Suspension Thrust Bearing with Elastomeric Vibration Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension thrust bearing devices in motor vehicles suffer from vibration transmission to the vehicle body, leading to reduced comfort, and are prone to pollution from water droplets entering the rolling bearing, which can cause malfunctioning.
Innovation Solution
A suspension thrust bearing device featuring a rolling bearing with a lower support cap made of synthetic material and a vibration-filtering element having radially extending flanges to deflect water and air flows, combined with a stiffening reinforcement for load distribution, providing effective sealing and vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spring bears directly on the support cap, then the structure is simple, but vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle body reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration-filtering element made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary between the spring and the support cap. This element absorbs and filters vibrations while maintaining the direct bearing relationship, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and vibration isolation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring bears on a flexible elastomeric baseplate, then vibrations are filtered, but water droplets can easily enter the rolling bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The solution adds a vertical barrier dimension by extending the elastomeric material radially outward to form a flange that protrudes beyond the support cap. This flange creates a physical barrier against water droplets while the elastomeric material continues to provide vibration filtering, thus resolving the contradiction between vibration filtering and sealing performance.
3Reliability
If the filtering element includes radially extending flanges, then water ingress is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric vibration-filtering element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it filters vibrations through its elastomeric properties, creates a water barrier through its radially extending flange, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thus resolving the contradiction between pollution prevention and device complexity.
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 filters vibrations, prevents water ingress, and enhances operational reliability by reducing the risk of pollution and stress on components, while maintaining a low part count and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap
Implementation Method 2
the filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing
Data Source
AI summary
The suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap. The filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing.