Multi-Durometer Bump Stops for Progressive Suspension Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bump stops, typically made of hard rubber, cause abrupt and jarring impacts when compressing, leading to reduced vehicle stability and suspension life, especially in harsh driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-durometer elastomeric rubber bump stop, known as Durobumps, composed of multiple layers of rubber with varying durometers, designed to compress and absorb energy progressively, mimicking a coil spring, thereby reducing jarring impacts and enhancing vehicle stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard rubber bump stops are used to prevent metal on metal contact, then shock prevention is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates due to abrupt and jarring impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The bump stop is divided into multiple layers with different durometers (hardness levels). The first layer has a durometer of 30-70, the second layer has a durometer of 70-90, and the third layer has a durometer of 90-100. This segmentation allows progressive energy absorption, where softer layers first to reduce abrupt impacts and maintain vehicle stability, while harder layers provide ultimate shock prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bump stop have different hardness properties. The outer surface or first layer contacting the suspension components uses softer rubber (durometer 30-70) to provide a smooth, progressive stop that maintains stability, while the inner core or subsequent layers use progressively harder rubber (durometer 90-100) to prevent metal-on-metal contact and provide reliable shock prevention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multi-layer elastomeric rubber with different durometers is used, then impact absorption and vehicle stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple layers of elastomeric rubber with different durometers are combined into a single integrated bump stop component. The first layer (durometer 30-70), second layer (durometer 70-90), and third layer (durometer 90-100) are bonded together to form one unified part that provides progressive impact absorption and vehicle stability without requiring separate components or complex assembly mechanisms.
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
Durobumps significantly extend suspension life, improve vehicle stability, and increase off-road capability by smoothly damping suspension travel and preventing shock components from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a specific combination of elastomeric rubber, and more preferably vulcanized rubber, having specific physical properties that in combination allow the inventive elastomeric rubber bump stop to compress in a manner very similar manner to a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
a specific combination of elastomeric rubber, and more preferably vulcanized rubber, having specific physical properties
Implementation Method 3
These Durobumps greatly extends suspension life of the vehicle and increases vehicle stability in rough terrain or harsh driving conditions
Implementation Method 4
a multi-durometer rubber bump stop having at least 2 layers that replaces the firm/hard OEM bump stop. It is believed that by using at least 2 layers, and preferably multiple layers, of elastomeric rubber that have different physical properties, such as hardness, these composite elastomeric rubber bump stops (Durobumps) allow compression and/or absorption of energy and/or inertia to travel in a smooth progressive fashion during operation of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber bump stop composed of at least two components (“Durobumps”) and used as a suspension product is disclosed that greatly extends suspension life of the vehicle and increases vehicle stability in rough terrain or harsh driving conditions. Preferably, the rubber bump stop has at least four components and include cast in place metal hardware for use in fastening to the vehicle.