Suspension Thrust Bearing Damping Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle suspension thrust bearing devices face issues with water and pollutant ingress, leading to axial and radial deformations, increased torque, and reduced service life due to contact between the deflecting flange and upper cup, resulting in undesirable noise and wear.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a damping element with a deflecting flange and an annular groove that radially disconnects the flange from the upper cup, preventing contact and maintaining separation during axial and radial deformations, and using a resilient material like thermoplastic polyurethane for the damping element to enhance durability and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a deflecting flange is added to prevent water and pollutant ingress, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but contact between the flange and upper cup causes increased torque and device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater and pollutant ingressVSAvoidcontact between deflecting flange and upper cup

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A resilient damping element is introduced as an intermediary between the deflecting flange and the upper cup. This damping element absorbs axial and radial deformations, preventing direct contact between the flange and cup while maintaining the deflecting flange's protective function against water and pollutants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element's resilient material properties allow it to dynamically change its physical state under axial and radial loads. By utilizing the material's elasticity and damping characteristics, the system accommodates deformations without creating harmful contacts, thus reducing torque while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the deflecting flange is made rigid to maintain separation, then reliability is improved, but noise and wear increase due to contact during deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of componentsVSAvoidnoise and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is constructed from a resilient material that acts as a flexible barrier between the deflecting flange and upper cup. This flexible structure maintains component separation during axial and radial deformations while absorbing energy, thereby preventing noise and wear that would occur with rigid contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The axial and radial deformations that previously caused harmful contacts are converted into beneficial damping actions. The resilient material absorbs these deformations, transforming what was a source of noise and wear into a protective mechanism that maintains separation and reduces harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If contact between deflecting flange and upper cup is allowed to accommodate deformation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but service life is reduced due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimple structureVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element serves as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the deflecting flange and upper cup during operation. This intermediary component absorbs axial and radial deformations, eliminating wear mechanisms while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient damping element provides beforehand cushioning between the deflecting flange and upper cup. By pre-positioning this protective element, the design anticipates and prevents wear and damage that would occur during normal operation, thereby extending service life without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 effectively prevents water and pollutant ingress, reduces torque, and extends the service life of the suspension thrust bearing device by maintaining the separation of components, thereby enhancing operational reliability and reducing noise.

Implementation Method 1

The axial load of suspension spring (3) onto the damping element (70) induces axial and radial deformations of said element (70)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11186133B2Suspension thrust bearing device and suspension strut equipped with such a device

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 SKF KOREA LTD

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a suspension thrust bearing device, for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation, and a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. The damping element comprising at least one deflecting flange for reducing any ingress of water and other pollutants between the upper and lower annular bearing members. The damping element is provided with an annular groove open axially towards the suspension spring, said annular groove radially defining a spring support surface on inner side, and the said deflecting flange on outer side.