Plastic Armature Clipped Limiter Cap for Antivibration Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-vibration devices have complex manufacturing processes and high costs, which complicates their assembly and installation, particularly in vehicle applications.

Innovation Solution

The anti-vibration device features a second armature clipped to a limiter cap using interlocking mechanisms, allowing for pre-assembly and temporary fixing, with a hydraulic support system including a sealed liquid circuit and elastomer body, and the armature is made of plastic for ease of clipping, facilitating simplified manufacturing and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second armature is connected to the limiter cap by crimped lugs or force-fitting, then the mechanical connection is secure, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection securityVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism is divided into two distinct stages: a preliminary interlocking stage using clips during manufacturing, and a final tightening stage during vehicle assembly. This segmentation allows each stage to use optimized connection methods appropriate to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second armature is preliminarily connected to the limiter cap through interlocking clips during manufacturing, allowing the assembly to be completed and stored before final installation. This preliminary action simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining connection security through the subsequent tightening phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the anti-vibration device is assembled completely before storage, then the final assembly is secure, but the manufacturing and storage process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinal assembly securityVSAvoidstorage and transportation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly process is segmented into a preliminary phase (interlocking during manufacturing) and a final phase (tightening during vehicle assembly). This allows the device to be partially assembled for convenient storage and transport, then completed when installed in the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interlocking of the second armature to the limiter cap is performed as a preliminary action during manufacturing, enabling the assembly to be stored and transported in a semi-assembled state. The final tightening action is reserved for when the device is installed in the vehicle, ensuring security without cumbersome pre-assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the second armature is made of metal, then the structural strength is high, but the clipping operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearmature structural strengthVSAvoidclipping operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The material of the second armature is changed from traditional metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties to enable easy clipping operations while maintaining sufficient structural strength for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The armature is made of plastic material specifically at the regions requiring clipping operations, providing local flexibility and ease of manufacturing where needed, while maintaining overall structural integrity through the hydraulic support design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the integrity of the anti-vibration device, enabling easy storage and transportation, and ensures a secure final assembly during vehicle installation without complicating the assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer body adapted to support a load in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a sealed hydraulic circuit filled with liquid, comprising: a working chamber delimited by the elastomer body, a compensation chamber delimited by a flexible elastomer wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

a passage strangled linking together the working chamber and the clearing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2113676B1Antivibration device, antivibration system comprising such a device and manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 HUTCHINSON SA
  • EP2113676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2113676B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2113676B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device (1) has a hydraulic antivibration support (S) including rigid armatures (2, 3) connected together by a bell shaped elastomer body (4), where the armature (3) is cylindrical and is made of plastic material. An inverse U-shaped limiting bonnet (L) is fixed on a receiving unit (31) e.g. longitudinal sill, by locking the armature (3) against the receiving unit. The bonnet limits displacement of the armature (2) along a vertical direction (Z) and a direction (Y) that is perpendicular to the direction (Z). The armature (3) is clipped with the bonnet by interlocking, in the direction (Z). An independent claim is also included for a method for fabricating an antivibration system.