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 device effectively restricts excessive displacement between outer and inner members while maintaining consistent spring properties, improving ride comfort and durability by supporting the stopper with an elastic member.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (4) linking the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) and disposed inside the outer member (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a stopper (5) that restricts relative movement between the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) by contact with the outer member (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact:

Data Source

PatentEP4726232A1Vibration-proofing device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 PROSPIRA CORP
  • EP4726232A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4726232A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4726232A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An anti-vibration device (1) includes an outer member (2) connected to one of a vibration-generating side or a vibration-receiving side, an inner member (3) connected to the other of the vibration-generating side or the vibration-receiving side, and an elastic member (4) linking the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) and disposed inside the outer member (2). A stopper (5) restricts relative movement between the outer member (2) and the inner member (3) by contact with the outer member (2). The stopper (5) is supported by the elastic member (4).