Thrust Sliding Bearing Deflection Reduction via Segmented Lower Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thrust sliding bearings in vehicles are prone to deflection when supporting vehicle body loads due to the integral formation of the spring seat surface on the lower casing.
Innovation Solution
A thrust sliding bearing design where the vehicle body-side seat surface, thrust sliding bearing surface, and spring seat surface are arranged in an axial direction, with the lower casing featuring recessed portions to allow for local thermal deformations, reducing the likelihood of deflection and maintaining fabrication accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spring seat surface is integrally formed on the lower casing, then the number of parts is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but deflection occurs when vehicle body load is supported
Solution Approach 1:
The lower casing is divided into a spring seat portion and a main body portion through a groove, creating separate functional zones. This segmentation allows the spring seat portion to be optimized for load-bearing stability while the main body maintains its structural integrity, preventing deflection under vehicle body load while keeping the overall structure integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring seat portion is given different structural characteristics from the main body by forming a groove that creates a distinct region. This local quality change allows the spring seat area to have enhanced rigidity and deflection resistance specifically where needed, without affecting the overall design simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lower casing is made as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing precision is improved, but thermal deformation affects fabrication accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The groove divides the lower casing into distinct portions that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction independently. This segmentation allows thermal deformation to occur in controlled areas without compromising the overall fabrication accuracy of critical surfaces like the spring seat surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure changes the thermal parameter distribution within the lower casing, creating zones with different thermal characteristics. This allows the spring seat portion to maintain dimensional stability while other areas accommodate thermal changes, preserving manufacturing precision despite temperature variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the thrust sliding bearing piece is added between the upper and lower casings, then deflection is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust sliding bearing piece acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower casings, providing a dedicated load-bearing interface. This mediator component reduces deflection by distributing forces evenly while maintaining relative simplicity through its straightforward placement and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The thrust sliding bearing piece serves multiple functions: it reduces deflection, provides a sliding interface for rotational movement, and distributes thermal and mechanical loads. This multi-functionality justifies its addition by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
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
This design effectively reduces the possibility of deflection during vehicle body load support while maintaining high fabrication accuracy and preventing water ingress.
Implementation Method 1
a thrust sliding bearing piece which is disposed in an annular gap between the annular lower surface and the annular upper surface, and has an annular thrust sliding bearing surface which slidably abuts against at least one of the annular lower surface and the annular upper surface
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust sliding bearing 1 includes: a synthetic resin-made upper casing 3 which has a vehicle body-side seat surface 10 for a mounting member 8 on a vehicle body side and an annular lower surface 2; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 5 on which an annular upper surface 4 opposed to the annular lower surface 2 and a spring seat surface 25 for a suspension coil spring 7 are integrally formed, and which is superposed on the upper casing 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis O of the upper casing 3 in an R direction; and a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing piece 6 which is disposed in an annular gap 9 between the annular lower surface 2 and the annular upper surface 4, and has an annular thrust sliding bearing surface 51 which slidably abuts against at least one of the annular lower surface 2 and the annular upper surface 4.