Spring Isolator Cavities Prevent Coil Spring Corrosion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing spring isolators in vehicle wheel suspensions allow foreign particles to penetrate due to rolling contact between the coil spring and the spring isolator, leading to abrasion and corrosion of the coil spring, and fail to effectively dampen vibrations and noise.
Innovation Solution
A spring isolator design with a first side configured to rest on a spring plate and a second side to support the last coil of the coil spring, featuring cavities and channels that maintain constant contact area through elasticity, preventing foreign particles from entering and reducing vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a spring isolator is used to damp vibrations and noise, then vibration damping and noise reduction are improved, but foreign particles can penetrate into the contact area due to rolling contact, leading to abrasion and corrosion of the coil spring
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the spring to contact the isolator directly (conventional approach), the patent inverts the relationship by having the isolator actively engage the spring through protrusions that fit into grooves on the spring. This inversion of the contact mechanism eliminates rolling contact while maintaining vibration damping, as the interlocked engagement prevents particle penetration into the contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary engagement mechanism consisting of protrusions on the isolator and corresponding grooves on the spring. This intermediary interlocking structure mediates between the spring and isolator, maintaining constant contact area while preventing foreign particles from entering the contact zone, thus solving both vibration damping and particle protection requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact area between the coil spring and spring isolator changes during operation, then the spring can compress and extend, but foreign particles can enter the contact area causing abrasion and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional contact approach by using protrusions on the isolator that fit into grooves on the spring. This inverted engagement mechanism maintains a constant contact area during spring compression and extension, preventing foreign particles from entering while allowing full spring adaptability for vibration absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator employs a flexible design with protrusions that can elastically deform to maintain constant engagement with the spring grooves during compression and extension. This flexible engagement mechanism ensures reliable contact area maintenance while accommodating the spring's full range of motion, protecting against corrosion.
3Loss of energy
If the spring isolator allows relative movement with the coil spring during operation, then vibration damping is achieved, but the paint coating on the coil spring becomes abraded and corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the contact mechanism by having isolator protrusions fit into spring grooves, creating an interlocked engagement. This inverted relationship eliminates harmful rolling contact that causes paint abrasion, while still allowing vibration energy dissipation through the flexible isolator material, thereby extending coil spring service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking protrusion-groove mechanism serves as an intermediary that mediates between the spring and isolator. This intermediary structure enables vibration damping through flexible engagement while preventing direct rolling contact that would abrade the paint coating, thus preserving the coil spring's protective coating and extending its service life.
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 design prevents corrosion by maintaining a constant contact area, protecting the coil spring's paint coating and reducing vibration and noise transmission by ensuring consistent contact between the spring isolator and the coil spring during operation.
Implementation Method 1
An elasticity of the isolator between the first and second sides may prevent the last coil from breaking contact with the second side during operation of the suspension
Implementation Method 2
An elastic insert, or spring isolator, is also generally inserted between the coil spring and the spring plate to damp the transmission of vibrations to the coil spring and the occurrence of noise between the parts
Data Source
AI summary
A spring isolator for a wheel suspension may include a first side configured to rest on a spring plate of the suspension. The spring isolator may also include a second side, opposite the first side, configured to receive a last coil of a coil spring of the suspension to support the coil spring on the spring plate. The first side may have at least one cavity extending through a thickness of the isolator toward the second side. An elasticity of the isolator between the first and second sides may prevent the last coil from breaking contact with the second side during operation of the suspension.