Isolation Mount Washer Retention for Tight Subframe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive manufacturing, pre-assembled subframe components can face interference issues due to obstructions within the subframe assembly, which hinder hardware installation and tooling accessibility during final vehicle assembly, particularly when there is inadequate clearance for attaching washers to isolation mounts.
Innovation Solution
The isolation mount assembly features a rubber isolator with tapered extensions and a washer with corresponding apertures, allowing for temporary retention and alignment, with the tapered extensions having a marking for trimmed lengths to ensure efficient installation and interference fit, facilitating secure attachment even in constrained spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-assembly of subframe components is performed to reduce production time, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to obstructions interfering with hardware installation
Solution Approach 1:
The washer is temporarily attached to the isolation mount during pre-assembly of the subframe components. This preliminary action ensures that the washer is already in position before final assembly, eliminating the need to access tight spaces during final assembly and thereby reducing production time while managing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary retention mechanism (such as a retention ring or interference fit feature) that temporarily holds the washer on the isolation mount during pre-assembly. This intermediary solution allows the washer to be positioned early in the manufacturing process without requiring final assembly conditions, thus improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity
2Ease of operation
If washers are temporarily captured during pre-assembly to address clearance issues, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional retention features
Solution Approach 1:
The retention feature is merged with either the washer or the isolation mount, creating an integrated solution rather than a separate additional component. For example, the isolation mount may include an integrated retention ring or the washer may have built-in retention features, thereby improving ease of operation during pre-assembly while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is designed to be self-retaining through interference fits, elastic deformation, or geometric interlocking features that automatically hold the washer in place without requiring additional fasteners or complex retention systems. This self-service approach improves ease of operation while keeping the retention feature simple
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation mount assembly includes a rubber isolator formed to be seated within an aperture in a supported member, with an extension located on an exterior surface of the isolator; and includes a washer containing an aperture corresponding with a location of the extension. The isolator may include a through-hole and an inner sleeve, and be seated within a supported member. A method for temporarily securing a washer to a rubber isolator includes aligning an aperture in the washer to a corresponding securing feature on the isolator, inserting the securing feature through the aperture, pulling a detached end of the securing feature, pushing the washer towards the isolator until it makes contact with the surface of the isolator, and releasing the detached end of the securing feature. An exemplary method may include trimming or deforming an excess part of the extension after releasing the detached end.