Vehicle Suspension Upper Support with Concave Convex Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional upper supports for vehicle suspension often cause noise due to gaps between the flange portion and the vehicle body mounting portion, and existing solutions increase the number of components or assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
An upper support with a flange portion featuring a concave/convex contact face that reduces the contact area with the vehicle body, minimizing noise and mispositioning without adding extra components, and optionally incorporating a mesh pattern for enhanced strength and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cushioning member is added between the outer cylindrical member and the mounting portion, then noise is reduced, but the number of components and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning function is merged into the flange portion itself by forming a concave/convex structure on its contact surface. This eliminates the need for a separate cushioning member while maintaining the noise reduction effect, as the concave portions provide cushioning action directly at the contact interface with the mounting portion
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface of the flange portion is given non-uniform local quality through the concave/convex structure. The concave portions provide localized cushioning zones where the material can deform to absorb impact, while the convex portions maintain structural integrity. This local modification achieves noise reduction without adding overall component complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the contact area between the flange portion and mounting portion is increased, then stability is improved, but noise increases due to repeated contact and rebound
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is modified with localized concave portions that create specific cushioning zones. These localized soft zones allow controlled deformation to absorb impact energy, reducing noise from repeated contact while maintaining overall stability through the distributed convex portions that provide structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The concave portions are pre-formed on the flange contact surface to provide cushioning action before contact occurs. This beforehand cushioning structure allows the material to deform elastically upon contact with the mounting portion, absorbing impact energy and preventing the sharp rebound that causes noise
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 concave/convex design effectively reduces noise and mispositioning by applying large contact pressure with a smaller contact area, achieving noise reduction and misalignment prevention through a simple structure without increasing component count.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber elastic body (16) interposed between radially opposed faces of the inner cylindrical member (12) and the outer cylindrical member (14) while elastically connecting the inner and outer cylindrical members
Data Source
AI summary
An upper support for vehicle suspension including: an inner cylindrical member; an outer cylindrical member spaced apart peripherally outward from the inner cylindrical member; a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member while elastically connecting the two members; and a flange portion extending radially outward from the outer cylindrical member while being adapted to be overlapped and fixed onto a mounting portion of a vehicle body. A fastening seat portion is provided to the flange portion over a prescribed area and has a contact face adapted to be in contact against the mounting portion of the vehicle body. A concave/convex portion is formed on the contact face of the fastening seat portion over a prescribed area thereof.