Progressive Spring Element for Vehicle Mount Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring and damper systems for motor vehicle assembly mounts require precise matching to vehicle type and weight to manage varying loads effectively, leading to comfort-reducing shifts in spring characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A spring and damper system with a damper device and positioning spring element connected in series, incorporating a progressive spring element that adjusts to different load conditions by maintaining a defined gap, allowing for preload-independent characteristic progression and enhanced comfort through passive deflection setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If assembly mounts are precisely matched to vehicle type and weight, then spring characteristic stability is improved, but device complexity and customization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a progressive spring element that automatically changes its spring rate parameter based on the applied load. The spring transitions from a first spring rate at lower loads to a second, higher spring rate at greater loads, eliminating the need for precise manual matching to vehicle specifications while maintaining stable spring characteristics across different vehicle types and weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element transitions from a static spring rate to a dynamic, load-dependent spring rate. The progressive spring characteristic allows the mount to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time based on the actual load conditions, providing stability without requiring pre-configured matching to specific vehicle parameters.
2Force
If rubber-elastic stops or springs are provided to accommodate high loads, then load capacity is improved, but comfort is reduced due to shifts in spring characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The progressive spring element provides a smooth, continuous transition in spring rate as load increases, rather than an abrupt change. This gradual parameter change allows the mount to accommodate high loads while minimizing sudden shifts in spring characteristic that would negatively affect vehicle comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element operates in different phases: a softer first spring rate phase for normal comfort conditions, and a harder second spring rate phase for high load conditions. This periodic switching between spring rates allows the system to provide comfort when needed and capacity when required.
3Stability of the object's composition
If assembly mounts are matched to vehicle specifications, then spring characteristic stability is improved, but adaptability to different payloads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The progressive spring element inherently provides adaptability through its load-dependent spring rate characteristics. As payloads vary, the spring automatically adjusts its effective spring rate, maintaining stable spring characteristics across different vehicle types, weights, and payload conditions without requiring rematching or reconfiguration.
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 system provides a substantially preload-independent spring characteristic, maintaining comfort and effectively damping vibrations and dynamic loads by transitioning from low to high spring force as needed, thereby reducing comfort-reducing shifts and improving overall vehicle stability.
Implementation Method 1
a damper device (24) which acts as a shock absorber for relative movements of the vehicle masses (38, 40) in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
a positioning spring element (22), which are directly or indirectly coupled to each other and are connected in series
Data Source
AI summary
A spring and damper system, in particular for an assembly mount in a motor vehicle, includes a spring/damper element arranged between two mutually, relatively displaceable vehicle masses, wherein the spring/damper element includes a damper device and a positioning spring element, which are directly or indirectly coupled with one another and are connected in series and which are supported on or attached to a respective vehicle mass. A progressive spring element forms an additional component of the spring/damper element, wherein the progressive spring element is arranged on a side of the positioning spring element facing away from the damper device and is directly or indirectly connected to the damper device or to the vehicle mass facing the positioning spring element. The progressive spring element has a defined gap spacing representing a spring deflection in a defined rest position.