Integrally Formed Bracket with Retention Flanges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft retaining bracket assemblies for propeller shafts in vehicles are complex, with many small components that require precise fitting, making them costly and difficult to modify, while one-piece designs struggle to meet retention and vibration absorption requirements.

Innovation Solution

A simplified shaft retaining bracket assembly featuring an integrally formed bracket with a base portion and hoop, where the hoop receives an isolator and a shaft, and retention flanges are formed to secure the isolator, allowing for flexibility in design modifications without altering the overall design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-component bracket assemblies are used, then retention and vibration absorption requirements are met, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention and vibration absorptionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (bracket body, isolator, retention elements) into a single integrally formed bracket assembly. The bracket is formed as one piece with built-in retention features such as protrusions and recesses that engage with the isolator, eliminating the need for separate retention components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable retention and vibration absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrally formed bracket incorporates segmented functional features within its single-piece structure. The bracket includes distinct retention protrusions and recesses that are formed as integral parts of the bracket body, allowing the single component to provide multiple functions (structural support, vibration absorption, and retention) without requiring separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional multi-component bracket assemblies are used, then retention requirements are met, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If one-piece bracket designs are used, then device complexity and manufacturing costs are reduced, but retention requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidretention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrally formed bracket incorporates localized retention features (protrusions and recesses) at specific positions within the bracket body. These local features are strategically positioned to engage with corresponding features on the isolator, providing reliable retention at critical points while maintaining the overall simplicity of the one-piece design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If traditional bracket designs with press-fit interfaces are used, then retention is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidinterface tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket includes pre-formed retention protrusions and recesses that are built into the bracket body during the integral forming process. These preliminary retention features are designed to engage with the isolator in a straightforward manner, eliminating the need for precise press-fit interfaces and reducing manufacturing tolerance requirements while maintaining reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides robust retention and vibration absorption while reducing design and manufacturing costs, allowing for flexibility in structural properties and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for press-fit interfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an isolator that receives a shaft and absorbs vibrations transmitted therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8186641B2Shaft retaining bracket assembly

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A shaft retaining bracket assembly (100) and a method (400) of assembling the same is disclosed. A bracket assembly (100) may include an isolator (104) that receives a shaft and absorbs vibrations transmitted therethrough, and an integrally formed bracket (102). The bracket (102) may include a base portion (108) having at least one attachment hole (110) for securing the bracket (102) to a structural member, and a hoop (112) integrally formed with the base portion (108). The hoop (112) receives the isolator (104) such that the isolator (104) and the shaft are generally concentric about an axis (A) of the hoop (112). The bracket (102) further includes at least one retention flange (120) formed in the hoop, the retention flange (120) being configured to retain the isolator (104) within the hoop (112).