Radiator Upper Support With Elastomeric Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiator assemblies for vehicles face challenges in secure and efficient mounting, particularly due to the complexity and risk of vibration transmission, which can lead to improper installation and loose connections.
Innovation Solution
A radiator assembly featuring an upper support with a rubber main body and a plastic fixing element, utilizing elastic retaining means for secure attachment to a stiffening frame, allowing for simple and reliable mounting by clipping, with a compact design that prevents oscillation and uncoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber supports are used for attaching the radiator to the front panel, then vibration absorption is achieved, but mounting complexity increases and reliability decreases due to improper installation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into two distinct parts: a elastomeric main body for vibration absorption and a plastic fixing element for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function, with the fixing element providing reliable mounting through elastic retaining means while the main body handles vibration damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic retaining means in the fixing element automatically secures the support to the stiffening frame through a clipping action. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity provides self-retaining capability, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations and ensuring proper installation without complex procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple mounting operations are required to ensure secure attachment, then mounting reliability improves, but mounting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic retaining means are pre-configured in the fixing element to automatically engage with the stiffening frame during a single insertion operation. The elastomeric material is preliminarily shaped to provide snap-fit retention, ensuring secure attachment is achieved in advance during the initial mounting action without requiring subsequent fastening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element integrates multiple functions into a single component: attachment to the stiffening frame, retention of the elastomeric main body, and positioning guidance. This merging of functions into one piece allows all mounting operations to be completed in a single clipping action, reducing both time and complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the support structure is made more complex to prevent oscillation and uncoupling, then vibration filtering improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support combines two different materials with complementary properties: an elastomeric material for vibration damping and a harder plastic material for structural stability and retention. This composite construction allows the softer elastomeric portion to filter vibrations while the stiffer fixing element prevents oscillation and uncoupling, achieving vibration control without complex structural additions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric main body acts as an intermediary between the radiator and the stiffening frame, absorbing vibrations before they can be transmitted to the rigid mounting structure. This intermediate elastomeric layer filters harmful vibrations while the fixing element maintains secure attachment, preventing both vibration transmission and uncoupling through a simple two-part design.
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 solution ensures secure, rapid, and correct mounting of the radiator, reducing operational steps while preventing vibration transmission and ensuring the radiator remains firmly attached to the vehicle's front panel.
Implementation Method 1
The upper support comprises a main body made from an elastomeric material, preferably rubber, filtering the vibrations, i.e., preventing vibrations from travelling to the radiator 1
Implementation Method 2
The fixing element comprises elastic retaining means configured to retain the upper support inside the stiffening frame when it is introduced into the housing of the stiffening frame
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment a radiator assembly is provided that includes a radiator and a stiffening frame which supports the radiator and which enables its attachment to the front panel of a vehicle. The attachment of the radiator to the stiffening frame is performed through at least one upper support which is attached to the radiator. The support, which is configured for absorbing vibrations, is fixed in a housing of the stiffening frame. The upper support includes a main body made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, and a fixing element made from a second material, such as plastic, having a higher hardness than the material of the main body. The fixing element includes elastic retaining means configured for retaining the upper support when it is introduced into the housing of the stiffening frame.