Tapered Vehicle Bushing Axial Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension bushings are costly, overly stiff in tilting directions, and prone to wear and axial displacement due to limited flexibility and inadequate axial fixation, which compromises their ability to absorb movements and maintain stability.
Innovation Solution
A bushing design featuring a rigid core member with a bearing portion having a first and second tapering portion, where the axial extension is larger than the radial extension, and an elastomer body that can rotate and tilt, with a rigid body moulded into the elastomer to enhance stiffness and flexibility, and voids to increase compressibility, allowing for local deformations and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a thin inner elastomer body is used to provide radial stiffness, then radial stability is improved, but flexibility in tilting directions deteriorates due to limited shear strength
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer body is divided into two distinct portions: an inner elastomer body for radial stiffness and an outer elastomer body for tilting flexibility. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bushing are given different properties: the inner elastomer body is designed with high radial stiffness, while the outer elastomer body is designed with higher flexibility to accommodate tilting movements. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stability and directional flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outer elastomer body is fixed to metallic bodies by vulcanisation to provide tilting elasticity, then tilting flexibility is improved, but wear and abrasion risk increases due to high stress on the elastomer
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer body is segmented into inner and outer portions with different fixation methods. The inner elastomer body is fixed by vulcanisation to the middle metallic body, while the outer elastomer body is designed to rotate relative to the inner elastomer body, reducing stress concentration and wear at the fixation points.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic system where the outer elastomer body can rotate relative to the inner elastomer body. This dynamic capability allows the bushing to accommodate tilting movements while reducing stress on the vulcanised joints, thereby improving wear resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If axial ends are not secured by tight flange fitting to maintain tilting flexibility, then tilting flexibility is preserved, but axial displacement risk increases under large forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing structure is segmented into fixed axial components (metallic bodies) and flexible tilting components (elastomer bodies). The metallic bodies provide axial stability through their rigid structure, while the elastomer bodies provide tilting flexibility, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing uses a composite structure combining metallic bodies for axial stability and elastomer bodies for tilting flexibility. This composite design allows the axial ends to be secured against displacement while maintaining flexibility in tilting directions, as the two materials complement each other's properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple metallic bodies and elastomer bodies are used to achieve both radial stiffness and tilting elasticity, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner and outer elastomer bodies are merged into a single integrated elastomer component that performs both radial support and tilting functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the required functionality, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single elastomer body is designed to perform multiple functions: providing radial stiffness through its inner portion and enabling tilting movements through its outer portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall 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 bushing provides improved radial and axial stiffness while maintaining flexibility in tilting directions, reducing the risk of wear and axial displacement, and automatically returning to a central neutral position, thus enhancing stability and reducing production and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer body being arranged on at least a portion of the radially outer surface of the bearing portion
Implementation Method 2
the bearing portion comprises a first and a second tapering portion, wherein the first tapering portion tapers towards one axial end of the bearing portion and the second tapering portion tapers towards the other opposite axial end of the bearing portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a reaction rod arrangement, in particular a V-stay suspension, for a vehicle including a bushing (1), wherein the bushing (1) comprises a rigid core member (3) having a bearing portion (9) and defining a longitudinal axis (z), and an elastomer body (11) being arranged on at least a portion of the radially outer surface of the bearing portion (9), characterised in that the bearing portion (9) comprises a first and a second tapering portion (37, 39), wherein the first tapering portion (37) tapers towards one axial end of the bearing portion (9) and the second tapering portion (39) tapers towards the other opposite axial end of the bearing portion (9), wherein the axial extension of the bearing portion (9) is larger than its maximal radial extension with respect to the longitudinal axis (z), and wherein the elastomer body (11) is movably arranged on the bearing portion (9) such that the elastomer body (11) is able to perform a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis (z) relative to the rigid core member (3) and a tilting movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (z) relative to the rigid core member (3).