Suspension Thrust Bearing Resilient Isolator Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suspension thrust bearings in motor vehicle suspension systems face damage from shocks and vibrations, leading to reduced service life and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A suspension thrust bearing design featuring upper and lower annular bearing members with resilient isolators made of materials like thermoplastic polyurethane, integrated with rolling bearings and stiffening inserts, to absorb and distribute axial and radial loads and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suspension thrust bearing design is used, then the structure is simple, but the service life is reduced due to damage from shocks and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient isolator made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper bearing surface and the support block. This isolator absorbs shocks and vibrations, protecting the bearing from damage while maintaining structural simplicity. The isolator acts as a mediator that dampens harmful forces without requiring complex structural modifications.
2Reliability
If resilient isolators are added to damp shocks and vibrations, then the service life is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient isolator is integrally molded with the upper bearing member in a single manufacturing process. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, reduces part count, and simplifies manufacturing while still providing the shock-damping function to extend service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper bearing member is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid portion (for structural support) and a resilient isolator portion (for shock absorption). This composite design allows the single component to fulfill multiple functions - structural integrity and vibration damping - without requiring separate parts or complex assembly.
3Device complexity
If the upper isolator is integrally molded with the upper bearing member, then the assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient isolator is designed with localized damping features concentrated at specific positions where shocks and vibrations are most severe. This allows the majority of the bearing surface to maintain standard manufacturing tolerances, while only specific localized areas require enhanced precision for the damping function, reducing overall manufacturing 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 design enhances the service life and manufacturing simplicity of suspension thrust bearings by effectively damping shocks and vibrations, ensuring improved durability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an upper isolator made of resilient material and fixed to the upper bearing surface such that the upper isolator fits between the upper annular bearing member and support block
Implementation Method 2
upper isolator made of resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension thrust bearing for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing provides a bearing having upper and lower annular bearing members in relative rotation to each other, and having upper and lower bearing surfaces, respectively, disposed in confronting alignment with each other. The lower bearing surface has a contour shaped to axially receive an upper end of the suspension spring. The upper bearing surface is shaped to be axially received by a support block attached to a body of the vehicle. The suspension thrust bearing includes an upper isolator made of resilient material and fixed to the upper bearing surface such that the upper isolator fits between the upper annular bearing member and support block.