MacPherson Strut Bearing With Double Snap Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing strut bearings for MacPherson strut suspensions face increased risk of loose connections and failure under high working loads due to the functional limitations of single snap connections, leading to potential axial displacement and tilting issues, which can cause ball ejection from the cage and raceways.
Innovation Solution
A strut bearing design featuring double snap connections on both the inner and outer sides, comprising inner and outer hooks that form circumferentially extending snap connections, along with a combination of hard and soft polymer materials for enhanced stability and sealing, including sealing lips and a labyrinth seal to prevent water and dust ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single snap connection is used between the cap and guide ring, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and resistance to pull-apart force deteriorate under high working loads
Solution Approach 1:
The single snap connection is segmented into two separate snap connections: an inner snap connection and an outer snap connection. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple engagement points, preventing any single connection point from failing under high pull-apart forces, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner snap connection is nested within the outer snap connection structure. The inner lower hook and inner upper hook form an inner snap connection, while the outer lower hook and outer upper hook form an outer snap connection. This nested arrangement provides redundant connection paths, ensuring that if one connection experiences stress, the other continues to provide structural integrity
2Reliability
If radial displacement occurs between the cap and guide ring, then the single snap connection allows loose connection and tilting, but adding double snap connections increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into inner and outer snap connections positioned at different radial locations. This segmentation creates multiple geometric constraints that prevent the guide ring from tilting or displacing radially relative to the cap, as both inner and outer connections must maintain proper alignment simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The inner and outer snap connections are positioned asymmetrically in the radial direction, with the inner connection closer to the center and the outer connection farther out. This asymmetric positioning creates a lever arm effect that resists radial displacement and tilting forces more effectively than a single symmetric connection
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a strut bearing for MacPherson strut suspensions including a cap, a guide ring, and a bearing arrangement located between the cap and the guide ring. The cap comprises a first hook on an inner side in a radial direction of the strut bearing and a third hook on an outer side in the radial direction, and the guide ring comprises a second hook on the inner side engaged with the first hook and a fourth hook on the outer side engaged with the third hook; the first and second hooks form an inner snap connection extending circumferentially, and the third and fourth hooks form an outer snap connection extending circumferentially.