Flexible Elastomeric Striker Cap for Vehicular Jounce Bumper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current jounce bumper assemblies in vehicular suspension systems provide little cushioning effect due to the rigidity of striker plates and limited energy absorption capacity, leading to potential damage and increased weight and expense, while also compromising space efficiency and geometric stability.
Innovation Solution
A jounce bumper assembly with a flexible striker cap and a jounce bumper that engage deformably during impact events, featuring an overlapping configuration with a cylindrical mount and an optional annular rubber sleeve to enhance energy absorption and prevent buckling, allowing for lighter materials and improved space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid metallic striker plate and polyurethane foam-based jounce bumper are used, then the suspension system can limit jounce during impact events, but the cushioning effect is insufficient and peak strain is high due to the rigidity of the striker plate and limited energy absorption capacity of the foam bumper
Solution Approach 1:
The striker plate is changed from a rigid metallic component to a flexible elastomeric material, fundamentally changing its mechanical properties. This allows the striker cap to deform elastically during impact, absorbing energy and reducing peak strain while maintaining reliable jounce limitation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the flexible elastomeric striker cap with the polyurethane foam jounce bumper to create a composite energy absorption system. The elastomeric material provides initial cushioning and geometric stability, while the foam bumper provides additional energy absorption capacity, together reducing peak strain more effectively than either component alone
2Strength
If striker plates, jounce bumper mounts, and other rigid impacting surfaces are designed with greater mass and volume to withstand impact loads, then damage susceptibility is reduced, but the overall weight and expense of damper assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric striker cap inherently provides impact resistance through its material properties (flexibility and elasticity) rather than through mass. This allows the damper assembly to withstand impact loads without requiring additional heavy protective components, reducing overall weight while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elastomeric striker cap converts the harmful impact force into beneficial elastic deformation and energy absorption. The material's ability to deform and rebound transforms the damaging peak strain into controlled energy dissipation, protecting the assembly without requiring extra weight
3Strength
If heavier and more rugged construction is used for impact load management components, then durability under impact is improved, but space efficiency of the damper assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric striker cap achieves impact durability through material property changes (flexibility and energy absorption) rather than volume increases. The flexible material absorbs impact energy within its existing volume, eliminating the need for larger, more rugged construction and maintaining compact damper assembly dimensions
4Loss of energy
If a flexible elastomeric striker cap is used instead of a rigid metallic striker plate, then energy absorption and peak strain reduction are improved, but geometric stability under loading may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric striker cap functions as a flexible shell that deforms controllably under load. This flexibility allows energy absorption while the shell structure maintains geometric stability through its design, preventing buckling and ensuring stable performance during impact events
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 assembly effectively absorbs impact energy, reduces peak strain, and maintains geometric stability, enabling the use of lighter materials without compromising driving comfort or controllability, while improving space efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible cap is configured to be coupled overlapping the side of a cylindrical mount... During impact events, the flexible cap and the jounce bumper engage deformably, absorbing energy generated by the impact load
Implementation Method 2
a polyurethane foam-based or rubber jounce bumper coupled to the upper mount... during an impact event, the striker cap and jounce bumper engage causing the bumper to deform axially along the piston rod in the direction of loading
Implementation Method 3
Incorporation of a sleeve onto the assembly reinforces the flexible cap by absorbing hoop stress and preventing the flexible cap from excess radial strain and buckling during loading
Data Source
AI summary
A jounce bumper assembly for a vehicular suspension system, the suspension system having a first member and a second member, is provided. The assembly comprises a mount coupled to the first member, wherein the mount has a cylindrical portion comprising a first cylindrical outer surface. The assembly also comprises a jounce bumper coupled to the second member, and a striker cap having a first end comprising a first cylindrical inner surface circumferentially coupled over the first cylindrical outer surface, and having a second end configured for resilient engagement with the jounce bumper.