Spring-Loaded Bearing Arms for Play-Free Damper Door Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent bearing arrangements face issues with play and blocking due to manufacturing tolerances, requiring tight specifications and frequent tool changes, leading to increased costs and time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A bearing arrangement comprising a first bearing component with a hook and spring-loaded arms that align and latch with a second bearing component, allowing for tolerance compensation and play-free operation without the need for frequent tool changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight manufacturing tolerances are specified for the housing, closing flap, and lever, then play and blocking are prevented, but frequent tool changes are required and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bearing component by introducing an obliquely formed bearing surface instead of a conventional cylindrical surface. This angular parameter change allows the component to self-align and compensate for manufacturing tolerances, achieving play-free operation without requiring tight tolerances on other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing component is divided into functionally distinct sections: a first section with a hook for connection and a second section with an obliquely formed bearing surface for alignment. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally, with the bearing surface section handling alignment independently from the connection section.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional cylindrical bearing surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simple, but play occurs due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional cylindrical bearing surface with an obliquely formed bearing surface that has angular curvature relative to the central axis. This curved surface geometry enables self-aligning behavior, where the component naturally finds its correct position during assembly, eliminating play caused by manufacturing tolerances while remaining manufacturable.
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
Enables the production of air vent components with broader manufacturing tolerances, preventing play and jamming, while reducing production costs and time by eliminating the need for frequent tool adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring-loaded arm (20) compensates for tolerances between the lever (10) and the closing flap (30)
Implementation Method 2
The second spring-loaded arm (24) is used to compensate for tolerances between the lever (10) and the housing (40)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A bearing component (10) and a bearing arrangement (100) with a bearing component (10) are described, wherein the bearing component (10) has a first section (12) and a second section (14) arranged one above the other and substantially concentric to a central axis (D). The first section (12) has a hook (18) extending parallel to the central axis (D). The second section (14) further comprises a first arm (20) and a second arm (24), wherein the first arm (20) extends tangentially to the second section (14) and the second arm (24) projects radially from the second section (14). The bearing component (10) can be received in a receptacle (34) of a second bearing component (30) and is supported without play via the first arm (20) relative to the second bearing component (30) and via the second arm (24) relative to a housing wall (50).