Integrated Vehicle Thrust Bearing Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle thrust bearings have a complex assembly process due to a large number of parts, requiring a separate mounting member, which complicates the attachment to a vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle thrust bearing design featuring an upper case and a lower case that are rotatable with respect to each other, incorporating an annular sliding or rolling bearing piece made of synthetic resin, which reduces the number of assembly parts and thickness, allowing direct attachment to the vehicle body with fewer components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate mounting member is used to attach the thrust bearing to the vehicle body, then the bearing can be securely mounted, but the number of assembly parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper case is designed to integrate both the bearing function and the mounting function. The upper case directly includes mounting holes and mounting surfaces that allow it to be attached to the vehicle body without requiring a separate mounting member. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining secure mounting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate parts are used in the thrust bearing assembly, then each part can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall assembly thickness increases and assembly work becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The upper case combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it serves as the bearing outer ring, provides the mounting interface to the vehicle body, and supports the seal and other bearing elements. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and decreases the overall assembly thickness while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper case is designed as a multi-functional component that performs bearing support, mounting attachment, and structural support functions simultaneously. This universal design allows a single part to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing assembly complexity and thickness.
3Force
If conventional strut bearing design is used with separate mounting member, then the bearing can handle thrust loads, but the number of assembly parts is large and assembling work is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The upper case integrates the bearing outer ring and mounting member into a single component, allowing the thrust bearing to handle thrust loads while reducing the number of parts. This integration maintains load-bearing capacity while significantly improving assembly efficiency by reducing the number of assembly steps and parts.
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 assembly complexity, increases the bearing's strength and durability, and provides smoother, quieter operation by minimizing friction resistance, while maintaining the structural integrity and durability of the bearing.
Implementation Method 1
an annular sliding or rolling bearing piece arranged in an annular space created between the upper case and the lower case
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rolling elements that contact with the upper case and the lower case
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a vehicle thrust bearing that can reduce the number of assembly parts used in assembling a suspension of a vehicle to a body and reduce the thickness of parts to simplify the assembling work. A vehicle thrust bearing (100) includes an upper case (110) that is attached to a body (VB) of a vehicle having a suspension, and a lower case (120) that is arranged under the upper case so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper case, wherein the upper case (110) includes in a top area (UA) thereof a mounting portion (114) for being attached to the body (VB) of the vehicle.