Thrust Sliding Bearing Anti-Wear Segmented Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust sliding bearings for four-wheeled vehicle strut-type suspensions have complex structures with many components, leading to high assembly burdens and unusual wear of synthetic resin-made sliding bearing surfaces due to metal plate contact.
Innovation Solution
A thrust sliding bearing design with a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece featuring anti-rotation engaging convex portions and grooves, integrated into an upper case, which increases friction and prevents unusual wear by fixing the bearing piece to the upper case, reducing rotation angles, and using an annular metal plate with a stepped portion for enhanced rigidity and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second bearing body is integrated with the annular upper cover to reduce the number of components, then the assembly burden and components management are simplified, but the surface of the thrust sliding bearing piece facing the annular metal plate becomes unusually worn due to sliding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the bearing structure into distinct functional segments: the upper case (housing) and the thrust sliding bearing piece (insert). The upper case contains engagement grooves that mate with convex portions on the bearing piece, creating a segmented design where the bearing piece can be pressed into and fixed within the upper case. This segmentation allows the bearing piece to remain stationary relative to the upper case, preventing sliding contact with the metal plate while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary fixing mechanism consisting of engagement grooves and convex portions between the upper case and the thrust sliding bearing piece. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator that prevents direct sliding contact between the bearing piece and the metal plate by securing the bearing piece to the upper case, thereby eliminating the wear problem while maintaining component integration.
2Ease of operation
If the synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece is allowed to rotate freely, then smooth relative rotation is achieved, but the bearing piece experiences unusual wear due to sliding contact with the metal plate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by allowing the lower case to rotate freely relative to the upper case through the thrust sliding bearing piece, while simultaneously using static engagement features (grooves and convex portions) to prevent rotation of the bearing piece itself. This dynamic-static combination enables smooth rotation of the bearing assembly while preventing the bearing piece from sliding against the metal plate, thereby eliminating wear.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the anti-rotation engaging convex portions are made to engage deeply with the grooves to prevent rotation, then rotation control is improved, but the friction between the bearing piece and upper case increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by designing the engagement grooves and convex portions with specific geometric characteristics at the local contact points. The grooves are configured to provide sufficient engagement depth and surface area to prevent rotation of the bearing piece, while the contact surfaces are optimized to minimize friction. This localized optimization allows effective rotation control without excessive friction, enabling the bearing piece to remain stable while still allowing smooth rotation of the overall bearing assembly.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces wear on synthetic resin surfaces, ensures smooth relative rotation, and maintains the rigidity of the metal plate to handle thrust loads effectively, preventing eccentricity and wedge effects, thus enhancing the bearing's performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an annular synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece provided in an annular space formed between the upper case and the lower case for receiving a thrust load of the piston rod
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a thrust sliding bearing which reduces the number of components to thereby reduce the burden of assembly and components management and prevents unusual wear of a surface of an annular synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece, which faces an annular metal plate. A thrust sliding bearing (100) comprises an upper case (110) which is integrally formed at least by an annular upper case base (111) having an annular bottom surface (111 a) and by an upper case cylindrical portion (112) which is provided vertically from the annular bottom surface (111 a) of the upper case base (111) to be fitted in a lower case (120), wherein a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece (130) is fixed to the inner side of the upper case cylindrical portion (112).