Rubber Sheet Deformation Restriction for Coil Spring Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems, such as those described in JP2012-219825A, face instability when a coil spring is subjected to large loads, leading to potential deformation of the spring rubber sheet, which can cause the coil spring to be dislodged and fail to stably support the spring.
Innovation Solution
A rubber sheet with a main body formed into an arc or annular shape, featuring a seating portion and a deformation restricting portion that projects radially from the outer periphery, is designed to prevent twisting deformation by engaging with the spring guide, ensuring stable support of the coil spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring rubber sheet is designed to support the terminal portion of the coil spring, then the coil spring can be supported, but under large loads the rubber sheet deforms by twisting toward the outside in the radial direction causing the coil spring to be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber sheet is segmented into functional regions: a seating portion for supporting the coil spring, a deformation restricting portion with increased stiffness to prevent radial twisting, and a main body connecting these regions. This segmentation allows different parts to perform specialized functions - the seating portion provides support while the deformation restricting portion maintains structural stability under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber sheet exhibits local quality variations through different stiffness characteristics. The deformation restricting portion has increased stiffness compared to the main body, creating a localized rigid region that resists radial deformation while the rest of the structure remains flexible enough to accommodate normal operational movements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a deformation restricting portion is added to the rubber sheet, then deformation is restricted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation restricting portion is merged with the main body of the rubber sheet as an integrated structure rather than a separate component. This merging approach maintains deformation restriction functionality while avoiding the complexity of additional assembly steps, fasteners, or separate parts that would result from using discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber sheet utilizes the inherent flexibility and elasticity of rubber material to achieve deformation restriction through geometric design rather than rigid structural elements. The deformation restricting portion is formed as a flexible extension of the rubber sheet that passively resists radial deformation through its geometry and material properties, eliminating the need for complex mechanical restraint 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
The rubber sheet effectively restricts deformation of the main body, preventing the coil spring from being dislodged and ensuring stable support, even under large radial loads, through friction resistance with the spring guide, thereby maintaining the suspension system's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
friction resistance with the spring guide
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber sheet includes: a main body formed into an arc shape or an annular shape; a seating portion formed into a groove shape at the main body, a coil spring being configured to be seated on the seating portion; and a deformation restricting portion formed to project outside in a radial direction from an outer periphery of the main body at a position, on which a terminal portion of the coil spring is seated, of the main body, the deformation restricting portion being configured to restrict deformation of the main body.